~Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo~
Hello readers! A large thank you to all those commenting, reviewing, following, and favoriting! You guys are just so sweet and amazing and I love you all! I hope you like how the stories going so far;) A quick update for all of you out there!
There will be a flashback in this chapter around half way through the story, its in italics! This chapters a little longer than last time sorry for the short chapter update last time!
Enjoy :)
previous chapter...
"Orihime I never meant to hurt you, I don't even know what to do anymore... I can't get you out of my head-"
"May be you should've thought about that before you broke up with me!" I snapped, although I felt guilty, I had to get this off my chest.
With out looking him in the eye, I walked over to a beaten up Kon and apologized to him. After saying a few words I went back to my hotel room alone. Just like a few weeks ago, I cried myself to sleep.
Chp 10
Last Day
Slowly opening my eyes, I was greeted by red. I felt four pairs of arms around me and although I was suffering from the heat, the action of my friends none the less brought a smile to my face and had me thankful they were there. Trying to shift without waking up both Rukia and Chizuru, my efforts were in vain for not even a second later two pairs of violet eyes were in my view.
"Morning you guys," my voice came out hoarse; I immediately brought my hands to my throat, frown adorning my face.
"Hey Hime," Chizuru said cuddling closer to me.
"Do you feel alright?" Rukia questioned getting up.
In the position I was sitting in, both girls were practically breathing down my neck, worry written all over their faces.
Clearing my throat I responded, "Y-Yeah, just… tired." I wasn't exactly lying, all the emotional stress has been taking a lot out of me. I would normally have my actions under control and wasn't the type of person to yell, at all. I am strongly against violence for any reasoning, it's never the answer. But this pregnancy is making the control over my behavior a little… harder.
Oh no.
Stress, stress is really bad. The baby, what if I'm hurting my baby? Sighing, I rubbed my hands over my face. This is bad, really really bad… Mrs. Unohona told me not to stress out and what am I doing over here?
"Orihime?" Rukia's voice broke me out of my stupor.
"Yes," I said looking over at her.
"Are you sure you're okay? I'm here if you need to talk, always have been," Rukia said. I saw although she was attempting to pull a neutral face, her eyes held a different expression. She was being honest, she really wanted me to talk to her, let her really know I was alright, give her proof I was.
When in reality, it was just me attempting to pull a façade.
Smiling at her, a real bright Orihime smile, I appreciated the action.
Rukia had always been there, during high-school. If it wasn't for Ichigo introducing us, I don't think I would've ever gotten to know her. She had always been kind to me; we didn't talk as much but she and Ichigo were close. At the time that was enough for me to approve of her. But she was something different; she really is a good friend of mine. I just regret that it took me such a long time to figure that out.
"Thank you," although I was staring at Rukia, I meant it to both girls. Turning to Chizuru, I gave her a hug. Following the act with Rukia, I grew a new resolve.
I should be happier, no more stress.
For my baby.
With that thought in mind, I forgot all about what happened last night. Well, at least I forced my mind to forget. It was practically impossible for the smile on my face to be wiped off.
Too bad I talked too soon.
Stretching, in mid-yawn, the sentence Rukia said had me jumping out of my bed back into my stupor.
"Well you guys it's Sunday, were booked to leave soon. We should be back in Karakura around afternoon time."
"WHAT?!" Jumping out of the hotel bed, I moved to my charging phone to see if what Rukia was saying was true.
And she was.
"What's wrong Orihime?" Rukia and Chizuru asked following me.
Rubbing my temples and walking around the room in panic, so much for my new resolve, I began to speak. Very quickly in fact. My thought process was just all over the place and for some reason I couldn't form a single sentence that made proper sense.
"My mom…Sora, airport, oh no. Oh no no no, ugh," I stopped. Ichigo. That's right, Ichigo and I… My mom still thinks were together and there's no plausible way I can let her find out we're not. And the baby, my baby, our baby, she can't know about that either.
Well at least not yet, not any time soon.
I still need to adjust to the breakup and figure out how to tell her, my mother. May be after college, so she lets me stay in Karakura town with my friends until then, make more memories I will always keep treasured in my heart?
And our baby, she can't know about that…
May be I'll call her up while I'm in labor?
But I want her to be there…
But I don't want her to know, about anything.
But she deserves to know…
But she would kill me?
And I want her in my child's life.
My mind and body were at a conflict with themselves.
Who am I kidding, this is my mother were talking about? When have I ever, and I mean ever, been able to keep some thing from her?
But Ichigo said he would help, and he always follows through with his promises. Just like last time.
"I-Ichigo, she said no. I-I'm sorry," I said looking up to the love of my life. It was our last week of high-school and my mother gave me her final answer in regards of what college I would be attending.
"No ones at fault and I don't know why your apologizing. Orihime, but you were accepted in! Tokyo U has one of the best nursing programs and my father already has a job with your name on it," Ichigo defended bringing me in closer to him. With his strong arms around my waist, my face snuggled into his neck, I breathed in his scent. His presence alone clamed me down and for some reason I knew everything would be okay.
"Can I talk to your mom?" Ichigo gently asked me. I stepped away from his hold.
"Are you aware of what you're saying? Ichigo this is my mom! She will chew you out, she's a scary woman!" I defended; after all, I do like my boyfriend in one piece.
"Please?" He asked me holding both of my hands, "I don't think I could live without you by my side, let it be a day or four years. I love you. And how do you expect me to hold you close every day when your hundreds of miles away?"
My gaze was locked to his lips but I heard everything that came out of his mouth, "Ichi.."
"Please?" He asked me moving closer. The proximity between us caused me to blush. It's been a year and he still has the same exact impact on me.
"A-Alright, but I'm coming with you! I'll wait outside the door… just call for me if she starts to do anything…" I mumbled against his lips before he leaned in further, taking me to nirvana.
Pacing outside the door, I think I chewed off the nails on all my fingers. I was so nervous and hadn't heard anything from Ichigo or mother in the last, looking at the watch around my wrist for the thirty sixth time, I saw it had been almost an HOUR so far.
What's happening in there? As the curiosity got the best of me, I moved my ear outside my guest room.
And I still couldn't hear anything. Sighing, I went back to pacing. A minute later, the door opened up to my neutral looking mother coming out. Her beautiful yet cool features adorning her serious face.
"Well?" I turned to her, it was an understatement saying I was 'nervous'.
"I talked to Ichigo," she said moving her gaze back to the tall boy who just smiled at her as he made his way to me, "I trust him. I trust you. He had some really important pointers and sturdy statements. I'm glad to know that you will be financially stable soon and have a job waiting for you. The distance did have me concerned, but knowing you have this young man here with you calmed me. Your brother is also only a few hours away so he's also nearby. I'm allowing you to attend Tokyo U." She said as if she was having a casual conversation regarding the weather. I felt Ichigo squeeze my hand while my jaw hit the floor, is she really agreeing to what I have been asking her the past year? Numerous times a day I would call her up and ask the same question, "May I please attend Tokyo U. It has a great nursing program and everything I'm interested in. The people I've been going to school with for years will be attending there. Including Ichigo." Her response, "No."
But Ichigo talks to her, pulling his magic, and she agrees.
"Thank you mom," I said walking up to her and giving her a hug. Nodding at me, she gave Ichigo and I once last glance before picking up her bags. "Take care of her for me, will ya?" Mother said to the orange haired man. "I will." Ichigo said with sincerity, he made her a promise.
"Good." My mother smiled at him.
She never smiles.
"Be good to him Orihime, he's a keeper." She turned back to me. "I know." I said looking up to Ichigo. "I'll be going now, I have a meeting tomorrow morning," the woman said smiling.
"I'll miss you ma," I said with a sad smile.
"Me too kido," she said giving me one of her special smiles.
"Have a safe trip," Ichigo added. Walking her to the taxi outside, she gave my boyfriend and I one last hug before she left.
"Thank you Ichigo."
"You don't have to thank me," was what he said before he picked me up, carrying me inside bridal style.
I couldn't stop laughing.
"Orihime, can you please repeat that..? To where it would make sense?" Chizuru asked effectively stopping me.
"My mother is visiting today." I responded looking her in the eye.
"Oh," the red head responded.
"I see," Rukia said in thought.
"Shouldn't you be happy?" Chizuru asked me. "And Tatsuki's coming too!" She added.
Tatsuki! It's been so long… She's missed so much, I mentally took note to call her later tonight, may be take her to dinner sometime this week? My mother was expected to show up before her, so at the moment that was on the front of my mind.
"How could I forget?" I mumbled to myself.
"You've had a chaotic week, don't worry about it." Rukia comforted me.
"Tell me about it," I turned to the girls. Blowing off some steam and laughing, I finally had cooled down. Together, we began packing our bags.
The ride back to Karakura was awkward to say the least, very awkward. All of the chaperones were to sit in the same bus. Ichigo was next to Rukia, who sat across from Kon and Aoi. Parallel to them sat Chizuru and me, Kai and an older male across from us. With my head in one of my textbooks, Chizuru was on her phone. I attempted to sit in a position where my knees were no where near the girl across from me. I was very uncomfortable.
Kai was doing her makeup while Rukia was looking out the window. Kon was looking at his shoes as Ichigo and Aoi went into an all out glare match. Nobody spoke the entire ride there.
Thankfully, there was no traffic so the ride back was shorter than the ride there. Looking at my phone, I saw it was only 1:15 pm. As the bus came to a stop, I made sure I was the very first person out. Stepping off the steps, I took a deep breathe and looked at my surroundings. We were back in Karakura high.
I was saddened by the fact that I won't be subbing there anymore, but what I will be doing is volunteering. Happy to finally be away from all that awkward tension, I turned around in time to see Chizuru make her way to me.
"Hey Hime! This weekend was really fun and I'm sad it has to end, but I have to go to work in a few. Call me okay? I'll see you later!" Chizuru said giving me a hug, the fact her girlfriend was only a few feet away had her chained from doing anything else which I was thankful for.
"It was fun! I'll try to call you later and see ya! Have fun at work. Oh, and Chizuru tell your little lady friend I said hi!" I waved at a smirking Chizuru.
The next person to approach me was Aoi.
"He you," He looked down at me.
"Hi," I looked up at him.
"I'm happy I had the opportunity to meet you, after all this time."
"Me too."
"Take care of your self alright?"
"I will," I said with a sad smile.
"Good bye Orihime."
"Bye Aoi," with one final hug, he made his way home.
"Orihime, I'm glad we got to talk this weekend. I have to go to my brother's home, but my offer still stands, alright?" Rukia said making her way towards me followed by Ichigo. I tried to wipe the forlorn expression off my face.
"I know and thank you. Tell Byakuya and Hisana I said hi!"
"Bye you two," Rukia looked at Ichigo and I. Waving at the tinier Kuchiki, it was now only the two of us. I hadn't talked to him since last night and had no idea what to say. Looking anywhere but him, I heard him clear his throat.
"Your mom's flying in today with your brother right?" Ichigo asked me trying to start a conversation.
"Yeah she is," I sighed.
"I promised to help you and I will Orihime," Ichigo said to me. I didn't want to admit it, but even after everything, his mere presence puts me at bay.
"Thank you," I said finally looking up.
"I'll be there to greet them, just like last time and the time before if that's okay?"
"Alright."
"Let me walk you home."
I had only brought one bag with me to the trip; it wasn't that heavy but still a struggle. Noticing this, Ichigo grabbed the large luggage out of my hands and began carrying it for me. Even after me asking him to put it down and saying I could handle it, he didn't budge. Walking in defeat, I thanked him once more.
He chuckled in response.
Reaching my apartment building, I pulled out my key and opened the door. Flicking the light switch on to brighten up the room, I grabbed my bag from Ichigo.
"Thanks again, would you like some tea?"
"Sure."
Dropping off my luggage to my bedroom, I walked in to make sure the other two guest rooms were still pristine. After, I moved to the kitchen to make the tea. Looking up to the near by counter and expecting to see Ichigo, I was surprised to see he wasn't there.
Oh yeah, it's still awkward between us.
Grabbing two cups, I filled them with tea and brought it to my living room.
"Here," I carefully passed Ichigo the hot cup.
"Thanks," He looked up at me.
"No problem."
We sat there in silence in what felt like for ever. Taking a sip of my tea, I chose to do something about it.
"So," I started. "I don't think our little plan will work if… if there's tension between us."
"That's what I was thinking."
"Alright, so how about we forget about last night… for now, and get back to everything when my visitors leave?" I love my family to pieces but this is just not a good time.
Scrutinizing me for a few seconds, Ichigo responded. "Alright, but yeah, we need to talk after."
The silence quickly approached once more.
"If it makes any difference I'm sorry," Ichigo spoke first this time. "… For everything."
I didn't say it was alright, because it wasn't. But I still appreciated the act.
"Thanks."
"So there going to show up any minute now?" Ichigo asked me setting his tea cup down.
"Mhm," I responded. Taking another sip of the warm tea, I allowed the liquid to soothe my nerves.
"When we were dating, we were never a foot away from each other."
I looked up at him, what's he trying to say?
"What do you mean?"
"We were practically inseparable Hime, if you want your mom to buy the fact were still together, we have to act like it."
"Alright," I said as I got up. Setting my tea cup on my table, I sat right beside him.
"Do you remember what we were doing the last time your mom dropped by?" Ichigo said taking a sip of his tea.
"Wha-" I stopped. Oh y-yes, yes I do remember.
My face instantly reddened. Trying to control my blush, the minute I did I attempted to glare at him.
Apparently it was funny, because he started to laugh.
Looking away, I took a deep breathe. This was still awkward.
"My moms going to see right through this," I admitted my fear.
He didn't respond. Looking back at Ichigo, I saw him trying to read my face.
"It's the same as last time; you get really nervous before your mother visits. You're just in a different situation this time around." I knew from the beginning Ichigo was iffy about me keeping certain information away from my mother, but I don't have a choice. I don't know how to tell her, yet.
"You're too nervous." Ichigo said moving closer to me.
"Is it that obvious," I sarcastically responded.
"Yeah, yeah it is." Ichigo looked down at me and scowled. Oh, how I love his scowl! But then he smirked and I knew I was approaching dangerous territory. Caressing my cheek, my face reddened at the unsuspected contact. As his soft yet fierce lips moved gently against mine, the two molding upon contact, I yielded to his strength.
How I missed this!
I don't think I could possibly get used to the tingling sensation every time his lips meet mine. Engulfing me with his very scent, I found myself wrapped up in him. It scared me that I wanted more, but it was expected. Although I knew I should've pulled back, my mind yelling at me too, my body was a different story.
This man is the love of my life, my soul mate.
Hearing the door bell, Ichigo slowly pulled back. Gulping in air, our panting was heard in the otherwise silent room. He didn't take his gaze off of me once.
Blushing like mad, I scolded myself for how I acted. Standing up, I smoothed out my dress. Following me, Ichigo stopped me before I could go any further to open the door. Running his long fingers through my hair, his chocolate brown eyes looked deep into mine.
"Are you still nervous?" He asked looking straight at me.
"No," I said just above a whisper, my cheeks still warm.
"Good," he smiled.
Embarrassed, still, I continued my walk towards the door. Taking deep breathes, I felt Ichigo's larger hand squeeze mine. Looking once more at him and reciprocating the action, I opened up the door.
I'm sorry! I know I said in the last update that I would let you know who Orihime's mom is, but I found this such a great place to end it! I promise you'll find out first thing next chapter, you'll just have to keep reading!
A special thank you to CharNinjaLOL, Orihime14, Pythagore29, Ichihime94, Alie0514, nypsy, Animefun17, Renji4eva, KagomeUchiha101, and guest! I cant thank all of you enough! Your comments are so kind and helpful and give me so much insight! I love to read your thoughts on my story and the pointers/help/advice you give me, your comments just make my day (And I know I've said that before, but its all true!) This quick update is for you guys!
What did you think? I would love to know!
until next time,
loverofliterature_111