Onna

Chapter 1

Orihime yawned as she reached over to the night stand where her ringing phone lay. The clock sitting next to it read 4:32 am. "He-Hello…?" She answered groggily. "Um... Hi, Orihime, it's Ichigo. Look, I'm sorry for waking you up so early, but Rukia just got here saying somethin' about the Soul Society needing us for something." Orihime sat up and stretched, "What do mean 'us'? Like, Rukia, you and I 'us' or Renji, Uryu, Rukia, Chad, you, and me kind of 'us'?" There was some shuffling on the other line before Ichigo replied, "All of us: Renji, Rukia, Chad, Uryu, you, and me."

"Ichigo give me the damn phone, Orihime's probably half from you're babbling!" Some more shuffling occurred along with two voices shouting at each other. Finally Rukia came on, "Sorry about that, Ichigo was just being an ass." Suddenly her tone became more serious, "Orihime, my captain and a few others have asked us to help out the members of the Thirteen Court Guard Squad that are trying to secure a base for the Soul Society in Hueco Mundo." Orihime's breathe hitched a moment at the mention of the hollow realm, "Why us?" She gasped and shook her head, "That sounded bad- I'm not trying to be rude, it's just… isn't there lots of other soul reapers to help them. I mean… we just got back from there…."

Rukia sighed into the receiver. "I know what you mean and even I was a little taken aback when I heard they wanted all of us to return there when it's only been four or five weeks since we defeated Aizen. I was told they wanted us because we kind of have an idea of the structure of Los Noches." Ichigo said something in the background that sounded like "We do?" causing Rukia to shout back "Shut up!" before returning to their conversation, "Well, Ichigo and I have already called Chad about this, Renji already knows, and we still need to contact Uryu about meeting up at Kisuke's place to explain in more detail what's going on." Orihime pulled the covers off of her and stood up, "So, we're all meeting up at Mr. Urahara's to talk more about this, like… Now?" Some more shuffling. "Yes, as soon as possible." She confirmed. Orihime yawned again as she said her goodbye's before pressing the red 'Off' button on her cell.

After getting a quick shower, dressing, and brushing her hair and teeth, Orihime felt much more energized. Rukia had told her to meet as soon as she could, so she decided to head out, skipping breakfast. About two or so blocks from the shopkeeper's residence, someone shouted to her, "Hey, Orihime!" She turned to see the dark haired Quincy waving to her. "Good morning Uryu!" She said. "Good morning, Orihime. Mind if I walk with you to Urahara's?" He replied, jogging up next to her. "No, I'd like the company." She said cheerfully.

When they reached the small shop Yoruichi, in her cat form, was there to meet them. "Good morning, Orihime, Uryu." She said. They nodded their greetings as the entered. Chad, Renji, Ichigo and Rukia were already sitting at the small table along with Kisuke Urahara. "Morning kids!" Urahara said happily, "Looks like everyone's here, so let's get on with it." Renji Yawned. Everyone at the table nodded in agreement. Rukia took a deep breath before she began…

"After everything in Hueco Mundo, and Aizen and his cronies were defeated, several of the captains agreed that the information in Los Noches would be of some value. Captain Unohana and Captain Kurotsuchi volunteered to take the lead in the mission for the medical equipment and library, along with the scientific info could be of great use to the Soul Society. Since we were to be there for a measurable period of time just for that mission, we've decided to create a base in Los Noches. Even though I'd highly disagree, they want us to go there and assist them because we have a better Idea of the size and lay out of Los Noches."

For a long while, everyone sat in silence, letting the information Rukia had just explained sink in. Uryu was the first to speak, "So, then when are we leaving? I mean, since summer break is next week, would we be leaving on the first day of summer? And if so, would we be out the whole summer, or what?" More silence. "You're correct; we'll be leaving the first day of the break but… Um… well… I haven't been given the exact date we'll be returning. I'm assuming that's because we have no idea how long it'll take to accomplish the task of securing a base so…" Rukia trailed off. It was Renji's turn to talk, "…So, we'll be there as long as they need us, then I guess they'll send us back when we're done." The silence that insisted on creeping its way into their conversation took over again.

Orihime had spent who now how many days, weeks, maybe months in that horrid dimension… But if her friends needed her, then she would go.

The week to follow was, to put it bluntly, hectic. Orihime was told to pack whatever things she thought she might need while there. She was grateful that she wouldn't need to bring all of her dressers contents for Rukia had informed her that they would send people back and forth between the Soul Society and Los Noches to retrieve any items that might become needed during their stay along with sending over laundry to be washed. Once she had packed, unpacked, and repacked the small duffle bag she was going to be taking, she had to deal with her friends at school. Orihime made sure to casually mention that she would be visiting relatives out of town during summer break several different times to her classmates. Everyone took her fib as truth and thought nothing more of it, everyone except for Tatsuki.

Now that Tatsuki knew about Ichigo's (and the rest of the gang's) powers, there was nothing to hide. Though when Orihime told her about returning to Hueco Mundo, "less then pleased" didn't quite describe her reaction. The raven haired girl toppled four desks, tossing one out an open window, and punched Ichigo in the face. When the orange haired boy asked why she'd given him a black eye, she told him it was because she didn't feel right hitting Chad or Uryu.

Tatsuki eventually calmed down (or at the very least stopped destroying school property) long enough for Orihime and Rukia to explain the entire situation. After sitting in silence for a while, she had to give in and allow her friend to do what the Soul Society had asked of her.

As Orihime sat in her empty apartment, she felt a strange sense of nostalgia. Everyone was to depart the next morning, and she couldn't seem to get any sleep. She sat at her kitchen table, sipping a class of water, trying to make herself tired. Looking around her home one last time before returning to her bed, she realized why she felt such a strange sense of deja vu. The feeling in her gut was the same feeling that had soaked into her the night she left to Hueco Mundo the first time. Orihime pulled the covers over her head and clamped her eyes shut, pushing the thoughts away.

Orihime and the others were to meet up, again, at Kisuke Urahara's shop. He was going to open a garganta to the other realm. Once they all made their way down to his training ground of a basement, he began to open the passage. The first time he'd been asked to open a one, it'd took him almost two and a half months, now it took him less then twenty minutes. "I'm getting pretty good at this if, I don't say myself." He chuckled, standing back to look at his handy work.

Once given the all clear, the group of friends began their way through to Hueco Mundo.

The bright haired girl knew where they had reached their destination the moment she breathed in the dry air. Instead of just being within Hueco Mundo, Urahara had managed to put them directly in Los Noches. Orihime and her friends we standing in the middle of the dome, the dull artificial sky hanging above them. "Welcome." The group turned to find Captain Unohana and her lieutenant coming up from behind to greet them. She gave a reassuring smile to them, "Captain Kurotsuchi and I are vary grateful that you are able to assist us-"

"Yo, Strawberry!" A gruff voice interrupted. Everyone in the group gaped at the man walking up behind the female captain. All of them recognized the vibrant blue hair and wicked grin.

Grimmjow Jeagerjaques.

The first thing that came to the stunned groups mind was "How?" Ichigo had defeated him in battle, and Nnoitra had delivered the final blow. The Espada was dead, and yet he was walking towards them now.

Orihime was shocked, and a bit frightened, of the appearance of the Ex-Espada, but she wasn't staring at him like the others. Her gaze fell elsewhere. A few strides behind Grimmjow was another person. His hand was stuck in his pocket, and he wore the same white clothing as the arrancar's'. His size was small, and his features we young looking. 'A little…boy…?' She thought. He had a mask on the side of his dark head, and… Her heart seemed to stop completely for a moment before it began again. Blue-green streaks ran from the bottom of his emerald eyes to the end of his face.

She knew of only one person that shared those markings.

"G-Grimmjow! But- I- You- Huh?" Ichigo stammered, thrusting a finger out toward him. The blue haired man's grin grew wider, "Talk much, soul reaper?" Unohana held up a hand, silencing them, "As you can see, there is much to explain. If you would follow me I promise it will all soon make since."

Even as they were lead inside one of the porcelain buildings, Orihime's thoughts when back to the child trailing them as they walked. She glanced back at him, finding his eyes on her. They held each others gaze for what felt like an eternity before she broke away, turning to face the front again. The thought rang in her head,

'Why does that little boy looks so much… like Ulquiorra?'

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First Chapter- done! Yay! I'm very pleased with how the first chapter turned out. ;P

I'd really love some feedback and critque on this, please and thank you. :) :)