Affinity #4 - Arisaki (Ichigo & Tatsuki)

Ichigo and Tatsuki, is there something behind this friendship? Well for starters, they're childhood friends + Tatsuki was the first person to ever make Ichigo cry. Following the death of Ichigo's mother, Tatsuki worried over Ichigo's skipping of class and went looking for him, a sign that despite their fights, she cares for Ichigo's wellbeing. Tatsuki over time met Orihime and became both her friend and protector whereas Ichigo went about his normal high school days being able to see ghosts and eventually becoming a Shinigami upon his encounter with Rukia Kuchiki. So Ichigo and Tatsuki, despite having little to no communication in the origins of the Bleach anime/manga, are friends. Tatsuki is also spiritually aware and as such, she is able to sense and see the supernatural. She also can pack a punch (in filler episodes, she is shown to be able to do a little damage to hollows) and as such, she could possibly be an asset in the upcoming war. Conscious of Ichigo's involvement with the Shinigami, Tatsuki has come to the conclusion that Ichigo knows of Orihime's whereabouts upon her absence (Aizen orchestrating her kidnapping). Tatsuki, despite being fully aware of Ichigo's Shinigami abilities, still worries for Ichigo and upon seeing Ichigo fight Aizen, she felt nothing coming from him - an indication that despite Ichigo's growth as a Shinigami, Tatsuki doesn't mind at all the implications surrounding Ichigo and that he'll always be her friend alongside Keigo & Mizuiro. What I thought was kinda cute was when Tatsuki saw Rangiku attempting to fight Aizen & Gin, feeling jealous that Ichigo didn't introduce Rangiku to her. Even after the whole Aizen arc, Tatsuki and Ichigo are on good terms, Tatsuki supporting Ichigo being a Shinigami, and still going about their halcyon days - hanging out at school, exchanging and borrowing games, and enjoying Ichigo's friendly beating on Keigo. Overall, I think Tatsuki values Ichigo highly and sees him as her one true "male" friend. She worries over Ichigo's safety, but knows that Ichigo can take care of himself. Upon hearing the news of maybe/maybe not seeing Ichigo in the Human World, she was saddened by her friend and this indicates Ichigo's influence he's had on his friends. So overall, there afinity is that of a brother-sister kinda vibe/close childhood friends with Tatsuki saving Ichigo from danger in the past. Until then, you all stay classy. Here a few instances Tatsuki is with Ichigo:

Childhood/High School/Time-Skip

Photos courtesy of Bleachwiki.com