Hello everyone! It's been a while since my last fic ne?

This story just came out of nowhere in my head, but I had so much fun writing it, so I hope you will have fun reading it too (:

The timeline in this story happens sometime after Ichigo regained his shinigami powers, and this story is mostly humor, with a little seasoning for romance (;

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH. If I did, I'd definitely make this into an Omake chapter.

"There it is! The magnificent Mt. Fuji in all it's glory!"

Sure enough the bespoken sight stood towering the sky in the far distance, appearing as majestic as ever with its colossal body and snow-capped peak.

The students fished out their cameras and phones then started taking snapshots of Mt. Fuji all the while sighing in awe, as the bus they're on moved with a soft purr of the engine.

Meanwhile, Kurosaki Ichigo just sat comfortably on his spot in the opposite side of the bus, earphones tucked in both ears while most of his classmates instantly moved to the other side to watch the scenery over the window. He was sure the bus would have flipped over if all of them kept leaning on one side of the bus, but it seemed his classmates couldn't care less. After all, it's their final school trip with everyone as it's their final year in high school, and Ichigo couldn't blame them for being in high spirits for as long as a week already ever since their grade has decided to go to Kyoto for their trip.

Ever since Ichigo regained his shinigami powers back he never felt more at ease with himself. He felt once again complete and confident in protecting his friends, and he could no longer be left out in hunting hollows at night. Now that they are headed for a 3-day trip to Kyoto, he briefly wonders how the hollows will be dealt with while he and his friends are away. That Afro shinigami (Imoyama-san was his name?) was around, maybe somehow he could take them on by himself. He was slightly worried but he decided to leave it to the shinigami in-charge and just use this time to unwind and enjoy the company of friends in the tasteful atmosphere in Kyoto.

"Cupcakes! Cupcakes everyone~!" bearing a trayful of her homemade sweets, Orihime joined the students flooding one side of the bus, her treats attracting a crowd of girls with delighted eyes.

"Looks delicious Orihime-chan!" one of the girls exclaimed in appreciation while taking one cupcake daintily with her thumb and forefinger. "Did you make this yourself?"

"Yup!"

"That's wonderful! Is this chocolate?" another girl inquired as she picked one for herself.

"That's right! I mixed it with honey and carrots! Oh but don't worry, I blended them evenly in the fruit shaker and put just the right amount of beanpaste!" Orihime supplied heartily.

The girls who were at the process of biting and chewing their food stopped halfway and almost choked upon hearing her revelation. It was clear they weren't informed of Orihime's rather bizarre form of taste.

"V-very unique…. uh, blend."

Ichigo watched in quiet amusement as Orihime presented her cupcakes to every student she passed by as they politely declined or reluctantly took one. She seemed rather oblivious at the huge spunk the guys had to muster to refuse her sweets. She was still smiling widely at every person she gives cupcakes to, when their eyes locked onto each other. 'Oh man…'

"Kurosaki-kun! Would you like some?"She called out as she made her way towards him.

Despite having his earphones in place he practically still heard Orihime calling out to him, no matter how hard he tried feigning ignorance. He removed his earphones when she reached his spot and sat beside him then held the tray of cupcakes close to his face all the while staring at him with her large, expectant eyes.

"Did you make these yourself?"

She nodded with exuberance.

He swallowed hard. 'Damn'. He should've expected but who was he kidding. He was just stalling the inevitable. "Uh… well.." He lifted up one cupcake from the tray and eyed it for a brief moment. Chocolate brown cake with orange toppings with sorts of violet spots about it. 'Probably beanpaste.' Ichigo thought. 'Well here goes..' He took a single bite devouring almost half of the treat and he chewed thoughtfully, frowning at the slight pungent taste about the cream.

"How does it taste?" asked Orihime and not a hint of anxiety in her voice.

Ichigo swallowed the food in his mouth before he turned towards her, his usual scowl playing in his features. "Not... not bad." He removed the wrapper and tossed it to the trash can at the side then propped what remained of the treat into his mouth. "Idunno about the others, but its… quite good." He actually meant what he said despite his misgivings at first. 'Guess I just got lucky this time.'He sighed inwardly.

"Really? I'm so happy! You can have one more if you like!" At this Ichigo's eyebrow gave a nervous twitch, but Orihime didn't seem to notice at all as she continued. "It's a shame that Sado-kun and Ishida-kun are on a different bus though. I want them to have one of these too."

"You can give'em some when we reach the inn. We'll be meeting up there after all." Ichigo grinned lopsidedly at his own suggestion, thinking about those two's faces when they see the almost-too-ghastly-looking cupcakes.

"Great idea! I'll save some for them and then—"

"IIIICHIIIIGOOOO!"Asano Keigo ran towards them with arms frantically waving in the air.

"Asano-kun! Want some cupcakes?"

He instantly stopped running and skidded towards Orihime then kneeled in front of her.

"Inoue-san! You are beautiful as you are kind! Of course I want some!"

"Oi what do you want?" Ichigo groaned, exasperated.

"Th-that's right!" He jumped up nearly knocking over Orihime's tray of cupcakes. "Mizuiro is being surrounded by girls again! But-but no matter what I do Michiko-chan won't talk to me like how she would Mizuiro! You gotta help me Ichigo!" He cried out.

"No way." Ichigo folded his arms across his chest. "There's no way I'll help you hit on girls and I don't."

"Oh that's right!" Orihime blurted out, startling the two guys. "I'll go over to Kojima-kun if he wants some of my cupcakes. See you later Kurosaki-kun, Asano-kun!" She stood up and went her way.

"C'mon Ichigo! Don't you want to create some romance this school trip? And this is a good start! You know what they say, YOUTH IS THE SEASON OF LOVE!" He emphasized his point by pointing to the sky and fisting his other hand to his heart while wearing a silly grin on his face.

"What nonsense are you blabbering? I planned on relaxing this school trip and you're not changing my mind."

"Ichigoooo! I'm begging you! I-I can't let Mizuiro hog all the fun for himself! Help me out! Pleeease?" He was on his knees at the same time clutching at Ichigo's leg.

"Hey let go!" Ichigo tried to shake him off but he clung to him like a fern. "Why don't you go ask Mizuiro for his help?"

"That won't work…"

"Then figure it out yourself!"

By this time the students who were taking pictures of Mt. Fuji gradually returned to their seats and resumed their previous activities of playing bingo or cards, or just chatted idly.

"Just flash those girls one of your rare smiles for me so I could be proud to have such a friend like you!"

"Shut up! Like that'll work!" Ichigo gave him a whack on the head, effectively making him scramble up to his seat beside him.

Rubbing his throbbing head with both hands, Keigo stared at him with hurt, teary eyes. "Ichigo you're so cruel… and I though you were my friend…"

"You were asking for something ridiculous!" He shot back. "Only a complete idiot would do that!"

"I'm back Ichigo, Asano-san." Mizuiro sat beside Keigo, pulling out his cell from his breastpocket. "Asano-san you look ridiculous. Did you bother Ichigo again?"

"It's all your fault for being too friendly with Michiko-chan! You know I like her but you didn't give me a chance!" His face instantly transformed into something furious.

"I don't know what you're talking about Asano-san. You must have a fever."

As the two friends carried on with their squabble Ichigo leaned back on his seat, tucked his earphones back in his ears then stared at the streetposts outside his windowseat, completely ignoring all the noises of the very lively students inside the bus as he slowly drifted into a nap.

So it ends right here fellas! I'll post the next chapter soon enough, so tell me what you think and Review! /(^o^)/