B L E A C H : I C H I G O _ O R I H I M E

L I F T I N G_T O G E T H E R

[[part ONE after Los Noches]]

-Not the owner of Bleach, Never will be-

Here I was again, in class, like nothing had ever happened. Time was still ticking and work was still being given out. And yet, my feeling remained the same for that one. I knew what had happened so far, though I am truly grateful that everything is over and done for from there. Being rescued at such a time and killing such a man, make the possible, seem possible.

I tapped my pencil on my desk lightly; looking straight into the back of his orange hair. If I were actually a robot, I would have burned hole through his head by now. He had actually rescued me from all my pain. The one I dream about, or Im clumsy for, shy around, and yet totally untouchable… Kurosaki-kun. Yet, after all this the name Ichigo still cannot roll off my tongue. I day dream of when I finally can.

"Orihime? Hellooo? Can you hear me?"

"Oi! Tatsuki-chan!" I shook my head a little, getting caught in my day dreams again.

"Are you ever going to make a move on that hard head?" Blushing a light shade of pink on my cheeks, I couldn't help but agree with her. I needed to push myself closer to him, but would he actually return my feelings?

"Oh, I will sometime.." I replied with a light smile. The bell had finally rung. Everyone ran out the classroom door, all except one. He was trying to finish packing up his books in his bag. I dropped one of mine in a light excitement of being alone, and yet embarrassment. He then looked over to me.

"Orihime?" He crept out from his lips looking t me, "Is everything alright? I thought you had left already?" He asked, giving me a smile, the one thing that I know he only gives me…

"Oh! Yeah! Sorry!" I giggled trying not make myself look any stupider. "I was just sitting and waiting for everyone to rush out that way it makes things easier. How about you?"

"Yeah, Same. I'm just glad class is over. Want me to walk you home?" He gave me that smiles again, I could feel my heart stop for a moment. Seeing those eyes and perfect teeth with his gentle words. Was he actually asking to walk me home? Oh, I need to say something before he thinks I have down syndrome!

"S-Sure! I mean if your not busy or anything? I wouldn't want to take up your time or anyt-"

"Orihime," He softly spoke, cutting me off of my rant, "Its fine. I asked you didn't I? Come on."

Ichigo's words could make me melt. He could say pickles and I would probably think it was the cutest thing on the planet. We walked home together. The sun slowly began to disappear behind rain cloud. His personality didn't change very much. There was still silence, both of us thinking in our own world. I was content though. Just having him by my side was nice enough. Our steps became the same. I would giggle every so often trying to keep up with his. I heard a small chuckle come from him and I immediately felt my face turn up in flames of blush.

"What are you doing Orihime?

"Wel, I was trying to keep up with your footsteps. It was fun-"

Suddenly, there was a crack of thunder. I screeched a little when I felt the first raindrop hit my face. He frowned slightly. I felt a little bad for Ichigo. I knew he hated the rain, I could understand why.

"Come on. The quicker we get to your house the better."

Then it happened. I felt something grab my hand and we were off. Running through the rain with my hand in his was one of the best feeling I had had in my entire life. I could his hand was scarred with small wounds. Lightly rough yet strong.

Finally, we ran up to my home and I opened the door up. Both of us ran in lightly panting and soaking wet. I shut the door and set my stuff down. As did he.

"Ill grab us some towels." I smiles and walked to my bathroom, grabbing a few towels. I walked back out to see him waiting for me right outside the door. I slightly bumped into him, not expecting him to actually be right there.

"S-Sorry! I didn't know you were right here…"

"Orihime," He smiles and took a towel gently running it through his hair, "How come you don't just call me Ichigo? Im sure we've been through enough to pass the whole last name thing."

He chuckled slightly, looking down and me with a side smile. I blushed, I must have blushed layers and layers of pink at that question and statement. I looked up at him, then slightly looked away.

"Im sorry, I guess we have been through a lot. I just never thought about calling you by your first name because I was afraid you might think it was weird.."

Smiling he replied, "Nah. Not at all. I've uh, Iv'e always kind of wondered what it would sound like when you actually said my name. "

D-Did he just blush at me!? Did he just say he was wondering what his name sounded like coming from me!? What else did he think about me..?

"R-Really? Then, I-I guess Ill call you, Ichigo, from now on." I smiled up at him. One of the cutest and biggest smiles I could build up just for him. He smiled back at me, and gave me a small rustle of the hair. I giggled, but this feeling… could it be real?

"Sorry for just barging into your house. It was raining pretty hard out there.

"No no! Its no problem at all really! Um, How about I make us some soup or something? it's the weekend so its really no problem for you stay. " I smiled, walking to the kitchen and grabbed a small pot setting and starting it on the oven."

"Do you want some clothes or anything to change into? I have a few thing that my brother had given me buuut, of course they don't fit me." I giggled. He nodded and smiled. I walked to the back room and grabbed a pair of black sweatpants with a white t shirt. Walking back out, I handed him the clothes and went to go change myself.

I grabbed a pair of grey pajama shorts and a white short sleeve hoodie. I brushed my hair out a little, letting it flow down. As I walked back out, Ichigo had already changed and set his clothes out.

"Thanks for the clothes Orihime. Im going to make a quick call to me dad just so he doesn't freak and send the cops after me."

I laughed a little. "Not a problem at all." I walked back to the kitchen to continue on the soup.

"Hey dad, I-

"ICHIGO!! Where are you!?! Its puring cats and dogs out there and your not home!!"

"Dad, Im at Orihime's hou-"

"WHAT!?! Your at her house!? Ichigo, I know we havent had this talk yet but use pro-"

"DAD! Im hanging up on you now!"

"Ichigo! Im just saying use pro-"

*CLIICK*

I looked over with a slight giggle, "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, My dad is just a huge weirdo and thinks Im going to have - Never mind. He just wants to make sure Im alright." He smiled and walked over to the kitchen. He sniffed a little, enjoying the smell of the soup cooking.

"Its almost done; would you like some?"

"Yes, Thank you."

I poured us each a small bowl of soup. We sat on the sofa flicking through different channels on the TV. Things seemed so right; I was sitting there with my knees pulled up close as he sat back into the sofa like it was so natural. We were first watching the weather channel. Random. Yes, it was raining cats and dogs. The news channel even said stay in your house. I felt my body warm up at that statement. After that, we went to random channels and watching people play pranks on others.

I couldn't believe we were laughing and enjoying each others company. I had never seen Ichigo in such a statement of happiness. That is, unless he is around Rukia. That's right. Me and Ichigo were just friends. Rukia was the real love in his life. How could I compete with someone who is with him 24/7. Can this truly be happening?

I lightly looking over at him; he really did look happy. At peace would say. I smiled. For now, I would enjoy our time. Even if that's all I get, I'm still with Ichigo. But I guess good times come to an end at some point; like when the electricity goes out. The TV was suddenly black and you could barely see your hand in front of your face. It was quiet for a moment. The sweet dreadful sounds of the rain splattering against every obstacle broke the silence in the room. Just the same with every break of thunder.

"Orihime?" He stated, almost shattering and disrupting the movement of everything.

"Y-Yeah, sorry, everything totally went out."

"Yeah, Its alright." He let out a small chuckle.

I smiled, even if it was only for me to feel, "Well, What now?"

"Hm, I guess we could just talk. Anything on our mind?"

Just earlier today we were quiet with one another, now he is actually asking me to talk to him? I almost feel privileged..

"Um, well, how are things with Rukia?" Once I asked this, there was a pause. Was he thinking about her? Did I just spark some kind of memory in his brain about her. Then, there was a small chuckle."

"Rukia? What about her? The fact that she is always getting on my case about the duty and work is extremely annoying. And how she is always trying to ACT girly makes me want to barf." He laughed and I could feel myself let out a small sigh of relief. Was he actually not interested in Rukia?

"Aw. I'm sure you guys have some good times. How about anyone else?"

"Anyone else? Hm, I guess I have actually been wanting to hang out with you for a while. Heh. Kinda got that now.."

I felt my head explode in insanity. He actually aid he wanted to hang out with me? That he had been wanting to hang out with me for a while?! Ichigo.. Do you even know how I feel about you? Do you eve know how in love I am with you? I slightly gripped my hands around each other trying not to let anything come out just yet.

"How about you Orihime? How have you been?"

"Ive been alright. Im glad things have gone back to normal. I-I have been meaning to tell you thank you Ichigo. For everything you have done for me. You have no idea how grateful I am for all that you have done."

". . . ."

"S-Sorry if that seems a little straight forward! I just wanted to-"

Then there it was. It was warm, gentle, and completely caught me off guard. I had wanted this for so long, and here it was. His lips, on mine.

[[Hey :] Really hope you guys liked the first chapter. Im hoping to get ALOOT of reviews on it so I know whether to keep continuing on it or not? Just so you know, Future chapters will hold TONS of lemon with Orihime and Ichigo. If you would like anyone else to be added in or have any ideas get back to me with them. Thanks so much for reading Part one Of, "L I F T I N G_T O G E H T E R" 33]]