"So what's up?" Chad asked, standing beside me as I barely swung on the swing.

"Well... There are these people bullying me at school..." I sighed, looking at the ground as I pushed myself back a bit, then forward a bit, and on, and on, and on. "I've been ignoring them but they won't leave me alone. The principle called Ichigo's dad today and they confronted me about it when I got home. But I kinda.... Ran off before they could say much...." I trailed off guiltily as I stopped moving and just stared at the grass.

"Why?"

"I just don't want them worrying about me...... I mean, they're letting me stay with them and treating me like I'm family.... They've been so kind, the last thing I want to do is have them worry about a couple of petty bullies bugging me..." I sighed deeply.

Suddenly, the swing lurched forward. I gasped and tightened my grip on it, looking back in surprise at Chad.

"You shouldn't worry about it so much," he said as I came back and he pushed me forward again. I swung up high and despite myself, I felt a smile creeping into my face. "Them worrying just means they care. If you want, you could always change your schedule so you'll have the same class as me, and I'll watch over you until your bullies leave you alone. You'll still have all the same classes, they'll just be in a different order." He continued, pushing me higher and higher as I started laughing happily.

"Thanks Chad." I grinned at him as he stepped to the side and watched me. "You're the best."

I thought for a split second that I saw him smiling, but before I could get a better look he got behind me and started pushing again.

"Higher Chad!" I laughed. "Higher!"

~•~

"We're here." Chad said suddenly, snapping me out of my daze. I looked up at Ichigo's house with a smile.

"Thanks Chad." I said for the second time tonight as I smiled at him. He gave me a thumbs up, and I returned it with a small laugh.

We said our goodbyes before he headed for his apartment and I went into the house.

Silently, I opened the door and tiptoed in. The door closed with a soft click. Almost immediately I was pulled into a tight hug, my face pressed into a familiar shoulder.

"Don't you ever run off like that again," Isshin said, hugging me tighter. "I was worried sick."

I blinked in surprise and saw three people at the top of the stairs. Yuzu, Karin, and Ichigo, all smiling and wearing similar expressions of... Relief....

I squeezed my eyes shut and hugged him back just as tight.

"I'm sorry."