Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or the references to Zombie Powder.

'Text' - Normal Speaking

'Text' – Inner talk

'Text' – Flashback

Between Hollows and Hairpins

Chapter Two: Friday in Between

Ichigo paced around the room for the hundredth time and frankly Grimmjow was sick of it. Especially at four in the morning. As an arrancar he didn't require sleep so he was forced to watch the nervous Kurosaki Ichigo pace around his room. He looked over at Nel who was, despite being an arrancar, fast asleep. He groaned and purposely tripped Ichigo.

"Damn, Shinigami. What are you so nervous about?"

"Me and Inoue's date is in exactly," he looked at the clock, "thirty-nine hours!"

"Shinigami, you humans sure are strange. You ran into Hueco Mundo and fought arrancar, and now you're worrying about meeting that woman?" He shook his head. "Really strange."

Ichigo gave him a look and got up from the floor. "Besides, this is a lot worse than Hueco Mundo! If I mess this up me and Inoue will never be together!"

Grimmjow rolled his eyes and walked to Nel. He tapped her with his foot until she was awake. She rolled over and looked at the two towering hybrids.

"Time to get up?" she asked absently.

"No, Neliel," said Grimmjow. "Shinigami here thinks that if he messes up this 'date' that woman would hate him."

Small laughter erupted from Nel. "Ichigo, are you really that clueless?"

Ichigo glared at Nel. "What's that suppose to mean?"

"Damn Shinigami, she means that-" Grimmjow was stopped by the tiny arrancar striking him in a similar fashion to when Ichigo was in Hueco Mundo. "What the fuck was that for?!"

"Shh..." Nel whispered with a small finger over her mouth. "Don't tell Ichigo! He has to find out himself! We can't go and tell Orihime-chan's secret."

Grimmjow reluctantly nodded and pushed Nel off of him. Even in her small form she was once the third espada. Grimmjow looked down at his superior and turned to the window. He opened it quickly and went out. He was calling something back about keep watch but Nel and Ichigo dismissed it.

"Ichigo, you should get some sleep. It would be a shame if in the morning you were tired. From what Urahara told me there are some people who would be questioning your date with Orihime-chan."

Ichigo's face became paler at the thought of questions that he would be bombarded by. He'd have to stay clear of Chizuru. Avoid Tatsuki warning him about not hurting Orihime. And by all means avoid Keigo's constant annoyance.

"J-just go back to sleep Nel, I'll get some sleep."

Nel frowned in Ichigo's direction. "Lier," said Nel. "I'll go get you some water."

Nel slipped out of the door before Ichigo could protest his thirstiness. Nel want through the Kurosaki household as fast as her small legs would carry her. She made it to the kitchen and hopped on top of the counter. She tried to find a glass but had no luck.

"Oh, what are you doing up, Neliel?" asked someone from across the room.

Nel jumped and whirled around to see Kurosaki Isshin happily sipping some tea. She sighed relaxing from the possible threat and hopped down from the counter.

"I'm looking for a glass."

"For what?" asked Isshin clearly surprised.

"I'm getting some water for Ichigo, he's worried about his date with Orihime-chan and needs to calm down."

Nel didn't get a response. She looked up at the once shinigami, still no response came.

"Isshin-san?" asked Nel hoping for an answer.

"D-did you just say Ichigo had a date with Orihime-chan?" Isshin's voice had no emotion.A dark shadow covered his eyes.

"Y-yes, that's what I said." Nel was a bit nervous.

Isshin jerked his head up with tears of joy streaming down his face. "FINALLY! MASAKI OUR SON IS GROWING UP TO BE A MAN!" Isshin found his way to the poster of Masaki and began to hug it. "I"LL BE A GRANDFATHER IN NO TIME!" Isshin turned to the stairs and began to run up them. "ICHIGO!"

Nel stood in the kitchen shocked. She couldn't remember the last time Isshin was this happy. She sighed after hearing Isshin yelling at Ichigo about proper dating strategies and Karin yelling at Isshin to get back to sleep. Nel walked toward the stairs with the mission to stop the early morning arguing of the Kurosaki household.

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Things were a lot different at Orihime's apartment. It was quiet, almost too quiet. Orihime had just attempted to fall asleep for the hundredth time. She sat up in her bed and look out the window at the crescent moon. It was the same moon as Hueco Mundo. She sighed and got out of bed and walked into her living room. Draped over her couch was the clothes she had picked out for her date with Ichigo. She pinched herself. It wasn't a dream.

"Kurosaki-kun..."

Ichigo looked up at Orihime. They were in the basement of Urahara's shop. Ichigo had just handed Grimmjow to Urahara and was resting on the ground.

"What is it Inoue?"

"Well, I, uh...I wanted to know...Kurosaki-kun, why did you come after me?" she seemed sad.

Ichigo's eyes widened. "Inoue, how could I not save you? You are one of my closest friends."

"Yeah," said Orihime. "Also Kurosaki-kun, do you remember the day that I left?"

Ichigo frowned and looked at the ground. "Inoue, I'm sorry. That day...I was bandaged up and couldn't help you. All I did was sleep, I'm such an idiot."

"No, no, Kurosaki-kun isn't an idiot. He should stop blaming himself for things." Orihime smiled.

Ichigo smiled, the smile he only gave to Orihime. "Yeah, I will, Inoue."

Orihime smiled to herself. "He didn't ask me because of pity." She said to the picture of her brother. "He didn't remember that day. He asked me because he..."

Orihime blushed at her thoughts, Kurosaki Ichigo actually likes her. She shook her head quickly and fell back on the floor. Her face couldn't get any redder. She looked over at the clock on her wall and sighed.

"I still have school today," Orihime sighed. "Kurosaki-kun..." She sat up and looked at her brother's memorial. "You'd like him Onii-chan, Kurosaki-kun's a nice guy."

She continued to talk to her brother about Ichigo. It seemed like hours until Orihime finally got up from the floor. She decided she better get ready for school. She only told Tatsuki about Ichigo's proposal, but she knew that somehow the entire school knew. News like that travels fast.

She walked into her room and pulled out her uniform. After she was dressed she opened her door and let the cold air travel over her. Winter was here, it was a bad time. Winter meant a war, Aizen would be at their door step in no time. She stepped out of her home and closed the door behind her. She sighed and smiled. She didn't have time to think of Aizen and his arrancar, what mattered now was he and Ichigo.

Orihime passed a few blocks until she heard her name being called from the distance. She turned to see Tatsuki going towards her. Orihime turned fully and waved at her best friend. Tatsuki waved back and stopped in front of Orihime. They both exchanged greetings and started walking towards Karakura High. After some normal conversation Tatsuki decided to move the conversation towards Ichigo.

"So, Orihime...you nervous about Saturday?" Tatsuki sent a knowing look to Orihime.

Orihime blushed madly and covered her face with her hands. "Wha-what do you mean Tatsuki-chan?"

"You know what I mean Orihime." Tatsuki smiled at her best friend. "You and Ichigo, are you nervous?"

"A little, I guess." Orihime said softly. "I already picked out my outfit..."

"Wow, Orihime. You're all ready and everything!" Tatsuki patted Orihime on her shoulder. She noticed Orihime's confused face. "What's wrong Orihime?"

"Uh, Tatsuki-chan...what should I do on the date?" Orihime said with an embarrassed tone.

"Huh?"

"Well, I've never been on a date before, and this is Kurosaki-kun so I can't mess this up. I mean what if he doesn't like what I'm wearing?" Orihime kept listing off her worries. "Should I hold his hand? What if he tries to kiss-" Orihime stopped and blushed. "-me?"

"Orihime, calm down, don't worry." Tatsuki calmed her friend. "Just take chances and if he tries to kiss you...then go for it."

"Go...for...it?" Orihime said slowly. "Tatsuki-chan...thanks for the help!"

"Anytime Orihime." said Tatsuki.

The pair walked down the street farther until Karakura High was in sight. They entered the school grounds just before Ichigo and Grimmjow who were following slowly behind. Ichigo looked tired and Grimmjow was grinning to himself.

"You look like shit Shinigami." Grimmjow pointed out clearly.

"Shut up," said Ichigo plainly. "You left before my dad came in all excited. Somehow he found out about my date with Inoue."

Grimmjow grinned to himself. "You know she's in front of us."

Ichigo stopped abruptly to see Orihime and Tatsuki chatting as they walked toward the entrance to the main building. He quickly turned to Grimmjow and then back to find the two had gone inside.

"Grimmjow, you could have told me earlier1" Ichigo bellowed.

"Shinigami, it's fun to see you suffer." Grimmjow smirked. "Besides, after this torturous place lets out meet me at that Sandal hat's basement. I need to get a good spar in." With that Grimmjow had vanished with his high speed.

Ichigo stared at the spot where Grimmjow once stood. "How did he do that in a gigai?"

Ichigo started to walk toward the school. With every corner Ichigo turned it seemed that five questions came from five different people. 'Kurosaki are you going out with Orihime?' People just wouldn't mind their own business. He even almost lost his cool when some of the questions got over the top. He hoped Orihime wasn't pressured with these questions.

Ichigo opened the door to the classroom. Instantly Keigo jumped up to Ichigo with wide eyes.

"Ichigo! You asked Orihime out!" cried Keigo excitedly.

"I did," said Ichigo plainly before walking to his desk. He stopped in front of Orihime's. "Morning, Inoue."

"M-morning Kurosaki-kun..." Orihime stammered.

Ichigo smiled at her and sat down in his seat. The class began shortly after. The lectured seemed to bore most students. Grimmjow was actually asleep and Ichigo's mind was of course elsewhere. Whose wouldn't?

"Damn why is school so boring?"

"Stop complaining King, sleep like Grimmy over there."

"Shut up."

"Why should I? Without me you'd have to listen to that teacher of your babble on. We can have an actual conversation."

"How could you call anything we talk about normal? If it isn't about winning back your control it's about fighting."

"What's your point?"

"It just isn't a normal conversation!"

"Whatever... We could talk about Orihime."

"N-no..."

"We should. Do you even have the slightest idea of how to date a woman? You better not fuck up because I'd like to get cozy with that woman."

"S-shut up!"

"Don't get embarrassed King, getting laid is a good thing at your age."

"Why do I even bother listening to you?"

"Because you have no choice. So get used to it and start focusing on Orihime!"

"I wouldn't do that to Inoue! She definitely doesn't feel that strongly about me!"

"King, you sure are a mess."

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"

"Nothing important."

Ichigo frowned. His hollow loved to torture him, especially about his questions. He was about to get back into an internal, heated argument, but the bell rang. Grimmjow was shaken from his sleep and looked around the room. Sighing, he got up and stretched. Ichigo got up and grabbed his lunch. He was about to follow Ishida and Chad out to the roof but was stopped by Orihime.

"Um, Kurosaki-kun?" asked Orihime nervously.

"What is it Inoue?" asked Ichigo a little fearfully.

"Do you want to eat lunch with me?" Her face was bright red.

Ichigo sighed in relief. "Sure Inoue."

Ichigo followed Orihime out of the school and by a tree that was void of other people. The two sat down and pulled out their lunches. They began some small talk about the day and the movie that was set for tomorrow night.

"Inoue, are you really going to eat that?" Ichigo gave Orihime a strange look.

Orihime looked at him plainly and the, well, strange food in her hands. "Kurosaki-kun, it's good! You should try it!"

"I think I'll pass Inoue. You can make me something some other time."

"Sure thing Kurosaki-kun!"

Ichigo smiled. "So Inoue do you-"

Ichigo was stopped by Grimmjow's abrupt entrance in the middle of the lunch. He was out of his gigai. His arrancar uniform and mask were perfectly visible, to Ichigo and Orihime at least.

"Shinigami, we have an emergency!" roared Grimmjow.

"Grimmjow?" Ichigo stood up quickly. "What is it?"

"Ulquiorra."

Ichigo's eyes widened and brought his badge to his chest. His spirit popped out leaving his limp body by Orihime's side. Grimmjow took off first and Ichigo followed closely behind. The two hybrids raced quickly across Karakura to find the fourth espada.

"Grimmjow why is Ulquiorra here?" asked Ichigo. "And why can't I sense him?"

"It's a weapon Aizen developed." Grimmjow explained. "Shinigami can't sense arrancar with it. That's one of Aizen's advantages."

"Damn!" cursed Ichigo going faster. "We'll strike together and destroy him!"

"Yeah... Wait!"

Grimmjow stopped and Ichigo stopped a few steps in front of him. Grimmjow looked up and Ichigo did as well. Above stood the green eyed espada, Ulquiorra. The former sixth espada and substitute shinigami glared at the fourth espada. Both of them eventually appeared at Ulquiorra's level.

"Ulquiorra..." growled the two good hybrids.

"What is this?" asked Ulquiorra to himself. "Just two pieces of trash."

Ichigo leaped from his place in the air at Ulquiorra. His pulled Zangetsu from his back and swung at Ulquiorra. The fourth espada easily blocked it with his arm. Grimmjow appeared behind Ulquiorra and swung his blade. It was easily blocked.

"It's foolish." Ulquiorra stated. "The two of you fail to even come close to my power, let alone Aizen-sama's. You should stop now and hand over that woman."

"Inoue..." Ichigo said to himself. "Ulquiorra! I won't let you touch Inoue! Ban-"

Ichigo was stopped by a firm punch to the stomach by Ulquiorra. Ichigo doubled over while remaining in the air. Grimmjow quickly looked from the spot Ulquiorra was to Ichigo. Ulquiorra turned to Grimmjow and before Grimmjow could react a cero was shot at him. Grimmjow couldn't move as he watched the cero closing in at him.

"Fuck..." Grimmjow closed his eyes.

There was no pain. Grimmjow opened his eyes to see the cero stopped in front of him. It just wasn't stopped, it was being absorbed. Nel stood, in adult form, in front of Grimmjow and absorbing the cero Ulquiorra shot. Ulquiorra's eyes widened when Nel finished and shot the cero back at him. It was a direct hit.

"Nel?" asked Ichigo after catching his breath.

"Ichigo," Nel mused. "Going after this espada? I thought you'd be a little smarter. After all, neither of you could fight him head on." The dust cleared from the cero and Ulquiorra looked back with his tattered clothes. "However, I can fight this arrancar and win! Declare! Gamuza!"

Nel appeared in her release form and faced the current fourth espada. She wasn't going to lose. She was going defeat him. She was going to defeat Ulquiorra Schiffer!"

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Okay, there is chapter two. Thanks for the reviews and sorry for the wait.