Disclaimer: Bleach characters aren't mine.

After many years living abroad, Ichigo returns to his hometown, reunited with everything he left to follow his dreams, including his best friend, Orihime; who has been waiting for him all the time. Can their bond be strong enough to endure the previous distance and recover the lost time?

Five Lifetimes are not enough.

Chapter I

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" she shouted at the phone, as if the person who was calling could hear her. She staggered while ran towards the noisy object; sighing before take the headphone. "Yes? Inoue's speaking."

"Inoue-san, it's me" a familiar voice came from the phone.

"Ah, Ishida-kun, how are you doing?" she said with a smile in her face; the relation between Ishida and her was really close. He always was with her in the crucial moments and Orihime could say that Ishida was one of her best friends for sure. Suddenly, only silent heard in the other side of the phone and a bit of concern made her feel uncomfortable; her intuition always was right and now it told her that something was wrong "Ishida-kun? Is everything ok?"

A mutter doubtful came from Ishida; Orihime laughed nervously, waiting for the answer from her friend and trying to calm herself down. She was really impatient and Ishida was taking his time to tell her what was going on. "Um, Ishida-kun, is something wrong? You're more reserved than usual."

"You know, Inoue-san… I received a call from my dad and he told me something that maybe interest you." he paused again "the thing is… Kurosaki-san told him that his son was returning this week." her lips trembled slightly, unable to say something "Inoue-san?"

"Ah! Sorry, I spaced out; so Ichigo comes back soon, huh?"

"You didn't know it? As I thought…" Ishida said more to himself than to her "but it's rude by Kurosaki's part not to tell you."

"No, it isn't. I think he have to tell his father and sisters before me. Besides, he must have his reasons. I'm none to judge him for not tell me."

"Very kind when it's about Kurosaki, as always"

Orihime laughed. She really was kind when it was about Ichigo; they were childhood friends and always had been together, Ichigo was her closer friend and know that he would come after years being overseas made her felt kinda confused; he surely had his reasons but even so, it was weird that he didn't tell her anything about it; especially when they had talked last night. "Well Ishida-kun, I have to go buy some food. My pantry is empty; talk you later" without wait the answer, she hung up the phone; a pained smile twisted her lips and tried to hold the tears that were fighting for escape from her eyes; after all, she was really happy for his return even though he didn't say anything to her "so, you'll come soon, Ichigo."

Orihime was tired, her sleep had been decreased considerably; actually, she had spent every night waiting an e-mail or a call from Ichigo, hoping that he told from his own mouth that he really would come back. It was strange for him hide things, more if were things of this type.

Her eyes turned towards the clock and a little shriek escaped; was really late and her job wouldn't be alone. Grabbing her sweater and her bag, she hurried out of her apartment; her boss surely would scold her for being late. She thanked that the town wasn't very big, at least could run and wouldn't spend her money in a bus. It was for this reason that you decided live abroad. She thought sadly.

"Orihime!" a yell took her away from her thoughts "What do you doing! Hurry up!"

She rushed towards the woman who was waiting in front of the pastry shop with a broom on her hands "I'm coming!" smiled happily at the woman "Sorry! I'm late! Last night I couldn't sleep."

"You were talking with this friend again, weren't you?"

Orihime laughed "No! No! Actually… we haven't talked in a few days…"

"Why is that? Let me guess, you guys had a quarrel." a sly smile accompanied her words.

"Of course not! He's my best friend, how could I fight with him, Rangiku-san."

"Sure, your best friend" Rangiku shook her hand in the air to tell Orihime that they should come in. "Well, Orihime, we have a lot of work and the customers will come soon."

"Yes ma'am! ... Ah, would be a long day."

She loved her job and her studies helped Rangiku to run the store's finances. She never wanted to work in some accounting work, but she knew that she should have a backup; the work offer from Rangiku had fallen from heaven when she was about to surrender for work in some company. Rangiku was also a kind of older sister, after years working with her, their relation was very close and Orihime was grateful to have Rangiku for more than just work.

"Rangiku-san, the shortcakes are in the shop window already!"

Rangiku looked out from the kitchen door with her hands cover with flour "Awesome, I almost finish here, can you open?"

"Yes, I open" Orihime opened the glass door and looked at the street before returning inside the store with Rangiku "There's nobody! It's already late…"

"May be 'cause is Sunday?" Rangiku approached Orihime and smiled "Anyway, the clients always come to see me" she laughed as she hugged Orihime "you too, Orihime"

"Eh? Oh, Rangiku-san, you're so funny as always."

"It isn't a joke, you're really pretty and most of our clients are happy to see you here. I think you have repeat customers."

The girl smiled at her boss as a response "Ah! I almost forgot! Is Gin-san working weekends again?"

"Nor tell it. I'm kinda pissed with it; he was supposed to help me today."

"You say that, but sure you love him, huh." she said still smiling; Rangiku and Gin took years of marriage and they were the happiest couple that she had ever seen "you can tell it by the way you look him"

"How do I look?

"I don't know, I think your eyes shine or something like that… it's like…"

"Oh, I understand. It should be like the way you look every time you talk about your best friend"

"What?" she blinked confused "what do you talking about, Rangiku-san? Ichigo is just my best friend; I don't look in any special way when I talk about him…"

"C'mon Orihime, it's fine to love someone, y'know?"

"Yeah, you're right… but I don't love him"

"Really? If you say it's normal talk with someone until morning just because he has a different schedule…"

"Morning!" a customer interrupted the chatter, leaving Orihime with her response on her mouth.

"Morning, sir! What do you wanna eat in this beautiful day?" Rangiku looked at Orihime and sighed "Orihime, can you take the order of this nice gentleman while I'm going to the kitchen?"

"Huh? Ah! Sure, sure!"

"Excuse me then." Rangiku smiled at her customer and returned to the kitchen to remove the cakes from the oven.

This girl sure is a silly; she thought as she finished the cakes. For a second, she felt curiosity about the mysterious guy that made Orihime stay awake; a new sigh escaped from her to think in the possibility that the friendship might have change after so many years.

"I'm so tired!" Orihime stretched and yawned, and then she leaned down on the counter "I think nobody will come at this hour. Should I check the regis… Welcome" she lifted suddenly to hear the doorbell.

"You're very efficient." a mocking voice talked to her "but sleep on the counter is not very professional"

"S-sorry, Gin-san; was my fault." she said embarrassed; Gin laughed.

"Don't worry, girl. I was kidding; at this hour no one comes, just the handsome owner."

"Say something like 'handsome' isn't very humble by your part, dear" Rangiku walked towards gin and kissed softly. "Welcome home"

"I'm back. Orihime-chan, do you want us to walk you home?"

"No, it's fine. Besides Rangiku-san and you must be as tired as I am."

"It's not a problem, Orihime. We can accompany you to your home."

Orihime moves her hands in front of her and shook her head "Really, it's fine. Don't worry about me."

"I don't feel leaving you alone in your way home." Rangiku complained.

"Rangiku-san, it's really fine." She took her stuff "See you tomorrow"

"Yeah, see you."

Gin and Rangiku saw her leave the store before close completely the place "Is something wrong with Orihime-chan? She looked down"

"Indeed…" Rangiku said worried "She has been weird this week, but if she doesn't tell me, then I can't force her to talk."

"I could." Gin smiled as he stroked his chin; Rangiku hit him slightly with her elbow. "It was a joke!"

"Be careful with your dumb jokes."

"Aw, it's so nice to see Rangiku-san and Gin-san together. It's as if they were made for each other." Orihime said a bit excited. "Ah! I completely forgot the food Rangiku-san gave me! I will have to go shop something to eat. Maybe some onions and rice… Ah! Vegetables and fruits too! And dessert… well, will see there."

She looked at her wristwatch meanwhile was walking towards the market. Was the nine o'clock but she had to hurry because it was Sunday and everything closed early; a hint of relief seized her after buying everything for her dinner; now she only had to get home quickly and rest. Just a few steps more and would be on her apartment.

"Huh!" her ringtone scared her "Gosh, was just my cellphone… wha... is Tatsuki-chan?" She answered the phone while started to climb the stairs to reach her apartment "Tatsuki-chan! Sorry for not calling you today, I had a lot of work, surprising for a Sunday."

"It doesn't matter, Orihime. I just called you to alert you that he is in the town."

"Who is in the town?"

"Argh, Orihime! You know what I mean!"

She reached the last step and her mouth opened. Her fingers trembled. "Ichigo…"

"That is! Hey, Orihime!"

"Call you later, Tatsuki-chan"

Their eyes meeting and for a minutes, neither said anything. Emotions flowed within Orihime, trying to understand that the situation wasn't a dream and that the most important person to her was there, looking at her, waiting for some reaction. Was he, in front of her and was real, as she had dreamed lot of times. She felt fool for deny so many times her own feelings, but now they were so clear. She approached Ichigo and left the bags on the floor. Ah, there is him… with his beautiful and gentle smile… and those eyes… that I love… so, so much…

"I'm back" he said.

"Yeah… you're back… welcome home." she hugged for a minute that seemed eternal before enter on the apartment with him. "When… you come back?" she asked from the kitchen while she preparing dinner.

"A few hours ago"

"Yuzu-chan and Karin-chan should be happy…"

"Yeah, they grew a lot."

"I guess"

"Want some help?"

"No, I almost finish."

The silence surrounded them again; the only sound heard were the dishes being served. Ichigo looked every movement of Orihime, he wanted to say many things but it was obvious that he felt overwhelmed. "You know… I'm sorry for didn't tell you."

"I guess you had other persons that you wanted to tell it" she sat in front of him and smiled. "I'm not angry or something; I'm… glad you're here."

"Don't lie to me. It's ok if you get mad. It was my fault after all."

"Ichigo" she gazed him "I am not mad at all"

"I wanted to surprise you. Something like 'Hey! I'm back!'" he laughed "but I guess it didn't work…"

"It didn't."

"I saw you and then…" Ichigo stared at her, but then he down his eyes and started to eat. "Your food is special as always."

His change of subject was abrupt; he didn't even turn to look her, and when he did it, just laughed and said trivial things. The night was too short for all the things that they wanted to talk and when it was time for him to leave, Orihime felt kinda stupid for her attitude. After years, the only things that she could say were unimportant and childish things.

"Wow… it's already morning."

"It is."

"What's going on, Ichigo? It is as if you weren't yourself"

"Orihime, the truth that I…" he diverted his eyes from her "No, it's nothing…"

"See you later then…" Orihime smiled a bit gloomy. "We're in touch, right?"

"Yeah… see you later."

He said goodbye to her with a hint of sadness and without telling her the real reason for his return.

Well, this fic has nothing to do with Bleach universe; I used some things canon like the fact that Orihime is working in a bakery, and I think would be nice to do Rangiku & Gin as a couple (I love RangikuXGin too x3) later I'll introduce other characters and the story will be full of Angst and Romantic situations.

Hope you liked it and be nice with me x3