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She tries to look her best everyday for her boyfriend. The praises and comments of her friends and classmates didn't really mean anything to her before, until Ichigo became her boyfriend. Whenever they look at her with admiration she kept hoping that he'll realize what a beautiful girlfriend he has. Admired by the boys, envied by the girls. But the only opinion that really matters seemed indifferent to it. But still, she never once felt that she has to leave his side… until she came back.
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After the Winter War when peace was established at Karakura, soul society pulled out all the shinigamis in the area except for the one that was assigned to slay the few weak hollows that occasionally show up. "Karakura town is populated by high density of spiritual powers just from humans alone, shinigamis being there would do more harm than good." , is what the soutaichou declared when he commanded the slayers to move back to soul society.
The reason was sensible enough, but it seemed that it wasn't to Ichigo who looked like an empty shell going on autopilot after Rukia left. And it pained Orihime to see Ichigo like that.
"I was so naïve brother, I was so jealous of Kuchiki-chan when she was here. I thought it would hurt me to see them together. I never thought it would hurt me so much more to see him apart from her. I'm a witch." Is what Inoue cried to her brother's altar.
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Day after day she would try to cheer up Ichigo while being careful not hurt his pride, without caring about hers. By then, it was pretty clear to everybody how she felt about Ichigo. Ichigo probably noticed too at that time, even a blind man probably would. She even visit him on weekends and help out at the clinic. She learned to cook and restrained her taste for food whenever she's making a bento, and bringing food at the Kurosaki house for her visits and they actually like her cooking. Yuzu and Karin both looked up to her, and Isshin adored her.
One night before heading home from her visit, Ichigo stopped her on her way out of the clinic.
"Inoue? Why?"
Although a long silence followed Ichigo's question, they both know what the question was about.
"Because you are my love her right?"
Ichigo made a fake chuckle "W-What are you talking about In-"
"I know, Kurosaki-kun, I am always watching you. I don't want to see you like this. You're still alive, you still have your family… and your friends. You have unlimited talent to have fun in this life Kurosaki-kun."
Unable to hold back her emotions, Inoue sobbed. "Don't waste… what's.. in front.. of you."
Ichigo is shocked. Now that Inoue is actually admitting her feelings he didn't know what to do. After a few moments of silence..
"Then, wanna go out Inoue?"
This time, it's Inoue's time to be shocked. Her cries momentarily stopped.
Go out? With Kurosaki-kun? Is he serious? But..
She looked at Ichigo's eyes, his sad eyes made all her doubts vanish "Yes!"
It's okay, I'm gonna make him happy again..
And that's how they started to date.
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After a year, on Ichigo's birthday, they felt her presence.
"Rukia.." Ichigo whispered, but loud enough for everybody who felt her. Most especially Inoue.
Not claiming any rights to the characters.
My first fanfic! There's definitely a next chap. If not for you then for myself!LOL!
I won't let Orihime be sad.. at the end at least.
