My Life is a big "What If"
AU What if they lived a so called "normal" life? With a twist… hahaha… Did you ever think of what might have happened after years passed? A story of serendipity… The love between a girl who has never believed in love and a guy who once made her see its magic... Only to prove that years and obstacles are not enough to separate true love and that no matter how far apart you may be, you will always find each other… Ichiruki :D
Disclaimer: I don't own bleach :P ( I wish I did XD)
Chapter 37: I'll Hear You Out
He was waiting for her just like how they agreed on. He tapped his foot on the pavement and he began to whistle. Although, his whistling wasn't that much heard because of the people screams in the rides and the people chitchatting, laughing and yelling. He was wearing a black, long-sleeved sweater with its zipper slightly unzipped revealing a white shirt underneath. His outfit blended perfectly with other people but he still got glances from them because of well… er… his hair. Well, no matter. He didn't care anyways. He had his hands inside the pockets of his pants. Suddenly, he heard running footsteps that made him look up. From there he saw her. She definitely stood out the crowd. With her orange sundress and orange hair, she was… she was… a walking carrot with huge tits. Well, running actually but with huge tits.
"Ichigo!" She called out giggling while she waved her hand and running towards him. When she reached him, she gave him a big hug. He caught her in his arms. People are looking again. He could see the people murmuring and commenting. Some of those were, "Aww", "That's so sweet" and the ever popular, "Che. Kids" He rolled his eyes. He couldn't care less if people shot glances at them. Then, the tangerine haired woman broke from their hug and straightened up.
"I'm really sorry I'm late." She said shyly.
"Um… actually, you're five minutes early." He corrected.
"O-oh…" She said as she laughed nervously. "Then, I'm really sorry I'm early." She added. "How long have you been waiting?"
"I just arrived too, actually."
"Then, we were both early but since we are already here when it's time for us to meet, then, we're just in time!" She exclaimed gleefully.
"I guess… so… um do you mind if we talk first?" He asked. She was looking around the rides in the town amusement park.
"About what?" She asked not looking at him but as if looking for something.
"Well, it's something very—" He didn't finish when she suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him.
"Could we go for a ride in the Ferris wheel first?" She asked excitedly.
"Uh… s-sure." He replied as he let her completely drag him to the said ride.
Inside the Ferris wheel…
"Oh wow! Just look at everything from up here!" She said bubbly. The car of the Ferris wheel was an open kind so you could feel the breeze of the wind as you go up. Ichigo just watched Orihime beam at the sight of the whole amusement park as he began to think…
We're alone… just the two of us…
I guess I should tell her now…
"Um…" He began.
"You know it's so nice up here but the rumors said a girl jump off this very Ferris wheel before so her ghost still haunts this amusement park. Isn't that amazing?" She asked him with sparkling eyes.
He opened his mouth and was about to speak but after what she said he just closed it again.
He could already imagine it.
"Oh, Ichigo! I hate you!" She yelped teary eyed.
"No wait! I can explain." He tried to stop her but she quickly jumped off the car before he could even grab her. Then he watched her body fall from the top of the Ferris wheel until she hit the ground. All he could do was yell "NOOO!" as he reached out his hand.
"Ichigo… Hey, Ichigo!" She called out shaking her boyfriend. Ichigo blinked twice.
"Huh? What?"
"The ride's over. You were spacing out. Come on." She said pulling him out of the car.
They were walking now with her hands holding his.
"Um…" He began.
"Hmm?"
"I need to talk to you." He said.
"About what?"
"It's about—" He didn't finish again.
"Oh! Ice cream! Do you want some? I'll treat you." She said pulling him.
"Two please." She said sweetly to the vendor.
"What flavor, would you like, miss?" The man asked.
"Chocolate!" She exclaimed cheerfully then she looked at Ichigo, waiting for him to say what flavor he liked.
"Um… strawberry." He said in a low tone and Orihime giggled.
"You know what; I think I'll have strawberry as well." She told the vendor and the man just nodded before giving them their ice cream. Then Orihime reached for her shoulder bag to get her wallet but before she could even pull anything out Ichigo handed the man a bill.
"I got it." He told her with a smirk and she smiled. They began walking again each holding a strawberry ice cream.
"Mmm… yummy!" She squealed. He looked at her and saw that her mouth was filled with ice cream.
"Ichigo tastes good." She joked with a big smile. It made him blush a little then he pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket.
"Here." He said handing it to her.
"Oh… T-thanks..." She replied her face flushed red in embarrassment at eating like a three year old. Then she began to wipe her lips with the handkerchief.
"S-sorry. I-I think I ruined your handkerchief." She said looking at the fabric.
"Er… I-It's fine." He replied.
"I-I'll just wash it then return it to you… hmm… but, then you wouldn't have one…" She said then she dug her hand in her bag and pulled out an orange handkerchief. Ichigo raised an eyebrow.
She has one? He thought.
"Here." She said handing it to him. She noticed his expression.
"Oh… um… s-sorry. I should have just used my own instead of taking yours. I just couldn't decline the—" She didn't finish when he took the offered handkerchief.
"It's alright. This would do." He said with a smile. She blushed again.
He's so nice. She thought.
She looked away to try and hide her blushing face.
"So umm…" He began again. "There's this something I've been meaning to—"
He didn't finish when she blurted out, "Is that a mirror house?" pointing at a place with the sign, "MIRRORS."
"Um... I think s—"
"Oh! Do you mind if we go in?" She asked him with beaming eyes.
"S-su—" He didn't have time to finish his answer when suddenly his date began to pull him, dragging them both inside the mirror house.
It was a little dim inside. It was also full of mirrors, obviously. It was like a maze and everywhere you look, you'd see your reflection being distorted into funny shapes like big head thin body or the other way around. Orihime giggled at seeing their reflection change mirror after mirror. As for Ichigo, he just followed Orihime as they go around, scowling every now and then at how stupid he looked like in those reflections. Then he looked at the woman he was with. She looked so happy crouching down and straightening up as she observed her reflection. She was like a little kid who just played in a playground for the first time. He looked around. They were alone again.
Should I tell her now? He thought.
"Hey Ori—" He didn't finish when an idea popped in his head.
"Oh, Ichigo! I hate you!" She yelped teary eyed.
"No wait! I can explain." He tried to stop her but she hit one of the mirrors with her palm. It broke into pieces. She held a piece with her bloody hand and held it on her neck. She began to slash her neck with the bloody piece of glass. After her throat was cut open she fell to the ground with her orange dress filled with blood. Ichigo ran to her and held her in his arms. All he could do was yell "NOOO!"
"Hey Ichi, you alright?" She said waving a hand in his face. He had his mouth gaped open and his eyes had a blank stare. He blinked his chocolate orbs after hearing the woman's voice.
"Huh? What?"
"Were you going to say something?" She asked in curiosity.
"Oh… that? I… um… It's nothing." He said feeling his heart beat fast.
There's no way I'd tell that here. He thought.
"Oh… okay. Mind if we go around some more?"
"S-sure." He replied stuttering a little.
They went out of the mirror house and they began to walk around the amusement park again. They still received glances from other people which made him scowl.
"What's wrong?" She asked worriedly after seeing his scowl.
"N-nothing just… the people are starting to annoy me." He mumbled.
"S-sorry. It must be because of my dress. I just… really felt like wearing orange today. You know? So that it matches my hair… and yours." She said the last to parts like a whisper but he heard it.
"Oh…" He replied.
They tried to go for other rides and with each one, Ichigo tried to find an opening to tell her everything but every time he does find a chance to tell her, he gets a bad intuition and ends up not telling her at all. Even when eating a hotdog on a stick he could imagine her piercing herself with the stick after he told her.
That's why the whole experience led him to conclude that, the amusement park is a very dangerous place.
Then after riding the roller coaster and having the image of Orihime jumping off it, Ichigo decided not to tell her when they are in the middle of ANY ride. Yes, any ride. Even a carousel is dangerous. This time, the two were walking again and for some reason, they weren't attracting much people anymore. Looks like the people finally learned how to mind their own business.
This is definitely the perfect time to tell her. Ichigo thought.
"Um… Hey… There's something I've been meaning to tell you." He began. Orihime stopped to look at him then she raised her hand.
"Wait! There's something I need to tell you too." She said.
"Alright… you go first." He replied.
"Okay… It's not really important but… Thanks a lot for going with me here. It's really been a while since I last came to an amusement park so I'm really happy that you asked me to go here with you. You really are the best you know? I know that you don't think so but to me, you are and I know that this isn't a big deal for you but it is for me. I'm really happy that I get to spend this day with you. I'm always happy when I'm with you. Everyday that I spent with my boyfriend beats any holiday. It's like Christmas everyday because I always get my wish—a day to spend with you. You're always on top of my wish list Ichigo, so no matter what happens; I'll always love you." She said with a sincere smile. "So… what were you going to tell me?"
"Me? I… um… It's because…" He took a deep breath and sighed.
"I'm glad to spend this day with you too. So what do you say? Still up for the other rides?" He offered and she nodded enthusiastically. "Let's go!" She replied wrapping herself around his arm. He looked down at her with a weak smile.
After she said that… How could I possibly tell her the truth? He thought to himself.
After a few more hours of going around the amusement park, riding every ride TWICE. It seems that the couple finally got tired. It was already late and getting dark.
"Wow! That was so much fun! Let's do that again some other time!" She told him with a huge smile.
"Ah." He replied. "It's really getting late. Are you hungry?" He asked.
"Me? Oh, no I'm not." She said but then they both heard her stomach rumbling. She looked down to hide a blush. "S-sorry. I-I guess I am a little hungry." She said and he began to chuckle.
"Alright, let's go get something to eat." He said and with that, she looked up at him and nodded.
They strolled on the streets passing by different stores as they look for a good place to eat. Then they passed by a little girl and her dad.
"Daddy! Daddy! I want that one! That one!" They heard a little girl cry out outside a store. The little girl was pulling her dad's pants as she pointed at the shop.
"Which one honey?" The man said crouching down to be leveled with the little girl.
"That one! The big one!" She cried out.
"The rabbit?" The man confirmed. The man's question made Ichigo look back at them. He saw the little girl nodding cheerfully.
"Chappy! Chappy!" The girl cheered and the man laughed and they both went inside the store.
Chappy…
Chappy…
The little girl's voice repeated inside his head until it slowly turned into the voice of someone familiar.
It's Chappy the Rabbit, we could create a report about Chappy products.
That was the first time… He thought.
"Ichigo? Is something wrong?" Orihime called out when she saw Ichigo looking back.
"I…" He began.
"Did you forget something?"
"Um… no. It's nothing. Let's go." He said and they began to walk again.
This time… I really have to tell her. He told himself looking at the tangerine haired woman.
They stopped in front of a fancy restaurant with the words vin et des roses lighted up together with a picture of a rose.
"Here we are." He said with a smirk. Orihime gasped.
"Vin et des roses? B-but Ichigo, we're not exactly dressed for a place like this!" She yelped looking back and forth at the restaurant, Ichigo and what she was wearing.
"It's fine. We came here to eat and not to impress others with what we're wearing." He replied and he took her hand. She blushed madly as she let him pull her inside.
Well Ichigo did have a point. It doesn't actually matter what you wear as long as you could pay. Some people just like to wear flashy clothes to brag about their wealth, some even wear fancy clothes but just order the cheapest ones at the menu. At first, the waiter wasn't sure if he would really want to serve the two new costumers seeing as how they were wearing casual clothes. Then, he led them to their table.
"It doesn't matter what we wear here right?" Ichigo asked the man and they waiter looked around. He noticed the other costumers wearing fine clothes then he looked back at Ichigo who was now glaring at him as if telling him "If you say that it does matter, I'll kill you" and that made the poor waiter tremble in fear.
"O-of course it doesn't monsieur. Our main purpose is to please you with fine service and good food." He said with a French accent and a nervous smile. Ichigo looked back at Orihime.
"See?" He said and the woman smiled.
"S-so, what would you be having this fine evening?" The man asked handing them the menu but Ichigo just handed it back.
"Just give us your specialty." He said and the waiter's eyes grew wide and his mouth gaped into a cave.
It was really rare for someone to order the vin et des roses specialty since it's very expensive.
"A-are you sure about that monsieur?" He asked unbelievably. His question made Ichigo scowl.
"Um… R-right away, monsieur." He said quickly bowing at Ichigo and Orihime before dashing away.
"Um… Ichigo…" Orihime started in a low tone.
"Hmm?"
"About our order—"
"It's alright. You don't have to pay for anything." He assured her.
"Oh…" She replied looking down and blushing once again.
"Orihime…" Ichigo began in a serious tone which made Orihime look at him.
"What is it?"
"I've been meaning to tell you something."
"Really?" She asked then her hands began to clench her dress under the table. "What is it?" She repeated.
"Well, it's about—"
"Your wine monsieur." Another waiter said as he stood beside Ichigo holding a wine bottle and two wine glasses. The waiter began to place the glasses on the table.
"Thank you." Ichigo muttered and the waiter just bowed then began to pour wine in the two glasses. He bowed again before walking away. Ichigo waited until the waiter was far enough before he turned back to Orihime.
"Well, going back—" He began again.
"Oh! Wow! This wine tastes so good. You should try it Ichigo!" Orihime said nodding towards his glass of wine. Ichigo sighed then took the glass. He gulped the wine down then put the empty glass back on the table.
"As I was saying—"
"Wow! You gulped it down! You must be pretty thirsty! Here have some mo—" She grab hold of the wine bottle when suddenly Ichigo placed a hand on hers to stop her from getting the bottle.
"Orihime…" He said in a serious tone. "I'm not thirsty. I just… want you to listen to me… okay?"
I can't stall any longer. Ichigo told himself.
Her grip on the bottle tightened before she sighed and pulled back her hand.
"I'm sorry… Alright, I'll hear you out." She said with a weak smile.
"I… I'm not really sure how to tell you this so I'll just say it…" He said and he took another deep breath.
Here goes…
"I have a—"
"Son with Kuchiki Rukia. I know." She beat him to it. For a few moments he just stared at Orihime with wide eyes and a gaping mouth.
"Y-you knew?" He asked more like a whisper. She just nodded.
"B-but how did you—" He didn't even finish his question when the answer automatically popped inside his head.
Tatsuki.
Although he still couldn't believe it. All this time, he's been trying to find a way to tell her something that she already knew. He wasn't really expecting that. Oh, the irony of it. He was expecting a slap or a yell or tears but now he had one question.
How much does she know?
"Look, I've been meaning to tell you in a long time. I just didn't know how and I was afraid of how you'd react. I know that was stupid of me but believe me, I really didn't want to hurt you but I could understand if you hate me—"
"I don't." She replied plainly.
"Y-you don't?" He asked back unbelievably.
"No. In fact, I really want to meet your son. I bet he's wonderful, just like his father." She began to smile.
"H-he is… B-but I don't understand—"
"I couldn't quite understand it either but now that I know the truth, I want you to do me a favor."
"A favor?" He repeated.
"Yes."
"What kind of favor?" His eyebrows began to furrow.
"I want you to…"
"To…?" He asked as if waiting for her to continue.
"Tell me everything."
"Everything?" He was a bit confused.
Why would she want to know?
"Yes, everything; starting from the beginning until the very last. I really don't know that much so I want to know."
"Starting from—"
"From the day you first met Kuchiki Rukia."
He gulped.
"B-but I don't think—"
"It's alright Ichigo. I want to understand. And the only way for me to see if this could work is if I know how it all began."
She had a point but…
"Please don't leave any details untold. Promise?" Her request made him sigh.
"Do you promise?" She asked again holding her pinky up. He stared at the pinky for a few seconds before he wrapped his around it as symbol of agreeing with the promise. She smiled brightly looking a bit excited which confused Ichigo a bit more.
"Go on." She said telling him to begin.
"It all started in our last year in high school…"
He told her everything just like he promised. She just nodded as the story continued and sometimes asking, "so… what happened next?" when she felt that Ichigo was going to stop, then he'd continue. Their food arrived but none of them would even dare touch it. The food prepared looked delicious but none of them seem to care. Ichigo concentrated on telling the story and Orihime listening to it. Orihime would smile at times but it would just be a quick one then what hit his heart the most is how her bright and cheerful face slowly became grimmer and grimmer as the story went on. It was as if she wanted the story to stop but at the same time she wanted to endure the pain and rather it continue. He spilled everything starting from how he met her, how they got along, when he left, what happened when he left, when he came back, when they met again and until the present. After the story was finished, Orihime took in a deep breath and stood up.
"Thank you for telling me everything." She said bowing down then she began to walk away.
"W-wait!" He called out standing up as well. She stopped but didn't look around.
"Don't…" She began which made him stop. "Just… don't." She said firmly before she proceeded to walk away. He just watched her walk out. He wanted to follow but his guts told him to stay put.
Don't… Just… don't.
He gritted his teeth and slammed his fist on the table. The loud sound caught everyone else's attention and they all looked at him. A waiter began to approach him.
"Excuse me Monsieur but—" The waiter didn't finish.
"Your food sucks. Get out of my way." He mumbled while he glared at the poor waiter. The poor waiter quickly moved out of his way. Ichigo threw some bills at the man before walking away as well.
"P-please c-come… b-back a-again…" The doorman stuttered as he opened the door for the grumpy orange haired man.
He was walking again, but this time, he was alone. He got stares and looks from people but he couldn't care less. It began to rain but he didn't care. It poured harder but still, it was like he couldn't even feel it.
He's a jerk and he hated himself for being one.
He was soaking wet but all the feeling of sadness beats drowning in the rain. He didn't know what to do. Should he go to her? What should he tell her?
He didn't notice that he's been walking for a while since Orihime's gloomy face flashed again and again inside his head. He clenched his fists inside his pocket. Then he passed by a certain store. He stared at it for a few seconds then an idea hit his head. He wasn't sure if it would work but it's worth to try.
She placed a kettle on the stove. It was quiet in the room and she had changed from her orange sundress into a pink shirt and white shorts. Her long hair was tied up into a pony tail. She was now preparing to make some tea. She was about to bring out a teacup when suddenly, she heard a knock from the door. She went t answer it but when she opened it, her eyes grew wide in surprise.
"I-Ichigo... y-you're here? But I-I told you not to—" She didn't finish when he suddenly held up the bouquet of flowers.
"For you." He said and she bit her lower lip before she slowly took it.
"W-why…?"
"I can't let you go off just like that. It just wouldn't be me." He explained with a smirk.
"Oh… Ichigo…" She whispered then she held the flowers tighter and she inhaled its scent. Then she ran inside.
"W-wait! Where are you—" Ichigo didn't finish.
"Go inside! You're soaking wet! I'll go get you a towel!" She shouted her voice coming from her room. He complied and closed the door behind him. Then, he went inside the room to where her voice was coming from. She was holding on a towel. She smiled and handed it to him. He began to wipe his face with it then his hair. He stopped when he noticed her looking at him.
"So… um… you came back… why?" She couldn't help but ask.
"I… wanted to… apologize…" He replied.
"For what?" She asked innocently.
"For hurting you…"
"Oh… I… am in pain…" She said.
"I'm sorry…" He replied in a sincere tone.
"Prove it…" She replied firmly taking a step forward.
"What do you want me to do?" He asked his eyebrows furrowing. Her arms came up and wrapped themselves around his neck.
"Make love to me." She said pulling him down and capturing his lips. As their lips worked on their kiss, they slowly walked towards the bed. Orihime fell on the bed, her back hitting the mattress. He hovered above her then he gave her a serious look before he asked, "Is that all?" after seeing her nod, he leaned down to capture her lips once again.
He came back to his apartment and went straight to the shower. He took off all his clothes and began to take a bath. He stood there with his palms on the tiled wall. He let the water run down his entire body. He looked up and let the water coming from the shower hit his face. He let it drenched his whole body as he wondered if he'll ever regret what he just did for the rest of his life.
A/N: First of all look you guys, I need to explain something. In writing this story I used the ten year educational system. The same as what we have here in my country so that means you get six years of elementary school then four years of high school. Sorry for those who aren't familiar with this kind of educational system. I just found it easier to write with since it was the kind of educational system that I went through before I hit college. And besides, I really want Rukia to be pregnant at fifteen and graduate at the same time (I'm so evil :[ ). Anyways, Whew… I finally finished this damn chapter. It turned out short, hooray? I wouldn't say that I enjoyed it that much but, oh well. I needed to go through with this so that the story could progress into the way I want it to be. Oh please don't hate me :( and I promise to make sure that this fan fiction is definitely ICHIRUKI. There is definitely a next chapter so review! Okay! Thanks a lot for reading and reviewing you guys! I received a lot of pms wahoo! Thanks so much for reviewing and I'm really glad that you like or love my story especially those who Review. I so love all of you! Sorry for the errors. I really didn't have much time to check for some so there. You guys are my super duper inspirations. Thanks for telling me your Christmas wishes :D I really hope you get them. ILY guys and God bless :P
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