Chapter 7
It was a bright Monday for her, She pressed her warm small hands to her closed eyes.
"Its been a while since that day..." She sighed. She had been running from it, She shouldn't held back anymore right? She carefully opened her eyes,
"Oh, how I love mornings..'" She smiled. She stood up carefully, throwing her legs out of the bed. She looked at her small bedside table, her eyes blinking. Last night she remebered placing her phone and a few medicines on there, But now a small piece of paper disturbed her. She reached forward, reading the letter meant for her.
Ohayou Hime! Im sorry for not telling you that yesterday I had a seminar to attend to, It usually lasts a week so I wont be there to look after you. But dont worry, I asked someone to stay over at our place and take care of you. Bye bye!
Orihime's brow raised in confusion. It was really weird for her bestfriend to forget about telling this kind of matters to her. She looked at the open window in front of her. Tatsuki-chan is really up to something.
She padded out of her room, A frown appeared on her face when her stomach growled angrily. Her eyes blinked at the weird sounds she's hearing. Beside her growling tummy, there was someone talking at the living room. She recognized that it was the television, It was turned on and currently showing a news.
'Who could that be?' She panicked inside. 'Tatsuki-chan would not just leave her appliances running!' She exhaled and ran to the kitchen, she quickly grabbed a frying pan, ready to pounce at the intruder.
Come on! Bring it on! She could hear her heart thumping loudly inside her chest. Her brows furrowed together. She ran to the living room with all her might with her so called weapon.
"Kyaaah!" She shouted, then her voice went off. The back of his bright hair greeted her. "K-kurosaki-kun?" She gasped. He turned behind him and saw her holding the odd thing.
"Hey, Inoue" He smirked. She walked closer and stood in front of him. There he is, his large hamd held a cup of coffee while the other one held the remote control for the television.
"W-what are you doing in here?" She asked.
He looked at his side and to the other, he shrugged.
"Eh?" She said and looked at him for a second. "T-tatsuki-chan!" Realization hit her. "It's her! She, She asked you to..." She pointed at him, The object in here hand dropped and made a loud clang. He twitched at the sound and threw a scowl on her. Her eyes blinked continuously at him then she bent down to retrieve the object and gave him a shy smile. "Gomen neh~ I wasn't really aware that you-" Her tummy suddenly growled, Interrupting her. "Hehe~"
He immediately stood up and held her hand, they both walked to the kitchen. Orihime stared at the substitute shinigami's broad back. She felt her face reddened.
"Here," He instructed her to sit, he placed a plate of pancakes and coffee in front of her. "Eat up"
"Ohh! Sugoi!" She clapped her hands together. "Thank you Kurosaki-kun!" She beamed at him then turned on her food.
"W-well about the last time," He started, she looked up at him with her mouth full of food.
"Hmmm? Wot ish it Kuwoshakikun?"
"Nah!"He walked away. "Just finish your food first"
.
"A ano, Kurosaki-kun?" She tiptoed at the living room.
"Finished?" She nodded and sat beside him. "Y-you can go home now. I can t-take care of myself."
"No" He quickly said, scowling. "Tatsuki asked me to look after you."
She lowered her head. "I heard that you found a job" She nodded again. "A-at the bakery, just a few blocks from here."
He nodded and stood up. "At ten Ill be going, I have classes that's why. But Ill be back at six in the evening."
She nodded again. "Any problem?" He suddenly asked. She looked up at him.
"O-of course No!" She flailed. "I mean, theres nothing wrong."
"Then why're you depressed?" He looked away. "You probably found me annoying" He shrugged.
She stood up, "N-no! That's not true!"
He flashed him smile. "I know, Inoue would not think about me like that."
She smiled back at him. "So, what do you want to talk about earlier?" Ichigo stiffened.
"It's about the last time, you already run and I didn't got the chance to tell you something."
"Ah~" She scratched the back of her head. "J-just forget about it!"
He looked back at her "Fine."
.
At exactly nine-thirty, Orihime heard Ichigo calling her out. Telling her that he needs to go now. After he leaved, she shut the door close. He reminded her that he'll be back at six, so make sure that she's home by that time.
'M-maybe I should cook dinner for the two of us later' She smiled at the thought.
She grabbed her phone to tell Tatsuki-chan that every things fine, after that she dialed Tadashi's number.
"Hello?"
"Oh, Orihime How are you?" Tadashi's voice replied.
"Im fine!" She cheered.
"Why did you call?"
"I-I just want to know if you're alright, Are you busy?"
She heard him chuckled on the other line. "Im fine, and yeah a little busy. Why? did you miss me?
Orihime blushed on what he said. "..."
"Im just kidding!"
"A-ano, Tadashi-kun?"
"Yes?"
"I don't want to die..." She said plainly. "Im scared."
He sighed. "Youre going to be fine,"
"Im sorry! I shouldn't told you-"
"Stop that" He scolded her. "It was also my responsibility to assure you... By the way I have a news for you."
"Yes, what is it Tadashi-kun?"
"Its about your treatments... You still had a fifty percent of chance to-"
"R-really!" She exclaimed, surprised on what he said.
He nodded at the other line. "Yeah, But you need to get back here in Tokyo."
The words struck at her mind. "B-back? Me? No! I don't want to..." Tadashi sighed at the other line.
"Youre so stubborn! Didn't you said that you don't want to die?"
"H-hai, But I-"
"Okay! I understand."
"N-no! Tadashi-kun youre still my doctor! I still need your help."
"That why I said 'I understand'!" He shouted.
"Mou~ you're all grumpy again..." She sighed.
"Are you still attending your weekly check up?"
"Huh? Do I need to get that?"
"Nani! You Idiot!" He shouted again, Orihime cringed. "Dont tell me your not getting any of it?
"A-ano... Im sorry, I didn't know-"
He grunted and sighed. "You're really unbelievable... Let's stop right here and wait for me!" Then the line went dead.
Orihime stared at her phone, what did Tadashi-kun mean?
.
Orihime locked the door securely after leaving, She was heading now to the bakery.
While on her way, she saw the owner of the bakery she works in. She happily ran to her.
"Yuri-san!" The brunette girl turned at her, when she recognized the auburn beauty a smile appeared on her face. "H-hello..." She shyly greeted.
"Oh, what are you doing in here Yuri-san?"
"I just happened to pass by."
"Is that so? How about the shop?"
"Dont worry Yumi was there."
Orihime smiled at her. "Well, I can help you with those bags." She said looking at the grocery bags at the other girls hand. The young lady shook her head. "No, Dont worry about me Inoue-chan!" She raised the bags higher.
"Im all strong and healthy!" Just when she finished her sentence, A loud cough escaped her lips. "S-soryy about that-" Another cough came.
Orihime patted her back gently, "Dont worry Yuri-san.." She grabbed the bags and carried the half of it. "Ill help you with these!" She smiled,wiggling her hands.
The girl smiled at her, her face pale. "Thank you Inoue-chan... Actually I dont really feel very well.." She placed her other free hand on her forehead. "You shouldnt over do it... A ano, If you dont mind, I can help Yumi-chan at the bakery..."
The knid woman nodded and smiled. "Goodluck."
.
The healer greeted every costumer with a cheerful smile. Everyone seemed to be entertained as they come inside. She was assigned to the counter area, while Yumi was inside the kitchen. She was glad that her boss allowed her to take over time. It had been a long time, she needs to think a lot and have some money to save. She didn't know how to face the handsome punk back at her place, waiting for her. She looked at the wall clock, It was almost lunch break, But the costumers was flowing by large number today. She was not allowed to skip her meals, If she dared to do that, she'll be in a painful scenario. She know to her self that she didn't want to have any exposure from the costumers.
What should I do? Her stomach was already grumbling angrily, She patted it lightly telling to wait a little longer.
After an hour, finally the shop was no longer crowded unlike before. She offered her co worker to have their break, Yumi seemed to forgot about the time and quickly joined the healer.
The black haired girl chatted about some random things, while Orihime seemed not to listen on her friends ramblings.
"Are you listening to me Orihime-chan?" The girl demanded. Orihime just stared down on her meal.
"Hey!" The girl now poked her side. "You there?"
The auburn haired beauty jolted her head up, startled. "Yeah?"
"What're you thinking? It looks like you have a big problem over there?" The girl said with a frown.
Orihime simply nodded. "I knew it! Even I just met you last week, I know your loud and chatty!" She smirked.
"Gomen neh~" Orihime smiled shyly. "What are you saying by the way?"
"Nah! I dont feel like talking about that anymore." She scowled. Orihime shot her an apologetic look.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" She suddenly asked. Orihime's brow twitched. What's with her? Even she and Yuri-san were sisters, they are very alike to each other.
"N-no..." She blushed. "I don't have any."
"Weh?" Yumi exclaimed unbelievably. Orihime shyly looked away.
"With that face and body? You dont have?" Orihime blushed again. She remembered how Yuri-san warned her about her sisters bluntness.
"Ah!" The healer stood up. "Our break is already over! Let's go back to work Yumi-chan!"
.
It's almost seven-thirty when Orihime looked at her watch, Time really passes so quickly.
"It's already late!" She gasped. She was now inside the kitchen, making designs for the cupcakes that she baked earlier.
"Orihime-chan!" Yumi shouted from the counter. "There's a weird looking guy here looking for you!"
Orihime flinched at Yumi's high voice. "C-coming!"
"Yosh! So, you're Orihime-chan's boyfriend?" Yumi asked at the tall man in front of her.
Orihime quickly appeared beside her. "Oh! It was Kurosaki-kun!"
"Hey... It so weird that both of you shared the same bright hairs!"Yumi chuckled. "Okay, Then your boyfriend's waiting for you!" She whispered to her.
"A-ano!" The healer lowered head , her cheeks flaring. "He's not my-"
"And what if we had these odd color of hair? Didn't we make a cute couple?" Ichigo cut in, placing both of his hands on the counter. Yumi glared at him.
Orihime covered her mouth in surprise, her blush spreading to her ears and neck.
"K-kurosaki-kun!" Ichigo turned to look at her with his cool confident face.
"Nani my Princess?" He dead panned. Orihime felt that she could faint at any moment!
Please, somebody pinch me! She closed her eyes in embarrassment. How could she face him after this!
She peeked at him from the corner of her eyes. Ichigo was grinning boyishly at her.
K-kurosaki-kun would not grin like that to me! She mentally pointed at him like he was a wanted criminal.
Her eyes went wide when a thought passed her. M-maybe it was Kon after all...
"Im here to bring my-" He cast a glance at her. "Girlfriend home." He finished his cheeks burning.
She placed her hands behind her and sighed. "Im sorry Kurosaki-kun... But Im going to take over time today. Ill be late, You should go back ho-"
"Then Ill wait here," He cut again, making his way out of the shop. "Ill just wait outside."
"B-but" Orihime demanded but Ichigo was already outside. She turned her look at Yumi then her eyes widened. The girl had her elbow resting on the counter and her hand cupping her cheek dreamingly. She saw liquid dripping from her mouth.
"A-are you alright Yumi-chan?" She rushed to her side. The girl seemed to be dazed and not aware of her question.
"Uwaaah~" She slurped. Orihime sweat dropped animatedly at her.
"You're so lucky Orihime-chan... He's so hot!" She smiled at her. "I wonder where I can find a guy like him."
.
Orihime let Yumi to go earlier than her. After closing the shop she hurriedly walked out of the place and saw the substitute shinigami sitting at the edge of the cemented block right infront of the shop. His arms stretched forwad, his knees bent upward and his head lowered down.
"Im sorry Im late..." She whispered sitting beside him. She looked at him for a moment then found her hand ruffling his spiky hair. She giggled, despite how dark now outside she can see how bright his hair was, And to her surprise it was so soft despite the rough look it shows. She enjoys this... She wondered how many times could she ruffle this hair of him, How many times inside her remaining time.
Her smile dropped and her expression became sad. She continued to ruffle his hair softly until her eyes noticed a pair of brown eyes gleaming because of the streetlight.
"Wht's whith the sad face?" He whispered huskily. Orihime blushed. She could feel her heart thumping loudly inside her.
"A ano," She quickly pulled her hand back but he quickly held it, Grasping her wrist tightly but at the same time gently. His face leaning closely at her. She let her head moved back but his other hand snaked up to her nape, stopping her actions. He was about to kiss her when she covered her lips with her free hand.
She shook her head at him. Ichigo stared at her, shocked.
Damn... I shouldn't do that..
"Stop this kon..." Orihime mumbled behind her hand. "Do you think Kurosaki-kun would be happy if he found out that your using his body again?"
He chuckled.
"Eh?"
"That stupid stuffed toy was in Yuzu's care now."
"Eh?" Ichigo looked away, his cheeks blushing madly. "B-but Kurosaki-kun would not act like this and-" He shot her a look, a look that she never saw before. It was so warm and it sparkled with unknown emotions. She dared to look at his eyes. He slowly leaned again his lips pressing on her.
Orihime's eyes widened, But because of the warm and loving sensation she's feeling she slowly closed her eyes, Falling, completely in to his spell. His spell that he always cast on her, falling her more deeply and inlove with him.
.
Ichigo leaned in, He didn't care if he'll get a one of a hell slap from her. It's wrong to be selfish, thinking only for himself. But this is the first time, the first time that he let someone to know what he really feels.
Happy Holidays guys!
(Sorry for some mistakes and grammar errors!)
