A/N: Thank you again and again for your favorites, follows and reviews! I very much appreciate all of you taking the time to read my story. I will update as much as I can! Sorry again for errors and short chapters. Writing a story on an iPhone is difficult and I'm trying to catch as much as I can!

I hope you love Byakuya x Orihime as much as I do! I've always loved the pair. They'd make such an odd couple, but compliment each other at the same time. As much as I love this pair, I must say I'm just a die hard Orihime x just about anyone fan.

I hope you enjoy this next chapter! More will be coming soon as I'm already working on the next chapter!

()()()()()

Ichigo sat on his bed and stared at a wall. He was baffled. She was beautiful in every way. Too beautiful. Knowing that she had love him once made it even worse. If he had held onto her, given up his childish pursuit of Rukia, maybe she would be his. He had been so stupid.

"What a dumb fuck I am!" He ran a hand through his hair and groaned. Thinking about all the possibilities and what ifs was taxing his mind. He didn't have anymore time to think. He had to get ready.

()()()()()

"Knock, knock!" Said a playful voice and in walked Matsumoto with Tatsuki.

"Oh, Tatsuki! You look positively stunning! I never thought I'd see the day..." Orihime exclaimed. "You're wearing the most amazing dress, and your hair!"

"It is all Matsumoto's fault." Tatsuki turned a bit red. She didn't make a habit of wearing dresses aftero high school had ended. She never fancied herself very feminine, didn't like being at the center of attention, so she never made herself up. She always was and had decided that she always would be just one of the boys. As soon as the party was over, out of her dress and into the shower she would go.

"Ahem!" Matsumoto coughed, interrupting Orihime's excitement over Tatsuki's new, albeit temporary new look.

"Matsumoto, you are so very sexy! The men won't be able to keep themselves off of you." Orihime raised an eyebrow and gave Matsumoto a look over from head to toe and back up again. Matsumoto chuckled and gave her a little wink.

"I think we don't need to say much about you, Ms. Hime, the men will do the talking, or staring. Let us go! We are a bit late, but all the better to make an entrance... Gliding down the stairs like a trio of debutantes at coming out ball." The three laughed and proceeded down to the main hall.

()()()()()

Just as Matsumoto had predicted, the three women made a bit of a scene. Some of the chatter stopped, heads turned, mouths dropped open in awe. Orihime looked startled, Tatsuki mortified and Matsumoto as smug as she could possibly be.

The main hall was packed. It seemed anyone who was anyone wanted to join in the festivities. Parties held at the Kuchiki Estate were renowned and even more so was the constant flow of quality alcohol.

Matsumoto pulled the two other ladies through the packed crowd behind her and headed straight towards three familiar faces. The two stoic Kuchikis and an emotional Renji Abarai.

"Ah! Captain, Rukia, idiot." The busty blonde smirked and bowed, followed in action by the two ladies in tow. Renji scoffed.

"Orihime..." The captain blurted out as he temporarily lost composure. His face slightly reddened with blush and he looked away for just a moment.

"I know you all must be very angry with me, and I am so very sorry. I don't know what to do, or say to make it up to you. I missed you all, but I was so afraid and..."

"Enough." Rukia interrupted. Orihime flinched in surprise. The small raven haired woman's eyes softened and she rushed up to her estranged friend and wrapped her arms around her neck. "You are here now and as long as you vow never to do it again... We have a lot of catching up to do, Orihime Inoue!" Orihime nodded as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

"Congratulations, Rukia."

Finally Rukia released her friend and guided her over to her older brother. Orihime held out her hand to greet him, but all he could do was just stare.

"I know what I've done is unforgivable, but please..." A slightly trembling hand came up to meet hers.

So this is what time had done to Orihime. It had made her the most desirable woman in the world. A woman that would put Helen of Troy to shame. Her face alone would sail a million ships, not a mere thousand. Not only was she absolutely, breathtakingly gorgeous, he knew that underneath it all was a good, independent and intelligent woman that was capable of anything she put her mind to. He had learned that of her long ago. Any man would be a fool not to notice her. Even a blind man would sit up and take notice of her presence.

Orihime's eyes widened and for a moment she felt small. She had always heard the women of Soul Society talk of the devastatingly handsome Byakuya Kuchiki and she never understood just how handsome he was until now. They were women and she was a girl chasing boys. She was definitely a woman now and goodness, was he ever a man. Knowing that she had spent so many innocent nights by his side...

"W-we must catch up sometime soon, Inoue." Byakuya finally sputtered out interrupting both their thoughts.

"Y-yes, Captain Kuchiki. Really soon, I hope." He bowed and took his leave. Trying to find something to occupy himself with. Anything!

"Well, that was odd." Matsumoto stated blankly as she moved in to give Rukia a hug and congratulate her. Tatsuki waited her turn and did the same.

"Rukia and Renji, congratulations!" All heads turned to the direction the voice was coming from. From the fancy attire to the stylish glasses it had to be none other than Uryuu Ishida.

"Congratulations." Said another voice coming from a tall, tan figure.

"Chad!" Tatsuki's face lit up. Chad beamed back. She in return turned a deep shade of red, realizing that she demonstrated a momentary outburst of affection.

()()()()()

From a corner Ichigo watched his old group of friends chat excitedly amongst themselves. They were happy once again. It was reminiscent of the days they would sit on the roof of their old high school and share lunch with each other, minus him.

He had watched the girls' decent down the long staircase into a sea of admirers. Orihime in particular looked lovely. Her long, flowing hair burned like fire in the soft light of the room, her skin was smooth and pale like cream, her dress was a deep purple, accented by intricate glass beading at the bust, it was slightly revealing, its plunging neckline struggled to contain her ample bosom.

"Ichigo." Byakuya stood beside him.

"Byakuya." Ichigo greeted back. Apparently the almighty captain couldn't bear to bask in the light that was Orihime any longer. He didn't blame him. He was still trying to gain the courage to try.

"You should congratulate the bride to be."

"Why aren't you still by her side?" Ichigo knew the answer to his question. Orihime was there. Ever since the battle seven years ago no one could deny the Captain's utmost respect and admiration for the girl, or how touched he was that she had laid her life on the line to restore his. They had saved each others lives, spent so much time together, enough to form a deep bond. Rumors of the pain he suffered at her disappearance ran rampant through Soul Society and eventually found its way to Karakura. He knew that Byakuya loved her whether he had come to terms with it or not. He had loved her when Ichigo should have.

"I'm such a dumbass." The red headed man blurted out.

"I cannot argue with that." With that Ichigo left Byakuya to stand alone. He went storming off, cursing, in the direction of his friends. The lone man smiled because he knew the two auburn haired friends belonged together. Because so long ago Orihime had spent many nights telling him it was so, that and they both belonged to the same world. What he wanted and desired most was of no importance. It would cause too much trouble. Byakuya let out a heavy breath and proceeded to make himself busy.

()()()()()

"Ah, Ichigo!" Rukia offered a had to her friend. He smiled and took her hand in his.

"Congratulations... This asshole finally tricked you into being with him." He pointed his thumb towards the tattooed man beside her. Renji shot him an angry glance.

"Watch yourself, Ichigo. I am still able to beat your ass!" Rukia grasped her fiancé's arm, warning him to calm himself.

"You look great, Orihime..." Orihime blushed. Ichigo was proud of the reaction he elicited from her.

"Thank you! You do too." She was nervous. Here was the man she loved for so long standing before her, complimenting her, noticing her and seeing her as a woman for the first time. He had grown up to be even more good looking than she would have imagined. Though she was happy to be in his presence once again, she didn't feel as excited as she though she would. In this she was relieved. Finally she was able to meet him as an equal.

"I heard you took over your father's clinic."

"Yes, and I hear you are a success in the big city..."

Suddenly the lights dimmed. Rukia took the hand of her increasingly agitated future husband and walked towards the center of the room. The crowd parted to form a large circle around the couple. It was time for the first dance of the night.

Rukia placed one hand in Renji's and the other on his chest. He placed his free hand at the small of her back and took a very deep breath to calm his nerves. The crowd clapped.

"Thank you..." She whispered lovingly. The music started and they took off. They were a surprisingly graceful pair. Those watching could hardly believe their feet were touching the ground. If only they had known of the trouble and heartache put into that one simple dance.

It was now the turn of the head of the house to choose a partner and join his sister and future brother in law on the floor. He knew of only one woman he wanted to share this moment with.

Orihime felt the warmth of a gentle hand at the base of her back and looked up, startled into the steely grey eyes of Buakuya Kuchiki. Ichigo scowled as the captain lead the auburn haired beauty out to the dance floor. She followed willingly. Another round of claps was heard as the two positioned themselves to join the dance.

"Ready, Hime?" The air was sucked from her lungs and before she could catch a breath he gathered her in his arms and guided her in a whirlwind around the floor. Hime. A smile lit up her face.

Shortly after they had started, the rest of the room made their way onto the dance floor. Though it became crowded all Orihime could see was Byakuya. Not for one moment did she let her eyes falter from his handsome face. Everything was coming back to her and once again she found herself in awe of him. In awe of him as a man, not as an untouchable superhero.

Her pulse quickened. This did not go unnoticed by the Captain. He pulled her closer and dared himself to look into her eyes.

"I missed you." He whispered just loud enough for her to hear. Her eyes widened in disbelief.