To all my new story favorites, author favorites and story alerts, thanks!: susysucredorge, Ivy-Lea,7sodeno shirayuki7 and BrittBrat03.

Special Thanks to my wonderful reviewers! I really appreciate you guys taking the time to leave me a comment: Halcyon, Otepbunni, war90, Boobie-Chan, nypsy, Hyou no joo, butterfliesinspring, Beruhime219, Fantasy Obsession, rouge demon, GothChiq80, crazy4music, porcelainsnow, ShortFingerNails and Jaded Baby Blues.

You guys are the best… I'll never be able to tell you how grateful I am. This is for you…

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach

Chapter 9

Orihime was the first to wake from the short nap after their love making session. She was thoroughly tired after Renji had worn her out. It was as if he wanted to prove something… And he did… She knew with all her heart that he truly loved her. She could feel it emanating from his being as they made love.

She was overjoyed that he felt the same as her. She also couldn't put into words how much she truly loved him. She had been this lonely blind girl, poor as hell, absolutely nothing to offer and living out in one of the worst districts available, but he found her.

He treated her as any other person. He didn't look down on her and was always there to help her and to keep her safe when he didn't need to. He didn't treat her like an object, and he was always courteous of her feelings. He never rushed her into anything and always left the decision to her.

Every woman always wants certain things in a man. A nice smile, a great body, good hair, tall, great humor, etc… it was always mostly physical things.

All she wanted was someone to love her as much as she loved him, and she had found that. She had been completely blind so no matter what anyone would say, looks really didn't matter to her. His body, height, and smile were just a bonus to the amazing person he was.

She giggled at that and felt him awakening. He rolled onto his side, facing her, his right arm acting as a pillow for her head and his left arm pulling her closer to his nude body.

He smiled at her and she could just see the faint outline of it.

"What ya laughing at?" he said, yawning.

"Nothing Renji-kun. I'm just happy to be with you."

"Hmm... Me too…" he replied as he kissed her softly, smoothing his hands along her bare back.

He pulled away slightly to look at her, "Hime, I want you too know that I really meant what I said before…"

"I know Renji-kun, so did I…" she smiled as he kissed her on the forehead.

They stayed in each others arms for a few minutes longer when Orihime squealed and jumped, tumbling off the bed in her haste.

"Oi! Orihime! What the hell are you doing?" Renji asked, shocked as he leaned over the bed to look at Orihime on the floor, tangled in the bed sheets, rubbing her sore bottom.

"Owie… That hurt…" she said

Renji grinned, "Fine, come here, I'll make it better" he chuckled and moved to pick her up, when she scrambled back.

Renji furrowed his eyebrows and growled, "Hime… Come here…"

She got up quickly, looking around, trying to make out where her clothes were. Getting part of her sight back was new to her so she was a bit disorientated at first.

"No Renji-kun! I have to finish the baking! I told you you're a distraction!" she giggled as she felt around for her clothing.

Renji sighed. Damn kids were messing with his time with his Hime. He chuckled then, he couldn't let them starve and he needed to stop being selfish. He also cared for them, so he pushed his carnal thoughts away and helped Orihime with her clothes and her baking, eventually going with her to the market.

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The market was bustling with an overwhelmingly large amount of people. Orihime greeted the many friends she had as usual, but this time going as far as getting really close to them so as to get a better look at them. They were shocked at first but when she explained, leaving out the dream, they were all overjoyed for her, especially the kids.

They all took turns to stand in front of Orihime as she tried to put a face to the many names. Everyone was so happy, and Renji couldn't help but allow himself to feel the warmth surrounding the group.

Orihime fell silent for a while and looked around. "Where's Akio everybody?"

One of the older boys came forward. "I'm not sure Orihime-chan… We haven't seen him the entire day today…"

Before Orihime could say anything, they all turned towards the street as yelling could be heard. There was a strangled cry and Orihime ran towards it screaming, "Akio-chan!" They all followed her, Renji right behind her.

When they made it to the street, there was a small crowd surrounding a burly man who held a whip in his hand. Orihime moved to the front of the crowd and gasped as she could make out a small figure curled up on the ground. Even though she couldn't see properly, she knew it was Akio.

She ran to him, kneeling and taking his small body into her arms. He groaned at her touch and she then noticed the warm liquid on her hands and the smell of blood. She felt his small hands only to come across cuts and bruises.

"Orihime-chan… It hurts…" he cried.

"Ssh Akio-chan. I'm here now, I'll look after you…" she kissed his forehead.

"Look here woman, I have no dealings with you. I'm not done with the kid. He tried to steal from me and no one gets away in my book. Now move aside." The burly man said testily.

"I s-swear O-Orihime-chan… I wasn't going to steal anything… I just picked a few flowers that I wanted to give you and I said I'd give him some of my trinkets as payment but he laughed and told me to get out. When I was leaving, I was going to leave the flowers by the door but he attacked me with the whip, so I ran but I wasn't as fast as him…" The little boy cried in his tiny voice, within Orihime's arms.

"Don't lie my boy! I know you were going to steal it. All of you street rats are the same!" the huge man screamed.

Before Renji could intervene, apparently the man didn't know there was a Captain witnessing all of this, Orihime's voice stopped him.

"He didn't steal it! I know he didn't! He wouldn't lie! Just leave him alone!" she screamed, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. She was so overwhelmed with emotion. The little boy had wanted to give her the flowers and this brute of a man beat him because of a stupid misunderstanding!

Renji was surprised. He had never seen Orihime show this type of emotion before. She looked like she was beyond angry, like she was trying hard to not lash out at him.

"Now you listen to me, if you don't move I'm just gonna let the both of you have it!" the over sized man shouted, raising his whip.

"No, I won't let you hurt him!" Orihime screamed, she looked extremely angry

As the man brought down the whip, Renji made a move to stop it but was stopped in his tracks as he heard Orihime scream and then an orange triangular shaped shield formed before the two on the floor and the man, as the whip ricochet off it.

"W-What the…" the burly man said in surprise. Everyone was stunned, even Renji but he quickly came to his senses, flashed stepped in front of the man, and all he saw was the terror in the mans eyes, for that was all he was allowed, as Renji punched him in the gut.

When he bent over clutching his stomach, Renji elbowed him in the face, watching him fall to the ground. He moved to stand over him, his face contorted in rage.

"You fucking bastard… Who the fuck do you think you are? You could have killed the kid! And he didn't steal a thing, or weren't you listening? And to make matters worse you dared strike Orihime! I should kill you for that!" Renji screamed

He knelt down, gripping the man by his collar as he tried to stutter incomprehensible words, his face showing he was terrified. Renji pulled back to land another blow to his already bleeding face, when he heard her soft voice call out to him.

"Renji-kun… He's not worth it…" she said softly.

He turned and looked at her, the shield had dissipated and she was looking directly at him with those soft sad eyes. He looked back at the filth in his hands, grunted and shoved him back to the ground. He walked over to Orihime, and kneeled over them.

"H-Hime… Are you okay…?" he asked, looking at her worriedly and moving the stray hair off her face.

"Hai Renji-kun… My head hurts a little…" she said with a sad smile. She looked down at the bundle in her hands and she started crying once again. "I c-can see you a bit more clearly Akio-chan… I wish I could help you… I wish I could take away your pain…" her tears falling on the little boy.

"It's okay Orihime-chan, I'll get better real soon. It's not your fault." Akio said in his small sweet voice.

Renji hugged Orihime, and then gently pushed some of the hair of Akio's brow. He frowned, although he was a captain, he's Kidou skills hadn't improved that much, maybe in combat but not in healing. He didn't wanna push his luck. He was about to pick them both up and take them off to squad four when he heard Orihime speak.

"No… I should have been there to protect you Akio…I'm sorry…" she cried in distress, shaking her head. She looked as if she couldn't bear the fact that she couldn't do anything about the little boy's state.

However, she was shocked out of her anguish when an orange dome appeared and covered Akio's body. They all looked in shock as his wounds began to heal. Orihime stared dumfounded at the two fairies on either side of the dome.

Her sight had cleared even more so than before. She could clearly see Akio's cute face, albeit it was a little blurry but not as before, as well as the wounds he had sustained, which were now being sealed.

She gasped. What was going on…? How was this happening? Was she doing this…? She turned to look at Renji but a sudden stab of pain ripped through her. She grabbed her head and screamed in agony.

Renji pulled her against him as he saw the dome disappear and Akio try to get up on his tiny legs and hold onto Orihime as she shook her head back and forth.

"Orihime-chan! What's wrong?" the little boy exclaimed worriedly. He looked up at Renji, "Abarai Taicho… What's wrong with her? Please help her…" he said pleadingly

Renji looked at the fear in the boy's eyes as he held onto Orihime to stop her from falling over as she still clutched her head in agony. "Hai" was all he said as he took a hold of Orihime with one hand and Akio with the other, flash stepping away.

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Renji arrived at squad four, letting Akio down and cradling Orihime to his chest. He walked in and at the same moment Isane came into view.

"Abarai Taicho… What's wrong?" she asked, looking at the three of them in surprise.

"Isane Fukataicho, I don't know what's wrong with her, I think it's her powers but she won't stop holding her head and screaming. I need your help…" He said in a defeated tone.

"Hai, follow me."

She took them to one of the private rooms and allowed Renji to place Orihime on the bed, holding her still so she didn't fall off. She watched him as he tried to comfort her with soft words and light kisses but the young beauty would not relent in her shuffling.

The little boy stood at the door looking all the more worried. She felt her heart go out to both the boy and Renji. Just then Unohana walked in.

"What seems to be the problem Isane?" she asked in her serene voice

Before Isane could explain, Renji relayed everything that had happened. She nodded and went to the bed, raising her hand over Orihime as a light began to glow over her. Orihime's movements stilled and she fell into a slumber.

Renji kissed her on her forehead and pulled the blankets under her chin. He stood there, not yet wanting to let go of her hand as he watched her.

"Isane, take the little boy to one of the other rooms and check his injuries please." Unohana said softly

"B-But I want to stay here with Orihime-chan please!" Akio cried desperately, running towards the bed.

"Now now, Orihime-chan needs her rest, she's really tired. Also I want to check your injuries so when she wakes up she'll be happy that you're okay" Unohana smiled at him. It was a smile that slightly warned him not to argue, and he didn't. Isane took his hand and walked out of the room.

"Abarai Taicho, I think we have a few things to discuss"

He sighed, "Hai" and with one last look at Orihime he closed the door and followed Unohana to her office.

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He explained everything to her, from Orihime's headaches, her dream and the restoration of her vision. He had even told her about how Orihime had felt as if she knew the Shinigami's even though she had not met them before.

He figured he should tell her everything, maybe she could deduce something from all of this… Renji was scared… If it was an enemy he could see, he could fight it physically, but this was in her head. He was helpless and he didn't like it at all… he couldn't help her… he would just have to sit and wait patiently…

"Well Abarai Taicho, it seems as if her powers have been reawakened. They must have been lying dormant from the time she was hit and they were probably tied to her sight. Therefore I can assume, if her powers are to resurface, she should regain her sight." Unohana explained

"Hai, I understand, but what about her memories Unohana Taicho. Will she get them back as well?" he asked apprehensively

"I'm sorry Abarai Taicho, but I don't know for sure. Orihime had always been a very spiritually aware individual. It is possible that she could retain her memories after all this time but I'm not one hundred percent sure. It might be her subconscious that remembers us. However I don't know if it will resurface into full blown memories." She replied truthfully.

"Hai…" he sighed dejectedly. "I'm just going to take her to my quarters if that's okay with you"

"Okay, but if she starts acting up again, bring her back as soon as possible. I don't think there's anything to worry about. I feel that it may be her powers trying to resurface and it might be a strain on her at the moment. I suggest you watch over her, if she asks, explain her powers to her as best you can, but avoid any emotional stress by refraining from telling her about her past." Unohana said softly.

"Hai, thank you Taicho, I really appreciate this. Let me fetch the boy and I'll be on my way."

Renji gathered both Orihime and Akio and took them to his quarters in his squad's barracks. It wasn't anything too fancy, but it was really spacious, with two bedrooms, a living area, kitchen and a bathroom. He also had access to his own private garden.

Once he reached his destination, he laid Orihime on his bed, tucked her in and shut the door behind him. He walked to the sofa in the living area and waited for Akio to follow him but he watched as he still stood at the entrance of his bedroom.

"You can sit Akio, its okay" Renji said to the boy

"But I might dirty your seats Abarai Taicho." The boy replied with his hands folded behind him, head bowed.

Renji smiled at his manners, "Nonsense, come here" and he patted the seat next to him.

He walked over slowly and climbed onto the seat next to Renji, clasping his hands on his lap. "Abarai Taicho… Is Orihime-chan going to be okay…?" he said, looking up at Renji

Renji couldn't help but smile at the boy's innocence and worry over the auburn beauty whose presence had hijacked both their hearts.

"Hai Akio, she will be fine. She's just a little tired at the moment. Let her rest and she'll be fine" he said reassuringly.

However the boy began to rub at his cheeks as tears rolled out of his eyes. "B-But if I didn't run out of the shop, if I just stayed and caught the beating, Orihime-chan would be fine! She wouldn't have gotten hurt trying to save me! It's all my fault…" the boy cried.

Renji was saddened at the boy's words. He was so little but he carried a heavy weight on his tiny shoulders. He wanted to look after the beauty but in his mind he thought he had failed to protect her and now she had gotten hurt because of him.

He wasn't really used to comforting people but now was a better time to try then any. He picked the wailing boy up and deposited him in his lap, holding him close to his chest and smoothing his hand along his back to comfort him.

"It's okay Akio, she's not hurt. Orihime just wanted to protect you because she loves you. She'll be very happy if she knows she did." He said soothingly

"But what where those orange things Abarai Taicho? And how did she heal me…? I don't remember seeing that before." Akio asked, while he wiped his face, crying subsiding.

"I'll let Orihime explain them too you when she knows how too okay?"

"Hai"

The boy continued to stay in his arms while Renji stroked his back, eventually leading him to sleep. All the while Renji fretted, hoping that Orihime did not get her memory back. He did not want to lose her, not now.

If it came down to it, he would damn well fight for her. And that was a promise he intended to keep. With all the rampant thoughts flowing through his mind, he also nodded off on the couch with little Akio in his arms.

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A/N: Thanks again for reading. I know this was short but the next chapter should be up real soon seeing as I'm almost done with the story… Everything just needs editing, which shall be done between my other commitments, such as life…Lol. You guys are truly amazing and I really thank you for all your support.

On another note, I'd just like to clarify something from the previous chapter. When Rukia thought that she could regain her friendship with Renji and maybe it could turn into something more, it was over thinking on her part. She didn't know that Renji loved Orihime, she thought that they were just together, especially seeing as Orihime didn't have her memories.

Why she asked for that 'something more' was because Renji told her that he had loved her. She chose to over look the fact that he also said he moved on… She figured that seeing as she was able to harbor such feelings for Kaien for so long that maybe he would to. She guessed wrong!

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Rukia. I actually like her character but this kind of role just played into my story… Also a faithful reviewer, nypsy, pointed it out that she was pining for a married man, Kaien. It kinda makes sense in that way for her to follow Ichigo and Renji after that when she knows Orihime is in the picture, but now she's over stepping her boundaries… Lol, but just remember its all part of the story and sorry for not explaining this before…

Geez… The note was almost like a chapter! Sorry about that… Well Take care… :)