Our Favourite Strawberry

A/N: Wow! 6 reviews, 6 favs, 9 subscribers, AND a community addition?!?!?!?! Wow, you guys are unreal! I love you! Thank you so much for your support! Here's part two, and I hope you like it!

~Raye

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Part Two

Orihime stood back and looked around at the living room, allowing a spark of pride to warm her heart. Clusters of balloons with ribbon-and-streamer tassels studded the walls in two separate, staggered rows, connected by and intricate criss-crossing of different-coloured twists of crepe paper. The twinkle lights were strung at waist height; the tiny bulbs reflected in myriad pixels off the hundreds of glitter-dipped paper stars around the room. Some were taped to the walls amongst the balloons and streamers; some were hanging, gently rotating, from the ceiling with the aid of some fishing line, and still others were attached to the red tablecloth that was draped over the kitchen table (which she'd painstakingly maneuvered through the agonizingly cramped kitchen doorway). She'd threaded ribbon through the hem of the tablecloth and pinned bunches of curled ribbon at the corners. Every available surface – the floor included – was dusted with a mix of glitter, confetti, and small ribbon curls. She'd moved the TV, the couch, and the coffee table aside. Unwilling to try and move them out of the room (or to find a place to store them, for that matter) she'd dutifully sprinkled them with the aforementioned garnish. For good measure, she'd run extra streamers down the length of the hallway and sprinkled the floors with confetti (not in the entryway, of course; that would have ruined the surprise!). She'd stationed her iPod and dock insurreptiously on top of the TV, deciding at the last minute to camouflage it with a large, multi-strand bow. Finally, the banner, completely dried, was strung up at the back of the room. That alone had taken nearly half an hour, for Orihime had needed to keep running back and forth in an effort to make it hang straight.

But, here it was, 11:30 exactly, just in time to make a run for the cake shop.

She arrived at noon (two minutes before, in fact), and there was only one other person in line ahead of her. Orihime was soon presented with a hinged cardboard box, adorned with a pink satin bow.

She left the shop and rounded the corner before her curiosity took over.

I just have to see what it looks like! She thought. Maybe I should just wait until I get back to my apartment, though…

Well, no, she reasoned. What if they made a mistake, mixed up orders or something? If I'm right here, I can take it back and get the right one…

Stopping in her tracks, Orihime carefully pulled up the lid of the box.

Then a cyclist crashed into her.

With a cry, she hit the pavement, and the box sailed from her arms and, with a sickening splat, landed in the middle of the street, streaking the asphalt with coloured icing.

The cyclist had been thrown off his bike. With a groan, he picked himself up.

"Why don't you watch where you're going next time, stupid?" he shouted.

"Why don't you watch?" cried Orihime, but the biker, swearing under his breath, didn't hear; he remounted his now-somewhat-dented bike and pedaled away.

With a sense of numbness, Orihime stood up. Her clothes were covered in grit, and she would probably have a few bruises in the morning, but she was otherwise unharmed. Even still, inside her head, she was screaming as it registered exactly what the squashed cardboard box lying in the middle of the road meant.

She knew that, out of courtesy, she should go and scrape up the remains of what used to be a cake, but she simply couldn't bring herself to do it.

She realized she hadn't a moment to spare. After all, she couldn't go back to Confection Perfection and order a cake to be ready in five hours – less than that! It was impossible!

Doing her best to suppress a panic attack, Orihime ran back to her apartment as fast as she was able.

When she got back, she checked a clock – 12:45.

I wasted that long standing in the middle of the street?!

Lunch would have to be skipped. She couldn't afford to lose any more time, now that she had a cake to bake, too.

But I'll have to make it using only what I already have – running to the store will take too much time!

Orihime spent the next three and a half hours flying around the kitchen in a frenzy. Some of the food was easy; chips and candy could just be opened and poured into bowls (but these were saved for last; who wants stale chips, after all?). Fruits were carefully cut up and arranged in spiral patterns on plates before being returned to the fridge. Cookies, brownies, blondies, and homemade pizzas made their way in and out of the oven. Pocky of various flavours were arranged on small plates in perfectly symmetrical forty-point stars. A large bowls was filled with fruit juice, ginger ale, ice cubes, and lemon slices and thoroughly stirred. Finally, it was all set out on the table in the living room, complete with glasses, dishes, napkins, and utensils. (The freshly cooked goods were still hot, and they would be just warm enough for five-thirty. As well, she'd bought cheap, store-brand ginger ale, the kind that was overly fizzy, and therefore wouldn't get flat in that time, either.)

In the centre of it all stood The Cake. It was a round double-chocolate fudge confection, triple-layered with chocolate crème in between. The sides were slathered with the same, and crusted in chocolate shavings. The top was thickly dusted with powdered sugar, and she'd managed to write, "Happy Birthday, Ichigo!", albeit a little clumsily, with some leftover chocolate syrup she'd discovered in her fridge. The overall effect was something like a black forest cake but, instead of cherries, the rosettes of whipped cream around the top edge of the cake were studded with strawberries.

It was 4:16.

I should be in the shower right now! Thought Orihime frantically. But I can't leave the kitchen looking the way it does.

So, when Tatsuki arrived fourteen minutes later, she was met by an Orihime whose hair was falling out of a sloppy ponytail, and whose ratty clothes were streaked with tomato sauce, globs of batter, flecks of melted chocolate, smudges of flour, and an enormous fruit juice stain.

"Hi, Tatsuki." Even though she was smiling, the exhaustion could clearly be heard in your voice. "You're early."

"Yeah, I thought I'd see if you needed some help setting up…" she peered around the corner. "Apparently not, though. Wow, you sure went all out."

"Not really…" said Orihime absently.

"Yes, really," said Tatsuki. She walked into the kitchen and whistled. "It looks like a bomb went off in here."

"I know; I need to finish cleaning."

"No kidding. But you'll never finish and be able to get yourself ready. Go clean yourself up; I'll take care of this."

"Really? Thanks so much, Tatsuki-chan!"

"No problem, now get movin' girl! Time's a-wastin'!"

After a quick but calming shower, Orihime felt much more relaxed. She returned to her room and dressed.

You know when you go shopping and you see something that's so pretty you just have to have it, and you buy it, even if you have no idea where you'll wear it, but you just know that you'll use it for something? Well, this was the something this dress had been kept waiting for. It was a cocktail-length, handkerchief-hemmed halter dress in a rich purple that contrasted beautifully with her hair. She slipped it on, the proceeded to blow-dry her hair with one hand, and with the other, brushed a coat of quick-drying polish on her toes to match her dress. Just as she was slipping in a pair of dangly silver earrings, Tatsuki came up.

"Done," she said, not without a hint of triumph.

"Already? Even the dishes?"

"In the dishwasher."

"It's broken."

"Yeah, I know. But no one's going to see them in there, right?"

Orihime smiled. Tatsuki was always finding an easier solution to problems that gave Orihime a monster headache.

"How much time left?" Orihime asked.

"Twelve minutes exactly."

"Can you help, please?"

"Sure thing."

For someone who only wore her short black hair gelled into spikes, Tatsuki was very skilled with a curling iron. While Orihime brushed polish onto her fingernails, then some mascara, and a little blush, her friend sculpted her muted orange tresses into soft ringlets.

With her blue-flowered rikka, Orihime pinned the top layers of hair off her face and behind her ears. Then she slipped into a pair of strappy black high-heeled sandals.

Then she looked at Tatsuki, in her slouchy grey-wash skinny-leg jeans, black t-shirt splashed with neon graffiti-style motifs, and ragged high-tops. "I'm overdressed," she said.

"No way," said Tatsuki. "You look awesome. Besides – you deserve to have Ichigo notice you. It's your day as much as his."

The doorbell rang.

"Right on time," said Orihime. "Thank you so much, Tatsuki; I couldn't have done it without you."

"I'm sure you'd have thought of something…but you're welcome." Tatsuki replied.

At the door was Uryuu, determined as ever to be punctual. He was soon followed by Chad, and Chizuru arrived moments later. Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when she saw Orihime's getup. She opened her mouth to say something, but a warning glance from Tatsuki convinced her to settle for a bone-crushing hug. Orihime didn't mind; she'd long ago learned to take these dubious "compliments" in stride. Besides, even if Chizuru was sometimes out of control, she was a good friend, and every bit as loyal as Tatsuki.

Mizuiro and Keigo arrived next. Mizuiro was holding an enormous creature constructed of bright shredded paper under his arm, and Keigo carried a baseball bat.

"It's a piñata!" he exclaimed. "What's a party without a piñata?"

"Okay, good idea!" exclaimed Orihime.

"I thought so," said Keigo smugly. "I must say, Inoue-san, you are looking extremely—"

Out of nowhere, Tatsuki appeared behind him and cleared her throat.

"Okay, okay, don't hurt me," Keigo whimpered, and Mizuiro laughed.

While the two were hanging up the piñata, Rukia came to the door, wearing a blue t-shirt dress as opposed to her shihakusho. To Orihime's surprise, Renji and Ikkaku were with her (also wearing normal clothes, thankfully).

"I told Renji and he told Ikkaku, and they both wanted to come," Rukia said apologetically.

"No, no, that's okay! The more the merrier!" said Orihime cheerfully.

Isshin, Karin, Yuzu, and Kon all arrived together. "Ichigo's gonna be here in a few minutes," said Karin. "We snuck out the back door, but we saw him getting ready to leave."

"Okay, then." Orihime raised her voice. "Okay, everybody, hide! Ichigo will be here soon!"

Karin and Yuzu, dragging Kon, slipped under the table, and everyone else crawled in behind the couch. Orihime went and hung a note on the outside of the door; it read: It's unlocked; come on in! Then she went and crouched behind the TV.

All was silent, and everyone held their breath when the doorknob rattled.

Ichigo walked into the entryway; the first thing he noticed was the silence.

"Hello?" he called.

No answer.

He walked around the corner, into the living room.

"Hey, is anyone--?" He stopped. He'd seen all the balloons and streamers, the food and the cake laid out. But he also saw the banner that hung in the back: Wishing a happy sixteenth birthday to Ichigo Kurosaki – our favourite strawberry.

Then everyone jumped out.

"Surprise!!!"

Ichigo blinked. "Whoa."

While everyone else mobbed him, giving him hugs and friendly punches on the arm (or, in the case of Rukia, a serious noogie), Orihime turned the iPod on, and the latest All-American Rejects song permeated the chaos.

"Wow, you guys," said Ichigo, still looking a bit stunned. "You shouldn't have."

"We didn't," Rukia grinned.

"Yeah, it was all Orihime's idea," said Tatsuki.

"Really?" said Ichigo. Orihime felt a small thrill when he turned to face her, and she saw something in his eyes that could be the makings of a smile, if given a moment to travel to the corners of his mouth. "Th—"

Keigo, his timing as terrible as ever, came over, clapped Ichigo on the shoulder, and handed him the baseball bat. "Piñata time, dude!" he cried.

Ichigo held the bat straight out to test its weight, as one would with a sword (or a zanpaku-to). "All right," he said, hefting it over his shoulder, eyeballing the colourful horse-shaped ornament. "That stupid-looking thing is history."

"Not without a blindfold," said Mizuiro.

Ichigo was wearing a bandanna around his neck. "We can use that," Orihime said.

"Okay."

Orihime tied the bandanna around Ichigo's eyes, careful not to get any of his hair caught in the knot.

Renji and Ikkaku came and spun him around.

'Hey! Hey! Guys, that's enough!" Ichigo yelled. "Jeez, do ya want me to pass out?"

"That would make it difficult to hit the piñata," Uryuu noted.

"Hilarious, Ishida."

Despite everything, Ichigo knocked the head off the piñata with the first swing, and Orihime cheered, even though Keigo whined something about it being over too quickly, but everyone dove to collect the cheap individually-wrapped candies that spilled out. Laughter and hilarity ensued as Renji and Ikkaku play-wrestled over the last one. Ichigo, determined to get revenge for the spinning, joined in, and Isshin soon followed, for some reason. Then Rukia got into the fray and whupped all four guys, to the amusement of everyone else.

Chizuru had brought her games system, plus Dance Dance Revolution and Rock Band. They hooked up Rock Band first. Keigo dragged the unfortunate Chad, Uryuu, and Mizuiro to be his background players while he murdered the song that everybody already hated: "I'm Too Sexy" (that song even had a guitar/bass part? Who knew?). Next, the four Kurosakis went up, with Isshin insisting on another bad song: "Should I Stay or Should I Go?". Ichigo played the drums on expert and scored 97%. Next, Tatsuki convinced Orihime to play bass (on easy level) to Chizuru's guitar, Rukia's drums, and her own vocals to Paramore's "Crush Crush Crush", which they performed rather well. Then Rukia stayed on drums while Renji picked up the guitar, Ikkaku the bass, and Ichigo, to everyone's amazement, the mic. The four shinigami pulled off a good performance of Wolfmother, and Ichigo surprised everyone by doing a fair amount of justice to the lyrics of "Joker and the Thief".

At some point, everyone decided to switch over to DDR, and while a twosome squared off, everyone else sat around, nibbling on the food and egging on the dancers. Quiet Mizuiro surprised everyone with his skill and Uryuu surprised no one by being terrible, but eh knew he was bad, and laughed at the catcalls along with everyone else.

Somehow, Orihime found herself facing off against Ichigo, to the beat of "La Vida Loca". The idea of friendly competition excited her, and she attempted to show off a little – only that didn't work so well; her heels weren't the best idea on the foamy mats, and she landed wrong and fell.

But she didn't mind, because Ichigo was the first one there to help her up.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yep! Thanks."

"Yeah, don't mention it. And, I was trying to say it earlier, but—"

"Let's do presents!" said Chizuru. "C'mon, Ichigo!" And she dragged him away.

Orihime stood, frozen.

Presents?

There they all were, gaily wrapped and stacked haphazardly on the coffee table; one had been brought in by each person (with the exception of Kon, who obviously couldn't display signs of life around some of the guests). How could she have missed them? She didn't know. Only one thing stood out to her now.

I was so absorbed in planning the perfect party that I forgot to get Ichigo a present!

Tears welled up in her eyes.

How could I have been so stupid? I'm going to look so stupid in front of everybody, and Ichigo will be mad at me! I've ruined everything!

When nobody was looking, Orihime slipped out of the room and quickly wandered down the hall to her bedroom. She sat down on her bed, buried her face in her makeshift-manicured hands, and began to cry.

I've worked so hard to make everything perfect, but I've messed it all up!

A few minutes later, she heard Chad say, "Hey, where's Orihime?"

"I saw her leave a few minutes ago," said Tatsuki. "But I didn't realize she hadn't come back…"

"I'll go look for her," said Ichigo.

"I'll go," said Rukia.

"No, let Ichigo," said Tatsuki quickly. "See, he's already left."

Orihime hadn't bothered to close her door, and now she frantically debated whether or not she should.

There's no time; he's already coming' it'll seem rude if I do it now.

Back in the living room, the iPod began playing a new song.

I'm starin' at a broken door
There's nothin' left here anymore
My room is cold
It's makin' me insane

Orihime thought, That's one of the songs I meant to take off the playlist; it's too slow for a party; I should go change it. She dried her eyes (thankfully, her mascara was waterproof), and went to the doorway, only to be met there by Ichigo.

I've been waitin' here so long
But now the moment seems to've come
I see the dark clouds comin' up again

"Are you okay?" asked Ichigo.

"I'm fine," she replied, but her voice sounded a little strangled.

"Orihime, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she lied. "I have to go change the song."

"Why? It's a good song."

"You like Tokio Hotel, too?"

"Yeah, they're pretty cool. They've got this totally different sound."

"Does Bill Kaulitz sound kind of like a girl, or is that just me?"

"No, he does – but it's still a good song, right?"

"Right," Orihime smiled.

"So are you gonna tell me what's wrong?"

"I'm fine."

'Hey," Ichigo's voice was uncharacteristically soft. "I can tell something's bothering you."

Runnin' through the monsoon
Beyond the world
To the end of time
Where the rain won't hurt
Fighting the storm
Into the blue
And when I lose myself
I'll think of you
Together we'll be runnin' somewhere new
Through the monsoon
Just me and you

Orihime caved. "I didn't get you a birthday present. I forgot. I'm sorry."

Ichigo blinked. "That's it?"

"What do you mean? You're not mad?"

"Of course not! You didn't have to do anything for me at all, but you did all of this! All of this – it's amazing, Orihime. It's way more than I ever expected."

A half moon's fading from my sight
I see your vision in it's light
But now it's gone and left me so alone

"I shouldn't have said it like that," Ichigo amended. "'Cause, I mean, I know you can do stuff like this when you want. I just never expected you would do it for me – hey, why are you crying again?"


I know I have to find you now
Can hear your name
I don't know how
Why can't we make this darkness feel like home?

"I'm just so happy – that you're not mad. I was afraid – because I wanted to give you the best birthday ever."

"Hey." With a single finger, Ichigo reached out and tapped Orihime on the underside of her chin, causing her to loom up. He gently swiped a finger under her eyes, wiping away the tears. "You have."

And then – he smiled!

It was a soft, comforting sort of half-smile, but Orihime didn't care what kind it was. He's so beautiful! She thought, and then she stood up on her toes and kissed him on the lips.

Runnin' through the monsoon
Beyond the world
To the end of time
Where the rain won't hurt
Fighting the storm
Into the blue
And when I lose myself
I'll think of you
Together we'll be runnin' somewhere new
And nothing can hold me back from you
Through the monsoon

Immediately, he placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed her back.

Orihime's heart was soaring. She felt as if she had wings, and that she'd left behind every worry, every care she'd ever had; she was above it all, and Ichigo was with her; they were side by side, floating, flying…


Hey…

Hey…
I'm fightin' all it's power
Comin' in my way
Let it take me straight to you
I'll be runnin' night and day
I'll be with you soon,

Just me and you,
We'll be there soon

So soon…

"Happy birthday, Ichigo."

"I told you I didn't need a present," he said. "That was what I really wanted." And then he smiled again, and in it was the 'thank you' he'd been trying to give her the whole time. Orihime's heart flopped over and exclaimed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Runnin' through the monsoon
Beyond the world
To the end of time
Where the rain won't hurt

"We should get back," said Orihime. "The others will be wondering what's going on…"

"Let them," Ichigo said simply.

"Hey, Birthday Boy and Ichigo-hime, can ya quit making out long enough to come and cut the cake?" called Chizuru.

"Or maybe they're not wondering." Orihime blushed, but she laughed anyway.


Fighting the storm
Into the blue

"It looks like I'm going to be called 'Princess Strawberry' a lot from now on."

"Does that bother you?"

"No."

And when I lose myself
I'll think of you

'Orihime – a few days ago, when we were talking about movies, and you mentioned When the River Cries…"

"Yes…"

"I was wondering if you'd let me take you."

"I would—yes! But I never thought you'd be interested!"

"I'd see anything, if I could go with you." He made a face. "Wow, that was sappy. Man, if I hadn't liked you for so long, I'd be kicking myself for saying something like that."

Orihime smiled. "I don't mind."

"Ichigo, unless you want Dad to come and embarrass the heck out of you, you and Orihime'd better get in here!" called Karin.

Ichigo shook his head, resigned. "Let's go." He took her hand.

Together we'll be runnin' somewhere new
And nothing can hold me back from you
Through the monsoon
Through the monsoon
Just me and you
Through the monsoon
Just me and you

When they came into the living room, all the main lights had been turned off. Only the twinkling red-and-white lights and the golden glow of sixteen lit candles illuminated the room.

"Make a wish, nii-san," said Yuzu.

In the semi-darkness, Ichigo and Orihime shared a secret smile. They knew that his wish had already been granted – and hers along with it.

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A/N: There you have it! Hope you liked it in all its cheesy fluffiness!

Do any of you play Rock Band? I suck at it cuz I've only ever played it a couple times in my life, but I love it! I have to play everything on easy, but I'm pretty good at drums – and vocals, I guess, but you can sing anytime. Drums are more fun to just wale on and be like YAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Okay, enough of that.

Please review! And feel free to check out any of my other stories!

Thanks for your support! This is your exhausted-but-feeling-that-her-efforts-are-worthwhile-author, over and out!

~Raye^^