August 6th

In one of my clearer earliest memories, I could distinctively recall the smooth feel of the silk yukata that Onii-san had miraculously produced. I'd been rubbing the elegantly drooped sleeves all evening, impatiently waiting my turn at the goldfish catching game. It was my first festival, and I was five. More specifically, it was the festival from which my name originated. Orihime. Orihime Inoue. Mother had named me Orihime because I was born on—or during the Tanabata Festival. In an abandoned warehouse, she'd gone into labor with my Onii-san as the midwife.

Onii-san always spoke in a hushed tone about Mother, as if scared of awakening the past that we'd so narrowly escaped.

A light tugging on my hand. I had looked up to see a tiny red dragonfly being offered to me.

It's small enough for your fingers, Orihime-chan.

I'd held out my pudgy hands then and solemnly accepted the insect. He? She?—it had walked all over my hands, causing me to burst into a fit of giggles. Then it flew away. I'd forgotten all about goldfish then, and chased after it. The scene is blurry after that until the fireworks started. I remembered that part clearly because Onii-san had been telling me the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi.

The tale originated from China, Onii-san had said.

(Where's China? I asked.

Far away.

Can you tell the story now?)

It's called the Qi Xi there. Here, it's referred to as Orihime and Hikoboshi. Legend says that once upon a time, there lived a beautiful fairy princess called Orihime. Everyday, she weaved cloths for her father, the Tentei. The cloths she produced were so smooth and pretty, her father begged her to keep weaving for him, and so she did. Day and night, her nimble fingers fiddled with yarns on her loom. Pleased as she was to see her father's smiling face, Orihime was not happy. Weaving all day left little time for her to meet her prince. When she mentioned this to her father, he indulged her by arranging for her to meet Hikoboshi, who worked on the other side of the Amanogawa. The two quickly fell in love and married. However, after being married, Orihime could no longer weave for her father and Hikoboshi neglected his cow herds across the Amanogawa. Cows ran free and the loom gathered dust. Furious, the Tentei separated the lovers once more by throwing Hikoboshi across the Amanogawa. Once bright, the colors of Orihime's cloths turned dark in mourning, and she begged daily to meet her husband. Eventually, the Tentei caved to his daughter's despondent wails. He agreed to let the lovers meet on the seventh of the seventh month if she worked hard and finished her weaving. At first, there was no bridge for Orihime to cross the river. But the magpies felt sorry for her sadness and promised to make one for her. That's why when it rains on the day of the Festival, Orihime and Hikoboshi have to wait for another year to meet.

I'm glad it isn't raining, I'd said seriously. The expression of such seriousness on a child's five year old face must have been amusing, because my Onii-san chuckled. His expression fell back into the serenity I had become accustomed with when he replied,

As am I.

We'd left shortly after that, before the time to hang wishes on the trees and to sing the song of Tanabata. Somewhere along the trek back to our house, I fell asleep.

(thisismylinedon'tmockitsinceit'sawesomeandidon'?)

A ring brought me back to reality. I was in an apartment. Onii-san was dead. I could see ghosts. I had spiritual powers.

I am Orihime Inoue, seventeen years old, and I am—was?—in love with Kurosaki Ichigo. Maybe. I'm in class 3-A in Karakura High, and today, I was going to shop for the Tanabata Festival with Tatsuki-chan. Recently, Tatsuki-chan had been training under the Omnitsukido due to her increasing spiritual powers. Pretty soon, I think she'll surpass me. Maybe that was why I didn't wear my Onii-san's clips anymore—I had no more need of them now. Aizen was defeated. Kurosaki-kun and my friends were safe. Karakura was safe.

I pushed the dismiss button on my cell-phone and yawned. Sparing the silvery blue snowflakes on my dresser another brief glance, I grabbed a towel and headed into the shower. Afterwards, I'd have some ice cream with cheese and red bean paste. I'd go shopping with Tatsuki-chan in Kimono Warehouse and have a perfect day. Pleased with the plan, I nodded happily to myself and started humming the Wahaha song.

(thisismylinedon'tmockitsinceit'sawesomeandidon'?)

A/N: New story. Everyone, go easy! It's our first Ulquiorra and Orihime, and TallerThanThou is not that experienced a writer!

Translations and references: For those who need them

Tentei: the sky lord

Orihime and Hikoboshi: did originally come from China. The Japanese story was inspired by the Weaving Maid and the Cowherd, a popular folk tale.

Onii-san: Brother

Amanogawa: Milky Way

Wahaha Song: a song sang by Orihime's favorite artist. She used to sing it on do-re-mi's but then she couldn't decide on "Do" Dokuro-dan (Skull Gang) or the Doburoku (unrefined sake), she switched to singing it on fu's, fo's, and fon's. For more details, look to bleach Chapter 425.

Omnitsukido: think of them as stealthy ninjas that faithfully report to Soi Fong Taicho.

The Tanabata Song:

Sasa no ha sara-sara

Nokiba ni yureru

Ohoshi-sama kira-kira

Kingin sunago

Translation:

The bamboo leaves rustle

Shaking away in the eaves

The stars twinkle;

Gold and silver grains of sand

The date of the festival is never on the seventh of the seventh; the date is on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, causing it to be in August.