Birthday Bash (open)

[Shoshi Ana]

<sub>Normally Ana would be spending the day with her family today, somehow her uncle always managed to get them out of school on their birthday's, this year Ana had no need for that but he had managed to get her siblings out of classes for the day as their school year seemed to be running later this year or maybe she was still so exhausted from the exams and such she'd had not so long ago that she had forgotten when her siblings got off school. She'd gotten up and had breakfast with her family before spending the first half of the day with them, after lunch though she said she was going to see their parents, in other words she was going to the cemetery... it was not a complete lie she would go at some point. Just not yet.


Not long ago she had caught a train to the outskirts of the city and jumped off. She was going to go rock climbing today... so the plan was. Do some hiking and look over the city during sunset and then head to the night markets, they were on tonight and she had every intention of going and buying herself a necklace or something with some of the money she had been given.


Looking around she smiled and took in a whiff of the fresh air letting the summer sun soak into her skin before she nodded her head. She'd tried calling Orihime and that to see if they wanted to come to the markets tonight but she'd not gotten through to anyone so had left messages instead. It's not like she blurted out that today was her birthday she was not one for celebrating and she was too busy working with the gang and Isshin to arrange Ichigo's surprise party than worry about what she was going to do on her birthday... she only celebrated it to make her siblings happy, frankly Ana hated her birthday, it was always interrupted by Hollows or something else. Maybe today might actually be different.


Hearing her phone ring as she started down the path she dug for it in her bag before pulling it out and answered it "Hello... hello... oh wait your breaking up... hello... hello..."</sub>

[/color] she said holding her phone up moving it around realising she'd lost signal and sighed ending the call "Stupid phone" she mumbled and put it back in her bag, ah well she was sure it was nothing important, if it was then they'd try again and realise her phone was not working then if it was even more important they'd come find her.[/sub]

T H E _ O U T F I T

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[Inoue Orihime]

It had been such a peaceful lazy day for Orihime she had filled it with household chores mostly, living alone had its ups and downs but her own living space was her little acomplisment. Her current conern was that of bills her part time job was what paid them and she was always organised and ontop of them but saving the world from ugly hollows was her duty for this town too even if Ichigo could manage by himself these days.

Adjusting some cushions on her sofa she sighed wondering if she had been talking to herself for some few minuties discussing on where her new cushions should go. She shook her head and smiled stifling a laugh at her silliness. She suddenly jumped to the sound of her kettle clicking it seemed so loud in this lonely apartment. Cluctching her chest in surprise she sighed with relief she was so on edge.

She walked into her small kitchen where she poured herself a drink before setting herself down on her sofa as she let her grey eyes wonder towards a particular photo on her side table. A smiled tugged on her rosy lips as she remembered the day the photo was taken with her friends, they were all there smiling, well with one exceptional friends. She hadn't seen her friends for a few days mainly because at school they hadn't been there she guessed they had simply been off on some secret mission.

It was time to catch up with a few of them, with that thought she reached for her phone and Ana's name was at the top of her contacts seeing as it was all alphabetical. She smiled once more before ringing her up. She had got through but alas the reception was not good. ''Hold on....ill come find you'' she spoke but she didn't think she had heard it as Ana's voice was gone.

She stood leaving her drink and set out with nice summery dress on, it was the only time to wear something as such. She locked her front door and walked off down her street in search of Ana. She was heading to her house, looking out if she could see her along the way. She stopped looking up at the blue sky her hand shielding her eyes from the brightness.

She looked back down only to see someone she didn't think she would find just yet, her red hair was enough to distinguish her. ''Ana!'' she called waving a hand towards her.

[Shoshi Ana]

<sub>Ana could not hear the person on the other end fully. For a moment she thought it was a girl, well that left a few possibilities, she knew several girls. The one that sprang to mind was Rangiku but she wasn't sure it was Rangiku... normally the girl sought her out personally rather than tried to get her on her phone. At least that was what Ana had observed so far. As her phone cut out she grumbled under her breath and continued to walk.


It was too nice of a day not to go for a walk though, she was going to make the most of it, if she staid away from the town and focussed on the hill side then Hollow activity should be less... or so she thought. Let's face it who in their right mind wanted to fight Hollows on their birthday of all days!


As she came towards the small forest near the path she stopped hearing her name being called out and paused for a moment. Maybe she was hearing things... no her phone had rung so maybe it was the person who had tried to call her, then as she thought about it that voice was oh so familiar. Looking around she stopped a familiar figure waving at her. She squinted and waved back "Hey!" she called out and smiled a little, she didn't think she'd see Orihime until tonight.


Wait! Was Orihime the one who had tried to call her, was everything ok then? Oh no what if something had happened. She waited for Orihime to get closer to her before Ana walked forwards a little, she didn't want to start at the start of the trail all over again. "Is everything ok Orihime?" she asked concerned a little. She was glad it wasn't Ichigo or Chad or one of the guys because they would have probably have wanted her to help them with Hollows unless it was Keigo but why would Keigo be looking for her and how the hell would he have gotten her phone number let alone figured out where she lived unless he followed her home from school one day... then again wouldn't surprise her with Keigo. Nope Orihime was far better company at the moment then the guys but who knew what today would bring.


"Ah... I'm going for a hike? Did... did you want to come?" She enquired or did Orihime have other plans and did she want Ana to help her with those plans, normally Ana wouldn't have a problem with it but today... well she wanted to be selfish today to say the least.</sub>

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[Inoue Orihime]

Orihime lowered her hand and smiled seeing Ana had spotted her, she remembered that last time she saw Ana when they paid a visit to the beach making the most of the July weather. Things had been calm well relitivly calm for Karakura, the odd hollow but nothing out of the ordinary but that was because Ichigo didn't really tell her the details of the serious stuff. probably because he didn't want to be exposed to such things but she had a new found determination and had trained hard.

She walked some steps towards Ana as she greeted her but her smile had disappeared when asked if everything was ok. ''Of course, im great!'' she began tilting her head to one side slightly. ''Oh, you must think I rang you in an emergency, no no nothing like that...I was just at home, by myself and I thought of you so I thought i'd call you'' she said.

She blinked a couple of times as Ana suggested she joined her for a hike ''Wow, really....i'd love to....ive never done that before'' she said. She had been at home most days but she had an interesting call reguarding her mother who she assumed was no longer alive she had no clue where she was or if she still lived. It had disturbed her and rocked up some feelings from the past but she was unsureon what to do next.

''Lets go then Ana,....umm do I need anything before we go?'' she inquired. But she did wonder why Ana was out here by herself.

[Shoshi Ana]

<sub>Ana observed Orihime for a moment, the very fact that common smile faded on Orihime's face rang alarm bells in Ana's head straight away. She nodded her head a little and gave a small smile. "Naw you were thinking about me... well I mean I don't swing that way and all but..." Ana said smirking a little as she laughed slightly. Good lord she'd been spending too much time around Rangiku! However it was all made clear that Orihime had indeed been the one to try and call her.


Of course Ana thought about it and maybe she could get Orihime to spill the beans in a walk plus company couldn't be that bad, time always seemed to fly by when you were having fun and it seemed like forever since Ana had spent some girl time with Orihime. "You've never done hiking!"</sub>

[/color] Ana said eyes wide, was Orihime serious, it was so much fun and a great work out, screw the training in a room it was more fun to get out and about in the wild. "Oh well you are in for a treat then... this will be a blast" she said smiling and nodded her head.


"We're going up to the mountain, it's the best spot to watch the sunset... then we can go to the markets if you still want to" she added and turned around walking back along the path. She paused in through for a moment and then glanced to Orihime "So... I hope lying isn't going to become a habit of yours"[/color] Ana said raising an eyebrow to Orihime "But you don't have to tell me what's going on if you don't want to"[/color] she added not wanting to push Orihime to tell her anything, if Orihime didn't want to tell Ana what was going on that was ok but she was there for her friend.
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[Inoue Orihime]

Orihime smiled towards her friend but she quickly looked dumbfounded when Ana spoke of not swinging a certain way. It took her a little while to catch on but she looked surprised ''Ah...ummm...no...neither do i'' she laughed she was far too daydreamy about guys to be that way well she knew Matsumoto would come out with something like that in fact she remembered letting her take a bath in her house once only for her to come out in her birthday suit while she hugged her it was Matsumoto's way of cheering her up when she was down. was a strange experience but she had given her some good advice none the less.

She looked down to her feet as Ana couldn't believe she had never been hiking before yeah was kinda bad she'd not done that seeing as she loved activities. ''Yeah, I mean i'd always like to explore....im quite curious about the outside world like that'' she chuckled. She always walked with Tatsuki but the two would end up finding something else that distracted them or they'd go to karate classes together.

She nodded and walked forward some steps beginning their little hike and the idea of watching the sun setting was even better. ''The markets, sure...I love raiding through all what they have picking up somethings....besides I still need to get Kurosaki-Kun a birthday gift....come to mention it im not good with buying gifts'' she sighed. Orihimw however stopped and blinked a few times as Ana spoke of lying being her new habit ''M-me?'' she began as she pointed to herself. ''Im lying?'' she added. She began to think what she could be keeping from her. ''Hmmm....well I didn't tell you that im planning to buy myself a small pet....I was thinking a little kitten...so cute'' she smiled almost squealing in delight.

She then frowned ''Oh yeah...but I did get a strange phone call today....about my mother'' she suddenly said as she started to go through things she hadn't spoke of.

[Shoshi Ana]

<sub>A laugh escaped Ana's lips at Orihime's expression and then her words, she found it a little amusing really, she was only messing around and all. She really had to stop spending so much time around Rangiku though.


Ana could agree with that statement, Ichigo was no easy person to find something for. Ana had managed to get him something though, she hoped he liked it... if not then too bad really. "Oh I know... I went shopping with Keigo for assistance. I now know the hottie rating for nearly every female staff member we came across"</sub>

[/color] she added with a sigh and shook her head "But you'll find something for Ichigo... the markets always have lots of stuff to pick from" she added giving Orihime a thumbs up.


Ana frowned a little more at Orihime, she thought her friends might confine in her more than they did but they never did, it often made her wonder how much they really did trust her or if she was simply there as a means of extra strength in a battle or sticky situation. Let's face it unless something was wrong she normally never spent time with her friends, not Orihime, Chad, Uryu or Ichigo at least. It made her sigh a little at the thought, was rather depressing when she put her mind to it. Ana could not force them though, she didn't like it but there was nothing she could do about it.


Was that really what Orihime had been hiding though, you'd think that would keep a smile on someone's face not hide it. Kittens were cute, cuddly and playful, they were adorable really, could Orihime afford it and who would look after it if Orihime had to vanish to Soul Society or something... or maybe this was Orihime's way of saying she was 'getting out of the game' perhaps. Ana was a bit concerned but a kitten could be really good for Orihime, she lived alone and a pet was a great way to keep company. "Oh really, that's exciting! Kittens are great and love affection and playing, you'll never be bored at home"[/color] she added, downside to a cat though they brought home dead birds and lizards.


Glancing to Orihime, maybe that was it. Her mother? Ana knew nothing about Orihime's parents, she knew the girl had grown up alone after her brother's death but that was about it, she figured she'd never ask, Orihime would tell her if she ever wanted to and if not then that was ok. It's not like Ana spoke about her parents either, come to think of it they all had something terrible happen in their past, Ichigo's had lost his mother, Uryu... well she assumed it had to do with his mother she'd never met the woman, Chad she was certain it was hid parents but she knew not what the issue was, Orihime had been raised by her brother and Ana had lost her parents who had died, Keigo though... well she had no idea about Keigo.


"That's... bad?"[/color] Ana asked uncertain on what to say. Was it a good thing Orihime had received a call from her mother or a bad thing? Of course if anyone tried anything funny or hurt her friend Ana would throw them threw a wall, no matter their connection to Orihime. Mind you Ana would do that for any of her friends.

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[Inoue Orihime]

Orihime instantly smiled after hearing how Keigo had informed her about the hot women she tried to hide a laugh. She knew Keigo to be a red blooded male in his prime, well he still had years yet still in his prime how would the world be ready for Keigo. ''Yeah he's very vocal about who he likes, right'' she smirked. A lot of boys from school were like that she gathered they would grow out of it sooner or later.

''I hope I can....I want to at least give him something that wont make me seem desperate....I know he's a fan of William Shakesphere books but I bet he's already got all of them....ive lent him books in the past...hmmm what were they'' she began to question herself. Of course he had returned every one as soon as he'd read them. She nodded a little reassured they were going to the markerts where she could really search for something.

She had thought of a new pet as being company but she hadn't really thought all of it through. Had she have to deal with a hollow it could be left alone she knew she had little offensive skills and her defensive skills we high so she would always e there for the town and her friends'' Maybe I should wait...'' she began a long thoughtful look on her face.

Orihime failed to talk about her once family unit, it consisted of her Mother, Father herself and her older brother 2 of which had passed away. Her mother was unheard of she couldn't remember much about her but one thing stuck in her mind about who she was and it wasn't pleasant. ''I don't know if its bad or not....I was young but Sora told me Mum was involved in prostitution....and my Father an alcoholic....'' she began she almost sounded shameful but she couldn't hide it or make it sound prettier than it was, it was bad, really bad. ''My brother said they would beat us...I remember bits...not all of it...but he took me away and raised me I owe him a lot.....but he's in a good place now'' she smiled to herself.

''I didn't think my mother was alive, but a town a few miles from here called, a hospital wanting to contact any of her family I guess...'' she said.

[Shoshi Ana]

_{It was an agreeable subject, Keigo was very vocal about women and what he liked really. Though Ana's eyes suddenly widened when Orihime said Ichigo might have all the books. What if Ichigo did have them all... but she'd already bought him one! "No! He can't!"}

[/color] she blurted out utterly stunned. If Ichigo had them all then she was screwed, she had her backup plan a necklace she'd made with a pendant on it, not that she expected Ichigo to wear it but she'd made one for all her friends for their 18th, she'd put Orihime's on a bracelet but wouldn't give it to her until her 18th it was a tradition on her father's side, so she'd been told but when Keigo had told her Ichigo had a thing for English literature she knew exactly what to get him because you couldn't study English literature without reading about William Shakespeare! She'd gotten him the university level of Hamlet in English just to make him appreciate it more. One page had the play and the other had descriptions on the languages use, it also had heaps of information about the play. If he already had it though she was screwed!


Her attention went back to Orihime letting her worry about Ichigo's present fall to her friend wanting a pet. A kitten would be great, if Ana was not off all the time helping people and fighting Hollow she'd get herself a pet snake but well her present lifestyle would not permit such a thing. If Orihime didn't get herself a kitten by her birthday maybe Ana could convince the others to chip in and they all get her one for her birthday instead. Oh yea! She liked that idea, making a mental note to herself not to forget it. She smiled a little to Orihime "I'm sure when you are ready you'll get one" she added.


Of course hearing Orihime had been contacted in regards to her mother was something Ana knew little on and sadly could not offer much advice on. Even after Orihime told her a little bit about her parents she frowned even more so, some people were just so cruel... it actually explained a lot about Orihime's personality when she thought about it. Ana made sure to give her friend a small warm smile though. She'd never met Orihime's brother but she'd heard he was a nice man.


"Well..."[/color] Ana said tapping her own chin "I could be completely wrong and no doubt I am but maybe she is wanting a second chance for whatever reason" Ana said not wanting to say in the event the woman died or anything harsh. She glanced to Orihime "Did they say much else? Do you... you know, think you'll go check it out?" she enquired. Maybe Orihime would want some back-up, the support and escape if need be. Ana would go with her no problem, she had a drivers licence too she could drive them there and then back. But it was all up to Orihime, maybe someone was playing a nasty prank on her though who knows why.
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[Inoue Orihime]

Orihime frowned slightly then smiled when she relised that Ana may of brought Ichigo a book relating to English literature. ''I've been in his room once and from what I could see he has about 5 Shakesphere books'' she said so maybe Ana would be ok ''Haha imagine the look on his face when he sees you know he's into Shakespeare he'll wonder how you found out'' she laughed. She knew he didn't really tell people about his interests so she could imagine he'd be left dumbfounded that Ana had got him such a good gift.

She smiled happily at the thought of a pet one day, she could picture it fitting right into her home and she'd sure take care of it and liked the responsibility. She hadn't ever had the chance to have a pet her childhood was a rough ride and moved places quickly she would never of been able to. But at least her Brother salvage some of her childhood up till she was 15 at least.

Orihime quickly looked down before she could see any reaction from Ana, she hadn't really told anyone but Ishida knew that her parents abandoned her he caught on from Ichigo knowing about it too, mainly because he heard it all from her Brother when he was a hollow. She had been treated by her parents like she had done wrong as if she was nothing but trouble it was why she never pestered anyone for something and it had made her frightened of battles frightened of getting hurt so when she obtained her power it wasn't activated until she believed in herself. When her friends protected her relentlessly from danger it felt strange to her but she was getting used to it but now she didn't want to be on the sidelines she wanted to be at the frontline with them.

''What happened to your parents Ana?'' she asked out of curioisity she didnt know anything about Ana's family she didnt know who they were or if she lived with them. She shrugged her shoulders unsure if she should get back in contact with her Mother she knew she couldn't cause harm to her anymore but it would surly be strange and bring back a few things. ''They just wanted me to confirm I am her daughter and if I wish to visit i'd need to come to the hospital between 10am and 4pm'' she said. ''What do you think I should do?'' she asked Ana.