More than A battle

Chapter 1

Ichigo fell limp sinking into his pillows. His shallow breathing more from exhaustion than pain.
'Its finally over..' He thought. The only sound in his now empty head. The hollow and the Soul reaper now long silenced within him. He laid motionless in his darkening room, remembering the battle he fought with all his might. The world was not beating his back into ruble, his wounds healing faster than he could have imagined. He lost no friends, a few comrades yet his group were all healing from the cuts slashed into them physically and mentally.
He almost drifted off to sleep when their was a light brisk knock at his closed door. "Ichi-nii.." Karin said speaking softly for once. Ichigo didn't answer, already knowing her request.
"Tell Yuzu Im not hungry Karin.. I'll eat la-.." He was cut off from his door swinging open, Karin stomping in with her usual rowdyness. "Ichigo you haven't Eaten since you got home. You haven't left you'r room for more than five minutes. Yuzu and Dad are so worried it's driving me insane." He stared at her, his eyes hardening in strange emotionless ways. She looked back into his eyes, almost gasping at the emptiness. He stood from his bed, ignoring the protesting aches that screamed from inside him. Ignored her mumbled apologies. Walked directly down the stairs ignoring his dad and yuzu. Slipping his shoes on and all but taking the door off the hinge with his loud slam, leaving his family silent behind him. He thought angrily as he walked, 'I just want a moment to rest. To adjust. I want a moment to think. To see that noone is coming to kill us again for at least a few hours...' His thoughts softened as he hit his true problem.. 'Im alone..' Not a single word from his hollow or 'zangetsu' since he cut down Yhwach.
He hadn't looked at his phone to see if his friends had messaged him. He stoped walking, slipping his phone out his pocket, powering it on.
He saw a message from Rukia, Renji Chad and Uryuu.. The usual of course.
"Good battle...we did it.. Nice to be alive." One name in his messages stood out from the others. "I hope your healing well Kurosaki-kun. If you need anything just call." Orihime's small text made his feet start to tap the concrete as he picked up his speed. Making it to her door in a matter of minutes. He stared at the wood wondering what even brought him here. He wasn't about to spill his guts to her, he wouldn't burden her pure heart with the hate he had inside. He just remembered her sweat streaked face, holding shield after shield the size of houses in front of him. Her promise to protect him. Her stance in the front lines. The fear that crossed her face when he turned into the hollow again, how she softened when he promised he was in control. He was so enveloped in his thoughts, sensing her warm reitsu through the door. His must have flared, he heard her moving to to the door herself. He quickly knocked before she turned the handle. "Hello Kurosaki-kun" he saw her silk skin flush Scarlett. He blushed a little himself. "Hey Inoue."
She invited him in, letting him slide past her as she Shut the door behind him. Silent still as they sat down at her smal table. "So how are you." Orihime asked staring at his face until he looked up. She quickly averted her eyes. "I've been myself." He answered simply. She nodded understanding how he was, yet couldn't help her thought's. 'Only if I were Kuchiki-San, Kurosaki-Kun would open up to me.'
Her heart faltered at the jealousy creeping back into her head. She almost hit it a little. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at her fist raised to her head.
Orihime laughed nervously, "little blue men making me all wonky." He chuckled low as she still nervously laughed. 'That brain of hers is wild.' A dark laugh from within is head made hs eyes widen as his hand reflexively gripped into a fist. Orihime watched his eyes unfocus from the tabel.
*Ichigo, you naive boy.* his hollow grinned. Ichigo didn't know if he should be relieved or worried. *No need to be scared now, just don't be an idiot.* He was confused now but the dark chuckle faded with the last words from his hollow *I'll tell you later.* The eternal conversation was over as Ichigo heard Orihime saying his name "Kurosaki-Kun.." She called louder than usual. His head snapped up to her face. "Ah sorry about that Inoue." She was gonna ask the issue, yet he spoke before she could. "Im also sorry for the random visit." He looked away from her again rubbing the back of his neck. She smiled "There's no need, I enjoy the company." He blushed and she almost died realising what she said. "Let me make us some tea." She stood quickly happy for the distraction. Ichigo watched her turn the corner and placed his hand over his hammering heart. 'I really wonder what this is.' He thought again silently.
The chuckle within too quiet for him to catch as Orihime returned with the tea. She placed his cup in front of him,the warm steam wafting to his face. It was a homey scent. He liked it
"How have you been Inoue?". Orihime swallowed her portion of tea in her mouth then spoke, "Ive been fine Kurosaki-Kun, Just adjusting. Feels like the need to be on guard is necessary, but maybe I Just worry alot." She was quiet then as Ichigo's eyes widened at how similar they thought. They sat in silence as they finished their tea, the lack of conversation not being uncomfortable as it used to be.
It started getting later as they sat there for a moment. The moon lighting up the sky through her window. "I think I should get going Inoue." He started to rise stiffly from his place on the floor. She stood too, walking him to the door. As he turned to say goodbye Orihime quietly mumbled, "If you ever need to talk Kurosaki-Kun Im here.." He smiled at her,"I will thank you Inoue, see you Tomorrow." She shut the door as his words sank in, returning the tea cups to the kitchen. 'He'll see me Tomorrow?!!'.she smiled bright and happy.

Ichigo kicked at the pebbles on the curb as he rounded the corner to his house, recalling he'd visit her tomorrow. He smiled a little at the thought. As he opened the house door,
His father,Isshin sat at the table waiting. "Welcome home son, sit down for a minute. " Ichigo's small smile was still on his face,the mood too high to die that quickly. Once Isshin saw he was settled he started to speak, "I'd appreciate it if Your not rude to your sisters Ichigo, they just care about you." Guilt washed over him as he nodded. Isshin still saw the corners of his sons mouth tugging upward. He eternally smiled in relief.
"So how about joining us for a walk tomorrow after dinner?" Ichigo then looked up abruptly at his father. Rising from his seat to avoid any embarrassment to come. "Can't Dad.." He inched up the first step. "I'll be at Inoue's." He finished walking up them and entered his room hearing his fathers sequels from below.

Karin and Yuzu ducked their heads back into their room, large grins from Ear to Ear.

Authors note: Thankyou so much for reading chapter 1. This story will be a longer one and i will post as fluently as possible. Please leave a heart and a comment if you have any questions-HM.