Alternis Universo

Chapter 1: Not a time machine

Disclaimer: I do NOT own bleach. If I did, I would not be wasting my time writing fanfiction and get the next chapter done so that the evil fans don't kill me.

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“Oi~! Ku-ro-sa-ki-kun~! Where are you~?!”

“Sssshhh!”

The timid orange head ducked shamelessly as her cheeks tinted red and she flashed a sheepish smile to the nurse and co-worker that had shut her up. She murmured a quick apology, before walking out of the intensive care hall and trotting her way.

You see, Inoue Orihime had been looking for Ichigo for a good half an hour now. She had searched through every nook and cranny area of the godforsaken hospital and she still couldn’t find her orange-haired friend.

It was rather ridiculous too, because for some reason, Ichigo’s location was always known to anyone. His bright, orange hair was a dead giveaway –obviously- his youthful and handsome looks also didn’t do him any favors in walking around unnoticed. And most of all, his god damn charismatic personality.

Now, anyone who would see the orange-haired hybrid in the street would obviously think otherwise –his perpetual scowl being something to fear and avoid like the plague. But anyone who took the time of the day to get to know him, would actually realize what a great person Ichigo really was. His need to protect everyone gave others a sense of relaxation and freedom around the man. The way he could worm himself into everyone’s hearts without their permission, and even make enemies doubt their purpose. Yes indeed, Kurosaki Ichigo was a man to be feared and adored at the same time.

However, Orihime had known Ichigo since she was in high school –and wasn’t that odd in its own right, they were 27 for fucks sake- and she obviously knew Ichigo on a more personal level –even though she kept on calling him Kurosaki-kun no matter how many times Ichigo has told her otherwise- so she knew pretty well that the orange head not only had the hospital to juggle, but his duties of the afterlife and many other things even she was left out on. Even then, it was strange she couldn’t find her friend. Ichigo is usually easy to find, but now she’s having to rely on her last resort. Yell.

“Kurosaki-kun! Ku-ro-sa-ki-kun! Where are you?!”

This time, no nurse was around to shush her, so Orihime continued her persecution. She had been given the task to find Ichigo, and she’d be damned if she didn’t find him. It was important after all.

“Kurosaki-kun! If you can hear me, say something?! Mo~ where are you, Kurosaki-kun?”

“Right here.”

Orihime nearly jumped a foot in the air as a smooth and even tone spoke up from behind her. She clenched her jaw and turned around fast enough to get a whiplash before her big gray eyes settled on the figure of her target.

“Kurosaki-kun! Don’t scare me like that!”

Ichigo looked taken aback as he blinked curiously at his friend with some sort of surprise. He took one of his hands out of the pockets of his white doctor’s coat before scratching sheepishly the back of his head.

“Sorry?” He intoned unapologetic while raising an eyebrow “I didn’t mean to startle you. You did tell me to say something if I could hear you.”

Orihime flushed slightly, but held her ground nothing the less “I-I guess you’re right. But still, no sneaking up on me. Alright?”

Ichigo nodded as he stared her square in the eye. He honestly hadn’t meant to scare her. It’s just that they would both get yelled at later if she kept on making so much noise in a hospital.