~Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo~

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previous chapter...

"We better get some sleep, is it okay of I stay in this room? I don't think it'll be very smart if I attempt to leave, I don't exactly want Byakuya skinning me anytime soon." His comment made me laugh. Nodding, I began to cuddle with him, like I would with Rukia. I felt warm, safe, and protected, the same feelings I used to get with Sora… with Rukia. But this was different, I also felt something else.

Why do I feel like this around only him?

He tightened his arms around me, engulfing me with him. We were in that position until morning. It was one of the best sleepless nights I've ever had.

Chp 7

Aftermath

Shifting on the small bed I was engulfed in a sweet aroma, the body heat on the bed as warm as a soothing sauna. When did Rukia become this warm? Cuddling closer to the source I rapped my arms around her muscular torso. Hmm I should really start going to the gym with Rukia, the workouts she does is crazy… Pulling up the blankets, the bright sun from outside the isolated walls found a way to penetrate into my dreams. Awakening me, I slowly stretch my arms out as I hear a deep sleepy moan. Looking down my heart constricted. Ichigo. At that moment, everything from last night came back, a smile and light blush adorning my face. He looked so little and happy in his sleep, his hair amazingly was all over the place. I had the urge to touch it but knew I shouldn't.

I didn't know how long I stared, but as his eye lids began to flutter open and his nose scrunch, he slowly woke up. "Morning," he said with his still sleepy groggy voice I immediately began to love. "Hey, you sleep fine?" I asked. "Mhm, what time is it?" he began to shift in the bed stretching awake. I noticed he was still in his pants and sweatshirt from yesterday. Moving my gaze to the adjacent wall, I saw it was only 7:02 am. "It's not even eight in the morning yet." I said. "Too early, I'll wake up in a few... night Hime." He sweetly smiled at me with his closed eyes and before I new it his breathing grew steady once more. Bringing the heavy blankets up to his chest, I tucked him into the bed.

Smiling at my handy work, I lifted myself off the bed. Grabbing my phone off the near by bed stand, I was left 36 messages, 9 voicemails, and 15 missed calls from the one and only Rukia. Sighing I called the number while I grabbed an extra pair of clothing and towel from the bedroom.

"Nggh, Orihime do you know what time it is?" A groggy Rukia said from across the line.

"Mom and Byakuya came home last night." Walking into the bathroom I placed my clothing on the near by sink. Before I knew it, Rukia began to panic.

"OH NO! Did they find out Orihime? My life is over…" I heard sniffles.

"No Rukia. Ichigo and I covered for you. He's still sleeping but later on we can just meet up with you." I reassured her.

"Thank god... Okay well I'll call you later, although this couch is extremely uncomfortable I still need my beauty sleep." Rukia sarcastically said mid yawn.

"See you later," hanging up, I began to get ready for my shower.

With my clothing discarded and lying on the floor I turned the shower on, the heat quickly fogging up the bathroom. Stepping into the sprinkling abyss my body went numb, it felt so good. Nothings better than a warm shower in the early morning. As I began to massage Rukia's lilac shampoo into my hair, I began to reminisce in all that happened yesterday. Ichigo almost kissed me, my first kiss! And we slept in the same bed... Blushing like mad, I began to wash out my hair. An hour later I carefully stepped out of the shower. Wiping one spot in the mirror with my left hand, the other holding the towel, I looked back at my reflection. Drying and dressing, I moved onto drying my hair. Finishing up and brushing my teeth, I braided my hair letting it hang in the back. Slipping into my white sleeveless sundress I adjusted a blue cardigan over it. Throwing my other clothing in the laundry basket I stepped out of the bathroom and moved to a calm Ichigo who was lying awake on the bed, his phone in hand.

Lifting his gaze to me I got to witness his cheeks grow red. "Y-You look really pretty Orhime." He stuttered out looking the other way.

"Thank you Ichigo," we both adorned identical blushed. "We should meet Rukia at Renji's place." I added.

"Lemme just brush my teeth, give me a minute…" Grabbing his back pack he moved to the bathroom. Turning once around to me he smiled and locked the door. I felt my face grow warm and felt my legs become jelly. Moving to the bed, I lied on the area he was just on a moment ago. It was still warm…

We managed to sneak out of the house without anyone noticing. Ayame and all the other maids were either cooking in the kitchen or cleaning around the large house, Byakuya and mother were most likely still asleep. After all, they did come home pretty late last night. On the walk to Renji's house, which wasn't that far away, Ichigo and I walked in silence. It was kind of nice and peaceful, no awkward tension or crazy blushing.

Finally reaching Renjis's doorstep, we didn't have to wait very long. As Ichigo knocked on the door, we were greeted by a furious Rukia.

"Oh! Orihime, I knew I was right! I should've never listened to that pineapple, thank the heavens you made it here in one peace!" She jumped into my arms.

"S-Sure Rukia," I patted her puffy hair.

"Yo midget, where's Renji?" Ichigo walked through the threshold and threw himself on the couch.

"Why are you here?" Said a scowling Rukia moving towards Ichigo.

"You should really watch your attitude, after all I did cover for you," Ichigo said not once glancing away from the TV. Before he knew it, Rukia kicked him in the shin.

"Rukia you said peanut butter and nutella right?" said Renji as he walked into the room.

"Thank you Renji," Rukia said grabbing him by the shoulder and giving him a peck on the lips. "Damn Renji, shes got you whipped!" Ichigo began to laugh after the actions he just witnessed. With a glaring Renji mugging him, Rukia once more kicked him. As she began to eat her food, a still angry Ichigo was cursing on the couch. Walking up to Ichigo I placed my hand over his shoulder, noticing him immediately tensing. "You okay Ichigo?" I asked. Looking up to me he relaxed, "Now I am," sitting next to him and cuddling closer like last night, Rukia and Renji joined us. Agreeing to watch a movie, we spent the long day together on a couch watching old movies.

The rest of the week went by smoothly filled with laughter and Rukia beating up both Ichigo and Renji, mainly the former, with me breaking apart most of the arguments. The results? Ichigo had a large number of bruises and a black eye. When ever Rukia disappeared away with Renji I was always alone with Ichigo. We'd go on walks, to the movies, by the lake, and eat together. On long days, I would sometimes fall asleep next to him. It was really nice…

Walking back from the park with Rukia, Ichigo and Renji had to leave early because they had practice during the summer. Football tryouts were coming up and both Renji and Ichigo were really looking forward to it. We would all be going to the same high school in a few weeks, Karakura high.

Finally coming home, we were greeted by a stern Byakuya. Out the corner my eye, I saw Rukia tense.

"Where were you girls?" Byakuya asked emotionless.

"We took a walk to the park father." Rukia responded, not bringing up the names of Renji nor Ichigo.

"Well, your school will be starting soon. I also will be extremely busy with work and won't see you around as much as I normally would. So Orihime's mother and I came up with an idea, we'll be going on a family vacation in a few days to the states."

"Alright father." Rukia said, the emotions on her face staying the same.

"What do you think Orihime?'' His deadly gaze turned to me. My throat dried, he was a scary man at times.

"That sounds fun! I'm looking forward to it!" I said surprisingly even, with a fake smile on my face.

"Good, Ayame will give you more information about the trip later." Turning around, he walked away.

Rukia and I both let out a breathe, sighing, she turned to me with a frown on her face.

"This isn't good."

"Why Rukia? Your father just wants to spend time with us for a few days during the summer, its not that much of a big deal. And you have Renji's number, you can always just text him."

"Orihime, I know that. But fathers trips, they can last up to months…"

"O-Oh."

After the confrontation Ayame found and informed us that we would be leaving in two days. Our trip was to the state of California and would last for three weeks. The day we returned back to Karakura, we'd have a week until school started.

Having dinner together as a "family", Rukia and I went up stairs shortly after. Hanging out in my room, she helped me begin to pack. She told me about her and Renji, then she began to interrogate me about Ichigo. I told her everything, I didn't exactly have a choice. A few hours later I finished with Rukia's help. Moving to Rukia's room, we began to work on her clothing. We weren't even half way done, but fell asleep a little after midnight on the floor. We managed to finish later on the next day, but ended up sleeping in quite late. Spending a majority of the day in her room, we didn't really do anything.

Early the next morning, I had called Ichigo. He and Renji had an hour before practice and said they could hang out. Meeting by Karakura lake, I saw Rukia run into Renji's arms. Both boys were wearing shorts and t-shirts. Within the last few weeks, they surprisingly managed to gain tons of muscle. I had trouble keeping my gaze from traveling over Ichigo.

"Hey Ichigo," I waved at him.

"Hey Orihime, so why'd you call? You said it was important?"

"Oh, w-well I really wanted to see you. I mean m-me and Rukia. Yeah, the both of us." I began to blush mad, "Well Byakuya planned this trip and I wont see you for the next three weeks…" I said, my smile gone.

"Oh." As it seemed to sink in, his scowl deepened, "Well that sounds fun! You get to travel and stuff!" He was smiling but I could see it was forced. "And you can always text me, hopefully we'll have classes during the school year too!" he said.

"Wont I see you the last week of summer?" I said growing worried.

"Renji's family and mine are actually going camping the last week of summer, but hey you have me number right?" He said, this time smiling for real.

"Y-Yeah I do." I said looking down, I couldn't prevent myself from feeling this way. I wouldn't see Ichigo for four weeks, he grew on me. He's my best friend, who I also am secretly harboring feelings for. We've even had 'moments'. I liked cuddling with him...

Feeling a pair of strong arms engulf me, I leaned into the touch. He seemed to always know how to fix things, let it be with his actions or words. He was right next to me but I missed him already.

Thank you for reading this story! Comments and reviews are always appreciated!

until next time,

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