2 months after Ulquiorra's accident

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I am grateful for helping Ichigo unpack his apartment. It's really nice, but surprisingly he didn't have a lot of things. We are going to a department store to find some dishes, tables and chairs to fill up the space and make it a little more homey. I look in the mirror, trying to decide if I should wear my hair pins or not. My bangs grew out, so It will be kind of silly to have them in my hair. I guess I can cut some more bangs, but I don't know. I'll just clip them to my shirt and figure it out later.

There is a knock on my door. That must be Ichigo.

I put the clips in the pocket of my loose white shorts and make my way to the door. I open it and I'm met with bright orange hair, chocolatey brown eyes and a lazy smile. I feel my face reddening for a brief moment.

"Hi Ichigo!" It's the only thing that I can think of. He looks so cool,even just wearing a black shirt and jeans. He was always so cool and interesting. His eyes were always so warm and expressive. I could always tell how he was feeling or thinking just from his eyes alone.

"Hey, Orihime, are you ready to go?" his voice is gruff, like it's a bit strained. I hope he isn't getting sick. I nod as I slip my sandals on. "Alright, let's make my apartment liveable."

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"There are so many dishes."

"Yea, there are…alot."

"And so many colors."

"So you're able to choose what you really like. They have a ton of options. It's a little daunting at first, but then you're able to choose something that speaks to you."

"You sound like an expert at this, are you sure that you shouldn't be an interior decorator?" He smirks at me briefly before looking at the display of dishes before us. I tuck invisible strands of hair behind my ear. For some reason the motion soothes me. Why do I need to be soothed? Am I nervous? Why am I nervous?

I walk around the table, looking at the different styles of plates and bowls. "Well…lets start with colors. That will help narrow some things down and we can go from there. What is your favorite color?"

"Gray" He said that quickly. I look up at him and he's staring at me. His eyes look unreadable…no that's not it. I see a familiar emotion in them but…change the subject.

"Gray is uh…a good color. So gray dishes. Traditional or modern…" He's still staring at me. My heart is racing a mile a minute. It's getting so hot in here, why don't they turn on the air. It is bad business practice to not have enough air in here. My face is so hot.

"You know, it's taken me a while, but I just realized something." He moves slowly, coming closer and closer to me. I have to angle my head to keep my gaze on him. I feel like a deer caught by a lion, paralyzed in place. "Your hairpins are missing." He is really close to me. He reaches out and grabs a piece of my hair. I can hear my heart pounding in my ears. He smells so good.

"Oh, um, they are in my pocket," I reach in the front pocket of my pants and show him the light blue flower hair pins. "My bangs grow out and I haven't been wearing my pins. I have been contemplating getting bangs again, but I can't decide." I take a deep breath. He smells so good, I am talking a lot.

A slow smile spreads across his face and he's not looking at me. It's like he's lost in a memory. "I've always liked your bangs." I swallow thickly. He always liked my bangs? He takes a step back, letting my hair slip out of his fingers. I feel like I was just under a spell. I think I need water. "As for dishes, let's get something gray and square." Right, we were getting dishes.

What is happening?

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Back at Ichigo's apartment, we are putting away the newly bought dishes and appliances. His furniture will arrive sometime later in the week. I agree to apartment sit for him since he would be busy at the hospital. My mind is still reeling from being so close to him earlier and my emotions and body doing confusing things to my brain. Things that I want to explore but I am actually terrified of what that means.

It's just that…I'm finally starting to feel like a person since Ulquiorra's accident. I mean, my entire life was put on pause and I just now found my breath and it feels good to breathe. Ichigo has really helped to pull me out of my shell and I find myself looking forward to his messages, and hanging out and just being around him in general. I feel like I did in high school and I had no idea how much I missed him.

"Orihime?"

"Ah!" I scream and drop a cup. He reaches out quickly and catches it from crashing on the ground. He has amazing reflexes.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. You were spacing out again, are you okay?"

"Do you want to cut me some bangs?" That is not what I meant to say. He looks so confused. I am also confused.

"What?"

"Do you want to cut some bangs? I mean, you said that you like my bangs, and I miss having bangs, kinda, and I trust you. I think that you would do a good job." What am I saying? This makes no sense. Am I having a midlife crisis? Am I old enough to have one of those?

"Isn't it better to go to a place for that? Or maybe one of my sisters? Yuzu is great with hair. She practices on Karin all of the time-"

"Yeah, you're right, I don't know what I was thinking. Ahaha, I'm so weird, let's just forget about this whole thing." My face is on fire. I can't believe this. I'm so embarrassed, what is wrong with me. I turn from him and bite my lip hard.

"Hey, I didn't mean to upset you."

"No, no, you didn't, I'm just…weird." He touches my shoulder.

"Orihime," he says my name so gently it's painful. "Of course you're weird." What? That does not make me feel better. "It's one of the things that's amazing about you. You being weird allows you to see the world in a way that's different from everyone else. It's what makes you super sweet and compassionate, even to the assholes that don't deserve it. It allows you to see the very best in everyone." I take a deep breath and look at him.

"Thanks Ichigo, you're really kind. I have just been stressed lately," I laugh awkwardly, rubbing my forearm.

"Yea…your guy right?"

"Ulquiorra, yea. He was shot in the line of duty. It happened when he and his partner were looking for someone who was a part of this big case he was working on. He was undercover for 4 months and he was able to put a lot of those guys away." I feel the tears creeping into my eyes. "I've always hated his work. I understand that what he does is important, and I hate feeling like I'm selfish. But it's like my life is out of control. There's absolutely nothing that I can do to keep him safe or to keep me from worrying. I'm on edge all of the time. He's always getting injured at work. Sometimes he's stabbed, sometimes he's concussed. He's always in constant danger and I'm always afraid that he's not going to come home."

"That sounds…like it's enough to drive anyone over the edge." His brown eyes hold so much compassion and understanding.

"I just want him to be okay. I don't know when he is going to wake up, so it's just a waiting game now."

"And being able to cut your bangs gives you some control over something."

"I guess. I don't know, I just…I was happier when we were younger and I had bangs you know. I know it isn't rational to think that bangs are somehow magic and that they can make me happy, but you know." I shrug.

"Well then lets do it. Lets cut your bangs. The scissors are right here," he picks up the newly bought pair of kitchen shears and holds them up. I stare at them for a few moments and then nod.

"Let's do it."

I move to the couch and sit down. He grabs a chair and sit across from, our knees touching. He gently gathers some of my hair to the front of my head. I stare at him with, bitting my lower lip. This is a good idea. A great idea. This makes sense. He is looking so intently at my hair. His strong jaw and face..he's so handsome. Before I know it, I am leaning forward and is kissing him.

I kiss him.

Eyes widening, we both quickly pull apart from each other.

Oh my God, what was that?

He stares at me, shock coloring his entire face. I am completely and utterly mortified. WHAT WAS THAT?!

"Ichigo…I'm so sor-"

He leans forwards and kisses me before I could get the words out. I'm so confused, why am I doing this? Why is he doing this? Why does this feel so good?

I close my eyes and I just melt into his kisses. His hand travels to my face and caresses it, the other dig into my hair. My body is alight with flames and I quietly moan into his mouth, moving our bodies closer together.

There is a knock on the door.

We break apart, breathing heavily. I am temporarily confused then I gather myself.

Ulquiorra!

I stand up. I have to leave.

"Orihime-"

"I am so sorry," I mumbled, gathering my purse and making my way to the door. I can't believe I just did that.

"Wait, let's talk about this."

Shaking my head, I open the door and stop once I see a really pretty girl, with long magenta ponytails. She tilts her head looking at me. Her eyebrows furrow. She looks so familiar.

"Who are you?" she demands, crossing her arms in front of her. Huh?

"Orihime Inoue,"

"Riruka?" Ichigo sounds perplexed. Where do I know the name Riruka from?

"The idol?" I questioned. She leans back and gives me a smug smile.

"The one and only. I"m also his girlfriend," she points a well manicured finger towards Ichigo. I look back at him, eyes wide.

"Girlfriend?" He looks away, his face a dark red. Girlfriend? When did that happen? Why did he kiss me? Why did I kiss him? I'm so ashamed.

"Yes, now why are you here?" She narrows her eyes.

"Excuse me, I have to check on my fiance," I scoot past her and run down the corridor of the apartments.

"Orihime!" I hear Ichigo call after me. I can hear his footsteps as he runs after me. I make it to the elevator and press the button to go down. My face is burning and I'm on the verge of tears. What is going on? "Orihime please," he has caught up to me. I can't face him. "Please, let's talk."

I take a deep breath and turn to face him, a fake smile plastered on my face.

"Wow, you're dating an Idol, that's so cool! Sorry, I have to leave in such a hurry-"

"Orihime, please, what was that back there? We kissed-"

"I'm sorry, that was a-a big mistake, okay." The elevator dings and I go inside. "Please, let's forget that this ever happened okay? Please?" He looks very upset. My heart is racing and my head is in shambles.

"You're crying." Is the only thing that he says. We stare at each other as the doors slowly close him from my view. After a moment, I lean against the wall and let the tears flow down my face.

Oh my God, what have I done?