A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. I hope you like this chapter.
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The brown haired man walked to her room, leaning on the doorway. "Um. Orihime, aren't you going to pack up your things? School will start soon." Sora asked his younger sister with concern.
"Well, I won't be going back this semester. I mean… I won't be going back at all." The young lady twiddled her fingers nervously.
"What do you mean, Hime?"
"I kind of dropped out, brother. I don't know what I want to do in the future. I don't think school is for me. Or at least not yet, anyway. Sorry if I disappointed you." Orihime held her head down in shame. The silence made her feel even worse.
"You should've told me sooner. You have nothing to be ashamed about. You're old enough to make you own decisions. I can't treat you like a child forever."
Ring . . . Ring
"I wonder who's here?" The older Inoue opened the door. He was greeted by Tatsuki, Orihime's best friend.
"Hey, Tatsuki-Chan." The gentle red head rushed over and gave her a bear hug.
"Geez, Orihime you don't have to suffocate me. It's been two months not two years."
"I'm sorry. When did you decide to visit?" Inoue asked.
"A few weeks back. I wanted to surprise you."
"Where are you going to stay?"
"I'm staying at a hotel near by?"
"Oh?"
"Don't be disappointed."
"Sora, can she stay here?"
"I'm sorry Orihime. I wish we could. But, we already have other guests here. I doubt there's any room left." It was really hard for him to tell her no. But, there was a limit.
"But, she can sleep in my room." The lady pleaded desperately.
"She probably spent a lot of money for the hotel and plane ride. What if the hotel won't give her any refunds for changing her mind at the last minute."
"I didn't think of that."
"Don't feel bad. You were just happy to see your old friend." Ichigo walked in the living room to see what was going on.
"This is Kurosaki Ichigo. He's one of my old friends from high school." The brunette replied.
"Hi, I'm Arisawa Tatsuki."
Orihime wanted to say something but, something stopped her.
"Nice to meet you." He shook her hand.
"You're pretty tall. Did you every play sports in high school?" The tomboy questioned.
"Football sophomore year."
"Cool. I practice Judo. Do you have a girlfriend?" She asked curiously.
Everybody's mouth fell to the floor.
"Tatsuki-Chan." Orihime chastised.
She was hoping to get a reaction out of her best friend. Once she saw her expression, she gave her a knowing smile.
"As a matter of fact I do." Ichigo answered.
The brunette wrapped one arm around the shoulder heading outside in the backyard and closed the glass sliding doors.
"You like him don't you? I can see it in your face. You're jealous. You want to be his girlfriend." She was grinning from ear to ear.
"Wh-What do you mean?" Her eyes shifted away with her cheeks tinted red.
"Hime you don't have to be secretive to me. He's quite the catch. A manly man if you catch my drift." Tatsuki took pleasure in teasing her innocent friend. "Since he has a girlfriend, I'll have to set you up with a guy. It is your birthday, Orihime. If you don't get laid soon I won't forgive myself." She's always been brutally honest.
"Can we please talk about something else." I can't let her know that we're dating just yet. My brother's inside for crying out loud.
"You're not a kid anymore. You can't avoid it for ever. So, what do you have planned for today? Birthday girl."
"I'm not exactly sure."
"We'll think of something. Trust me." An evil genius look on her face. "I'm pretty sure she doesn't know about the party. She can be so dense sometimes."
"She's quite the interrogator isn't she?" Sora asked Ichigo.
"Are you spying on them?"
"I'm curious. After she asked you a personal question, I became suspicious."
"Is she always so nosey?"
"Yes. She's gotten better at it over the years. She's quite persuasive as well. What a dangerous combination. I think my sweet little Hime has a crush on you. She blushed when Tatsuki asked her about you."
"Are you sure?" Ichigo blushed lightly at his comment. He hoped he didn't look at him now. And, thankfully he didn't.
"She doesn't know about the party we have planned her birthday today. Her other friends will come here later on. Then they'll have a small get together at Tatsuki's Hotel room later on. I'll admit that I was skeptical at first. But, she's already 19 years old. And, her best friend will make sure things won't get out of hand."
Sora didn't know what Arisawa said to make Orihime leave with her so easily but, he was grateful.
"I'm going to pick up the cake."
"Sure."
"Can you bring out some of the decorations, it's in the hallway closet. I'll help you with the rest of thee decoration when I get back." He rushed out the house. "I hope everything goes well."
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The decorations were very simple a few colorful balloons with ribbons and a birthday banner. The music was set at a moderate volume and the cake looked like a sparkling jeweled crown on top of a pink satin pillow.
"Exactly how much was this cake? It almost look like the real thing?" The orange haired man asked.
"You really don't want to know."
Ring . . . Ring
"Hello, Inoue-San." Keigo greeted. Mizuiro and Chizuru walked in after him with gifts in hand.
"Hello, to you all."
"Where's Orihime-Chan?" The red haired girl asked.
"She'll be here in a few."
"What the hell? There's barely anybody here. I brought a few of my friends." Renji walked in with a crowd of people.
"You forgot about me you idiot."
"Rukia, calm down, I didn't forget about you."
"I remember you. Kuchiki-San." Sora shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you again. What do you have to eat? It smells good in here." She said bluntly.
"There's chips, soda, punch, water, candy and barbeque ribs, chicken, hot dogs and macaroni and salad."
"How the hell did you manage to get all that?" Renji was honestly curious.
"It was catered."
"Who gives a shit about that I'm hungry." The raven haired lady made a beeline for the kitchen.
Orihime and Tatsuki walked in. She didn't suspect that her brother would throw a birthday party for her. "Thanks a lot brother. Tatsuki-Chan you knew about this?"
"Yes." She smiled brightly.
All of Orihime's friends greeted her. "Happy Birthday!"
"I've missed you so much my Hime." Chizuru wrapped her arms around and squeezed her a bit too tightly. It was getting hard for her to breathe.
"Dammit, Chizuru you're going to suffocate her. Tatsuki punched her on top of her head.
"Congratulations." Mizuiro called out.
"Do you remember Keigo?" Arisawa had a mischievous smile on her face. As if she was playing matchmaker.
"Yes. I'm glad all of you were able to come to my party."
"We would've came anyway. Inoue-Chan, what have you been up to?"
"Not much Asano-Kun."
Tatsuki shooed all her friends away so Keigo and Orihime can talk amongst themselves. Sora watched the whole thing. He was slightly amused but, also a little irritated. "What are you doing?"
"I'm setting Hime up. She hasn't had a boyfriend before and Keigo seems to be really fond of Orihime.
"They look so adorable." Rukia added while holding a drink in her hand and food in the other.
Ichigo glared at the poor guy. He wished he could do something about it. Then again he couldn't let anyone know about their relationship. Or at least not yet.
"You're jealous?" Renji teased sitting at the table with Rukia as well.
"Why would you say that?" Kurosaki stated with much sarcasm.
"Lighten up he's a good kid. You have nothing to worry about."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" The brunette announced.
"Nothing important."
"And, that's what I call surf and turf." Asano half yelled.
"That was a great story, Asano-San." She laughed.
They began walking to the kitchen. "I'll get the food and drink for you Princess. It's your birthday after all."
"You don't have to. Oh, hi Renji-Kun and Kuchiki-San. Where's Ishida and Sado-Kun?"
"They're by the door putting their coats up."
Orihime waved at them and they waved back in response.
She sighed in defeat. He didn't say anything else. The innocent girl was about to sit next to her secret boyfriend when Asano came back and at there instead. "I told you I'll get it for you."
"Thanks."
He gave her a warm smile.
"Aww." Tatsuki teased again.
Ichigo had a permanent scowl on his face.
"This is good." Inoue exclaimed with admiration.
"How do you like the party so far?" The strawberry blonde directed his question to his girlfriend.
"It's great."
"Glad you're enjoying yourself." Sora ruffled his sister's hair, standing beside her.
Many people were dancing when Sora made a announcement. "It's time to sing happy birthday to the birthday girl."
He turned the volume down on the stereo. Everyone gathered around the cake to sing happy birthday. She focused all her attention on the cake as if it were the most interesting thing in the world. "The cake is so pretty."
"Make a wish."
"Here, Hime. This is for you." He handed her a small box and a envelope with a card. She opened the box and saw a golden charm bracelet. Once she read the card tears fell from her eyes. "I really appreciate this." She gave her big brother a hug.
"There's more."
She examined the envelope and found a $1,000 check. "I can't-"
"You're too modest, keep it."
Most if not all her friends gave her gifts. Tatsuki gave her a pair of pearl earrings, Mizuiro gave her a gift certificate at a spa, Renji and Rukia gave her an angel figurine. She received a custom made teddy bear from Asano with a heart beat with a birth certificate. Her name was on it. She also received more money from Chad and Uryu. But, when Orihime opened up her present from Chizuru everybody gasped. It was a red lace thong. She blushed profusely out of embarrassment.
"I'm going to die before the night is over." The gray eyed man added, massaging his temples from stress. Arisawa punched Chizuru once again across her face.
"I would give anything to see Inoue-Chan wear that." Keigo said without thinking. He received several evil glares from Sora, Ichigo, Renji and even Tatsuki. Mizuiro continued texting one of his girlfriends, unfazed by the events at the party.
"Stop talking, now." Rukia warned. He laughed nervously and walked away.
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The gang hung out at Tatsuki's room. Chizuru, Orihime, Mizuiro, Keigo even Renji and Rukia went. Easy listening music played in the background. Arisawa made a few margaritas.
"Hey, anybody wants to play spin the bottle?"
"Tch, you only want to play so you can kiss Hime." The brown eyed lady answered to the girl wearing glasses.
"It was worth a try."
"Are you sure you're college students? You guys don't know how to party." Disappointment evident in her tone.
"Rukia's right, you guys are wet blankets." Abarai stated.
"We can play truth or dare."
"That sounds great Tatsuki-Chan." Inoue answered. Orihime took another sip of her margarita. Everybody seem to be on their second drink already.
"Strip poker." The red head suggested. All the guys agreed. Arisawa and Kuchiki looked at the men suspiciously.
"That's so cliché what about strip black jack." Renji made a slightly different suggestion.
"I've never heard of that."
"You have a lot to learn Mr. Asano." His best friend teased.
"Okay I'll go get the cards."
45 minutes later . . .
"Ha ha. . . 21 again. I'm on a roll. Take it off." The brown eyed lady cheered in victory. Renji took off his second shirt. Every male the room was now shirtless.
"This is no fun. Why can't any of you take your clothes off." Chizuru complained.
Little did she know her winning streak was over.
"Hit me."
"Hit me"
"Damn."
"In your face. You bust. Take. It. Off."
"FINALLY!" All the men said.
"I have nothing to hide." Tatsuki wasn't ashamed to so off her body. "Orihime, your turn."
"Your boobs are big than I thought. You're at least a C- cup."
"You want to die today, Keigo." She threatened.
"Hit me."
Everyone watched quietly.
. . . Sorry girl, rules are rules
"You know Orihime, you don't have to take your shirt off if you feel uncomfortable." The red haired guy mentioned. He was genuinely concerned.
"Shut the hell up Renji. You don't need to baby her. She's already nineteen years old. It's her decision to make." Rukia felt the need to defend Orihime."
She slowly pulled her shirt over her head. The young lady was still a bit shy.
"You have nothing to be ashamed about."
The other guys and Chizuru claimed victory once again.
"Nice bra."
"Who the hell is at the door?"
"Kurosaki?"
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A/N: Thanks to Getsuga TENSHOU 15, CharNinja LOL and Ermilus for you reviews from the last chapter. I'd also like to thank everyone who faved, followed and read this story and add me to the author alert. I really appreciate it.
Getsuga TENSHOU 15: Yeah, she's old enough to make her own choices. I'm glad that it has some accuracy about mental hospitals.
CharNinja LOL: I know.
Ermilus: I'm glad you like it.