Ichigo breathed in the refreshing, cool spring breeze and smiled almost imperceptibly as the final bell tolled to indicate the end of classes much to his fellow students' relief. Gathering his school things Ichigo headed outside the main entrance and was on his way home until a familiar voice called out his name. He turned around in time to find Orihime chasing after him, a backpack in one hand and a bento box in the other. She discarded her things in favor of leaping into Ichigo's welcoming arms, laughing and squealing so hard as Ichigo spun her around that she had to catch her breath. Orihime bent down to kiss him. Ichigo would never forget how tender and moist her tantalizing lips are, the soft and appreciative moan that escaped him as he returned the sentiment.
"Ichi-kun, I'm so glad I caught you! Are you still going to the concert with me and Tatsuki this evening?"
"Yeah… about that…," Ichigo said, scratching the back of his head anxiously. "I'm gonna pass."
"What? Why?" Orihime sounded hurt and her eyes expressed disappointment. "I already told Tatsuki that we'd be there."
Ichigo flinched; he always attempted to do his best in making Orihime happy, bashing others who threatened to cause her harm. It sucked being on the other end of that stick.
"Listen, Hime, you know already that public events aren't really my thing. And besides… my old man and sisters are away at some lame medical convention he was dying to attend, leaving me the man of the house while they're gone. So I was thinking… that maybe you could… spend the nightfor once, if that's alright?"
Even though they had been dating for nearly two years, the notion of being alone with Ichigo in a vacant house or any empty place for that matter made Orihime's skin freeze. Not in a bad way, of course. She wanted nothing more but to tie the knot and become whole with the brash and protective ginger-headed Soul Reaper. But her own insecurities, as ridiculous as they may have been, prevented her from progressing in their relationship. Recently, she has been comfortable where they stood. And if Ichigo was correct about one thing, it was how—between friends and extracurricular activities—they hardly got any time alone together. And yet… there was the badgering voice in her subconscious that demanded her to get rid of all inhibitions and just go with the flow for once in her life. After all, what was the worst that could come of it?
"Ok Ichigo! I'll call and tell Tatsuki that we can't make it. I'm sure she'll understand," Orihime said cheerfully, despite her slight disappointment; Tatsuki was her closest friend did not want to let her down. However, inside she felt butterflies fluttering haphazardly in their exhilaration. She was actually going to spend the night at Ichigo's house!
"Alright then, let's go." Ichigo sent a reassuring grin and held Orihime's hand as they headed toward the Kurosaki Clinic.
It was going to be one hell of a night.