Ichigo Kurosaki sat at his desk, idly lounging in his uncomfortable chair and not paying attention to what the teacher was saying. It was his math class, and he didn't really care all that much. Being a representative shinigami, going to school, and having to mix these two lives was enough work as it was. Not to mention the fact that he was going to take hell for injuring that shinigami, that one with the afro who yelled a lot and was really annoying. Ichigo was terrible with names, and that shinigami was annoying, driving Ichigo to forget his name. But the strawberry was too busy not paying attention to notice the piece of chalk aimed for his head. It sailed through the air, as fast as a baseball pitch, and smacked him in the forehead, knocking his head back.
"Crap! That hurts!" Ichigo cried out as the rest of the classroom erupted in laughter. Keigo was on the floor with his arms wrapped around himself. He was almost in tears. Ichigo glared at them, but they didn't stop. The single solitary person who didn't laugh, was Orihime. She looked at him with worry in her eyes, and Ichigo didn't like the look she was giving him. Ichigo sighed, leaning down to get the chalk and picked it up. The teacher impatiently waited for Ichigo to return the chalk that had drawn blood from his forehead just above his left eye. (Ichigo not knowing this) The teen crushed the chalk into dust and got comfortable in his seat once again. He didn't even know why he bothered going to school right now. He had been offered the rank of captain of the third captain in the Gotei Thirteen. He had begrudgingly accepted the offer, only because Ukitake had talked him into it. Ichigo slouched in his seat and stared at the board, math problems written all over it, math problems that Ichigo had no need to read. Ichigo did a recount on the captains lost in the winter war. Yamamoto and Komamura were the only two captains slain, but they had gone up against virtually an army with only their lieutenants, and they had held their own, slaying Halibel and Stark in the process. Shuhei had survived the apocalyptic battle that had occurred, but he believed that this was only because he hadn't fought hard enough. And since the winter war, which had only ended two months ago, his power had nearly doubled. Ichigo's mind drifted to all kinds of affairs dealing with the shinigami, but he was simply bored. And before he knew it, the bell rang and he was out the door after he had messily gathered his things. Orihime was quick to follow him and appear at his side.
"Kurosaki-kun! Can…can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Huh? Oh, sure Orihime. Whaddya need?" She busty girl blushed madly and looked at the ground for a moment. Ichigo raised an eyebrow and put his finger under her chin.
"Kuro…Kurosaki-kun?"
"You don't need to be shy around me Orihime. Just ask what you need to." Ichigo flashed her a slight smile. Orihime took a deep breath and then looked him in the eyes.
"Can I come with you to the Soul Society? I…I want to be in your squad Kurosaki-kun," she announced softly and quickly. Ichigo was stunned, but he put a hand on her shoulder and grinned widely.
"I'll see what I can do!" And with that he walked away, leaving Orihime with a big smile on her face and tears in her eyes. They were tears of happiness, not of sadness. She had finally worked up the courage to ask him, and he had practically said yes to her! She jumped up and down a few times in happiness and then got control of herself. Orihime turned and began her walk home, because Tatsuki was at karate practice right now. Orihime was so happy; she had a chance to be with Ichigo for a really long time!