Hey guys I am seriously sorry it's been about a million years since my last update but my computer has had a virus and also since school has started back up I feel like I have no time to write at all and homework kinda ruins my mood and makes me feel less motivated.

Now yes, yes, that should be no excuse if I actually like writing but it's just been a bit difficult lately so bare with me.

Disclaimer: And once again I say "I do not own bleach" and you all must be seriously thick if you think I do.

Chapter: 12

Hichigo wandered around kicking at the dirt every few minutes. His usual grin was no longer planted on his face and instead he hung his head and closed his eyes.

He desperately searched his mind for some sign of Zangetsu or Ichigo's thoughts. At first he thought this would be his chance to be free, to be himself, but all he felt now was a silence that surprisingly enough was starting to scare him.

'Is this how most people feel? Nothing has ever scared me…but this…I'm starting to regret wanting freedom so much…well of course not completely, I guess it's better than being stuck in Ichigo's mind. It's just unbelievably quiet.'

Ichigo sat near the exit of the underground training area. He had offered to keep an eye on Hichigo and it was starting to drive him crazy. Hichigo's thoughts rang loud and clear through his mind and he couldn't help but feel extremely guilty for lying about the fact he couldn't hear thoughts anymore.

Of course he had heard Rukia clear as ever, but for some reason as he was about to say that he could still hear her, his mouth had just happened to say the opposite.

'Why did I say that? I'm being an idiot. They are going to find out sooner or later so why did I say I couldn't hear them. What are really driving me crazy are Hichigo's thoughts, he's so confusing.'

"Hey Ichigo, when am I getting out of here?"

"What happened to King?"

Ichigo answered sarcastically. Hichigo frowned.

"You're not my King anymore, your just Ichigo now…Isn't that what you wanted?"

"You sound like you're complaining, I gave you what you wanted, freedom."

"Yeah…I'm not exactly free 'till I'm out of here though am I?"

Ichigo was silent and Hichigo just gave him a "that's what I thought" look and wandered off. Honestly Ichigo couldn't care less he was preoccupied with something else.

'What about Rukia? Does Hichigo still like her or was that all a lie?'

As if right on time Ichigo heard Hichigo's thoughts chime in from somewhere in the distance.

'Something else that makes it feel even more silent in here is the fact that I no longer feel anything much. I never really cared for Rukia like Ichigo did but I still felt something along with other random emotions that have all disappeared. I don't really care about Rukia anymore…It feels stupid, pointless, I only felt those things because I was constantly surrounded by them.'

In a way Ichigo was glad of that information but also slightly concerned. It was kinda obvious that Hichigo wasn't normal and wasn't meant to be normal, but Ichigo found it slightly disturbing for someone (even Hichigo) to feel so empty.

Suddenly Urahara opened the door to the training area. And stepped inside followed by Orihime and Rukia.

"Helloooo how is everyone today? We have a visitor, the lovely Orihime Inoue!"

Urahara sang cheerfully as he waved his hands in front of Orihime as if presenting her to an audience.

Orihime laughed shyly and walked over to Ichigo followed by Rukia.

"Hello Kurosaki-Kun, I heard about what was happening and came to see how you were doing."

Orihime smiled sweetly at Ichigo.

"Ah, yeah everything's fine at the moment thanks, How about you, enjoying the school holidays?"

Orihime nodded.

"Yeah everything is pretty good at the moment. Matsumoto came to the human world for a visit and we have been shopping almost the entire past week and a bit."

She sighed and looked around.

"So how is Hichigo going?"

Rukia said as she walked over and sat next to Ichigo.

"Same as always, he wants to know when he's getting out of here."

"Urahara said that if all goes well Hichigo should be allowed to leave soon."

Orihime looked off into the distance.

'I know I shouldn't even think this but I do feel a bit jealous of Kuchiki-san, according to Urahara Kuchiki-san and Kurosaki-kun have been a lot closer over the past week or two. Oh stop it! I'm even annoying myself, I shouldn't be jealous I should be happy that everything is going well for them right now.'

Ichigo was a bit surprised, though not entirely, since it was a little obvious that Orihime did seem to like him the way he liked Rukia. He felt bad that he couldn't feel the same way for her but he knew it was pointless to try when he loved Rukia and it was getting more and more obvious that Rukia loved him back.

On other topics something that Ichigo was noticing more and more was that he never really heard Urahara think anything. Though it wouldn't have surprised him if he had a secret way of hiding his thoughts just encase. Urahara always did seem to have tricks up his sleeve. And asking him would mean telling people he could still hear their thoughts.

"Is it safe for me to go and find Hichigo so I can get to know him a bit?"

Orihime asked.

"Yeah it should be fine, but I'm not sure you will get a very cheery response."

Ichigo answered.

"Oh well it doesn't hurt to try."

Orihime began to walk off in search of Hichigo. It only took a minute until she found him sitting on a rock staring off into the distance. She hadn't been told what he looked like so she was a bit scared when she saw the white copy of Ichigo with black and gold eyes. He certainly did seem a bit evil, but she told herself there was nothing to be afraid of and approached him.

Hichigo turned his head towards Orihime when he heard the sound of footsteps beside him.

"Hi I'm Orihime, Ichigo's friend, I thought I should come meet you."

Hichigo blinked, for a moment he thought he felt something, he wasn't sure what it was, but just for a second he didn't feel alone…It reminded him all too much of when he had felt something for Rukia, but he almost immediately tried to convince himself that it was just his imagination.

"Yeah I know who you are, uh, it's good to meet you. I assume you know about who I am?"

Orihime nodded and sat beside him.

"So Hichigo what's your favourite food? Mine's chocolate with this bean paste stuff on it, it's really good you should try it! I'm inviting some people round for dinner soon and you should be outta here by then so you can come over and I'll make you some of my favourite foods. "

"…"

'This girl is a nutcase…well I can't talk…and it is kinda…cute…what am I thinking!? I don't find things cute! …but she does have a really pretty smile and…I must seriously be going crazy…'

Ichigo only barely heard Hichigo's thoughts since he was pretty far away, but he was shocked and slightly amused at what he had thought.

'Well, well, he might have just found out what it feels like to be human.'

Ichigo laughed and looked over at Rukia who sat beside him. He smiled and took her hand. Rukia blushed and looked away but held on tightly.

'Well Kurosaki, things might just turn out for the best if we are lucky.'

Ichigo turned to look at where the unexpected thought had come from and Urahara gave him a knowing smile and wandered off.