Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Bleach.

Orihime's P.O.V.

~ Chapter 9

It's cold. The coolness of the night reminded me of the night he left me.

I sighed.

The sky above was pitch black but was filled with twinkling stars.

"Orihime," a husky voice called out.

I turned to see who was calling me, electric blue eyes were staring down at me. How long has he been here?

"G-Grimmjow?" I was confused why he was here and how he got here, I swear I was alone with no one else around.

Grimmjow didn't say anything. Instead, he cupped his hands around my face and started leaning closer. I couldn't move as he came closer and closer to my face. I felt the sudden urge to run away but at the same time, I wanted to stay. Just a few more inches and our lips would meet.

Beep, beep, beep.

My eyes shot open as my alarm clock went off. Reaching up to push the snooze button, I sighed to myself. I had a dream about Grimmjow again. It wasn't the first time though, I've been having dreams about him every now and then.

I sat up and stretched my arms. What should I do today? I need to keep myself occupied so that my summer wouldn't be boring. Besides, I still had another month of summer vacation left.

As I made my way to the kitchen to make some tea, I thought about the things I did so far. Kyoto was a fun trip and a great way to start out the summer. Visiting all those traditional places and having the chance to spend time with your close friends was the best. After I got back from Kyoto, Grimmjow insisted that him and I should hang out as soon as I get back.

"B-but Grimmjow, I'm really exhausted. Can we just do this another time?" I whined.

He scoffed, "Really Orihime, you were the one who said that we should hang out after you come back from Kyoto."

"I meant what I said," I told him. "It's just that I didn't mean that we should literally hang out once I get back…" I heard him sigh over the phone and I received no reply. Oh geez, what was with him? Was he that desperate to see me?

N-not that I didn't like it. It was a nice feeling knowing that Grimmjow wanted to see me, even though it's only been 3 days since the last time we saw each other. I felt my heart beat faster than usual. Of course, I wanted to see him as well but, I didn't have the energy to…

"Well, get some rest then," he finally spoke. "I don't want you complaining how tired you are the next time you see me."

I smiled to myself, "Okay."

I managed to get a part-time job at the local pastry shop not long after I came back from Kyoto. It was something that I always wanted to do. I loved making sweets and making other people smile as they walked away with their food. I've been working there for a few weeks now, and Grimmjow got upset that I would be working most days instead of hanging out with him.

As I was busy reminiscing about what I've been doing so far during summer, my phone rang.

"H-hello?"

"Hime-chan!" a melodic voice exclaimed through the phone.

"Ane-chan!" I replied. I haven't heard from Rangiku for a long time now. It was good to hear her voice, "What's up?"

"Oh, nothing, just that summer is almost over, I decided that I needed to see you! I've missed you!"

I giggled, "I've missed you too Ane-chan. We should hang out!"

"Yes! The summer festival starts tonight; we should go and bring Rukia and the others as well!"

The summer festival? I almost completely forgot about it. It was my favorite thing to do during summer, how could I be so forgetful?

"I agree. But, I don't have a kimono yet, I almost forgot about the festival," I told her, frowning at the fact that I've been so caught up with work and didn't have the time to look for one. I'm glad Rangiku mentioned the festival. Otherwise, this would be the only year I would forget about my favorite event of the year.

"Then we'll have to buy one for you," she said.

Several kimonos were displayed right before me. I didn't know which one to choose, and I didn't like how Rangiku was buying it for me.

"Um, Ane-chan, you really don't have to buy it for me," I told her. "I have my own money—"

"Nonsense Orihime!" the busty blonde said. "Think of it as my summer festival gift to you," she said with a smile.

I couldn't help but to smile back. It's an amazing feeling knowing that there are a lot of people that would be willing to do anything for me. Was it because I've done several things for them? I was lost in thought as I tried to recall the last time I helped someone. I frowned as no memory came into my mind.

"What's wrong now?" Rangiku asked with a worried look on her face. "If you don't like any of the kimonos here, we could go and look somewhere else then."

The owner of the shop shot Rangiku a glare, probably thinking that her kimonos weren't good enough for us. When I noticed the shop owner's expression, I said, "N-no Ane-chan," I laughed nervously as I scratched the back of my head. "The kimonos are beautiful here," the shop owner lost her glare and smiled at me warmly. "It's just that…"

"It's just what?"

"I don't think I deserve anything from you," I said and looked down at my feet.

"What are you talking about Orihime? I would buy anything you asked me to," she told me. "Whatever is going on through your mind right now, I assure you that you deserve everything any person would give you. I'm sure they have their own reasons why they would buy it for you."

I looked up to see her smiling at me, she spoke again, "Besides, you're a nice person and I love you as my little sister." With that, Rangiku wrapped her arms around me. I hugged her back and said, "Thank you, Ane-chan."

After our little moment of embracing, she released me and told me to pick out my kimono already so we could get ready for the festival.


Grimmjow's P.O.V.

"Such dumbasses," I muttered to myself as I continued to watch the program. Geez, this was probably the most boring day of my summer yet. Things didn't get any better after she came back from Kyoto. She was whining about being exhausted and that she would rather hang out after she got some rest.

But nooooo. Instead, she decided to get a part time job so that she could keep herself "occupied". I hate to admit it but, I got a little pissed. God, wasn't she the one who said that we should hang out more during summer? Summer's almost over and I still haven't gotten the chance to actually spend time with that girl.

Sure, I go and visit her during her working hours but it wasn't what I wanted to do. What, is her way of "hanging out during summer" was just me visiting her during her work? I hated it.

My phone rang as I complained about my summer. Without looking at the caller I.D., I put the phone against my ear. "What?" I muttered.

"Um, is this Grimmjow?" an unfamiliar voice asked.

"Yeah," I sat up from my slouch position on the sofa. "Who is this?"

"Oh, this is Rangiku. I'm Orihime's friend."

Great. She's giving my number to strangers now? Just great. "Oh, what's the matter? Where's Orihime?"

"She's busy at the moment, but uhh…I was looking through her phone and I couldn't help but notice how you keep on complaining to her about how she doesn't spend time with you."

I scowled at the television in front of me, feeling a little irritated knowing that other people were going through my business with her. Geez, people didn't know their limits. "Yeah, I've been wanting to spend some time with her, but uh, she seems kinda busy."

"Well, would you like to go and hang out with us later at the summer festival?" she asked.

Festival? Not my kind of thing. I never enjoyed festivals at all. All those pointless games that they would put up, now who would want to catch a stupid goldfish with a piece of paper when you could just get a net and catch it the easier way? And all those food that they sell. Geez, I'd die because of the smell. I remember the time when Nnoitra insisted that we should go last year. It wasn't a fun night at all.

Then again, Orihime would be there so…why not?

"Umm, I guess. What time?"

"Great! We'll be there around 7pm," she told me.

"Alright, thanks," and after that, she hung up.

I looked at my watch, still had a few more hours before 7pm, guess I should kill time by continuing to watch this dumb t.v. show.


Orihime's P.O.V.

The sky was dark and paper lanterns were hung along the streets filled with game booths and street food. Families and groups of friends filled the street as they enjoyed the festival. I walked along with Rangiku and Rukia while Renji, Uryu and Chad followed behind us.

As we walked through the festival, Rukia stayed behind with Renji who was picking at every street food booth the festival had to offer.

"I'll catch up with you later," she told us then turned back to Renji, "Renji, don't eat too much! Remember what happened last year?!"

Renji shrugged at Rukia and continued to buy his food.

Chad and Uryu went along to go try out the games they had and I stood by Rangiku who was looking around as if she was waiting for someone.

"Umm…Ane-chan, are you alright?"

"Huh?" she looked at me, "Ah! Yeah, yeah! I'm good. How's the festival?"

I giggled at her response, "We haven't even done anything yet so I can't answer that question yet."

Rangiku's eyes widened at something that was behind me. Oh kami, did something terrible happen? I turned around to see blue eyes staring back at me.

"Yo," he greeted.

Grimmjow? What was he doing here? Who was he with anyways? Was he here alone? So many questions ran through my mind. I turned back to Rangiku hoping that she had some answers, but she was smiling instead. What was going on here?

"So, you must be Grimmjow," she grinned. "I thought you weren't gonna show up."

Show up? Did Rangiku plan this? Why didn't I know anything about it?

"Well, you thought wrong then," he told her.

Rangiku smiled at Grimmjow, now what on earth was going on here? I looked back and forth from a smiling Rangiku and a poker-faced Grimmjow. Were they planning something I didn't know?

"I'll leave you two now," she said and before I could react, she disappeared into the crowd.

"Ane-chaaaannnn…" I called out. Grimmjow cleared his throat, probably hoping that he would have my attention now that it was just me and him. I turned to face him.

"She invited me," he said.

"But why?"

Grimmjow's face turned into a scowl. Something about that scowl of his was pretty sexy. Wait, did I just think that? Oh God.

"Look, if you don't want me to be here," he started out. "If you don't even want to hang out at all, just say it to my face now. Because obviously you're always occupied and I never get the chance to see you at all."

"B-but you saw me at work a few days ago."

"Damn it Orihime, I didn't expect my summer to be like this when you said that we should hang out more. I wanted to actually hang out, not just see you around," he huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.

Did Grimmjow really feel this way? It was pretty hard to believe, him complaining that he didn't get the chance to spend time with me and all. It was sweet, but I really did mean what I said before summer even started. I really did want to spend time with him. Was he jealous that I was always occupied with work instead of being occupied by him? I felt my heart flutter inside my chest. I couldn't believe that Grimmjow was actually complaining about the way he feels right in front of me.

I looked at him, "I'm sorry you feel that way Grimmjow."

His eyes didn't meet mine as he looked around the crowd, "Whatever."

I smiled at his expression, "I promise that I'll spend more time with you before summer ends."

After what it seemed like forever, he finally looked down at me. Those stunning blue eyes made me feel so captivated, so warm and what not. It seems to me that he was happy about what I had said, "Really?"

I smiled again, "Really."


Grimmjow's P.O.V.

I know I hated festivals but damn, did I want to take those words back. I told Orihime how I didn't really enjoy festivals but once she showed me around, I started getting used to it; the smell of the food and what not didn't seem to bother me anymore. About the goldfish game I was complaining about, hell, it was fun as it was supposed to be. Trying to catch those goldfish with thin paper was probably the most complicated thing I've ever done in my life. After struggling to catch the fish, I finally managed to catch one. Orihime cheered as I raised my trophy—my newfound goldfish, I should say—in my hands.

She also insisted that I should try the food they were selling. She made me try her favorite, sweet dango, and I liked it instantly. Orihime's friend, Renji, seemed to be enjoying himself as he held at least 5 sticks of barbeque in his hands. The petite girl that was always with him—Rukia, I think was her name—tried her best to keep Renji away from buying all the food, and she seemed to fail every time.

After visiting several stalls the festival had to offer, we decided to find a good spot to sit so we could get a good view before they started the fireworks.

"This is the same spot we go to every year," she told me as I followed her and her friends to a hill top that had a top view of the festival. Several other people were at the area as well, but not too many.

"Ah! There you guys are!" Everyone turned to see Rangiku making her way towards us.

"Where have you been?" the guy with the glasses, Uryu, asked.

"Oh, you know, just mingling with all the cute guys," she smiled.

My attention turned towards Renji who was lying on the grass with his hand over his stomach.

"I don't feel so good…" Rukia was sitting next to him, her facial expression annoyed. "I told you not to eat so much!"

The red-haired ignored her comment, "If I don't live to see the daylight tomorrow, please tell my grandmother that I love her."

Uryu chuckled at his dramatic moment and the guy with messy locks, Chad, seemed to smile even though I never heard him say anything all throughout the night.

Rukia sighed, "You said that last year, Renji." And as she continued to complain about how stupid Renji was, fireworks started to burst into the sky. The crowd down at the festival seemed to stop in their tracks as they looked up to see the pitch black sky be filled with various colors with different shapes and sizes.

I seemed to be amazed for once in my life about how beautiful the fireworks were, and how beautiful the girl standing next to me was. I was surprised to see the tears that filled her eyes as she watched the fireworks.

What was going on through her head? I wanted to know, but at the same time, I felt like it was bad to ask. Was she happy that she decided to shed tears of joy? Did she remember a painful memory? Was that dumbass carrot-top suddenly running through her mind? I didn't know, but the instinct I had was to wrap my arms around her, and to my surprise, I actually did.

I didn't know how she would feel about this, but the fact that she didn't pull away from my embrace, I knew it was the right thing to do. Tears started flowing down her flushed cheeks and she whispered, "I…I'm sorry." She started to wipe away her tears with the sleeve of her kimono.

I saw her friends' eyes watching us but turned their attention back to the fireworks. "You don't need to say sorry," I told her.

"I promised myself not to cry, but…" tears started forming in her doe eyes but wiped them away quickly.

I released her and put my hand on her shoulder instead. I realized my face was now close to hers. Close enough for our lips to meet. I felt heat rushing to my face when I looked at her smooth lips. Redness filled her cheeks as well.

I pulled away quickly, knowing that I didn't want that to happen just yet. But if it ever happened, it should be done for a reason. Right now, I couldn't find the right reason to do that, and maybe she'd probably just punch my face if I did continue to move closer to her face.

I smiled at her instead, "I get it, you're happy, right? That's why you cried."

She gave me a small nod, "I'm happy because this was probably the best festival ever."

The crowd around us was starting to fill up. People who came from the festival came up to get a better view of the fireworks. Everyone gave out "ooohhh's" and "ahhhh's" as the fireworks continued filling up the sky.

When it was over, I felt bummed out that the best night I had so far with summer was coming to a close. I walked alongside Orihime while we followed her friends.

"Well," Uryu was the first to speak after the event. "It has been a great night with you all. I thank you but I need to start heading home," he said as he started walking away.

"Take care, Uryu-kun!" Orihime called out.

"I guess I'll go, too," Chad said.

Rukia and Renji were next to go. Renji didn't look so good when Rukia was helping him stand up. Now all that's left was me, Orihime and Rangiku.

"Did you have fun, Hime-chan?" Rangiku asked her.

Orihime nodded in delight, "Yes Ane-chan! Thanks for planning this out!"

"Aw, you're always welcome!" both girls embraced each other, which had a perverted thought for a moment but I brushed it off. Rangiku said her goodbye's to Orihime after and I was the last one.

"So…," she started out. "I guess I should go home now."

I cleared my throat, "Uh, I'll take you."

She put her hands up shaking, "Ehh! No, it's alright, my apartment isn't that far from here anyways," she said. "I'll be fine."

I gave her a slight nod but before I let her leave, I spoke, "Don't tell me that I would have to visit you at your job again just to see you."

She smiled warmly, "Like I said Grimmjow, I promise to spend more time with you. I never break my promises."

With that, I was finally sure that she wouldn't break that promise. And she knew how upset I would be if she broke that promise. I didn't know how I felt about this girl yet, but she was definitely something else. I didn't know why I always wanted to see her; I didn't know why I would complain why she didn't spend that much time with me. She was unlike all the other girls I've met. Something about her just made me feel happy—something that I don't always feel ever since my past back in sophomore year. I felt excitement run through my body as I knew there was a lot of time to figure out what this girl really meant to me.


AN: Hello my fellow readers! Thank you for all the reviews you have given me. I know it's not much, but hey, it makes me happy. (:

Anyways, this is probably the longest chapter I've ever written so far. I hope you all enjoy reading it!

Stay tuned for the next chapter and please review! I wanna know what you guys think! xx