Hello everyone! This is my first Ichigo and Orihime story. In fact its my first story ever, haha. This is going to be five oneshots of five different ways Orihime and Ichigo would meet and fall in love from the inspiration of chapter. 237. Anyways, I would very much appreciate reviews and feedback and if I should continue or not. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.


It was sunny. The rain that had once threatened the morning sky was now breaking way into soft rays of sun, threatening little more than a few clouds and the quite haze of a lazy afternoon. Ichigo dug through his pockets, pulling out a scruffy folded up paper. His mood ruined and body tired from sleep, Ichigo stared down at the little piece of paper in his hand. Scowling at the directions, Ichigo furrowed his brows, barely squinting out the words Turn left from the scribble. Looking around, Ichigo stopped when he came to the shop marked by the messy handwriting.

Himes Bake Shop

Ichigo's eyebrow twitched. Who in the hell?! Whose idea was it to come here? His thoughts returning to a conversation early that morning.

"But Ichi-nii, Himes Bake shop has the best cakes! It has to be from there!"

Oh yea, Yuzu. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Ichigo made a sigh before making his way to the entrance.

Damn! Why did I have to come? Couldn't Yuzu or Karin just do it instead?

Yuzu smiled at him sheepishly. "I'm sorry brother but I can't go to the bakery. I have to prepare food for moms visit; can you ask Karin-chan to go instead?"

Karin looked at him apologetically, "Sorry Ichi-nii but I have practice, I'll be back before we have to leave, but that means I can't go to the bakery for Yuzu." Ichigo watched her make her way to the door. Stopping and waving goodbye to him before leaving.

Scowling again, Ichigo glanced up at the sign one last time before opening the shop door.

The first thing Ichigo noticed when he entered the small bake shop was the huge display case filled with cakes ranging from sizes big to small, and the alluring smell that seemed to waft its way up to his nose. Candy and drinks decorated the wall behind the counter and the room seemed to be painted the hue of a warm tan color. All around him Ichigo was surrounded by various pastries all looking freshly baked and delicious. Each of the smells giving off a heavenly aroma and promising the rewards of a tasty treat. Walking towards the counter, Ichigo closed his eyes. The nostalgic smells of the bakery encircling him as breathed it in. Ichigo lost himself, the tranquil atmosphere soothing him as he let himself get engulfed in the embrace.

Inhaling, Ichigo felt his mouth water, his small feet tripping over each other in excitement as he made his way to the kitchen. He peeked inside, his curious demeanor taking effect as soon as he smelled the sweet scent that had wafted it's was up to his room.

Gripping the wall next to him for support, Ichigo began to search for his mother, his sharp eyes making quick work of the area. Finally spotting his mother next to the oven, Ichigo made his way inside. Carefully to be quiet, Ichigo crept up behind her, hoping to observe silently as she worked around the kitchen. As he watched her, the gentle sound of her humming filled the air around him with warmth. Her long delicate hands that had held his own on so many walks home now dicing a red fruit. Ichigo examined her curiously, noticing how even during the night his mother seemed to shine brilliantly, lighting up the whole room, almost as if the sun had decided to take residency in the small kitchen. Bringing a hand up, Ichigo grabbed onto the soft fabric of his mothers dress.

"Oh! Ichigo! You startled me! Look, I made your favorite. Strawberry Shortcake~!" His mothers smiling face entered his field of vision as she held up a delicious looking cake. Ichigo frowned.

"Momma, how come you're always baking things? And like I already said, I don't like strawberries!" Ichigo looked at the dessert in disgust, crossing his arms in front of him as he made a childlike huff.

"But honey I can't help it. I just love baking so much and strawberries are my favorite!" Ichigo looked down with a frown, his mother's excitement with the silly red fruits making him burn with jealousy.

"I thought I was your favorite!" Ichigo stared up at his mother, his cheeks red from admitting something so embarrassing. His mother just smiled before gently kneeling down. Her hands resting on each side of his head.

"Oh my little Strawberry! I'm so happy I have such an adorable son. I hope you never grow up!" His mothers smile and musical laughter danced around him as his face turned red in embarrassment. The warmth her body was extruding and the soft subtle smell of her perfume surrounded him like a cocoon. Ichigo held on to her, secretly promising himself that he would always protect her. While he did harbor hate for the red fruit, Ichigo felt that in her case he didn't mind being called a strawberry, as long as he was her favorite one of course.

Opening his eyes, Ichigo wasn't expecting the presence of the woman in front of him.

"OH! Kurosaki-kun! Welcome!"

"W-What the hell?!" Ichigo jumped back in surprise. The childhood memory fading away into a beaming smile of his classmate as recognition instantly hit him. Ichigo's eyes widened in shock, his mouth opened to gape at the young woman.

"INOUE!? You work here!?" Orihime blushed, her cheeks turning crimson at the orange haired man standing before her.

"Oh..uh..that is..I never thought to tell you because we never really got a chance to talk in class and umm...w-well I didn't want to bother you with something so trivial Kurosaki-kun...and umm-" Orihime flushed, her face looking as if she had just gotten caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Guilt immediately swarmed its way into Ichigo's brain.

Stupid, of course she's going to react like that. It's not as if she had an obligation to tell me she was working here. We've never even spoken outside of class either. Damnit! I practically shouted at her. Slapping himself on the forehead, he failed to notice the worried look his auburn haired companion gave him or the gasp that followed.

"WAHH, K-Kurosaki-kun you shouldn't hit yourself in the head! If you do it'll open up a portal and then the little blue men will take over your brain and turn you into a zombie and then all you'll want to eat is bread pudding and that won't be good beca-" Orihime must of realized what she was saying because one moment she was sputtering out nonsense about blue men and the next she was the color of a tomato.

She's kind of cute…w-wait! I did not just think that. Shaking himself out of his thoughts Ichigo pointed at a small cake behind the counter.

"That one." Startled, Orihime's eyes darted to the cake, the top layer smothered with strawberries and red sauce.

"W-What?" Confused and a bit surprised, Orihime looked at Ichigo like he had just grown four limbs. Ichigo rubbed his neck, his favorite expression making its way to his face.

"The cake. Can I buy it?" Orihime brought a hand to the back of her head. Her embarrassment turning her cheeks a soft shade of pink.

"O-Oh! Haha..ahh…of course Kurosaki-kun! I'm sorry, my mind seems to be wandering around allot lately. My friend Tatsuki-chan always warns me saying that I need to pay more attention to my surroundings. I was once so out of it I even got hit by a car…haha." Orihime's nervous laughter filled the air as Ichigo wondered how a person could be so out of it as to be hit by a car.

Geez. She makes me worried. Getting hit by a car, she needs to be more careful. Look! She's even smiling about it. What kind of person smiles about getting hit by a car?

Ichigo looked at her curiously. He had noticed her before in class and the spiky haired girl she always hung around with, but never paid much attention after that. Who knew such a person actually existed. Besides myself, she's the only other person I know that has slightly orange hair.

Relaxing his stance, Ichigo placed his hands in his pockets, the corner of his mouth forming a small smile at the woman's antics.

"K-Kurosaki-kun you smiled!" Ichigo quickly scoffed, his smile reverting back into a slight scowl.

"Oi are you saying I never smile?" Playfulness circling his words as he looked at her.

"Oh it's not that!" Orihime's hands went flying towards her face. "Its just that whenever I see you in class you always have this serious look on your face like your in deep thought!" Orihime pointed at her mouth, making wild gestures that resembled a frown and trying very hard to form a serious expression.

Ichigo tore his eyes away. A soft amused chuckle flowing through his lips at her failed attempt to look angry.

Orihime looked at him blushing, a small smile on her lips as she pumped her arm into the air.

"Alright Kurosaki-kun! Let me just pack up this cake for you and then your all set!"

Orihime quickly got to work. Her delicate fingers grabbing the cake from the display and putting it on the counter as she prepared a box. Ichigo closed his eyes, his thoughts swirling around him. When was the last time I laughed like that? I cant remember. Opening his eyes, Ichigo started to watch his auburn haired classmate. Noticing the way her eyes seemed to brighten even though she wasn't smiling and the soft delicate scent that seemed to gently radiate from her figure. Embarrassed by his actions, Ichigo quickly thought of something he could say to quell the comfortable silence that seemed to encircle them. Why am I so nervous? Bringing a hand to the back of his neck Ichigo blurted out the first thing he could think of.

"Do you like it?"

"W-what?" Startled, Orihime stopped what she was doing and stared at him. A quizzical look adorning her features.

Ichigo put his hands in his pockets. A blush spreading across his cheeks as he looked away.

"Baking I mean, do you like it?" Immediately after the question left his mouth, Ichigo felt stupid for asking her such a personal question. Damnit! Why did I ask her such an embarrassing question? What's wrong with me? And why do I care if I said something like that anyways?! If only I wasn…Wait! Looking as if he was waging an inner battle with himself Ichigo's mind reeled back to the person who forced him to come here. No! He's the real person at fault here. I'm gonna kill that bastard when I get home! Scowling, Ichigo cleared his throat ready to apologize. Orihime stood silent for a moment. Her face etched into what Ichigo could only assume was a sad expression.

"Look I'm sor-" About to apologize, Ichigo stopped short as Orihime's face broke out into a radiant smile.

"I love it!" Orihime's gleaming face took Ichigo by surprise and he simply stared at her in shock, his mouth slightly hanging open.

"Huh-"

"I absolutely love baking!" Ichigo stood dumbfounded for a moment before he quickly realized what he was doing. She's like the sun. His cheeks turning a hot shade of red, he covered his mouth. Damnit, what am I thinking?!

"Um Kurosaki-kun are you okay?" Orihime's innocent expression and wide eyes stared up at him. A bit of concern etching its way onto her face. What am I doing? Why am I feeling like this? I only came here to get a stupid cake! Composing himself, Ichigo brought his hands down into his pockets. His face relaxing into what he hoped was a gentle smile.

"Its nothing Inoue, thanks." Orihime smiled at him before finishing. Her hands carefully wrapping a red ribbon into a pretty bow around the box before placing it on the counter.

"There, all finished!" Looking quite proud of herself, Orihime put the box in a bag before handing it over to Ichigo. Reaching over, Ichigo's fingers gently brushed against Orihime's, making him freeze before quickly drawing his hand away. Embarrassed, Ichigo quickly looked away, his face beet red from the contact. Grabbing his wallet from his back pocket, Ichigo began to count money as a distraction.

"NO!" Orihime held out her hands in protest, her face red and facing downwards towards the floor. Ichigo looked down in shock, his fist balling into a fist inside his jeans as his thoughts whirled. Stupid, you scared her. Now shes never gonna want to talk to you again. Damn, how come I'm always such an idiot?! Scowling at himself, Ichigo quickly starting laying down money on the counter.

"I'm sorry Inoue, I didn't mean to." Looking pissed, Ichigo grabbed the bag and made his way for the door, his eyes turned downward. I knew I should'nt have come.

"Don't." Stopping, Ichigo looked back stunned. Clutching onto his jacket was a trembling hand. Ichigo's gaze traveled upwards until his eyes met Orhime's soft gray ones. She let go.

"T-That is, umm...please this cakes on me Kurosaki-kun. So here, please take it." Stuttering and blushing, Orihime flashed Ichigo a shy smile.

"What?" Ichigo was stuck to the spot. He thought she hated him! Orihime fidgeted before answering louder.

"I said I want to give you this cake. Please accept it!" Still surprised, all Ichigo could do was nod. Letting out a sigh of relief Orihime quickly gave him back his money, smiled, and excused herself before turning.

What just happened? I thought I made her mad or something. Did she just give me the cake? Ichigo looked down at the bag in his hand. Wait! What did she just say? Eyes opening up wide, Ichigo's gaze turned towards Orihime's retreating figure. Realizing she was leaving towards the back of the store a million thoughts raced across his mind. Damnit! Don't let her walk away Idiot. Say something! Anything!! Don't let her leave!!

"W-Wait! Inoue!" Orihime stopped. Relieved, Ichigo brought a hand up to his forehead.

"Kurosaki-kun?" Ichigo nervously brushed his hand through his hair before steadily meeting the gaze of Orihime. Brown locked onto gray.

"Inoue. Go on a date with me." Orihime's cheeks turned pink. There I said it. Orihime smiled.

"Sure, I'd love to."


And that concludes my first one shot! That took a lot longer than I expected it to! I hope you enjoyed reading it and that I didn't make them to out of character, sorry if I did. Please, please review! I would really appreciate the feedback! Thanks again!