Orihime followed Uryu's directions to Ichigo's house. She saw a nice, well kept house. She walked up too the door and rang the bell. As she waited for someone to answer, she saw a bike outside leaning against the house.

"Hmm" she thought as the door opened.

"Hey," Ichigo said as he opened the door. "Come in, and leave your shoes there." He said leading her in.

Orihime took of her shoes, she noticed the numerous other pairs at the door.

"He must have a big family." she thought as he closed the door behind her.

When she was done, Ichigo led her immediately up stairs to his room. She walked in as he walked back to the stairs, "Dad, my tutors here. I'll be in my room." he yelled down stairs.

"KEPP IT PG MY BOY!" A mans voice said.

"Shut up dad!" Ichigo yelled as he slamed his door.

As Ichigo and his dad argued, Orihime noticed a picture of a short girl with black hair on Ichigo's desk.

As Ichigo walked to Orihime, he wiped the glare off of his face.

"So Orihime, it's lesson three, chapter two, I'm having problems with…." He said getting right to business.

"Oh, sure, I'll help you." she said trying to act like she wasn't looking at his personal things.

He smiled, "Sit on the floor, Orihime."

As she got everything out of her bag, Ichigo explained, "That picture of the girl on my desk is Rukia. She's in our class." Ichigo explained.

"Oh okay..." she laughed embaressedly.

They worked for an hour, covering half of the chapter. Ichigo seemed to be getting the hang of it.

"Ichigo," Orihime said.

Ichigo raised his eyebrow, "Yes?"

"Could you show me to your bathroom?" she asked.

"Yeah. It's down the hall, last room. You can't miss it." He said leaning back on his hands.

"Okay, I'll be right back." She almost sang as she stood up.

She went straight down the hallway and found the bathroom with ease. When she was done she washed her hands and looked around. There were two tooth brushes in the holder, two brands of tooth paste, two razors, and two deoderants.

"I guess Ichigo and someone shares this bathroom." she muttered as she opened the door and flipped off the light.

She made her way back to Ichigo's room, but a door that was slightly cracked caught her eye. Orihime heard the song "Cheated Heart's," by Yeah Yeah Yeahs playing in the room. She stopped and peeked into the room. The room was similar to Ichigo's. She held her breath as she slightly opened the door.

"What am I doing? I'm being awfully curious tonight..." She thought.

She let go of the handle and turned around. As soon as she did, the biker girl was behind her holding a drink in a glass cup. Orihime jumped as the girl tilted her head.

Orihime put her hand to her heart and let out a sigh. The girl didn't seem surprised, the expression on her face didn't change, she mearly raised her eyebrow at her.

"Oh, no, I wasn't snooping around. I'm not looking for anything. Your room just caught my eye. But I didn't go in." Orihime explained a little jumbled and embaresed.

The girl nodded and put her finger up as if to say, "One minuet."

Orihime stood still as the girl walked into her room. She soon came out of her room, trading a cellphone for the drink she had in her hand. She then typed something quickly on it and showed it too Orihime. "My name is Tatsuki. Who are you?"

"I'm Orihime, why didn't you just ask me?"

Tatsuki scratched her ear. The two were silent for a minuet.

"Oh, well, listen… I've got to go help Ichigo with Calculus." Orihime smiled.

Tatsuki nodded.

Orihime turned around, and made her way back to Ichigo.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

"Thanks for the help tonight, Orihime." Ichigo said as he took Orihime to the front door.

"It wasn't a problem. I'll see you at school tomorrow." She said and started to walk out.

Ichigo put his hands on Orihime's shoulders and turned her around to face him, "Orihime," he asked.

Orihime was startled, she was sure he was going to kiss her.

"Yeah?" Orihime asked a little scared.

He took her to the side and spoke softly, "Did you meet Tatsuki?" he asked.

"Yeah…" she said then let out a sigh in relief.

"I need to explain something about her."

Orihime gave him a confused look.

"Listen," he said softer, "Let me walk you home and explain. It's important that you know since you'll be my tutor from now on."

Orihime nodded.

Ichigo turned back and yelled up the stairs, "I'm walking my tutor home. I'll be back." He yelled.

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

They walked away from the house and down the street. Orihime was confused, "I wonder what it is?" she thought as they walked farther away from the house.

Ichigo kept looking back at his house until it was out of sight.

"We had to get pretty far away, she has good hearing and is pretty noisey." Ichigo explained.

"Tatsuki?" Orihime asked.

Ichigo nodded.

"She's mute, right?" Orihime asked.

Ichigo was surprised, "Yeah, I just wanted you too know so you wouldn't think she's a head case."

Orihime held the book to her chest tightly, "I wouldn't."

Ichigo sighed, and ran his fingers through his orange hair.

"When we were in 1st grade, she got beat up by some kids who didn't understand her. I was so angry... It was my duty to protect her from anyone who tried to hurt her... and I failed." Ichigo said with a soft tone.

He cleared his throat and continued, "So, I told my parents that I wanted her and myself to enroll in a karate class. I wanted to protect her for now. But I knew one day, I wouldn't be around. She need's to protect herself too." Ichigo said with a proud look on his face.

Apparently, his family meant everything to him. He didn't want anyone to hurt his family in anyway, that's why he was telling her this. Orihime blushed, he was sweet to take care of Tatsuki like that.

"She rides her bike everywhere. She has no problem communicating with people. The phone helps a lot. Some people know how to sign. She's come a long way since then."

"Yeah, I saw her the other day. She dropped her MP3 is the park and I found it." Orihime smiled also proud of her.

"That was you? Wow, she told me about that." Ichigo said.

"I can't imagine not being able to speak. She's just like a normal teenager." Orihime thought.

After a few minuets of silence, Orihime spoke.

"She seems to like music."

Ichigo smiled, "Music, is her life, she plays guitar too. I'm surprised she not deaf as well." He laughed.

Orihime smiled. "She plays guitar, that's cool." Orihime thought.

"But the point is, I just, don't want anyone to hurt her. In any way!" He said sternly.

Orihime nodded.

"I think you're a nice girl, I don't think you will. I just wanted you to know not to treat her any different than you'd treat me."

"I promise." she said smiling.

"I mean, you will be hanging out at my house a lot. Won't you?" he asked.

Orihime then realized he wanted to be friends too, and not just use her as a tutor.

"Yeah," She smiled, "I will."