~Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo~
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previous chapter...
"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.
Chp 11
Hypocrite
With my breathe logged in my throat, I mustered up a smile as my eyes began to water. I hadn't seen my mother since I began my studies at Tokyo U two years ago.
"Mom," I said just above a whisper, my vision blurry and a knot in my throat. Letting go of my hand, Ichigo took a step back as I took a step forward to my mother. "I've missed you so much," I said as I gave her a tight hug, not wanting to let go. It's been so long, too long. So much has happened, so much I want to tell her about.
Okay, that's a lie.
I got caught up in the moment and immediately rebuked the idea, disposing it to the farthest abyss of mine mind. Hopefully it won't be brought up for another few months.
And then it hit me, guilt.
But I'd feel even worse if she found.
I can't emotionally handle what she would say, the actions she'd make, how I would act, it's too soon.
But she thinks my life is perfect, she's attempted to make sure it would be. She spent a large portion of her life attempting to perfect mine; I must show her none of that went to waste. She has taught me better, but we all know that one saying. Blinded by love?
"Hey kiddo don't zone out on me now!" My mother says poking me in the ribs, hard.
"S-Sorry," I mumble stepping back, cheeks a flame.
"I've been trying to get your attention for a few minutes now," she scolded, "But I missed you too, a lot." She added, her eyes softening.
"No hug for Sora?" My older brother said moving closer to us, hand on his chest feigning pain.
"SORA!" I ran up to him, jumping in the air and wrapping my arms around his neck. It's been too long, I missed my older brother. I had been closer to Sora, mother would always be working, but Sora was always around.
I love them both equally, but Sora is Sora, if that makes sense?
"Hey Hime! Careful now, if I didn't know you were going to do that I would be lying on the concrete floor right now most likely with a bad concussion… like last time," he whispered the last part shivering.
"S-Sorry," I said pulling back with teary eyes.
"I-I was just joking! I love your hugs," Sora said bringing me closer to him, a lone sweat trickling down his face.
"Good," I stuck my tongue out and smiled at him.
But the moment was ruined for I shut my eyes after making contact with a very bright flash.
"Ma," Sora complained setting me down and taking a step back himself.
"My eyes hurt," I pouted bringing my hands to my face.
"Memories!" Mother said bringing the camera closer to her chest, "Aw, it came out cute," she added scrolling through the pictures.
"Would you like to come in?" I said quickly making my way back inside next to Ichigo.
"I thought you'd never ask," mother said waltzing in, Ichigo taking her bags from her as she flipped her purple hair.
Her bright golden eyes looked over him once, a smirk plastered on her face as she lifted her perfectly tanned and manicured finger to his chiseled face.
"You always wear that scowl, ya know that?" Mother smirked at the much taller boy.
"Nice to see you too Mrs. Shihoin," Ichigo smiled.
"There ya go, I'd think you'd be smiling more with my daughter so close to you," mother turned to a blushing me and a neutral Ichigo. He normally would be stammering but for some reason my mother and him have these 'teasing' contests.
"You should've seen us a minute before you dropped by, wonderful timing by the way," Ichigo said the last part sarcastically, yet he was staring at me the entire time, smirk plastered on to his perfect face.
I think my blush darkened ten fold.
"Really now," mother turned to me wrinkling her eyebrows, I'm a twenty year old female and she still gets over protective of me.
Oh boy.
Luckily Sora made his way in changing the topic of conversation.
"Ichigo! I hope you've been taking care of my sister," Sora's eyes suddenly became dangerous for a second.
Oh the irony, yet again.
Sora had known Ichigo for a while now, much longer then mother. I guess him and Ichigo made a pact while I was in high-school that Ichigo would protect me at school (and when ever I'm with him) and Sora would protect me at home. Sora has also been quite over protective, he literally gave Ichigo a speech when he started dating me. Threats with hand gestures and everything, Sora isn't even the violent type.
"Of course," nobody else noticed, but I saw the flash of unknown emotion roar over his
face. Oh please don't give us up now, I began to worry.
"I promised to protect Orihime from anything and everything," Ichigo said with a scowl.
"Good!" Sora patted him on the back. "Where should I put my stuff Hime?" Sora turned to me.
"O-Oh, right! Just follow me, hehe," I stammered out leading them to my guest bedrooms, Ichigo and Sora not far behind my tail.
After allowing my family to unpack and catching up, Ichigo kept them company at my couch as I cooked dinner. Mother was never one for cooking, but she's always loved food. With a magnificent body, curves and all, she still ate more then most of the men I know in my life. Setting the table, I moved back into the kitchen to see a scowling Ichigo glaring at a pan.
"What's wrong Ichigo?" I questioned moving closer to him. It was like he was caught with his hand in a cookie jar, for when he heard my voice he immediately looked up and froze.
I didn't miss his face flush either.
"I just wanted to help," he moved his gaze to the hot pan scowling, "I forgot to wear an oven mitt." He mumbled.
"Ichigo, you could've seriously hurt yourself," I scolded him; going to work I pulled out a small ziploc bag and began filling it with ice maneuvering around him in my kitchen.
Standing directly in front of him, I lifted his much larger hand and expected it. After, I began gently blowing at the wound. "Be careful next time," I whispered, finally lifting my gaze to look up at him. His chocolate eyes were attentive, molten. I completely forgot our situation and took a step back. To close.
"S-Sorry, here," I handed him the ice bag and moved back to arranging the dining table.
"Thanks," he said following me, "Do you need any help?"
"I think I got it, thank you though! Just make yourself comfortable." I awkwardly gestured to the table.
As he nodded, I made my way back to the kitchen.
Awkward.
After setting up everything and calling over my family, we began to dine at the table. The atmosphere was calm and serene, a bit playful here and there. I made sure to cook a lot for I knew mother would be hungry, I also did not include any of my personal creations or the use of red bean paste.
Mother disapproves after all.
Sitting next to Ichigo, we occasionally looked up at each other and made eye contact, smiled, but quickly looked away. I missed the smirk on mother's face each time we did that.
"This foods amazing Hime, remind me again why you didn't become a cook?" Sora said wiping his lip with a napkin.
"That was one of the options I had in mind for a career, but Ichigo helped me pick what I really wanted to do." I shyly glanced at the orange haired man next to me.
"How are your studies going?" Mother asked.
"They are going well, this semesters going along smoothly, I've also maintained my GPA. I only have a year and a half left, then I should have my bachelors." I smiled at mother. She scrutinized me for a minute, face neutral. I had no way of knowing what she was thinking and was dying to find out.
"Good, keep it up Hime. I'm proud of you." She nodded in approval after a few seconds and smiled motherly at me.
I let out a breathe I didn't know I was holding.
"What about you Ichigo?"
"Excruciating studies and hours with my head in books, but they're paying off," he smiled his rare happy boyish smile, "I should have my doctorates very soon."
"That's astounding, good for you," she smirked at him, "You've surprised me Ichigo, have grown into a dedicated young man." Mother appraised.
After a few more words, Sora spoke about his company and how they were moving once more.
"We're going international actually. Hopefully I'll be in Japan once a month every year to keep an eye on the production around here," he glanced at me, "But our new base is actually moving to San Francisco, California."
"That's far." I didn't mean to say out loud. I tried to hide my crestfallen face but managed to pull smile. I couldn't be more proud of Sora! But he was the last family I had in Japan and he just confirmed that this would be the last time I see him for a while.
"But that's very cool! You must send me pictures!" I added quickly.
"I will Hime, just for you," he gave me a sad smile.
"So mother, tell me more about this trip your going on?" I looked into her golden eyes.
"It's wonderful, the company I work for is having there chairmen," she smirked, "That's me, to expand into other states and overseas. We're to branch off. So it's kind of like a vacation all over the world filled with power points and successful men in suits."
"Speaking of men… So ma, do you have anyone special in your life?" Sora asked lifting the fork in his hand to his mouth. "Of course, besides your beautiful children." He laughed.
Mom and my biological father, a man originally from Japan who she never brings up, were never married when they had my brother and I. We've kept his surname to 'follow tradition', but I use my mothers last name as my middle name.
Orihime Shihoin Inoue, is a mouthful.
So I just go with Orihime Inoue.
Looking over at my mother, it seemed as if she was actually processing what Sora was saying. This is new… She seemed to hesitate before answering.
"I suppose I do." She tilted her head to the side in thought, "I guess you could call it that," mother flashed a smirk.
"That poor bastard," Ichigo shivered as mother glared.
"Really?" I asked surprised. "… Is it serious?" Mother, my mother, in a possible relationship? How long has this been going on? Who is he? Is he a good person? Why hasn't she told me?
I felt hurt all of a sudden, but then I remembered she and I were in the same situation.
Well, not really, but similar.
I felt like a hypocrite but ignored it, for now.
May be she had a reason to keep it from us?
"Possibly, he himself will drop by Japan towards the end of the week. If my children would like to meet him, why not? I could give him a call." She casually said taking another slurp from her miso soup.
"Yes!" Sora and I responded in sync.
After eating and clearing the table, which Sora and Ichigo helped me with, I joined my family and 'boy friend' for tea.
"If you'll excuse me, I think I will retire early. This week has thrown me off and I don't think I've had shut eye in months. Lunch was superb Hime and it was nice seeing you again Ichigo." Sora got up form his seat on the couch and gave me a hug, Ichigo a pat on the back.
"See you guys tomorrow," he waved at us.
"Alright, Sora," Ichigo nodded at the older boy.
"Love you mom," Sora said giving mother a kiss on the cheek.
"Love you too Sora," she winked at him.
While Sora's form retreated, mother took a sip out of her cup. "Ichigo, I assume you're spending the night as usual?"
I almost spit my tea.
"Yes," Ichigo responded a little too quickly looking blankly at me. "I-I mean, um-"
"What he's trying to say is he actually moved in, surprise!" Oh no. I meant to say, 'No'.
"Oh and when did this happen?" Mother turned to us surprised.
"A few weeks ago actually," Ichigo responded. Oh yeah… Ichigo moved out of his parent's house a few weeks ago. This is just a little white lie, to add upon the others.
"Ichigo will be spending the week with us?" Mother raised a perfectly plucked eye brow.
"Mhhm," I think I lost my ability to speak and was sweating bullets.
"Alright. Well, I have to sign some paper work and make a few calls. I'll see you two tomorrow." Mother set her cup on the table and gave me a quick kiss on my forehead. "The jetlags killing me so I think I'll also sleep a little earlier."
Waving at my mother since I was at a loss for words, I took the remaining cups to the sink. Turning around, I saw Ichigo following me. Hearing a door shut, it was just the two of us.
"Why did you say that?" Ichigo whispered at me. I could tell he was trying not to sound so furious.
"S-Sorry, I panicked," I whispered looking down, guilty.
Running his hand through his orange locks, he continued. "It's fine, I have extra clothing in my bag from the trip and can always drop by my apartment for anything else I need and bring it here. Speaking of stuff, I should go get my books for college since I have my classes tomorrow after noon and a few things for the high-school class I teach."
"I'll go with you and help bring them over?" I offered trying to make amends, "I need to go grocery shopping also. I forgot to get a few things before the fieldtrip," I awkwardly rubbed my neck. I saw the features on his face soften, "You don't have to ask, you know you're always welcome." Smiling apologizingly at him, I left behind a sticky note on the table for my family regarding my whereabouts.
Grabbing my purse, Ichigo and I made our way out my apartment. The walk to his apartment was filled with awkward silence, before he spoke up.
"Chad and Tatsuki are suppose to come back from there trip today," he said with a cocky smile. What does he know that I don't?
"I'm so exited, I miss Tatsuki," I said with a pout.
"Doesn't she live by you?" Ichigo glanced at me for a second. I tried to ignore his curious expression; he always looked so adorable making it.
In fact he was just a really attractive person, inside and out, but I already knew that.
He's tall and lean, very muscular. I guess that's what hours at the gym every week do to you?
In fact with his jean pants hanging dangerously low off his hips and the very fitted black t-shirt he was wearing, his tone fit was outlined.
But his beauty isn't just on the outside; it's on the inside too.
He's smart, funny, protective, caring-
"Orihime?" Ichigo said looking over at me worried.
I was openly oogling him and lost in my own world, how embarrassing!
"I-I'm sorry?" I stuttered out flushing, looking anywhere but him. Can the ground just swallow me up, please?
"Doesn't she live by you?"
Who's he talking about..? O-Oh, Tatsuki! "A-Across the street!"
"May be we can drop by later this week?" He continued. I had to increase my pace to keep up with him. It's always been like this, even when we were together, but for some reason, small actions like fast walking is suddenly taking a larger toll on me. A few side affects from the pregnancy?
"Yeah, I was planning on doing just that actually!" I began to get off track again.
"Cool," he stopped all of a sudden, I almost ran into his back. "We're here."
Looking up I saw he was correct. We stopped by a silver building, a district in the more expensive area of Karakura. Crossing the street, I stood by a black bench waiting for him.
"Aren't you coming Hime?" My nickname. "I don't think you've seen my new apartment, I was actually going to surprise you a few weeks ago." He said the last part quietly looking at the glass revolving doors.
"Do you want me to?"
"You don't have to if you don't-"
"Sure?" I knew if we kept this up we wouldn't get anywhere, so I answered his question. I mean, and it was cold outside… I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't the least bit curious.
"Great," he gave me one of his special smiles and my breathe was caught in my throat. I miss him, I miss him so much. Even though he's right here, but he's not mine anymore. I can't hold his hand like before.
My feelings, they're literally every where. A few minutes ago, I didn't want to be anywhere near him, but I still need him here. Now I want to be even closer to him. I can't think logically.
I frowned, masking the pain I truly felt.
"Are you alright?" He looked worried and took a step towards me; I instantly took a step back. My brain is telling me distance is good, my hearts telling me to want more. I need logic right now. And mothers not here either. I looked down missing the flash of hurt across his face.
The tension that fell was thick, almost suffocating. I had to mend it. Looking back up, I gave him a fake smile, but he saw right through it. Scowling it me, he ignored the action. Thankful he wasn't going to push the issue any further, so we continued our walk inside.
"After you," Ichigo stepped aside for me.
"T-Thank you," I stuttered not looking at him, quickly making my way inside.
I once again missed the amazing scowl on his sculpted face.
How will this stay go for our orange haired 'couple'?
Mother Yoruichi! Did you guys see that coming?! Who will be the 'man' she's seeing? What do you think?
Will Orihime find anything in 'her' strawberry's room?
A special thank you to the wonderful meteoric war, Alie0514, Ichihime94, Renji4eva, Animefun17, CharninjaLOL, Temarixx, Veraozao, Orihime14, and nypsy! Your wonderful comments always make my day and give me motivation to write this story, the quick updates are for you all! They always help me out and give me new ideas, so thank you!
until next time,
loverofliterature_111