Written for Ulquihime Summer festival, an event organized by the lovely JKrobertson on tumblr :*

It's an AU. Both Orihime and Ulquiorra are in their teens.


Lost in Japan

When you have a crush on someone, you deal with it by telling your feelings to them. Or you ignore those said feelings and stash them away in the depths of your soul and carry on with your life.

Orihime Inoue did neither of those things.

She ended up taking a completely different route; she hit a volleyball on Ulquiorra's face.

At the thought of Ulquiorra, Orihime once again was submerged in a pool of embarrassment, cheeks flushed, nails digging in the palm of her hands. She grabbed the furry pillow, so that she can scream on it again.

14-year-old Orihime had been crushing on Ulquiorra Cifer for quite some time now. It couldn't be helped, because the boy in question was rather good looking. Plus, his quiet demeanor and brooding facade only made him more mysterious.

Orihime didn't know much about Ulquiorra except this that he was one year older than her. And that he was in top of all the classes. Recently he participated in a tennis tournament in which all the schools participated. And Ulquiorra bagged the first place.

At first this puppy love seemed innocent, fleeting. But then the red head started looking forward to going to school. Seeing Ulquiorra once a day became a necessity. If he wasn't in the cafeteria, Orihime made sure to check out the library in the last period. And there he would be, sitting on an oak wood chair and going through the pages of physics textbook.
Soon her friends came to know about her liking. Except for Tatsuki and Chizuru, everyone was quite pleased with this information. Whenever the guy would be close by, the girls would burst into giggles, whispering audibly "There goes your prince Charming Inoue!"

"Why don't you try talking to him Orihime?" Michiru once asked "He seems nice enough"

Orihime shook her head. That's the last thing she wanted; to let the guy know that she had been infatuating on him.
She was more than okay to admire him from afar and let him come in her dreams where's he twirling her around under a sky full of stars or resting his head on her lap.

Throwing the volleyball was definitely not on her list.

How the hell it happened anyway? Orihime racked her brain, face still burrowed in a pillow.

It was gym period. After doing the basic stretches to warm themselves up, their P.E teacher told them they were going to start with a volleyball game. Orihime was excited. If she liked the game, maybe she would be able to mix it up with other sports like she did with baseball and soccer, naming the recreation 'base-cer'.

Once the teams were decided, they began to play. Barely 15 minutes had passed and the girls hands were already stinging. The afternoon sun blazed on them, making everyone hot and sweaty. Ryo threw the ball and Taksuki returned the shot. Mahana came forward to slap the ball in the direction of Orihime. Seeing this, Orihime rushed forward to make a jump. This was a mistake. The sun sharp rays made her close her eyes. Instead of hitting the ball straight, she thwacked it sideway. The ball went pelting high in the air until it hit someone. A sickening sound of smash was heard, followed by loud gasps and a roar of laughter.

The game was halted, as everyone went to see where the ball went. Orihime blood ran cold once she realized who was sitting on the ground. Orihime Inoue had hit a volleyball on Ulquiorra Cifer. She had hit a volleyball on the perfect face of Ulquiorra fucking Cifer!

A small crowd was starting to gather around the victim. The P.E. teacher rushed forward to help.

And because she didn't want to be confronted and neither she was in the mood of being teased by her friends, Orihime went home, despite an hour left for home time.

Instead of doing her schoolwork, Orihime was curled up in bed, dousing herself in shame every now and then by replaying the scene over her head. An image was etched in her brain; of Ulquiorra clutching his nose, his face steadily becoming red. On any other day, this image would have made her laugh. But for now, it was injecting her with guilt.

Just then, the door burst open and her younger aunt, Rangiku barged in.

"Who's up for a movie?!" She sang.
"I am not in mood, Rangiku…" Orihime mumbled.
"But why not?! Didn't you wanted to see this one? I arranged the dvd specially for you!"

When no reply came, did the young woman discerned the mood of the room.

"Oh what happened Hime chan?!" Rangiku asked soothingly, sitting on the bed and caressing her niece's bob cut hair.

Orihime told her to which Rangiku couldn't help but laugh.

"It's not funny Rangiku!" Orihime said, slightly cross "I really hit him hard!"

"And here I was worrying that you failed a test or something….."

"His face was red!"

"But isn't that good? You told me he was pale as a bone. He could do with a little blush"

"Rangiku!" Orihime was dismayed. This wasn't a joking matter!

Gaining her breath, Rangiku finally spoke "Oh Hime, you are getting tensed up for nothing. Just go to him and apologize"

Orihime flinched. Pretty much sure, everyone would have told Ulquiorra the name of the culprit. Surely he was going to get mad once she goes to him. Also he was seen hanging around guys who had notorious reputation; Grimmjow and Nnoitra. Orihime have never talked with them, but the vibes they emanated were mean ones.

"I can't do that…."
"Well call him"
"I don't have his number"

"Okay…..let's see what else?"

Rangiku thought for a moment before uttering "Make him a sorry card and slip it in his locker! That way you wouldn't be embarrassed and all things will get clear!"

That Orihime certainly can do. She sat up, all brightened up.

"Hey that's a pretty good idea Rangiku! I will make him a card and slip it when the locker room is empty! Thank you Rangiku san!" Orihime said, hugging her aunt.

Rangiku smiled, returning the hug "Now that has been solved…can we please watch the movie now?"

"Hai!"


Orihime followed her aunt's advice. She stayed up late at night to make the card. The card was very pretty, the apology written in neat handwriting.

Ulquiorra didn't came the next day, but this was expected. When no one was looking, Orihime managed to slit the card through the gaps in Ulquiorra's locker.

'I hope he accepts it…' Orihime thought to herself as she walked to her class. She sincerely hoped that he wouldn't tear it up. That would be very humiliating indeed.

But then being hit by a ball and that too by a girl was humiliating too. So it was totally reasonable to shred the card in pieces.

Nevertheless, Orihime waited for the response.


Three months passed by and yet no response came. By this time, Orihime wouldn't have minded seeing her handiwork ripped up and thrown in a dustbin.

'He completely ignored it…'

Orihime watched Ulquiorra from the above window. He was getting into his limousine, the door held out by his driver. Today was the last day of school. Orihime will never get to see Ulquiorra again because from next year he would in high school. And she would still be here.

"Goodbye….. Forever" the redhead whispered sniffling slightly, as the car drove away.


Orihime Inoue was wrong. She got to see Ulquiorra again but in a completely different place.

July began which meant only one thing; Summer festivals! Orihime was looking forward to attending them. They were always packed with so much fun!

Fortunately for her, Rangiku had already planned the outing.

"Everyone will be there! Toshiro, Hina, Yumi and Kira! Wouldn't that be fun?!" Rangiku asked excitedly.

Orihime nodded. It's been a while since she had last seen her aunt's band of friends.

They were going to attend the Tanabata, also known as star festival. Orihime was humming as she got ready, tying up the obi over her kimono. The kimono was beautiful; it was of black color, with koi fishes printed at the bottom in shades of brilliant orange, pearl white and scarlet red. The hibiscus hairclips which were gifted by her older brother Sora were substituted with another pair of clips which was in a shape of a star and a crescent.

After saying goodbye to her family, Orihime hurried towards the MRT station, as fast as her geta slippers would allow.


The festival was in full swing but Orihime didn't knew about that. She was still standing by the entrance of a park, waiting for Rangiku to show up.

Half an hour had passed, but no sign of a busty woman and her eccentric friends was seen anywhere.

Orihime was getting tired now and bored. Really really bored.

'Maybe I should call her…..but I forgot my cell at home…..'

Orihime looked around and saw a phone booth nearby. She can make a call from there. And if aunt says that it's going to take time for her to reach, then Orihime would call it a night.

Gathering up her kimono, Orihime straightened up. She was just about to turn when she came across an unexpected sight; Just on the other side of the gate, stood her crush aka Ulquiorra Cifer.

Orihime would have missed seeing him if it weren't for his trademark inky hair and ghostly skin complexion. That recognition was permanently etched in her brain.

Like Orihime, Ulquiorra too was a wearing a kimono, but in a color of deep teal. A pattern of folding fans was printed on it, in shades of silver and black which give the yukata an overall elegant look.

People milled around them, yet Orihime took no notice of it. She was debating inwardly that whether should she say hi or simply skirt away in a breakneck speed.

But before she could make that decision, Ulquiorra happened to glance her way. Their eyes locked at each other.

Ulquiorra must have recognized her because suddenly he was coming toward her, his intense green eyes boring into her face.

Orihime forgot how to breathe. The scene wasn't unfamiliar. It has happened so many times in Orihime's dreams. Yet the redhead stood there like a deer with headlights.

What should she say?! Hi or hello?! Do you like bear claws?! Ahhh!

'Get a grip Orihime! Say something!' the girl chastised to herself.

"Evening Ulquiorra….." Orihime heard herself say as Ulquiorra stood next to her.

Evening….oh how proper and so LAME! What century they were living?! 18th?

Ulquiorra answered back not with a greeting but with her name "Orihime Inoue"

This surprised Orihime "You know my name?"

The answer made her wish she shouldn't have asked this question.

"Obviously….I had to know who was responsible for hitting me with a volleyball on my face"

Orihime blushed a beetroot red. Of course they told him. It was inevitable.

Despite her ears getting hot, Orihime put a braved front "Okay for the record though, I didn't hit a volleyball on purpose. It was an accident. Mistakes can happen, right?"

"They can. But you can't afford them when they are painful to receive and you have a Grimmjow for a friend"

Oh! So that bark of laughter belonged to him?

"Why did he laugh at you?"
"He said I looked funny when the accident happened"

Orihime was horrified "That's an awful thing to say!"
"It's Grimmjow, what else would you expect?"
"But still….."

The duo stood there for minute, before Ulquiorra asked, motioning his head "Aren't you going in?"

"I am….I am just waiting for my aunt" Orihime said.
"You don't sound so sure"
"It's nothing….." Orihime paused before clarifying "My aunt isn't exactly time vigilant. If she says she will be here on 8, it actually means 9:30"

"If that's the case, why are you here early?"
"I wanted to avoid the traffic"

More silence.

"Are you waiting for someone too?" Orihime asked politely. She hoped it wasn't his girlfriend.
"Yes" Drats.

"Who?"
"My parents"
"Oh…."

"I didn't want to come but my parents dragged me. They had been shopping all day and are now getting ready. They sent me here first so I can get the tickets beforehand" Ulquiorra explained.

"I see"

Orihime bit her lip, contemplating over the current scenario. She was getting tiresome over waiting. And so was Ulquiorra. His weird eyebrows being furrowed give that indication.

However, the annoyance got siphoned off from Ulquiorra's face when Orihime asked "Instead of waiting for our people…why don't we both go inside the festival to make the time pass by?"

Ulquiorra was surprised, but not more than Orihime herself. She would have become a bubbling mess just at speaking the word hello. Forming a sentence was a far-off thing.
Maybe it has to do with setting. They were not in school and were dressed in their best clothes. Perhaps that would explain why she was at ease and was talking comfortably with her crush.

"Sure"

Orihime was beyond elated. Her fantasy was coming true! She was going to spend an evening with Ulquiorra! And too alone!

Orihime happily tottered towards the ticket booth, with Ulquiorra closely trailing behind.


And they had fun. They first went to Shateki stall and shot a couple of rounds. Orihime won a hello kitty plush toy while Ulquiorra won a baby shark plush toy. The latter didn't care much for the prize, however Orihime noticed that the stuffed toy was tucked under his arm carefully. It was rather a cute gesture.

Next they played Wanage; a ring tossing game. After that, they both decided they should eat. All that waiting made them rather hungry. Both had a bowl of Yakisoba (fried Noodles) and chicken Kushiyaki.

Orihime fanned herself with hand. She was getting a bit warm now. Just when she was about to stand up, her sight got blocked with shaved ice on a plastic bowl, colorful syrups decorating the top.

"I didn't know what flavor you prefer so I got you sweet plum" Ulquiorra said, holding two bowls of Kakigori.
Orihime beamed "But that's my favorite flavor! Thank you so much Ulquiorra!"

Ulquiorra smiled before sitting down.

They were playing Yoyo-Tsuri when Orihime noticed the tree.

"Hai! It's the Tanabata tree!"

After paying the money, the duo left the stall. Besides the game was making both of them frustrated. The paper string just wouldn't hook a water-filled balloon.

The bamboo tree looked stunning with colorful pieces of paper hanging down from its trunks. Orihime was simply in awe as she roamed under the shade, the ribbons rustling the crown of her head gently.

An aged woman was standing, holding a basket which held a wad of paper and a dozen black inked pens. Orihime picked the green colored paper and thanked the woman. She came to Ulquiorra.

"Do you want to write a wish too Ulquiorra?" Orihime asked "I can get it for you"

Ulquiorra shook his head "I have nothing to wish for"
Orihime laughed "Oh come on…..there must be something"

The young teen thought for a moment before uttering "I am coming up empty"

Orihime nodded. It can become rather overwhelming.

"Let me just tie my tanzaku. This will only take a minute"

Ulquiorra was curious. He wanted to ask what Orihime had written when they heard a shout. A few yards away, stood a girl and a boy.

"Hinamori! Toshiro" Orihime cried, hurrying toward them to hug them.

'Her friends have come….'

Before Ulquiorra could sulk on the upcoming loneliness, his mobile pinged. Huh, his parents were here too. They were waiting by the dock where the fireworks show was scheduled to take place.

"Let me just say goodbye to my friend…." Orihime said.
"Sure!"

Ulquiorra had finished replying to a text message when he heard the steps. Orihime was coming, an apologetic expression adorning her face.

"My friends have arrived…"
"So have my parents"

"Oh that's great! Now you wouldn't have to wait anymore!"
"Hn"

The two gazed at each other for a moment. They now have to part their ways. Maybe they might never see each other.
But Orihime wasn't sad. She spent an hour with her crush and it was amazing. It was more than she asked for.

"I really had a great time Ulquiorra" Orihime said demurely, cheeks slightly going pink.
"Likewise" Ulquiorra replied, before adding "You compensated for your mistake by providing me company"

"What?" Orihime asked, puzzled. Where was Ulquiorra going with this?

"That throw really hurt" Ulquiorra seriously intoned.

"But I made you a sorry card! Didn't you receive it?"
"I did"
"And?"

"I kept it" Now it was Orihime's turn to get annoyed.

"Why didn't you say anything back then?" Orihime asked, fuming inwardly.

"Were you waiting for my response?"
"Yes"
"Well it never occurred to me"

How could anyone be this dense?! The redhead wondered. It was common courtesy after all!

"But if it makes you feel any better, I accept your apology" Ulquiorra said.
"That's a relief" Orihime replied, a bit sarcastically.

Orihime sighed. She didn't want to end things on a sour note.

It was like someone else had entered inside Orihime' soul, as she took a tentative step towards the boy standing in front of her.

"You know there's a saying about one thing healing the wounds…"
"And what's that?"

Orihime didn't answer. Heart drumming madly, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Ulquiorra's cheek.

"Kisses fix everything" the redhead said, stepping back.

Ulquiorra was in shock. He didn't snap out of the reverie even after Orihime bade him goodbye and left. He stood on a spot until his phone started ringing.


The firework show was spectacular. The whole sky got illuminated by bouquets of various colors and loud bangs. Ulquiorra watched the firework while glancing every now and then at Orihime, who stood on the other side of the river with her aunt and her friends.

Ulquiorra just got an epiphany. Two epiphanies actually. One; He now knew what he wishes for. He made a mental note to tie a tanzaku before leaving.

Two: wasn't there a code by some Hammurabi guy that said 'eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, nail for a nail?'

Based on that, the kiss shall have to be returned as well. Ulquiorra was determined to make it happen.

The end.


I inserted two cartoons inferences; When Orihime was saying goodbye from the window just like Bubbles did to the whale in PPG cartoon :'D. And 'Kisses always work' quote from Dexter's Laboratory ;w;

It's raining buckets here and my country could go in default anytime now. It has been wild lately :') Hope you guys are doing well.

If you like this one-shot, please make sure to leave a fav and a review :D

Until then, take care.

Noni.