Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach in anyway but am inspired by the work created by Tite Kubo

Author's Note: In case anyone enjoys listening to the songs I mention as my muses the one for this one is again from Ellie Goulding "Beating Heart". Enjoy!

Chapter 11- All I Want For Christmas Is You

Tatsuki banged on the door at the Kurosaki residence. It opened to reveal a slightly annoyed Karin.

"Tatsuki-chan, what are you doing here?" she asked sleepily.

"Nice to see you too Karin-chan, now can I come in out of the frigging cold please?" the karate fighter asked testily. Karin stepped back and let what amounted to the closest thing to a sister she'd had into their home. Well, beside Orihime-chan. Really her brother was such an idiot.

"Ok, what's up?" Karin asked as Isshin and Yuzu were making their greetings to their guest.

"I'm conspiring," Tatsuki said, raising her eyebrows mischievously.

"Ooooooo, I like the sound of this, what is the plan Tatsuki-chan?" Isshin said rubbing his hands together.

"The plan is to get Orihime to Boston to surprise Ichigo," she said and all three dropped their jaws momentarily before they smiled. Even Karin was smiling at this.

"What do you need from us?" Yuzu asked bouncing up and down.

"Well, I was hoping me, you guys, Uryu, and Chad could chip in on the ticket for her. I'm sure she can just crash at Ichigo's though I'm sure she'll die of embarrassment but she'll just have to deal with it!"

The co-conspirators laughed and readily agreed to pitch in for the ticket.

"So, how are you going to get her to agree to this?" Karin asked.

"Oh, I've got it all worked out, don't worry," Tatsuki said and began filling them in on her plan.

A day later Orihime was at home. She had no training, no work and no counseling that day but she was fidgeting. She had sent Ichigo's Christmas gift (and her confession letter) a couple days ago to allow plenty of time for it to arrive. The butterflies were going into overdrive. She couldn't believe she'd actually put the letter in the mail and it was gone! It was on its way to be placed into his hands and there was so much riding on it.

She thought over what she'd written again and again but Sasaki-sensei had assured her it was perfect and helped her packet everything up. She wondered if he'd really wait until to Christmas to open it. Part of her hoped he'd open it right away but because she'd written FOR CHRISTMAS on it she doubted he would. She'd included some homemade treats in one box that were to be opened right away when they were received and she indicated that on the box as well.

Her anguish was interrupted by a knock at the door. Getting up and opening it she squealed when she saw Tatsuki in front of her. The girl had just come back from school having had her holiday start later than the others. Orihime hugged her friend tightly before bringing her inside.

"I'm so glad to see you Tatsuki, how has school been?" Orihime asked excitedly.

"It's been great, but hey, let's go get some lunch! I've been craving the ramen from our special joint ever since I left. Get your coat, let's go," the tomboy said enthusiastically.

The two friends did as she suggested and talked the whole walk there and through the whole meal.

"I have an early Christmas present for you but we have to take a car and you have to be blindfolded and have earplugs," Tatsuki said causing Orihime's eyes to widen.

"What on earth?" she asked but her friend merely smirked and shook her head. Consenting she took the earplugs and put them in while Tatsuki tied the blindfold around her eyes.

She led her outside and helped her into the car waiting for them. Orihime was nervous but excited. As they drove farther and farther she let her mind wander trying to figure out their destination. "Maybe to Tokyo to the aquarium? Or perhaps the winter festival?" Try as she might she just couldn't figure where they could be going.

After not too long they stopped so Orihime figured they were not going to Tokyo. Maybe they were at the train station? But then she would hear the trains. Oh right, she had earplugs in, quite good ones too because she really couldn't hear anything except her own breathing.

Suddenly the blindfold was whipped off her eyes and she blinked at the brightness before removing the earplugs. They were at the airport!

Orihime turned wide eyes to Tatsuki but the girl merely smiled and said, "Follow me."

The red head complied and as she turned around she was shocked to see Uryu, Shuhei, Chad, Isshin, Yuzu and Karin standing near the check in counter. Uryu had a bag slung over his shoulder. They were all smiling.

"Is Kurosaki-kun coming home after all?" she asked excitedly clapping her hands. The group laughed and exchanged knowing glances.

"Not exactly, Inoue-san," Isshin said as he handed her an envelope. She frowned in confusion but opened it. When she read the contents she nearly fell over: ROUND TRIP TOKYO, JAPAN TO BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Her eyes filled with tears as she looked up to the people in front of her, "I…I can't…" but her words were cut off by Tatsuki, "Orihime, you deserve this, so does Ichigo. Now, go on, Uryu packed your bags for you. The trip is through New Year's and I've already cleared it with the bakery." She hadn't noticed the suitcase because Chad was blocking it but he brought it forward and guided her gently into line to check it. Tatsuki handed Orihime her purse which now contained her passport that she had swiped while the girl was getting her coat.

Once she was checked in they all walked to the departure gate with her. She had a short flight from the small airport just outside Karakura to Tokyo and then a non-stop from there to Boston.

"Tatsuki, I don't know what to say," Orihime said.

"Just say thank you and after Ichigo reads your letter kiss him silly," she replied.

Orihime's eyes widened and she couldn't believe she had forgotten even for a moment that letter would be there while she was.

Her breathing increased slightly and Uryu put a hand on her shoulder, "Inoue-san, don't worry, it will be better this way."

"What if he doesn't return my feelings? How is it better for me to be there when that happens?" she asked with fear in her voice.

Now Uryu turned her to face him, both hands on her shoulders, "Inoue-san, you have to know by now Ichigo is a man of action not words. And to anyone looking his actions have screamed his love for you."

She hoped and prayed harder than she ever had in her whole life that he was right.

"Oh," she said as a thought occurred to her, "there's nothing in here saying where I will be staying."

Tatsuki grinned, "Stay with Ichigo. Trust me; once he gets you back in his sights he's not going to let you out of them."

Orihime blushed crimson because she knew Isshin had heard her but the father of the man she loved laughed loudly, "Inoue-san, you're the best thing to happen to my son and I really think he's come to realize it. We all love you and wish you the best of luck."

When her boarding call was announced she hugged all her friends goodbye and stepped up to the counter. Her passport was stamped, the ticket clipped and she turned one last time to wave goodbye.

"By the way, Ichigo thinks it's me who's coming to see him, try to take a picture of his face when he sees it's you!" Tatsuki shouted making Orihime one hundred times more nervous but it was too late to back out now. Plus, she really, really, really wanted to see him.

"This is the best Christmas present ever," she thought as she took her seat and sighing closed her eyes. She really was blessed with amazing friends.

{OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO}

Ichigo was lying on the couch watching a movie when his cell phone indicated he had a text message. Picking it up he saw it was from Uryu: Kurosaki, do not forget Arisawa-san's flight lands at 9 PM tonight, please make sure you are waiting for her at the gate.

"Tch, yeah, yeah Quincy, I got it," he muttered to himself as he wrote the same back to him.

Ichigo had to admit he was glad when he'd heard Tatsuki was coming to see him. She had a stopover in Boston while on her way to another tournament and needed a place to crash for a day before heading back on the road.

He got up to start changing into warmer clothes and smiled at the packages on the kitchen table. He'd received two from Orihime, one from Yuzu and one from Chad. He thought maybe he'd open them while Tatsuki was there with him, that way it would feel a little more like Christmas. He hadn't bothered with a tree since it was only going to be him around anyway.

Heading downstairs he went to the street and flagged a cab. He made it to the arrival terminal at 8:45 and was surprised to see someone standing with a sign that said KUROSAKI on it. Figuring there couldn't be that many of them around he walked up to the man.

The man was smiling as he approached and asked in a British accent, "Are you Ichigo Kurosaki?" Ichigo nodded with a look of confusion on his face.

"Good, then this is for you," he said and handed him an envelope but he didn't move away. Opening it he read:

Ichigo,

Please forgive the deception but I will not be able to join you for part of the holiday. I'm actually back in Karakura trying to imagine your face right now. All I'll say is Merry Christmas (and don't screw this up!)

-Tatsuki

Now Ichigo was supremely surprised and looked up at the man in front of him, "I don't suppose you know what this is all about?"

"Vaguely sir but I trust you'll know soon enough, I recommend watching that escalator," he advised and placed the sign on the ground but continued to wait with Ichigo.

Ichigo turned and watched as the once empty escalator filled with people coming down from the custom's check in. He scanned up and down the stairs when suddenly he saw a very familiar head of red orange hair. His eyes widened as he took in the site before him: Inoue Orihime descending the stairs looking for all the world like the lead in a romantic movie.

She was scanning around as well and as he stepped forward she spotted him. He could see her face flush as she waved shyly at him with a small smile on her face. When she had reached the bottom of the stairs she stepped off quickly and began slowly walking towards him. Suddenly he couldn't stand still anymore and rushed forward. He gathered her in his arms in a huge hug making her squeak.

He held her tightly and inhaled her scent. Kami how he'd missed her! He didn't realize just how much until he saw her beautiful face, felt her in his arms, heard her giggle.

"Kurosaki-kun?" she asked when he hadn't let go yet. He relinquished his hold but stood close just marveling that she was really standing in front of him.

"Sorry, Inoue, I just…I missed you… a lot," he said a little awkwardly.

She blushed again and said, "Ano, I missed you too. Our friends are very sneaky, ne?"

He laughed and nodded, "Yes, but I'm thankful for them. Come on; let's go get your bag."

The man who had given him the envelope stepped forward again, "I took the liberty of gathering Miss Inoue's belongings as they were some of the first onto the barrage carousel. Oh, my name is Vincent and I'll be your driver this evening."

Ichigo couldn't believe his friends had gotten them a hired car but he wasn't going to complain. It was a pain in the ass to get a cab anywhere in the city but especially at the airport.

The two of them followed Vincent to the exit. He indicated they should wait until he'd loaded the car so they would not be waiting in the cold. That done he came back and escorted Orihime to the door and opened it for her while Ichigo got in on the other side.

The whole drive back to his place they talked, catching up on the various things they hadn't written to each other yet.

"Let me guess, they told you to stay with me?" he said with a smirk.

She nodded, blushing for she didn't know how many times that night.

He laughed slightly, "No problem, Connor is gone for the holidays and I'm sure he won't mind you using his bed for your stay."

They'd reached the dormitory and Vincent insisted on carrying the bags for them. "Should you require my services further your father has made arrangements, just give me a call," he said handing Ichigo a card.

"Um, thanks Vincent, we'll let you know," Ichigo answered and Orihime gave her thanks as well. Ichigo tipped the man before he left then shut the door.

Turning around Ichigo was all at once aware that he was standing in his very empty apartment with Orihime. The woman who had invaded his dreams almost every night.

"How am I going to get through this without making myself look like a fool or a pervert?" he thought staring at her intently.

"Geez King, does everyone have to spell it out for you?! Get over there and kiss her, sheesh."

Ichigo gulped then cleared his throat and finally managed to speak, "Inoue, I...I" but the words wouldn't form. She watched him, waiting for him to continue but her concern over road her ability to stay silent.

"Kurosaki-kun, are you ok?" she asked then chastised herself for such a stupid question. Of course he wasn't ok! He was agitated about something. "Maybe he's not really comfortable with me staying here," she thought.

He just kept staring at her then ran his hand through his hair but the next moment he'd closed the distance between them and stood close to her.

"Kurosaki-kun?" she inquired.

"Inoue," he said her name like a caress and she felt her body shiver. "What is going on? Am I dreaming?" she thought as she made her eyes stay fixed on his.

Slowly he leaned down, his hand now cupping the right side of her face, heating her up more than her blushing. Lower and lower he sunk his head until his forehead was against hers.

Ichigo finally did what he'd been longing to for so long and closed the distance between his and Orihime's lips kissing her softly. He felt her body stiffen at the contact but as he moved his other hand to cup the left side of her face she hadn't moved away. He applied more pressure and she responded, lifting herself on her toes to get closer to him. That little bit of motion was enough to send him into over drive.

He moved his hands away from her face to encircle his arms around her waist and picked her up as her arms wound round his neck. Still not feeling close enough to her he released her then gathered her legs and wrapped them around his waist. Moving to the couch he sat down and had her straddled on his lap, never breaking the kiss.

Orihime's heart was thundering in her chest, she couldn't believe she was kissing Ichigo! Surely this was a dream, this couldn't possibly be real. She felt his hands tracing up and down her back sending shivers through her body as her hands raked through his soft orange hair. She broke away to catch her breath only to have it stolen again as he kissed a hot path from her chin to her neck.

Both of their breathing patterns were ragged as he feasted on her sweet flesh, feeling he would never be satisfied. Her gasps and sighs were driving him crazy and he knew they were headed for danger.

"Hmmm, dangerous curves ahead," he thought with a slight smirk as his hand traced over her slim waist down to her perfect ass. He couldn't believe he'd lost this much control over himself! He hadn't planned on kissing her, much less ravishing the poor girl without even asking her permission. But the noises she was making, good Kami, the noises made him fairly sure she wasn't opposed to what was happening.

Finally he wrenched his mouth away from her tantalizing skin and rested his head on the back on the couch, trying to catch his breath, not yet ready to meet her eyes and break the spell they were currently under. But he knew they needed to stop. Things needed to be said, confessions confessed though that seemed fairly moot at this point.

After a few moments of silence, broken only by their inhales and exhales of oxygen Ichigo opened his eyes to meet those of the woman above him.

"Inoue," he said with a slight choke, "I…" but he couldn't find the words. He was always a man of action but he felt his actions required words. Words that would not come. He'd acted on instinct tonight and was wondering what the ramifications of what he'd done would bring.

"Ichigo," and the sound of his name out of her lips stirred deep in his heart, "do you have the packages I sent you?" That was not what he was expecting to hear but he nodded.

"Ok, can you get the letter that came with them?" she asked and removed herself from his lap. She didn't seem upset, in fact, she had a sweet smile on her face as she asked the question.

He still couldn't speak so he nodded again and moved to the table picking up the envelope.

He returned to find her sitting on the couch and she patted the spot next to her.

"Ichigo, I know you are a man of action, so I'll be a woman of letters," she said sweetly, "I was terrified to have you read that while I was here with you but now I'm not scared. It seems almost silly to have you read it now but I still want you to know how I feel and that best explains it."

He opened the letter and read it as she looked on:

Dearest Ichigo,

I know, it's probably a shock to have me calling you by your first name but I want you to understand the intimacy of this letter. For so long I have been afraid to tell you my true feelings for you but I believe the time for running and hiding is over. These next words are ones I spoke to you right before I left for Hueco Mundo. I was allowed to say goodbye to one person and of course I chose you even though you couldn't hear me.

There are a lot of things I wanted to do. I wanted to become a teacher, an astronaut, and a baker. I wanted to go to a bunch of different donut shops and ask for one of everything! And I wanted to tell the ice-cream man to give me one of everything, too! I wish I could have five lives! Then I could have been born in five different towns and eaten five lifetimes worth of food and had five different careers and…fallen in love with the same person, five times.

I love you Kurosaki Ichigo, with all my heart and soul, and I will stay by you no matter where you go or what you do if you will have me. If not, then please do not feel pressure to return my affections. You need not even reply to this, I will take your silence as confirmation that you do not return my feelings. But if you do, please let me know, because if so, I am eager to begin our next adventure.

Love (hopefully),

Orihime

He stared at it for a moment and then re-read it. Placing it reverently on the coffee table he turned to face her and looked in her eyes.

He reached out and grasped her face again gently before saying, "Orihime, I am so in love with you words literally can't express it. Yes, of course, I'll have you and am so glad you want me."

The next moment he was kissing her deeply pouring all his longing, his passion and his love into it.

From somewhere deep in the back of his mind he heard, "Finally King, finally!" And he knew that though the snow fell outside the rain in his soul had finally ended because he had his sunlight wrapped in his arms. At the same moment, Orihime was thinking, "I may be a healer but this man…this man has completely healed my heart."

Author's Note: So that chapter turned out MUCH different than I expected but it felt like the right moment for all the buildup they have been feeling for each other to erupt. Not sure if I will continue with more chapters or move onto one shots. What do you all think?