Disclaimer: The only kind of Bleach I own is for the laundry.
Story: When Rukia comes to Karakura, Gin tags along for supervision (and because he made some nobles angry). How will Ichigo deal with both of them, while they adjust to a surprising human that could do things she shouldn't? Especially given the odd things that keep happening around her. Fem!Ichigo AU.
Set as a genderbent AU.
Spoilers: Yes, most definitely.
Pairings: Ryuken Ishida/Ichigo, Gin/Ichigo, Urahara/Ichigo, Aizen/Ichigo, Ukitake/Ichigo, Kyouraku/Ichigo, Byakuya/Ichigo, and maybe one-sided Others/Ichigo, Grimmjow/Ichigo, Ulquirrora/Ichigo…
Warnings: My usual crap…crazy writing, some perverseness every now and then, drama, angst, wild humor, drama, romance, drama, and that kind of thing…

Bleach It Orange!
Chapter Eight: Something on My Mind

When Ryuken saw Ichigo, she looked uneasy. They sat together on his office couch, but she didn't say anything just yet. He waited for her, knowing that it must be serious, given her strange behavior.

"Do you know a man named Tamashii Kukuo?" she asked him finally.

He blinked. That was unusual…He was expecting something life threatening or something that he expected would be truly worrying.

"I…don't," he slowly replied. "I can try to look him up?"

Ichigo grimaced, which made him think twice about the man she'd brought up. She then began to tell him about her interactions with this Kukuo and worried him further. Who was he or more importantly, what was he? He was obviously not human if he could see Zangetsu. As he'd deduced all these years and recently confirmed, Zangetsu was Ichigo's zanpakuto. Kukuo couldn't just be someone with high spiritual pressure. No…

Even Soul Reapers weren't capable of seeing each other's zanpakuto. No, no…this man wasn't normal and it made Ryuken's nerves act up.

"I think you should be wary of him," Ryuken took one of her hands and squeezed it in comfort. "Please be careful."

"I will," she promised. Then she hesitated.

"Was there something else you wanted to talk to me about?" he asked.

Ichigo took a deep breath. "There was…a man."

Another danger? He wondered if he should talk to Uryuu and have him befriend Ichigo, have his son discretely keep an eye on her…

"I didn't want to cook dinner," Ichigo confessed. "And I went to go order ramen."

Confusion started to weigh in then. This did not sound so bad.

"I met a man named Kugo Ginjo and…well…" Her cheeks pinked and she looked uncomfortable and a bit ashamed.

Oh. He could put it together himself without her adding in any details. He didn't know if he even wanted to hear any details.

"It is natural that you find men that you are attracted to or that you find handsome," he said, though it felt like salt on his tongue. "We are an arranged couple and I understand that is not a normal or wanted way to find your other half."

But he admitted he had grown used to the idea of her being his, of Ichigo being his fiancée and life partner. He admitted he found her charming and beautiful, and that it had never occurred to him that she would look at someone else.

She looked chagrined and he took a deep breath himself.

"You're young," he sighed. "You should never have been forced into this arrangement, regardless of what the Elders wanted."

"It's not like I mind being engaged to you," Ichigo said quietly. "You're handsome and I really do like talking to you. You can be a snarky bastard and I actually love that. You have your sweet moments too. You've been a great fiancé and I don't want to not be engaged to you. I just…I felt guilty that I found someone attractive and enjoyed their company, when I'm supposed to be engaged to you."

He felt warmed by her concern, and he gave her a small smile to show his appreciation.

"I don't mind the engagement to you either, not anymore," he said. "I was once worried about your age and the age gap between us, but I have also found I enjoy your company. You've grown into a beautiful young woman and I'm proud and in awe of your grace and quiet strength."

She smiled breathtakingly at him and he stared for a moment before mentally shaking himself.

"That said," he began, and she looked worried. He continued before she could worry too much, "I know you're young and we're not the usual kind of couple. If you wish to expand your horizons, perhaps have a little more experience with love or even just your attraction towards others, I understand. I encourage it, so that if you do stay with me, you might not find yourself wondering about what ifs or becoming unsatisfied or even unhappy. Maybe you might even find someone you actually love."

The idea of that actually pained him, and he strove to remind himself to not be selfish.

She looked uncertain, watching him carefully. "I'll…keep that in mind. But Ryuken…I do like you, you know."

He found himself smiling easily at her. "And I like you," he teased.

Ryuken was pleased to see her look just a bit amazed at him.

Ichigo rummaged through her drawers, looking for her 'safety blanket'. It's been awhile, but after the night she had, she felt like she needed it.

"Whatcha doing, Ichigo?" Gin asked, lying on his front on her bed. Rukia's closet was wide opened, so Rukia peered out of it curiously.

"Hm, looking for an old comfort," she murmured. "Had a…rough day, you could say."

There! She grabbed her old, skeleton-like mask and pulled it out, feeling calmed and safe. She held it close to her chest, closing her eyes.

"Ichigo…what…what is that?" Gin's voice was, for once, completely serious.

She turned towards him and held it up. "It's an old mask I've had since forever. My dad doesn't know where it came from and I don't remember, but I've always had it and it's always given me comfort."

Gin stared at it and when she glanced at Rukia, her eyes were wide and unsure.

"Is there a problem?" she asked them. They suspiciously shook their heads.

"No problem," Rukia's smile was strained.

She shrugged to herself and held onto her mask, bringing it to bed and ignoring Gin, who scooted closer to the wall as she slipped under her covers.

"Goodnight, guys."

They said there wasn't a problem, so…Ichigo shrugged it off.

Gin went to sleep uneasily but managed to sleep the whole night through. Waking up though, was another matter. He opened his eyes, seeing a very Hollow-like mask staring straight at him. He yelped and jumped away, freaking out at the sight of it.

Rukia's closet door opened and she poked her head out. "What's wrong?!"

He pointed at the Hollow Mask-covered Ichigo, who was still somehow asleep. Rukia made a face and climbed out of her closet.

"Where did she get that from?" Rukia asked uneasily.

"I don't know," Gin muttered. "But it was freaky waking up to it."

He came over to her and carefully picked the mask off of Ichigo's face, letting out a relieved sigh at seeing her face. He was also relieved to not be seeing that mask on her anymore, both because it reassured him that Ichigo didn't suddenly become a Hollow overnight and because he just wanted it gone and away from her.

"Can't we just throw it away?" Rukia asked anxiously.

Gin looked dubiously at it. "She'll wonder where it went if we do it now. Later."

He didn't trust that thing at all.

After a while, Ichigo woke up and got ready for school. She watched them warily but considering the way he and Rukia were offset by the appearance of Ichigo's Hollow Mask, he was sure they were acting strange. He said nothing though, continuing to grin and try to act normal. When Ichigo and Rukia left for school, he headed for the clinic and fretted about the situation.

What did that mask mean?

"You look awfully worried about something, Gin-san?" Isshin asked, walking into the clinic.

"Did you know that Ichi's got some weird Hollow Mask around?" Gin blurted out.

Isshin grimaced and he was relieved to know he wasn't crazy and someone knew and was concerned about said mask. Ichigo's own father was aware of it and didn't like the idea of it.

"She's had that thing around forever," Isshin admitted. "Damn thing was there when she was born. Just…popped up and baby Ichigo was holding onto it."

Gin shivered and wondered why that was.

Ichigo didn't know what was Gin and Rukia's problem, but ever since waking up, she'd noticed how weird they were being around her. She couldn't figure it out and they weren't talking, so she just shrugged them off and placed her mask into her backpack and headed out to school.

Even school itself was strange! Orihime had been in a mood, which put her in a mood. And since she was in a mood, everyone knew it and got into a mood themselves. By the time school was over, somehow the entire school had become a miasmic zone of negative energy.

And to think! It was all centered on her and Orihime!

"What is this darkness?" Gin popped up near her, looking curiously at Ichigo's group.

"My dark aura," Ichigo snarked, which made Gin laugh.

Rukia cracked a smile, but thankfully Orihime seemed to start brightening up.

"You okay, Orihime?" Ichigo asked, finally just braving asking the other girl.

Orihime's lips trembled, though she attempted a smile. "Just having a hard time. I guess my brother's been on my mind a lot lately, so I've been in a sad mood, Ichi-hime."

Ichigo frowned, wanting to do something to cheer up her friend. Tatsuki came up with something then.

"I know! Why don't you have a sleepover, Orihime?" Tatsuki suggested. "I'll come and so will Ichigo, right?" she looked to Ichigo.

"Yes," Ichigo said immediately. She knew how hard it was on Orihime when her brother died. Of course she'd be there for her.

"We'll come too!" Gin pulled Rukia to him, volunteering themselves. Rukia nodded though, agreeing easily. "Yes! We are very eager to partake in this sleepover."

Though Ichigo looked weirdly at them, she didn't say anything as Orihime cheered up immensely and was excitedly expressing her thanks.

Together, the small group traveled to Orihime's small apartment, where she excitedly began to prepare food for them. Wary of what the other girl planned to make, Ichigo went to help. Tatsuki wasn't helping matters by signaling to her discreetly (but insistently) to go after Orihime and help cook.

The two of them were very familiar with Orihime's concoctions.

"You know we're here for you, right Orihime?" she asked her friend, cutting up the onions for the soup they were cooking together.

Orihime gave her a wide smile. "Yes, I do, Ichi-hime."

"Gin's a bad influence on you," Ichigo rolled her eyes, knowing that Orihime hadn't shortened her name before that guy started.

"I think it's cute though," Orihime giggled. "The nickname and how he acts with you."

Ichigo rolled her eyes again, but her lips twitched fondly. Just then, she heard a loud roar and her senses went haywire. She quickly grabbed Orihime and leaped back, in time to avoid the crash that slammed into the apartment's side and where the kitchen was.

"The hell!" Ichigo snarled. "Rukia, Gin!"

"Here!" Rukia ran into view, glove already on. She smashed into Ichigo, popping her out of her body and ready to go. She took over holding Orihime and pulling her away, while Gin grabbed Ichigo's unconscious body.

"What's going on?" Tatsuki screamed, joining the others.

Orihime sobbed. "What is that thing?!"

Well, shit. Did Orihime see the Hollow Ichigo was fighting?

Rukia knew she should be worried about the situation, but she had confidence that Ichigo would be more than able to handle it. What she worried about now, was Orihime's condition and the fact that she was somehow able to see the Hollow. Was her constant exposure to Ichigo the reason why she could see the Hollow? She also had no explanation on hand to give to Tatsuki, who was freaking out about the situation.

"Oh my God, what is that monster and why is Ichigo in two places?!"

Rukia internally screamed. Tatsuki could see it too!

"I don't know!" she yelled in explanation. She had nothing to give to either girls and Gin wasn't helping, shrugging at her when Rukia looked to him. This was never an issue handled in Soul Society before. Humans weren't supposed to see them or Hollows!

"Orihime!" the thing roared.

Rukia blinked and looked at it, then at Orihime. Why would…

"Just having a hard time. I guess my brother's been on my mind a lot lately, so I've been in a sad mood, Ichi-hime."

Could it be?

"Why did you forget me, Orihime? Why did you stop loving me?"

Orihime stopped crying and looked at the monster. "B-brother?"

Tatsuki came closer and stood next to Rukia, both of them standing in front of Orihime protectively. Gin was already holding onto the frightened girl, and though Ichigo had stopped fighting the Hollow, she had sidled further in front of the group.

"Sora?" Ichigo tentatively called out.

"I-Ichigo-hime, Orihime," the Hollow said mournfully. "Look at what I've become. I'm so lonely and sad. Why was I forgotten?"

Rukia almost laughed hysterically. Hearing Ichigo's nickname coming from a Hollow was insane.

"Che, you were never forgotten, dummy. Orihime wears your barettes every day and tries to live on in your memory," Ichigo snorted, actually relaxing her body and not at all concerned. "Right, Orihime?"

"Y-yes," Orihime gave a watery smile. "I-I mourned you for so long, Sora-niisan! I didn't want to move on, but then Ichigo-hime and Tatsuki helped me and said that you would want me to be happy. I still always keep you in mind and I miss you so much!"

"Oh, Orihime…"

The Hollow's mask broke and the face of a young man was revealed, smiling painfully.

"Ichigo-hime, please continue to protect my beloved sister," he sadly asked Ichigo, who nodded and stepped aside while Orihime pulled away from Rukia and Gin, pushing passed Tatsuki to rush towards her brother.

She grabbed hold and embraced Sora, and Rukia watched it in envy, thinking of Byakuya and wishing he'd feel the same and would embrace her, even if just once.

"I love you, Sora-niisan. I always will. I hope you'll always watch over me, but please move on, my sweet Onii-san."

Sora smiled peacefully and when Orihime stepped away, he tilted his forehead towards Ichigo's waiting zanpakuto, cleansing himself voluntarily and dissipating in beads of lights.

Orihime collapsed to the floor and cried.

Ichigo sighed, glad that was over quickly. She returned to her body and snatched up Tatsuki's wrist as she headed towards Orihime, embracing the other girl. Tatsuki followed her lead and held onto Orihime from her other side.

"Right, so…Sorry to break this up, but Ichi –there's a hole in the apartment and it's cold," Gin pouted. "Can we have the sleepover at home?"

Home. Since when had he considered her home his? Strangely enough, it didn't really bother her.

"Yeah, let's have the sleepover at your home, Ichigo-hime," Orihime shakily laughed and with that, there was no way Ichigo could say no.

"Okay, okay," Ichigo gave in. "To my home."

"With explanations," Tatsuki said firmly, glancing at her and then at Rukia and Gin.

Shit. She forgot that Orihime and Tatsuki had seen her in her spiritual body and that they'd seen Hollow!Sora.

"They'll explain," Ichigo immediately said, pointing at Gin and Rukia, selling them out. They got her into this mess, they can deal with each and every fallout.

The two gave her betrayed looks.

But, as she walked up her stairs later (tea and snacks in hand), she could hear Rukia and Gin explaining to the other two girls, using those horrid notebooks filled with their drawings.

"My only question is why are there evil foxes and good bunnies? They look nothing like this Hollow thing!" she heard Tatsuki exclaim.

"Haha! I think they're cute," Orihime sounded much, much better. Thank goodness.

When Ichigo entered her room, she shook her head at the scene. Orihime and Tatsuki had a small futon they were sharing on the floor, Gin was sitting cross-legged on her bed, and Rukia was lounging in her closet.

"I have tea and snacks," she held the tray up. "Not that I'm not glad, but I thought you two would've tried erasing their memories rather than actually explaining."

Rukia glanced at the curious girls. "I thought of it and thought we would, but Ichimaru-taicho made a good point."

Gin grinned widely. "It'll be pretty pointless, Ichi! They're around you all the time, so this kind of thing'll happen again. So it's your fault, you see?"

Ichigo's eye twitched. Fox-faced bastard…

Her cell phone rang and she glanced at it in surprise. Who would be calling her now? Setting down the tray, she reached for her phone on her desk and looked at the Caller ID, caught off guard to see Kugo's name.

"Who is it?" Gin asked nosily, leaning forward eagerly.

"I met a…man recently, that I became friends with," she murmured. "I wonder why's he calling?"

"Oooh, is he handsome?" Orihime asked eagerly.

Tatsuki gave her a teasing look. "Aww, Ichigo's finally curious about the other sex."

She gave a look to them, though she answered her phone finally. "Hello?"

"Ichigo-san! It's me, Kugo? Sorry for the late call. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

She glanced around the room, seeing the too interested group, all leaning in and trying to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"No," she replied, even if she rolled her eyes upwards in exasperation.

"Great! I just wanted to ask you for like a date or something."

Ichigo almost dropped her phone, while the others' eyes widened and they started muttering to each other.

Damn gossips.

Started 8/10/19 – Completed 8/11/19

A/n: …Um, long time no see? Eep, it's been so long! Sorry, everyone! I'm really trying to get back to this and several other old fics of mine, so cross your fingers that I can write up some more chapters! I love, love everyone's comments, so please continue to leave such wonderful reviews! My soul thrives on them XD

Quick Points:

1. Tamashii: Lololol, a few of you are pretty good~

2. Ryuken's age: Will probably be 35-36. An awesome reviewer made great comments, so I'd like to go with that.

3. Orihime's episode: I wasn't too enthusiastic on or writing for, so I didn't go too in depth into it here. I want to get into later episodes so this and probably the Chad and parakeet one will be kept short, especially since I just want to update for this fic already.