A White Valentine's Day
Note: A three chapter Valentine's Day short story based on Bleach. I have been watching the show and became an instant fan; however, I made the mistake of watching dubbed first and never wished to watch anymore. Then I tried watching subtitled…well now I am all caught up and addicted haha. This is my first Bleach fanfic and is a one-shot between Orihime and Ichigo, all you Ichigo and Rukia fans—experiencing first-hand how passionate they are—stop reading now and find a more suitable short fic. You have been warned.
Orihime woke early that morning, much earlier than she had ever had previous mornings—and with good reason too; today is Valentine's Day, where the woman get the men chocolates. Orihime rubbed her eyes as she walked around her lonely apartment in her teal shaded nightgown. The hardwood floor was always so cold in the mornings and always caused her to hug herself as she walked over to the wall and turned on the heat. It was a silly thing to do because she was normally off to school before she could even enjoy the heat. Self-comfort could be the only answer as to why she does this every single morning.
Casting a glance to the side, Orihime looked at all the chocolates she bought over the week and gave a little absent giggle at the bundle in the corner. She let herself think on how she was even going to try and carry all those bags to school.
"Maybe Kurosaki-kun will come by and help me." Orihime commented absently as she tapped her chin while looking up before what she said hit her. A minor blush came onto her face as she shook her head rapidly as if shaking the thought out of her head. "I cannot trouble Kurosaki-kun with my troubles. What am I thinking?" Orihime scolded herself as she lightly tapped her own head with a closed fist like she was playfully knocking some sense into herself.
The long haired, dark orange haired young woman walked to her kitchen as she opened the cupboards and browsed through what she had on hand. "Oh silly how of me, I was so busy shopping for chocolates for everyone that I forgot to buy some things for baking." Orihime sighed in a dejected manner as she folded her arms and blew air upwards that tossed her bangs from her right eye.
A thought came to her mind that made the young woman smile as she clasped her hands together, the creative part of her mind kicked in. "I can just replace some of the ingredients." She exclaimed cheerfully as she smiled.
Orihime spent a lot of time trying to find something suiting for Kurosaki-kun but nothing seemed to be good enough for him; at least that is what she thought. It had been two years since the last grand struggle between Ichigo and Aizan and Ichigo had finally been granted the wish that he had wanted. Unlike most story book heroes, his wish was quite simple and that was just to live a somewhat normal life that was not so chaotic with drastic events.
Ichigo had gone to school like any student would and did his work like any student would and he also seemed to be the least effected mind from the battles, despite being the one in the eye of the storm for the entire thing. He had even come face to face with death on so many occasions and yet he still managed to hold onto what he was originally like. Orihime admired that strength and she bashfully hid her feelings for him respecting his desire to just lead a normal life and she also thought maybe he would need time and she could wait for him.
But two years later and Orihime wanted to get Ichigo something special, something that said the words she tried to speak to him the night he slept. She wished to tell him how much she cared for him and the first step she would try is just something special that could say she thought about him. Let him decide what to do from there.
The thought of him getting her gift made her cheeks flare for a moment of embarrassment as she idly gathered up all the basics of making a good cake. There was nothing in her mind that suited Ichigo and nothing seemed…personal…enough for Ichigo that would tell him in words of silent what she thought. Her mind raced as she thought up special touches she could do to the cake to make it a signature cake and make it so different than anything you would find in any shop.
Orihime however, always had a more unique taste that had not rubbed off on others too well. But she never let that bother her as she grabbed some things that would add her own likeness to her gift to Ichigo.
The smell of a cake baking filled the apartment while Orihime started to get ready for the long day known as Valentine's Day where the woman giri chocolate, a chocolate that was just given to other guys around her that came to her mind or as it could be called a more obligatory chocolate; tomo chocolate, that was some chocolate that Orihime would give to the female friends involved in her life and she was more than happy to give them chocolate because she did not want them to feel left out; and finally honmei chocolate, a special chocolate that was a gift from a woman to a special man in their lives and Ichigo had qualified for that a while ago…Orihime just never had the courage to give it to him.
Orihime's honmei to Ichigo this year was going to be in the form of a freshly baked cake, one that the bashful young woman would be happy to give the unsung hero of Karakura town.
Orihime rinsed out her hair by gently wringing her hair of any remaining conditioner before she turned the showerhead off and stepped out of the bathtub. She grabbed the dry towel and wrapped it around her body before she walked out of bathroom to emerge from the steam and be welcomed by the pleasant smell of baking cake that actually made the young woman give a soft content sound and made her stomach protest in a soft hungered growl.
The alluring smell only gave Orihime hope that Ichigo would like her creation and also gave her some hope into one of her many future aspirations of owning a bake shop along with the other professions she had in her dreams.
Time passed so quickly that before Orihime even knew it, she was wiping her forehead after carefully icing a cooled down baked cake, careful in her icing job yet careless where the icing ended up on her own person she ended up smearing some chocolate on her own forehead to add to the small smear of chocolate already on her cheek.
"Perfect!" Orihime cheerfully exclaimed as she dropped the icing tube onto the counter and clasped her hands together happily while her eyes closed in happiness.
This would be one of the boldest moves she had ever done in her life and that actually shook up her nerves a little as she slowly opened her eyes and even found herself debating if she should or not. It was custom to give the men chocolates on this day and she had to categorize those in her life and to be honest with herself, Ichigo was someone who was dear and very special to her and she honestly wished that she could be his.
Orihime shook her head rapidly once more, shaking those thoughts out of her head as she became flustered while holding the sides of her head. She wished she knew how to boost her own confidence and give herself a small pep talk; but that was a weak point to her.
One thing she knew was a constant was that Ichigo refused to have anything to deal with this day and she was not surprised he was that way; it was just how Ichigo was. He always seemed to produce an aura of disposition on the traditional or even the things that were considered trendy or popular at the time because in the end it always boiled down to one thing with that honest young man: Ichigo is Ichigo and nothing will change that, if an early life of battles to the death did not change him then nothing would be able to.
The apartment came to life with the sound of a knocking at the door as Orihime jumped suddenly out of her thoughts, startled with a soft gasp as her head whirled towards the source of the knocking. Her brown eyes looked to the clock and it was still early in the morning, who would be knocking at her apartment this early?
Orihime straightened her school uniform by carefully tugging on the dark jacket that covered over her white shirt and gave out a soft breath before walking across to unlock the door and then twist the knob to open the wooden seal to her room.
"K-Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime exclaimed in shock as she brought a hand up to her lips as if it would cover the embarrassed blush she could feel heating her face.
"Morning Inoue," Ichigo raised his hand causally as if he was not even out of place before placing both his arms behind his head while his eyes closed with his signature furrowed eyebrows as he waited for the bewildered woman to ask the predictable question.
"Kurosaki-kun! Wh-what are you doing here?" Orihime nervously asked as she let her hands wander over her form to try and correct an imperfection that was not present in her clothing. "Why are you awake so early?" she added with wide eyes.
Ichigo answered with a shrug as he pocketed his right hand, his left arm still rose up as he held his bag behind his shoulder; his eyes cracked open to look at Orihime. "It is Valentine's Day, why wouldn't I be here?" Ichigo responded with a slight tilt to his head.
"Wh-what?" Orihime blushed as she touched a hand to her heart before feeling the blush become even more dominate over her features as she reacted off of instinct and bashfully covered her face for a moment but not entirely as she was still able to peak at Ichigo. "What do you mean, Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime wondered.
"Those." Ichigo gestured with his head before he carefully side-stepped Orihime and slide out of his shoes respectfully at her door.
"Kurosaki-kun, wait, what if someone sees you!" Orihime exclaimed in a flustered manner when he walked into her apartment. She was given the look over his shoulder as he gave a blank expression.
"I don't even think anyone is awake yet, Inoue." Ichigo pointed out as he turned his head to walk over to the corner of the room and she saw exactly what he was implying towards. Her bags of chocolates she had for Valentine's Day. Ichigo gave one of the bags a poke as if determining if they were actually there. "You leave any left in town?" Ichigo mused as he looked over his shoulder again.
With haste, Orihime shut the door as if someone would see as she turned around to look at Ichigo who was still inspecting the bags before the embarrassed woman felt her blush fade almost instantly as she let out a sigh.
"You don't have to help me, Kurosaki-kun," Orihime started before she gave her cheerful smile and waved her hands in front of her. "I am stronger then I look after all." She laughed softly as if trying to reassure the man. For the past two years, Ichigo had carried her bags for her on Valentine's Day and it seemed that Ichigo was going to add to that minor tradition. But why he was here so early bewildered her as she could not help but stare at him for a moment.
"I think you managed to get more this year." Ichigo commented. He was not intentionally ignoring what Orihime just said but he knew that there was nothing he could say to fight that statement.
With a light grunt, Ichigo rose to his feet and turned around to face Orihime who absently stared at him; her head moved up to look at him when he rose from his crouch. She watched as Ichigo blinked once and stared back at Orihime for a moment as the silence passed by the both of them before Ichigo looked to the side and casually dismissed the moment.
"What is that smell?" Ichigo idly wondered as he smelt the faint aroma in the air of the lingering evidence of Orihime's bakery adventures.
"Huh?" Orihime commented, snapping out of her daze. Even she was not aware she was staring at Ichigo; she was just having one of her blank moments.
"You were cooking something?" Ichigo commented casually.
'Kurosaki-kun's chocolate cake.' Orihime thought desperately. She never thought it was ever good to lie to Ichigo but at the same time she did not wish to ruin the surprise that was sitting on her counter still. "I was cooking my breakfast." Orihime suddenly and cheerfully covered while trying her best not to fidget, she was always an awful lair.
"Smells like chocolate." Ichigo frowned slightly before he looked to Orihime and seemed to assess her for a moment, like he was considering the tastes of who he was speaking to. "Nevermind." Ichigo remarked while letting out a light sigh.
-later-
Ichigo walked down the sidewalk while holding the bags that were filled with boxes of chocolates that Orihime would use to present to the people in her life. Orihime carried the box of the cake and could not help but feel a little guilty that he carried everything else.
The past two years, Orihime always tried to give Ichigo chocolate along with everyone else but like always he refused to have anything to do with the holiday. She did not expect him to cave in but she still had that hope that this year would be different now that she was going to give out her first ever honmei chocolate and she could think of no one better than Ichigo.
"Alright, we're at the school, Inoue." Ichigo remarked, breaking the awkward silence of their walk towards the school.
"Oh." She blinked as if snapping out of a trace; her eyes blinked once as she took in the sight of the school and then gave Ichigo a cheerful smile. "Thank you very much for helping me, Kurosaki-kun."
"Don't mention it." Ichigo dismissed as he placed the bags down carefully as he always did. People would start talking if he carried her bags in all the way to the classroom and Ichigo disliked being the center of any gossip or rumors. He still had to deal with the problem of his burning orange hair that attracted the attention of those around him, more so negative attention.
Orihime looked down to the box and then looked in front of her to look at the back of Ichigo as she gave a light hint of a blush and extended her arms out as if offering it to his back before withdrawing her arms in hesitation as she glanced to the side at the ground letting out a sigh.
"Kurosaki-kun…I…have something for you." Orihime barely whispered out, but still loud enough for the orange haired man to hear.
"Inoue, you know I don't take part in this day." Ichigo dismissed without turning to her.
"Kurosaki…kun…but…" Orihime weakly battled as she swallowed hard and tried to extend her arms to offer the box again even though the young man had not turned around.
The feeling of a hand on her shoulder attracted her attention as Orihime stopped for a moment to turn her head and there she saw the stern, protective, yet friendly eyes of Tatsuki. She seemed to be giving her the silent command of 'hold on.' that got Orihime to bring the box to her body slowly and remain silent for a moment from the embarrassment of having someone else witness the scene unfold.
"Good morning, Orihime…Ichigo." Tatsuki suddenly smiled, not commenting on the situation as she kept her hand on Orihime's shoulder.
"Good Morning, Tatsuki." Ichigo remarked as he turned around to give her a wave. "No chocolates of your own?"
Tatsuki answered with a huffing sigh before smiling over to Orihime. "Don't get me started on that, Ichigo. You know I never bothered with this tradition." Tatsuki added before giving Orihime a friendly and gentle shake. "Besides, Orihime here buys so much that I never have to."
Orihime swallowed hard before giving a smile with a nod and she finally shook off the tension she felt when she tried to give Ichigo the chocolate cake she baked.
"Morning Tatsuki-chan." Orihime smiled suddenly like nothing was affecting her.
"Orihime…did you get more this year?" Tatsuki blinked as she looked down to the bags and then looked back to Ichigo who was already now walking towards the school. "Hey Ichigo, not going to stay around?"
"No." Ichigo commented in his usual manner, he did not ever mean to come off as cold and Orihime could only understand that Ichigo held a certain discomfort on this day of all days. It was one of the days of the year that Ichigo was a little more distant than normal.
"That boy never changes." Tatsuki frowned before looking back to Orihime and grabbing her bags of chocolate, picking up where Ichigo left off. "So…tell me about it." Tatsuki confronted.
"Huh?" Orihime blinked once as her eyes broke from Ichigo to look over to Tatsuki with a blank look for a moment. "What do you mean?" Tatsuki looked down to Orihime's hands which caused the brunt orange haired woman to look down and notice the cake concealed in a red box. "Oh!" Orihime exclaimed as if she had just discovered the box herself. "Well…" Orihime blushed lightly embarrassed once more as she glanced to the side to try and avoid the gaze from Tatsuki.
-More of the day passes-
After Tatsuki punished the overly assertive Chizuru after the beauty-smitten woman tried to trick Orihime in an unsaid deal that if Orihime accepted her honmei chocolates that it was like a green light for the woman to shower Orihime with Chizuru's form of affection. Orihime only saw it as a gift of chocolates and was about to take it before Tatsuki stepped in as the protector of the otherwise naïve young woman.
Orihime rested her cheek into the palm of her hand as she looked over to Ichigo, who was writing something down in his books, and let herself daze off for a moment like she so often did during class. The fact she often dazed off is class, daydreamed or even fell into a light sleep in class continued to amaze people on how Orihime could remain in the top grades and seemingly so effortlessly. It always shocked people that just a naïve, ditzy woman with such an over-worked imagination can be so smart and not be able to show how smart she actually was. That was just how Orihime was; no other explanation could be satisfactory.
Before Orihime even realized how much time had passed by she had been nudged by Tatsuki to drop Orihime back down to Earth. Her eyes blinked once as she realized Ichigo had already left the classroom for lunch. Orihime knew exactly where he went as she looked up towards the ceiling of the classroom, implying that he had retreated to the roof to be spared the risk of running into anyone who would want to include him with Valentine's Day. Orihime said sorry to Ichigo in her mind as she looked to her last gift in the red box. She had a secret hope that he would like it and if he found the cake inside to be tasty, then that was all her heart would need to know.
"Orihime!" Tatsuki called out suddenly, snapping the young woman from her trace again.
The sudden outburst made Orihime jump as her heart pounded in her chest for a moment and she turned to face the impatient best friend of hers and instantly the blush of embarrassment caressed the skin of her cheeks as she laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her hair.
"I am so sorry, Tatsuki-chan." Orihime started while continuing to let out her nervous giggle.
"Orihime," Tatsuki sighed as she placed her hand on Orihime's desk and eyed the woman. "You need to just get it over with." Tatsuki confronted as she let her index finger nudge the red box lightly.
Tatsuki had to confess that she felt a little conflicted that Orihime wanted to give a honmei chocolate to Ichigo although she was not sure why she was so conflicted. She knew of the bond that existed between the two and just how much Orihime adored Ichigo, it was very detectable in Orihime's unsaid words and her meaningful actions which many could dismiss as Orihime just being ditzy; but Tatsuki knew Orihime much better than the others who assumed that. The best she could come to was that she also knew exactly how Ichigo was and she was afraid he might unintentionally hurt Orihime and then she would need to hurt Ichigo for hurting Orihime.
"I…" Orihime started before she gave a small cheerful smile. "I am going to do that right now!" Orihime spoke in a determined tone.
Orihime knew how to find the drive and inner courage when she needed to and this was one of those moments as any fear, embarrassment and hesitation were wiped clean from her body and mind. Orihime grabbed the red box before looking at it and then to Tatsuki as if waiting for her to say something.
"Just be careful Orihime." Tatsuki spoke softly.
"I…just don't know how to deal with the other boys he eats with on the roof. I don't think I could give this to him with them again." Orihime frowned softly.
"Fine, then it is settled…I am coming with you." Tatsuki formed a determined fist.
"Th—that's not what I meant, Tatsuki-chan!" Orihime blushed suddenly.
"Come on, Orihime; we'll go together and I'll take care of the boys so you can be alone with Ichigo." Tatsuki called out, already walking towards the exit of the class room before looking over her shoulder to wave for Orihime to follow.
Before Orihime knew it, the both of them were walking onto the roof and to both their surprise, Ichigo was standing by the fenced gate at the edge of the roof alone without another soul in sight. He had been picking up food with his chopsticks as he ate peacefully by himself while looking out at the school yard with careful and observing eyes.
The moment was coming up and Orihime knew it as she started to lose her nerve. The idea of meeting Ichigo alone forced Orihime to take a step back in retreat before she felt the strong feminine hands of Tatsuki against her back as she gave Orihime a gentle push which caused the woman to moan in protest as she tried to step against the force. It was futile however to fight against Tatsuki as she pushed Orihime with such a force that it caused her to stumble ahead and struggle to regain her balance while she carefully juggled the package in her hands.
Orihime looked back over to Tatsuki only to see a closed door as a symbolic signal of no turning back now. Swallowing hard, Orihime turned to face Ichigo who was still eating and acted like he had heard nothing of what transpired on the roof.
"K—Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime nervously asked as she slowly neared towards the strawberry haired. The young man did not even flinch to the calling of his name before Orihime inched closer and boldly stood beside the man as she looked up to her serious expression and then she tried to look where his gaze was falling on but she could not pinpoint it at all. The only thing she could see was commotion below and her usual circle of friends that sat below in the shade of the tree every day. "Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime repeated as her brown eyes fell upon the young man again, this time he flinched slightly and it was his turn to seemingly snap out of a daze as he blinked and looked to the side. A flash of surprise caught his normally serious expression for a moment before he regained himself and looked over Orihime as if he was determining if she was actually there or not.
"Inoue? What are you doing here?" Ichigo wondered as he lowered the food tray he was holding, placing the chopsticks along the side and then laying the tray on the ledge while he pocketed his hands. "Are you alright?" the follow up question with a hint of protectiveness to his tone.
Even after all these years, Orihime could still feel that Ichigo was protective of her and even though he knew that Tatsuki would beat on anyone that dared to try and harm her in the school, Ichigo still gave off that protective aura that she had come to admire about him or at least one of the many traits she admired about the man. All the experience he had endured those years ago matured him quickly and when before they barely spoke he now would hold conversations with her often.
Today was just an exception like it has been for the past two years; Ichigo distanced himself on this day as well as the day of his mother's passing. Orihime normally respected his wish to keep himself locked away from others but today she wished to shatter the door that sealed him from everyone else. She wanted to be the one that would be allowed to be with him when he was his most lonely…be there for him just as he was for her.
"I am fine, Kurosaki-kun." Orihime stated with her usual cheer somehow penetrating the nervousness that had overcome her mind. She found herself to be happy to know that he worried about her to ask.
She wanted to give him the box then and there but she felt something from the young man. Orihime had always been acutely aware of Ichigo and what he was feeling and something inside her mind told her to be silent for just a moment longer.
"It is hard to believe, isn't it Inoue? Two years have passed since…since everything." Ichigo stated somewhat randomly while he looked back beyond the gate on the roof. This time however he was looking to the skies while the words came from his lips.
Orihime could only make a small confirming sound as she looked to the skies with him, standing at his side. "Before I used to think about it every day," Orihime confessed as her brown eyes came to a close in remembrance. "I have not thought it about it often lately and when I do it…it feels like it was all one big long dream."
"It is best to think of it as nothing but a dream, Inoue." Ichigo commented.
"What do you mean, Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime wondered as her eyes opened so she could look at the stern expression of the young man who had matured beyond his years thanks to his hardships.
"I spent so long trying to just forget everything that happened so I could move on with my life and live it the way I want to. I guess I just wanted to be a normal person…living a normal life." Ichigo confessed, he had said this to himself and to very few others but he had never said it to Orihime.
"I could never forget it." Orihime stated softly with a small shake of her head. "I wouldn't want to forget it…ever."
Ichigo blinked once and his head turned slightly to look over at Orihime with a curious gleam to his eyes as he observed her once more. Orihime did not feel imposed on nor did his eyes falling on her cause her to lose her nerve, in fact it did the opposite it made her stronger and gave her warmth that only Ichigo could give her.
"Why do you say that, Inoue?" Ichigo asked calmly.
"I met so many wonderful people during that time," Orihime smiled softly as she looked down towards the red box but she seemed to be looking through it to the ground. "People I would never want to forget and not only that…I became close to other people who were already in my life…to try and forget the past would be disrespectful to them and I cherish them all too much to do that."
There was a moment of silence between them before the ground shifted at Ichigo's feet as he turned to look through the links of the gate again. His expression was thoughtful of what Orihime just confessed before he gave a small smile himself and looked over to Orihime.
"Thank you…Inoue." Ichigo commented in a whisper.
Orihime took a moment to run that through her mind and make sure she was hearing that correctly as she looked over to the lean young man with wide eyes before she felt nervous for one moment and swallowed hard. "Wh—what did I do?" Orihime asked bashfully.
"For years the memories of the past have been causing a conflict in me and I did not fully understand why." Ichigo spoke while his head fell back as he now looked at the passing clouds. "Now I understand why…why my mind won't let me just forget the past. I see now that I have to move on with it…not without it."
Orihime let a faint blush accent her cheeks as she gave him a cheerful smile and her mind raced to respond but when she let her mind get ahead of her is when she would start to ramble and not all of it ever made sense from time to time.
"You don't have to thank me, Kurosaki-kun." Orihime limited herself to one response even though her mind wanted to say so much right now to cover up how much him thanking her made her feel so bashful.
"It was always up to me to live a normal life, Inoue. I just have to deal with the fact that I did not have a normal past and that there are people in those past that do not deserve to be forgotten." Ichigo commented with a nod before smiling to himself in acceptance. "I can do that."
"And I can be here for you, Kurosaki-kun." Orihime added with a happy cheer in her tone.
"I had a feeling you would, Inoue…thank you." Ichigo replied as his eyes fell from the clouds to her face.
Orihime had to try and hide the joy filling her from head to toes at Ichigo's acceptance and even being thanked twice by him. Once was enough to make her happy for the day and being thanked again by Ichigo only boosted her with courage.
"Kurosaki-kun, I…I have something for you." Orihime commented suddenly while she was still high on courage. Ichigo blinked as he turned fully to face Orihime before looking down to see the red box in her hands. The look she got from Ichigo shattered her confidence a little as she watched his eyebrows furrow for a moment.
"Inoue, you know I do not take any part of this day." Ichigo frowned.
"But…I just wanted to…" Orihime whispered out softly.
"I'll pass." Ichigo commented before turning on his heel and starting to walk towards the door.
Orihime felt her eyes fall to the red box dejectedly before looking back to Ichigo and bit her lip softly before turning to face Ichigo with what was left of her resolve.
"But…I made it for you." Orihime whispered softly with the last of her courage, her whisper could not cover the distance and reach Ichigo however.
"What is it, Inoue?" Ichigo commented casually as he looked over his shoulder at Orihime, a genuine look of curiosity in his eyes at seeing Orihime stay at her spot.
"N—Nothing, Kurosaki-kun." Orihime responded as she forced a smile to her lips even though she could not help but feel a sting of pain in her heart.
Orihime predicted that Ichigo would still not want anything to do with a day like Valentine's Day; she held onto a minor hope however that she would be able to be his first and his only exception if she baked something just for him…something she put her heart into and that did not sway or change his mind. Orihime knew she should not be so hurt at something she expected…but she could not help it.
It hurt…it hurt more than anything else she had experienced in her life.
There, left on the roof top's besides Ichigo's lunch tray was the discarded box of home baked chocolate cake…a honmei gift that was not accepted.