A New Beginning. A New Enemy

Orihime was sitting down underneath the large trees protective leaves, her body feeling the warmth of the hot sun, yet the breeze was cool against her porcelain skin. She was happy, surrounded by her friends: Uryuu, Chad, Tatsuki, Rukia, Renji and the others, then she saw a head of orange hair, usual scowling face and deep brown eyes that made her think of chocolate and red bean paste with bread and sat next to Orihime and she rested her head against his shoulder, her auburn red hair intertwined with his bright ginger. Ichigo's scowl slid off his face, a wondrous smile replacing it as he leaned down pressed his lips against Orihime's forehead, her cinnamon shampoo wafted into his nostrils and he smiled at the familiar scent, bathing his senses in her.

"Orihime." Ichigo said formally, as if talking to a princess from a faraway land.

"Ichigo!" Orihime said excitedly, her heart fluttering like a hummingbird's wings, her cheeks coloured themselves with a light punk hue that made her look almost adorable.

Ichigo pulled Orihime into his lap, wrapping his arms around her elegant waist to hold her in place. Orihime self-consciously kissed Ichigo's cheek and her cheeks went even darker, exposing her emotions. Tatsuki was fighting with Chizuru as always, having thrown Chizuru onto the ground after having hugged Orihime inappropriately. Uryuu was eating his food silently, staring at Orihime longingly, everyone -except Orihime- knew that Uryuu had pined over Orihime for a long time, longer than Ichigo had realised that he had feelings for Orihime.

Chad was being a man of few words, as per usual, grunting everytime Keigo was saying something that no doubt involved another imaginary girlfriend of his, and Mizuiro was kindly reminding 'Mr Asano' that he had no such girlfriend.

They were all in their senior years and they all relaxed in the sun and shade, everything was fine, until Ichigo caught the presence of a Hollow. "RUKIA!" Ichigo yelled, ripping Kon from his bag, swirled his hand around while he looked for the small pill and once he got it, he swallowed the Mod Soul, Ichigo glided out of his body as Kon fell to the floor in a temporary state of paralysis. Rukia had done the same and she ran ahead of Ichigo. Ichigo looked to see Orihime but she refused to look at him.

"Orihime, I-"

"Just go Ichigo. Go with Rukia." Orihime said, jealousy oozing from every single pore on Orihime's body, she got up, brushed the leaves and dirt off before walking away from Ichigo, her hair blew in the wind and he smelled her unique scent once again, his Hollow licked his lips and for one second Ichigo thought of leaving Rukia with the task of killing the Hollow, but he had a job as a Substitute Soul Reaper and self-appointed protecter of Karakura Town.

Kon ran after Orihime to accompany her to her next class and Ichigo flew away, but not before seeing the slight smile on Uryuu's face. Ichigo never had the chance to confront him because he heard the Hollow's roar and he Flash Stepped away.

Ichigo had never come back to school, Orihime was worrying all day, she checked her cell phone for a text message or a missed call from Ichigo.

None.

'Where is he?' Orihime asked herself, then she felt a staggering Spiritual Pressure, its raw energy pulsed through her body and she couldn't move any part of her body, she couldn't move even one finger.

Then the yellow energy burst through her front door and there was Captain of Squad 11 Captain Kenpachi Zaraki was standing there, with a scary smile upon his thin lips, his scar striking against the tan skin. "Now Ichigo will have something to fight for." He spoke in his dark voice. Orihime instantly put up her Shiten Koshun in front of her protectively, her body poised to strike with her hand to hand combat if necessary, though she doubted she would be able to fight a Captain of the Gotei 13.

Kenpachi laughed and swung his sword, his Spiritual Pressure releasing as his battle cry pierced her ears.

Orihime tensed once more.

Ichigo knew he needed to patch things up with Orihime. He would buy her take out and they would eat and watch movies while cuddling up on her couch.

"Ichigo! That's the last of the Hollows!" Rukia announced, a crooked smile curving her lips. "You fought well."

"Don't I always?" Ichigo asked cockily, but a smile upturned his lips as well.

Rukia nodded once and said once more. "But you fought much more passionately, as if you were fighting your last battle. Is there something I should know?" As always, Rukia got to the point straight away.

Ichigo sighed, his smile vanished a frown claimed his face once more. "There was a Hollow a few months ago, he was hunting Orihime."

Rukia gasped, there was only a few Hollows that were cruel enough to actually hunt their prey like animals.

"This particular Hollow almost defeated me, it took me an entire hour just to weaken not even a quarter of its abilities, Orihime destroyed it within seconds. She was stronger than me. She protected me." Ichigo explained and Rukia's soft expression became astonishment with Orihime's growing abilities of her Shun Shun Rikka.

"Orihime is becoming stronger Ichigo, even you know she would fight back some day. As for the Hollow incident, I'll head back to the Soul Society with Renji and as Captain Ukitake if he knows anything and I'll ask Brother, maybe he will have an idea."

"Thanks Ru-" Ichigo's words cut off as the astounding Spiritual Pressure almost speared him to the floor, there was no mistaking this Spiritual Pressure and underneath the raw power, was a gentle, billowing Spiritual Pressure, growing stronger and stronger.

"ORIHIME!" Ichigo and Rukia both Flash Stepped to Orihime's aid, as there would be no telling what Kenpachi would do to her.

HEY! RIKOREN here! I hope you like my plot twist as much as I did!

I know Ichigo did. -Ichigo mumbles something and goes back to listening to music while eating Orihime's food-

See you all later!

Arigato!

RIKOREN

Disclaimer: All is owned by Tite Kubo