A/N: Ahahaha... Hi. I got no excuses, other than the fact that I typed up chapter 4 several times and each time it pissed me off and I ended up erasing everything. I ended up giving up. Funny how I'm writing this a month after Valentines day. Ahahaha...

Disclaimer: Tite Kubo doesn't own bleach, I mean I MEAN I DON'T OWN BLEACH. Tite owns it. -facepalm- I shouldn't be writing this while I'm tired...


Silver orbs fluttered opened, she felt warmth covering her and realized she was laying in a bed. Her eyes widened as she let out a meek gasp, and quickly sat up. She looked around and noticed the room was familiar, inhaling she recognized Ichigo's scent. As strange as it sounds, Orihime loved his scent. The scent that would just melt her insides.

Her cheeks were rosy pink, blinking she gazed around his room then noticed Ichigo's figure sitting against his closet on the floor, with his eyes closed. Orihime watched him intently, admiring how peaceful he looked while sleeping. ''So handsome.'' she thought with a small giggle that she hoped he didn't hear.

Orihime looked around, and froze when she heard a yawn. Ichigo opened one eye and saw she was awake ''I see someone's up early.''

Instead of saying anything, she meekly let out a 'eep' and hid under the covers. Ichigo blinked with confusion, then a smirk formed on his lips when he got an idea. Standing up, he quietly snuck over to the bed. He lowered his hands and grinned before tickling her, she started giggling and the bedsheets fell off.

''Oww my sides ahaha, hurts.'' She said between her laughter, already in tears.

''Got you to stop hiding.'' He snickered.

Orihime puffed her cheeks with a childlike glare, ''No fair!''

He placed his hand over her forehead, ''Are you feeling alright?'' Ichigo raised an eyebrow.

''Yeah.'' she gave him a small smile, and shivered under his touch.

''Are you sure?'' he asked again, not believing her answer.

''Yes.''

''Are you positive?''

''Yes.''

''Are you absolutely sure that you're positive?''

''Ichigo, I'm sure.'' She giggled, ''Stop being so worried.'' Orihime saw the concern in his eyes. since she did nearly have frostbite last night.

''Just don't do anything crazy like that again, got it?'' His voice nearly cracked, which practically caused Orihime's heart to break.

''...I'll be more prepared next time.'' A small frown rested on her lips, ''You... you really don't need to be so concerned for me.''

''How can I not be concerned?!'' Ichigo shot her a small glare, not out of anger since he couldn't help but feel overprotective. He saw the sad look on her face and let out an aggravated sigh ''You tend to act so reckless sometimes, so I can't help but feel like this.'' he scratched his head before turning away.

Ichigo tensed up when he felt Orihime's arms wrap around his torso from behind. Her head rested on his back, the steadiness of his breathing seemed to put the girl at ease.

'If I say it now, what would he think?'' She asked herself internally, 'But.. then again, what would he want with a idiotic girl like me who does nothing but act reckless.' She nearly laughed at her foolish thoughts, but Ichigo's voice snapped her out of her daze.

''What are you doing?'' He asked in a soft tone, and an eyebrow raised. Usually, he would have shrugged out of the grip but for some reason he didn't.

'Say it! JUST SAY IT!' Orihime pressured herself to say it.

''I-I, I-I...'' Was all that left her mouth, biting down on her bottom lip she shut her eyes. 'Damnit, why did I even put myself in this situation!?'

''I-I just wanted to um, give you a hug as a Thank You for helping me out.'' She blurted out, with a nervous giggle as she quickly released her grip. She backed away and tried in every way to avoid eye contact with him.

Ichigo blinked for a moment, and Orihime could have sworn he looked slightly disappointed that was all she said. ''Alright...'' He wore a straight face, ''You're welcome, I guess.'' he plainly said before walking towards the door to leave.

When the door shut closed, Orihime slid down on the floor in front of his bed. Her eyes stood wide as she couldn't believe herself, so close, yet so far to telling him. Sorrow filled her face as she hung her head down, staring at her feet. 'These past few days, I do believe now... he's been trying to tell me something.' her chin rested on both of her legs, as her arms hugged around them. 'Does he have feelings for me too, or am I just imagining things?' she asked herself.


Ichigo started shoveling snow outside his house since there was a storm the previous night. Even while he shoveled the snow, he couldn't get one thing off his mind.

'I wonder if mom could've helped me with this sort of thing, I've never been good at understanding the way girls think.' He groaned in annoyance at himself. Letting out a much needed breath from his labor, he placed the snow shovel down and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

''Finally done.'' He muttered to himself.

''Surprising to see you outside in this weather but like they say, idiots never catch a cold.'' Ichigo scowled once he heard that all too familiar voice.

''What the hell do you want, Ishida?'' He turned around and faced the Quincy who merely stood in front of him with a stern expression.

''I'm here to talk.'' He pushed his glasses back on his face.

''About what?'' Ichigo's scowl remained, and was wondering what would bring the Quincy here of all days.

''About how much of an imbecile you are.'' Uryu's eyes narrowed at the Kurosaki.

It merely caused Ichigo roll his eyes and turn his back on the Quincy, ''Listen, I have bigger problems to deal. I really don't need your dumb ass insults right now.'' he started walking back inside his house.

''I assume your problems involve, Inoue-san?'' Ichigo paused in his tracks, and looked back at the Quincy.

''None of your business, Ishida.'' Ichigo snapped irritably.

''If you break her heart, I will mercilessly break your face. Remember that.'' Uryu warned, regardless if he denied it the Quincy in fact had his own feelings for Orihime. Of course, he also knew that she was in love with Ichigo so he knew to keep his feelings to himself. That's why, he feels protective of her since Ichigo was known for being an idiot.

''It's not like I have feelings for her, why don't you just keep out of my freaking business for once.'' Ichigo spat before walking back inside, and slamming the door behind him. When he walked inside, his hazel eyes met with silver orbs. It hit him then, he just finished saying he didn't have feelings for her.

'Shit, you're such an idiot Ichigo.' he facepalmed mentally, and saw her eyes filled with sadness.

''Was... that Ishida-kun?'' She forced on a smile, but he knew it was a fake smile.

''Yeah... he was being an ass and all... so we got into an argument.'' Ichigo felt tense, his eyes wandered to the side avoiding eye contact with her.

''I see...'' she smiled sadly, ''Anyway um... I guess it's time for me to head home.'' Orihime hung her head down and fiddled with her fingers.

''Orihime listen, I-''

''It's alright, I'll call Tatsuki-chan to pick me up so you don't have to worry about getting me home or anything.'' She looked directly into Ichigo's eyes as to say 'If that's the way you feel about me, then I'll leave.'

As much as he wanted to say something, he stood there looking like an idiot watching as she took out her phone and called Tatsuki. Ichigo stood silent and walked past her, walking back upstairs to his room. Orihime stood silent as well, and even looked back in the direction he went and let out a sigh.

''Hello?'' Tatsuki finally answered.

''Tatsuki-chan! Would you umm... mind picking me up?'' Orihime asked with slight embarrassment.

''Of course not, where are you?''

''At Ichigo's house...'' Orihime cringed, a bit frightened at what Tatsuki's reaction would be.

Silence.

Then Tatsuki finally spoke, ''Why are you at Ichigo's house, do I need to kick his ass?''

''No, no, I'll explain everything when you get here. Alright, um... bye!'' Orihime quickly hung up and put her phone away, letting out a sigh she went to get her shoes.


Ichigo remained silent as he stood in his room, staring out of his window. His phone kept constantly ringing, plus several beeps from messages. He didn't answer because he knew well who it could be. It was either Uryu, or Tatsuki. He wasn't in the mood for their lectures, thinking they knew everything.

'I know I should say something to her, yet I'm not making any effort to do it.' His hands balled up into a fist, he wasn't used to feeling these kind of emotions for someone. It still ate him up inside that he denied everything he felt, let alone in front of the one who he had feelings.

Was he scared of how he felt? He couldn't even figure that out himself. But he knew well that he did care about her, maybe what the Quincy said had effected him. Ichigo was afraid that he would hurt her, and yet all he did in the past few minutes was hurt and push her away even more.

There was something that had always attracted Ichigo to Orihime, and it was the similar traits between her and his mom. Their sweet, caring personality. In a way, he needed that to fill the hole in his heart that his mom's death had made.

Outside his house, he saw a car pull up. He assumed it was Tatsuki, since she got her license not too long ago. There were moments before Orihime left, and he was losing his chance to apologize.

''Tch, I'm an idiot. Valentine's day is tomorrow, and yet I'm acting like this.'' He muttered to himself, then silently laughed at himself. ''Before she leaves, I need to be sure of something..''


Orihime received a text that Tatsuki was outside waiting in the car. Closing her eyes for a moment, she felt the warmth in her cheeks from blushing.

'Even if he never felt the same way about me, I'll probably always love him.' she twirled a strand of her hair around her index finger. Orihime looked back once more before smiling. 'I'm a fool, like most people say.'

''Guess I better not leave Tatsuki-chan waiting outside.'' She walked towards the door, and for some reason tears threatened to stream down her face but she used all her strength to hold the crying in until she got home at least.

She turned the knob and pushed, but the door wouldn't open. Blinking in confusion, she kept trying to open it but had no success. Glaring at the door, she sighed.

''You're suppose to pull, not push.'' Orihime looked back to see Ichigo walking down the stairs.

''O-Oh... thanks, I knew that.'' She forced on a small smile, and quickly went to open the door again.

Walking towards her, he stopped mid-way and looked down with his eyes shut before saying, ''Could you wait one minute?''

She paused, and still kept her face towards the door. Words didn't leave her lips, but she still listened.

''What I said to Ishida earlier, it wasn't true.'' He looked up at her, even if she gave him her back. ''I.. just wanted to make him shut his mouth, and I said things that I didn't mean.'' his hands balled up into two fists, and clenched them tightly.

Orihime's eyes widened, and she turned her figure and looked at him. To be honest, the expression he wore was the most she ever saw him express himself. He wore an apologetic frown, and his eyes were what killed her the most.

''...I... love you.'' Orihime clasped a hand over her mouth when she realized what she finished saying, but when she looked at her crush directly in his eyes she suddenly didn't regret her words. Warmth once again radiated from her cheeks. 'Wait.. so does he...'

Her question was answered when soft lips pressed against hers. Ichigo cupped both of her cheeks in his palms, his thumbs gently rubbing her skin.

When they pulled away to breath, they glanced at each other. Orihime's cheeks were burning, and her heartbeat was quickly racing. A smile was plastered on her lips, she never felt happier. Tears streamed down her face, she couldn't hold them back.

''I-Ichigo... I... I-I...'' She stuttered, her excitement caused her to almost forget how to speak.

Arms wrapped around the girl, pulling her into a warm embrace. His hands rubbed her back, and one of his hands stroked her hair. ''I'm sorry...'' he told her softly, ''I'm sorry for being an idiot, I'm sorry for not being more honest with you sooner.''

Nuzzling her face into his chest, she took in the scent he gave off. Orihime always loved his scent, as strange as it sounded to most. ''No need to apologize, but I can't keep Tatsuki waiting outside...'' Orihime sniffled. When she was released from his embrace, she almost felt lost and in need of him warmth. It made her feel safe, just there being in his arms.

Hearing a click, she turned around to see that Ichigo locked the front door. ''She won't mind waiting a few more minutes.'' Ichigo winked, and held out his hand for her to take. Orihime blinked for a moment, looking at him and tilting her head with slight confusion. There was a look in his eye that told her something, it told her that something good for going to happen.

Smiling gleefully, she took his hand and was soon pulled against him so that he had a firm grip on her. Letting out a small 'eep', Orihime was soon leaped up into his arms and carried bridal style. The auburn haired girl quickly became flustered by the whole situation, and remembered the first time he had picked her up. Although, it didn't end too well back then.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a peck on his cheek. ''I won't drop you, don't worry.'' He reassured, and then carried her upstairs.

''Wait, where are we going?'' Orihime asked, poking his cheek. Ichigo gave her a small glare as a signal to stop, and she quickly did, looking away to hide her embarrassment.

''My room.'' he said, and that immediately caused the girl's heartbeat to race again.

Alone.

With Ichigo.

In his room.

A grin formed, now she knew that Valentine's Day this year was going to have a little spark added to it.


A/N: Lmao, lame ass way to end it. And yes, Lemon in the next chapter. It shall also be the last chapter. I was never one to rush into the lemons... and it'll also be my first lemon that I've ever posted on this website. Wish me luck! lol. it'll probably suck. I planned on this being a short story from the start.

Sorry for taking so long to update, hugs to the people who reviewed, and the ones who waited for my lazy ass. Took me like 3 days to write this chapter, and finally be satisfied. If there's any grammar or spelling errors, let me know. English is indeed my first language, but I tend to miss errors sometimes when I'm revising my chapters.

So anyway, review if you liked it, and if you didn't like it give me your honest opinion so I'll have some ideas for future stories I'll be writing.