The swing squeaked as it's chains were swung back and forth.

Snow fell like cotton, litterring the ground with it's fluff as the darkened sky stretched on for miles.

The little girl in the swing dragged her toe through the patch of snow just under her foot as she slowly rocked in the swing. Her eyes downcast as her lip pouted. She stared at her bootclad foot for the longest time, a shiver running through her thin shoulders.

"Found you!"

Small hands came into view then. She was so shocked that she almost fell off the swing, but the tiny hands held her in place. Looking up, the little girl saw a boy beaming at her.

She had forgotten, she was supposed to be hiding. Her eyes welled up as she remembered why she wasn't hiding. She sniffle once before the tears fledged out and dribbled down her cheeks. The boy seemed to only then realize her distress and looked at her worriedly.

"Naomi?" He asked in a softer tone. She choked out her reply.

"They're gone."

~FIREFLY KNIGHTS~

Bleach Copyright Tite Kubo

Firefly Knights Copyright Illand Girl

'For those that need it.'

Chapter 1: Begin

"That should be all, Mr. Kurosaki." I said while brushing off my clothing.

"Thank you so much Naomi! It's such a pleasure having you work here! I swear you brighten up the whole clinic!" Isshin Kurosaki, aka my boss, shouted at me with a huge grin. I plastered on a smile as well, very much used to his antics.

"It's no problem, I love working here actually. I've learned a lot about medicine and healthcare here." I said before glancing at the time.

"Hmph, if only my own children shared the same enthusiasm as you did! But no, they would rather leave me to fend for myself here!" Isshin said with tears in his eyes. I gave a small snort. My boss was often considered a fanatic. Only ever showing a serious side with his patients. Other than that, and a few small instances, I had never seen a serious look cross the man's face.

"Speaking off my offspring, aren't you going to be in Ichigo's school?" Isshin brought up. I paused, blinking for a moment at the change of conversation.

"I think so, I mean I'm going to the local High School this year and not upstate." I replied while going over to the lockers to put away my hospital shoes and put on my sneakers.

"Well do keep an eye on him! That brat likes to make trouble for me." Isshin said. I giggled lightly as I threw my coat on.

"No problem Mr. Kurosaki, have a nice evening." I said before giving a curt nod and heading to the door.

"Oh Naomi! I have something for you!" I paused before turning back to my boss. He bolted out of the room before returning with a tin moments later. I stared at it for a moment before seeing the soup and a small dessert in there as well.

"Yuzu wanted to thank you for getting me home on time even when it's busy. I don't know why she feels I'm not home enough! I see them all the time! Why I think I'm home more than here- ugh, but here's a dinner for you, so you don't need to make anything for yourself. There's enough for three people in there so your mother and you can pig out!" Isshin said rapidly. I flinched slightly at the end, but covered it up by taking the large dish with a grin.

"Tell Yuzu I said thank you, and I'll bring the tray back tomorrow." I said while holding the slightly cool tin. Isshin shook his ead before making a shooing motion with his hands.

"Take it for all the time you need! Now get going! It's cold outside and I would hate for you to be out in the snow too long. I'll lock up tonight, you have fun."

"Good night Mr. Kurosaki." I said before making my way out of the small clinic. It was only a short ways from his house and mine was in the opposite direction, so I quickly hit the streets and kept walking.

That little conversation had me thinking of school. It was March 3rd, meaning school was almost up. I had virtually passed all my courses save for actually writing the finals, so I wasn't even the least bit worried about school. However going to a private school was costly, and I simply didn't have the cash anymore, so I was going back to public school. Nothing wrong with that, I didn't personally care all that much one way or another.

I had found myself a job to get some extra cash, having only worked at the clinic for a few weeks now. The area was still pretty new to me, as I had been living upstate like I told Isshin.

As for going back to school, that brought back memories of elementary.

I hadn't lived in the area for years, hadn't spoken to a single person from that school in forever. A little orange head stuck out in my mind. Tiny warm hands...

Ichigo...

We used to play together all the time, I wondered how much he had changed since then.

By the time my thoughts had drifted over the memories shared with the carrot top, I had arrived at home. It was a little cool since I turned off the heat in my apartment to save on cash, but the tiny heater beside my bed flickered on and gave me hope at warming up. I didn't bother turning any lights on and instead rustled around to place my dinner in a microwavable bowl before setting it to heat up as well.

I parked it by my bedside in front of the heater until I heard a beep. Only sparing the few seconds it took to dart across the studio flat to grab the food and chopsticks before bolting back to my bed. In the warmth I smiled and began to inhale my meal. It was delicious, and as much as I wanted to eat the dessert I decided to save it for a rainy day. I placed it inside my tiny fridge before darting back to bed and changing my clothes.

Sleep came quickly afterwards.

The school day went by quickly. I gave a sigh of relief as I made it to the street of the clinic. It had been a stressful day of tests but I wasn't really concerned with my grades. They'dd be passable for public school so I didn't really recall what I wrote for my tests.

My thoughts were jumbled around the many faces of pople saying goodbye. Supposed friends that wished me luck but never to actually talk or hang out. I couldn't say I was going to miss any of them, but the sentiment was nice I guess-

My foot slipped.

I had been thinking about everything besides where I was going and walked onto a patch of ice. I would've gone pot over tea kettle had it not been for two sturdy hands clutching my shoulders.

"Careful now. You should watch where you're going." A somewhat adult male voice said. I blinked a few times, registering that I hadn't actually fallen, bbefore looking up and behind me at my savior.

Bright orange hair was the first thing that caught my gaze, and then the warm honey eyes. A grin I hadn't worn in ages flitted across my lips.

"Long time no see, Ichigo." I said before carefully turning around. Ichigo let go of me and instead focused on giving me a confused face back.

"Sorry but... Do I know you?" He asked. I grinned even more. It wasn't a surprise that he didn't recognize me. While Ichigo hadn't changed other than getting taller, I had changed a lot.

"Aw you don't remember me? It's your wifey!" I said with a giggle. Ichigo's eyes practically popped out of his head at that, making me laugh. It took him a moment before everything seemed to properly register.

"Naomi?" Ichigo asked. I nodded, still grinning. The confusion was replaced with a smirk of his own. "Well hey, nice to see you. It's been a while. How have you been? Come to think of it why are you here? Ugh not that it's not great to see you-"

"Slow down Ichigo," I laughed. "I'm okay, I'm moving back to the area and got a job at your Dad's clinic. Been working for a few days and officially finished school today. I should be going to public school in April. How about you?"

We began to walk to the clinic, though I was mindful of the ice now. The snow was melting but the ice was adamant to stay. I just happened to find all the ice patches all the time.

"Nothing special, same old..." He trailed off and gave me a once over. I raised a brow at him.

"Why are you looking at my like that?" I asked. He stared for another second before looking away.

"Nothing just..." He looked back again. "You don't really look that different, I'm surprised I didn't recognize you right off the hop like you did."

I giggled before reaching up, mind you it was quite high since I was tiny compared to Ichigo, to tug very gently at his orange locks.

"Well this mop certainly gave you away." I teased. He pulled my hand from his head.

"Hey come one! I get teased enough about this hair of mine. Not you too." He said in an irritated tone. I just smirked, not at all deterred by his attitude. He really hadn't changed much, other than he seemed to scowl a lot more now.

"Well I'm glad you didn't dye it. I like it still, can pick you out in a crowd right away ya hooligan." I said in a slightly twangy accent. Ichigo rolled his eyes before opening the clinic door for me and offering me to go first. I nodded in thanks for walking inside.

"IIIIIICHIGOOOOOO!" Isshin's voice carried throughout the clinic the moment his son stepped through the doors. This startled a lot of the customers. However most of the staff didn't even bat an eye, so used to this behaviour. Myself included.

I watched as Isshin ran up to his son and tried to hug him, only to be completely psyched out and run into the adjacent wall. I sighed at the thought of having to pick up the plaster when he got himself out before shrugging off my coat. Ichigo continued to ignore his father and gave an irritated sigh.

"C'mon, we're in a clinic for crying out loud." Ichigo muttered while leaning against the wall. Isshin dug his head out of the hole he had created before looking at Ichigo with tears flooding down his face.

"But Ichigo! You never come into the clinic!" Isshin said as he dug himself out. "Come to think of it, why are you here?"

Ichigo went to retort, but stopped and suddenly looked very lost. I raised a brow, but could only look on as Ichigo scowled again. He turned to nod at me before walking out the door. I was surprised he didn't slam it too.

"Ohhhhh, he was following Naomi." Isshin said with a grin. I laughed before switching my shoes and hanging up my coat.

"We were just catching up Mr. Kurosaki. I haven't seen him since I was 12." Isshin rolled his eyes, looking just like Ichigo had earlier, before smirking at me.

"I remember when you two would pretend to be married! It was the cutest thing ever! You'd put on a candy ring and..." Isshin went off as he continued talking. I leaned against the counter, propping myself up as I glanced to thhe door where Ichigo had left.

"Ichigo... Can I really be your wife one day?"

"Sure Naomi!"

I smiled at the memory of 6 year old us. The very one Isshin was gushing about.

There was no doubt in my mind that I hadn't seen the last of Ichigo Kurosaki.

Hello! How are y'all?

Well this little idea just came into my head. I've always done a lot of strong character stories but... Well Idk. This idea just popped into my head and I thought... Ichigo is just a kid despite everything he does, and a kid deserves some freedom right? Some boyish stuff like crushes and girlfriends and dealing with school and... Well I kind of thought of this story.

So this whole shebang will mostly be centralizing in the normal world. There may be a few arcs with soul society tossed in but honestly other than glancing through it I haven't really gotten past the fullbring arc. I'm entirely caught up to aizen's end, but I really think it should've ended there.

Not to say I won't utilize the Fullbring arc... Maybe... We'll see.

This story should be mostly slice of life style, but I'm heavily debating whether she shhould be aprt of soul society/ arrancar arc. Ideas?

And before anyone asks. This is soully Ichigo x OC. There might be a side pairing or two but nothing obvious and no other mutual interests.

Ok so Naomi is a different character for me. For starters she's a lot more girly than I'm used to writing, but that's okay.

As per usual this is a test chapter to see if I havve anyone interested. Story's still in the starter phase to if you have any requests please let me know.

Bye Bye!

Iland Girl