AN: Sorry I haven't updated in a while but I had to study for the driving test since I failed it. I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.

Chapter 9, Orihime's Point of View

Am I really confessing to him? Do I really feel something for him? Does he? That's the important question now.

"Eh? You feel something towards me?" I ask as I let my hands slide down to his shoulders. He nods as if he can't use words to confirm what he's saying.

Before I can respond, I see a flash of regret in his eyes. I remove my hands from his body and whisper, "You don't have to lie. I won't tell anyone about you or hate you if you don't feel the same way I do."

"No, Orihime. That's not it. I just, I'm not sure I can. I don't know if I'll be able to give you what you deserve. I'm not a regular human, heck what am I saying? I'm not even a human. I can't assure you that I won't drink anybody else's blood or that I can control myself around you," He responds as he stands, extending his arm to help me up.

I look at him curiously as I take his hand and stand up. How can he be so hard on himself when he is so thoughtful? "Ichigo, stop being so hard on yourself! Don't you think I know what I'm getting into? I'm not a little girl, I'm a grown woman. I can make my own choices based off of what I see fit. I know the risk I'm taking and I'm willing to take it because I want to be with you. I don't know how to stay away from you anymore."

Ichigo groans as he pulls me closer to him, "Why must you be so stubborn, woman? You make it harder and harder to resist you. I just can't resist you any longer."

He leans in slowly, giving me one last chance to neglect him. I don't. I can't. I can't hold back my feelings anymore. I place my hands on his face and lean in the rest of the way. I can tell by his hesitancy that he is holding back, being cautious.

I'm not sure why but I don't want him to hold back. My hands slide down to his shoulders as I think of a way to let him know that he doesn't have to hold back. I got it, I think.

I hesitantly let my tongue slide into his mouth. He grunts and suddenly his tongue pushes mine back. I feel my face grow hot as I think about what we're doing. Not counting what happened at the park, this would be my first kiss. I blush even more so at the thought.

Our lips are no longer connected. He had pulled away to give me time to fill my lungs with air. We're both breathing hard but his breathing goes back to normal a lot quicker than mine. He's staring at me, waiting for me to say or do something. But what can I do?

There's no way I can start to lean in. But if I say something, I could ruin the mood or moment or whatever. What do I do?

I begin to feel hot and nervous so I slip off my jacket. That's when I remember what he said about his emotions being heightened. I look over at him as he kisses me again while pressing me up against the wall. I moan into his mouth as he holds me up, helping me wrap my legs around his waist.

I begin to breathe heavily once he pulls away and starts kissing my neck. Ichigo's hand begins to slide under my shirt but he suddenly stops. He sets me down gently while apologizing hurriedly, "I'm sorry, Orihime. I'm so sorry."

Before I can reassure him, he's gone. I'm left dumfounded by the wall that separates my living room and the small balcony. I feel tears form in my eyes. I shake my head, speaking aloud, "Why am I upset? It's not like I wanted things to go that far."

I lean against the outer wall and look up at the moon. Why were you sorry, Ichigo? You did nothing wrong. A tear falls slowly as I hear a knock at the door. Ichigo? I wipe away the tear as I rush to the door. I open it and feel the disappointment in my face. "What's wrong, Orihime. Were you expecting someone else?"

"Huh? Oh, no. Why don't you come in, Uryuu," I say as I quickly plaster a smile on my face.

"Okay," Uryuu says a bit timidly.

When he enters the living room he spots the two tea cups at the small table. "Is someone else here? Or did you have a visitor earlier?"

"Oh that, um Ichigo was here for a while but he went home a bit before you got here," I say as truthfully as I can.

I notice he's looking at my neck so I begin to panic. Did Ichigo bite me? Did I not feel it? Are there obvious vampire bite marks that Uryuu will recognize? I can't help but ask, "W-What is it? Is there something on me?"

Uryuu blushes as he explains, "N-No, I was just wondering what your relationship with Ichigo is."

This time I blush as I respond, "Oh. Honestly, I don't know. I mean, I thought we felt the same but then it could be too soon."

"It's alright, Orihime. You don't have to explain something personal. Anyway, I should get going. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Thanks Uryuu. I'll be seeing you around," I say to him as I walk him to the entrance and open the door.

We're both surprised to see Ichigo standing there. I can't utter a word for a while but he isn't looking at me, he's looking at Uryuu. Before they can break out into an argument like at the park, I manage to ask, "Ichigo, what are you doing here?"

"Do you not want me here?" Ichigo asks with a saddened look.

"It's not that, it's just…" Uryuu frowns at us before excusing himself, sending one final glare in Ichigo's direction.

"Can I come in?" He asks nervously.

I nod before turning around, remembering something, "Wait in the living room, I have to check something."

I walk into the bathroom, turn the lights on and walk up to the mirror. I look at my neck, where Ichigo was kissing and gasp. It's not a bite mark, not really. It's a hickey.

I gulp rather loudly as I continue to stare at it. Ichigo did this. That's why Uryuu asked what my relationship with him was. I groan and cover my face with my hands. "What's wrong?"

I jump slightly at the sound of his voice. I turn around and cover both sides of my neck as I try to explain, "N-Nothing. Everything is fine."

Ichigo walks up to me then and grabs my hands with his. I gulp again, embarrassed to let him see what I was fussing about. He pulls my hands away gently and looks at the mark he left on my neck. I look up at him and find him smirking.

I am confused but also attracted. Why does he have to look attractive all the time? And why is he so bipolar with me?

AN: I hope this chapter came out good. I'm sorry if their relationship is going fast but I don't think I can take things slow with them. Anyway, please review. (Guest, thank you so much for your recent review, you always manage to inspire me when I have no inspiration).