Hello and welcome to chapter 3 of The Strawberry and the Chrysanthemum. Last time, Rangiku showed Ichigo what it takes to be a Soul Reaper (at least the basics) and she enrolled in Ichigo's school and class. Admittedly some parts were a little too similar to the anime and manga, but that's to be expected sometimes when writing fanfiction stories. The good part about it was that Rangiku arguably did a better job at showing Ichigo the ropes about being a Soul Reaper than Rukia did since Rangiku actually gave him a choice as appose to Rukia who pretty much said that he had no choice. Now some of your might be wondering "Is this fanfiction be cannon divergent or is it a slightly different cannon?". Well hopeful this chapter will give you the answer or at least a clue.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach
Chapter 3
Orihime and Sora
At about the same time, Ichigo and Rangiku, both back in their bodies (or gigai in Rangiku's case), had arrived back at Kurosaki clinic. If you were to ask what they were doing in all that time, Ichigo would just tell you not to ask. Ichigo underwent another "headache encounter" with his father before the two went up to Ichigo's room to discuss a certain matter that needed to be addressed.
"Okay, so where are you going to stay tonight," Ichigo questioned.
"Well, considering how well you enjoyed having me around while you slept last night, I think I'll be sleeping with you in your bed," Rangiku told him.
"What," Ichigo gasped. "Hey, you can't just invite yourself into my bed! Besides, I don't have enough room for you to fit in."
"Ah," Rangiku pouted. "You're not kicking me out, are you?"
"Ga, what the hell, no way, you've got to be kidding me," Ichigo gasped frantically and defensively. "Look, I'm not throwing you out or anything, but you're the last person I'd let sleep in here…! Besides, what makes you think I'd let you sleep with me after inviting yourself into my bed last night?!"
Rangiku then decided to tempt and/or tease Ichigo a bit by unbuttoning her shirt to expose her breasts, leading Ichigo to react with astonishment to this.
"What do you think you're doing," Ichigo gasped. "You can't change my mind by unbuttoning your shirt…!"
But Rangiku could see through his denials and slightly lifted up her skirt.
"Not even if you lift up your skirt a little," Ichigo covered his eyes with his fingers, still in denial. "Damn it…! I will not give into temptation…! A man like me doesn't give into temptation…!"
"Really, then why are you peeking through your fingers," said Karin, who was watching from the doorway, not impressed.
This led Ichigo to close the door on Karin, keeping her out of the conversation.
"Damn that Karin," Ichigo sighed. "Sticking her nose into my business like that."
"Well at least she sees right through you," Rangiku told him.
"Oh, shut up," Ichigo ordered before noticing something. "Hey, don't you lie down on my bed…!"
"Oh, you're so cute when you're being all stingy," Rangiku teased.
Just outside of the door, Isshin and Yuzu were both blushing and listening in on them, holding cups to their ears against Ichigo's door.
"What are you two doing, eavesdropping," Karin questioned. "That's not cool you guys."
"It's an emergency," Yuzu hushed her sister. "It seems like Rangiku is going to sleep with Ichigo tonight."
"I was the first one here and heard everything," Karin pointed out. "Besides, it doesn't seem like Ichigo will let her sleep with him."
"Don't underestimate my former student, Karin," Isshin told her. "She's a tricky one."
"And that's another thing," Karin pointed out. "If she's a former student of yours, wouldn't that technically make her older than Ichigo? And if so, why is she going to high school with him? Shouldn't she be in collage or something by now?"
"Wow, Karin, you're right," Yuzu agreed. "It just doesn't add up."
"Well, it's a bit of a long story girls," Isshin tried to explain.
Before the conversation could go any further, Ichigo opened the door, clearly showing annoyance at them.
"What the hell, do you ever shut up," Ichigo growled.
"I told you it wasn't cool," Karin sighed.
"We're sorry Ichigo," Isshin apologized.
Ichigo then closed the door, not wanting to go any further with the conversation.
"I can't believe how nosey my sisters are, and my father's even worse," Ichigo sighed.
"Well at least your family is more lively than you," Rangiku teased.
"Shut up," said Ichigo. "And button your shirt back up."
"No can do," Rangiku told him. "I have to change into my sleepwear. You're more than welcome to check me out while I'm doing so."
Ichigo blushed upon hearing that.
"Also tomorrow, we've got some shopping to do," Rangiku told Ichigo.
"Shopping," Ichigo questioned.
The next morning, at a local mall, Rangiku came to the display window of a clothing store, Ichigo by her side. Ichigo was wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt, a white short-sleeved t-shirt with a blue and red rectangle at the front, and black pants. Rangiku was wearing a tan long-sleeved dress, which had black ends on the hem and the end of each sleeve with gold patterns.
"What the hell are we doing here," Ichigo questioned.
"Well, since I'll be in the world of the living for a while, I might as well get some shopping in," Rangiku told him while enamored by the outfits she sees in the window. "Oh how adorable. I've got to go inside."
"Well, enjoy yourself," Ichigo attempted to walk away.
Rangiku stopped him at the last minute. "Oh, no you don't. I need you to come in with me."
"Huh, what for," Ichigo asked nervously.
Moments later, Ichigo and Rangiku ran into the store. Rangiku then entered the dressing booth and tried on at least seven different outfits while Ichigo held onto the ones she either hadn't tried on yet or had already tried on. While she was trying them on, Ichigo couldn't help but admire her looks each time she showed herself to him from behind the curtains, something that Rangiku took notice of. Unfortunately, this did not take away from the fact that he was carrying all of the outfits she picked out.
"Now, which outfit should I buy," Rangiku asked herself. "They're all so cute, I just can't decide."
"Just pick or I'll do it for you," Ichigo complained.
Rangiku thought about it for a moment. "Wait, I know, I'll just take them all."
Ichigo sweat dropped. "You've got to be kidding me!"
Sometime later, Ichigo and Rangiku were walking down the streets, Ichigo carrying the outfits Rangiku bought at the mall. Rangiku was back in her dress.
"Ah, the World of the Living is so wonderful," Rangiku admired. "They have such nice stores and with such great cloths, and they're much cheaper than they would be in the Soul Society. And thanks so much for carrying them for me, Ichigo."
"Yeah, speak for yourself," Ichigo complained. "Anyway, weren't you supposed to be studying contemporary language?"
"Oh, don't worry about it," Rangiku took out a book and began reading.
"So tell me, how long do you plan on staying at my house," Ichigo questioned.
"Until you make your decision," Rangiku answered. "Whether you choose to answer the calling of a Soul Reaper or give up the power entirely is up to you. On top of that, I still have my mission to hunt down a certain Hollow, the one that's evaded Soul Reapers for more than half a century."
"Yeah, whatever," Ichigo sighed.
Suddenly the two heard something and looked behind them. There was a car that suddenly stopped just a few meters away from the crosswalk. Behind it was Orihime who was lying on the crosswalk for a moment or two along with a bag of groceries. She appeared to be wearing a purple button shirt and a yellow dress with orange flowers on it. Moments later, the car took off and Orihime got up on her feet while Ichigo and Rangiku ran up to her.
"Hey, Orihime," Ichigo called out.
"Oh, Ichigo," Orihime gasped.
"Did you just get hit by that car," Ichigo asked with concern.
"Oh, maybe," Orihime answered.
"What do you mean maybe," Ichigo questioned. "Are you going to be okay?"
Orihime then got up and told him, "Mhm, it was just a little bump on my head. Don't worry I'm fine, I swear."
"You sure you're going to be okay," Ichigo asked. "Where that car that hit you go?"
Orihime looked around before telling him, "It drove away."
"Orihime," Ichigo complained.
"Oh, sorry," Orihime apologized.
Ichigo then shrugged it off as he knew that she was okay and that was all that mattered to him.
Orihime then took notice of Rangiku. "Rangiku…?"
"Nice to see you again, Orihime," Rangiku smiled. "Ichigo and I just came from the mall and Ichigo bought me a bunch of outfits."
"What to you mean "I" bought them," Ichigo complained. "You're the one who picked them out and payed; all I did was carry them…!"
"Well now, it appears you've been shopping to," Rangiku commented, ignoring Ichigo's complaint.
"Huh," Orihime gasped before remembering. "Oh, that's right, dinner…!"
Orihime then ran to retrieve her grocery bag. "My leeks, bananas, butter, and bean jam seem to have made it to."
"I don't want to know what she's going to make with that," Ichigo muttered, feeling grossed out.
"I don't know, it might be good," Rangiku suddenly took notice of a strange mark on Orihime's left leg. "Orihime, how did you get that bruise on your leg?"
"Huh, what bruise," Orihime looked and saw the mark on her left leg. "Oh, I guess that happened just now when that car ran into me."
"Giese, does it hurt," Ichigo questioned.
"A little bit, but I'm okay," Orihime answered.
But Rangiku wasn't convinced as she recognized the kind of mark it was.
"Are you sure," Ichigo asked.
Orihime was about to answer when the noticed Rangiku squatted down and looking closely at her bruise. "Um, what's the matter Rangiku?"
"Hm," Rangiku looked up at Orihime.
"Is anything wrong," Orihime asked.
"Oh, well, you take care," Rangiku told her.
"Thanks," said Orihime.
"So you want me to walk you home," Ichigo offered.
But Orihime got all flustered and told him, "Oh, ah, I'm okay really. See you…!"
Orihime tried to walk away, but was stopped at the last minute by Rangiku.
"Nonsense, Orihime," Rangiku told her before pulling Ichigo closer. "Now go on Ichigo, give the readers some fan service."
Rangiku shoved Ichigo into Orihime's cleavage, much to the two's embarrassment.
"What the hell, Rangiku," Ichigo complained after getting his face out of Orihime's bosom.
"I'll see you guys later," Rangiku waved at them. "I've got to make a trip to one last shop.
Rangiku then ran off giggling.
"Hey wait a minute," Ichigo futilely tried to call out to her, but it was no use. "Well, since we're here, I guess we better get going."
"Uh, yeah, sure," Orihime agreed.
Ichigo and Orihime then walked off to Orihime's place. As they did, Orihime helped to carry some of Rangiku's stuff, which Ichigo reluctantly agreed to after swallowing a bit of his pride. While Orihime was still a bit flustered by the fact that Ichigo was walking her home, she couldn't deny that she was enjoying his company. However, a part of her was wondering what Rangiku's relationship with Ichigo was and was a bit worried. At the same time, Ichigo couldn't help but fix his gaze upon Orihime's cleavage, perhaps thanks to Rangiku constantly teasing him with her own. From what he could tell, while Orihime's bosom wasn't quite as large as Rangiku, it was still large compared to others. But shaking those thoughts out of his mind, the orange-haired strawberry got serious again.
"Man Orihime, you need to be more careful," Ichigo told her.
"I'm sorry Ichigo," Orihime apologized. "I didn't mean to make you worry."
"Just watch the road next time," Ichigo sighed. "Anyway, thanks for helping me carry Rangiku's stuff."
"You're welcome Ichigo," Orihime giggled before getting a bit serious. "By the way, Ichigo…"
"What is it," Ichigo questioned.
"About Rangiku, what's your relationship with her," Orihime asked.
"Well, it's not much really," Ichigo told her. "She's a former student of my father…"
"But if that's true, then shouldn't she be older than us," Orihime asked. "I don't recall hearing about your father teaching at any school."
"There's a lot about my father that even I don't know, Orihime," Ichigo told her. "As for Rangiku's age, you're more than welcome to ask her yourself. But don't blame me if she threatens to kill you if you tell anyone else about it.
Orihime simply giggled nervously upon hearing that.
Elsewhere in Karakura Town, Rangiku had arrived at a small shop known as the Urahara Shop. While it appeared to be no more than an average shop on the outside, it was a shop that caters to Soul Reaper needs. In front of the shop were two children who appeared to be Yuzu and Karin's age sweeping the floor outside the shop. One was a red-haired hot-headed boy wearing a white t-shirt with the Urahara Shop logo printed on the front and blue three-quarter length trousers, the bottoms of which are noticeably turned up. The other was a black-haired round purple-eyed girl with a perpetual blush on her cheeks and wearing a white t-shirt with the Urahara Shop logo in pink print and a knee-length, pink skirt with white dots. Her hair also had a purple tint and was parted down the middle with two strands of her bangs in the middle of her face, opposing each other while the rest of her hair is in pigtails with pink ties.
"Now up to bat, Jinta Hanakari," the boy identified himself, pretending he was in a baseball game. "Here comes the wind up and the pitch… with a perfect swing he lets it fly… HOME RUN…!"
"Please Jinta," said the girl. "You have to get back to work or we'll be in trouble with Tessai again."
"Shut up, Ururu," Jinta scolded her. "I'll start when I'm ready. Tessai doesn't scare me."
"But you were scared enough to sweep in the first place," Ururu pointed out.
"I don't get scared," Jinta denied. "Who do you think you are? You're not the boss of me…!"
Jinta then used his broom to give Ururu a noogie, claiming that he was in charge because he was bigger than her. Ururu corrected him stating that they were the same size while also stating that she was three years older than him. Jinta didn't care about size, claiming that he was at a higher rank than her. He didn't stop until he heard a giggle.
"Who are you," Jinta questioned.
"You two make a cute couple," Rangiku teased.
Jinta and Ururu were confused as they looked at each other for a moment. Suddenly they both looked away in denial.
"HEY THAT'S NOT FUNNY," Jinta growled.
"Jinta isn't really my type," Ururu blushed (which was rather redundant).
"Could have fooled me," Rangiku teased before getting serious. "So is your manager in yet?"
Jinta and Ururu didn't have an answer.
"Come on in," Jinta opened the door.
In the shop was Tessai, a tall, muscular, lightly tan-skinned man with his hair cornrowed and a large handlebar mustache, which was connected to his long sideburns. He was wearing a pair of rectangular-shaped glasses and his attire consists of a white muscle shirt with regular pants and a blue apron.
"What are you doing Jinta," said Tessai upon noticing the door opening. "It's too early to open up the shop."
Tessai then noticed Rangiku at the doorway. "Ms. Matsumoto…"
Rangiku entered the shop.
"Just give me a minute," said Tessai. "I'll go and see if the boss is up and moving yet."
But then, as if on que, a tall, lean man with light skin, gray eyes, and light-blond messy hair. He wore dark green Shihakushō without an undershirt a black haori, which sports a white diamond pattern along its bottom half. This was Kisuke Urahara, the shop owner.
"Don't bother," Kisuke yawned. "I'm already awake for once."
Kisuke yawned again before putting on his sandals.
"Good morning Tessai, Jinta, Ururu," Kisuke rubbed his eyes as he walked up to the front door. "Welcome back to my shop, Ms. Matsumoto. Your timing couldn't be more perfect. I just got a new shipment in last night."
Meanwhile, Ichigo and Orihime had reached Orihime's house.
"Thanks for walking me home, Ichigo," Orihime blushed.
"No big deal," Ichigo told her. "At least you didn't get hit by a car this time."
Orihime laughed nervously.
"In all seriousness though Orihime, try to be careful while crossing the road," Ichigo advised her. "You got off easy this time, but that could have been much worse."
"I'm sorry Ichigo," Orihime apologized. "I'll… I'll keep an eye out next time."
"I hope so," Ichigo smiled.
This made Orihime blush madly as Ichigo's smile.
"I see you two are getting to know one another better," called out someone.
"Tatsuki," Ichigo and Orihime gasped.
"Nice to see that someone actually walked a girl home for once," Tatsuki smirked, wearing a light grey collared buttoned shirt, a black t-shirt with a yellow star and two yellow stripes underneath, and greenish-grey pants with leaf patterns on it. "And to think, it would be Ichigo of all people walking Orihime home. Way to go, Orihime."
"Yeah, whatever," Ichigo sighed. "Anyway, I'd better get going. Rangiku will kill me if I don't get all the outfits she bought back."
"Oh, well I'll see you later, Ichigo," Orihime waved goodbye.
"Chow," Ichigo then left.
"Ichigo was quite the gentleman to walk you home, Orihime," Tatsuki commented.
"Oh, well," Orihime twitched her fingers.
A little while later, Ichigo was walking home with all of Rangiku's merchandise when Rangiku herself arrived on the scene.
"Hey, Ichigo," Rangiku made herself known.
"Oh, hey Rangiku," Ichigo greeted her. "Where the hell have you been?"
"I had to make an errand," Rangiku told him. "So then, Orihime, are you close to her?"
"No, not really," Ichigo admitted. "I barely know her and we don't really talk much. But she's friends with a buddy of mine from the neighborhood, so I see her around. Although…"
"Yes," said Rangiku.
"Around three years back or so, her older brother Sora was in this terrible accident and died in our clinic," Ichigo explained.
"What," Rangiku muttered.
Flashback:
Sirens could be hard as an ambulance parked at Kurosaki Clinic.
"He was in a car wreck," Ichigo explained. "She was the only family she had."
"Big brother, big brother," cried Orihime as the ambulance took Sora away. "You can't die, please…! Don't leave me all alone…!"
End of Flashback:
"I never realized that she was the girl I saw crying that day," Ichigo explained. "I only found that out just recently."
"I see," said Rangiku. "Just how in tuned to the spirit world were you?"
"Huh, not as much as I am now," Ichigo told her. "I mean, it's really only recently I've been able to see and communicate with the spirit world. And now I know why, seeing how my father was a Soul Reaper himself."
"Oh, I see," Rangiku sighed.
"Why, what's up, what do you think," Ichigo questioned.
Rangiku then answered, "That mark on her leg, it wasn't caused by that car that almost hit her. It looked like someone or something grabbed her."
This caught Ichigo's attention. "Wait, are you suggesting that she was attacked by a Hollow."
"I'm afraid so, but I can't be certain," Rangiku told him. "Let's get all the stuff I bought back to your house first. After that, we'll head to Orihime's place."
Ichigo was annoyed that Rangiku still thought about her clothes first, but he agreed to do so since she also suggested going to Orihime's house afterwards.
Later that night, Tatsuki showed up at Orihime's house again with a bowl.
"Coming," Orihime opened the door. "Oh hi, Tatsuki…"
"My mom thought that I should bring this over to you," Tatsuki presented the bowl. "It's stewed beef and potatoes."
"Wow, great, home-made beef and potatoes," Orihime said with delight.
Moments later, Orihime and Tatsuki were sitting together at Orihime's table, enjoying the food Tatsuki brought.
"Oh boy, this is delicious," Orihime told her friend.
"I swear, if I don't bring meals over for you to eat, you always end up cooking the weirdest stuff," Tatsuki sighed.
"I never thought about it," Orihime noted. "You really think so?"
"Uh, yeah," Tatsuki admitted. "I mean, what is this stuff?"
Before Orihime could answer, they heard the bell ring. Orihime went up to the door to answer. "Hello?"
"Hey Orihime," said Ichigo, catching Orihime by surprise.
"Oh, Ichigo," Orihime gasped all flustered. "What brings you here?"
"Just thought I'd drop by," said Ichigo.
"And guess who else is here," Rangiku made her presence known while teasing Ichigo.
"Rangiku, don't do that," Ichigo growled.
Orihime was confused.
Moments later, everyone was sitting at the table together, enjoying the meal that Orihime and Tatsuki had cooked up. Rangiku ended up enjoying the food that Orihime had made, much to Ichigo and Tatsuki's surprise and Orihime's delight.
"Ah, I can't believe I ate all of that," Rangiku sighed. "What an amazing meal, Orihime."
"You mean that," Orihime asked with delight.
"I sure do," Rangiku told her. "Of course it didn't look all that great, but it tasted delicious."
"I'm so glad," Orihime smiled.
"I can't believe she actually enjoyed all of that," Ichigo and Tatsuki thought. "It didn't look appetizing at all. Are they on the same wavelength or something?"
"I always cook so much food, but then nobody eats any," Orihime explained. "I figured I had to be a real weirdo, bad taste buds."
Orihime then got up and offered Rangiku some ice cream, claiming that it was really yummy. Rangiku accepted the offer and when Orihime came back, everyone got a good look at it. Naturally, Ichigo and Tatsuki both turned down the offer, but both Rangiku and Orihime enjoyed the ice cream.
Outside, the nāga-like Hollow was making its way through a portal from Hueco Mundo.
Back in the house, everything had settled down and everyone was now discussing random topics.
"So, Rangiku, what is your relationship with Ichigo," said Tatsuki.
"Oh, I only recently met him, but I'm familiar with his father, Isshin," Rangiku answered.
"Yeah, Ichigo mentioned that you were his father's formers student," Tatsuki pointed out. "But wouldn't that make you technically older than us?"
"Minor stuff you don't need to know," Rangiku shrugged off. "But let me tell you, staying at Ichigo's place is no easy task."
"Rangiku," Ichigo gasped.
"What, you're staying at Ichigo's house," Tatsuki gasped. "I never knew Ichigo was such a smooth operator. Then again, I did see him walk Orihime home today."
Orihime blushed. "Oh well, the thing is…"
"She almost turned him down," Rangiku answered for her. "I had to shove Ichigo into her in order to get it to happen."
Orihime was flustered.
"Seriously Orihime," Tatsuki sighed. "Why would you turn him down? I know you've been eying him for a long time."
"Well, it's not that easy, Tatsuki," Orihime tried to explain. "Being near Ichigo was just…"
Orihime went silent for a moment.
Suddenly Orihime's imagination got the better of her and she started acting like she was a rookie fighter facing off against a champion. While Tatsuki tried to snap Orihime back into reality, Ichigo and Rangiku whispered to each other.
"Are you sure that the Hollow that attacked Orihime will come for her again," Ichigo asked.
"Positive," Rangiku answered. "We're probably drawing its attention just by being here, but it's better than leaving those two vulnerable. Am I wrong?"
"No, you're not wrong," Ichigo sighed.
"So, you got that item I gave you back at the house," said Rangiku.
"Yeah, though I don't see what," Before Ichigo could finish, there was a loud crash.
"Hey, what was that," Tatsuki questioned.
Orihime then took notice of the pink teddy bear she had falling down. She then moved towards it and picked it up. Realizing what was about to happen, Ichigo and Rangiku took a pill and were able to leave their physical bodies for their Soul Reaper forms. Orihime then notice that there seemed to be blood coming out where her right hand met her teddy bear's head.
"Is this blood," Orihime questioned.
"Orihime, get back," called out Ichigo's body.
But it was no use. The nāga-like Hollow thrusted it's hand through Orihime's body, forcing her soul out.
"Orihime," Tatsuki gasped.
"Get away," Rangiku's body moved Tatsuki out of the way before the Hollow could do any damage to her.
At the same time, Ichigo's body picked up Orihime's body and moved it away.
"Good job, you two," Rangiku commented.
"Good job," Ichigo questioned. "They weren't able to save Orihime…!"
"Argue later," Rangiku pointed out. "Focus on the task at hand…!"
Ichigo, realizing that Rangiku was right, took up a fighting stance once more. The Hollow then showed itself once more and Orihime took notice of the creature.
"What is that thing," Orihime gasped.
"It's a Hollow, Orihime," Ichigo told her.
"And I'm afraid it's after your soul," Rangiku explained. "Stay behind for your own safety."
"O-Okay," Orihime nodded.
The Hollow then charged at Orihime, but Ichigo intercepted the attack, slicing at its mask with his sword. Unfortunately, the attack was shallow and only partly sliced away it's mask, revealing part of its face to everyone. Ichigo and Orihime both gasped upon seeing the Hollow's face, they knew who it was. The Hollow then roared in pain before it retreated back into Hueco Mundo, leaving Ichigo and Orihime in complete shock, something Rangiku took notice of.
Rangiku looked at the photo of Orihime's brother Sora and realized what was going on before saying, "That was Sora Inoue, wasn't it?"
Ichigo and Orihime both nodded in confirmation.
In Hueco Mundo, Sora was still screaming in pain. Moments later, his mask reformed and he was approached by Grand Fisher.
"Acid Wire, you dare to come back empty handed," Grand Fisher growled.
"Leave me alone," Acid Wire roared.
"Then get back there and take out Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends," Grand Fisher ordered.
Acid Wire then roared before heading back to the World of the Living.
Back at Orihime's place, Rangiku began explaining the situation to Ichigo and Orihime.
"Okay, I want to give you some information," Rangiku told Ichigo. "Remember when I said that we Soul Reapers have two jobs?"
"Yeah, you said that you escort Souls to the Soul Society," Ichigo repeated what Rangiku told him the other night.
"And do you remember what I said about what we do with Hollows," Rangiku asked.
Ichigo paused before slowly saying, "You said that… you exorcise Hollows… wherever you find them."
"Exactly," Rangiku confirmed.
"But that was Orihime's dead brother," Ichigo told her.
"And that's exactly why we need to exorcise him," Rangiku told him.
"I don't understand," Orihime muttered. "Why would my brother turn into one of those evil spirits? He was a good person. He took care of me like a father."
"Let me explain, all Hollows are fallen Souls," Rangiku started. "Sometimes, Souls linger in the World of the Living because they're held back by negative emotions and will resist Konso. A Soul that still has an attachment to the world and becomes corrupted will lose its heart and become a Hollow, either on their own or by being eaten by another Hollow."
Ichigo and Orihime both gasped.
"What would cause Sora to linger in the World of the Living and risk becoming a Hollow," Ichigo questioned.
"I don't know," Rangiku answered.
Orihime however had an answer. "I think it was my fault."
Rangiku and Ichigo looked towards Orihime.
Orihime then explained, "When Sora died, I begged him not to leave me alone."
Flashback:
"Sora, don't die," Orihime begged while the ambulance took her brother away. "Don't leave me all alone brother…! You can't…! You can't…!"
End of Flashback:
"The experience was too much for me to handle," Orihime sobbed. "So I… I begged him to stay with me. And since he died, I've always had the sense that he was watching over me because I asked him to. But then one day, I realized that if I kept depending on him to stay by my side, he'd never be able to rest in peace. So I figured that if I showed him that my life was really happy and that if he didn't need to worry about me, he could pass on."
"Then he must have transformed into a Hollow do to loneliness," Rangiku deduced.
"I never realized that it would make him sad and lonely," Orihime sobbed.
"Don't beat yourself up, Orihime," Rangiku comforted her. "There was no way you could have known that this would happen."
"What'll we do," Ichigo questioned. "Is there a way to change Sora back to normal."
Rangiku then got back on her feet, her eyes hidden beneath a shadow. "Just one, but you're not going to like it."
"What," Ichigo questioned.
Rangiku then said bluntly, "One of us has to cut him down with our Zanpakuto."
Ichigo and Orihime's eyes widened in horror upon hearing this.
"Are you crazy," Ichigo gasped. "Orihime already experienced her brother dying once and now you want her to go through that again?! There's no way I'm going to let you do that…!"
"It can't be helped," Rangiku told him. "As long as he's a Hollow, he'll keep coming after his sister until she's eaten…! So it's up to you…!"
"Why me," Ichigo questioned.
"You said it yourself," Rangiku pointed out. "You're not going to let me exorcise him, so can I count on you to do it? Can Orihime count on you?"
Ichigo was of a loss for words. He knew that he couldn't let Acid Wire do any harm to Orihime, but he also knew that if he cut him down, Orihime would be upset. True he didn't really know her, but the thought of having someone else lose one of their relatives twice was something he couldn't bring himself to cause.
Rangiku then explained, "Exorcising Hollows isn't the same as killing them."
This caught Ichigo and Orihime's attention again.
"We Soul Reapers exist not only to save Souls, but to save Hollows as well," Rangiku explained further. "We do that by cutting Hollows with our Zanpakuto, but doing so sends them into the Soul Society. It's sort of like cleansing Hollows of their sins in order for them to be reborn. However, if a Soul committed terrible sins while they were alive…"
Rangiku was cut off by the arrival of Acid Wire.
"Look out," Rangiku pushed them out of the way just in time.
Acid Wire tried to snatch Orihime again, but Rangiku's interference saved her and Ichigo.
"Orihime," Acid Wire snarled. "Give me back Orihime…! She's mine…!"
"Rangiku, protect Orihime," Ichigo charged at Acid Wire.
Acting on instinct, Acid Wire slammed his tail into the floor, causing the entire house to collapse. Ichigo and Rangiku's bodies managed to get Tatsuki and Orihime's body out just in time, but Ichigo, Rangiku, and Orihime's soul were buried under the rubble. Moments later, Acid Wire emerged from the rubble along with Ichigo, Rangiku, and Orihime.
"Are you alright, Orihime," Ichigo asked.
"I'm fine," Orihime confirmed.
"But not for long," Acid Wire hissed. "You and that black-haired girl took Orihime away from me…! And now I'm going to make you pay…!"
Acid Wire charged at them with his mouth wide open. Ichigo and Rangiku responded by jumping out of the way, with Orihime being carried in Ichigo's arms, causing her to blush. Acid Wire didn't give up and charged at Ichigo and Orihime once more.
"HADO 4: BYAKURAI…!"
Rangiku gathered high-density spiritual energy, pointed at Acid Wire with her index figer and generated a concentrated bolt of lightning that she discharged at him. The attack struck Acid Wire, causing him to roar in pain and Ichigo attacked him with his sword in hand. But at the last second, Acid Wire smacked Ichigo away with his tail and then charged at him to eat him. But as he got closer, he was intercepted by an unexpected surprise.
To everyone's shock, Orihime got in the way of Acid Wire's attack and as he bit her, she embraced him.
"Orihime," Ichigo gasped.
Orihime then got onto her knees and Acid Wire questioned why she did that.
Orihime explained, "Sora, I had to save Ichigo because this is all my fault. The reason you're this way, it's because of me, because I begged you not to leave me alone. That's why you weren't able to find peace, and it's all my fault."
Sora was in shock as Orihime explained everything, how she felt that he had been watching over her. She even went as far as to point out that he had saved her from being hit by that car, explaining the mark on her leg. She then explained why she stopped praying for him, and admitted that she didn't thing that it would make him sad and lonely. This revelation melted Sora's heart and he tried to fight back against his Hollowfication.
"Rangiku, what the hell's happening to him," Ichigo questioned.
"It looks like the part of him that's still humans is fighting back against the Hollow for control," Rangiku explained. "That means Sora didn't become a Hollow by choice, so he must have been taken over."
"Taken over, by who," Ichigo questioned.
"Souls that are consumed by strong Hollows are manipulated by those strong Hollows," Rangiku answered. "The strong Hollow that ate Sora desires your spirit energy so it must have taken over him, planning to use him to attack you, hoping that you would hesitate to fight him since you knew him in life. Now Sora's desperately fighting that Hollow for his sister's sake."
Moments later, Acid Wire stopped and his mask shattered. Orihime then collapsed onto the ground, passed out.
"No," Sora gasped.
"Orihime," Ichigo ran for Orihime.
"It's okay," Rangiku told him. "Luckily, her chain of fate is still connected to her chest and as long as it is, she won't die."
Rangiku then walked up to Orihime and began to treat her using her powers. As she did, Sora noticed the hairpins on Orihime's hair, something Ichigo took note of.
"That hairpin she's wearing was a present from you, wasn't it Sora," Ichigo asked. "She told me that once, that's why she wears it every single day."
Sora was amazed that Orihime had been wearing the hairpins he gave her all this time since he died and now felt ashamed about his actions.
"I can't believe I was so blind," Sora sighed. "I was so busy thinking my sister had abandoned me that I didn't even consider how she felt."
"It's not your fault," Rangiku explained. "The Hollow that ate you forced you into attacking your sister."
"Perhaps, but it's only a matter of time before the Hollow overwhelms me again and changes me back into a monster," said Sora. "So while I'm sane and can still think clearly, I have one request for you, Ichigo Kurosaki."
"What's that," Ichigo asked.
"I want you to cut me down," Sora requested. "Also after I'm gone, I want you to take care of my sister for me from now on. She might be independent now, but she still lives alone and I just destroyed our old house. So please, look after her for me."
Ichigo was shocked at Sora's requested. "I don't really know Orihime that well, but I'll take care of her. You have my word."
As Ichigo prepared to cut Sora, Orihime regained consciousness. "Wait Ichigo, before you do that, I have to tell my brother something."
Sora turned to his sister.
"This hairpin, remember the argument we had about it the day you gave it to me," said Orihime. "I said I didn't like it because I thought it didn't look grown up enough for me. I know I hurt your feelings and you left without saying anything else, and that was the last time I saw you alive. So now I want to say what I should have said to you when you went off to work that day."
Orihime then sat up and told Sora tearfully, "My brother, have a good day."
"Thanks, Orihime," Sora replied.
Ichigo then jumped up and cut Sora with his Zanpakuto, cleansing him and sending him into the Soul Society.
"Take care of her, Ichgo," were Sora's last words. "Take care of her…"
"I will," Ichigo replied.
Afterwards, Orihime began to cry and clung onto Rangiku for comfort, Rangiku allowing her to cry in her bosom.
After she calmed down, Orihime returned to her body, Ichigo and Rangiku returned to theirs, and Tatsuki regained consciousness. Looking at the remains of Orihime's house, they all saw that there was nothing left but rubble.
"What are you going to do now," Rangiku asked.
"I don't know," Orihime answered. "This has been my home since Sora and I ran away from our abusive parents. They probably would have killed me through neglect if Sora hadn't ran away with me. I guess I could stay with Tatsuki, but…"
"No, Orihime," Ichigo said firmly, getting her attention. "You're staying with me from now on. I promised your brother that I would look after you and I intend to keep it."
"Oh, thank you, Ichigo," Orihime blushed.
"About time," Tatsuki smirked.
Later that night, Ichigo, Rangiku, and Orihime had arrived at Ichigo's house where Ichigo's family invited Orihime with glee, especially Isshin.
"Oh Masaki, our boy just got another girlfriend," Isshin wined.
"Oh brother," said Karin. "Don't embarrass yourself or us for that matter, old man."
Ichigo, Rangiku, and Orihime then walked up to Ichigo's room where they saw that Ichigo's original bed had been conveniently replaced by a bunkbed and a rollout bed.
"What the hell," Ichigo gasped.
"Wow, how convenient," Orihime smiled with glee.
"Well we may as well get comfortable," Rangiku announced
"Rangiku, something tells me that this was your plan all along," Ichigo told.
"Whatever gave you that idea," Rangiku smirked.
At Kisuke's shop, Kisuke looked around the storage room and noticed something strange.
"Wait a second," Kisuke looked at one of the boxes' labels and saw what it said and was agitated. "Oh man…!"
And that was chapter 3. So yeah, Orihime's house was destroyed and she moved in with Ichigo. Not only that, but Ichigo and Rangiku both got substitute souls. I haven't introduced them yet, but I'm sure you can guess what Ichigo's substitute soul is through Kisuke's expression. I hope this chapter answers your question or at least gives you a clue as to whether or not this fanfiction is cannon divergent or a slightly different cannon. For those of you wondering, the dress that Rangiku wears in this chapter is same one that she wears in episode 128 of the anime, same thing goes for all of the dresses she baught at the mall, and many of the lines she says when explaining what happens to Hollows when Soul Reapers cut them are the same as they were in episode 131. The next chapter will pick up where this chapter left off and I don't think I need to explain how.
Chapter 4: The Mod Soul