Chapter 8

It was only ten minutes after Kudo had left her when she saw Renji coming, two katana in hand. She was excited. Fighting against Renji with swords. She couldn't wait for it start.

"How was your tour?" he had almost reached her.

"It was good. But let's talk later. Oh, by the way. Ichigo asked if we would go out with him and Rukia tonight. He wants to go to some sushi bar. I totally forgot to tell you. Sorry."

Standing in front of her now, she had to look up at him.

"No problem. Sounds great. You wanna start right away?"

She took one of the swords and stepped a few feet back before she pulled it out of its sheath. Twirling the blade around she got a feeling for it. Renji unsheathed his own training sword after he had placed Zabimaru to the side.
She twirled the blade one more time and as it came back up she attacked. He raised his own to parry her blow, surprise showing on his face. The swords crashed against each other but instead of pushing harder against him she rotated behind his back. He expected her to come for his neck, bringing his blade up behind his back. She ducked and kicked his legs out from under him. He fell backwards and she quickly spun away from his falling form and came to a stand to his left, her sword pointed against his jugular. A big grin on her face she looked down at his shocked face.

"I've got ya, Captain!"

He blinked several times before he spoke.

"You wanna tell me something, Sweetheart?"

She took her blade away from him so he could get up.

"Nope, there is nothing to …." Loud laughter interrupted her.

"You're mean, you know that? You should have warned him that you're a godan in kendo, Tatsuki."

Ichigo sat on the roof she had occupied before with a grinning bald man next to him.

"Oi Renji! The little girl kicked your ass quiet well." Baldy shouted.

Renji just stood there eying their audience condemning.

"You should shut the hell up! She just caught me by surprise."

She looked up at him, sword still in hand.

"Did I? Then how about a second..."

Her blade went flying through the air and something cold was pressing against her neck.

"What did you wanna say? A second round?" he teased.

Damn, he was fast! Both men on the roof made a hissing sound.

"How did you.."

"Get you so fast? You'll learn it too."

He took the blade away and retrieved hers from the ground.

"Here!"

Sword back in her hand she listened closely when he explained her different ways to attack or to block. He showed her how to stand correctly or hold the sword. She was eager to learn everything he told her and so she did exactly as he instructed. Ichigo and Baldy (she'd learned his name was Ikkaku but she thought Baldy suited him better) helped too by giving advices here and there or showing her alternatives to what Renji told her. After two hours of listing and fighting all three of them alternately in the afternoon sun she was bloody, sweaty and exhausted.

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God, she was good! Renji was utterly impressed by her. Everything he and the guys told or showed her she immediately picked up and used it. They had to correct her only a few times. After two hours of fighting them all she had landed several blows on each of them. Ikkaku was bleeding from a small gash on his chest, Ichigo's haori had a cut down his right shoulder that turned the white material red and he himself had a bloody gash on his abdomen.

But Tatsuki wasn't looking any better. Shallow cuts were strewn over her body. They hadn't gone easy on her and he knew she appreciated it. She was strong and proud of it. And she should be. Fighting against two Captains and a captain-level Lieutenant wasn't a child's play. But he pushed her further.

"One more time! But Ikkaku, you'll use your shikai."

The Lieutenant raised his brow questioningly "You sure?"

He nodded and saw Ichigo going a bit pale but his friend didn't say a thing. She stood there ready, never letting her opponent out of her sight. A small wave of reiatsu came form Ikkaku as he smashed his sheath and katana against each other.

"Grow, Hozukimaru!"

Both morphed into a long spear. He knew the abilities of Hozukimaru but how would Tatsuki cope with it? She stood there motionless for a second, watching the shikai release.

"Why did you let him fight her with his shikai?"

Ichigo stood next to him, a stern look on his face.

"Because she needs to learn. She needs to understand that arrogance has no place in a fight. Right now she thinks she's got a chance against him. Look at her. The confident stand and the raised chin. There is no sign of fear in her. But she must learn to fear in order to grow even stronger."

He hated himself for doing this but it was necessary. The two clashed with a battle cry.

"Tatsuki may be a lot of things but not arrogant! The only thing she'll get out of this fight is a smashed confidence and severe wounds, you idiot!"

Ikkaku kicked her hard and she went flying with a grunt but stood back on her feet within seconds to block his next attack.

"Ichigo, how did we get stronger? Wasn't it when we were smashed to the ground, bleeding severely that we found a new strength within us? Remember when we fought against each other at the bottom of Sokyoku Hill? I was arrogant enough to think you were weak and that I could defeat you. You were standing there, leaning heavily on Zangetsu since you were bleeding like hell. It was then that you found new strength and almost killed me with your Getsuga Tensho."

She was bleeding from a huge gash on her left ribcage now.

"But that was a completely different situation! We had no time to waste!"

Now he was getting angry. Why didn't Ichigo understand?

"And you think Tatsuki has all the time in the world? Think about the situation she's in right now? She gets special treatment, has a huge amount of reiatsu, is friends with two Captains and at least one Lieutenant. How long do think it will take for the first envy shinigami to attack her when we're not with her? She's strong. But one direct hit from a kido user for example could kill her. If she has now idea how to fight a shikai she'll be killed as well. I want to protect her, too. And if it means to get her a little bloody by fighting under controlled circumstances then I'll do it."

Ichigo was silent as they watched Tatsuki being smashed to the ground and Ikkaku swinging Hozukimaru over his head to bring it down on her. She stared up at him with huge fear filled eyes. Ikkaku swung down and she closed her eyes, waiting for the blow to come. But he stopped the weapon an mere inch from her face.

Time stood still for a moment and the only sound was their combined breathing and the breeze that rustled through the leaves. Ikkaku pulled back and held a hand out towards her.

"Come on. You did great. Lasting five minutes against my Hozukimaru without a Zanpakuto. I'm impressed."

She opened her eyes and took his offered hand, letting him pull her back onto her feet.

"Thanks. Please don't take it personally, but you're a monster, Baldy, you know that?"

With that all the tension vanished and they all burst out laughing. Ichigo was the first to recover as he stepped in front of her.

"You're all right?"

She nodded and turned towards him.

"Renji, I think I'll need …."

He saw her eyes rolling back as she collapsed. He caught her before she touched the ground.

"What's wrong with her?" it was Ichigo, worry clearly in his voice.

"I think she is just exhausted." Ikkaku explained calmly.

He didn't take his eyes off her as he stood up with her in his arms. Shit! It's all my fault! I shouldn't have let her fight Ikkaku!

"Calm down, Renji. She's not dying. Give her an hour of sleep and she'll be as good as new."

He knew that Ikkaku was right but he was worried none the less.

"Ichigo, go get Hanataro. He should be at Squad Eight." he ordered and carried her to his quarters with Ikkaku on his heels.

"I didn't mean to push her this far, Renji. I'm sorry."

He opened his door and made his way to one of his couches where he lay her down carefully.

"You did nothing wrong. I should have known that it would be too much for her. It's just her first day and she already trained with Rukia this morning. I'm such an idiot!"

He looked down at her, sorrow eating him up from the inside.

"She really is something special. I've never seen a Soul fight like this without years of experience as a shinigami. Even Ichigo wasn't that good when I first fought him. And he already had a Zanpakuto."

He just nodded, his eyes fixed on her face and all the blood on her. There was silence for a few minutes.

"She's also quiet a beauty." Ikkaku whispered.

He turned around fast.

"What did you say?"

The bald Lieutenant raised an eyebrow and a big grin stretched over his face.

"Oh, so you really got feelings for her. Too bad. And here I thought I could have had some fun with her."

The grin spread even wider and without a thought he had him pinned against the wall, his hand tightly wrapped around the man's neck he hissed through clenched teeth.

"You'll keep your hands off her, you understand?"

Ikkaku smirked at him.

"Oi, keep cool. I was just teasing. But you should watch out. If Ichigo finds out you're toast."

He glared at him a moment longer before releasing his hold. That moment the door swung open and Ichigo stepped in followed by Hanataro.

"What's the problem here?" his orange haired friend asked as he saw them.

"Nothing. Oi, Hanataro! Can you take a look at her. She passed out after training." he stated and went back to her side. The small black haired shinigami stepped out of Ichigo's shadow

"Sure. Was something wrong with her before?"

The three of them shook their heads.

"No. she was fine. But she had already trained with Rukia this morning."

Hanataro nodded at that.

"Okay. I'll take a look at her. But you three" he almost glared at them "can take off your uniforms so I can tend your wounds as well. Again!"

He emphasized the last word and they all looked away sheepishly. The small man had grown comfortable around them since they usually called him when they had wounds that needed treatment. And they had to call him often.

The medic went to her and used some kido. Renji stepped back to give him room. Ichigo and Ikkaku stood to the side and he joined them.

"She really is just exhausted. I'll give her something to get her back on her feet but she should rest."

He pulled his bag off and rummaged inside until he found what he was looking for. Opening a blue box he took a pill out and put it into her mouth.

"She should wake up in a minute."

He turned towards them.

"Now, you three are a mess as always. And didn't I already told you to take off your uniforms?"

"Oi, don't forget you're talking to two Captains." Ichigo reminded him.

"Oh, I don't. But if you would prefer it, I could call my Captain to come over here and help me take care of your wounds."

Shit! When had the boy grown some balls? No one messed with his Captain. Unohana was just too scary. Within moments they had pulled off their haori and kosode. Ikkaku's exposed chest sported a gash that had already stopped bleeding while blood ran down Ichigo's arm and back from the deep slash in his shoulder. His own abdomen was also still bleeding a little from the vertical cut and Hanataro just shook his head at them.

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Tatsuki came awake like she was struck by lighting. She felt energized and it took her a second to realize that she was on Renji's couch. What had happened?

Turning her head she was greeted by a sight not many women had seen. Ichigo, Ikkaku and Renji stood there bare chested, their muscular torsos displayed to perfection by the sun that streamed in through the windows.

Scars crisscrossed their bodies from numerous wounds they must have received in their battles. Ikkaku had a huge one that ran all the way from his left shoulder down to his lower abdomen. Renji's scars she already knew. But what shocked her a little where Ichigo's. His whole upper body was lined with dozens of white lines. He didn't have them in the real world. A small male shinigami was talking to them in a stern voice.

"I swear guys, if I have to patch you up one more time this week you can look for another personal medic."

They looked around sheepishly and she giggled at the sight. Three of the strongest guys in Seireitei being scolded by a small shinigami who seemed to be not even a Lieutenant was just hilarious.

All heads turned around, relief shining in both Ichigo's and Renji's eyes. Ikkaku just smirked while the small guy smiled slightly. He looked friendly but had an aura of insecurity around him.

"How are you?"

It was Ichigo. She glanced up at him, avoiding to look at his scars again.

"I'm fine."

She moved to sit up when a sharp pain stung her left side. A hiss must have left her lips since all of a sudden all four of them were at her sides, worried looks on their faces.

"What's wrong?"

"Where are you hurt?"

"Don't move!"

They all talked simultaneously as she lay back down. She pulled the black material of her kosode up at her left side and saw the deep gash. A chorus of curses sounded from the men around her but it was the small one that composed himself first.

"Ichigo, get me some water and a cloth. Ikkaku, a towel. Renji, help me get her out of this."

They sprang into action and Renji helped her up carefully, murmuring under his breath so only she could hear.

"I'm so sorry!"

She looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity there.

"Don't be. It's not your fault."

The small guy tugged at her kosode and Renji pulled it off her, leaving her with only the black bra on. Before Renji could react Ikkaku came back in and whistled.

"Well, if that isn't a sight worthy of some.."

He stopped mid sentence as he seemed to feel the presence of someone standing at his back. Ichigo looked at him with his usual frown but had added a raised brow. Renji shot the bald man a death glare. Pitying poor Ikkaku she punched Renji lightly in the side with her elbow.

Rubbing his side he grunted "Ow! What was that for?"

She made an apologetic face. "Sorry, a twitch."

The medic giggled.

"I'm Hanataro Yamada, third Seat of Squad Four. Arisawa- san, could you lift your arm a little so I can have a look at your wound?"

Nodding, she did as he said. He carefully touched her still bleeding side. It hurt but was bearable. Ichigo came over with a bowl in hand.

"How bad is it, Hanataro?"

He didn't look up when he answered after a moment.

"I've seen worse. Give me the water."

Ichigo placed the bowl down beside Hanataro who put some liquid into the water before he began to clean her wound. She gritted her teeth at the burning pain but didn't make a sound. Renji's hand touched her bare shoulder, the contact a welcome distraction as his thumb stroked up and down.

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Renji stood at the back of his couch, his eyes fixed on the deep gash as Hanataro revealed the full extent of it by cleaning the blood. A cough sounded and he looked up to see Ichigo staring first at him and then down at his hand on her shoulder. Damn!

He had reached out to her subconsciously when he saw her pain. Giving a small last squeeze he let go of her.

"Okay. Tatsuki, I'm going to use kido to heal that wound. It will tickle a little but please try not to move."

She nodded and turned her head towards him.

"Renji? Would you make some coffee? I could really use one."

A slight smile tugged at his lips. She truly was a caffeine junkie.

"Sure."

He went for his kitchen as Ichigo's voice sounded behind him.

"Oi, Pineapple! Tea!"

Grinning over his shoulder he replied dryly "You know the way." and went on.

It took only a few seconds for Ichigo to appear next to him in the kitchen.

"Yo, man! What's wrong?" his friend almost whispered.

He turned around to face him.

"What's wrong? You've seen the wound she got because of me!"

Ichigo punched him in the face with such force that he staggered a few steps back. What the Fuck?

"Baka! You see the wounds we've got because of her? You think she's got the same guilty conscience? She may be a little sorry but she's professional enough to know that things like that happen while training, so get a grip! Remember, you were the one who told me she had to fight under controlled circumstances. And she did. Yes, she got hurt, but she had worse injuries."

He stood back straight, glaring at Ichigo.

"I know, but it doesn't change the fact that ….."

"Ichigo Kurosaki! I really hope for your sake, that that wasn't your last haori! This time you'll explain the Head-Captain why you'll need another one again!"

Rukia stood between them with her hands on her hips, glaring up at her Captain who looked over at Renji pleadingly.

"Rukia, I don't think that's …."

"And you better shut up! You already said enough and the next time you think about going all sentimental I'll be the one to punch you! Really, what's wrong with you? Tatsuki is alright. Instead of having some girl talk here in the kitchen you two should go outside and help the girl fend of Ikkaku before he makes another move on her."

Exchanging a brief look they both burst out of the kitchen and straight into the living room where they came to a sudden halt.

The scene in front of them was absolute surreal. Tatsuki stood in front of the couch, her torso wrapped in white bandages, her face a mask of anger. At her feet Ikkaku was on his hands and knees begging for forgiveness.

"Please, Arisawa- san. It was not my intention to insult you."

"Not your intention? You stupid..."

Ichigo launched at her as she was ready to kick Ikkaku.

"Wow, Tatsuki! What has he done?"

She was kicking in his arms, sending death glares towards the bald figure on the floor. That moment Ikkaku raised his head to reveal a bleeding nose that seemed to be broken.

Rukia stood next to Renji, a huge grin plastered on her face she spoke in quiet tones.

"See. She can take care of herself quiet fine. Even injured."

He didn't look down at her instead his eyes were fixed on the scene in front of him.

"She punched Ikkaku into a whining heap." he said disbelievingly.

Tatsuki had calmed a little but Ichigo didn't let go of her. She said something and Ikkaku flinched at her words. His mind was mostly blank so he didn't hear the words. He just stood there while Rukia chuckled next to him.

"Scary, isn't she? The first time I saw her like this it was Ichigo who was on the floor. And that was two days after he had defeated Aizen. She was so mad at him for risking his life that she didn't stop until he was begging her. I always knew she was strong but the extent of it shocked me."

A loud whistle sounded and the room went quiet, all heads turning towards the source. Hanataro stood with his arms akimbo at the side of his couch, a deep scowl forming.

"Stop it! All of you! Everyone sit down and don't speak. I've got other things to do than stand here the whole day and wait to patch you all back together."

The boy really had grown some balls. Ichigo let go of her and she turned around to face the medic, her head bowed.

"I'm really sorry, Yamada- san."

The boy blushed a little at that and looked confused when she turned around and both Ichigo and Ikkaku scrambled to the couches to sit down. Her eyes landed on him and her brow raised ever so slightly expectantly.

At this moment she reminded him so much of Lieutenant Ise he had to suppress a smile but made his way over to the couch as well. She took a seat next to him but looked away.

"So, know that all of you can behave again, I can finally start treating you. Ichigo, you're first."

The fifth Division Captain got up grudgingly and stepped in front of Hanataro, towering over the shorter male. Rukia came over with a stool and pulled Ichigo down on it.

"Here Hanataro. Now the giant is at a normal height." she grinned.

Ichigo scowled at that but didn't say a word as Hanataro began to patch him up.

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Tatsuki sat there still fuming over what Ikkaku had said. How dare he! A big hand nudged her thigh and she turned to see Renji looking down at her with a questioning stare.

"What?"

"Are you okay?" he whispered.

"Sure. Didn't you wanted to make some coffee?"

He blushed slightly at her reminder and it looked kind of sweet.

"Ups. I go now ..."

"No, you need your wounds bandaged. I go."

She stood up and turned around. Ichigo sat on the stool with his back to her. The blood was gone now to show her another assortment of white lines that were strewn all over his back and shoulders. How much had he suffered for all of them?

"Rukia, can you help me?"

The small woman stepped away from her Captain and followed her into the kitchen.

"What's wrong Tatsuki?"

Was it that obvious?

"Nothing really. It doesn't matter. Would you help me with the tea? I'll make the coffee."

She turned her attention towards the machine when Rukia spoke in a hushed voice.

"It's his scars, isn't it? It was the first time you saw them?"

She just nodded.

"Orihime wanted to remove them but he didn't let her. He says that they help him to remember his weaknesses that he has to overcome. Most of them he received while he tried to protect someone. The large one that runs down his back he got from a Hollow that almost killed me. The round one on his shoulder was a spear that was aimed for a small child. I could tell you the story of almost all of them. But I think he is somehow proud of them. Not in the macho way, but more in the lines of that they remind him of all the lives he saved."

"But why didn't he have them when he was in the world of the living?"

Rukia chuckled at that.

"Because he was in a Gigai. Urahara- san changed his human body into a Gigai when Ichigo became a Captain. I thought he told you?"

Yes, he had told her but it was something she didn't quiet understand at the time. She nodded again but didn't say anything more. A few minutes ticked by in silence as they both worked.

"Tatsuki? May I ask you something?"

Curious of what Rukia wanted to know she turned around.

"Sure."

"Do yo miss Orihime?"

She was taken aback for a moment. She hadn't really thought about her best friend since she came here. There was so much on her mind the last couple of days that it was like a punch in the face to realize it. Oh my God! Orihime must be out of her mind by now. She was the worst friend in history!

Suddenly she was pulled into a tight embrace.

"Shhh, it's alright. She will understand. I'll send a message to her and tell her that your fine."

At that something other came to her mind.

"Renji said he wanted to sent someone to find out how I've died."

Rukia looked up with a raised brow.

"Do you really want to know?"

A small smile tucked at her lips.

"You know, he asked me the exact same thing. Yes, I need to know."

Grinning Rukia turned back to the tea.

"We really know each other way too long. I'm done here."

Taking the coffeepot she put it onto the tray.

"Done."

They went back into the living room were Ikkaku was now treated. Ichigo sat next to Renji, his bloody clothes discarded on a pile in the corner.

"Renji, Tatsuki told me you wanted to sent someone to find out what has happened to her?"

His head jerked up and they locked gazes with another.

"Yeah, I did. But I planned to tell you this evening."

So he knew. She dreaded what he would tell her but now was as good a time as later.

"Tell me now, please."

Ichigo got up and went over to her side, taking her hand in his. Silence filled the room.

"There was a fire in your apartment building two nights ago. Urahara said that because of some toxic gas you didn't feel anything at all."

A fire. Carbon monoxide poisoning. She could work with that. Oddly enough she wasn't as shocked as she thought she would be. She already knew she was dead. That was just the last proof she needed.

She must have stood there for too long without saying anything when Ichigo drew her into his arms.

"It's alright. We will figure this out."

It was quiet funny how he reacted. But she didn't need his cuddling. Pushing against his chest she freed herself of his arms.

"Stop that, baka! I'm not going to burst into tears or something. I'm fine. It was a little shock but it's okay. I already knew that I was dead."

They all looked at her like she had grown another head.

"Really. All of you stop that. I'll become a shinigami and then I can see my friends again. And it's not like Orihime and Chad aren't here often enough. Now, go back to what you were doing."

She turned and walked toward the bedroom when she was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.

"Oi! When the hell did you get that?"

For a moment she had no idea what Ichigo was talking about but then she knew. She could feel a slight blush forming on her cheeks.

"That's none of your business."

Shaking of his hand she stalked into the bedroom to find some new clothes.

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Renji was still a little speechless of her reaction. He hadn't expected for her to take it so well.

"That thing on her back is huge! How could she do that?"

Ichigo was pacing up and down until Rukia slapped his head from behind.

"Would you stop that! It's none of your business and besides it's not like none of your friends got tattoos."

Rubbing the back of his head he looked down at her puzzled.

"Renji, Shuhei and Chad are the only ones."

The rest of them burst into laughter. Ikkaku was the first to recover.

"Yeah right. And the butterfly on Rangiku's ankle is just painted." Hanataro chuckled while wrapping Ikkaku into white bandages.

"As well as yours, Lieutenant. I always thought you just painted it."

That made Ichigo's brow raise. In answer the bald Lieutenant pulled the right side of his hakama down a little to reveal the Chinese sign for luck on his hip.

"And it's Yachiru who scribbles on Toshiro's back every night." All eyes turned to Renji at that.

"Captain Hitsugaya is tattooed as well?" Hanataro asked.

"Yep. Got a huge Hyorinmaru on his whole back last year."

The bedroom door opened and Tatsuki came out wearing a clean shihakusho.

"Orihime got her brother's name on the small of her back for years." Ichigo's head swirled around. "Orihime, too? For God's sake, are Rukia and me the only ones without one?"

This time it was Renji's turn to howl with laughter. Rukia turned a bright shade of pink and glared at him.

"Don't you dare, Renji!"

"Oh come on, midget. It's not like you can keep it a secret forever. And it's cute."

"Spill it!" Ikkaku demanded with a huge grin.

"She's got a ..."

Something small smashed into his side and a hand clapped over his mouth.

"I'll kill you if you say one more word."

Rukia was gone the next moment and when he turned to look what had happened he saw that Ichigo had lifted her up in his arms and held her pressed against his chest while she was kicking like a madwoman. Everyone was laughing at the sight of them.

"She's got one on her left buttock." he grinned.

Silence descended on the room and even Rukia went stock still. Ichigo looked down at the woman in his arms with an evil grin. His arms tightened around her small form.

"Ikkaku..." The man jumped off the stool with a gleeful expression and pulled at Rukia's hakama to reveal a cute little Chappy. She screamed and cursed but with no avail. Renji looked over at Tatsuki who had also stepped behind Rukia and was now inspecting the little tattoo.

"Rukia, why do you have a bunny on your ass?" she asked curious.

"It was a stupid bet. Now let go of me Ichigo!"

Before anyone could say something his door flew open and an orange blur flew in and tackled Tatsuki to the ground. Ready to spring into action everyone stopped dead when they heard the crying voice of Orihime muffled against Tatsuki's neck.

"Oh my God! I couldn't believe it! You can't be dead!"

Tatsuki's arms came around her sobbing friend.

"It's alright. I'm fine. Stop crying." she murmured.

"I'm sorry Renji, but they insisted to see her."

He turned to see Toshiro standing in the doorway.

"They?"

Stepping aside his friend revealed a short black haired woman. He didn't recognize her immediately as he hadn't seen her for years.

"Karin?" Ichigo asked with confusion in his voice.

When the door had burst open he had turned around automatically to protect Rukia from whatever came through since their Zanpakuto were all standing in the corner. Turning around he had set her back down but held back behind himself with one arm.

"Onii- chan!"

She ran over to her brother and threw herself into his arms. So that was Karin, Renji mused. She had grown into a young woman in the past years. Glancing over at Toshiro he saw the man staring over at her. "Oi, Toshiro!" he whispered. "How long?" He knew that his friend had a huge crush on the girl for years but had never made a move on her since her young age. "Five years." he said without leaving her out of his sight.

Ouch, five years? He thought the man had visited her over the years. They never really spoke about stuff like that. He only knew about the girl because years ago Toshiro had told him while they were both drunk.

"She's grown." he hinted.

"Yeah, I know. But she's still Ichigo's baby sister."

Good point there. If Ichigo would go berserk on him for sleeping with his best friend there was no telling what he would do to Toshiro for sleeping with his sister.

Tatsuki was back on her feet, one arm wrapped around Orihime's waist while the orange haired woman was still sniffing. Their eyes met and he saw how overwhelmed she truly was. Deciding to help her he gave her a subtle nod.

"Okay everyone! It's nice to have you all here but we have some wounds to tend here. So how about we all go to dinner together later and talk there?"

"Wounds?" Orihime looked up at him and seemed to notice for the first time his bleeding wound. She turned her head and looked first at Ikkaku's broken nose and then to Ichigo's bandaged torso.

"What happened?"

Ichigo, Renji, Ikkaku, Tatsuki and Hanataro answered in unison.

"Training."

That earned them laughs from everyone in the room but Orihime who looked confused. Rukia stepped in to explain to the girl.

Ichigo had his arm draped over Karin's shoulder when he addressed Hanataro.

"Yo man! I think Orihime will take care of the rest here. But thanks."

"Alright. See you around." With that he made his way out the door.

Orihime now stood with her arms akimbo, glaring at all of them.

"You four sit down." she pointed at them and they obeyed.

Without a word or a gesture a warm yellow light was suddenly surrounding them, healing their wounds.

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When they were healed Rukia ushered everyone but Renji, Orihime and Tatsuki out. Her mind was reeling from all that had happened the last two hours when Renji's hand touched her lightly on the shoulder.

"You okay, Sweetheart?"

She nodded and all she wanted to do was turn around and throw herself into his arms. But she wouldn't. Not because of Orihime. But she had to stop depending on him for comfort. That wasn't her style and she had promised him to behave like her herself.

Instead she turned her attention to her best friend who was sitting on the couch, sipping her tea.

"Orihime, would you help me get my things into my room?"

"Of course. Thank you for taking care of her, Renji. And for the tea."

Renji smiled gently at her friend and bowed his head slightly before releasing her shoulder.

"I'll help you with the clothes."

After a few minutes they made her way through the corridors of his Division, each carrying at least four bags. He opened the door to her new home and they stepped into the small apartment.

It was smaller than his. The living room sported a couch and a small table with a tiny kitchenette to the right. The bedroom was typical Japanese style with a futon and build in the wall closets. The adjoining bathroom only held a shower, toilet and sink. But it was enough for her. With time she would make it into a real home.

Renji took the bags into her bedroom and turned to leave. At the door he stopped.

"I'll come and collect you in two hours for dinner."

She nodded and gave him a warm smile, mouthing a 'Thank you'. He gave her a wink and left with his own smile on his lips.

"So tell me what happened." Orihime said from behind her.

She turned and was glad to have her friend with her for at least now.

"Come help me put my clothes away and I'll tell you everything."

And she did. Okay, not everything. The glory details of hers and Renji's nightly activities she let out. No need for Orihime to know.

They talked some more and before she knew it they had only half an hour left before Renji would come. Hurrying into the bathroom she took a quick shower and dressed. She was braiding her hair when she heard voices in her living room.

"How long will you stay?"

"I have to leave tonight. Now that I now she's fine I'm going back to work tomorrow."

"Will you come visit her? She could need a friend from time to time."

"Of course. You know, in two months the hospital closes for six weeks due to renovation and we are all on additional leave for the time. Maybe the Head-Captain will allow me to stay here when I promise to give medical help."

"I'll talk to him."

She had finished her hair and stepped out of her bedroom.

The dinner was real fun with all of them attending. Ichigo, Renji and Rukia were bickering like always. Toshiro and Karin were talking about football. Ikkaku and Rangiku were playing some drinking game. Orihime and Hanataro discussed some medical topics. And every so often they would all laugh together. It was a great evening. Orihime excused herself at ten. They said their good bye's and Rukia escorted her to her family's private Senkaimon. Karin would stay for two more days before heading back.

She was a bit sad that her friend had to leave but they would see each other again soon.

The rest of the evening went on mostly like before with just more Sake. By the time they made their way home everyone was mostly drunk.

Renji walked her to her apartment and she could see that he expected her to invite him in. But she didn't. She needed a good nights sleep and what went on between them had to stop none the less. She wanted to become a shinigami and she wanted to do that on her own and not because she slept with a Captain.

Getting onto her toes she stretched up to give him a small kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you for everything, Renji."

Before he could say something she turned and closed the door behind her.