This is a sequel to my story "Head Over Feet." If certain characters seem a little OOC in this story, I would suggest reading my previous story. Honestly, I had no idea for the title for this story, so I just used the title of a Yui song that I like (also one of the Bleach opening songs). Sorry if it's dumb. If anyone can help me think of a better title for this story, it would be appreciated.

As for things that happen in the anime, I know they're not 100% accurate. I tried to put my own little twist on it. So please don't harp on me for inaccuracies unless it's like, a huge major character flaw that couldn't be no matter how you looked at it.

Please note this story is rated M. This first chapter isn't bad at all, but things are gonna get pretty sexy, violent, and dramatic from here on in. :P

Thanks, and don't forget to review!

Pairings: Mostly RenjixHime, probably some one-sided GrimmxHime later on.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its characters.

It had been two months since Ichigo's death. Soul Society had covered up the situation in the real world by creating a fake plane crash in which most of the bodies – including Ichigo's – had never been recovered. Only a select few humans in Karakura town knew the truth, and they were also the ones who knew of the existence of Soul Society. However, Ichigo had been given a proper military funeral in Seireitei, which Orihime was resentful about not having been able to attend.

Life was not easy without Ichigo, especially with the threat of the oncoming winter war, but everyone was coping as best as they could. Urahara had kept himself busy with a rigorous training schedule. Together, he and Yoruichi helped Renji, Rukia, Chad, and Orihime hone their skills and strengthen their abilities. Rangiku and Hitsugaya had set up headquarters in Orihime's living room, and were constantly relaying messages between captain-commander Yamamoto and those stationed in the real world.

It had been two months since Ichigo's death, and it was around this time that Renji had taken up residence at Orihime's apartment. Rangiku was particularly delighted with the move, and especially fond of being able to pick on Renji all of the time.

"Parlez vous François?" She would ask him with a giggle, and it always elicited the same response.

"Wha…?" Renji would respond with a confused frown on his face, and it would never fail to send Rangiku into stitches of laughter. Orihime had witnessed the exchange a few times, and found nothing particularly funny about it.

"I don't think Renji-kun knows French, Rangiku-san." Orihime would say after Renji was out of earshot. She didn't realize that the blonde Shinigami was referring to the time Orihime had confided in her about a boy she liked. To conceal his identity, Orihime had used the cover of an exchange student from France. She never made the connection to Rangiku's jibes, of which Rangiku wasn't really surprised. Her only response to the clueless girl was to smile knowingly and change the subject.

It had been Orihime's idea for Renji to move in. Having started a budding relationship with him had boosted her confidence to a point where even Tatsuki was amazed at the change. Tatsuki, of course, had grilled her best friend about the new boyfriend and the new attitude, and Orihime withheld no information. Well, except for the fact that her love interest was a Shinigami from an alternate reality known as Soul Society.

When Orihime had asked Renji to move in, he had initially declined.

"I don't wanna take advantage of ya like that, Orihime." He rejected politely, scratching thoughtfully at the back of his head.

"You won't be taking advantage, I promise." Orihime reassured, taking Renji's hand in her own. "Besides, you'll still be close to Urahara-san's. I may not be as good a cook as Tessai-kun, but I can try... and I promise I won't ever make you feel like a freeloader." She smiled warmly.

The last bit was the selling point for Renji and he accepted her offer, even though he was none too comfortable with moving in. Truth be told, it wasn't taking up space or being another mouth to feed that worried him. Renji was never a man of discipline and self-control, and he was concerned he would end up taking advantage of Orihime's love and kindness in other ways. More intimate ways.

No. He shook the thought from his mind as they walked back to her place together. I have to be on my best behavior. He squeezed Orihime's hand gently, and she glanced sidelong at him with a smile. Renji sighed inwardly. She was so innocent, so pure, and it made her all the more alluring.

"Hey Renji-kun?"

"Yeah, Orihime."

"I'm glad we're friends."

"Oh?" Renji looked at Orihime, and shifted the backpack with his few belongings on his shoulder. She was gazing ahead with a contented look on her face. "Why's that?"

The answer to that question didn't require much thought. "Because I enjoy your company. I like you a lot, Renji-kun."

Renji half-smiled. "And why's that?" He was still having a hard time wrapping his brain around being liked and having a girl to call his own, especially one as beautiful as Orihime was. The way Renji saw it, she could have any guy she wanted, and was surprised that she'd picked him. He was even more surprised that no one had yet taken advantage of her kindness, generosity, or gorgeous body.

"What do you mean by that, Renji-kun?" Orihime's pace slowed, and the smile faded from her face. Renji came to a stop, and shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

"Why do you like me so much?" He muttered, adjusting the backpack again.

Orihime was floored. "H-how could I not?" She stammered astonishedly. "I mean, you're funny and handsome and strong and you like watching b-movies with me and you fight for what's right even when no one else is and… and… what's there not to like?" He also had a lot of qualities in common with Ichigo, but she would never openly admit that. She was more stunned that Renji would even doubt the idea of someone wanting him. Surely he had plenty of women fawning over him in Soul Society?

A goofy smile spread over Renji's face, and he started walking again. "So you really think I'm handsome?"

"Mmhm!" She replied cheerily, skipping up next to him and slipping her hand back into his free one. As they approached Orihime's flat, she spotted Tatsuki sitting boredly on the steps, waiting.

"Oi, 'Hime-chan!" Tatsuki called, standing up as she noticed her best friend approaching. Then she noticed the tall, painfully attractive man with the red hair walking next to her. "Oh, hello."

"Hi, Tatsuki-chan!" Orihime bounded up to her best friend and they exchanged a hug. "What are you doing here?"

"I was hoping we could go out for some tea or something… my treat. Who's this guy?" She eyed Renji suspiciously as he adjusted his headband. He noticed her scrutinizing gaze, and raised an eyebrow. Tatsuki stepped forward and extended a hand. "I don't believe we've met. Arisawa Tatsuki. I'm Orihime's best friend."

Renji shook Tatsuki's hand, and was surprised at the strength of the tiny girl before him. "Abarai Renji. I'm… ah…" He glanced sidelong at Orihime for assistance, since he didn't know what would be acceptable to say.

"Oh! Tatsuki, he's my boyfriend. The one I was telling you about." Orihime piped up, waving her hands slightly.

"Ya told people 'bout me?" Renji boggled.

"Oh, so this is the guy?" Tatsuki gave him another once-over. "Hey, aren't you Ichigo's cousin? You were in school that one time, I remember you." Her expression flashed a knowing glare as she pointed at him, and she subconsciously moved between her best friend and this new guy.

"Second cousin, actually." Renji replied rather defensively, crossing his arms. "What of it?" Orihime stuck herself between the two before anything could start. She knew neither were the type to back down from a challenge, and she didn't want to ultimately be the reason for that challenge.

"How about we go get some tea, Tatsuki-chan?" She suggested nervously. "Renji-kun, you can come, too."

"Nah, s'alright." Renji had calmed just as quickly as he'd flared up. "I'm just gonna go relax. I trained hard today, ya know."

"Ren-ji!" A voice sang. The three looked up to see Rangiku hanging out of the second story window, waving enthusiastically. Her breasts were practically bursting out of a pink tank top she'd borrowed from Orihime's wardrobe. "Taicho gave me a bunch of errands to run, do you mind helping me with them?" She smiled sweetly.

"Do I have a choice?" He hollered back.

"Thank you Renji! You're such a help!" And with that, Rangiku retreated back into the apartment and shut the window. Renji sighed exasperatedly.

"Looks like I got my work cut out for me tonight." He muttered, and then bent in to place a quick kiss on Orihime's cheek. It was Tatsuki's turn to boggle as Renji bounded up the stairs two at a time and disappeared into the apartment.

"Let's go get some tea." Orihime quickly ushered her friend away from the scene that had just happened.

"Who was that?" Tatsuki asked in bewilderment, pointing at what was supposed to be the second story window, but since they were a considerable distance away, she was pointing to nothing.

"That was, um, my cousin." Orihime mumbled. "My very distant cousin."

That would explain the impressive bra size, Tatsuki thought to herself. "How does she know Ichigo's cousin?"

"Yes."

"'Hime, I asked how she knows him."

"Oh!" Orihime laughed nervously, and racked her brain for an explanation. "Well, I have been dating him for a month. And Rangiku-san has been staying with me since… since… well, for about two months." That was plausible.

"I see." Tatsuki eased up a bit, and linked arms with her friend. "So how'd you meet him?"

"I met him… through… Rukia-san. They're friends."

"Huh. I guess it's a small world after all." Tatsuki mused as they approached the tea shop. "Where did you say he was from again?" She pulled the door open and held it for Orihime.

Orihime panicked inwardly. She couldn't use the France excuse again, because Tatsuki had spoken to Renji face to face, and his dialect was too natural. And though his looks were a little on the extravagant side, he couldn't be mistaken for anything but Japanese. Think Orihime, think. Where would one of Ichigo's cousins be from? "He's from Tokyo." She only hoped Tatsuki wouldn't ask why he was currently living in Karakura. That would be hard to explain.

"Oh? I thought you'd said he was from some other country. Wasn't it somewhere in Europe?" The girls approached the counter, and Tatsuki ordered tea for the both of them.

"No, he's definitely from Tokyo." Orihime insisted, and then turned to the cashier. "Can I have those bubble things in my tea, please?"

"She means the tapioca." Tatsuki clarified as she paid. "I could've sworn you'd said…"

"Tokyo." Orihime interjected firmly. They received their tea and proceeded to a small table along the wall.

"So," Tatsuki lowered her voice as she smiled coyly. "Have you done it yet?"

"Done what?" Orihime queried obliviously, casting an imploring gaze at her friend as she loudly sucked tapioca pearls through her straw.

"You know…" Tatsuki cooed suggestively, taking a sip from her tea. The only response she got was a blank stare. Tatsuki huffed and rolled her eyes; she was going to have to be blunt. "Have you two had sex yet?" Orihime choked on a tapioca pearl, and coughed and sputtered as she struggled to dislodge it from her throat. Other people in the tea shop started to stare and mutter about the minor commotion. Finally, Orihime punched herself in the stomach, and the small, round globule of tapioca flew out and landed on the table with a wet splat.

"Tatsuki-chan!" She hissed hushedly.

"Well, have you?"

Orihime peered around bashfully, watching as other people's attentions turned back to their own conversations. She cleared her throat, which still tasted like tapioca and tea, and calmly responded. "Tatsuki-chan, you know I'm still a virgin."

"So that's a no?"

"Yes. No. I mean, we haven't." Orihime blushed horribly, and paid very close attention to what was left of her tea. There was an awkward pause. "You know, it's getting kind of late. We should head back. You know, school in the morning and all."

"Has he made any moves on you yet?" Tatsuki asked, ignoring Orihime's suggestion.

"Moves?"

"You know, like touchy-feely stuff."

"Well, he hugs me and kisses me all the time."

"Huh." Tatsuki leaned back in her seat. "So either he's gay, or has impeccable self-control." She finished off the last few sips of her tea, and then rose from her seat.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Orihime asked, standing also and following her friend towards the door. Tatsuki laughed.

"Don't worry about it, 'Hime-chan." The two girls exited the tea shop, and headed back in the direction of Orihime's place. "But, lemme tell you about a few things."

Tatsuki spent the entire walk back enlightening Orihime about the different aspects of sex. Orihime listened wide-eyed and silent. This wasn't anything close to what they'd taught them in health class. Orihime had known that Tatsuki had had sex before, but never knew she was so knowledgeable on the subject. By the time they reached Orihime's flat, Orihime's curiosity had been piqued on this new intimate aspect of relationships.

Hitsugaya was sitting at the kitchen table, looking pensive and milling over a stack of paperwork. He raised his gaze briefly to acknowledge Orihime as she let herself in, and then returned to his work. Rangiku was nowhere to be seen or heard.

Orihime retired to her room, to find Renji asleep on the floor near her bed. He was curled in a semi-fetal position with his arm tucked under his head, and a soft snore escaped his slightly parted lips. For a moment, Orihime considered waking him – sleeping on the floor was hardly comfortable – but he looked so peaceful. His bandana was sideways and half off his head, so Orihime gently pulled it off and set it on the nightstand. Renji muttered incoherently and shifted in his sleep. Orihime took the blanket from her bed and draped it over him, kissed him on the cheek, and then climbed into bed and fell asleep.