Author's Notes: Written for the 2006 Holiday Contest at Ichigo x Orihime FC at Bleach Forums

Disclaimer: Bleach is owned by Kubo Tite

First Christmas

Ichigo couldn't help but smile. He was staring at the door number of Orihime's apartment which still bore the names of both Toushirou and Matsumoto. He almost forgot that they were her roommates a few months ago. Slowly, his smile faded. He shouldn't be dwelling on the past. He shook his head hoping the action would help clear his mind. He had to remind himself that he was there to pick up Orihime and take her to his home to celebrate Christmas with his family. It will be their first Christmas together, he wanted to make it as perfect as possible.

Ichigo was about to knock when the door swung wide open. There before him was Orihime, wearing a simple tight-fitting red knit shrug over a pink form-fitting dress. She had a welcoming smile on her face. The sweet greeting Ichigo had planned to tell her flew out of his head.

"Orihime, you look lovel…isn't that dress a little tight? I mean, it's lovely…just that Kon…" Ichigo stopped talking when he noticed Orihime's bemused face.

"Let me try this again, you look beautiful." Ichigo finally said.

"Thank you, Ichigo-kun." Orihime said shyly with a blush on her face. "Please come in, I'll be ready to go in few minutes. I just have to wrap up these baked potatoes with sweet jelly I made for your dad."

Ichigo smiled. His dad and Orihime had very similar taste in food.

"Take your time. We've got a few minutes to spare. Karin and Yuzu are just finishing up preparing the food. They want to make sure we have enough." Ichigo said as he walked into her living room.

"I'm sure there will be enough for all of us. It will be just five of us after all, right?" Orihime said from the kitchen.

"Yeah, I wanted to spend a quiet Christmas. Now really isn't the time to have a big party when everyone is preparing for…"

Ichigo did it again. He didn't mean for his mind to dwell on the upcoming winter war against Aizen and the Arrancar. Then he realized it. He was standing on the same place the night he found out Orihime was taken to Hueco Mundo. He remembered his knees hitting the floor as the General Commander refused his request to rescue Orihime on his own. He remembered hearing Rukia say sorry as she was gently led away by Renji back to Soul Society.

He was so lost in thought that he barely heard the soft footsteps drawing near, barely felt the graceful arms embrace him from behind, and barely noticed a soft cheek pressing gently against his back.

"I'm here." Orihime said quietly.

Ichigo exhaled. And felt everything. Felt her arms around him, her soft breath tickling his back, her reiatsu mingling with his. But most of all, he felt relief. She is here, with him. It is enough.

Ichigo looked askance at Orihime as they were walking back to his house from her apartment. He marveled at how she was so in tune with him. He didn't have to say a word about what his mind was dwelling on earlier, yet she knew instinctively that his spirit was bothered. It was her comforting presence that brought him back, just like it did when his hollow took control at Hueco Mundo. She called him back. He could still her voice calling his name.

"Ichigo."

Just like that, her voice soft and gentle.

"Ichigo, we're here"

"Huh? what?" Ichigo asked, staring at Orihime with a confused look on his face.

Orihime just smiled knowingly. Ichigo looked around and realized that they were right in front of his house. He sighed. There goes his quiet time with Orihime. At least it's just going to be his dad and his two sisters to deal with. Then he can have some quality time with Orihime after the festivities were over. It is their first Christmas together. He wants to make it as perfect as possible.

"You did say it was just your family, right?" Orihime asked.

"Of-course, don't worry, they're excited that you'll be spending Christmas with us." Ichigo said as he made the move to open the door.

"Uh, that's not what I'm worried about." Orihime said with an amused look on her face.

Before Ichigo could figure out what Orihime found amusing, the door swung open and the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He really should have been paying more attention to the reiatsus swirling about his house.

"Ichigo! Orihime-chan, you're both finally here!"

There in front of them was Matsumoto, wearing a form-fitting and rather short red velvet dress with white fur trimmings on the cuffs of her sleeves and around the deep V-neck line. The fur only served to accentuate her rather generous assets. Before Ichigo could say a word, he was knocked out of the way as Matsumoto gave Orihime a hug before dragging her inside his house. Ichigo stood there speechless as Orihime looked back at him and smiled apologetically before she disappeared in the crowd of people inside.

"You know you really should get inside, the party is indoors after all."

"Toushirou? What are you doing here?" Ichigo said with a surprised look on his face as he stared at the young white haired shinigami that appeared beside him.

"I was invited, not by you obviously. And it's Captain Hitsugaya to you." The tenth division captain said with an annoyed look on his face.

"Then who invited…"

Before Ichigo could finish his sentence, he found himself tackled to the ground by his father. He really should keep his wits about him, Ichigo thought to himself. First, he didn't sense the visiting shinigamis' reiatsus and now this.

"Where are the baked potatoes with sweet jelly? Orihime-chan said you were carrying them." Isshin excitedly said.

Ichigo, laying on the ground with his dad sitting on him, turned his head to look at his right hand. Sure enough, the bag with his dad's favorite dish was still there. Isshin followed his son's stare, smiled, and then took the bag of food out of his son's hand.

"Thanks! If you're wondering, I invited them. Better come inside. Karin and Yuzu outdid themselves with the food and decoration." Isshin said, as he headed back inside their house with his bounty. He turned to look at his son and added, "Kon is charge of the mistletoe and last I checked he was eyeing Orihime-chan…"

Ichigo said nothing as he stared at his father's retreating back. Then realization hit him. He had to protect Orihime. He stood up and looked at Hitsugaya who was wearing a smirk on his face.

"It's going to be a long night." Ichigo muttered before followed his father inside.