Thanks for the first reviews Ichiruki95, ReaperDuckling, falconrukichi, KuroKuchiki, and hhhh! Here's the next chappie!
The next day was just as sunny and cheerful looking as the day before. Most of the people that were out were with friends, smiling as their Popsicle's began to melt. Ichigo was not, smiling that is. His face was etched with thoughtful lines and he walked down the street towards a certain little girl's grave. A pebble rolled ahead of him each time he gave it an angry kick. The silence was shattered by a high, obnoxious yell. "Ichigo!" The soul reaper turned to see his friend Orihime Inoue running after him. She was smiling, as usual, and also like normal didn't see a street grate. TRIP! FALL! THUD! She landed on the ground, confused and bruised.
"You OK?" the boy asked walking over to her.
After blinking a few times she looked at Ichigo as if she'd never seen him before. "Wh-why didn't you catch me?"
"Huh?"
Orihime brushed herself off and prodded a spreading blue mark on her arm. "You always catch me. Why didn't you?"
"I guess I didn't feel like it." He shrugged after thinking about it. "You just have to be more careful."
The girl's eyes started to sparkle and Ichigo cringed. How could he have forgotten how sensitive this girl was? "I'm- sorry?" he ventured but only got a sob in reply.
"By-bye Ichigo!" Orihime managed to blubber as she turned, starting to run down the street.
"Ugh," the soul reaper sighed as she watched her go. "I hope she didn't have anything important to tell me…"
MEANWHILE…
Orihime turned the corner slightly panting, tears still streaming down her face. "Ichigo…" she murmured. Looking around, she reached into her shirt and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. Uncurling it she saw one of Rukia's bad drawings and a 'code'. After reading between the X's she bit her lip. Rukia was going to give this to Ichigo herself but Orihime had volunteered to take it for her. Now she wished that the Soul Reaper had delivered it herself. Orihime felt guilt creeping into her but shoved it down. Ever since Ichigo had become a Soul Reaper he had changed. He wasn't the same person he had been before. More serious, not as joking. It was like he was always on the lookout for a Hallow to attack them. The way she saw it, Rukia appearing + her turning Ichigo into a Soul Reaper = Ichigo not as fun. In a rare moment of flash anger, the healer tore the paper in two, releasing it for the breeze to carry it away. As the pieces floated away, she couldn't help but feel a stab of guilt. Rukia was her friend and this was how- No! a harder part of her spirit commanded, She took Ichigo from you. You can never forgive that. Never.
Review! Flames will be used to burn Orihime at the steak!
Orihime: Hey! That's not very nice!
Me: Well, I'm not exactly a nice person…Orihime: You can't kill me! I still have things to do!
Me: … grrr….