OOOOOO...I was really surprised when I got such positive reviews! Honestly I thought I was going to get burned alive with fiery flames for making Rukia seem like a complete BITCH but I have yet to see them (Of course, I'm NOT complaining). Ya, I mean I was never a Rukia hater (see the key word? WAS?) but times have changed. With all the Ichihime bashing, I just couldn't bring myself to like Rukia's character anymore. Come on everyone, let's all spread the Ichihime love. There's just too much hating.

Blitch: Yes...Rukia is a bitch a la extreme. Originally, I was going to make her character play a queen bee but I ruled against myself and made her into a queen bee-TCH aka BITCH instead. LOL I'll keep it coming!=)))

Marvolo-san: I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks Rukia needs to be taught a lesson (of course in this fic). Thanks for your review!

Fosterb: I was going to explain that more thorougly in the later chapters but since you pointed it out, let me clarify it for you. Ichigo didn't really know who Orihime was but he wasn't really oblivious to her existence. He did NOTICE her around which started a rumour saying that Ichigo was showing some interest in Orihime hence, causing RUkia to turn into a bitchextraordinare. Good eyes!

Rairraku Hana: Honestly, I swear on my favourite Hello Kitty pair of socks, I never thought about the Breakfast Club until I read your review. Now that you mentioned it, it does seem like Bleach meets Breakfast Club! Totally. Lol...Urahara as the principal definitely creeps me out too but it was either him or Aizen. I thought Urahara had more personality...Heeheehee.

MasqueradeBlack: Glad you like it! Thanks! =))))

nypsy: I'll try to update as soon as I can but I can't make any promises...Thanks for your review!

Ayame0217: I just have to say this! 2 and 7 are my favourite numbers! *squeals* Sorry...I'm just hopeless. I'll try to keep this story rolling but I can't guarantee fast updates but I'll try my hardest!

Lustful Moon: I have a confession to make. Quick updates are definitely not in book of fortes but I'll try. There's going to be thirteen more chapters after this one and maybe an epilogue so yah...

bleachfanichihime: Awwwwww...you're so sweet. I'm glad you like my story but please don't cry! I'll try really hard to update as much as I can. And no...I haven't read the latest bleach chapter. Hehehe...I haven't really read any of the bleach manga...*blushes* I usually skim through everything until I see MAJOR ICHIHIME moments. Thanks for your review and Happy BElated Halloween to you too! BTW, your name rocks! I'm a ichihime bleach fan too.

Lydia: Renruki's another final pairing besides IchiHime. Honestly I have no problem with Rukia as long as she stays out of Ichihime...However, Renruki will a rocky pairing. There will be lots of turmoils and distractions but it will happen, so doncha worry.

Turtle-chan666: I honestly don't understand the hype about IchiRuki! It's almost as if people just hate Orihime for the mere reason that she stands in the way of that imagination. I was fine with IchiRuki before because I respect other peoples' opinion but when they start attacking mine...that's when chaos begins! Gosh...I'm babbling, ain't I? Well...tht's just my two cents worth.

Now on with the story.

Day One

Orihime checked high and low but there wasn't the teensiest crack to escape through. It wasn't long until she found herself in the school's swimming pool. Orihime looked around the spacious pool. She was instantly mesmerized by the scene. The pool's surface illuminated a variety of pretty colours and gave her a soothing feel. It has been awhile since Orihime enjoyed herself in open space like this. Especially after spending lunch hours inside a cramped bathroom stall, she felt alive. Losing herself in a dreamy trance, Orihime just gazed happily at her reflection. She stared into her stormy grey eyes, pale oval face, long sunburned hair-which she hasn't brushed today.

"It's Inoi, right?" Orihime jolted. She turned quickly around only to come face to face, well chest (which was very defined looking and muscular looking through the skin tight black shirt). Orihime raised her gaze away from the chest with difficulty. Stormy grey met wooden brown. Light sun-kissed locks swept across his forehead and his dark lashes encased his intense regard. He was beautiful and dangerous looking at the same time.

"I…it's In…ou…Inoue. Or…orihime In…ou…e." Orihime nervously stuttered out. 'He knew her name...well close enough.' She thought. Ichigo slightly leaned downwards. It made Orihime aware that if she tilted her head upwards and stood on her tippie toes, her lips could easily graze the others'. Ichigo smirked when the exact same thing crossed his mind.

"Having naughty thoughts, aren't we…what did you say your name was again, Inoue, wasn't it?"

"Y…yes…NO! I meant ye…yes, my n…name i…is In…noue but n…no." Orihime took a deep breath. "…I wasn't thinking what I think you were thinking." Orihime's face tensed in mortification.

"Oh really?" Ichigo leaned his face closer to intimidate the flustered girl some more. He loved playing around deviously with the mind of such a baffled creature. "Then tell me, what I was thinking that you think I was thinking." Ichigo mentally congratulated himself for speaking without a slip.

"I…I was th…think…ing…uh…you…uh…um...what?" When Ichigo's scowl transformed into a slight grin. At that moment, Orihime couldn't help herself from associating his face with that of a Golden Labrador. She unconsciously envisioned Ichigo with a Golden Labrador's head. She lost herself in a daydream. "I think you look adorable. Like a Golden Labrador puppy dog." Orihime said thoughtlessly and dreamily. Ichigo's grin transformed back into a scowl.

"A pup…py dog? You think I look like Golden Labrador…puppy dog?" Ichigo spoke scandalized. He had heard all sorts of things like a mean wolf, perverted monster, violent rebel but this was the first time he heard something that made him feel like a wimp.

"How'd you know I said you look like a Golden Labrador?"

"You just said it yourself!"

"I did?" Orihime's eyes grew into saucers. "I said that out loud? I…I take that back! I mean you look way too sexy to look like a puppy do…Wait! I reject that. I take that back too. I never said you look sexy. I said you look adorable…Wait NO! I take that back…" Orihime completely perplexed and embarrassed covered her face with her hands. She immediately went to her last resort, which was running away. However, she was forgetting momentarily that there was a spacious swimming pool beside her. She lost her footing and gave in to that something pesky called gravity. Knowing the fate that awaited her, she desperately grabbed on to her last hope. The only thing that was in reaching distance. Him. They both went flying into the water.

SPLASH!

Arms and limbs started flinging everywhere. Orihime felt some an arm around her.

"What d...do you, ugh" Ichigo spurted out some water. "...think you're do...ing?" When Orihime felt a hand grope her chest, her reflexes without failing acted right away. She punched him.

"Where do you think you're touching, you…you pervert?" She smacked him once more with more force than the first time before swimming towards the edge. She slowly pulled herself out of the water. Ichigo also pulled himself out of the water and plopped down beside her.

"What are you talking about? What pervert?" He snapped and stood up to his full height, clutching the side of his head. Orihime stood up as well.

"You…" Orihime after mustering some courage stabbed his chest to emphasize her point.

'Damn! Hard and solid.' She thought. She quickly shook her head and went on "…groped me!"

"What?" he replied furiously. "I did not! I wouldn't touch you even if you paid me to do it!"

Orihime felt something snap within her when she heard that. She kicked him in the knee."You're a complete sicko!" Feeling anguished and crushed, Orihime finally broke down into tears. She crumpled down like a puddle and grasped her knees. Anyone who suffered what she suffered from Rukia would have done the same thing. She remembered how Rukia called her many degrading things and made her feel unworthy and filthy over the years.

"Ouch…You bitch!" Ichigo couldn't think properly. He had just let this small weak girl manhandle him…three times. However, when he saw her crying sorrowfully, he just couldn't bring himself to say anything more hurtful. He followed suite and sat down beside her. He let her cry for awhile. Normally, he would have just sneered and walked away but for some odd reason, he felt the need to explain to her what had happened.

"Look…I thought you couldn't swim so I was trying to pull you out before you punched me, genius." He finally broke the silence. Orihime stopped crying and observed him. Ichigo frowned. When he saw her, he finally realized that they were both still drenched in water head to toe. He also realized things that were making him feel a bit warm. She actually looked quite pretty. Not that he hasn't noticed that before. With her long wet auburn hair cascading around her porcelain skin and with clothes sticking to her like second skin, he noticed curves and beauty he never noticed before. He was always used to superficial and materialistic kind of beauties, that her innocent purity looked refreshing.

"You thought…I couldn't swim?" Orihime asked timidly. She started feeling sorry and ashamed. She had hit him thrice when he was only trying to help her.

"What the fuck did you think I was doing? Trying to cope a feel?" Ichigo scoffed while fighting down a blush that was creeping slowly.

"I…I'm…I'm…I'm so sorry." Orihime bowed her head down. "I didn't know…" She muttered. "It's because I'm so stupid and I don't know anythi…" Orihime was on the verge of tearing up again.

"Shut up. Don't say that. And don't you dare cry again." Ichigo snapped angrily. He hated how this girl was acting so pitiful. She really needed to stand up for herself. "It was just a misunderstanding, okay. So don't say degrading stuff like that." Orihime looked at him gratefully. She finally mustered a smile. An honest smile that lighted up like the sun.

"Thank you." Ichigo flushed at her words. Why was he acting like a complete wuss? Especially in front of a weak girl like her?

"Let's change out of these clothes and go back." He stood up to leave but at the last second, he changed his mind. He reached down and helped Orihime up. Electricity coursed through both where they made contact. They both averted each other's gaze.

When Orihime and Ichigo made their way back to the front entrance, everyone immediately pounded them with questions.

"Why are you two in your gym clothes?" Renji asked.

"Yeah, and why are your hairs' wet?" Rukia lashed.

"Hope you weren't doing something improper to sweet Orihime…" Nel added in.

"Shut up. You assholes."

"Tch…what a potty mouth, Kurosaki. Speaking of assholes, you must have stuffed yours up with your watch or are you just immune to the time?" Uryu sneered.

"Ew…why are we talking about his *ass?" Grimmjow grunted disgusted. Ichigo felt his blood boiling.

"Will you just shut about my ass?" Ichigo yelled which caused Orihime to blush.

"Actually, nobody really wants to talk about your ass except for Rukia." Renji answered back. Rukia stomped her foot on top of Renji's.

"SO did anyone find a way out?" Nemu asked. Everyone shook their heads but they quickly started fighting again. A voice from the announcement interrupted the commotion.

"Children, it is starting to get dark outside. Everyone return to your homeroom and you will discover that your bed has been arranged for you already. Good night and make sure you dream about me!" Everyone gagged and made retching sounds upon hearing the last few words.

"Guess it's time for us to hit the sacks." Grimmjow yawned.

"A girl still needs her beauty sleep." Rukia said like a snob.

"Yeah, Rukia…you definitely need some." Ichigo took off for homeroom. However, he just couldn't suppress a grin that was forming around the corners of his lips. He still couldn't believe that a certain auburn-haired girl managed to punch, smack and knee him all in the course of a day. He would be lying if he said he wasn't the least bit interested in her. In fact, he couldn't take his mind off her. Ichigo mentally slapped himself.

'Something must be wrong with my brain. She did have a strong left hook.' He thought…

End of Day One

*If you read my other Ichihime story "A Manhatten Tragedy"...you'll understand! My my, Orihime's got too many competition. Lol I guess it's time for me to hit the sacks too.