Disclaimer: Thank you for the reviews guys! I do not own BLEACH. Sorry for the very late update... A virus entered my laptop.. there goes all my fanfics... :'( Anyway, the whole story's in my author's note for Scared To Hurt You, Scared To Lose You, which you guys should read too! ^^ Soooooooooo sorry for the late update...
Well, here are the responses:
nypsy: Hey! Nice To see your review here too ^^ Well, I made this fic you know, for some change in the atmosphere too. There's been pretty sudden turn of events in STHY, STLY so I wanted to breathe in some air to think of new things for it. So, I started this story. Thanks again!
Child Of Ashes: Thanks! I'm glad you like it. ^^
Vane94..etc: ^^ Absolutely agree with you about Orihime. She's soo pretty! Well, thanks for reviewing this fic too. ^^
NaruHinaFanBoy: Thanks for the review! Please do watch out for more of my updates. I promise IchiHime fluffiness and Isshin madness XD
Somerlia: Hahaha and trust me, I know you too. Thanks for reviewing this fic and the other one *points on the STHY,STLY document on my screen* Yeah, Orihime could be such a klutz at sometimes but, you have to admit, she'll never be Orihime without her klutziness. XD
silverlake: ^^ Thanks. I'm sorry for the very late review though.
RimaNagi4ever: ^^ I guess that's a positive feedback? Lolz. Thanks for the review ^^
DarkAngel2098: Thanks so much ^^ I hope you like the second chapter...
Well, on with the story!
It Takes The Two Of US
By: bluebloodedphantom
Chapter 2: Sleep Talk
Ichigo managed to get a cab for both him and Orihime to get to the Kurosaki Clinic. Helping Orihime go down the stairs was pretty hard since just by the slightest move of her ankle make her flinch due to the pain so, Ichigo had to be careful to avoid hurting her. Tatsuki was the last one to go out of the apartment to make sure that the door has been locked and after waving them goodbye, she hurried of to the direction of her working place.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you, Kurosaki-kun." Orihime mumbled at Ichigo who sat beside her in the backseat.
Ichigo smiled at her. "It's nothing Inoue."
After his simple phrase, everything went silent. Orihime could hear her own heart pounding. Why was she acting like this around Ichigo? Shouldn't she be used to him already? She seemed fine in holding his hands earlier but, why was she so nervous now? After all, they've been through thick and thin but, it seems like she couldn't feel at ease when she's with him. It seems that, like Ichigo not being over his shinigami duties, she's also far from getting over him.
Ichigo on the other hand, can't help but notice Orihime being uncomfortable. She would sigh and pout while looking out the window. His heart was beating faster than usual and he wondered why. Orihime has always been by his side and again, he was really thankful to her. Of all his friends, the girl beside him was the only one who had the courage to talk to him about what he was feeling. He is relieved though, that she was the one who confronts him because, he probably can't tell anyone but her what he truly feels at the moment.
"Sorry." Ichigo mumbled.
Orihime turned to him. "About what, Kurosaki-kun?"
Ichigo cleared his throat. "I couldn't tell anyone about how I feel about losing my shinigami powers except for you. I'm sorry for telling you about my depressions. You're probably getting annoyed, huh?" he asked him.
The auburn-haired girl smiled at Ichigo. "Don't be silly, Kurosaki-kun! We're friends right? Friends should share each other's pain."
Right. They're friends. Just friends. Even though she knows perfectly well that she loves him and she wants something more than 'just friends', she couldn't tell him what she feels fearing that it might ruin their relationship. 'Too bad I can't share you my pain inside, Kurosaki-kun'.
Ichigo just sighed. "Thanks, Inoue."
=/=
"Goat-chin! We're home!" Ichigo shouted as he entered inside with Orihime and her stuff. "Goat-chin! You there?" he shouted again but still, no response.
Someone came down from the stairs. "Oh Ichi-nii, Goat-chin left due to an urgent call." Karin Kurosaki, the older of the Kurosaki twins said. "Oh, Orihime-chan. Welcome." She bowed down.
"Hi, Karin-chan!" Orihime greeted with enthusiasm.
"Ichi-nii, I'm off to meeting my friends. Sorry but I can't help you with settling Orihime-chan. They're gonna kill me if I'm late again." She said as she past towards them.
"Oi, Karin!" Ichigo called out. His sister simply looked back at him. "Be careful. Get home before five, got it?" he ordered.
"Yeah, yeah! Thanks Ichi-nii! Bye Orihime-chan!" and she hurried off.
Ichigo closed the door behind them and helped Orihime to sit down the couch. "Hey, settle in okay? Feel at home. I'll bring your things in the guest room." He told her as he handed her the remote of the television.
Orihime just nodded at him.
Walking in the guest room, Ichigo noticed that it has been cleaned and tidied up. "Looks like Pops did some effort before leaving." He smiled. He started unpacking Orihime's things and placed it in the drawers. It felt odd though, he's feeling really relieved now that Orihime is with him. Unlike before, he would be sober and lock himself in his room since he was still depressed with the current happenings.
"It looks like I'm done with everything." Ichigo said as he finally went out of the room. He quickly made his way towards the living room to check on Orihime.
"Hey, Inoue." He called her but he was quickly put into a halt after he saw her sleeping on the couch. She didn't even turn on the television. It seemed like she's really exhausted.
He was unsure of what to do since he couldn't carry her because she might wake up and he didn't want to disturb her. He sat down the couch too. He couldn't help but cast a sideways glance at her. Looking at her face that close made him notice how adorably beautiful she is. It's not like he didn't notice it before. Orihime is really pretty, even before. It's just that something was different about her now.
Ichigo continued to look at her when her head tilted over on his shoulders which startled him. He could smell her scent which was intoxicating. She smelled like strawberries or something like that. He tried to lower his shoulders to make Orihime feel more comfortable in her sleep.
As she was still in her dreamland, Ichigo continued to look at her. Orihime was really a good friend to him. After everything she witnessed in Hueco Mundo like Ichigo turning to a hollow or all of those bloody battles, Orihime still stayed by his side and comforted him when he needs it the most.
"Hmm..." he heard Orihime mumble. "..." She kept on mumbling. It was so soft that Ichigo doubted if he heard right. He thought he heard an...
"I love you?" Ichigo asked wondering if what he heard was right. Orihime looked asleep alright. "I wonder who's she dreaming of." Ichigo said to himself.
He let his mind wander off as Orihime continued to sleep on his shoulders. Hearing this from the auburn-haired girl, Ichigo felt like something was gnawing him inside. He clutched his chest. His heart pounded heavily. "Whoever she's dreaming of, he sure is a goddamn lucky bastard." Ichigo mumbled to himself.
=/=
Author's Note: Well, there goes chapter 2... ^^ I'm so sorry again for the late update.. Oh! Uhm.. Advance happy holidays! Read and Review, as usual! Thanks guys!
Next Chapter 3: Awkward Conversations
See you!
-Phantom-chan