************************************************************************Disclaimer************************

I do not own Bleach, or any of the related characters. The Bleach series is created by Tite Kubo and owned by Viz Media, and Shueisha. This story is intended for entertainment purposes only. I am not making any profit from this story. All rights of the Bleach series belong to Viz Media, and Shueisha.

Author's Note: Hello everyone, KuugaOnimaru here, I hope you are having a good holiday season! I am new to fanfiction, so please let me know how I can improve my writing. This story focuses on my interpretation of Ichigo and Orihime's relationship. No, I am not on #teamIchiRuki or #teamIchiHime, I just want to explore the romance/yandere/psychological horror side of stories. I hope you enjoy!

Bleach – An Old Crush and a Growing Obsession

by: KuugaOnimaru

December 31, 2021 Rating: M

Chapter One – Unrequited Feelings

Fall in Karakura Town was a time of change; not only were the days colder and shorter but now the fun and relaxation of summer turned into studying and structure. This time of the year was always bothersome for 16-year-old Ichigo Kurosaki. Besides the mountains of homework and studying he now also had to handle the Fall school festival and its traditional autumn dance. Ichigo didn't mind festivals or dances for that matter, what really bothered the teen was his male friend's constant jeering and questioning of his love life.

"Seriously Ichigo, maybe if you listened to me, maybe you would have a date for the autumn dance" Keigo Asano chuckled as he walked alongside Ichigo and his close friend Mizuiro Kojima.

"Yeah right! If I listened to you, I'd be single for life"! Ichigo retorted in an annoyed tone. "It seems like you wouldn't mind that" Mizuiro grinned at his orange-headed companion. "Jeez, Mizuiro, not you too with this crap"?! Ichigo began walking faster, trying to avoid the subject.

"All I'm saying Ichigo is that you have never been one for romance or dating," Mizuiro said in an honest tone. Ichigo took a deep breath and collected his thoughts. Man, what is it with everyone and dating?! First, my old man bugging me about having a "third daughter" and now these two. I guess I can't help it, after all, I've never really thought about dating.

"Good going Mizuiro! Now ya' pissed him off! Keigo started shouting at an exasperated Mizuiro. "I'm not pissed! I just don't like people prying into my life, and besides I never really thought about dating anyone". Keigo and Mizuiro looked at each other in surprise, Ichigo typically did not reveal his emotions to anyone, especially not in front of Keigo.

"Really? Even with all those beautiful girls in our class? Especially that new student Kuchki… what was her name"? Keigo began blushing as his mind pictured his female classmates in revealing clothing and risqué scenarios.

"Rukia… really Mr. Asano you are one huge letch" Mizuiro gave Keigo a shrewd look. "Oh, come now, don't tell me that you two don't fantasize about women?! We all know you're a smooth operator with older ladies Mizuiro"! Mizuiro rolled his eyes at his friend, "A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell" Ichigo chuckled internally but maintained his stony expression.

"Even the mighty Ichigo Kurosaki, 'Mr. PG' surely imagines the new girl in one of those expensive numbers from Veronica's Secreto" Keigo gave Ichigo a suggestive grin. "Keigo, you damn idiot"! Ichigo gave Keigo the usual punch in the arm. Keigo was not far off from his assumption, after all, he was human, and he had needs and wants. But aside from his late-night secret single-player sessions, the orange-haired teen never really thought about any girl, the women in his secret stash of magazines were enough. Like most things in Ichigo's life, it had to be private and behind closed doors.

"Ouch! Come on, we all rub one out at night it's perfectly normal! Besides, how can we not? Especially with girls like Orihime running around school"! Ichigo gave Keigo a look of disgust and sighed "Inoue huh, what a surprise, you have the hots for her, who would've known Keigo" Ichigo said in an ironic tone.

"Mr. Asano I'm afraid you are out of your league, perhaps Mahana would be a better fit for you" Ichigo chuckles as his friends perk up "Yeah Keigo, she's definitely your type! Mizuiro, are you some magic matchmaker"? Ichigo said as he waited for the crosswalk light to change.

"I can't believe it! Ichigo laughed, aww man how come you never laugh at MY JOKES"! Mizuiro chuckled as he watched Keigo's theatrics. "Maybe you aren't as funny as you think you are ' '"! Keigo continued his theatrical pouting "You're so mean Ichigo! Just admit it, you want Orihime all to yourself! Ichigo sighed and rolled his eyes.

"I already told you, I have no interest in dating and even if I did, Inoue is not my type". Both Keigo and Mizuiro were surprised by this answer. "Really? But she's always trying to hang out with you, and I always catch her looking at you in class," Mizuiro said in a serious tone.

"ICHIGO YOU BASTARD"! Keigo sprang up at Ichigo, only to be swatted aside. "Give it a rest would ya"! Ichigo was uncomfortable with what Mizuiro had just said but Ichigo believed his friend was simply trying to get something out of him. Mizuiro is a sly bastard, he's digging for gossip!

"Give it a rest Mizuiro! I do not have a crush on Inoue or anyone, sorry to not have any juicy gossip for you" Mizuiro grinned, "I know you don't, that doesn't mean that the opposite isn't true". Ichigo pondered the idea of girls having crushes on him, the idea did make him feel warm inside, but he didn't get his hopes up, in his mind, he was the orange-haired troublemaker, with his reputation most girls would run the other way.

"Well, would you look at that, my house, I'll see you guys tomorrow! Don't forget the lotion, Ichigo! Keigo laughed as he ran into his house. "Keigo you son of a… just wait till tomorrow"! Mizuiro chuckled to himself as they continued walking.

"That Keigo is a certified pervert"! Ichigo pinched the bridge of his nose as he regained his cool. "I mean he is right, we all have wants Ichigo, but I admire your way handling yourself. Despite your rough exterior, you are a true gentleman, maybe that's why Inoue has an interest in you". Ichigo let out a deep breath and kept walking.

"Mizuiro, why is my love life so interesting to you? Don't you have your own to look after? I mean I don't even date, there's no juicy gossip here" Mizuiro smiled confidently, "Is it bad that I want to help my friend find true love"? Ichigo rolled his eyes.

"It's just fun to push your buttons, Ichigo. But I know you're not into Inoue, when the two of you converse there's no chemistry there. I mean she's sending you all the right messages, but you are more than happy to ignore them. I kind of feel bad for her, she's a kind girl but not your type". Ichigo was surprised by his friend's perception.

"So, you know I was playing dumb, huh. To be honest, I don't really see Inoue as more than my classmate and an acquaintance" Ichigo said somberly, "Harsh, I'll make sure to NOT tell her that" Ichigo gave Mizuiro a stern look.

"I don't know if you've heard, but Inoue's brother died at my family's clinic. That's how I met her, aside from that, her and I have nothing in common" Mizuiro felt a slight sadness as he heard Ichigo tell the story. "I read the signs as soon as we started having classes together, but I just don't feel the same, I don't see her in that way. I'm hoping that she'll give up if I keep playing dumb" Mizuiro was surprised at Ichigo's emotional intelligence, he believed Ichigo was another oblivious guy, like those protagonists in manga and anime.

"It doesn't seem to be working Ichigo, maybe you should talk to her and tell her how it really is" Ichigo grimaced at the idea, he knew what she went through with her brother's loss and didn't want to cause her any more grief. But he had gotten uncomfortable with all the attention and awkward conversations he would have with the strawberry blonde girl.

"Well, Ichigo I will see you tomorrow, I'm sure you will do the right thing" Ichigo waved at Mizuiro as he entered his yard. Damn that Mizuiro, as if I didn't feel uncomfortable with Inoue before, now he drops this on my lap! I was happy just ignoring her advances, pretending that she was just being nice. But if I just tell her off, she'll be hurt, and then Tatsuki will kick my ass and never forgive me! Why does life have to be so fucking complicated? Ahh, I need a warm shower.

"AGHHH, watch where you are going, you fool"! A familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked down and saw his new classmate picking herself up off the ground "Crap, sorry, let me…" the new girl slapped away his hand, "I can get up on my own! Pay attention, you big lug"! Ichigo was thrown off by her attitude, as Rukia Kuchiki was always so dainty and polite in class and at school. "I'm sorry! Are you alright"? Ichigo tried calming her down, "I'm fine, jeez, the others said you were the quiet one, not the clumsy one"! Rukia commented.

"With classmates like that, who needs enemies"! Ichigo scoffed. Rukia gave the orange-haired teen a looking over "You're taller close-up, not as tall as that Sado guy, how is that guy in the 9th grade"?! Ichigo was taken aback by her casual attitude "Uh yeah, but he is a gentle giant you don't have to worry about him bullying you" Ichigo always stood up for Chad, he understood Chad's situation better than anyone.

"If you say so. Anyways, you're Ichigo Kurosaki right"? the petite girl dusted herself off. "Yeah, why"? Ichigo asked with suspicion, "My older brother and just moved to Karakura Town and we need a new family doctor. That Mizuiro guy said that your family owns a clinic and that your dad is a doctor". So, she's new to town, I see. But what's with that bitchy attitude?! What happened to Ms posh and proper?!

"Yeah, my old man is a doctor. I'm sure he'd be happy to have two new patients" Ichigo pulled out Ishin's contact card and gave it to her. "Give him a call and schedule an appointment, we do walk-ins but sometimes he helps out at the local hospital, so appointments are best" The purple-eyed girl nodded and put the card in her backpack. "Well smell ya' later Mr. Kurosaki, try not to run over any more maidens on your walk home"! Rukia laughed as she walked off. Ichigo was both pissed and impressed; usually, all the girls at school were afraid of him but here was this girl who was a shade under five feet giving him crap. Oh great! Just another unique individual for our class.