Summary: As of late, Rangiku has been more and more depressed even though it's been four years since the defeat of Aizen's army. Ichigo has been reclusive of late since their is hardly any hollows to fight since the fall in Hueco Muendo four years ago and rarely finds anything exciting. Friends of both parties have tried everything to cheer them up and yet everything failed. In a last attempt, they bring the two of them together and it's an instantaneous click. But will forces of the unknown threaten to tear the relationship apart?
A/N: ALRIGHT! You guys have decided and the story shall continue! You guys are right, and plus this story was started wayyyyyyyyyy before Kubo even wrote about Xcution and all this jazz. SO! Officially this is a Semi-Au, semi because it does follow cannon but diverts off after Ichigo receives his Shinigami powers back. And that's that! So! Disclaimers please ^_^
Momo: Crystal does not own me or Bleach, all ownership and titles are Kubo's ^_^
Thank You Momo ^_^
"", ''- Speaking Normally, normal thoughts
''- Private deep thoughts
"" or ''- Hichigo, zanpaktou's, etc speaking
Chapter 13: Resisting Temptation
"Hah!" Raising up Zangetsu to block another attack, the training that was going on was brutal on Ichigo's muscles. From day one he was constantly under pressure to train and build up in order for this war to go smoothly. At first he was grateful that they were willing to help him but now on day six of training he was sick of it.
"Come on Ichigo! You have to be not only defensive but offensive as well." Holding Sōgyo no Kotowari, Ukitake gracefully attacked again relentlessly.
"Yea well it's kind of hard to do when your muscles are protesting every move!" Swing at the captain, Ichigo took the moment when he was off balance to start going on the offensive.
"Not getting off that easily."
"Shit!" Raising his sword again, Ichigo blocked a back attack from Shunsui who joined in on the training fray. 'This is going to be another long day...'
"He's changed a lot since the last time."
"Well Inoue, he has a lot riding on his shoulders this time around." Shooting flying targets, Uryuu took a moment to regain his breath before setting off a trigger to sent out more practice targets.
"I understand but you can see he's about to pass out from muscle fatigue." Sitting on the sideline, Orihime watched on as Ichigo fought to defend himself. 'I know this is for the war but to put him under so much stress...' "Ah!" Sending out her shield, she blocked a strike that could have unintentionally incapacitate him.
"What the...? Orihime?"
"Sorry about that Ichigo but you look like you needed the help." Hopping off her rock, she called back the Reka when she was close to the trio.
"Ah Ms. Inoue."
"Captain Ukitake." Bowing to the white haired captain, she turned to Shunsui and bowed as well out of respect.
"Nice to see you here on the battlefield."
"It's nice to be here Captain Shunsui." Smiling, it faltered when she heard Ichigo make a sound in his throat. Turning to him, she raised an eye brow when she saw him studying her. "Is there an issue?"
"Yeah, I know you've gotten stronger and all but I still don't like the prospect of you on the battlefield with us. We can't protect you properly and you may get hurt doing something that we cant..." Running a hand through his hair, Ichigo was brought out of his thought with a bop to the forehead.
"Baka."
Standing stunned, he never heard Orihime address him so forward before.
"You and everyone else have been fighting for so long and all I have done is sit on the sidelines watching. I am not going to just sit by when I can attack just because you feel like that I am not able to defend myself!"
"Woah, calm down Orihime."
"No! I hate being looked down upon, even if its accidental. I've always needed to be protected and watched because I was weak. Well NOT anymore! So you best remember that Ichigo because I can take you on any day and win!" Standing on her toes, she stared down Ichigo who in return was shocked that the shy girl he knew was know bold and ready to go.
"Easy Orihime, don't get too cocky."
"Cocky?" Resting on the soles of her feet again, she crossed her arms and rested on the soles of her feet. "Fight me."
"What?"
"I said fight me Ichigo, unless you're too chicken."
"Orihime! I'm not..."
"Chicken."
"Am not!"
"Chicken!"
"Am not"
"Yes."
"No!"
Watching the banter, both Shunsui and Ukitake did not know what to say in this situation.
"You know what? Koten Zanshun."
"Ack!" Dodging Tsubaki, Ichigo was surprised when the reika turned around and tried to come after him again. "Orihime."
"Did I prove myself to you?"
He nodded at her and raised his sword up.
"Good. Lets get started."
(Upstairs)
"So, what do we know already about the situation at hand?" Looking over a digital map, Yoruichi plotted points where they would set up blockades and defense lines.
"So far we know that Aizen and Gin are floating around, and that the number of hollows and Adjuchas has increased exponentially. All over the place we were met with resistance when soul reapers were sent in to try and maintain the population." Pointing on the map, Akon showed where pockets of soul reapers were placed on the map and using a red light marked where they met with resistance, defeat, and victory.
"Mmm, I don't like the looks of how many victories we have." Making more marks, Yoruichi kept in mind the state of the squads and tried to devise plans to avoid mass casualties.
"It hasn't been in our favor for the while. And a soul reaper is still missing in action."
"What? Who?"
Typing in the computer, Akon brought up the profile. "His name is Akira Umino, part of squad 7."
"I thought he was listed as dead." Walking over to the computer, Yoruichi watched as Akon pulled files up.
"Yes but it's just a place holder until we can confirm it."
"Something is not sitting right here and we need to get to the bottom to it." Walking back over to the map, Yoruichi killed the feeling in her stomach that something was wrong.
"Shit!"
"Come on Ichigo!"
"Hell no! Not with Shiten Koshun around you!" Standing in the air, Ichigo looked down at Orihime who was in a shell version of Shiten Koshun. "And when the hell did you learn how to make it into a dome?"
"Lots of trail and error and practice on hollows of course." She replied back cheerily. "Besides, you have to be prepared for that, we don't know what new abilities they have and whose to say that they don't have an ability like mine?"
"You have the reika!"
"So? They can make an imitation of it! Doesn't have to be the exact replica of it." Puffing out her cheeks, Orihime was a tad ticked off that Ichigo would dispute her idea.
"Okay, okay that's enough you two." Jumping down onto the battle field, Urahara made sure the two teens stayed separated . "Ichigo has fought enough and so has everyone else. Break for the rest of the day." And with that he disappeared leaving the two of them alone.
"Well that's that." Calling back her reika, Orihime stretched and approached Ichigo once he came back down to the ground. "Time to heal you up!" Grabbing his hand, she lead them to a rock and sat him down. "Soten Kisshun."
"Ah, thanks Orihime, I needed this."
"No problem."
"You know, with all this crap going on I really haven't had the time to thank you, Chad and Uryuu for sticking by my side this whole time. You guys put up with so much crap and I haven't really done anything to show my appreciation."
Standing there, Orihime let Ichigo continue to talk while she contemplated something. 'Should I really go for it?'
"So."
"Ah, yes?" Smiling nervously, she avoided eye contact with Ichigo when he stared at her funny.
"Are you okay?"
"Oh! Yes! Just thinking!"
"Oh okay, so, what do you want me to do?"
"Pardon?"
"What do you want me to do to make it up to you? I mean I know what Uryuu wants and Chad I can always ask him. So that leaves you."
"Oh! Well..." Keeping her eyes chest level, they rose up to his lips and she shook her head to clear the thought. 'Bad Orihime!'
"What's wrong?"
"Ah! Nothing! Nothing at all." Waving her hands, Orihime stepped back when Ichigo approached the barrier.
"Orihime..."
"It's really nothing!"
"Tell me."
"No!"
Placing his hands on the barrier, Ichigo pushed on it.
"Ichigo no!"
"Tell me or I'll break it and you know I can."
Sighing in defeat, Orihime walked back up to the barrier but kept her head low.
"Now, what is it that you want?"
"Something you can't do..." She said it under her breath but didn't expect Ichigo to hear her.
"What? Orihime stop playing around." Smiling, it faded off his lips when he saw that Orihime was being serious. "It's not illegal is it?"
"No!" Popping her head up, she waved her arms and hands at it feverishly.
"Good, so tell me."
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yea, how bad could it be?"
Pausing for a moment, Orihime opened the barrier slightly and walked up close to Ichigo.
"Uh!"
"This is what I want." And with that she pulled him down and kissed him. 'I'm sorry Rangiku...'
A/N: Oh my god _! I have had this idea on my mind for this chapter for a while BUT I'm not sure it came out well x Please r&r and let me know where it needs to be improved 'kay? Alright! Back to the drawing board ^_^
~S.C.A