Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Ichigo was still sitting when their comrades left, but he initiated. He stood up and went to Orihime. He comfortably sat in her futon and looked intently at her. He was looking at her with those deep brown but sad eyes.

"Kurosaki-kun… s-stop staring at me like that. I feel embarrassed," Orihime said. She was surprised when her hands were grabbed by Ichigo and covered it with his hands as he tried to kiss it again.

"I am sorry, Orihime. I caused your death. It was hard for me to accept it. I-It was really hard," Ichigo started. Orihime placed her right hand and cupped Ichigo's face. The former shinigami didn't let go of the hand and kissed her palm. "Sorry that I wasn't strong enough to save you. I wasn't strong enough to stop him. Sorry that I wasn't able to tell you how I feel before this damn thing happened!" he continued.

"Kurosaki-kun…" she whispered as she slowly wiped his tears. Orihime had tears in her eyes which flooding her cheeks but she preferred to wipe Ichigo's. "Kurosaki-kun, look at me," she mumbled. Ichigo was hesitant as his eyes continued to look down. "Kurosaki-kun, look at me, please," she pleaded.

Ichigo looked at her big gray and lovely eyes. "I am sorry, Orihime. I really wanted to do anything for you but I-I wasn't prepared for that kind of thing. I just wanted to save you and bring you back home."

"I am not blaming you for what happened to me, Kurosaki-kun. I was glad that you guys went after me and fought those espadas. It was just… I mean, it was like that… that I died. But I fought hard like you guys he he he," Orihime laughed as she tried to ease the pain in their hearts.

"I already lost my shinigami powers, but Zangetsu and my Hollow said they were sorry for not saving you. I know they both love you. I love you, Orihime." Ichigo suddenly said. He didn't give Orihime a chance to react or to say anything as he grabbed her face and kissed her lips. It was sudden but he made sure that he would execute it slowly and lovingly. He admitted that he was afraid that Orihime would push him away or would not respond positively. But it gave him courage to deepen the kiss when he felt her lips moved the same with his and created a little sound.

Ichigo let go of her lips which were became redder. He stared at the face of his lover and wiped her tears using his thumb. He couldn't bare it anymore. He tightly hugged her again as if she would disappear at that moment. He didn't feel any embarrassment as he heard himself sob. She was also crying but not the child-like cries she did. His princess was silently crying in his arms.

"I love you, too, Kurosaki-kun. I am sure I would live five times over and in that five times, I would fall in love with you," she said as she equally tightened her embraced and let her body molded into Ichigo's.

Ichigo let go of the embrace and held Orihime's shoulders. "I-I think I heard that before. I mean, it rings a bell like it had been in my head all this time."

"No fair! I thought you were sleeping! I made sure you were sleeping when I went to your room!"

"You were in my room? When was that? Just recently?"

"No. It was before I left the town and went to Hueco Mundo. Remember what Ulquiorra said? But he didn't force me though I didn't have any choice or he'll kill you all. He gave me a bracelet to hide my reiatsu and gave me moment to say farewell. T-Then I went to Kurosaki-kun's room," Orihime recalled as she continued to blush. "I thought you were sleeping!"

"I was, but maybe, I unconsciously remembered what you said. Was that it?" Ichigo asked. Orihime nodded which made him smiled. "Oh! Speaking of bracelet!" The former shinigami stood up and picked up the box Urahara threw before they left. He hurriedly returned to Orihime and showed her what was inside the box. "I bought this for you."

Orihime's eyes glowed as she looked at the jewelry inside the velvet box. "I-Is this for me, Kurosaki-kun?" Ichigo nodded at her question but she pouted when she realized that it was a necklace. "I thought it was a bracelet but any how, this is lovely Kurosaki-kun. Thank you! Oh! I love the pendant! Strawberry!"

Ichigo was surprised by Orihime's hug attack. He wasn't prepared so he stumbled and lied in his back while his lover was in his top still hugging him. He huffed and hugged her thin waist as he cherished their last moment together. "You're welcome Orihime."

Another surprised attack was when she suddenly kissed his open mouth. The kiss didn't last long but both teens enjoyed it. Ichigo shifted his position and let Orihime pillowed his arms as she embraced his torso.

"I love it. Uhm, Kurosaki-kun? How can I wear this if you know, I am soul?" Orihime asked. She was just holding the box.

The question stiffened Ichigo. It brought him back to reality; that she'll be leaving and going to Soul Society soon, very soon. He didn't answer. He didn't know what to say. Ichigo sighed. "Let me think about it. For a mean time, I want to cherish you here."

Orihime nodded and tightened her embrace to his torso. "Yeah, I would love that."

After few minutes…

"Uhm, Orihime, Urahara-san said you have no memory of whatsoever. How come you're just like the same Orihime we knew?"

"I don't have any idea. I can remember all of it now. Even the memories I gathered while I don't remember everyone. I don't know. I can even remember Akari and afro-san, even when Ishida-kun and Sado-kun first saw me like this. The last thing I remember before I woke up was when I heard your name then I got this big time headache then Tessai-san chanted then boom! I heard you…"

"You are indeed unique," Ichigo said as he tightened his hug to the healer beside him. "Orihime? If-If ever this thing didn't happen, I mean after the war. Would you go out with me? I-I mean, if I can be your boyfriend?" he nervously asked.

Orihime raised her head and used her elbow to support her upper body. She then looked at Ichigo'e hopeful eyes. A warm smiled appeared in her lips. "I would love to. I'll be honored."

Ichigo appreciated her answer and smiled with her. He didn't waste any time as he raised his head and reached for her lips. Orihime rested her palms in his chest as he supported her head by holding her nape. It was a bitter sweet kiss for the both teens as they would be departed to each others' arms in few more minutes.

"I love you, Orihime."

"I love you, too, Kurosaki-kun. Please don't live in guilt as I leave this world. I appreciate everything you have done and I would cherish every memory I had with you and with our friends."

"I don't know if I could do that, Hime. But as you wish, I will try."

The couple was interrupted when Urahara cleared his throat. "It seems that you indeed maximized the time we gave. The gate will be ready soon. I just want everybody say their farewell to our princess. That is, if you don't mind Ichigo?"

Ichigo was saddened by the brief news as if he was still couldn't let go of her. He helped Orihime to stand up and prepare themselves. "Hmp! As if I have a choice."

"It figures," Yoruichi commented.

Orihime started to bid her farewell to her friends, Uryuu and Chad. "Ishida-kun, like what I told Kurosaki-kun, don't live in guilt. I don't blame you guys, instead, I appreciate that you went to rescue me. I'll see you soon. Sado-kun, thank you. I'll see you around."

The healer bowed as her gratitude to Urahara, Yoruichi and Tessai. She smiled and nodded to Ururu and Jinta. She also gave few talks to the Vizards before she waved and went to the gate.

Ichigo ran to her side and held her hand as they went in front of the gate. Orihime tightened her grip as she saw the smoke appeared from the gate. She received a soft squeeze from him as he consoled her to be calm.

"This is it, Orihime," Urahara said that maid her flinched.

Orihime made a step forward but halted as she felt Ichigo's hand. As if he didn't want to let her go. "Kurosaki-kun?"

Instead of answering, Ichigo grabbed her body and engaged her into another tight hug. He didn't mind if everyone could see the strong and powerful Ichigo was now crying in the arms of his princess. "Please promise me to love me in five lifetimes. Promise me!"

"Of course I would. And promise me that you'll move on. Okay?" Orihime asked. Ichigo hesitantly nodded. "And to show you that I will keep my promise, keep this." She handed the velvet box. "Give this to me on my next lifetime."

Ichigo didn't understand what Orihime said but he nodded again and embraced her once more after he held the box. "One more, hime. Call me by my name."

"Ichigo…"

"That sounds wonderful."

"Are you ready, Inoue?" a voice said from the gate. As the smoke cleared, it revealed Rukia and Renji. Captain Ukitake was also there.

"Orihime-chan!" Rangiku shouted from behind as she ran and hugged her booby sister. "We'll take care of you. Have you finished your farewell?"

"Yeah. Bye guys!" Orihime waved to her friends. She made another bow. "Thank you so much! I'll see you soon!"

"Orihime…"

The healer let go of Rangiku's hand and ran back to Ichigo. She gave him another tight hug and a peck in his lips. "I love you, Ichigo."

"I love you, too, Hime." He then hugged her and gave her a peck in her forehead before he gave another to her lips. "Go on. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"Okay!" Orihime smiled and wiped Ichigo's tears before she turned around and meet Rukia and Rangiku. She gave another wave and smile as she entered the gate.

Captain Ukitake spoke with Urahara and Yoruichi before he entered the gate.

Ichigo gave a nod to Rukia and Renji. "Take care of her. If she came back here in a bad condition, I'll kill you both!" he threatened.

"You don't have to tell us that, bastard!" Renji said as he waved to his comrades.

"I'll see you around, Ichigo," Rukia stated and smiled at Ichigo and to their other comrades.

"Yeah…" Ichigo sadly whispered. He witnessed how the gate opened and now it closed. Inside the closed gate was his lost love. It was a sad goodbye but seeing her for the last time was enough for him to overcome. Moreover, she left with a promise and he would wait for her promise. He didn't care when but he was damn sure it would come true.

Yoruichi's sad smile was the last thing he saw before he lost his consciousness. The next thing after that, he was in his room again, holding the box and a nice feeling that she'll be alright, they'll be alright.

THE END