Chapter 29
Today is the day everyone has been waiting for. Graduation day. Orihime got up at regular time did her normal routines with ichigo. As they got ready, to meet up with their friends to go to the school's gym to practice the ceremony. Duty calls, a few hollows had showed up. "Oh great, out of all the days this has to happen today" said ichigo somewhat complaining. It is real pain to deal with hollows all the on this special day, he hopes someone else can take care of the job, since uryuu, Hannah, shinji, keigo, chad, mizuiro, rukia, renji, ulquiorra, tatsuki, chizuru, orihime, ichigo, senna, the doctor, natalia and kaito are all graduating. Ichigo go in to his soul reaper from and got in to action. It wasn't really a warm up. Since the hollows were minor, after he was done he got back in to his body and they continued to walk to the school. By the time they got their all their friends were there waiting for them. "Hey, what took you guys so long?" asked shinji. "The usual, kill hollows." Said ichigo shrugging it of as he held orihime's hand.
"Hey rukia didn't the head captain send someone to take care of this while we were doing our graduation ceremony?" asked uryuu pushing up his glasses. "Yes, he did. The person he sent was yachiru. But I doubt she will get anything done. She always has someone else doing her work." Said rukia. As they were talking they looked to the building a head and saw nanao. "Look! There's nanao" said Hannah. As they turned to her direction nanao looked up and smiled. She flashed stepped to get her work done, well technically yachiru's work done."Hey! You kids get in the gym now we about to start" said one of the teachers who saw Hannah and the others. "Yes sir right away" they said in unison. They walked inside and went to their assigned seating that was in alphabetical order by their last name. "I hope no hollows or any other enemies show up tomorrow" thought rukia."Welcome seniors, today and tomorrow morning we will be rehearsing for the graduation ceremony. It is important that you are present here in order to get your diploma. I cannot stress this enough, any funny business, or horse playing around will not be tolerated. Our school is known for having the most respected ceremonies. And we will keep that tradition going for many years to come. Please be here on time today from six o'clock to ten o'clock is the actual ceremony. So in between from after this practice and before six you will have time to mingle and get any personal things done. But do so quickly. If you are not back before six we will have no other choice but to cut you out of the program. You will get your diploma but you won't be recognize at the ceremony." Said the principal.
Many of the students thought that he was being unreasonable about if they got to the school late. But there's no help of changing his mind. So then the teachers started to practice session. From being recognized as the students stood up from their chairs and greet the audience to actually walking down the stairs, to the isle and get their diploma. While the practice was still in session. Hollows started appearing, nanao can do so much but she needed back up. Rukia was stunned that more hollows are coming all at once. And this time it wasn't uryuu's fault. Rukia texts the they are puzzled about why this was happening. They had no way out. The teachers and the principal were keeping an eye on them since they always make wild excuses to leave. Kisuke was aware of the situation, as he and tessei got their equipment and headed to the area where the hollows are gathering. Also, nanao calls rangiku, ikkau and yumichika for back up. Ichigo and others were very still, they couldn't do anything to leave. They felt useless.
If only they could tell the teachers and the principal it would be a lot easier. But they are just mere humans. They wouldn't understand at all. Ichigo tensed up as he felt he couldn't leave. As the other soul reapers plus kisuke, tessei, jinta and Ururu went to fight the hollows they stayed just so they can finish the session and bolt out and help the others if needed. They wish that they could just have a free day to themselves. Three minutes later, they practice was over and they bolted out of the gym. "I'm glad that's over for now at least" said ichigo."C'mon we don't have much time; we have to be back before six in our cap and gown." Said orihime as they were running. When they got to the park they saw the situation was sort of controlled. "Ah ichigo and friends you finally made it" said kisuke. "Cut the crap kisuke. We came late cuz of graduation rehearsal. " said ichigo annoyed. Everyone got in position and attacked with great force. Soon with teamwork all the hollows are gone. With time to spare they all went to the mall and hung out. "This is great isn't natalia?" asked kaito while he was holding her hand. Natalia blushed and said "yes it is sweetie.
I'm just worried that we won't be doing things like this when we enter college.". "Don't worry will always hang out together no matter what" said Hannah. They hope to be together as they enter college. About two hours later, they headed back to their houses to get dressed and head to the school. Everyone is very excited and they can't wait to hear orihime's heart felt speech. By the time it was six o'clock everyone was in place and the ceremony starts. "Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the two thousand and then karakura high school graduation ceremony. To start the ceremony we will have the valedictorian orihime inoue present a speech." Said the principal. The crowd cheers her on as she walked to the podium."Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, as I look back behind high school. A lot of great things have happened for me. I've made great friends; I have a sweet boyfriend who has been with me through the good times and bad. I also let to thank my parents for bringing me in to this world. Unfortunately my parents and my older brother are not here with us today. May they rest in peace; I know they are looking after me somewhere. At first wasn't sure I was going to be here. I made some bad decisions during my senior but that decision changed my life and now I'm a proud mother of twin boys. They have given me the courage to continue high school and beloved ichigo to support me and his family helping us out. I see high school has a place of learning, to make friends and create memories. To my fellow students and friends we shall continue our journey and follow where our fate takes us. Thank you" said orihime. Everyone was moved by her heart felt speech.
As the ceremony continued on with natalia and shinji giving their speeches, two hours later in the ceremony everything seemed calmed no hollow sittings nor any enemies have come by. Finally the big moment has arrived as the principal called out their names and they all went to the middle getting their diplomas as the crowd cheered them all on. When all the students got their diplomas they felt it was a huge accomplishment for all of them including orihime and ichigo. Ichigo's parents were so proud of their son and yuzu and Karin were very happy and so were daisuke and sasuke. "Ladies and gentlemen I present the class of twenty twelve." Said the principal as the students cheered. When they got outside everyone that was in the crowd went to look for their kids and give them leis and take tons of pictures. Shinji and the others looked for their friends, girlfriends and boyfriends to take pictures and create memories. Even though it was late shinji and the others decided to go to a club and have a good time on their last night to be together. "This is perfect, drinking beer and spending time with my friends" said renji. "I totally agree" said shinji as he wrapped his arms around senna. They spend their entire night and half of the morning of the next day goofing off and having fun. They made their mark and had a great time of their lives.