Many of you are asking to see more of Ichigo's hollow, which is amusing. As much as I like writing him, this won't be turning into a Hichi/Hime story.
Though it's tempting.
Ichigo scowled heavily as he shifted on his floor pouf, his back tense and gathering a formidable ache. Already he had been seated at the low table for over an hour, a long forgotten cup of tea sitting untouched in front of him. Orihime was directly to his right, just out of arm's reach, a happy smile on her face as she conversed lightly with Ukitake about her academy lessons. Rukia was seated at a large desk at the back of the room, working through a pile of paperwork nearly two feet tall and occasionally adding to the conversation.
"Ukitake." Ichigo cut in, leaning his elbows onto the table as his patience finally snapped, "Was there something you needed us for?" The older man turned his compassionate eyes on Ichigo, his expression containing hints of amusement.
"Your patience has grown, Kurosaki-san." He commented lightly, "However, yes, there is a point to this meeting. Would you mind explaining exactly what happened when your reiatsu seal was removed?" Ukitake watched Ichigo look away, his mouth set into an unhappy line. Even after all the years of dealing with his hollow, it always irked him to have to admit that it still was able to slip his control, "Rukia told me the gist of the situation, but I would like to compare your points of view so we can create a plan of action for the future." Ichigo sighed as he quickly recounted the incident, making sure to include that his hollow had yet to stir since then.
"Ukitake-san, I want to add that Hollow-san wasn't really trying to do any damage, I think he was just angry at being cooped up so long." Orihime cut over just as the white haired man was going to reply. She was fiddling with her tea cup, the severity of the situation not escaping her notice. Since Ichigo wasn't human anymore and was now under the jurisdiction of Soul Society's laws, they could take action against him. With the Vizard's return the laws had been relaxed slightly, but Central 46 still held them in a very low regard. Orihime was glad that Ukitake had taken initiative to speak to Ichigo, as the captain was more tactful than the others.
"Yes, it seems to me that your hollow needs more of an outlet than the other Vizards' do, Kurosaki-san." Ukitake took a sip of his tea, "I talked to Hirako-taicho about it and he agrees. The others' explained that their hollow only appears to try and wrest control from them. They don't exchange words, and once they assert their dominance, the issue goes away. From what I understand, your hollow actively seeks out interaction?" Ichigo nodded, scowling.
"He once called himself my 'instinct', whatever that meant." He shrugged as Ukitake thoughtfully leaned his head back, "After the war he would occasionally try to force me to use his power while I was fighting, but he never tried to take control like yesterday."
"Let me speak to the Vizards some more and we can work out a plan. I have a feeling some finesse will be required to keep you two in balance," Ukitake's eyes belied his amusement as Orihime looked away to keep her smile hidden, "Before you go, Soutaicho also wanted me to inform you that you will be taking lessons at the academy with Inoue-san until she graduates."
"What?" Ichigo burst out, "I don't need lessons, I do just fine!" The thought of having to listen to one of the academy instructors school him was detestable, when he could easily wipe the floor with them. He had his bankai already, for god's sake.
"I'm afraid he insists, Kurosaki-san." Ukitake confirmed as Rukia made a frustrated noise from her desk.
"Ichigo, you need to learn Kido." She clarified, not looking up as she rustled through a stack of papers, "I know you're a hopeless case, but you at least need to recognize what spells do and how to avoid being caught in the crossfire of your allies."
"Fine, but I'm not wearing that uniform." Ichigo groused, before suddenly going still, "And her name isn't Inoue anymore, Ukitake." Orihime startled at that, peeking at him through her lashes.
"Actually, Ichi-kun-"
"'Til death do you part', Ichigo." Rukia pointed out, stifling her laugh when Ichigo whipped to look at Orihime.
"Human documentation doesn't carry over after death, Kurosaki-san." Ukitake's eyes were dancing as he folded his arms inside his sleeves.
"Ah! I mean, I'm still your wife at heart, Ichi-kun!" Orihime sputtered, waving her hands in front of her chest. Ichigo's eyes zeroed in on her left hand, seeing their wedding ring absent. He almost was infuriated before he belatedly remembered that human possessions didn't carry into Soul Society- there was no possible way she could have brought it.
"If you want to know the mechanics of marriage here, you could always talk to Nii-sama." Rukia smugly put in, expecting Ichigo's scoff.
"Like I would ask that uptight bastard something like that." He grumbled as he rose to his feet, holding out a hand for Orihime. She laid her slim fingers in his as he helped her to her feet, only inclining his head as she dipped into a bow to Ukitake and Rukia. They gave a couple of quick goodbyes before leaving the 13th division's head office, Orihime leading the way through the empty streets. Lunchtime had already come and gone, most of the shinigami were back to their respective duties.
"So what do you think?" Orihime eventually spoke up as they casually made their way back to the academy, "About handling your hollow?" She clarified after a moment of Ichigo's silence, his expression turning serious.
"Just that everything is going to go sideways and not according to plan." Ichigo shrugged, before catching Orihime's eye, "I'll just beat him down again if I have to. It'll be okay." He reassured her, raising their clasped hands and kissing her knuckles. Ichigo didn't voice his skepticism at his own comment, choosing instead to internalize it. He would make it work out, if only for the fact that he didn't want to field both the Central 46's idea of punishment nor the Gotei 13's. They each had a bad habit of doling out unfair punishments, only to rescind them after years of anguish. The Vizards themselves were a prime example, and Ichigo knew that if his hollow powers hadn't been such a trump card in the war against Aizen, the group would more than likely still be banished and occasionally hunted.
"I think we should speak to Onabara-sensei before tomorrow, Ichi-kun." Orihime tugged him towards to man's office after they arrived on the academy grounds, the school not in session.
"If you think so." Ichigo rubbed the back of his head as she lead him in front of a large wooden door, knocking softly.
"Enter." A soft, deep voice carried through the wood, Orihime turning the knob and peeking her head in cheerfully.
"Sensei, I have Ichigo with me. May we come in?" She questioned, stepping inside as Onabara nodded. Ichigo stepped in after her, carefully eyeing the large man that sat behind the desk at the far end of the room. He was likewise sizing Ichigo up, a stern look on his face.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, correct?" He questioned, waiting for Ichigo to nod, "The Soutaicho has ordered that you are to be tested for proficiency in the four areas of combat. You will join Inoue Orihime's classes for the tests that you fail." Onabara watched Ichigo go rigid when he spoke Orihime's name, curiously wondering what triggered his response, "I have an instructor scheduled to meet you first thing tomorrow morning to administer the test." Ichigo nodded, glad that he would be able to get it over with quickly.
"I won't hold back, so you know. Make sure you send someone good." He commented, knowing (but not caring) that he was coming off as arrogant. Frankly, the previous conversation was still on his mind and his mood was dark.
"I don't think it will be a problem." Onabara said, glancing up pensively at Ichigo. After a long beat of slightly awkward silence, Onabara waved them out, wondering just what Ichigo and Orihime were to each other. He knew Orihime fairly well and found her to be a cheerful, exuberant soul that was eager to please- her reputation for being close to one of the main fighters in the war was known, yet she rarely talked about it. To see her with such a surly, scowling young man was strange- they were the antithesis to each other. Orihime was small, bubbly, and polite, whereas from what he just saw, Ichigo was very much a large presence, irritable, and cocky. Onabara didn't miss how Ichigo had always kept himself slightly angled so he could keep Orihime in his line of sight, however. With a sigh, he pushed the thought from his mind as he pulled a stack of graduation papers toward him, settling into the mundane work of signing off forms.
Orihime flitted around her living quarters almost nervously that night, a small duster in hand. She had a large reserve of very restless energy that she was trying to burn before it crept into her actions- the last thing she wanted was for Ichigo to worry for her. Her eyes flicked to where he was settled deeply into her couch, cross legged and balancing a cup of tea on one of his knees, a book held aloft in his other hand. The sight was familiar to her, and with a small pang she thought back to their old life together. He used to always sit near her and read while she did the household chores, saying that even though she refused to let him help he could at least keep her company. His eyes occasionally lifted to meet hers, contemplative, but he never said anything, instead choosing to go back to his book. The silence made Orihime even more jittery- she felt like she should comfort him, say something to take the edge off his mood, but there wasn't anything she could say that would actually help.
Ichigo suddenly let out a massive sigh, flopping his book down without saving the page and rubbing a hand over his face.
"Ichi-kun?" Orihime questioned, slightly worried.
"Hollow wants to know what's got you so uh, flustered." Ichigo said after a long pause, obviously amending the words. Orihime blinked at him a few times, surprised, "We need to actually think up a name too, I can't call him 'Hollow' with a straight face. It's ridiculous." He scowled heavily, shifting so he could lean his arms over his knees. His eyebrows shot up when Orihime was suddenly right in front of him, waving a hand in front of his eyes.
"So can he see everything you see then? Hear everything? Do you let him or does he just do it?" She rattled off, somewhat excitedly, her expression light.
"I honestly don't know." Ichigo said, "But I can usually feel him lurking around when he does pay attention."
"Mou, that's so interesting!" Orihime pouted, staring deep into his eyes as if looking for the hollow, "Do you have any ideas for a name?" She asked, causing Ichigo to scowl.
"I think 'Horse' would be just fine."
"Horse?" Orihime questioned incredulously, "That's rude, Ichi-kun."
"His words, not mine." Ichigo shrugged, "He calls me King and himself my horse. It works for me."
"Ah! Then it makes sense!" Orihime slammed her fist down on her open palm, startling Ichigo, "He's always called me Queen, I thought it was because of my name!"
"He's an idiot." Ichigo flatly stated, flinching slightly when Orihime glared at him.
"Be nice to him. He is you after all." She berated him, tapping a finger to her chin contemplatively, "What if we called him Prince?"
"What? Why?"
"Because if you're the king, and since he comes out only when you've been well, defeated, he's like the prince in waiting!" Orihime brightly explained, while Ichigo's scowl deepened furiously.
"We are not calling him that. I'll never hear the end of it." He shook his head, Orihime's determined expression giving him a sense of dread.
"He can be Hiko! It's perfect!" She clapped, ignoring Ichigo's groan.
"More like Umahiko." He groused.
"We are not calling him 'Horse Prince'." Orihime frowned, "Hiko is perfectly good."
"...Fine." He grumpily conceded. He definitely wasn't looking forward to informing his hollow of his new name, already Ichigo could imagine the gleeful gloating.
"I can't wait to meet my zanpakuto." Orihime sighed wistfully after a few moments, squeaking slightly when Ichigo reached out and pulled her forward. She landed in his lap, shifting so that she could settle against his chest.
"Don't rush it, you might find out you have an asshole living inside your head." Ichigo bit out wryly, tapping his temple, "Or in my case, two."
"I'm sure Zanpakuto-san will be more than lovely." Orihime frowned at him, glancing over at her sword. She wondered if it could actively hear them? From the sword? From inside her own head? Shaking the thought out, she laid her ear against Ichigo's collar, able to hear his heart beating steadily.
"I hope so, for your own sake." Ichigo chuckled quietly, pulling her closer. One of his large hands almost covered the span across the small of her back and his other held onto her knees, relishing in the feel of her against her body. His grip tightened minutely when he thought back to what Rukia had pointed out.
"Inoue Orihime," He began, leaning so that his face was only inches from hers. Familiar, wide grey eyes peered back at him, her lips slightly parted, "Would you be my girlfriend?" He grinned, reciting the words he had once spoken to her many years ago. Her eyes flashed with recognition as they darted back and forth across his face, slightly surprised.
"Of course, Ichi-kun, but why…?" She questioned, confused. Her gaze studied him as his grin stretched wider, lending an attractive lightness to his features.
"Well, I figure we have to start from scratch here, right?" He teased, touching their foreheads together, "And I can't exactly pop the big question if you're just an acquaintance, 'Hime." Her face was still blank as she turned his words over, before suddenly she laughed.
"I'll be waiting for that surprise, then." She gave him a bright smile and pressed a small, chaste kiss to his lips. Ichigo caught her chin when she went to pull away, keeping her still while he deepened their kiss. Orihime almost shuddered when his tongue swept over her lips gently, his thumb swiping across her jaw. Since he had arrived they had only shared a handful of very small kisses, and she had forgotten how intense it was to have his full attention on her. Her heart fluttered in her throat when her fingers brushed over the sinews in his back, Ichigo's hand tightening in her hair. It was intoxicating, Orihime thought, as she let her eyes drift closed.
Ichigo eventually let his head drop to rest on her shoulder, his breath imperceptibly uneven. He smiled into her collar when she let out a small, disappointed noise.
"Ichi-kun, this is Rie-sensei." Orihime introduced, gesturing towards the woman standing in front of them. She was tall, standing a full head above Orihime, with inky black hair that was held up in a casual bun. She wore the typical black shihakusho, her zanpakuto strapped to her back instead of her waist.
"Pleasure." Ichigo murmured, silently eyeing her. Rie nodded at him, unfolding her arms out of her sleeves.
"Kurosaki-san, I will be testing your abilities. We will test your movement, hand to hand combat, zanjutsu skills, and your knowledge of kido." She settled into a ready stance, "Please avoid my strikes." She requested, jumping forward. Orihime quietly stepped off to the side, leaving the rectangle that had been inscribed on the floor as a boundary. Ichigo ducked under Rie's strike, casually stepping to the side when she followed with a sweeping kick. She threw a few more slow strikes, all of which Ichigo could see coming from a mile away. He never even had to lift both of his feet at once, keeping up a relaxed walking pace throughout it all.
"Very good. If you are able, please demonstrate your shunpo." Rie straightened, her breathing still smooth. Ichigo flashed to stand right behind Rie, the woman jerking her head around to look at him. Her eyes were slightly wide, having been caught off guard.
"He's amazing!" A small, excited whisper caught Orihime's attention, turning slightly to see a small gathering of students leaning inside the door. She didn't know any of them personally, they were all in classes lower than hers.
"Is this really the academy standards you're testing?" Ichigo asked, raising an eyebrow, "Because so far, I could do this in my sleep."
"Not every shinigami is made for battle, Kurosaki-san. The Gotei 13 has determined this level to be suitable for defeating the average hollow." Rie's gaze bored into him, making him drop the subject, "Now if you please, lay aside your zanpakuto and we will get to hand to hand combat." Ichigo obliged, pulling Zangetsu from his back.
"'Hime, catch." He tossed the blade before Orihime could register his words, her hands fumbling slightly with the hilt. The blade was still wrapped, which she was more than thankful for. Ichigo gave her a small smile before turning back to Rie, exchanging several blows with her. He blocked every strike she made, slowly but surely driving her back.
"Wooooow," Several of the girls had ventured inside of the room, one of them holding a hand over her mouth, "Is that a new student? Do you think he'll be our senpai?" They whispered to each other just as Ichigo gave a swift roundhouse kick to Rie, the woman barely managing to block it, "Look, Inoue-senpai has his sword! It's so big!" Another of the girls gushed, drawing Orihime's gaze. She met their eyes, all of them giving her curious, awed looks.
"Enough. We'll test zanjutsu now, Kurosaki-san." Rie cut in suddenly, Ichigo blinking as he pulled back his hand from gripping her raised forearm- he had been just moments away from bodily throwing her over his shoulder. He turned to look at Orihime, surprised to see a gathering of students crowding around her, watching him with bated breath.
"Good luck." Orihime smiled at him as she handed him back Zangetsu, struggling to keep her wrist firm when the weight of the blade wasn't close to her body. She had never actually held his sword- it was heavy. Ichigo nodded his thanks at her, settling across from Rie as his reiatsu unraveled the wrapping on Zangetsu, sensing the impending fight.
"We do not fight with shikai here, Kurosaki-san. Please seal your blade away." The instructor frowned at him as she unsheathed her own sword.
"Uh… This is how it always is." Ichigo scratched the back of his head awkwardly, lifting Zangetsu, "I don't know how to not be in shikai."
"You don't- ...Very well." Rie shook her head, frowning. She had never heard of such a thing, "Let's begin." She said as she lashed out in a very straightforward move, meant to sink to her blade into Ichigo's shoulder. He easily lifted Zangetsu in time, throwing her blade to the side and countering with his own jab towards her ribs. Rie leapt back, dragging her zanpakuto around in a swoop, the edge singing towards Ichigo's ankles. He leapt up as it swept through the air harmlessly, bringing up his sword to slash at her arm. Rie had to flip out of the way again, driven on the defense.
"So fast!" One of the students gasped, her eyes following the fight. The awe stricken look on her face was more than familiar to Orihime, who had to hide her smile as the students burst into another round of excited murmurs as Ichigo battered Rie's sword away mercilessly.
Looks like Ichi-kun is going to be popular. She thought to herself, smiling when Ichigo's eyes found hers for a brief second. They flashed a bewildered look at his audience, but his attention was drawn back when Rie suddenly straightened, sheathing her sword.
"Can you demonstrate a low level Hado and Bakudo, Kurosaki-san?" She asked as Ichigo let the tension flee from his limbs, holding Zangetsu lax at his side.
"I actually don't know any kido." He said as he replaced Zangetsu on his back, resisting the urge to fidget under Rie's intense stare. She hadn't given any kind of praise or hints as to what she thought of his abilities, and it was slightly unsettling to be judged so secretly.
"Very well." She inclined her head, "I am finished with you then. A messenger will be sent when we have further placement for you." Rie moved to leave the room as Ichigo nodded, turning towards Orihime. The watching students suddenly started clapping, even as Ichigo scowled at them.
"You seem to be popular, Ichi-kun." Orihime raised a hand to cover her laugh when Ichigo's intense gaze snapped to her, "I might have to watch out for romantic rivals, especially when our relationship is so new." She continued to tease, earning a small, radiant grin from Ichigo.
"Never, 'Hime."
Please review :-) It kicks my ass into gear.