When Rukia realizes she won't have much more time in the living world before the Gotei 13 send someone after her, she decides to find a way for Ichigo to transform into a Shinigami without her help.[10] For this reason she goes to the Urahara Shop and buys a dispenser of soul candy, which Ururu fetches from storage. Later, in school, Rukia drags Ichigo to a secluded corner and forces him to take one of the pills. Sure enough, Ichigo's soul is pushed out of his body and his body is now controlled by what seems to be an Artificial soul. Right then, Rukia's Hollow alarm goes off, and the two leave Ichigo's body in the hands of the supposed Artificial Soul, despite Ichigo's mistrust.[11]
At about that time, Kisuke Urahara discovers that the dispenser he sold to Rukia was a faulty one, containing Mod-souls instead of soul candy, which Ururu delivered by mistake. He and his employees decide to set out and find it. The Mod-soul tests out his body
The Mod-soul, finding himself for the first time in a Human body, decides to hijack Ichigo's body for his pleasure and amusement. He wows a teacher by jumping over his head onto a rooftop 20 yards away. Next he surprises the girls in Ichigo's classroom by jumping up to the 3rd floor window from the ground. He makes a move on Orihime and kisses Tatsuki, throwing her into a fit of rage. Ichigo and Rukia return in time to find school desks flying through the window, they try to corner the Mod-soul but he jumps down from the window and runs away.[12] The Mod-soul encounters Hashigami, Kaneda and Ino
The Mod-soul goes off on a spree, leaping high and far through the air. His spree brings him near Ichigo's younger sisters' school, where he encounters three boys - Hashigami, Kaneda and Ino - who cut from gym class to play video games. He is enraged by the callous way the boys delete the game characters they created. He attacks the boys and breaks their game console.[13] Later, as he makes his way away from the school, he senses a Hollow near the place he just left and doubles back, arriving just in time to drag the three boys out of harm's way. Rukia and Ichigo, in their search for the Hollow are surprised to find the Mod-soul, in Ichigo's body, taking a beating against it. Ichigo and the Mod-soul destroy the Hollow together, but the Hollow's falling body threatened to crush a trail of ants, so the Mod-soul kicks it away, putting himself and Ichigo's body at risk of falling off the roof. He later says that he refuses to kill anything or allow anything to be killed, because he feels anything has the right to live and die freely.[14] Urahara arrives to recover the Mod-soul
When Urahara arrives to retrieve his "poor merchandise", Ichigo and Rukia decide to keep the Mod-soul as the permanent means to replace Ichigo's soul, and agree to claim responsibility over the Mod-soul.[15] They later find a lion plushy for the Mod-soul to reside in while not in use. Unexpectedly, the plushy comes to life, and Ichigo orders him to not reveal himself to the rest of the household. Ichigo chooses 'Kon', short for Kaizō Konpaku (instead of 'Kai', which sounded too cool) for the Mod-soul's name.[16]
During the fight between Ichigo and Grand Fisher Rukia puts him into Ichigo's body to help her carry Ichigo's sisters. He later asks Rukia to go help Ichigo as a favor.[17][18]
When he is fed up with the pains of living in the Kurosaki Clinic, he decides to run away but comes back after finding nowhere better.[19]
When Uryū Ishida challenges Ichigo to a duel, Ichigo uses Kon to Transform.[20] He later stops a Hollow from attacking Rukia and then confronts Uryū about creating the crisis for the sake of challenging Ichigo.[21] Ichigo finds Kon taped to a the toilet
Before escaping the Kurosaki Clinic, Rukia tapes Kon to the bathroom to keep him from telling Ichigo of her escape, he later helps Ichigo decipher the coded note she left. Before leaving to help Rukia, Ichigo uses Kon to transform.[22]
When Ichigo and his companions depart for Soul Society, Kon wishes to come along, but instead Ichigo leaves him in charge of his body and asks him to take care of his family.[23]
Kon is recruited by Don Kanonji to the Karakura Superheroes and receives the name Karakura King. The team members use him as a crash test dummy for painful, seemingly useless and unnecessary experiments. Kon jumps from the frying pan into the fire though, when he decides to quit and gets himself abducted by a female Hollow who wants to keep him as a pet. The Hollow is finally vanquished by the team with Kon utilized as the weapon: Passed from Ururu like a volleyball to Jinta, hit by a Jinta Homerun towards Karin and finally kicked at the Hollow with the Karin Impact Kick.[24]
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.
At the beginning, Kon meets his fellow modified souls, Ririn, Kurōdo and Noba. He does not get along well with his new companions. Ririn views him as a fool and they often fight, and Kon is jealous of Kurōdo's assignment to guard Orihime. They do work together, however, most notably when they collaborate in the construction of several elaborate, yet useless, anti-doll traps.[25]
When the Bounts infiltrate Soul Society, Kon joins Ichigo and the others to find them (partly due to fear of falling victim to Don Kanonji if he stayed behind in the real world again). Kon gets separated from the group in Rukongai and settles temporarily with a woman who owns a coffee shop. In contrast to Kon's usual lack of luck with women, this woman takes a shine to him. He eventually leaves to help fight the Bount, but continually arrives after the battles. After meeting up with everyone again (which is depicted during the non-sequitor previews for the next episodes), Kon brags about his stay with the woman, only to find out from Jūshirō Ukitake that it was actually a cross-dressing man.
With the Arrancar invasion beginning, Kon takes over Ichigo's body to have a little fun on the town, only to run into Grand Fisher. He is saved by the timely re-emergence of Isshin Kurosaki, Ichigo's father, as a Shinigami. Isshin quickly dispatches Grand Fisher with ease and Kon is forced to keep Isshin's true identity secret. Isshin reveals that he knew about Kon ever since meeting him during Grand Fisher's first attack at the graveyard.
While Ichigo is off fighting in Hueco Mundo, Urahara makes Kon an offer to make him into a super hero to fight the Hollows in Karakura Town. Kon initially refuses, but jumps at the chance when Kisuke mentions he could become a 'babe magnet'. He becomes Konso Cop karakuraizer, and Urahara provides a background story for him: Kon, an evil space alien hiding among inhabitants of earth in order to carry out nefarious schemes, is captured by Dr. Urahara, a scientist on the side of justice, and turns him into the superhero karakura konso cop. Now, to return to his old alien self, he must lay to rest the 108 hollows that murdered Dr. Urahara's daughter!
He first destroys a large Hollow called Zonzain with his riserbeam. When other Hollow arrive so does the karakuraizer-team.Together with his team he destroys every hollow but then they spot a large fortress flying in the air.
After the destruction of the Hollows fortress, Kon soon falls asleep as Urahara's plans are completed for the final showdown in Karakura Town.
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.
Kon is seen in Ichigo's body sleeping during one of Ichigo's classes.[26]
She initially appears with Tatsuki walking through the school corridor, discussing her odd tastes in food, which her best friend does not share. A distracted Ichigo Kurosaki collides with her and knocks her to the ground. After he apologizes, she acts strangely and begins to make excuses while fleeing the scene. Later, she is seen at her home being watched by the ghost of her brother, Sora. The next day, Ichigo and Rukia Kuchiki come across Orihime as she is walking home from purchasing groceries for dinner. When they find her, it is evident she has been in some sort of accident although she appears unsure if she was hit by a car or not. Despite this, Rukia notices a strange bruise on her leg which she later reveals was made by some form of Hollow. This is confirmed when Acidwire attacks Ichigo, who identifies him as the spirit of Orihime's brother.[15] Orihime saves Ichigo by taking Acidwire's attack.
Meanwhile, Orihime has Tatsuki over for dinner, revealing more of her crush when she becomes distracted by the thought of Ichigo's previous offer to walk her home.[16] After dinner, both girls begin hearing loud noises after Orihime's teddy rips and falls from its shelf. It is then that Acidwire attacks and pulls Orihime's soul from her body, leaving the Chain of Fate unbroken so that she doesn't initially die.[17] Horrified, Orihime witnesses the Hollow attack her best friend, who becomes scared and confused, even when Orihime touches her (due to the fact that Tatsuki cannot see either of them).[18] Ichigo soon arrives to attack the Hollow but still hesitates in finishing him off, being flung from the building in the process. Acidwire then reveals his true identity to Orihime, who is skeptical at first because she doesn't believe her brother would do such horrible things as trying to hurt others. She finally believes him when she sees his reaction to her hair-clips and thus becomes concerned when he and Ichigo begin fighting once more.[19] Again, due to his identity, Ichigo hesitates and loses his sword as a result. Acidwire attacks Orihime and she embraces him during it, despite his exclamation that she should die for him.[20] In the anime, Acidwire attacks Ichigo who is saved and shocked when Orihime takes the hit herself.[21] Orihime apologizes to her brother for causing all this, which results in him being able to temporarily crack his Hollow mask and regain some control over his actions. She awakens in time to bid him farewell before he sends himself to the Soul Society with a smile upon his face.[22] Orihime first meets her powers.
While both Tatsuki and Orihime's memories are modified by Rukia, this event enables them to start developing spiritual awareness. She once again encounters a Hollow when Uryū lures a massive number to Karakura Town for his challenge to Ichigo. At this time she tries to get her friends to run quickly from school, in actuality, to run away from the Hollow that was stalking them that they couldn't see. The Hollow, Numb Chandelier, uses her ability to control various students and forces them to attack Orihime, with a shocked Chizuru Honshō unable to prevent her left hand from clenching itself around Orihime's neck. The classmates begin surrounding Orihime and begin gripping her when Tatsuki arrives to defend her from the onslaught, confused by the actions of her fellow students.[23] When Tatsuki tries to fend off the assaults and protect Orihime, she is controlled as well with one of the Hollow's seeds implanted within her. Seeing Tatsuki in tears brings back old memories of the days when Orihime was bullied for the color of her hair and when Tatsuki saved her, thus Orihime decides it is time for her to protect Tatsuki in return for their friendship. This desire forces a change in Orihime whose powers begin to manifest for the first time as she declares that the Hollow made a mistake in hurting her friends.[24] Orihime then notices numerous spirit beings flying over her head discussing whether or not Orihime recognizes their existence. These six spirits, who call themselves Shun Shun Rikka, briefly explain their powers for Orihime, which she uses to defeat the Hollow and heal Tatsuki.[25] Afterwards, Kisuke Urahara takes her and Yasutora Sado to his shop, where he explains their powers to them.[26]
Orihime is one of the few people who remember Rukia when she is taken back to Soul Society.[27] She confronts Ichigo about this and about the issues around rescuing Rukia, knowing he will try to do it regardless of what she says.[28] She decides to go to Soul Society as well and is informed that she and Chad have to train to go there by Yoruichi Shihōin.[29] Orihime asks Uryū to train with Chad and herself but he declines.[30] She struggles initially but activates her powers once more after remembering how she felt about protecting Tatsuki.[31] She congratulates Chad when he finally unleashes his power and yet destroys the building, with all of them having to run away afterwards.[32] Orihime lies to Tatsuki about where she is going and spends her last day in Karakura Town with her, spending some quality time together with Orihime promising to return.[33] Orihime received the same message from Urahara as Ichigo and appeared upset that he thought she had no sense of humor.[34] Orihime is impressed and ecstatic when they enter the underground training facility at Urahara's Shop.[35] Orihime, Chad, Uryū and Ichigo are lead by Yoruichi into the Dangai Precipice World that connects both the world of the living and the Soul Society.[36] Orihime shows good control of her Reiatsu.
Despite Yoruichi’s warning, Orihime uses her shield against the Dangai cleaner to save her friends and puts herself at risk.[37] She heals Jidanbō Ikkanzaka after Gin prevents them from entering the Seireitei.[38] When they reach the home of Kūkaku, it is shown that Orihime is able to create the Kidō cannonball fairly rapidly and easily compared to the others.[39] She sacrifices her own food for Ichigo when he experiences problems with the technique.[40] The group uses a single Kido ball to enter the Seireitei but is blown away with Uryū when the ball disintegrates and uses Santen Kesshun to catch them both.[41] She still obtains some injuries from the fall and passes out, injuring Uryū when she wakes from her dream of Ichigo to find he had administered first aid on her shoulder, before realizing he would have had to have administered first aid on her shoulder while she was unconscious.[42] Orihime is bandaged as she sleeps.
Orihime spends most of the mission in the Seireitei with Uryū, and is noticed early on.[43] Still, their times were mostly uneventful, as they evaded Kenpachi Zaraki, but are confronted by Jirōbō Ikkanzaka of the 7th Division. Orihime is saved from his ambush by Uryū's swift actions.[44] She attempts to kill the much larger Shinigami, but her Koten Zanshun attack fails with Tsubaki even getting injured. Her powers are unique but lack killing intent, hence offensively ineffective against skilled opponents.[45] When defeated, the Shinigami tries to attack her but this results in Uryū saving her and removing the officer’s powers for cowardice. [46] Although happy with her friend’s powers, Orihime laments her own lack of offensive power and growth through training.[47] The pair steal Shinigami uniforms on Orihime’s influence after she defeats weaker members of the Gotei 13. She attracts the attention of Toshimori Umesada of the Ninth Division, resulting in Uryū protecting her from his advances before he is called off. The pair renew their search for Rukia, unaware that they are being stalked by the Captain of the Twelfth Division.[48] Orihime protects Uryū and Aramaki from Mayuri Kurotsuchi using Santen Kesshun.
Later, Orihime reveals that Tsubaki is still injured and that she is having trouble healing him from their previous confrontation with Jirōbō Ikkanzaka. The pair are then confronted by Makizō Aramaki of the Eleventh Division, who does not believe their story as they are without their Zanpakutōs. They are saved by members of the Twelfth Division, but Uryū gets suspicious and figures out something is wrong, warning Orihime of the danger before the Twelfth Division Shinigami explode.[49] Orihime managed to perform Santen Kesshun just in time to protect herself, Uryū, and Aramaki from these explosions. Aramaki becomes confused as to why Orihime saved him and why she became upset with the loss of those that had pretended to help them earlier, noting that it wasn't out of fear that she cried. She refuses to run away to save herself when Kurotsuchi is interested in her abilities. However, Uryū threatens Aramaki into running away with her in his arms to get her away from the impending battle between him and Kurotsuchi, although the latter initially tries to prevent his target from getting away.[50]
Orihime and Aramaki are found by Yachiru Kusajishi and brought back to the Eleventh Division quarters where she is questioned by its members.[51] The whole group, with Orihime travelling upon Kenpachi Zaraki's back with a jealous Yachiru, run for the barracks where Uryū, Chad and Ganju Shiba are being held and break them out of jail. Orihime and her friends witness Kenpachi challenge Sajin Komamura, Kaname Tōsen and their vice-captains to battle before being dragged off by Yachiru in order to find Ichigo.[52] Orihime and her friends depart from Soul Society, their mission there completed.
Orihime identifies Ichigo’s huge Reiatsu when they arrive during the climatic battle between their friend and Byakuya Kuchiki.[53] Orihime explains their reasons for rescuing Rukia to a confused Aramaki.[54] She refuses to leave the area when Uryū advises her to do so, staying despite the dangers.[55] Ichigo hurts himself by colliding heads with Orihime when the battle ends in his victory and is reassured that she was not injured at all during the mission. She tearfully informs him that she regrets not being able to help him but Ichigo thanks her anyway for her concern.[56] Because she wasn’t healed by the Fourth Division, she is the only person in the Seireitei who does not hear Isane Kotetsu’s message about Sōsuke Aizen’s betrayal as the mastermind behind the entire scheme. [57] Aizen escapes as Orihime watches helplessly with her friends at the bottom of the hill, although Rukia survives the ordeal.[58] Orihime attracts the attention of members of the Fourth Division as she heals Ichigo due to her abilities since they could leave the Ryoka alone.[59] She stayed for a week in Soul Society while the others recuperated following Aizen's escape. After receiving new clothes for returning home from Uryū, Orihime begins to think he has a crush on Rukia due to the dress he made her, before discovering her Shinigami friend is not in her quarters. She reports this information to Ichigo after attempting to search for Rukia herself. [60] They both search for her, with Orihime humorously climbing several flights of windows to Byakuya’s room and having to decline an invitation to a drink with Rangiku Matsumoto as she continued her search with Ichigo; this leads them to the Shiba household where they find Rukia.[61] She is present when Rukia decides to stay with the Gotei 13 and forcibly gives Uryū’s dress to her friend despite Rukia not needing it in the Soul Society. While many Shingami officers look on, Orihime enters the Senkaimon with her friends in order to return home to the world of the living. [62]
Orihime returns to school with her friends, where Renji Abarai turns up outside in a Gigai. Later that evening, she is visited at home by what appears to be her dead brother reassuring her. Meanwhile, her friends pick up something weird occurring at her house and rush for her home. Sora begins to act strangely with Orihime. Her friends arrive in time to witness her being sucked into doors that bear a striking resemblance to the Gates of Hell. The next day everyone seems to have forgotten her.[63] The shadowy figures rope Ichigo and the others into playing their "games" to get their friend back, eventually kidnapping Chad instead of returning Orihime. One of the shadowy figures impersonates Orihime beforehand, and turns into a tall thin man with a moustache, glasses, and top hat who reveals himself as Kurōdo. Next, a thin teenager with a zipper hood appears and introduces himself as Noba, and finally comes the girl who was phoning them, named Ririn. Chad is then sucked through the gates leaving the group down to three. She seems to appear later but is revealed to be an impersonator who kidnaps Chad too.[64] The culprits are revealed to be three modified souls who return Orihime and she has to help in rescuing Chad. It is shown that Urahara was behind the whole thing to test Ichigo and his group.[65] After Urahara reveals the loss of Uryū’s powers, Yoruichi arrives to tell them of the Bounts and how they might be potential targets. Orihime is paired with the mod soul Kurōdo, in the form of a rabbit bag. The mod souls detect a Bount so she and Chad run to be confronted by Ryō Utagawa , who merely walks away from them,uncaringly. They arrive to the battle after he takes Yoshino Sōma. Orihime excitedly greets Rukia again.[66] Orihime saves Rukia from Ritz.
After bringing Rukia up to speed with the situation, Orihime continues to help out against the Bounts.[67] She is at the hospital with the others when they are attacked by Hō and Ban, who are eventually defeated with the aid of Ganju.[68] She helps rescue Uryǔ from Kariya’s mansion.[69] When attacked by Yoshi, she teams up with Rukia and Kurǒdo to fight her. Despite their efforts they can’t defeat her and are ambush by a second Bount, Mabashi. He uses his doll, Ritz, to take over Rukia and force the two of them to battle one another. Orihime soon overcomes her fears and uses her healing ability to heal reject the doll from Rukia.[70] Later, Orihime arrives at the Bount Cave with her friends and they struggle with Ugaki’s doll, Gesell. She stays behind with Chad in order to heal both Rukia and Rangiku, who were injured during the struggle.[71] Orihime stops Ichigo from arguing with Byakuya.
Orihime, with her friends, chases the Bounts to Soul Society. After discussing the invasion, they all move out to search for the Bounts in the Rukongai.[72] Orihim and Ichigo, after sensing Rukia was in trouble, arrive on the scene just after Byakuya has saved her from another attack by Yoshi. She witnesses the explosions that damage the Seireitei. They all wait at Byakuya’s luxurious home to see if Rukia recovers alright. Orihime is forced to calm Ichigo down when he and Byakuya get into one of their confrontations over their presence in Soul Society before she thanks the noble for helping Rukia. She and Ichigo tire themselves out searching for Bounts all day with no luck and later collapse at Kǔkaku's house confused. She enjoys riding the boars as they use them in order to go out searching once more.[73] Orihime stays behind with Jidanbō.
Later, the group gets information on the Bounts’ whereabouts but Ichigo leaves when Kariya begins fighting with Byakuya. She is there when the group is confronted by Maki Ichinose who tries to wipe of the group using his light abilities, rendering their attacks ineffective. They are saved by the interference of Kenpachi Zaraki who takes over the fight and allows them to rush to stop Kariya from entering the Seireitei. They arrive to the gate too late and find that Jidanbō has been injured by Kariya and his Bounts. She heals the giant enough for him to open the gate but upon seeing him struggle with his injuries, Orihime feels pity and decides to stay behind and heal him. She tosses Kurōdo towards her friends to make use of in their search.[74] Later on, Orihime meets up again with Ichigo and the others, and heals both Chad and Uryū's injuries.[75]
On the first day of the new semester, Orihime greets Ichigo along with Chad and Ishida. Things appear to be back to normal as Orihime is ambushed by Chizuru Honshō and Tatsuki, as normal, intervenes to extract Orihime from Chizuru's grasp.[76] Orihime notices when Ichigo's badge starts to alert him to the presence of a Hollow nearby and she, along with Chad, fake a bathroom trip to follow Ichigo.[77] While there, Orihime lets the others know that Uryū hadn't come because he's not been himself but realizes she should not have said anything. It is then revealed that they are being watched by a mysterious new character hovering above them in an inverted way.[78] Orihime is distracted by a worried Ichigo as a new student arrives in class.[79] The next day, Orihime arrives in school and greets both Ichigo and Shinji, who seems overwhelmed that she'd remembered his name and hugs her.[80] This causes a bit of a ruckus with the other students who express jealousy and bewilderment, with Chizuru even threatening Shinji's life before Ichigo pulls him away.[81] Noticing the change of behavior in Ichigo, Orihime and Chad confront Shinji after overhearing his conversation with Hiyori Sarugaki.[82] They manage to get Hiyori's name out of her but before they can learn anything, Hiyori is carried away by Shinji although Orihime tries to stop them unsuccessfully.[83] Yammy lashes out at Orihime when she tries to protect Ichigo.
From where the Visored left them, Orihime and Chad feel the immense spiritual pressure consume the world around them as two Arrancar, Ulquiorra Cifer and Yammy Llargo, arrive in the world of the living and they rush towards its source to investigate.[84] They arrive just after Yammy absorbs many nearby souls, saving the lone survivor, Tatsuki. Initially, on Chad's advice, Orihime runs away with her weakened friend but stops when she witnesses the brutality with which Yammy deals with him in retaliation.[85] She feels guilt because Chad asked her to run even though he knew neither of them could match Yammy in strength. Seen as worthless, the Arrancar goes to attack Orihime as well only to be stopped by her Santen Kesshun ability, surprising them both as she begins to heal Chad's injuries as well. Ulquiorra identifies something more than simple healing taking place. Bravely, she uses her Koten Zanshun against Yammy to give Ichigo time to arrive however the attack is ineffective and Tsubaki is greatly injured by Yammy. Ichigo arrives to prevent Yammy from hurting her and she laments that she was useless in battle once more. She is reassured by Ichigo's determination to end the battle.[86] Orihime recognizes the new darkness in Ichigo's reiatsu that wasn't there in Soul Society.[87] She retreats once more but again returns when Ichigo starts to get beaten and this time, Yammy finally lands a hit on her, aggressively smashing her away from him as she tries to help. Orihime sustains massive injuries from the battle, with Tsubaki completely destroyed. She and her friends are saved by the arrival of Yoruichi and Urahara.[88] After Yoruichi floors Yammy, she proceeds to Orihime, reassuring her that Ichigo is fine so that she could swallow the pill she was handing to her. Before she manages to attain this task, Yammy gets back up ad charges a Cero before Yoruichi realizes what he is about to do, not having the time to do anything at such close range. Despite this, both she and Orihime are saved by Urahara's ability to nullify the Espada's attack before it reached them using Benihime's special offensive ability.[89] Rukia forces Ichigo to apologize to an injured Orihime.
Five days pass before Orihime returns to school, reassuring her alarmed friends that she was alright despite her many bandages. When Ichigo shows up, appearing worried and conflicted, Orihime's failure to put him at ease upsets her a little.[90]
The clash with the Arrancar prompts Soul Society to send a group of Shinigami to help defend the Human World, Rukia among them, who recognizes Ichigo's guilt and after getting him to defeat a hollow, drags him towards Orihime and forces him to apologize for his inability to protect her and for his depressing behavior. Orihime appears shocked at her return and later glad as Ichigo vows to get stronger to protect her, welcoming Rukia back in the process. While the return of Rukia helps to cheer up a depressed Ichigo, Orihime becomes conflicted with gratefulness and jealousy, feelings she expressed to the memorial picture she has of Sora in her living room, seeming upset. Meanwhile, the other Shinigami decide they can't stay at Ichigo's so Rangiku decides she's going to stay with Orihime and tries to persuade her captain to come with her.[91] Although initially shocked, she lets Rangiku stay at her house while the Shinigami gets over excited and starts suggesting baths. While the Shinigami is in the bath, Orihime tells Rangiku about her jealousy, confiding in her about her feelings of inadequacy through the door after checking if the water was warm enough. This results in Rangiku immediately getting out of the tub and hugging Orihime, calling her a fool for feeling that way, hovering over her as she advised the girl not to be jealous of Rukia nor to let those feelings get the better of her as she is as equally as important to him as she is.[92] They have fun after Orihime cooks and surprisingly Rangiku enjoys her food and they both have Ice Cream together.[93] Orihime heals Hitsugaya after he defeats the 11th Arrancar.
During this time, Karakura Town is invaded by Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and he leads his subordinates to destroy anyone in the town with even an ounce of Spiritual Power. Orihime is left to look after Rangiku's Gigai so that she won't interrupt the battle.[94] Instead, Orihime tries to run to her guests, however she is held back by the Mod Soul inside of Rangiku's Gigai.[95] Following Hitsugaya's win, Rangiku rushes to get Orihime for her healing powers to heal her captain.[96] She is seen healing Hitsugaya when Ichigo's fight with the Sixth Espada finally concludes.[97] While healing Rukia, she can't help but notice Ichigo watch on in concern, sadly closing her eyes afterwards.[98] Rukia comment upon how greatly Orihime has improved her powers, following the speed she healed after being impaled by Grimmjow during the fight, although Orihime denies this.[99] Orihime discovers what Hitsugaya and Rangiku have done to her Living Room.
After the second assault on the human world, Orihime becomes a little gloomy wondering if Ichigo is alright, but knows that he will be fine because, like Rukia, she can sense his Reiatsu if she concentrates. She realizes that at the moment, everyone seems gloomy, including Tatsuki and decides she needs to spend some time with her. However, her neighbor pulls her out of these thoughts when she is informed that her guests have brought something large into her living room. She stands enthralled by the large screen they brought into the room as the Commander of Soul Society finally informs them that they've figured out the true agenda of Sōsuke Aizen.[100] She tries to leave what she considers to be an important meeting but is stopped by Yamamoto who states that she should stay as this involves humans as well. At the mention of the Royal Key Orihime becomes confused until Rangiku explains that Soul Society has a King and that he lives in an alternate dimension from the Souls and Shinigami. She is also horrified to learn of the creation for the Royal Key to be over one hundred thousand human souls. However, she further learns that Aizen intends to use Karakura Town and it's civilians to create the key, thus wiping most of them out. Yamamoto them entrusts with her the job of telling her people about this revelation so they can start preparing for the worst in the Winter War to come.[101] She is able to track down Ichigo, who is at the Visored base which is a feat within itself given that he was shielded and the others could not sense him.[102] She is then able to show her great intellect by deducing the barrier's abilities and how powerful it is.[103] Furthermore, she manages to pass through the Visored's barrier without much effort greatly surprising them when she arrives and is just a human.[104] This feat amazes and impresses the Visored Hachigen Ushōda, who created the barrier.[105] She manages to inform Ichigo of Aizen's plans and is amazed to find that he is with the Visored in an attempt to get stronger to stop him.[106] She also marvels at how strong he is getting mentally and how his Reiatsu doesn't feel as dark nor as scary anymore.[107] Hachigen heals Tsubaki for Orihime.
Yoruichi brings Orihime to see Urahara when she leaves the barrier.[108] She wonders what he wants her for, watching Chad train with Renji and confirming that ‘’’Tsubaki’’’ is still in a critical state. Because of her lack of offensive techniques, she is asked to stay away from the coming fights because she may become a liability and Urahara did not want her other techniques to draw the eye of Aizen. Although understanding the reasoning for it, Orihime still runs off upset while Renji confirms that she just isn’t suited for battle much to Chad’s displeasure. [109] Despite this, she meets up with Rukia, who encourages Orihime to try her hardest, helping firm some of the human girl’s resolve. Hiyori interrupts their conversation and drags Orihime back to the Visored headquarters to see Hachigen. While there, the large Visored explains that Orihime’s hair clips almost act like a Shinigami’s Zanpakutō and offers to show her how to fix Tsubaki despite not having any piece of him left. After doing so, he informs her that her powers were like his and that she is more powerful than she imagine although neither of them are very suited for battle. Happy with the return of her offensive ability, Orihime leaves the warehouse to find that Rukia had followed her and was glad that Ichigo was at least safe. Together they decide to train in Soul Society to improve both of their battle techniques.[110] Orhime and Rukia spar with one another in Soul Society to get stronger.
Unfortunately, Orihime's ability does spur Aizen's attention. Upon seeing footage brought back by Ulquiorra, he decides to have her captured. A third invasion of the human world is ordered, intending to lure Orihime out.[111] In the meantime, Orihime is training with Rukia within Soul Society, at the old training grounds of the Thirteenth Division. While doing so they are being watched by Rukia's Captain, Jūshirō Ukitake, who states that it is a beautiful thing that Rukia was able to make a friend in Orihime no matter that she was a human.[112] When the third invasion commences, Soul Society alerts Ukitake who in turn alerts Orihime and Rukia. Orihime tries to hurry home with Rukia but is reminded that she doesn't have a Hell Butterfly and will need to wait for the journey to be made safe for her, which Ukitake is already on top of.[113] The Senkaimon is finally completed mid way through the battle, and Orihime leaves Soul Society with two Shinigami guiding her through the Dangai. Ulquiorra intercepts Orihime and her allies in the Dangai Precipice world, just as she believed in her new found strength and will.[114] Ulquiorra cuts down one of her escorts only to have Orihime immediately prepare to heal him and advise the other one to run away only to have him cut down as well, forcing Ayame to extend the healing shield to both of them, greatly showing her improve abilities. Ulquiorra is amazed by this but demands that she come with him, showing her the images of her injured friends and stating that she will agree or he will kill them.[115] Threatened with the lives of those she cares for the most, she has no choice but to go to Hueco Mundo. Orihime tearfully says goodbye to Ichigo after confessing her feelings towards him.
Orihime is next seen making a list of chores for Rangiku and Hitsugaya to follow while she is in captivity in Hueco Mundo, knowing they would be useless without her instructions. It is then revealed that Ulquiorra gave her a bracelet that covers her in a Spiritual Membrane to prevent anyone except the Arrancar to sense her Reiatsu while she is still in the World of the Living. He has given her twelve hours to get her effects in order and allows her to say goodbye to only one person during that time and that they are not to discover her presence as she is doing so. Meanwhile, Rukia is trying to call her, assuming she is still within Soul Society's domain but is unable to do so. Orihime decides to say goodbye to Ichigo and arrives as he is unconscious, healing, with his sisters asleep on his bedroom floor. She admits that there were many she could have said goodbye to, and lists her friends but picked him instead. She admits that this is the first time she has ever been in Ichigo's room and she comes close to kissing his sleeping form but cannot bring herself to do it. Instead, she breaks down into tears and admits that she has fallen in love with Ichigo and would love to do so five times over. She then heals his hand, thanks him and bids him farewell before leaving. Before going to Hueco Mundo, she writes a cryptic line in a notebook, as a message to the others, "Goodbye halcyon days."[116]
Unlike the others, who follow her, Orihime is taken straight to Aizen's throne room in Las Noches. Terrified of Aizen immense power, she is forced to demonstrate her abilities by Aizen so that others may observe them. Using Sōten Kisshun, she regenerates the left arm of Grimmjow, which had previously been vaporized by Tōsen. Most people present are shocked with Luppi feeling particularly unhappy already. Aizen explains her powers enable her to be able to trample upon the even the horizons that God himself has set in place. She then heals Grimmjow’s scarred back to reveal his ‘’’6’’’ tattoo again so that he could kill Luppi and regain his rank within the Espada, which he swiftly does much to Orihime’s dismay.[117] Orihime's appearance during the Hueco Mundo arc.
Orihime is assigned a modest room within Las Noches, and notices that there was nothing to do to be loud. She laments over doing the right thing in coming to Hueco Mundo since helping Aizen would hinder her friends' efforts against him. She promises to appear worthwhile before the she feels the Reiatsu of her friends in Hueco Mundo.[118] She is given a new white outfit like the Arrancar‘s wear and is shown to be under the supervision of Ulquiorra. The Espada advises her of the presence of her friends in Hueco Mundo, so that they can save her.[119] Although Orihime is shocked, Ulquiorra insisted it wouldn‘t change anything as she was now their 'comrade' and belongs to Aizen.[120] During a conversation with Nnoitra Gilga, Ulquiorra reveals that Aizen has been playing a game with Orihime from the time she was confronted inside the Dangai Precipice by alluding to her that she came to Hueco Mundo by choice when it had all been a trap and she had no will of her own.[121] Orihime watches the Hōgyoku up close and decides to destroy it.
It is then revealed that Aizen has taken his manipulation of Orihime and the situation at hand one step further. He had Loly Aivirrne and Menoly Mallia bring Orihime to his chambers and to leave them alone despite their heightened protests not to do so. The two Arrancar storm off and it is clear that they feel great animosity for Orihime, especially Loly. Aizen then reveals his reasons for summoning her and progresses to show her a slightly deteriorated form of the Hōgyoku. He claims that showing her this is a token of his trust in her as his plans cannot be achieved without its powers. He marvels at her powers, carefully asking whether or not she was going to use her powers for him or not in a coaxing fashion. His ruse doesn't fool Orihime, she knows he doesn't trust her but the episode allows her to decide that there is something that only she can do and that's erasing the Hōgyoku from even existing in the first place.[122] Ulquiorra tries to convince Orihime to eat after Sado's defeat.
Along with the rest of her friends, Orihime senses the defeat of Chad at the hands of Nnoitra Gilga. Her shock is observed by Ulquiorra, although she insists that her friend is definitely still alive, contrary to what he implied. This comment is ignored and caterers are summoned to her room and she is threatened to eat the food or else have it shoved down her throat. Again, she insists Chad is still alive despite the subject change and so Ulquiorra informs her that it mattered little since all her friends would die soon enough and that they should expect this outcome due to them being in Hueco Mundo. Orihime emotionally slaps his face but earns no response to this action. The Fourth Espada leaves again threatening her with force feeding should she not have eaten in an hour. Orihime begins to cry over the entire situation.[123] Orihime's impressive abilities resurrect Menoly.
Later, Orihime feels Ichigo’s defeat by Ulquiorra but before she can react, Loly and Menoly break into her room to have fun. Loly attacks her and berates her weakness as a human and Loly’s strength. Orihime does not react and angers the Arrancar even more which results in louder attacks and Menoly trying to quieten her down. Grimmjow explodes into the room then and shocks all those who are present, ending the assault.[124] Grimmjow then proceeds to defeat the two weaker Arrancar with very little effort, much to Orihime’s increased horror, with Menoly having the top half of her body blown away by the Espada’s much stronger ‘’’Cero’’’. This is meant as repayment for Orihime returning Grimmjow’s arm to him and thus allowing him to regain his status. He grabs her by the scruff then, demanding her attention on an errand.[125] Orihime struggles to heal Ichigo after Ulquiorra's attack on him.
Grimmjow gives her the chance to heal herself but Orihime heals a reluctant Loly before resurrecting Menoly by rematerializing her body physically, being called a ’’Monster‘’ for this.[126] The Sixth Espada then drags a captive Orihime to Ichigo’s apparently lifeless body and demands that she heal his rival as he sits down. She initially has trouble doing so because of the leftover Reiatsu left behind in the wound by Ulquiorra as she meets an upset Nel Tu. She is shocked to learn the identity of Ichigo’s attacker and that the wound was Ulquiorra’s signature move. She eventually breaks through the Reiatsu and Ichigo begins to show signs of life. Both she and Nel watch over him in a relieved fashion, surprising him when he regains consciousness. Before she finishes the healing process,however, the Fourth Espada arrives on the scene.[127] Ulquiorra’s presence makes Orihime feel uncomfortable as he demands she is returned to his care and a fight breaks out between the two Espada with Grimmjow using a Caja Negación to take the other by surprise and temporarily imprisoning him.[128] Ichigo protects both Nel and Orihime from one of Grimmjow's attacks.
Orihime and Grimmjow then have a disagreement because she doesn’t want to heal Ichigo just so they could fight again and thus get injured once more. Ichigo has to get in between them as Grimmjow begins to use physical force against her, and requests his friend to do as Grimmjow asks to end it once and for all in an even battle.[129] When he’s healed, Ichigo reassures her and Nel by promising he will win. Orihime does the same for an upset Nel after the battle begins, reminding her of his promise to them and that they should wait and believe in him.[130] To goad Ichigo into using his full power, Grimmjow fires a ‘’’Gran Ray Cero’’’ in their direction when Ichgio dodges it.[131] They are protected by a masked Ichigo, the appearance of which disturbs Orihime but Nel tells her she need not fear him in that state as the mask will help him win. When Grimmjow releases his Pantera, Ichigo advises her to use her powers to protect both her and Nel. [132] Orihime still feels unsure of the mask due to his ruthlessness and dark power in this form. She becomes scared of even looking into his Hollowfied eyes, something Ichigo notices while fighting the battle.[133] She attempts to overcome this fear but the eyes continue to chill her.[134] Orihime calls out for Ichigo not to die against Grimmjow.
When Ichigo appears to be at a disadvantage, Nel deduces that it is because of the negative effect Orihime’s fear was having on him. Orihime is shock when the little Arrancar begin to berate her for not cheering him and reminds her how Ichigo gained the power to protect his friends and now was in an all-out battle just to save her life, needing her support in the process. Orihime remembers why she came to Hueco Mundo and how she was happy that they had come for her; part of her was scared that the mask meant he actually had ulterior motive for being in Hueco Mundo. She then summons strength and cries out for Ichigo not to get hurt anymore.[135] Her support gave Ichigo the resolve to block Grimmjow’s most powerful attack and end the fight finally defeating, his self-appointed rival, Grimmjow.[136] Ichigo lifts Orihime to bring her down from the tower
Ichigo comes back to her on the tower, causing her to feel relieved he was normal again once he checks her injuries; she becomes cheerful when he is relieved she is fine. Ichigo embarrasses her by lifting her over his shoulder to get of the tower, insisting she’s not as heavy as he would have thought. Orihime asks Nel to stop dragging it out when the small Arrancar tries to explain his folly, telling Nel that it was depressing her more. Their departure is interrupted by Grimmjow, still alive, wanting to continue the battle, something Orihime tries to stop. She witnesses the arrival of the Fifth Espada, who wants to fight Ichigo after injuring Grimmjow some more.[137] Orihime is held hostage by Tesra
Orihime is held captive by Nnoitra’s Fracción, Tesra Lindocruz, as she tries to help an injured Ichigo.[138] She tries to convince the Espada that his actions are unfair but her argument is ignored because war and battle weren’t fair.[139] When she thinks about helping by using her powers, Tesra threatens to break her clips and thus destroy her ‘’’Shun Shun Rikka’’’ powers in the process, forcing her to comply. She fails to bluff as to the whereabouts of Nel’s presence and her captor blasts away the rock concealing the tiny Arrancar, causing Orihime concern. Both she and Ichigo are informed of Nel’s true identity as an ex-Espada.[140] Orihime is shocked but Nel tries to defend herself, denying the charge as impossible.[141] Orihime cries out for Nel when Nnoitra ruthlessly grabs her up in the air by her mask, revealing that it is broken because of him.[142] Orihime fruitlessly tries to stop Nel from hugging Ichigo too tightly.
Orihime and Ichigo are shocked when Nel spontaneously transforms into her adult self.[143] A stunned Orihime is released by Tesra when Nel dominate Nnoitra and blasts him with a double Cero. She runs to heal Ichigo but is prevented by Nel who screams excitedly before hugging an injured Ichigo with all her might. In a panic, Orihime tries to stop her but he still gets knocked out by the tight hug before Nnoitra reveals himself to have survived.[144] Orihime tries to warn Ichigo about his injuries but he’s knocked back by Tesra, who takes her prisoner once more.[145] Orihime is held hostage by Nnoitra Gilga
Orihime is worried when Nel becomes a child again.[146] Orihime is released by Tesra so that he can release and start beating on Ichigo. Nnoitra grips onto her, sticking two fingers down her throat when she goes to cry out, forcing her to watch Tesra’s carnage in front of her.[147] When Kenpachi Zaraki appears out of nowhere, everyone is shocked and Orihime is tossed aside so that Nnoitra can sense his level of strength. As Kenpachi dispatches Tesra, Orihime shows concern for Ichigo. It is revealed that her kidnap was a major cause for concern in Soul Society, so Urahara forced himself to work faster to prepare for the war with Aizen.[148] Orihime uses Santen Kesshun to protect Yachiru from Nnoitra.
While Kenpachi and Nnoitra battle one another, Orihime goes to Ichigo and decides to heal Nel first, at Ichigo’s request, promising to heal him once she finished with the small Arrancar.[149] Along with Ichigo, she watches in shock as Kenpachi stabs through Nnoitra's 'eye' and discovers his hollow hole.[150] They continue to observe the match from the sides as it escalates.[151] When it appear that Kenpachi has been cut down, Nnoitra moves to take care of ‘left overs’, referring to Yachiru Kusajishi, however Orihime rushes to her aid and erects her Santen Kesshun to protect the youthful Shinigami. However, when the little girl merely points to something behind the Fifth Espada, it is soon revealed that Kenpachi is actually alive and their battle continues.[152] Orihime is kidnapped by Starrk
Due to the amount of arms Nnoitra has, and his regeneration ability, Orihime wonders if Kenpachi can win.[153] However Kenpachi uses Kendo to win.[154] Kenpachi demands that Orihime is taken away from Hueco Mundo after she heals his battle wounds. As she runs to do this task, she is intercepted by the First Espada, Starrk on the way as he appears in front of her before anybody can do anything. Stating that he’ll be reluctantly borrowing Orihime, he vanishes with her before the others can attack him. Before she knows it, she is with Aizen again, who asks that she smiles and waits as he destroys Karakura Town.[155] It is then revealed that her kidnap was a rouse to trap as many Shinigami within Hueco Mundo to reduce resistance in Karakura Town.[156] Ulquiorra is then left to guard her from Ichigo who intends on taking her back.[157]
The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)Edit
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material. Orihime protects Rurichiyo from an assassin.
Orihime appears in the classroom, showing the odd drawing she did for her homework to the others. She helps her friends deal with the multiple Hollows that suddenly appear. She imagines Rurichiyo Kasumiōji to be a dominatrix before she actually joins their class with her bodyguards. Orihime enquires where Rurichiyo is from but she is answered vaguely by Ryūsei Kenzaki.[158] Later, when Rurichiyo runs away, she runs into Orihime in the darkness, mistaking her for a Princess as well. Orihime discusses the young noble’s problems with her and helps her to forgive her guardians. When Rurichiyo’s veil, that conceals Reiatsu, blows off, the two of them are set upon by assassins almost immediately. Orihime uses her powers to protect the Princess over and over, being almost overwhelmed by her opponent’s Bakkōtō. They are saved by her friends.[159] She stays behind along with Uryū and Chad as Ichigo and Rukia rush to Soul Society when Rurichiyo attends her friend's tea party. She does help protect her and Rukia during Hanza Nukui's first attempt at assassinating the princess.[160] While doing her laundry, Orihime senses her friends battling and rushes to them as they battle Hanza and his companions once more.[161] Orihime heals Uryū and Chad after the battle and allows Rurichiyo to help her out. She also tries to reassure the Princess but she still runs back to Soul Society. With speed required, Orihime doesn't follow Ichigo and Rukia into Soul Society once more.[162]
After Aizen leaves with Gin, Tōsen and the top three Espada, Orihime is left in the fifth tower with Ulquiorra watching over her as usual. Ulquiorra seems to taunt her, asking if she was now afraid because she is o no more use but Orihime stands her ground repeatedly and denies feeling any fear because the spirits of her friends are with her.[163] She informs the Espada of her new resolve that she felt when Ichigo fought Grimmjow and how she would have done the same thing as any of her friends and all their hearts were now beating as one. The concept of a heart gain’s Ulquiorra’s interest and he wonders would he find it if he ripped open her chest or cracks open her skull. Ichigo arrives then before he acts on this intrigue.[164] When Ichigo demands he leave her alone, the Espada explains that she was safe because Aizen has not ordered her death in contrast to Ichigo and thus draws his sword to begin their battle.[165] Orihime's Santen Kesshun blocks Ulquiorra's attack.
Ulquiorra wonders that if Ichigo‘s increased strength during their second battle was due to Orihime and seeing her safe and well. He also hints that Aizen might have done something to Orihime to make rescuing her pointless.[166] Orihime is then targeted by Loly once more, with a reluctant Menoly following, to bring her down.[167] Because they appear evenly matched, Ichigo wonders aloud if Orihime has been affecting Ulquiorra and thus making him more human. This enrages the Espada, who increases his attacks on Ichigo.[168] Orihime saves Ichigo from a near fatal blow with her Santen Kesshun, staring at Ulquiorra determinedly as she does so.[169] Menoly and Loly ambush Orihime, attacking her once more.
The Espada begins to verbally harass her but Ichigo intervenes and asks her to stay back where she is safe. Loly and Menoly ambush Orihime from behind and begin to torture her now that Aizen was finished with her. Loly threatens to pull out Orihime’s eye should Ichigo try to help her but Ulquiorra prevents him from doing so anyway before Yammy arrives.[170] The massive Espada easily defeats Menoly and then a released Loly, tossing them aside as if they were nothing. He expresses the desire to kill Orihime but before he can act, Uryū arrives and engages him in battle, saving her and sending Yammy crashing down the tower.[171] As Ichigo returns to his battle with Ulquiorra, he tells Uryū to guard Orihime with his life.[172] Uryū and Orihime are engulfed by Ulquiorra's increased Spiritual Power.
Orihime is seen expressing grave concern towards Ichigo's safety, as Ulquiorra finally releases his Zanpakutō when her and Ichigo go above the dome of Las Noches.[173] Uryū tries to reassure her that Ichigo will be fine.[174] She then asks Uryū to take her up to the battle after Ulquiorra uses "Cero Oscuras". By hardening the Reiatsu below their feet, he does as she asks, taking them to the dome. Their conversation is interrupted as they are consumed by Ulquiorra's dense reiatsu when he uses his Segunda Etapa technique.[175] She arrives to see Ulquiorra holding an unconscious Ichigo with his tail and is forced to watch as he uses a Cero Oscuras at point blank range, blowing a hole in Ichigo’s chest.[176] Ulquiorra prevents Orihime from healing Ichigo, stating it as useless.
Numbly, Orihime stares at the hole created by Ulquiorra and after he throws a seemingly dead Ichigo down the tower, she rushes to rescue him using Santen Kesshun to catch his falling body. Before she can reach him, however, Ulquiorra appears before her telling that Ichigo can't be healed even by her powers. Thinking quickly, Uryū shoots an arrow that Ulquiorra blocks with his wing giving enough time for Orihime to get passed him to Ichigo. Despite using her Sōten Kisshun on Ichigo, the hole doesn't appear to be close, and she begins to blame herself and panic. Her desperation only worsens when Uryū flies past her, having lost his left hand at the hands of Ulquiorra. He is then defeated by Ulquiorra and she shields him from the Espada while still panicking over and over about what she should do now.[177] Orihime becomes overtly distraught, mentally panicking as she cries out for Ichigo to wake up, not noticing the change in his appearance.[178] The sound of her voice triggers a change in Ichigo as Hollow Ichigo takes over and moves to defend Orihime and Uryū. They are stunned by his new appearance as the fight resumes. One of Ichigo‘s swipes them both tumbling away and they become worried about him as their calls to him are ignored.[179] Uryǔ and Orihime watch Hollow Ichigo dominate Ulquiorra.
They watch as he brutally cuts off Ulquiorra's hand, wondering if it really is Ichigo.[180] The two of them are caught in the shockwave of Ulquiorra's Lanza del Relámpago attack that he misfired.[181] Orihime and Uryǔ watch as Hollow Ichigo almost effortlessly defeats Ulquiorra and then uses a Cero at close range to finish, although he doesn't die.[182] Uryū, in an effort to stop Ichigo from killing Ulquiorra in cold blood, restrains him with his hand but is stabbed through the stomach while Orihime screams out in panic. Hollow Ichigo then turns to Orihime at the sound of her voice and begins to stutter that he will help her greatly shocking her as she realizes what has happened. She starts to blame herself because she knows this has happened because of what she said to him unconscious. Just then, Hollow Ichigo begins to charge a Cero to fire at Uryǔ and she calls out for him to stop. Using the last of his power, Ulquiorra uses a Lanza del Relámpago to sever one of Hollow Ichigo's horns as Orihime watches in a shocked fashion and the attack explodes far away.[183] The explosion shatters Hollow Ichigo's mask and restoring him to normal.[184] A dying Ulquiorra reaches out for Orihime, realizing what a heart is.
Under the stunned gaze of Ulquiorra, Orihime rushes towards Ichigo, willing him to wake up. They both watch as the hole in Ichigo's chest miraculously heals itself, unable to comprehend what has happened. Ichigo awakens fully unaware of the events that have happened. He attempts to finish his fight with Ulquiorra however the Espada is injured too badly and begins to fade. After requesting Ichigo to kill him, the dying Espada turns to Orihime, once again asking if she was afraid of him. He reaches out for her, and she does the same, telling him that she wasn't scared just as he fades away.[185] Just as he dies, Ulquiorra has been influenced so much by Orihime and her friends that he realizes the heart is what he is holding in his hands as he dies.[186]After the fight, Orihime stays on top of the dome to tend to Ishida's wounds.[187]
She appears along with Chad, Renji, Rukia and Ishida in Soul Society following the defeat of Aizen. She starts to cry in relief upon seeing that Ichigo is fine, commenting that due to Ichigo's changed appearance she thought she was seeing things. She rushes towards Ichigo with the others, just as the latter suddenly collapses mid-sentence while replying to her.[188] About one month later, she is in Ichigo's room with Rukia, Chad, and Uryǔ as he wakes up. She screams his name in joy, only to be embarrassed for being the only person to do so.[189]
Orihime is called to heal Rukia when she shows up in the world of the living severely injured. She is later attacked by Muramasa but he faints while doing so. Orihime heals him despite the fact he is Ichigo’s enemy. She notices his similarity to an Arrancar and can sense his emotional distress. Orihime observes the subsequent fight between Muramasa and Senbonzakura against Uryu and Chad, protecting her friends several times throughout the battle until Rukia and ichigo arrive.[190] When Muramasa becomes unstable after his master’s betrayal, absorbing many Hollows within him, Orihime can still see Muramasa inside the rampaging Hollow-like creature. Muramasa attacks her when she tries to reach him, forcing her to erect her shield to protect herself. I chigo intervenes and defeats him causing a further transformation into a domed creature that swallows him. Although she worries about Ichigo, she is saddened when he finally breaks free with a dying Muramasa in his arms. She is reassured by Ichigo that he died with his pride as a Zanpakutō intact.[191]
After Muramasa's defeat, Orihime is visited by Rangiku and her still manifested Zanpakutō spirit, Haineko. After learning about a new threat called the Tōjū, Orihime offers to help. She lends some of her clothes to the now Gigai-clad Haineko so she can see the living world. During their fun, they are attacked by one of the Tōjū, now transformed after fusing with a Hollow. Orihime uses her shield to protect them, before they are saved by Ichigo and Hitsugaya.[192] Orihime also befriends Kyōko Haida when she transfers to Karakura High School, inadvertantly revealing her powers to the girl protecting them both from a falling flower pot. Orihime insists on being normal friends with the girl but the notion causes an odd effect in Kyōko, who runs off despite Orihime's protest. Orihime arrives before the Tōjū, that has manifested from Kyōko's body, can kill Mai Suzuki, calling out for it to return the control to Kyōko. She is saved by Rukia and Ichigo after it attacks her. Orihime uses her healing abilities to force out the Tōjū and it is then destroyed by Ichigo. Both Orihime and Kyōko remain friends.[193]
Orihime is admired as she walks down the school hallway until she sees Ichigo and Tatsuki out the window and calls out to them, almost falling in her excitement. She grabs a drainage pipe and slides down it, being admonished and hit on the head by Tatsuki for being so silly. She discusses her inability to sing the song of her life, the Wahaha Song but is advised that it is because she has matured now. She still asks their advice after freaking them out with her facial expression but neither really care. She is then reminded that she needs to go home and get ready for work as Tatsuki leaves for her job as well.[194] On her way home, Orihime catches up with Uryū, initially believing Ichigo to have been kidnapped before informing him that she's felt something different about him in the last number of days before she rushes home to get ready for work.[195] Orihime goes to the Kurosaki Clinic, where she calls to Ichigo, offering him cheap bread. Ichigo brings her inside, where she fidgets due to being in Ichigo's room. As the two talk, Orihime asks him if something had happened or if he was being followed, saying that her intuition led her to believe that to be the case. After Ichigo denies this, Orihime says that her intuition was wrong and she allowed her intuition to get her worried.[196]
At her apartment, Orihime notes that her face is still red and expresses her surprise that Ichigo had invited her inside, idealizing what actually happened. She says that Ichigo is so nice for telling her to pick out the bread she liked to bring it home. Spinning around, she becomes dizzy and falls, knocking a picture of Sora. She picks up the picture and apologizes before saying that Ichigo is hiding something. Her phone rings, startling her. She answers, finding that it is Ishida.[197] Ichigo arrives at Karakura Hospital to find Orihime already there. He asks after Sado, but Orihime tells him that he did not answer his phone. Seeing that she called Ichigo, Uryū says that she is taking things too far. After they and Ryūken talk about his injuries, Uryū tells them that he cannot tell them anything and asks them to go home. When Ichigo offers to walk Orihime home, Ryūken tells him that he will drive her home. Ryūken tells Orihime that Ichigo does not seem to be able to help and informs her that he examined the reiatsu left in Uryū by the attacker. He reveals that the attacker was not a Hollow or Shinigami, but rather was something that he had not encountered before. He theorizes that the assailant was a Human with powers, similar to Orihime and Sado. Noting that Quincy broadly fall into this category, he warns her that she or Sado might be in danger. He then tells her he will bring her home now.[198]
At school the following day, Orihime asks Ichigo if he knows anything about Sado's condition. Ichigo inquires if he is sick. Orihime tells him that she went to his class to inform him about what had happened to Uryū, but it seems that Sado has not been in school lately. She tells him that she was planning to take a get well present to him after school and invites Ichigo, who declines. She tells him that it is too short notice and that she will let him know what Sado's condition. Ichigo thanks her and walks off. At Sado's home, Orihime finds that Sado is not in. She remembers Ryūken's warning but quickly dismisses such negative thoughts and leaves some bread and prays for him. [199]
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