Bleach (c) Tite Kubo
Story (c)Me
"Nope, I've changed my mind. You won't be helping with this."
Hichigo snatched the paper out of Orihime's hand, "And I want you to get a different job."
Orihime snatched the paper right back, "I can't just get a new job. I haven't even started this one yet."
"It's dangerous."
"So?"
"What do you mean, 'so'? Hime, I'm not going to let you just waltz into something this dangerous."
You just agreed to let me do this not five minutes ago!"
"Well I changed my mind."
"That part of you certainly hasn't changed."
Hichigo narrowed his eyes. "What part of me hasn't changed?"
"The part where you're too afraid to let me do anything remotely dangerous. You can't protect me forever."
Hichigo sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I really don't like this. . ."
"I know, but none of you can go out in public, and until you're ready to tell Ichigo you're here I'm the only one who can help you guys."
"I know."
Orihime's phone vibrated with a text. It was from Tatsuki.
"You ready?" It said.
"Well that settles it then." she looked at her watch. "I've got to go, I'm meeting Tatsuki for. . .movies."
"Thanks for helping us, Orihime." Nelliel smiled.
Orihime smiled back before walking out the door.
"She hesitated on movies, didn't she?" Grimmjow commented.
"Yep. She's up to something." Hichigo replied.
"Any idea what it is?" Ulquiorra asked.
"Nope. Considering the fact that she avoid saying what she was really doing makes me believe that it's something I won't approve of. Probably a good thing. She's right, I still am too afraid to let her do anything remotely dangerous."
"You're going to follow her, aren't you?" Nelliel asked.
"What could have possibly given you that idea?"
"You're hand on the door is a dead giveaway." Grimmjow snorted.
Hichigo looked at his hand, gripping the doorknob. He scowled and removed it before staring at it for a few seconds, grabbing it again, and opening the door.
"He really thought long and hard about that, didn't he? Grimmjow mused as the door slammed shut.
Ulquiorra and Nelliel hummed in agreement.
"Good job, Orihime!" Tatsuki said, clapping her panting friend on the back.
"Thank you," Orihime replied breathlessly.
"So when are you going to tell that boy friend of yours you've been training with me in martial arts for the past year?"
Orihime stuttered, "I-ichigo's not my boyfriend!"
"I didn't mean it like that, I meant your friend who is a boy. Considering your reaction though, I'd say you want him to be," Tatsuki grinned.
Orihime pouted. "You did that on purpose."
"Maybe. So are you going to tell him? And that other friend of yours too. Uryu?"
"I'm not quite sure," Orihime replied, sitting on the floor, "I'm not really one to fight, that was Ichigo and Hichigo's roles. I know martial arts is about self defense, but I don't know if I could bring myself to hurt someone."
"Well then, let's hope you won't ever get in a situation where you'll have to use it."
Orihime smiled, "Yeah."
"Did Ichigo and his brother really get into a lot of fights?"
"Oh yes! And no fault of there own, too. Well, maybe a few they started. . .actually about half, but the other half they fought for someone else. There was this one time Ichigo beat up a group of guys who had vandalized a memorial site for a little girl. And Hichigo, after he found out one of the janitors had been taking unsolicited pictures of me, well, the next morning the janitor was hanging form the flag pole."
"Did he get in trouble?"
"Loads. He would have been expelled too, but he had taken the guy's camera so he had evidence. He was suspended for a month." Orihime's eyes drooped, "It was during that month that the fire happened."
Tatsuki joined her on the floor. "Ichigo will find him."
Orihime smiled, tearful, "I know."
Tatsuki hopped up and extended her hand towards Orhime, "Come on, you came over here to watch a movie too, didn't you?"
"Of course," Orihime replied, taking Tatsuki's had, the latter pulling her to her feet.
"What are we watching?"
"Godzilla."
Tatsuki grinned, "Of course."
Hichigo, sitting in the dense covered tree across the street, watched the two of them walk inside Tatsuki's house. He couldn't believe Orihime had been practicing martial arts.
She's pretty good too. He mused as he hopped down off the tree and headed back towards his home. There was no point in him staying any longer when he knew she was safe.
He was thankful for the late evening, as he slowly walked back to his home, kicking a stone in front of him. A giant ass tail was hard to hide, but he somehow managed, and he was lucky there weren't any people on the streets.
He rounded the corner and backtracked immediately when he saw Ichigo talking with a dark skinned, burly cop. It looked like the two were investigating something.
Ichigo was there. He was right there! Hichigo could reveal himself if he wanted too, but he didn't.
I'm not ready. I don't want him to see me like this.
"Man, these people really know how to cover their tracks," he heard Ichigo grumble. "One minute they're there, the next gone."
"At least we know who we're looking for." The other guy spoke in a deep voice.
"Yeah, but we don't know what they look like. The only thing we have to go by is what they used to look like before Aizen changed them and their names. I only know what my brother looks like based on that one police sketch of him, and I don't even know how accurate that is. But I do know they could be equally dangerous. One of them is probably part horse for goodness sake, considering those footprints we saw in the sewers."
Shi, he knows that we use the sewers to get around? And he has a clue about what Nelliel looks like, at least. You're good, Ichigo, too good.
"Do you think they killed people like your brother?"
"I don't know? I don't really care, either."
There was silence.
"Don't look at me like that, Chad. What I mean, is that right now the only thing I care about is finding him. Do you have any idea how long I've waited for this moment? I became a detective specialists not even a week after I lost my family. I've been searching for Hichigo for four years, almost five now. I'm going to find my brother."
"What if he doesn't want to be found?"
"Excuse me?"
Hichigo could hear the disdain in Ichigo's voice.
"We know he's here in town. He probably knows you're alive, and looking for him too, but he hasn't revealed himself to you at all. Maybe he doesn't want to be found right now. Maybe he's afraid."
Ichigo scoffed, "My brother isn't afraid of anything."
Hichigo could of heard the lie from a mile away. He knew that Ichigo knew Chad was right.
"Well those no point in us staying here anymore. Let's head back to base, Chad.
The sound of their footsteps told Hichigo they were heading in his direction, so he started to sneak away again, but the snap of a twig gave him away.
Shit.
"Did you hear that, Chad?"
"Mm."
Hichigo looked around, the only hiding spot was a densely covered tree about a few yards away. He took to it.
Ichigo and Chad rounded the corner and stopped. The air was still and Ichigo slowly turned his head, examining the surroundings.
"He was here. Or is, and he's hiding right now. Hichigo was just here."
"How do you know?"
"I just know." He then looked down at his feet, "Also, I'm positive these are his footprints."
The door to the abandoned Kurosaki household swung open, and the three other Espada looked up to see who it was.
"How's your girlfriend, is she safe?" Nelliel asked.
"Orihime's fine. More than fine, actually." Hichigo replied, not even bothering to correct Nel this time.
"But you're not." Ulquiorra commented.
"Hichigo?" Nelliel's voice was laced with concern.
"I saw him. I saw Ichigo. He didn't see me, though"
"What?! Well why didn't you call out to him? You've been wanting to find him for nearly five years." Grimmjow asked.
Hichigo was silent.
"Oi, Hichigo!"
". . .Because I'm afraid."
"Harribel, you're supposed to go out into the field today, yes?"
"It is what you want, Lord Aizen."
"Wait a week."
"Did something happen, Aizen?" Gin asked, walking into the room Aizen was in.
"Gin, you remember how I own a Bakery?"
Gin smiled. "Oh yes. You should shut the place down. Bad business."
"I had originally thought that, until I learned they hired a new employee. He pressed some buttons, and a picture of a young woman popped up. Harribel gulped to suppress the gasp about to come from her lips.
"Is that the girl that Shiro went ballistic over those years ago?" Gin asked.
"Yes. According to the records, she starts working there next week. Harribel," Aizen directed his attention towards her again, "you will go there every day. Keep an eye on her and find out everything you can. You will report back to me every day. Do I make myself clear?"
". . .Yes, Lord Aizen."
It was late in the evening, Orihime had already gotten back to her own place after spending time at Tatsuki's. Her apartment was small, but it was home. She preferred it to be cozy anyways.
She slipped her pajama's over her head, brushed her teeth, then sat on the couch and turned on the news. Nothing interesting. She continued to flip through the channels, trying to take her mind off the inevitable: telling the others she had been practicing in martial arts. She knew that it shouldn't be a big deal, but both Ichigo, Hichigo, and Uryu would still worry sick, and the point of her doing this was so they wouldn't worry.
Who am I kidding, they'll always worry about me.
There was a knock on Orihime's front door. She looked at the clock beside her. 12:00am, it read.
Who would be knocking on my door at 12 in the morning?
The knock sounded again, prompting her to get up and check her peephole to see who was outside. She opened the door immediately.
"Ichigo? It's midnight, is everything ok?"
He rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. Well, sort of. Can I come in?"
Orihime stepped aside, "Yes, of course."
Ichigo looked Orihime over, a small brush rising to his cheeks. "I'm sorry, I should have called. I didn't think you'd already be in bed. . ."
Orihime blushed as well, remembering she was currently wearing her white, silk pajamas with pink strawberries all over them. She was now very conscious about the way it fit too loosely on her body as she pushed a fallen strap back into place on her shoulder.
"Oh, no, I was just watching the news. I'll go change."
Ichigo shook his head. "Don't. I'm the one coming here unannounced. Besides, they're cute." He gave her a small smile.
"Would you like anything to drink?"
"Nah, I'm fine."
Orihime took a seat on the couch, Ichigo following. "So, what's wrong, Ichigo?"
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm not going to look for Hichigo anymore."
Orihime couldn't believe her ears. "What? Why?"
"I was on patrol this evening with Chad. You haven't met him yet, but he's a nice guy. We found some clues regarding the other people Hichigo could be with so we were investigating. Hichigo was there, watching us. He was there and he didn't even say anything."
"How do you know?"
"I heard a noise. We went to check it out, but we saw nothing. However, I was standing in his footprints."
"Ichigo, those could have been anyone's footprints."
"They were Hichigo's, Orihime. I know they were. He was right there, not even 100 yards away. He was right there and didn't say anything. He doesn't want to be found. So I'm not going to look for him."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because you've been looking for him to, haven't you?"
Orihime was silent.
"Orihime, there's no point in looking anymore if he doesn't want to be found."
"I can't believe you."
"What?"
"Did you ever stop to think that maybe he's scared? You can't just give up on him, Ichigo!"
"I know he's scared! I know he's scared, which is why I'm not going to look for him anymore. He'll come find me, when he's ready."
"And what if he's never ready? What then? Are you just going to live the rest of your life knowing he's out there and not stop to find him?"
"Orihime-"
"Please don't stop looking for him. He might never be ready to face you, but you'll have to force him to eventually. And, I can't find him by myself. . ."
The last part was a boldface lie, but Orihime couldn't let Ichigo know that. She couldn't let him know that she had already been with Hichigo. She knew Hichigo was scared, and wasn't ready to reveal himself, but eventually he would have to, and if he found out that Ichigo planned on not looking, he might think Ichigo stopped caring. That was the last thing Orihime wanted.
Ichigo looked at Orihime, expressionless, before placing a hand on her head. "Alright. If that's what you want, I'll keep looking."
Orihime hugged him. "Thank you, Ichigo," she mumbled into his chest.
Ichigo rubbed her back in response. Minutes later, Orihime released him, and looked at him with his smile. Ichigo gave one in return, and before he realized it he was placing Orihime's strap back on her shoulder, for it had fallen again.
Orihime's heart started to beat rapidly as Ichigo's hand lingered on the spot. His fingers felt hot against her skin, and butterflies filled her stomach. "Ichigo?"
Ichigo didn't know what possessed him to do it, but he suddenly found himself kissing her. Touching her had set him on fire, and now all he wanted to do was continue touching her.
Orihime blinked at him, shocked as he pulled away, looking at him with hooded eyes. "T-that's the second time you've kissed me."
"No, that's the first. You kissed me the first time."
"Oh, that's right. . ."
Ichigo kissed her again, the momentum pushing Orihime back on the couch. She kissed him back this time, her hands running through his soft hair. Her body tingled as his hand rubbed past her shoulder and down her side, landing on her waist.
Ichigo's mind was fuzzy as he continued to kiss her. He wanted more. He needed more. He sucked in his breath as her tongue pressed against his, and his hand travelled back upward, under her clothes, and grasped onto her naked breast.
Orihime felt a shiver run up her spine as Ichigo kneaded her breast, his fingers occasionally rubbing her nipple before sliding over and doing the exact same to the other. His lips had left her's by now and he trailed kissed up and down her neckline before sucking greedily at her collarbone.
Orihime's body was on fire, and she was well aware of the obvious erection pressing against her thigh.
"Ichigo. . ."
Ichigo, suddenly realizing what he was doing, stopped abruptly and pulled away, his face as red as a tomato.
"Ichigo?"
"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."
"It's ok-"
"I have to go."
"Ichigo, wait-"
But he was already out the door before Orihime could finish. Seconds passed by before a deep blush came over her as well.
"Oh…oh my…."
She and Ichigo had just kissed! Passionately, too. Her hand reached up to touch her breast, feeling the still harden nipple against the palm of her hand. She got up and paced back and forth, trying to grasp at what they had just done, and why she hadn't stopped him.
Why hadn't I stopped him?
She knew the answer before she even asked herself. She didn't want to stop him.
She liked Ichigo.
She liked Hichigo.
. . .I like both.
She flopped back on the couch again. "What am I going to do?"
There was a loud knock on Uryu's front door, followed by an equally loud "Uryu, let me in."
Uryu knew that voice from anywhere.
"Uryu!"
Uryu swung his door open and glared at Ichigo, fist raised to make another knock. "What the hell do you want, Ichigo? It's 12:30 in the morning!"
Ichigo however couldn't get the words out, he was so flustered. Uryu sighed and stepped out of the way of the threshold, "Come on in."
Ichigo bolted inside and Uryu closed the door behind him. "What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you so red?"
"Orihime. . .I. . .we. . ."
Ichigo continued stammering,
"What, Ichigo?" Uryu asked, getting annoyed.
"We kissed! I had a make out session with Orihime!" Ichigo finally managed to blurt out.
Uryu stared at him, unblinking.
"Well say something!"
"Are you an idiot?"
Ichigo hung his head, "Yes."
"Ichigo, you know she likes Hichigo! What the hell were you thinking?"
"I wasn't! It's just that, she was so cute in her strawberry pajamas-"
"Why was she in her pajamas?"
"Oh I went over to her place to tell her I wasn't going to look for Hichigo anymore-"
"You're what?!"
"I changed my mind, there's no need to shout."
"Well why would you consider doing that in the first place?"
Ichigo told Uryu the same thing he told Orihime.
"I see," Uryu mused, "and she knocked some sense into you."
"Yes."
"And then you just started making out with her?"
"I don't know what came over me. . ."
"And she didn't try and stop you?"
"No! She kissed me back! She even started moaning my name when I touched her breasts."
The blush on Ichigo's face came back tenfold as he stared at his hand. "I touched her breasts. They were so soft, Uryu. . ."
Uryu ran a hand down his face, "Oh my god. . ."
"What am I going to do? I thought she liked Hichigo?"
"Well maybe she likes both of you."
Ichigo stared at him for a moment, ". . .Why?!"
"How the hell should I know, I'm not Orihime. If you want to know so bad, ask her."
"I can't do that!"
"Why?"
"Because it'll ruin our whole dynamic! Hichigo and I made a pact that neither of us would date her because it could jeopardize our friendships."
"That was years ago, Ichigo, and I don't think you having a make out session with her is any help! Besides, what about Orihime's feelings in all of this?"
"Huh?"
"She clearly likes the both of you, for some strange reason. Did you stop to consider how confused she must feel?"
"I don't want to hurt her."
"Then. Go. Talk. To. Her."
Ichigo ran his fingers through his hair, "Hichigo's going to kill me if he ever finds out. . ."
"I'll take care of the funeral arrangements"
The days passed and Orihime went to go visit Hichigo every day. It was the day before she started her new job, and she was at the Kurosaki house again, keeping Hichigo and the other three Arrancar company. Hichigo had noticed a small change in Orihime's demeanor since the night she had seen her secretly practice martial arts. She acted a lot more nervous around him, as if she was a schoolgirl with a crush, or a secret. Or both. He figured it might have something to do with the hickey she had been trying to hide. And he had a hunch it was from Ichigo, too.
"Orihime, I need to talk to you. Alone."
Orihime looked up at Hichigo, noticing his trademark smirk was replaced with a frown.
"Trouble in paradise?" Grimmjow asked.
"Be quiet, Grimmjow," Nelliel hissed. "We'll give you two some privacy."
The thee left and closed the door, leaving Hichigo and Orihime alone. Orihime fidgeted with her hands, becoming very aware that a blush was rising to her cheeks as Hichigo seemed to literally stare into her soul.
"That's a pretty impressive hickey you've got there." Hichigo spoke after what felt like hours of silence.
Orihime's head whipped up to look at him, mortified. Her hand flying to cover the spot. Hichigo's grin stretched across his face again.
"Wanna tell me where you got it?"
"T-that's none of your business, Hichigo."
"It was Ichigo, wasn't it?"
Orihime's mouth fell open, "How-"
There was an evil glint in Hichigo's eyes. "Oh that son of a bitch."
"Hichigo!"
"You're right, that insults my mother, who was a saint. Still, fucking bastard."
"Hichigo, why are you getting so upset?"
"Because Ichigo and I made a deal, that's why! We made a deal that neither of us would date you, or it would ruin our dynamic."
"What dynamic?"
He gestured between the two of them, "This dynamic. The relationship between me, you, Ichigo, and Uryu. If either one of us dated you, it would mess everything up, especially if the relationship didn't work out."
"And where was my say in all of this?"
"Huh?"
"You two just decided that all on your own without consulting me. What if I wanted a say, huh? Did you ever stop to think about how I would feel?"
"Orihime-"
"I know why you asked me not to tell him you're here. It's because you want me all to yourself, isn't?"
"Orihime, no. Well, yes, but-"
"So why are you getting upset? You've had plenty of opportunities to make your move, so don't get mad at Ichigo just because he beat you to the punch."
"Orihime-"
"Besides, you should be getting upset with me too, because I kissed him back, the feelings were mutual." She stood up. "I didn't ask for this you know? I didn't ask to fall in love with both of you, but here I am. So instead of you and Ichigo arguing over me, maybe you should think about how I feel right now."
There was a deep silence between the two. Finally, after what felt like hours, Orihime spoke.
"It's getting late, and I have a busy day tomorrow. I'll see you later."
And she was gone. Hichigo sighed, running his fingers through his hair, "Shit."
He wasn't ready, but he knew he would have to talk to his brother about this.
Author's note:
It's been quite some time since I've updated this, huh?A little over a year. School was stressful for the entirety of last year, but now that I've graduated, maybe I'll have time to focus on writing more, but we'll see. Still, I'm sorry to make you guys wait so long, so if you stuck around, thanks!
I had half a mind to discontinue this story because as you all know (and if you don't sorry for spoilers) Bleach is over and IchiHime is canon. Yay! I had thought that since Bleach is now over, there's no point in me continuing this, but I thought about it, and I'd still like to do this story. It is one of my favorites, and because it's more inspired by the arrancar arc, I still think it'll be ok. After all I started this story in 2011(?) and I'm still not done lol. So while Bleach is over, I'll keep writing this, because it's something I enjoy.
As per usual, updates will probably be slow. That part of me needs to be worked on, so I'll try my best. Again, thank you for your patience and your continued patience if any of you have stuck around!
Reviews would be nice.
Take care and God bless,
Rose