Here's the second chapter! I'm going to try and finish this story before the weekend... If it's possible XD. With my updates being slow. But I have today off. So that's why I want to update as fast as possible C:

She wasn't sure how to react to this new development.

Ichigo, the man she loved, had started to devote all his time to spending time with her. She wasn't sure if she should be flattered or perhaps worried.

For, she didn't want him to always be with her. She wanted him to spend time with his other friends as well as his family. He barely saw his sisters with being a shinigami. And disappearing twice within three months would surely make them sad. Even though the first time wasn't her fault since they had to rescue Rukia, she still felt guilty.

For she was the one who finally convinced him to go in the first place.

A lot of the times, Orihime would invite Karin and Yuzu to come hang out with them. Though she'd never say it out loud, she loved hanging out with them. Both of them were very smart and kind. They were able to help her with any problems she had.

Though most of her problems had to do with their older brother.

Karin had been the one to talk to her more about Ichigo, seeing as Yuzu was just as oblivious as him in that department. She was glad that Karin was able to help her, though she was young.

But then again, who better than to talk to than a relative of the person she loves?

Sure, Tatsuki had given her lots of advice on it before. But even she was shocked at this new development. She didn't know Ichigo was devoting himself to her. While Orihime was happy that she was able to develop a closer bond with Ichigo, it also made her wary.

Was he pitying her? Did he think she couldn't protect herself from danger as well as other men?

Orihime wasn't that oblivious. She knew it upset him whenever any guy approached her. Though Chad and Renji were the only exceptions. He was even upset when Uryu would come to talk with her. And the only question she could ask herself was;

Why?

The only logical reason she could think of was that he had in fact felt the same way she did.

But she would always shrug that thought away. For she didn't want to wish for something that would never happen. Her heart had endured a lot of suffering over the years and if she continues to hold onto the hope she feels every time he talks to her any longer, she'd burst.

Or so she tells herself.

But she also knows that Ichigo would never lead her on like that. Surely he was just as confused about these feelings as she was. And his actions definitely didn't help the situation at all. No one had the answers. They were just as clueless as she was.

And it bothered her to no end.

"Onii-chan, what should I do?" She asked her brother's picture. "I want to believe that he feels the same way as I do. But... It's so confusing ! No one else knows why he's been acting different. Though they have all noticed. Except Renji-kun. Though I think he's always oblivious to situations like these." She said with a giggle.

Sighing, she clenched her hands tighter into fists as she sat on her knees, bowing her head in shame. She didn't want her brother to see her in this state, but she couldn't help it.

She was really confused.

Did he feel that it was his responsibility to look after her? Or did he just want to be with her?

No matter how many questions she asked herself, she wasn't bringing herself closer to knowing the answer. And that made her more mad.

"Well, I guess I'll just have to ask him myself. He's the only one who knows."

Hardening her resolve, she vowed she'd ask Ichigo tomorrow after school.

And with that resolve in her heart, she went to bed determined to find out why he was acting strange.

A/N: I'm sorry for such a short chapter again... Gah. I can never make them long. I always feel that if I make them too long, it takes away from the story. I guess I'm so used to writing short chapters because it has more emotion in them... But I promise I will work on it!

~Tia-chan