I'm back! The move went well, I'm all settled into my dorm and classes have begun. Thanks for all your well wishes, I appreciated them! :D

First of all, I want to apologize to the last five or so people who reviewed but never received a response from me. FanFic has apparently decided to stop sending me notifications so I had no idea I had gotten more reviews until I checked the list just five minutes ago and was surprised to find reviews I didn't recognize. Looks like I'll have to check the page every few days or so from now on just to make sure, since FanFic is wonky. Grrr! But thank you so much to llloverrr, Cinniminni, b4ndg33k, grimxichixshiroxmomoxorixx, Rachel, Lyhime, p17oyDONju9n, Lady Nazo, racholasj, Dragunity Gemini, ombre nocturne, Aline, zodious, war90, EL0NI, songsparrw1, Somerlia, nypsy, and AbaraiArekushisu. And special thanks to le etoile and CrystalDawn for beta-reading this and giving me feedback!

On a final note, this chapter pushes the T rating because of certain topics discussed/eluded to and because Shirosaki is... well, he's a naughty boy. Enjoy :)

Chapter 20

Tangible progress

Over the next three days, Orihime learned something rather interesting about Ichigo. Her scowling, tough punk of a boyfriend was a bigger softie on the inside than even she had known. She saw it in the way he compensated (mostly overcompensated) for his sullen, hurtful behavior in the days following the battle. He wasn't showy about it, and it wasn't obvious. His methods were subtle, oh so very subtle.

For example, he would always carry her books for her. She protested every time, and every time he just smiled and took them anyway. At lunch he tried whatever she offered without hesitation. He was more violent when any guys looked at her twice (that actually might have been for his own benefit, but Orihime couldn't prove that). He walked her home every day and stayed at her house until she had to practically push him out the door so he wouldn't be late for curfew.

It was hard to complain about the extra attention she was receiving. Like any normal human being, Orihime liked being doted on and showered with affection now and then. However, she also didn't want to see Ichigo keep punishing himself any longer. She knew a part of the reason for his overcompensation was because of their friends. Rukia and Tatsuki had been watching Ichigo like a hawk, making sure he wouldn't fall back into his self-loathing mindset. As a result, he was extra conscious of his actions.

At lunch, three days after she and Ichigo had made up, she decided to put an end to his self-inflicted punishment. She knew he would try to argue, but she was determined to put her foot down. As she climbed the stairs to the rooftop, she flushed at her boldness, even if it was only in her head.

Just as she climbed over the last step, she felt a warm, familiar hand on her back. She instantly smiled as she craned her head back. "Hello, Kurosaki-kun."

"Hey." His hand moved up her back and wrapped around her shoulder. "What's wrong?" he asked, nodding to the faint blush still lingering on her cheeks.

"Ah." Orihime lightly placed her fingers on her cheek. "Um, actually, there's something I want to talk to you about."

Ichigo paused on the rooftop, waiting for her to begin. His hand never left her shoulder, but she could feel his arm tense.

"I know you still feel terrible about what happened and how you acted afterwards. But please, you don't need to keep punishing yourself anymore."

He frowned in confusion. "But I'm not. That's what everyone was so angry about. I still feel bad but I'm here with you, aren't I?"

"I – I know!" She fidgeted with her hands. "The past three days, though, you've been doing all these things for me like carrying my books and staying at my house for as long as possible. You even cooked dinner for me yesterday and it was good but… I wish you didn't feel like you had to do all of this."

"It's not punishment." Ichigo frowned at her. "It's not like I hate doing it. I'm just trying to make it up to you."

"But you don't need to do that. You're here and back to normal. That's all I want."

He shook his head. "I don't want to just go back to normal, not entirely. I want to be a better guy for you than I have been. I should be getting better at this, not worse."

That's when Orihime realized what Ichigo had been really trying to do: he was trying to prove himself. Not just to their friends but to her as well, to prove that he was a good boyfriend. It was incredibly sweet, but her heart also ached a bit, because she could only imagine how desperately Ichigo wanted to prove himself and make up for what happened.

"Kurosaki-kun." Orihime stood up on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around Ichigo's neck. "You don't need to prove anything to me. I lo-" She stopped herself; surely it was too early to drop the "l" word into their relationship? She didn't want to scare him away. "like you the way you are. Even when you fumble a bit. It's cute."

"Cute?" He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at her, even as his arms gripped her waist.

"Yup!" she said.

Without warning, he bent down and kissed her. Orihime made a noise of surprise as his lips pressed against hers. He leaned back for a moment to say, "Thank you."

"For what? Calling you cute?"

Ichigo snorted. "No. Let's keep that between us." He leaned back in until the tip of his nose was pressed against hers. "I meant for taking me as I am. I'm grateful for it."

"Of course. It's why I…" Again, with the "l" word. She swallowed and said instead, "I wouldn't have you any other way."

He wasn't always good with words; Orihime knew this. So she understood why instead of saying anything more, he just closed the distance between them and kissed her. This time she reciprocated and in another display of boldness (she was on a roll today, it seemed) she took the initiative to deepen it instead of waiting for Ichigo. If he was surprised at her forwardness, he made no indication of it as he let her in.

For a full minute, it felt like they had the world to themselves as they stood up there on the rooftop alone. She had missed this, that feeling of being the only people in the world. It hadn't returned completely until now, even after Ichigo had shaken off his self-depreciating attitude three days ago. Sure, they had kissed a bit since then, but the wonderful feeling that always swelled in her chest when they did had been absent. Perhaps they needed to clear up this one misunderstanding before their world became right again. Whatever the reason, Orihime felt relieved and couldn't help the smile on her face when they broke apart. She reached up and ran her fingers through his spiky hair. Then a thought struck her.

"Kurosaki-kun?"

"Yeah?"

Her smile broke into a grin. "I think you should grow your hair out!"

The expression on Ichigo's face was priceless. He looked like a little boy who had just been told that girls did not, in fact, have cooties as he stared at his girlfriend wide-eyed. "Eh?"

"Not super long," Orihime quickly added. "I mean, not the length you have in your Hollow form or anything. But I think you'd look good with a couple more inches. A – And it would be a great way to um, make progress! Do something new!"

"Really?" he asked skeptically.

Orihime blushed. "Yeah. You don't have to or anything. I'm sorry. I just sort of thought of it now and-"

"I can try." He looked up at his hair, or as best as he could anyway. "It's not like I can't cut it if it doesn't look good." Then he smiled wryly and added, "I suppose you'd have a better idea of what looks good than I do."

The door to the roof opened and out popped Tatsuki, followed by Mizuiro and Keigo. She paused when she saw Orihime blushing and Ichigo smiling. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she asked, "What's going on?"

"Tatsuki-chan!" Orihime spun around. "Kurosaki-kun is going to grow his hair out!"

Keigo nearly spit out the water he had been drinking just as Rukia climbed the stairs and caught what Orihime had said. The tiny shinigami glanced bewilderedly at Ichigo as he looked away. "Really?"

"It's not a big deal. It's just a couple of inches," Ichigo muttered. "Inoue thought it would look good."

"Oh." Her expression turned thoughtful as she examined Ichigo's face. After a moment she nodded and said, "Yes, I agree with her."

"Agree with what?" Renji asked as he stepped onto the roof with Chad.

"Ichigo's going to grow out his hair a bit," Rukia said as Ishida and Shinji climbed onto the roof and shut the door behind them.

Keigo, his expression still shocked, leaned close to Mizuiro's ear and whispered, "Do you realize what's happening here?"

"Ichigo's getting a new hairstyle?" Mizuiro said, unsure as to what Keigo was implying.

"Not just that!" Keigo dramatically clapped his hands against the sides of his face. "This is just the beginning! Next thing you know, she'll be picking out his clothes and feeding him and domesticating him! Do you see where this is going?"

Shinji blinked as he stared at the odd young man. "What the hell are ya goin' on about?"

"ICHIGO IS OFFICIALLY BECOMING A WHIPPED BASTARD!" Keigo bawled and rolled on the ground. "His manly days are over! I grieve for them!"

Mizuiro stood there, unable to form any intelligible response as Tatsuki smacked her forehead. Shinji was doing his best not to burst out laughing as Rukia and Renji exchanged confused glances. Ishida mumbled something that was probably insulting to Keigo in some way, and Chad looked over at Ichigo.

"Oh shut up, Keigo," Ichigo muttered as he took Orihime's hand and led them towards a spot to sit down.

Keigo's hysterics only doubled as he screeched, "Now he's rejecting his own buddy over a girl! THE ATROCITY!"

Shinji and the others followed after Ichigo, wanting to get as far away from Keigo as possible. The elder Vizard plopped down next to Ichigo. "Will he ever shut up?"

"Not for awhile," Ichigo said as he leaned against the wall behind him. "Just drown him out."

"Easy for you to say," Shinji said. "You've had practice." He pulled out some Pocky and began munching on it. "So, you seem to be in better spirits."

"You could say that."

"Oh don't try to brush it off. Ya are." Shinji gave Orihime a congenial wink, obviously attributing her for the reason behind Ichigo's better mood. "Any nut could see it. Since ya are feelin' better, does that mean yer ready for trainin' today?"

Ichigo looked at Orihime. "Are you ready?" he asked, keeping his expression neutral.

Chewing on her sandwich, Orihime nodded and smiled.

"Then that makes two of us," Ichigo said as he turned back to Shinji.

"Excellent. We'll walk there after school lets out and start. We have a bit of catching up to do."

Unbeknownst to the three of them, their friends exchanged determined glances. With a few nods and no words said, they went back to their lunches and Ichigo, Orihime, and Shinji none the wiser of their plans.

"I'm back!" Shinji shouted as he walked down the stairs into the basement of the warehouse. Ichigo and Orihime followed him, holding hands as they descended the stairs.

"With the happy couple," Rose said with a smile as he looked up from the manga he was reading. "Welcome back."

Hiyori glanced over at them and snorted. "Looks like Baldy's regained his sanity."

Ichigo glared at Hiyori. "I didn't go insane."

"Right, because breaking into Urahara's store isn't crazy. Neither is running off into the woods for a whole night with stolen property or getting your ass beaten by a human." Hiyori paused, then added, "Well, the last part's not crazy. Just pathetic."

"Don't even start," Kensei snapped before Ichigo could retaliate.

Shinji took off his cap and tossed it onto one of the rocks. "Let's try to start things on a good note, eh? We have a lot of work to do."

Mashiro turned towards the back of the room, her brow furrowed. "Hey. I sense something funny."

Riza got to her feet, her hand on Hanguro Tonbo. "As do I."

Everyone turned around, and hands went near sword hilts when the air began to shake and thicken. In the back, a large rip appeared in mid-air. "A Garganta?" Orihime said in surprise.

Ichigo stepped in front of her, Zangetsu drawn. "It might be another attack."

Orihime and the Vizards readied themselves as the Garganta opened. For a moment, there was nothing but darkness in the rip. Their eyes squinted to make out two approaching figures, and they got into defensive stances until Ichigo suddenly straightened when he recognized the two Arrancar approaching them.

Nel peered out of the rip, glancing around in curiosity. "I think this is the right place." Her eyes fell on Ichigo and the others, and she smiled. "Yes! There they are!"

Grimmjow walked up next to her, his eyes narrowed. "Oi. We're not here to attack. Unfortunately," he muttered the last part under his breath.

The Vizards relaxed as Nel and Grimmjow hopped out of the Garganta, letting it close behind them. Shinji crossed his arms and said, "Uh, this isn't the best time fer visitin'. We're in the middle of somethin'."

"We're not here to visit," Nel said as she stretched out her arms. "Ishida asked us to come."

Ichigo blinked. "Ishida?"

"Present." Ishida's voice drifted from up the stairs. "We are coming down."

"Who's 'we'?" Love asked.

Instead of answering, Ishida merely climbed down the stairs, flanked by Renji and Rukia. Behind him were also Sado, Tatsuki, Keigo and Mizuiro. "I apologize if we are late, Nel-san and Grimmjow. Some people don't handle shunpo well."

Tatsuki glared at him. "Oh don't even start. That was rough. You might be used to going high speeds but I am not."

"Everyone shut up a sec," Shinji said as he looked at the newcomers. "I don't give a flying shit if someone hurled during shunpo-"

"We didn't!" Keigo said.

"I said I don't care," Shinji said with more emphasis, cutting off Keigo. "Why the hell are any of ya here to begin with?"

Ishida cleared his throat to direction everyone's attention. "This is my doing. I realize up until now none of us have interfered with your training, but I think that's no longer a reasonable idea."

"We need to train," Ichigo said quietly to Ishida. "I know what happened during the battle was bad, but that's why-"

"I don't mean interfere to stop the training," Ishida said. "I meant more as in helping."

"We don't need your help," Hiyori said crossly.

"On the contrary," Ishida said with a stern look. "You do. What exactly do you plan on doing today? Have you any idea of how to proceed?"

When he was met with silence, he nodded. "As I thought."

"That doesn't mean we can't handle it," Shinji said, temper lacing his voice.

"I'm not implying you're incompetent." Ishida pushed his glasses back against his nose as he walked towards Orihime and Ichigo. "Up until a few days ago, I would have been at a loss as to what to do as well. But when Kurosaki finally regained his senses and apologized to Inoue-san, I got an idea."

"Ishida explained it to us," Rukia said. "And we wanted to help as well. I think it was easier for us to stay out because we hadn't seen Ichigo's Hollow form before the battle this week. Now that we know just what exactly we're up against, we want to help."

"Same here," Tatsuki said as she gestured to herself, then Keigo and Mizuiro. "We might not be able to fight on your level or anything, but we can still offer suggestions."

"Hitsugaya-taichou knows about it," Renji said. "But he decided it might be best if he stayed out of it, considering he technically shouldn't know about it. If he gets too involved, he's afraid it'll complicate things and he'll have to report it. It's risky enough Rukia and I are involved, but whatever." He shrugged the thought off; he and Rukia had done much riskier things in the past for their friends.

"I get that," Riza said. She jabbed her finger at Nel and Grimmjow. "But why are they here?"

"I asked them to come," Ishida said. "We're dealing with a Hollow. I could not think of anyone with more expertise on the matter than two Hollows themselves. Besides, they also saw the battle and may be able to help."

Orihime's expression brightened. "I think it's a good idea!" she said to Shinji. "The more perspectives the better, right?"

He scratched the side of his head. "Well, I guess yer right. Okay then." He turned to Ishida, his brow raised expectantly. "What's yer bright idea?"

"I think we may be approaching this the wrong way." Ishida gestured to Orihime. "Inoue-san gave me the idea the other day. I said to Kurosaki that he shouldn't let this whole bond business interfere with their relationship, but I think we've all been making that mistake.

"We assume the incident on the dome was something strictly between Kurosaki and Inoue-san. But what if it happened by chance?" He then snorted. "This might sound preposterous, but let's assume for a moment my and Inoue's positions had been switched. If they had been, there's no real reason that this bond couldn't have formed between Kurosaki and myself."

When Ichigo scrunched his nose, Ishida nodded. "Trust me, Kurosaki, I don't like the idea any more than you do. Let's just be thankful it didn't and continue on."

"I think I understand where you are going with this," Hachi said to Ishida. "Perhaps we've handled this matter too inclusively? We should try and leave the personal relationship between these two," He smiled at Ichigo and Orihime, "out of it?"

"Exactly."

"Okay…" Shinji started. "How does that help us?"

"To be honest, that particular bit doesn't for the moment. However, it gets us in the right mindset, and I think it may help later on once we uncover a bit more information. I'm not done, though." Ishida seated himself on top of a boulder as he crossed one leg over the other. "I also wondered if perhaps we should tackle some other questions we had first."

"Meaning?" Shinji asked.

"Understandably, we've been trying to figure out the what. What is this bond? It's gotten us nowhere." Ishida raised a finger. "So I propose we tackle another aspect, namely the how. How exactly did this bond form? I think it might also help to know the why, although…" He spared Ichigo a keen glance. "I think that will be up to you and your Hollow, since it seems to be the only one who knows what happened."

"It won't say anything," Ichigo said with a frown. "I don't know why."

"Your Hollow knows what happened?" Nel asked.

"Yeah. It's the one responsible, really." Ichigo rubbed his temple. "It knows how to go into that form and what we have to do to accomplish it. When I tried asking it, it dodged my questions."

Grimmjow narrowed his eyes in thought. "So your Hollow's the one behind this. I take it your Hollow's like most Hollows?"

"If you mean if it's a self-centered, violent asshole then yeah," Ichigo said with a deep scowl. "Damn prick."

Nel tilted her head to the side. "Every Hollow, yours as well I'm assuming, operates on instinct. Hougyoku Arrancar and Vasto Lorde are somewhat above this, but deep down that's what we all are: instinct. Your Hollow would be acting on its instinct. However, since it's not its own separate entity, I'm not sure what that instinct entails. It can't devour souls."

"Its instinct is to take over my body." Ichigo glanced down at himself, as if expecting a Hollow hole to suddenly appear. "To be king, as it likes to say."

"Then that might be what it's trying to do." Nel frowned in concern. "I'm not sure how the bond will help with that, but I think it might somehow if your Hollow is being secretive about it and is using it to its advantage." She blew out a breath, sending her bangs fluttering into the air briefly. "It must have discovered something that might allow it to take over, and the bond is part of it."

Shinji smacked his forehead. "Goddamn, why didn't we think of that?"

"This is exactly why I asked Neliel-san and Grimmjow for their help." Ishida nodded, as if thinking over something. "I think all we can do in regards to Kurosaki's Hollow is just to wait, for now. If it tries something, then we'll go from there. I think the next thing to do is work on the how."

Rukia glanced towards Ichigo. "In other words, you need to remember what you did during the battle to spark that transformation. Can you remember?"

"Not entirely." Ichigo rubbed a hand over his face. "I mean, it's kind of fuzzy. I remember hearing Inoue's thoughts again." That would always freak him out a little, but at the time they had been encouragement. "I don't think I would have been able to have gotten back up if I hadn't."

"You don't remember how exactly the transformation happened?" Ishida asked.

"It's close, like I can almost recall it but…" Ichigo sighed in frustration. "I just can't seem to."

"Maybe we should try walking him through it," Mizuiro suggested. He leaned his head back to remember the exact events that unfolded right before Ichigo transformed. "You were struck down. Do you remember that?"

"All too well."

"Then you fell onto the roof." Mizuiro grimaced for a brief second. "Sorry. It still sends chills down my spine to remember that. Especially when…"

When he seemed to not want to continue, Ichigo asked, "Especially when what?"

"When I screamed," Orihime murmured. "I panicked for a minute. You went down and I couldn't get to you. The Arrancar were blocking me until Grimmjow and Nel-san came."

Ichigo glanced at the Arrancar in surprise. "You helped her?"

Grimmjow jerked his head at Nel. "It was her idea."

"We – well, I was worried about you and I knew Orihime was the only one that could help you, so I convinced Grimmjow to help her out so she could heal you."

Ichigo smiled at her gratefully, taken aback that she and Grimmjow risked their lives for him and Orihime. "Thank you."

"Do you remember anything while this was going on?" Ishida pressed.

"I think I blacked out for a bit," Ichigo said. "I lost a lot of blood and I know I lost consciousness as I fell because I don't even remember hitting the roof. I think I woke up when Inoue was…" He looked to her. "What were you doing?"

"After I got past the Arrancar, Ehru blocked my way." Orihime clutched her arm, her posture stiff. "I blocked a few of his blows, but my shield broke and I had no way of getting away from him. I thought I was going to die."

So that's what happened. Ichigo wondered if somehow, he had known that Orihime was in danger. Then again, her last thoughts that he had picked up were a dead giveaway. "I picked up some of your thoughts. Fragments. I heard the last one clearly though." He fell silent, deciding not to voice her thought. It was her thought, her private thought. It was bad enough that he had heard it; he didn't want to blurt it out for everyone else to hear.

"Thank you" Orihime mouthed, smiling gratefully. She tilted her head. "Do you remember what happened next?"

He could remember what he had thought, when he swore he would make things right. He closed his eyes, struggling to remember as he fought through the haziness that covered his memories. Somehow, his Hollow had been there, standing in the midst of it all, the one Ichigo had needed the most. There was chaos inside of him, and then a strange emptiness.

"I can remember…" he murmured. Somehow, as he pressed a hand against his chest, he could feel that emptiness again and he pushed for it, hoping to see what would happen. He let the emptiness spread, and as he looked up at Orihime, he thought he heard a voice inside his head.

"…going on? Is he…"

It was Orihime's thought. A fragment of it, only a piece, but he could hear her. He felt his eyes roll up into the back of his head as darkness seeped in. His hand pressed harder against his chest, and he could feel a hole slowly begin to open up.

Orihime gasped as the others around her backed up, their hands immediately going for their weapons. Rukia, Renji and Chad positioned themselves in front of Tatsuki, Keigo and Mizuiro to shield them. Even Nel and Grimmjow reached for their swords as a Hollow mask began to form over Ichigo's face. His hand pressing against his chest began to enlarge slightly with sharp nails growing from his fingers.

With a choked gasp, Ichigo collapsed to the ground. In an instant, the hole was gone and the mask disappeared. The emptiness inside filled up. "Damn it," Ichigo cursed as his cheek pressed against the cold dirt.

"Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime flew to his side immediately, leaning down so she could see him. "Are you okay?"

The others relaxed, but Shinji couldn't help but grin. "Well hell, he managed a partial transformation. Not bad, kid."

"It's the most progress we've made so far," Hachi noted. "And it's thanks to you," he added, nodding to Ishida.

"Way to go, Ishida," Rukia said with a smirk.

Ishida almost flushed from the praise. "It was nothing. I'm glad we succeeded though."

"Unfortunately," Nel said as she kneeled in front of Ichigo. "you also succeeded in draining his energy. Ichigo, can you stand?"

"Y – Yeah." Ichigo climbed to his feet, Orihime slowly standing up with him, keeping a hand on his back. "I'm fine."

"So," Shinji began as Ichigo rubbed his eyes. "looks like you can do the transformation. It doesn't necessarily have to be your Hollow who does it. Looks like it knocks you for a loop, though. We'll work on that."

Ichigo stared at Shinji for a moment, his eyes drooping a bit. He blinked several times, and Shinji eventually frowned in concern. "Yer not okay."

Just as he said it, Ichigo's knees buckled and he fell back. Orihime squeaked as she threw her arms around him to catch him. Nel shot her hands out and grabbed his shirt, pulling him so all of his weight wasn't on Orihime. Within seconds Sado was there, lifting him up off of Orihime.

"I have him," Orihime said as she knelt down, pulling Ichigo with her. With Sado and Nel's help, she managed to slide him to the floor, and let his head rest on her lap. She smiled softly as she gently ran her fingers through his spikes. "I guess he was more tired than we thought."

"That's the second time he's fallen on you," Ishida said dryly, alluding to when they had first returned from Hueco Mundo weeks ago and Ichigo had passed out from exhaustion against Orihime. "This better not become a regular habit."

Shaking her head, Tatsuki took a seat next to Orihime. "Looks like we'll be here a bit."

"You don't have to stay, Tatsuki-chan."

"It's okay. I better, anyway. There's no telling what state he'll be in when he wakes up."

Orihime chuckled and nodded. "True. Besides, I don't think he'll be very talkative," she quietly teased as she glanced down at her sleeping boyfriend.

"Looks like training's over," Riza said. "Our shortest session turned out to be the most productive. That's kind of sad."

"We best be going then," Ishida said. He turned to Tatsuki and Orihime. "Are you sure you two will be all right?"

Tatsuki waved off his concern. "Thanks, but we can handle it."

"We'll be here if they need anything," Hachi assured him.

Nel smiled to herself as she stood up, shaking her head at Ichigo. "Good seeing you again," she said with a hint of sarcasm. "But at least we got to help." With a wave to everyone, she turned towards the back of the room. "Come on, Grimmjow. Let's go home. I'm sure those two will be fretting."

"Finally," he muttered. "Fucking came all this way to say a bit and see Kurosaki pass out."

"Stop complaining," Nel said as she opened a Garganta. "At least we weren't here all day."

Shinji shook his head at the Arrancar as they passed through the Garganta. When the portal shut, he chuckled and said, "They're an interestin' pair."

"They're dysfunctional," Tatsuki muttered. "But I guess they make it work." With a glance over at her friends, she added, "You guys better get going. I'll see you later."

"You sure you're gonna be okay?" Keigo asked. "It looks like he'll be out for awhile."

"We'll be fine, really," Orihime said with a smile. "We don't have school tomorrow so even if we get in late it's not a big deal."

"I'll call Hitsugaya-taichou and let him know you'll be late getting home," Renji said as everyone made for the stairs. "Just so he doesn't worry something happened at training. He's on edge enough about all of this."

"He needs to relax," Rukia said as she waved good-bye to Orihime and Tatsuki. "And I'll let Ichigo's family know he'll be late, too."

As the training ground emptied, Orihime and Tatsuki were left alone with the Vizards. The martial artist shifted uncomfortably while Orihime looked up at Shinji and said, "You don't mind us staying here?"

"Nah. Normally I'd say we could just bring him home, but I guess his family doesn't need to worry about him again."

"He'll wake up eventually," Love said with an indifferent shrug.

"I'll make some tea for you two," Hachi said. "Let me know if Ichigo wakes up and I'll make a third cup for him."

"Thank you, Hachi-san!" Orihime's smile brightened until she caught Tatsuki's serious expression, and her smile fell. "Is something wrong?"

"Hm?" Her friend blinked, then shook her head. "No, sorry. I was just thinking. It's been awhile since we sort of hung out like this, just you and me."

"I'm sorry." Orihime glanced down at the ground guiltily. She felt like she had been neglecting Tatsuki.

"It's not your fault." Tatsuki gave her arm a squeeze. "Let's face it: you got kidnapped, then you came back and had all of that schoolwork to catch up on. Training started after your work was done, then you started going out with Ichigo. Then the battle happened and everyone was just so off-kilter from it." Realizing just how much had happened in a short span of time, she shook her head in wonder. "It's been crazy."

"Yeah." Orihime shifted her legs, adjusting Ichigo's head before her one leg fell asleep from the weight. "Still, I feel like I haven't made much of an effort."

"I haven't either," Tatsuki admitted. "I guess I just wanted to give you space. First when you had all your work to catch up on, and then so you had time with Ichigo."

"You didn't have to," Orihime said sadly. "The three of us could have hung out."

"Don't be ridiculous," Tatsuki said with a playful eye roll. "It's a new relationship. All you want to do is just spend as much alone time with him as possible. It's fine," she said when Orihime went to protest. "I don't want to sit around watching you two make out anyway."

Orihime could feel the blush creeping up her neck and into her face as she looked away from Tatsuki, mortified. "W – We do other things! I – I don't think we've even made out!"

"Really?" Tatsuki said skeptically.

"Well, okay, maybe once or twice. But that's not bad!" she said when Tatsuki started laughing.

"You two have only been dating a week, and things were crazy for about half of it. You'll do it more in time." She scrunched her nose and added, "I don't even want to think about when you two get a little older and Ichigo starts getting horny because then I won't want to be in the vicinity."

Orihime covered her face with her hands as her face reddened even further. "T-Tatsuki-chan-"

"Knowing my luck, he'll actually be good and I won't want to be in the same neighborhood."

"TATSUKI-CHAN!" Orihime screeched in horror, almost knocking Ichigo's head off of her lap.

Tatsuki's shoulders shook in laughter, even as she tried looking disgusted. "It never crossed your mind?"

When Orihime's mouth dropped, she decided to end the teasing before her best friend passed out next. "I'm just kidding," Tatsuki said with a laugh. "Perks of being a best friend: I get to tease you when you get a boyfriend."

"I'm going to tease you when you start dating!" Orihime said, trying to look serious.

"Go ahead. I'll deserve it." Tatsuki then sighed, her grin disappearing. "But it has its downsides. It means I have to share you with him. We'll end up competing for your attention, I imagine. And knowing Ichigo and I, it'll get interesting."

"I don't want you two fighting over me," Orihime said with a worried frown.

"Competing is different than fighting. If anything, you dating him has helped my friendship with him. We'll be fine. I can learn to share, just so long as he does," she said, sticking her tongue out at Ichigo.

Orihime giggled, and Tatsuki laughed with her. For now, both friends were content to just sit together and talk, letting the time pass in conversation as they waited for Ichigo to wake up.

Orihime didn't get home until almost 10 at night. Ichigo had taken awhile to wake up, and even longer until he was coherent and awake enough to walk home. Though she was still fretting that something might happen to him, Orihime had to wait until morning to hear from him, when he promised he'd call and let her know he was all right.

As she quietly opened the door to her apartment, Orihime peered inside. She found her housemates sprawled out in the living room, with plates and utensils piled next to them as the TV flickered light across the otherwise dark house. She closed the door behind her, locking it before setting her keys down on the table and silently tiptoeing across the room and down the hall to her bedroom.

I'll let them know what happened tomorrow, she thought as she entered her bedroom. Right now, she was tired and only wanted to get some sleep. She brushed her teeth and got dressed, donning only a purple spaghetti-strapped shirt and a pair of worn sweats. With a contented sigh she slipped into bed, and soon she was asleep.

For awhile she was visited with nothing but darkness, her mind and imagination quiet for the night. Then, a soft, low growl penetrated the blanketed darkness and she jolted from her sleep. However, she did not wake up in her bed, but in a field. She was still in her pajamas, and she had the overwhelming feeling that she was not dreaming.

Where am I? she wondered as she looked around her. There was nothing but grass and flowers all around her, with a deep blue sky overhead. As she sat up, her hair fell forward to frame her face, and she noted that her hairpins were absent. I can't be dreaming, she thought as she touched her temples, only to find them barren of her beloved pins. For some reason, the thought that she was defenseless was unsettling.

No, she wasn't a fighter, but her senses were telling her something was near and that she needed her hairpins. She got to her feet, her bare toes curling in the grass below her. She took a step forward and felt something besides grass under her heel. When she lifted her foot, she realized she had stepped on a flower. Not just any flower, but a blue hibiscus, just like the ones on her hairpins.

"Mmm. I like that outfit, Queen."

Now she realized why her senses had been tingling. There was a Hollow present. A very familiar one that somehow was here, wherever here was. Orihime jerked her head to the left, then right, but couldn't see any sign of Ichigo's Hollow. It wasn't until she turned around that she spotted him in the distance, a white figure against a blue and green background.

"Shirosaki-kun," Orihime breathed, her eyes wide in shock.

"Fuck yes. I do like that outfit." Though he was a fair distance away, Orihime could see a blue tongue slide out. She shivered as the Hollow licked its lips. "Wear that for King sometime. We'll both enjoy it," it said with a sly smile.

Orihime wrapped her arms around her, feeling exposed. "What are you doing here?"

Shirosaki glanced about, checking out the area. "Real estate. Nice and wide open. Lots of damn space. Much better than the cramped city the King's got."

City? Orihime puckered her brow in confusion as she cautiously began taking a step towards Shirosaki. "Does this have anything to do with you trying to take over Kurosaki-kun's body?"

It aimed a mild glare at her. "What makes you think that?"

"Because that's what you want." She swallowed, pushing down her fear. This was an opportunity. She could find out if Nel was right, or maybe even discover what Shirosaki was hiding.

The Hollow seemed unwilling to answer, but its silence was enough of an answer for Orihime. "It does," she murmured to herself. Then, in a louder voice, "How does you coming here help with that? I can't do anything to help you. And I won't." Her fists tightened against her arms, determined to prevent Shirosaki from doing anything to Ichigo.

In a flash, Shirosaki was gone. Orihime barely had time to blink before it appeared behind her. "But that's where you're wrong," it whispered in her ear as it wrapped its arms around her. "See, that's the beauty of it, Queen. You hardly have to do anything. Just be a good girl and keep the King happy. Not too hard, now is it?"

Goosebumps broke out all over her as Shirosaki brushed its nose against her cheek. Orihime's brain scrambled to think of what to do, or even what to say. "I won't let you," she said between clenched teeth. She grimaced as it chuckled in her ear.

"Ya don't get it." Its knuckles lightly brushed the skin exposed on her stomach. "Best if ya don't. I don't need you getting any ideas. Don't worry. Like I told the King, I ain't gonna hurt ya."

"I'm not worried about me," Orihime said as she squirmed in its hold. "I don't want to see anything happen to Kurosaki-kun."

"Kurosaki-kun," Shirosaki mimicked in a screechy, mocking tone. "I am Kurosaki-kun."

"You're a part of him," Orihime corrected him, wriggling harder. "And you know what I mean."

"Queen." Its voice was firm, but not vicious or mocking. "Don't move around too much more. Yer giving me ideas."

Her eyes widened and she gasped as he started cackling.

"Relax. Yer still his, for the time being. And once I'm done, you'll still be with him. Hell, you won't be able to get rid of him." His tongue snaked out, and Orihime inhaled sharply as she felt it run up her neck. "You'll have him, but then I'll be in control and I'll get you to myself." He flicked at her earlobe. "It's a perk I didn't care much about in the beginning, but now I want it more and more. Ya gotta remember, King and I are one. The harder he falls for you, the more I want you."

"You get away from her!"

In a blink of an eye, Orihime found herself being wrenched out of Shirosaki's grasp as she heard it snarl. She was pulled to the ground, a familiar pair of arms clasping her arms as they pulled her away from the Hollow.

"Ayame?" she said in surprise as she tried to turn and look at the mute Rikka.

"You little shits!" Shirosaki hollered as he was tackled to the ground. Orihime couldn't be sure, as her head was spinning, but it looked like Tsubaki and Baigon were pinning him.

"Get back to the real world, Orihime!" Shun-o shouted. "We'll handle him. Just wake up!"

"Shun-o?" Orihime reached out, but she only felt grass. "Where are-"

Suddenly with a gasp she sat upright, back in her bed. She fought to catch her breath as she clutched her chest, feeling her heart beat rapidly. What just happened? Was that… it couldn't have been a dream.

She'd had such "dreams" before, when her Rikka were fighting off Shirosaki. He had been there, somewhere inside her head. It had happened the day of the battle, when she and Ichigo had been napping together in her living room.

"Oh God," she said to herself as she curled up into a ball on her bed, trying to calm herself. "What's going on?"

In the distance, she suddenly felt Ichigo's reiatsu flare. She slowly raised her head as she waited, and then after a few minutes, she realized that his reiatsu was coming closer and closer to her house.

A/N: Tsk tsk, naughty Hollow. If the Shun Shun Rikka didn't intervene I'd probably would have had to bump up the rating XD;

ANYWAY, that's that. The next chapter update shouldn't be much longer than two weeks because I'm just about done with it. From there it'll depend on my beta-readers' speed. Thanks for reading!