A Mistaken Past

A/N: To answer a question yes the summary did say Ulq/Ori, as for her relationship with Ishida that will be answered in this chapter. No, I don't plan on having Ichigo/Rukia splitting but after this chapter they really won't show up too much in the story. Also before I get questions thrown at me, from what I've seen in the manga and from watching the anime, it is mentioned that Orihime does have family. Distant relatives are the ones that take care of her rent and help support her. There is also no mention of her parent's death, just that her mother was a loose woman and father was a drunk. I also posted the warning of Death, so please no flames about people dying. Thanks for reading.



Warnings: DEATH, LANGUAGE, ANGST.

Chapter Two




Orihime couldn’t find it in herself to be happy as she stared out of the windshield. Sitting next to her quietly was the girl that she considered her best friend. Every time she looked at Tatsuki she saw what she’d caused. The round abdomen barely fit in a seatbelt and there was a sadness that wouldn’t leave the brunette’s eyes.


“Stop frowning or I’ll push you out of the door.” Tatsuki drummed her fingers along the door. She really had to use the bathroom and they were still miles from a town. “I didn’t ask you to drive me so you could pity me the entire way.”


“Tatsuki-chan, I…..” What could Orihime say to make up for the past? Things were too late now and what was done was done. She hadn’t been thinking of her friend when she’d found comfort with the Quincy. All that had consumed her was the pain of loss and she’d clung to the male in desperation. It was too late to make amends. She’d ruined any chances of the two being together and she’d almost ruined her friendship. Three months ago Ishida had broken things off and she’d been grateful. Three months into the relationship she’d begun to realize that she didn’t love him and it’d be wrong to stay with him. Believing she’d hurt him, she’d tried to work things out. Another month of trying and he’d confronted her about his feelings. He’d told her that he hadn’t meant for things to go that far and at the time he’d been in love with another. She’d tried to cheer him up afterwards, claiming that he could still try to be with the other girl. Her world had shattered hearing that it had been Tatsuki.


“Need to stop moping and pay attention to the road.” The pregnant female groaned as the child landed a solid kick to her ribcage. Just three more weeks and the torture would be over. It would be hard raising a child on her own but she’d manage somehow. The only person that knew who had fathered the child was Orihime and that truth had come out only a few weeks ago.


“Sorry, but we should be halfway there.” Orihime had consented to the drive because she was just glad that her friend was talking to her again. It had been lonely without the other girl by her side. Forgiveness was something she had been lucky to obtain. They were on a trip to visit Tatsuki’s grandparents before the baby was born. She knew the reason they were going was that the old couple had gifts for the child. Being a single mother it would be stupid for Tatsuki not to take whatever help she could get.


“I don’t know I’m sure we passed that same hill half an hour ago.” Or that’s what it felt like with the way her bladder was aching. Why did old people feel the need to live out in the country? The town was only two hours away from their own but it was a long windy drive out into the countryside.


“We should be hitting the turn off soon.” That was what the map had said anyways. Directions weren’t her thing and neither was driving but Tatsuki found it hard to fit comfortably behind the wheel. Which made her ponder on how large the child would be when it was born? Perhaps it only looked big because the mother was such a small person. Then again she could remember that Byakuya Kuchiki had been a tall and large person. The combination of the two must be why the child was of a good size.


“Good because I think I’m about to pee my pants. Do we have a cup or something I could use? If not I might need you to pull over.” Tatsuki hadn’t seen another vehicle for over fifteen minutes. A quick tinkle on the side of the road and she’d feel so much better. “You still got that pack of tissues in your overnight bag?”


“I think I have some on the outside pocket. Let me find a good spot to pull over.” Orihime laughed as the other girl groaned while moving to lean over the front seat. It must be hard to move around with all that bulk in the front. “Not that pocket, it’s the little zipper one.”


“Which one, there has to be twenty on this damn bag?” Tatsuki felt a need to start swearing as she undid another pocket to find it empty but for a few candy wrappers. There was no way she was pissing without having something to wipe with. During the third month of her pregnancy she’d come down with a urinary tract infection. There was no chance in hell she was letting that happen again! Leaning over with her gut rubbing against the back of the seat was pushing down on her bladder.


“No, it’s this one.” Taking her eyes off of the road she turned enough to outstretch her arm and point towards the pouch where the tissue should be located.


“Alright, but it better be in there. There is no way I can wait until the next gas station.” Tatsuki unzipped the pocket and reached inside. Her fingers wrapped around the plastic wrapper as the scream to get down penetrated her thoughts.


“GET DOWN!” Orihime reached out to try and yank the girl down as her left foot slammed on the brake. As the small brown Toyota rounded the curb so did a large blue pickup truck but it was partially in their lane.


There was nothing she could do! Inoue Orihime took a deep breath as the driver side of the truck came at them. She tried to swerve but the sound of crunching metal was heard a mere second before pain erupted into her chest. It couldn’t have lasted longer than that. Long enough for her to recognize it as pain then there was nothing.


There was a screech of tires before Tatsuki had time to do anything. Within the next second air rushed by her vibrated by the loud crushing sound of an impact. It was like time stood still as she felt herself being hurled backwards through the windshield. Before her eyes blinked, a solid wall came up to knock the air from her lungs. Pain echoed in her mind as her skin became heated and the world began to flicker.


Every part of her was flaring to life in horrible pain. So bad she didn’t think she had it in her to cry out. She didn’t think she could move. Seconds ticked by as the world went out of focus in a blur of agony. What hurt the most was the throbbing now in her midsection. Her skin felt hot and sticky, warmth ran down to pool in a brown eye. It stung but not as bad as the other parts of her body. Except her legs, she couldn’t feel them.


A bolt of pain made her groan and cough. She knew it wasn’t a good sign for her or her unborn child. Blood pooled out of her lips and she felt the sting of tears form. A deep breath tried to rush in lungs that felt ablaze. With a ragged cry, blackness settled over her allowing only a single tear to be shed.







“Can you get to her?”


The thick male voice had a hint of sadness to it. The thought that someone was sad was the first thing that penetrated Orihime’s foggy mind. This wasn’t a sad day; it was a good one because she was going on a trip with Tatsuki. After months of being without her best friend they were doing things together.


“I need something to cut the wheel. It’s in there pretty far.”


‘Huh?’ With a groan she lifted herself up from the leather seat only to stare down at her hands. What was she doing sleeping in the car? A rattling noise sent a cold shiver through her soul and she looked down towards her chest. Fingers came up to place them over the small chain that was attached to her. It couldn’t be!


“Poor girl,” the voice came from behind her. She spun around to see an elderly gentleman staring at her. Her but it wasn’t, she was here. A cry of anguish erupted from her parted mouth seeing where the chain from the other her now rested upon the seat. It was no longer attached together.


“We’ve got the other one loaded.” Another male was reaching into the vehicle with a strange device.


“Other?” She spoke out loud and lost interest in what they were about to do. Where was Tatsuki? She looked around the vehicle hoping to find some sign of her friend. Her gaze fell through the busted glass and out onto the pavement.


The sun was starting to set but there was enough light for her to see. “Tatsuki!” Leaving her body with the paramedics she scrambled through what was left of the windshield. The skirt helped her slid over the cold medal. Her mind took in how the front driver side was smashed in.


Lying on the road was the form of her friend and another. Wet heat stung her eyes seeing the small bundle fidget but not make a sound. She was sure she wasn’t looking at a human body. There wasn’t a scratch on the girl or the small babe.


“Put her in with the other.” A man wearing a blue jumpsuit was walking towards her car carrying a black bag. What was happening? It stung to hear the men swearing as a loud cracking sound erupted around them. What had to be the steering wheel was tossed out onto the pavement to be picked up by one of the workers.


“Tatsuki-chan?” She crouched down at her friend’s feet near the small person. On his chest remained a tiny piece of chain and nothing else. Grey eyes blinked up at her but it was okay. Reaching out she picked up the baby before getting closer to the mother.


Tatsuki was sure someone was calling her name. Shockingly there was no pain as her eyes fluttered open. Things were a little fuzzy but she felt just fine if a little different. What was different? Her hand reached down to her midsection to find only a small bump. It wasn’t the flat stomach she had before pregnancy but a small pouch remained. Where was her baby?


“It’s okay, I have him.” Orihime called out hoping to ease some of her friend’s fears. Their biggest worry was about to begin.


“Ah,” Tatsuki had questions running through her mind even as she reached out to take the tiny package. It was indeed him; she had a son. Brown eyes widened in confusion seeing the adornment resting upon his tiny naked chest. “What?”


“Chain of fate, it’s been severed.” Orihime was going to explain further but the slamming of a door brought their attention to the others on the street. A tow truck had arrived and the driver was speaking to an officer.


“We’re?” It was the only explanation she could think of. Tatsuki took in the damage to the vehicle, the blood on the ground, and the way no one seemed to be paying attention to them. How many ghosts hadn’t she seen with the very same chain? Each one of them had the tell-tale sign of death marked upon them.


Sadness, misery and grief consumed Orihime as the ambulance closed its back door. Inside that vehicle was her body. Could she reverse what had happened? She looked down at the family still sitting on the road. She wouldn’t restore herself if she couldn’t revive Tatsuki. Hell, she didn’t know if she could repair a soul chain. She’d never tried to bring back an actual body after the chain of fate had been severed.


“What do we do?” The child finally moved in her arms. The brunette looked down upon the tiny face that looked just like her but for the eyes. They were a dark grey that belonged to no one but his father.


“We head back into town. I don’t think I can reverse the damage.” Orihime didn’t stop the flow of tears as she saw realization dawn. “We’re gone. By now our families will have been notified, if not then it will be so before we can do anything about it. Even if we could find a way to get our bodies there is no going back for us. I’m not even sure if I can reverse the severing of our chains.”


“I….I guess you’re right. My parents, they will believe me gone.” They had been excited about their upcoming grandchild. If they hadn’t been contacted already, they’d know within the hour. It was too late for them to go back. Within minutes she’d be dead to them.


The flashing lights of the ambulance came on indicating that they were leaving but there was no rush. Of course not, those inside were gone. Orihime wondered what had happened to the other driver. There was no other soul hanging around so she hoped that it was a sign that they had survived.


“You think I can have your jacket?” Tatsuki wasn’t sure what the rules were when one was finally a soul but she could still feel the chill in the air and was sure the baby could as well.


“Sure,” she peeled the extra clothing off of herself and handed it over. Orihime wondered how long it would take them to get back into town and find Kurosaki and the others. “Do you know what you are going to name him?”



“We are here, how is he holding up?” Orihime could see the lights blazing from the window. It’d been months since she’d seen Kurosaki and Rukia. This wasn’t how she wanted to see them again but they were out of options. If another shinigami sent them then there was a chance they’d get separated.


“Better than me,” Tatsuki was bone-weary after walking for hours and she’d had to stop once to tend to him. On the way here Orihime had explained to her about Soul Society. There was a chance that if they were sent then they might get separated. Was it really so huge that they might never see each other again once there? She didn’t want to be separated from her son or her best friend.


“Let’s go,” it was time for them to figure out what the future held for them. Orihime was just glad they hadn’t gotten separated after the accident. The building was quiet as they made their way inside and to the door. There was a rather loud discussion going on inside when she got up the courage to knock.


“I hope we aren’t interrupting anything important.” Although Tatsuki wasn’t sure what could be more important than them showing up on the doorstep dead and bodiless.


“Hmm,” Orihime was about to knock again when the door was swung open by a very teary-eyed Rukia. “Hai, Rukia-chan………”


“Orihime-chan,” Rukia couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Without thinking she threw herself at the taller girl. Tears were threatening again as the embrace was returned. They hadn’t known what to expect when the phone call had come an hour earlier. Even now Ichigo and Ishida were going at it, both wanting to show their sorrow but lashing out in anger instead.


“Hai, it’s me and I’m not alone.” She sheepishly rubbed a hand through her hair and stepped aside. Tatsuki almost received the same greeting until the female shinigami noticed the small bundle.


“Is that?” Rukia eyed the moving coat in an attempt to see inside. There had been no mention if the baby had survived. Seeing it now, she felt the tears threatening to start again.


“I named him Kouji.” Tatsuki moved the material aside allowing their friend to see her son. This wasn’t the way she wanted it to happen but it would have to do. “I guess none of us made it.”


“Come in, before the others realize it is you two and break down the door.” Rukia would let them see for themselves who were here. Shado, Ishida and Renji had all dropped in after being told the news. Blue eyes lingered on the baby as the two girls stepped inside. The child was already emitting a strong reitsu. They were lucky they made it here without getting attacked by something.


“Orihime-chan, Tatsuki-chan,” Ishida was the first to spot them coming in. He raced for them and wrapped his arms around his ex-girlfriend and still good friend. Orihime returned the embrace and he could hear the small sniffle against his shoulder.


Tatsuki tightened her hold on her child as the Quincy held the other girl close. Ichigo had walked over but didn’t come any closer but was ogling her as if she were a venereal disease. Her chest clenched as the two in front continued to embrace. Sure, she had forgiven Orihime but it still hurt to see them together. She’d come to terms that she hadn’t been the one he wanted and would never be.


“A baby,” Shado frowned seeing the tiny hand suddenly shoot out of the garment. If the phone call was correct then the child had died along with the mother. “Is it okay?”


“Yes, Kouji is fine if a bit cranky.” Tatsuki shifted him in her hold wanting to sit down. Fear curled in her gut at the unknown. Unlike Orihime she had never been to Soul Society and didn’t know what to expect.


“Want to let her breath? They might want to sit down.” Ichigo snapped at the Quincy seeing the pained expression cross the other girl’s features. He knew all about the couple splitting but that didn’t erase what had been done.


“Sorry,” Uryuu stepped back to give her some space. He was just glad to see that they were alright, in a manner of speaking. His eyes drifted towards the brunette and his heart stopped. He’d heard from Ichigo that she was expecting but seeing the evidence in her arms reminded him of how greatly he’d messed up. “That child, it’s astounding.”


“What do you mean?” Tatsuki looked down at Kouji and could see nothing but a beautiful baby but she didn’t think that was what he was referring to.


“He means the reitsu coming from it. You two are lucky you made it here without being targeted by a random hollow.” Ichigo had his speculation on who had fathered the kid but had never spoken it out loud. First off he didn’t want it getting back to the man if it were true and second he didn’t feel like having Tatsuki put his head through another window.


“I noticed it also but wasn’t sure if I was feeling it right.” Orihime let Ishida lead her over to the couch and took a seat. She noticed Tatsuki took a seat on the floor opposite from them. Would this destroy any chances of the two making a go of things? She’d wanted to tell Tatsuki the true reason behind their breakup but Ishida had asked her not to. Stating he’d never act on his feelings now so there was no point in their friend knowing.


“I told you they’d make it here.” Renji leaned back into the cushions while taking a closer look at the babe. “Since we don’t have to hunt them down it saves us time. What are you two going to do?”


“I’ve thought about that on the way over here.” Orihime clasped her hands in her lap. She had, one couldn’t help but think about what to do once things came to this. She hadn’t thought it would happen this soon but it wasn’t time to worry about what couldn’t be changed. “I don’t think trying to reverse it would be the best course of action. If you know then so does Tatsuki’s family and so do mine. True, mine wouldn’t notice anything if I were to come back but for her it’s a different story. I think we’ve both accepted that our lives in the human world are over.”


She took a deep breath, showed more courage than she actually felt and continued. “I don’t want a normal soul burial. I don’t want to be separated from Tatsuki and I don’t think she wants to risk being separated from her son. If it’s okay, I wish for Renji-kun to escort us there personally.”


“Fine, I can do that if that’s what you really wish.” Renji would have no problem escorting them there personally. He was due back anyways to make a report on the recent hollow activity.


“Also,” Orihime chanced a glance towards Kurosaki. “If you can I’d like to put in a request to be allowed to enter the academy. I know I can’t help any time soon but it’s what I’d like to do now. I’m not sure if Tatsuki wants to do since she has the little one but perhaps one of you could help.”


“They can’t do anything for her. If she doesn’t want to enter the academy she’ll be stuck living in Soul Society.” Uryuu let his gaze linger on the thin woman that refused to look towards him. There was nothing he could do for her now but he’d be damned if he let her suffer. “You know as well as I that things aren’t as the shinigami would like us to believe. She and that child both show signs of having reitsu. They would suffer from starvation and dwell in poverty.”


“Ishida-kun,” Rukia knew what he said to be true. Hadn’t she lived that same life herself? Stealing for food as a child and wondering how she would survive? If not having Renji by her side she would have given up long before entering the academy. “Maybe we can work something out.”


“Maybe you can go speak to Kouji’s father.” Orihime felt the glare the instant it landed on her and she blushed. It was another thing she’d thought about on the way over. They would be going to Soul Society; perhaps it was time for the shinigami to learn that he had a family.


“HA! I knew it!” Ichigo clenched his fist as Tatsuki turned to look at him. He could see the worry and apprehension in her eyes. So he’d been right, why else would Orihime say something like that? He’d heard the noise the two were making that night but had stayed in bed. It all added up when the pregnancy went along with that timeline.


“You know what?” Uryuu hadn’t been informed of just who Tatsuki had been with. Orihime had never mentioned the girl dating anyone. So who had fathered the child? It couldn’t be a normal person with the child being born with reitsu.


“Mind sharing with the rest of the class?” Renji was also curious now that everyone was acting like they were waiting for a bomb to go off.


“Yeah, I think we should go ask him.” Ichigo didn’t waver under the murderous glare. There should be no reason why his brother-in-law should get off without taking responsibility. “Go file your report Renji and while you are at it tell your captain that his presence is required here.”


“Nii-sama,” Rukia’s hands flew up to cover her mouth as the name popped out in astonishment. It couldn’t be but why would Ichigo say something like that if it weren’t true? The two had been alone at one time but she couldn’t imagine her brother doing something like that. Why would he sleep with someone he didn’t know?


“The one and only,” the orange-head didn’t move as a shoe was tossed with the intent to kill. It bounded off of his forehead to almost hit the Quincy in the face.


“Is it true?” Said Quincy felt queasy at the positive nod. She wasn’t denying it, so it had to be true. Byakuya Kuchiki was the boy’s father. When had the two gotten together? As far as he knew the two didn’t even know each other, had never met. So when had a child been conceived between them?


“Tatsuki-chan, she is right.” Rukia left her spot next to Ichigo to sit in front of the female. Her hand came to rest on the hand lying on top of the child’s chest. This was her nephew, he was family. “We must inform Nii-sama immediately before we take you. I am a shinigami but Ishida-kun spoke the truth. I know how it is to try to survive in Soul Society. Not only you but your child may suffer. When a soul has the ability to use reitsu it needs nourishment and you will know hunger. Do not live the life that I endured as a child. Not when there is a means to give your son a good life. I know my brother and he will do the right thing. I will be honest; he will not be happy about it but will acknowledge his child. Please make the right decision and let us contact him.”



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