Bleach 228

Script Notes: Another week, another chapter. This one was a semi-cakewalk, I suppose. Though for some reason, I feel a bit empty just reading this chapter in text. I guess it's the fact that Emo-hime didn't really hang around long enough to make the gravity of the situation in last week's installment be all that meaningful. Still, I guess it's good to see Rukia again (even if she serves as nothing more than a tool for scene transition). Overall a pretty blah chapter I'm afraid to say, but Orihime fans will get a kick out of it (+ some Vizard humor).

As usual, please don't crosspost; link back. It saves lives, really it does.
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(Orihime leaves the Urahara Shoten and is spotted by someone; it's Rukia.)

Rukia: What's wrong Inoue? Why are you...

Orihime: Ku-Kuchiki-san.

(Orihime weeps.)

Rukia: Wha? Inoue, what's wrong!? Inoue!?

Bleach c228 - Don't Look Back
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Translation Notes: In this space in the JP equivalent, there was a brief description of the chapter cover. However, it was really ambiguous in saying that it had a nude Rukia and Orihime. What I suppose they meant to say is one of those artistic featureless silhouettes.
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Rukia: Huh? Urahara told you what? No way!

Orihime: It's okay, I've come back to my senses after since then... this has to be for my own good... it's true that I'm no use...

(Rukia grabs Orihime.)

Rukia: That's not true! Don't your remember anything you've done? Weren't you one of the guys who fought in Soul Society? How can you just disregard all that like this!?

Orihime: Don't worry, it's not important...

Rukia: Stop lying!!

Orihime: I'm not!! I just... I just wanted to fight together with my friends, that's all. I don't want to be lonely... but more so on top of that... I don't want to be get in anyone's way. If I'm just going to complicate things, I'd rather stop being so selfish.

Rukia: Look, just because you lack the power to fight doesn't make you a burden; it's when you don't have the will... During the time we all spent fighting in Soul Society, no one was a burden then... not Ichigo, Sado, Ishida... or you, for that matter, Inoue.

Rukia. No one person in that group could've done it alone... and if that had been the case, I wouldn't be here. No one is without even some value in the times to come. We just have to look harder for yours... Inoue.

Orihime: Kuchiki-san...

(Hiyori drops in on their conversation.)

Rukia: Wha...!?

Orihime: Hiyori-chan?

(Hiyori steals Orihime from Rukia's side.)

Hiyori: You're coming with me, seems Hatch wants a word.

Orihime: Hatch-san, but why?

(The two disappear together.)

Rukia: Wait, just who exactly are you!?

Hatch: Hachigen, at your service. It's a delight to make your acquaintance.
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Translation Notes: Hatch's proper name is written with some really weird kanji (3) that sum up as "to possess/have," "shining/brilliant," and "rice paddy." Yes, "one who owns a shiny rice paddy" and pink hair to boot.
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Orihime: Oh, I as well.

(Hatch begins observing Orihime.)

Hatch: Hmm, mmm, hmmmmmm

Orihime: If you dont mind me asking, what do you need of me? ...Ow! My face doesn't come off, you know!

(Hatch eventually comes to Orihime's hairpin.)

Hatch: I see now... I take it that this hairpin houses your powers. In which case, it's similar to a Zanpakutou... interesting.

Orihime: !

Hatch: Though, something here is amiss... it's been like this ever since I first laid eyes on you.

Orihime: Ah, its been damaged... severely.

Hatch: Then would you like me to repair it?

Orihime: Will you really!?

Hatch: But of course.

Orihime: My goodness! I can't thank you enough!

Hatch: Yaaay!

Kensei: You can drop the groping act now.

Mashiro: Wait a minute! Why is he fixing her up?!? She's just a stranger we met today, I don't like her.

Kensei: Ugh, just pipe down.

Rose: Can't you be happy at meeting another person who's got powers comparable to our own? Looks like Hatch noticed that our little circle is growing and...

(Hiyori and Ichigo continue to spar in the background.)

Hatch: Hmm... I assume you couldn't start yourself because you lacked the missing pieces which broke off. Is that why you felt down recently?

Orihime: Er, not exactly... did we need to go over this for sixth time?

Hatch: Though... Hmmm, but if your reiatsu showed you had very close powers to mine even when fragmented, I should be able to restore them.

(Hatch forms a small burst of energy which dissolves to reveal a restored Tsubaki.)

Tsubaki: Hey, woman! What's with the long face?

Orihime: Yes!! Tsubaki-kun's finally back, thank goodness.

Tsubaki: What the? Stop that, let go already!

Orihime: Thank you again, Hatch-san.

Hatch: Fixing Tsubaki was no problem. With him at your side, you should be able to fight again. However... I have to say that I can't wholeheartedly approve you returning to the frontline. If I'm right, and your powers are nearly identical to mine, Arrancar would make for extremely troublesome opponents. Knowing that, how's your will to fight?

Orihime: Still here!

Hatch: Fine... seeing as how you've yet to to learn about the depths of your abilities, you need to make finding them your top priority. Whenever you try to do so, remember this: it's not about how things "should be," but rather how you "want them to be."

Orihime: I understand.

(Orihime once again leaves the Vizards' warehouse to see Rukia once more.)

Orihime: Kuchiki-san, I guess you can say all the answers are in there....

Rukia: I sensed Ichigo's reiatsu coming from within, yet nothing seemed wrong to me. So if you came from a place where both you and he are safe, that's fine with me. He didn't say anything when he left, so I don't expect that you have to feel obligated to explain yourself either. Let's just go home for now Inoue.

Orihime: Kurosaki-kun... I'll never be so weak that I'll have to constantly rely on you again; next time we meet I'll fight. And this time I won't hide behind you, we'll do it together.
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Translation Notes: This is where the title of the chapter, "Don't Look Back" comes into play. It serves a double meaning here it can refer to (1) Rukia's pep talk at the beginning of the chapter or (2) literally to not look at a "back;" the back in question here being that of Ichigo, in which case makes the title a bit Engrishy (but that never hurts anyone).
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End of c227