A/N: Update 1/6/18: I recently realized a mistake in season with the dance now being in February (joys of flying by the seat of your pants) so that has been addressed for those of you that may have noticed… Sorry! I also made a few other very minor edits in preparation for the next chapter!
Orihime had indeed correctly interpreted Ichigo's words, for when she pulled her door open to skip down the steps of her apartment, she found Ichigo making his way toward her apartment. She caught the sight of his spiky orange hair out of the corner of her eye, but didn't want to believe it as she focused on carefully locking her door, her hands suddenly trembling. Oh my gosh, is he really here?! When she turned, dropping her keys into her coat pocket, her face immediately broke into a smile when Ichigo looked up at her from the bottom of the steps.
"Morning, Inoue," he greeted her easily, like they did this every morning – they did, it was just normally at school.
Her smile widened as she skipped down the steps. Orihime felt as though she might burst. He came! "Good morning, Kurosaki-kun!" She scarcely made it halfway down before her nervousness and excitement at seeing him caught up to her and she tripped, her own foot catching her other foot. "Ah!" she cried as she felt herself falling.
"Inoue!" Ichigo's rich voice rang out, harsh in his shock at seeing her suddenly falling.
Bracing herself for a hard impact, Orihime was thoroughly surprised when strong arms suddenly surrounded her. Rather than crash into the stairs, she crashed into the solidness of Ichigo's chest as he caught her, her breath leaving her lungs in an "Oompf!" Not realizing when she had squeezed her eyes shut in the first place, she slowly opened them to find Ichigo's concerned eyes remarkably close to hers. She felt nothing but strength, security, and warmth in his embrace, but their proximity still took her by surprise. Her traitorous heart began its rampant hammering at her ribs once she realized how close they truly were and when she faintly felt his breath graze her cheek, she blinked and shrunk back but couldn't bring herself to break her gaze from his as he slowly stood up.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice deeper and rougher than it usually was.
Not able to trust her voice, Orihime nodded. It was then that she realized her hands were braced easily on his chest, her fingers actually gripping his jacket as though she would fall without holding onto it. Although her first instinct was to pull her hands away, she really didn't want to. For once, she listened to her heart instead of her head and left her hands where they were, although she released the hold she had on his coat. She was rewarded with the feeling of the muscles of his chest moving as he gently set her back on her feet. The sensation made her cheeks grow warm. "T-thank you, Kurosaki-kun," she murmured once she found her voice. As soon as his arms were removed from around her she felt incredibly lonely, which just did not make sense.
His smile returned, but only curled up his lips on one side, and he scratched the back of his neck as he pulled his eyes away from hers. "Ah, you don't need to thank me." It was when his chocolate depths met hers once more that she became aware that one hand remained at her waist. This realization sent a wave of nervous heat through her, starting with the top of her head. She could all but feel her face flushing nervously and swore she was probably glowing red. "You do, however, need to be more careful," he admonished, his eyes completely serious as his smile fell. His arm flexed, pulling her closer without realizing it as his face lowered closer to hers to emphasize his warning.
Her hands still on his chest, Orihime found herself lost in the depths of his eyes before her eyes were no longer on his – they were on his lips. Even though he was trying to scold her, his lips turned down in his typical frown, all she could think about was that crooked smile he had flashed her. He smiled again! To see his usual scowling lips reversed in a smile made her more happy than eating red bean paste. It didn't matter the cause of that smile. He's so close… she breathed in her mind. And he's still holding onto my waist! When she didn't answer him, her tongue tied up with her confused and muddled mind, she witnessed his eyes briefly fall to her lips, which were parted slightly in confusion, before he closed his eyes and took a step back with a sigh.
Shit! What the hell was that just now?! Ichigo was great at hiding his inner turmoil – he did it so often it was second nature. But Orihime was different. She made things more difficult for him and had for quite some time. He had no idea what prompted him to say he'd pick her up and walk her to school the night before – it just felt natural to say he'd see her in the morning and so he went with it. Then he saw her falling on the stairs and reacted purely on instinct. But wait, why am I still holding her then?! His eyes traveled down the still shocked expression on her face to rest on her perfectly pink lips. Why am I looking at her lips? Her lips that just… No! He had to stop his thoughts before they ran away on him and he had to suppress the urge to throw her away from him and jump back – she would get the wrong idea and surely be hurt. He managed to close his eyes and calmly step back, his hand slipping from her waist with an inward groan of regret from him.
'Seems like you're in quite the predicament, King."
'Now's not a good time!' Fuck, not now!
Orihime picked up on the subtle flinch the moment Ichigo's hollow started acting up. She'd seen it often enough before, but it still pained her to see him going through such a thing alone. "Kurosaki-kun?" she whispered when he shook his head and closed his eyes.
'Come on, King! She was holding on to you just as much as you were holding onto her! I don't know what you're so afraid of!'
'Damn it, I said not now!' Ichigo roared inside his head, loathing the fact that this was happening in front of Orihime.
'If not now, then when? If you don't make a move, then I will!'
'Like hell you will!' Ichigo threatened, his hands curling into fists as though he could pummel his own inner hollow.
"Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime repeated, gingerly touching Ichigo's arm to bring his attention from his inner battle.
Ichigo's eyes opened and while they flared with irritation, they were his – no hints of black or gold. "Sorry, Inoue." He turned in the direction of Karakura High. "We better get going or we'll be late."
'Don't ignore me, King!' But that's exactly what Ichigo did.
Orihime smiled, relieved whatever had been going on was over, but still worried that his hollow was still acting up regardless. "Right!"
They walked for some time in silence, Ichigo with one hand stuffed in his pocket, the other hand holding his bag slung over his shoulder. Orihime walked at his side, her own bag slung over one shoulder to rest at her hip, her arms swinging casually. It was a beautiful morning – the sun was out, the birds were chirping, and although it was the beginning of February, the day was not too cold. Ichigo's characteristic scowl was back on his face as he mostly looked at the ground before them while they walked, but Orihime took it upon herself to break the uncomfortable silence. "Kurosaki-kun?"
His eyes immediately met hers. "Yeah?"
"Can I ask you what was going on back at my apartment? That was your hollow, wasn't it?"
Ichigo's scowl deepened and he dropped his eyes. He didn't like lying to Orihime – he never was very good at it, nor did he want to be. "Yes," he admitted after only a moment's pause.
Orihime watched him from the corner of her eye, relieved and slightly surprised he actually opened up to her. "What did he want?"
Rather than answer right away, Ichigo swallowed, his cheeks darkening as he looked away. He had to clear his throat before he could answer. That was something he couldn't tell her. "It's hard to explain," he admitted.
She took that answer for what it was – an evasion – but let it go. At least he's actually talking to me about it. "Does he bother you often?" She was sincerely curious and concerned.
Cocking an eyebrow at her, Ichigo was likewise curious about her interest in his hollow. "Not anymore. Why the questions, Inoue?"
Her face scrunched up in a frown. "I just hate to see you suffer," she admitted only somewhat reluctantly. She remembered witnessing him training to control his hollow. His spiritual pressure had felt so dark and violent, it was one of the few times she had actually been afraid of him; but even then she had felt more afraid for him.
Her words entered his ears and spread warmth throughout his body. His heart rate increased, as his palms were suddenly sweaty. Don't think of that as more than it is. This is Inoue we're talking about. She hates to see anything suffer. "T-thanks." What am I supposed to say to that? She surprised him even more when she continued.
"You know if you ever need someone to talk to, you can always talk to me, right?" she asked, her voice soft and slightly wavering.
'Ha! Talk! She wants you to talk to her? I doubt that! Come on, King!'
'Damn it! I thought I told you to shut the hell up!' Ichigo growled at his hollow, clenching his hands into fists but successfully hiding any other outward reaction to his hollow's presence. To Orihime, his brow furrowed as he looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Where is all this coming from? "Of course I know that, Inoue. What makes you say that?"
Something dark flashed behind Orihime's eyes, even while he looked in them, and Ichigo swallowed nervously. He had never felt more uncomfortable with her before, and he blamed it on the fact that they were alone. That, and the fact that his damn hollow kept telling him to do things he shouldn't do. Things he wouldn't do. But definitely things he wanted to do.
The darkness in Orihime's eyes didn't disappear as quickly as Ichigo would have expected or liked. She drooped her head as he watched her, but stoically kept walking. "I know I'm not the same as Rukia-chan," she began, her voice nearly breaking at the end. Ichigo couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted her.
"Wait, what does Rukia have to do with anything?" he demanded, his voice harsher than he meant it.
Orihime finally looked up at him, her lips pressed together. "I-it's just," she stuttered, suddenly wishing she had kept her mouth shut. "I know you would probably prefer to talk to her about such things," she blurted, wanting to clap her hands over her cheeks to hide her flaming blush.
Ichigo scoffed, his brow furrowing even more in his confusion. "What? Why would I do that?"
Her mouth falling open, Orihime's eyes grew wide in her surprise. "Y-y-you wouldn't?"
One orange eyebrow rose as Ichigo cocked his head to the side and he looked down at her. "Not necessarily," he answered honestly. Sure, Rukia knew more than any of his friends did about the Soul Society and what it took to be a soul reaper. Yes, she originally spent her nights in his closet when she was in town, but that didn't mean he wanted to tell her everything there was to know about himself. They didn't tell each other everything, nor did they plan to. "Why is that such a surprise?"
Does this mean he's not in love with her?! She dared to hope but was also afraid to. "I just thought," she began, her voice trailing out when she couldn't figure out how to put her thoughts into words.
They were nearing the school, Ichigo both relieved and disappointed that their lone walk would soon be over, despite the uncomfortable topic of conversation. "You wouldn't be the first to think that," he allayed her fears, "but you would be wrong." He chucked without humor. "Couldn't be more wrong."
"Why?" The word was out of her mouth before she could stop it, and this time Orihime did clamp her hand over her mouth in an attempt to rein in any further disobedient words.
His answer was immediate, which set her heart at ease and made her cheeks warm. Her ears burned pleasantly, and she was thankful that her hair hid them. "I would think it's obvious," he began. She isn't you, he spoke only in his mind. When Orihime said nothing and just looked up at him, expectantly and patiently waiting for his answer, he outwardly explained, "She's loud and obnoxious. She's pushy. She's opinionated. She reminds me of my sisters…" He rolled his eyes. "I could keep going."
Her heart was pounding so fiercely, Orihime wanted to cover her chest with her hand in an attempt to stifle the sound for fear Ichigo would hear it. Relief spread through her with such force she nearly stumbled. "So," she breathed, her mind racing and combating the little blue men for her attention. Focus, Orihime! You have to keep moving your feet! Keep walking, keep breathing! You have to make it to school! "So," she drew out the word, closing her eyes in an effort to garner courage to ask, "you're not in love with Rukia-chan?"
Ichigo stopped, his mouth gaping and his eyes wide in shock. His hands fell to his sides as his face then crinkled as though the idea utterly confused him. "What?!"
'Oh! This is getting good, King!'
Orihime stopped and looked back at him, her cheeks flaming, but she couldn't bring herself to ask him again. Orihime, you're so stupid! I can't believe you asked him that! Just dropped that on him right out of the sky! I'm surprised he's not flat in the middle of the sidewalk right now!
Ichigo squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his fingers to them as he tried to think. What?! Orihime thinks I'm in love with Rukia? What the hell is wrong with her?! Who gave her that idea?! When he failed to come up with the correct way to tell her no, hell no, Ichigo watched as Orihime brushed her hair back behind her ear, one blue pin sparkling in the morning light. She was looking down, her eyes lidded as she chewed on her lower lip and moved to turn back toward school. "No," he finally answered. He just barely caught the sound of her sucking in her breath as she turned back to face him, light entering her gray eyes once more. "Not at all," he elaborated with a firm shake of his head as he started walking forward once more. He purposely bumped into her arm with his. "Now come on, we're going to be late."
The words were no sooner out of his mouth than the first bell rang, and they had to run in order to make it to class. The entire way, Orihime fought a smile from crossing her lips, ever conscious of Ichigo's long strides beside hers – he was keeping pace easily with her – not rushing ahead and not lagging behind. What she didn't see he was doing, was glaring at anyone who stared at her for any length of time that he deemed inappropriate; which was any longer than a glance given the fact that they were running and she clearly was not dressed for gym and was more than gifted in some areas. The two of them burst into their class just before the second bell, both only slightly winded from their sprint.
"Kurosaki! So nice of you to grace us with your presence today!" their instructor teased from the front of the room as they made their way to their desks. "Inoue, thank you for escorting Kurosaki here this morning and ensuring that he actually came to class for a change."
Orihime gasped, blood rushing to her cheeks as her eyes met Ichigo's. That hint of a smile was playing with his lips again, and she immediately smiled at him, turning to take her seat with a new lightness and warmth in her chest. "Of course!" she answered, earning Ichigo more than a few snickers as he flopped into his seat. He simply rolled his eyes and folded his arms across his chest as though he couldn't be bothered. All hints of a smile were gone from his face.
As their teacher took roll, Ichigo felt warm all over. It did seem to bother Orihime that I might have feelings for Rukia… He had to resist the urge to shudder at the thought. Ugh! Who gave her that idea?! His eyes slid over to where Orihime sat next to the window without thought from him. She sat like she so typically did – her ankles crossed primly, her elbows resting on her desk as she looked out the window, a far-off distant look in her eye. The morning light caught her hairpins again and they sparkled brilliantly in the light, making her even more radiant than she usually was. Little did she know that he was in just as much trouble as she was. Orihime…
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this update! I hope to write more soon!
The usual disclaimer...I do not own Bleach or any of the characters. They all belong to Tite Kubo.