AN: Alright, so I didn't get to finish the story for the competition and it's still a work in progress. Please forgive me for the major writer's block I've been having. I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.

Chapter 20, Orihime's Point of View

After I manage to wash off all of the bloodstains on my skin, I turn off the water and step out of the shower. I grab my bathrobe after wrapping a towel around my hair. I look over at the clothes I had thrown on the floor and decide that it's best that I throw them out. I grab a pair of scissors that I leave in a drawer in the bathroom counter and begin to cut the clothes into small pieces before tossing them into the wastebasket.

By the time I finish, I decide to remove the towel on my head before going back into my room. As I walk into my room, I find Ichigo sitting at the edge of my bed, looking at the faint bloodstain on the floor. I clear my throat before asking gently, "What are you thinking about?"

Ichigo looks up at me and seems to freeze for a moment. I blush and fidget a bit as he continues to stare at me without uttering a word. He apologizes, "Sorry, you caught me a bit off guard."

I blush profusely once I realize he is talking about the fact that I only have a bathrobe on. "I'm sorry, Ichigo. I should have grabbed some clothes before hopping into the shower."

He then stands and closes the distances between us while whispering, "No, it's fine. You have nothing to be sorry about Orihime." I look into his eyes in time to see that they have turned red. Is he going to drink from me?

I stand still as he puts his hands on my shoulders. He begins to push my bathrobe aside on one shoulder as he leans forward, ready to bite down on my bare skin. My heart goes crazy for a moment as his mouth hovers over my skin. I breathe slowly and quietly as I wait for the feeling of his teeth to sink in.

However, it doesn't happen.

Instead, Ichigo rests his forehead on my shoulder for a brief moment before pulling back and looking into my eyes. I stare back intently as his blood red eyes turn back into a soft brown. His fangs slowly retreat as he apologizes to me once again, "I'm so sorry, Orihime."

"What are you sorry for though? I've told you many times that you could drink from me whenever you had to," I explain quietly while watching his face for reactions.

His face remains the same as he lowers his gaze. He mutters so I can barely understand him, "You were attacked earlier, there is no way I could allow myself to drink from you tonight."

I retort, "But if you haven't fed in a while then it's fine by me. The blood you gave me to save me probably restored all the blood I lost. So it would be fine if you did drink from me."

He looks up at me with a blank stare. I avert my gaze then, thinking I was out of line to say something like that. I begin to apologize but he beats me to it, "I'm sorry but I can't, at least not tonight."

"No, I understand, Ichigo. I'm sorry if I said something that was out of line. I don't want you to keep yourself from drinking my blood just because you are worried about me though."

"Orihime, you are too kind. I'll be fine for now, don't worry about it. However, I am still worried about you. I know I gave you my blood so you are fine but I don't want to take any chances."

I nod as I fix my bathrobe, unsure of what to say or do at the moment. Ichigo suddenly speaks, changing the topic, "That reminds me, here are two keys for the new lock. This is the original, to keep stored away, and a copy of the key to carry with you."

I would have thought that he would've made a copy for himself…I guess not. "Thank you, Ichigo. I uh…"

Ichigo looks at me with an innocently puzzled look as he asks, "What is it?"

"I know we both have work tomorrow but I was wondering if you'd like to spend the night. I mean you don't have to but I am worried since someone came in and attacked me earlier," I say as I look away towards the ground with a blush on my face.

I look over at him when I hear a soft chuckle. He smiles at me as he responds, "Of course, Orihime."

Before I can thank him or even react, Ichigo turns the bedroom light off and takes me down with him on my bed. I barely manage a gasp when his lips cover mine. My eyes widen for a brief moment before closing. This kiss is so gentle and sweet. I moan lightly into his mouth when I feel one of his hands caress my thigh.

I manage to turn him over on his back so I can get on top of him without breaking the kiss. I begin to unbutton his shirt as he rubs my thighs gently. He sits up suddenly then, helping me positon myself comfortably on his lap.

As the night progresses I can't help but compare it to our first time. Although there is just as much passion and love between the two of us, it's different. His vampiristic instincts don't seem to be present. Even though he's not a monster I can tell he's different from me. However, if right now were our first encounter, I wouldn't be able to tell that he was nonhuman. Ichigo is being so gentle, gentler than usual. And there are no signs of him wanting to drink my blood.

I groan into my pillow as my alarm goes off. I stretch my arm out and feel around until I find the clock and switch off the alarm. I begin to pull my blanket over me again when a hand stops me. My eyes shoot open and I sit up quickly.

Unfortunately, I got up too quickly and ended up bumping my forehead against Ichigo's. "Ow…oh my gosh! Ichigo! I'm so sorry, are you alright?!" I exclaim apologetically as I place a hand over my forehead and reach my other hand out to his forehead.

"I'm fine, I'm pretty sure your forehead is hurting more than mine. I'm the one that should apologize for scaring you like that," Ichigo says as he holds one of my hands down and slowly replaces my hand on my forehead with his.

I blush lightly as I let him do so. I say quietly, "I'm still sorry, Ichigo. I completely forgot I asked you to spend the night."

"And apparently that we have work today," He murmurs over my lips. My eyes widen again as I scramble out of bed, not noticing that Ichigo was about to kiss me.

"I have to get ready and make sure I bring all the worksheets for my classes!" I exclaim as I rush to my closet and pull out an outfit.

I don't notice that Ichigo is staring at me with an amused expression until I start to put on my lingerie. I blush and ask defensively, "What is it?"

He chuckles, "You're just so beautiful, Orihime."

With that said he walks up to me and kisses me. I sigh into his mouth as I wrap my arms around his shoulders. When he starts to pull down my panties I stop him. I giggle shyly, "Ichigo, we have to go to work. You should start getting ready. Actually, you should get your things from your apartment."

"Or we could both just stay here…" He murmurs against my neck.

I shake my head and say, "Uh-uh. I am not breaking my personal streak of perfect attendance. Come on, get changed mister. I will see you at school."

Ichigo smirks as he dresses in a breeze and says, "Alright, Ms. Inoue. See you at school." I blush profusely at the way he calls me 'Ms. Inoue'.

I shake my head to calm myself down and finish dressing. I double check to make sure I have everything and that I have the right key before heading out.

AN: I will try to have a quick update. I hope you enjoyed, please review.