A/N: I was invited to FLOL's tanabata contest, but didn't make it in the end. Hope you enjoy this little story here, as part of my Ichi-Hime fluff collection!

Tanabata epiphany

A few days before Tanabata, Orihime, Tatsuki, Ichigo and Chad were walking home from school together. The most chatty of the four was of course the brown haired beauty, who had a merry bounce to her steps, and was swinging her schoolbag to and forth in her hand so enthusiastically, that Ichigo, who was walking next to her had to step aside a few times to evade it.

Not that he minded much. Piece of cake for someone with battle-trained reflexes! Besides, her inattentiveness only showed to him that she was in high spirits, and that was worth it any time. He kept his scowl in place, living up to his image, but his eyes were softer than usual. A clear sign to everyone who knew him well that in truth he was relaxed, and really enjoyed the peace and comfort of their company.

Orihime went on about how Tanabata was her favorite holiday, and how much she looked forward to the festival and especially the fireworks. Ichigo listened more to the musically pleasant flow of her voice than to the actual content. His mind was wandering, but he still noticed that Tatsuki seemed to be giving him annoyed side glances for some unknown reason. He decided to ignore her though: if he could evade a fight with her, he certainly would. He was just not in the mood today...

'Say, Orihime!' Tatsuki cut through her friend's speech unexpectedly. 'Do you have anyone to go with yet? You do remember me telling you that my parents decided to celebrate Tanabata with my cousins this year, so I'll be out of town!'

Orihime jumped slightly, and turned a horrified expression on her best friend. At first, Ichigo thought she had really forgotten about Tatsuki's journey, and that was causing her alarm. But the next moment, Orihime's face turned pleading, and she mouthed something to her friend that he didn't catch, before smiling tentatively, with a trace of embarrassment in it, and saying:

'Of course I remember Tatsuki-chan! But don't worry! I'll be totally ok on my own! I'm sure I'll be able to meet up with everyone. Michiru and Ryo are going, I heard, and Chizuru...'

'But I'm concerned about how you'll get home so late, after the fireworks...' Tatsuki cut in again. 'Too bad you don't have a nice, protective boyfriend I could trust you with!'

Orihime's horrified expression was back, ten times more intense than before. She mouthed another silent plea in Tatsuki's direction, but this time it escaped Ichigo's notice. He had his brows furrowed, imagining Orihime walking home alone through the dark, narrow streets at night, in the not-so-safe part of town her apartment was located in. There was no way he would let that!

'Don't worry Tatsuki. I'll take her to the festival, and make sure she gets home safe.' he announced quickly.

Tatsuki tried to pass her amused grin for an expression of relief and gratitude.

'Thank you Ichigo! I feel so much better now! But, hey! Make sure she enjoys herself, you moron, got that? Treat her fine!'

'Yeah, yeah...' Ichigo murmured with an irritated wave of his hand. 'Like I was going to lead her on a damn leash...'

This last comment relived some of Orihime's embarrassment, and she giggled, though her cheeks were still pink. This was so not how she wanted this to be... Ichigo would AGAIN take her out of only duty, not because he wanted to spend time with her. Like when he was walking her home after school, which was by now an almost daily routine...

'Kurosaki-kun...' she lifted her eyes to him shyly. 'You really don't have to do this for me...'

He turned and smiled at her. His smile was so warm, and naturally sincere, that it simply stopped her heart for a second, and when it started beating again, she felt butterflies take flight inside her stomach.

'Don't be silly. The least I can do! You should have told me instantly you had no-one to go with! I've told you already to tell me if there's anything I can help you with! That's what friends are for, isn't it?'

Orihime returned his smile.

'Yes it is... I only feel a little guilty about always being such a burden...'

'Burden? Inoue! What nonsense!' Ichigo cried angrily. 'Besides: you're the one doing me a favor... at least this year, my old man can be the one to stand by Yuzu while she fishes for her fifth goldfish...' he added, with a painful expression briefly crossing his features.

Orihime giggled again, feeling that maybe there was a small chance this could work out favorably. True, Kurosaki-kun didn't consider their going out together a date, but maybe they would spend a so agreeable time together, that he would change his mind about it after... But she was shaken out of this enticing train of thought, by him speaking up again, this time turning to Sado-kun.

'Are you coming with us too, Chad?'

A peculiar expression appeared on Chad's face at hearing this.

'Mmm... sorry. Busy.' he replied briefly but firmly.

Ichigo only shrugged, showing that he didn't mind either way. Meanwhile, they reached the place where they usually parted. They said their goodbyes, and Ichigo and Orihime continued on together, while Tatsuki and Chad remained behind. Tatsuki was heading for her dojo, which was in the same direction as Chad's home, and on days like this, it was always Ichigo who took the princess home...

'Er... Arisawa-san?' Chad spoke unexpectedly, when they began their walk together. 'Ichigo is my friend, but... has he always been this... dense?'

Tatsuki sighed.

'It's just getting worse! I mean he's nearly 18 now, and he still remains on the emotional level of a 9 year old... But I'm going to shake him out of it, I swear, even if it's the last thing I do!'

…...

Ichigo and Orihime walked all the way to her home being silent. He was thoughtful, and she was embarrassed. Only when they were standing right before the door, and she was searching for her keys did he speak first.

'When do you want me to pick you up? On Saturday, for the festival, I mean...'

'Erm... pick me up? Oh, no! That's not necessary! Not really... We could meet at the park's gate, or...'

Caught up in her embarrassed rumbling, she accidentally dropped the keys. They landed with a loud chatter. 'Oops!'

She immediately crouched down, to retrieve them, but Ichigo did the same. Their heads collided halfway.

'Sorry!' she squeaked instantly.

'Aw! Geez, Inoue, I'm sorry, I only wanted to... Here you are, your keys!' Ichigo said, reaching down, and presenting them to her.

But then, both of them realized just how close they were to each other. Their noises were particularly touching. They could feel each others breathes... feel the warmness from the others skin... count the lashes framing closing down eyes...

Ichigo suddenly panicked. He jerked, releasing her shoulder (he never even realized taking hold of it in the first place) and quickly stepping back. His cheeks were flaming red.

'So! Khm! As I sad: I'll pick you up. How about 4pm? Can you get ready by then?' he asked, speaking in a forced cheery voice. His face bore his fake-smile, the one he always used to hide his discomfort.

Orihime blinked. She had been so sure this time... that he would finally just do it, and kiss her. She swore she had seen it there, in his eyes. But then nothing came out of it. She couldn't help a wave of disappointment run through her. She forced back the sigh threatening to slip from her lips, and smiled. The next moment, she was genuinely happy again. True: he hadn't done it today, but he certainly WANTED to, and that meant, that they were slowly but steadily getting closer. She only had to be patient...

'Of course... 4pm's fine.'

Just a little longer...

...

As Ichigo headed home alone his thoughts were a swirling mess.

'What just happened? Did I really very nearly kiss Inoue? Why? This just can't be right...'

While in his opinion a boy wanting to kiss a girl as beautiful as Inoue was quite understandable, and could be regarded normal, trying to actually ACT on that desire, when they were obviously not on that level of intimacy was just unpardonable, a disturbing case of self-control-loss.

'What was I thinking? Maybe she's scared now... I wouldn't blame her. I mean, we're supposed to be friends. And I'm supposed to protect her, damn it! Not pounce at her, when I got the opportunity, like some filthy pervert! She gets enough of that from other men all the time!'

The thing was, this wasn't the first time he was forced to acknowledge the existence of some anomalies in his FRIENDLY feelings towards the gentle healer. He began slowly to realize how he was feeling differently towards her than towards his other friends. More protective and solicitudinous, more warm, and more possessive, if he could be forgiven to even think that term. (Not to mention those dreams he was occasionally having about her... nothing friendly about those...) And he had no idea whatsoever how to deal with all that. He really didn't...

'I feel so lost. Confused. I wish there was someone I could ask about this... Someone trustworthy...Who wouldn't make fun of me, who's advice I can trust... who would understand...'

He went through the possibilities in his head, listing his closest friends. Keigo of course was out of the question. Who ever was stupid enough to follow that fool's advice, deserved to suffer the consequences... He didn't think he could bare the smug look on Mizuiro's face, if he would try going to him. With Chad, it was just not their custom to talk about emotional matters. Rukia was away, and he didn't think his dilemma was a subject for the shinigami woman association's next meeting anyway. Tatsuki – though boyish – was still technically a girl, so that would be awkward. As for his father... no. Just no. Rather Keigo than him.

He sighed, trying to clear his mind, and braced himself for Isshin's sure-to-come "surprise" attack at the Clinik's front door...

…...

Ichigo went to bed early that night. After arriving home he had studied hard for an hour before dinner, and after it he even sat down to write the complicated essay that was only due for the day after tomorrow. Since he would be working the next day after school, he figured he'd better put that behind him. Luckily, the concentration had been enough to drive the uncomfortable thoughts about Inoue away from his mind, so when his head reached the pillow, and he arranged himself cozily under the comforter, he almost immediately fell into a peaceful sleep...

...

'Ichigo!'

His eyes creaked open reluctantly.

'Mmm...'

'Where's my little Ichi-chan?'

Ichigo suddenly sat bolt upright. He looked around in his room with wonder, searching... He knew this voice!

'I promised I would come, so here I am!' the sweet voice went on, laughing merrily.

'Mom!' Ichigo choked.

Gentle eyes bore into his through the darkness. Her long hair was let down, falling forward freely as she leaned in towards him to brush against his cheek lovingly with a feather light caress. Her hand – just as he remembered it - held a nice fragrance of almond to it, from her favorite type of soap. He just couldn't help closing his eyes, and leaning in for the much-missed touch.

'My dear sweetheart! Were you afraid? Daddy forgot to leave the night-light on for you again, I see...'

Ichigo smiled.

'Mom! I'm 17. I no longer sleep with a night-light.'

'How cheeky!' Masaki laughed. 'My big-big boy! But let me switch it on anyway, so that I would see you better if I have to come in to tuck you in during the night! You always toss and turn so much!'

She reached to his bedside table, and to his surprise, the little bunny shaped lamp was standing on it, the one he could distinctly remember owning, but was sure not having seen it for at least a decade now... This made him wonder whether this was a dream he was seeing, a memory, a vision, or something else.

While Masaki turned the lamp on, and smiled in the friendly orange light filling the air, he sat up, intending to take a closer look. But when his comforter had fallen down, his eyes were suddenly occupied with looking at something else. Just what the heck was he wearing? Fluffy, button down pajamas, with strawberry pattern? He groaned.

'What's the matter Darling?'

'I don't even remember this one! The lamp yes... but did I really wear hideous things like this?' he asked, not sure if his comment was meant for her, or for himself.

Masaki just laughed.

'But of course you remember... you're wearing it, because you are proud of the name we've given to you, and because I just love seeing you in it! So cute!'

He still scowled, sulking.

'It could have been fifteens... I don't mind numbers... much less girly.'

Then it suddenly dawned on him, that dream or not, he finally had a chance of having a conversation with his much-missed mother for the first time since her death, and it was stupid and pointless to argue about man-pride matters right now. Besides, she was his mother, therefore the only person having a right to calling him cute.

'Mom... why are you here?' he asked, a little shyly. 'I mean, I'm glad, really... I've missed you so much...'

'Well, silly! What could I be here for? I'm here to tell you your bedtime-story, just like every night, of course!'

This took Ichigo aback for a moment, but she was already pushing him down, and tucking him in gently, and it was just impossible not to relax surrounded by her welcome maternal care. He decided that a bedtime-story wasn't so astounding after all, in the context. And he allowed that even men older than himself would sometimes welcome a little spoiling.

They smiled at each other.

'How about your favorite, Darling? I think it's been a while since I told you that...'

'Yeah... that's good...'

Masaki arranged herself comfortably in the armchair next to his bed, which he was pretty sure wasn't there just a moment ago. She took a deep breath, releasing it with a content sigh, and launched into the story.

'Once upon a time, there was a heavenly kingdom far up in the sky. The king reigned justly over everything, bringing flourish and prosperity to his people. Everybody had their own duty, and everyone worked hard and in harmony, and nobody had to suffer from any need.

The king had a daughter, fairest of all maidens. Her beauty and kindness shone through the darkness of the heavens. Day after day she sat on the riverbank, weaving. From under her hands came the most beautiful clothes ever seen in this world, much to the pride and joy of her father.'

Ichigo listened to her voice, mesmerized. Her tone has changed, bearing all the far-away mysteriousness of a fairy-tail, sounding like it came from the depth of time, bringing the wisdom of long forgotten centuries. Masaki sat in the armchair with her legs tucked under herself, and her hands were absent mindedly wandering through Ichigo's hair, with slow caressing movements. Ichigo closed his eyes, and without conscious though, the pictures his mother described were pained into his mind easily. He saw the waving princess, being immersed in her work, kneeling on the riverbank. The picture was so familiar, that he finally remembered.

Of course. This was the story of tanabata. And it really had been his favorite at some time. As he concentrated on his vision, with the sweet weaving princess, who's long, rich, light-brown locks fell down her back, and who's eyes shone like stars from her lovely face it was easy to realize the cause now: in his mind's eye, he had always seen the star-princess Orihime as a perfect copy of his beloved mother.

'Seeing his daughter's grief the King arranged a meeting for her with a prince living on the other side of the river...'

As he story unfolded further, Ichigo slowly opened his eyes. His point of view have changed. He was no longer sitting in bed, but looking down on the scene from the side. His mother was now holding the hand of a little boy Ichigo, who looked up at her with shining eyes as he listened. It was easy to determine now: this really was a long-forgotten memory he was seeing, reawakened and filled with new meaning by his dreaming subconscious. He had no more doubts, this situation, or a very similar one really must have taken place. Only now, he was seeing things in it he didn't have a chance of seeing back when he was living it.

'The king saw that her newest works lacked colors, that the threads weren't as finely sewn as before. Orihime could no longer give her heart into her work, as it now belonged to Hikoboshi...'

Some movement caught Ichigo's attention now, and he spotted that his father was standing in the doorway, half concealed, also listening to the story. A soft smile was playing at the corner of his mouth, and he looked so much younger than Ichigo ever remembered seeing him.

'… and the river, which Orihime used to love so much now stood between them, with no bridge or means of crossing.'

The little Ichigo in the bed suddenly sat up.

'But Hikoboshi went to fight the King, didn't he Momma?' he cried excitedly. He left his bed, and stood up, holding an invisible sword in his hand. 'He wouldn't let his Princess be taken away like that! He must have countered the Kind head on, and told him how cruel he was... And they fought, like this!'

Little Ichigo was still imitating a sword-fight. Unbeknownst to him, Masaki looked up, and her eyes met with Isshin's in the doorway. Both parents had the same expression on their faces. It was a peculiar combination of pride, amusement and anxiety...

Masaki tried to soothe the excited little boy with a kiss to the forehead, and put him back to bed.

'Well, he did go to the King. He told him how cruel he was being to his own daughter. For it would have been better for them not to meet in the first place, then being separated for forever, when they came to love each other so much. Finally, Tentei agreed that they could meet once every year, on the eve of the seventy day of the seventy month.'

But suddenly little Ichigo sat up again, fixing his animated stare on his mother intensely.

'Momma! Will you be my Orihime?' he suddenly asked, with seriousness in his voice.

Masaki laughed.

'Of course Darling!'

Little Ichigo suddenly scowled.

'But I mean really... not only playing. I love you Mom! Like Hikoboshi loves his Orihime. And I don't want any river to separate us! I want to always be with you! I want to protect you. Always!'

Masaki smiled warmly.

'That's very kind of you! But I'm sure that some day... when you're much-much older... you will find a girl, a very special girl, towards whom you'll feel the same way. Or almost.'

Suddenly Ichigo found himself in his bed again, wearing the strawberry pajamas, and he was looking up at his mother. Masaki's eyes were filled with warm, tender emotions.

'And if she loves you back almost as much as I do, then I'll be the happiest mother on earth.' she told him.

Ichigo swallowed hard. He had asked for help... for advice. He was getting his answer right now.

'But Mom... how will I know? How will I find her? Recognize her?' he asked hesitantly and unreasonably shyly.

'You must trust your heart Ichigo. You will simply know. Maybe her name won't be Orihime, but...'

Ichigo's eyes rounded. Masaki noticed his bewilderment, so she trailed off tactfully.

'What is it, Darling?'

Suddenly Ichigo was laughing. It took Masaki aback for a second.

'What's so funny?'

Ichigo closed his eyes, the laughs subsiding into low chuckles, then finally only into a grin.

'Nothing... I love you Mom! Very-very much!'

He threw himself forward, embracing his mother. She somehow felt so little, almost fragile in the cage of his arms now... 'Thank you!'

'You're welcome.'

Masaki kissed his forehead, like a blessing.

…...

Next morning, he woke up with the lingering feeling of that kiss, and a smile on his lips.

…...

'Tatsuki-chan! Tatsuki-chan!' Orihime's voice sounded overexcited beyond measure even through the phone. But since it sounded like a "good" overexcitement, Tatsuki merely decided to wait the first tide-waves out, until she could get some more reasonable details out of her slightly crazy friend. Orihime was already rumbling about tanabata wishes, ice-creams with red bean paste (she really hope that the two wasn't related, and that hadn't been her actual tanabata wish...). After about two minutes of nonsense, when Orihime finally drew breath, she managed to say:

'I see. That sounds very nice. But... there must be a real reason you called me for this late at night. On tanabata...'

'…'

'Orihime?'

'Well... actually... there is...' her voice sounded shy.

'What is it?' Tatsuki asked, with excitement.

'I've been thinking that Orihime, the star princess really must have been working hard today. She must be real tired...'

'Why?'

'Because... I wrote her a wish this afternoon. And she already made it come true! I wonder if that's a record...'

'What did you wish for?' Tatsuki asked.

'Well, it was about Kurosaki-kun.'

'You wished for him to fall in love with you?' Tatsuki almost screamed with glee.

'No, of course not!' Orihime's voice hid a slight indignation. 'That would have been highly selfish of me! I could never...'

'Ok, ok! I get it. Then what did you wish for that came true?' Tatsuki held her breath back while she waited for her answer.

'You know I've been thinking lately, that uncertainty is worse than even a certain bad. So I'd probably be better off knowing I had no chance of Kurosaki-kun ever returning my love, then remaining in the dark. So I wished for him to make his sentiments clear to me, what ever they may be...'

Tatsuki nearly bit her tongue with the effort of holding herself back. Orihime let out a big sigh.

'And?' the impatient Tatsuki finally asked.

'And now I'm the happiest girl on this planet!'

The phone line exploded in excited girl-screams...

…...

A/N: I know! I know what you'll all gonna say: curse me for not writing the actual confession scene. But I like it better this way. It would have been so hard keeping Ichi in character if I did that.(I think that aim is screwed anyway with the conversation with his mother... :-)) Other than that, how did you like it? I so fell in love with the idea of Masaki telling Orihime's story to Ichigo as a bedtime story. And though Chad hardly speaks in this, I like that little role he had in the beginning.

Review please! (Oh, yeah, I don't know whether it's a custom in Japan to wish "Happy tanabata", or something...)