Kkerz, here's the 2nd chapter. I think I have an idea where I want to go with this story so the updates will be coming in alot faster than I thought. Which is good right? And here we go..
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Bleach. If I did,. Byakuya and Kenpachi would be doing sexy time instead of fighting. ;)
The next day..
Ichigo lightly stretched his limbs, and put on his robe, taking care not to open his wounds, even though he was healing very quickly. Thoughts of what happened 3 days ago filled his mind: He using every shred of reiatsu in his body to pull off the final blow, Aizen smiling before dissipating into a cloud of dust, the feel of elation coursing through his very bones before his wounds brought him into unconsciousness, and his last sight being Orihime rushing to heal him to her fullest extent.
Orihime..He remembered the words she said to him before rushing to leave. He could tell by the her rapid footsteps running away from his room. The more he repeated those words in his head, the more stunned he became. He had always known that Orihime cared for him a great deal. But it had never occured to him that she was actually in love with him.
Do I love her back..? He honestly couldn't say. He was too absorbed in defeating Aizen to even give a romantic relationship a single thought. Now that it was over, he didn't know what his feelings for her were. Did he care for her? More than she'd ever know. Would he die for her? Without a doubt? Had they had many tests and trials and came together closer than ever? Definitely. But did that count as love..?
A blast to the wooden door destroyed his train of thoughts as he dodged the large amount of splinters coming his way, enjoying the fact that he felt little pain. Eyeing his zanpakto next to the bed, he reached over to grab it when he was pinned to the bed with a sword.
"Howl..Zabima--"
Ichigo shunpo'd before the sword sliced six segments across his neck to the other side of the room.
"Glad to see you haven't lost what little step you have, Kurosaki." Renji Abarai grinned, placing his sword by his side.
"IDIOT! Is that how you greet someone? The hell is wrong with you?!" Ichigo seethed, adding to Renji's amusement.
"Hey, I just wanted to see if the Almighty Ichigo still had it, what with you saving Karakura Town and all."
"I can still kick your ass, Abarai. It doesn't matter if half of my body is shorn off by a cero, I can still knock your ass back to Seretei."
Renji's eyes flashed a dark shade of crimson. "Is that a threat, Kurosaki?"
"More like a statement of fact." Ichigo sneered. He flash stepped to his zanpakto and held it with the blade facing Renji.
Renji grinned. He had hoped to get a rise out of Ichigo, and rise he did.
"Howl, Zabim--"
"Getsuga Ten--"
"I swear, not even a week and you're back to fighting, Ichigo." A firm voice immediately stopped them from releasing their powers. They turned to see a petite, raven haired shinigami.
Renji blushed. "Rukia, we were just--"
"You were trying to fight Ichigo, that's what you were doing." Rukia interrupted, shaking her head and grinning. Seeing the oblierated splinters of wood across the floor, she clicked her tongue. "Urahara-san is not going to be happy about this."
"HE DID IT!" They shouted in unison while pointing to one another. Rukia grinned wider.
"Is that any way to lie to your girlfriend, Abarai-kun?" Rukia smiled sweetly with a murderous glint in her eyes. Renji face was as red as his hair.
"I..well.." Renji couldn't mutter coherent sentences. Ichigo smiled. "How are you, Rukia?"
Rukia smiled at her friend. "Good. You?"
"The same before this asshole tried picking a fight with this poor injured soul." Renji's eyes went wide with anger.
"You...lying prick.."
"Rukia, I need to talk to you about something." Ichigo looked at Renji. "Get out."
"Kiss my ass! I'll leave when I'm good and ready," Renji admonished.
"Renji, be a dear and wait for me outside." Renji was about to protest when Rukia gave him a look that would have given Unohana-taichou a run for her money. He shut his mouth quickly and, giving her a quick kiss on the lips, went out.
"Glad to see you're wearing the pants in the relationship." Ichigo couldn't help but laugh.
"Yeah, he knows better." Rukia grinned before sitting down on the bed. "So what's up?"
Ichigo sighed, before sitting down with her. "Orihime told me she loved me." Rukia's eyes went wide, then she smiled so wide he thought her jaw was about to break.
"That's great, Ichigo! Oh my gosh, we have to double-date. I'll have Renji--"
"No..she..told me when she thought I was sleep." Ichigo cut her off. Rukia's smile faded. "Oh..well.."
"Yeah." Ichigo gave a slight smile.
"Well, how do you feel about her?" Rukia asked. A slight blush came to his face.
"That's just it, i don't know how I feel. I've been so focused on defeating Aizen that I never really thought about love. I mean..I care about her, very deeply. I would give my life if it meant to save her. But love..?"
"Talk to her." Rukia said. It sounded easy enough to Ichigo. "Okay, I will, and then what?"
"Take it one step at a time. That's all you can do." Rukia felt excitement run through her as she pictured the scenario in her mind: They talk, they hug, they kiss, they and she/Renji go on double dates, it was more adorable than Chappy. Oops, sorry, Chappy. She put her fingers to her mouth and chuckled.
Ichigo sweatdropped while watching Rukia obviously think about something that made her happy with the way her eyes went starry. "Soo..tomorrow..okay.." Ichigo said, hoping to bring his friend back into reality.
"Huh..? Oh yeah, right, tomorrow. I'm sure your injuries will be much tolerable by then." Rukia laughed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a boyfriend I need to ream out."
"Kick him in the balls one extra time for me." Ichigo grinned.
"I HEARD THAT!!" Renji shouted from outside. They both laughed.
"See ya, Ichigo." Rukia waved before leaving. Ichigo waved back before laying back on the bed, focusing his thoughts on Orihime. Tomorrow..I talk to her. Closing his eyes, he tried to imagine what the scenario would be like. Failing, he resigned to just trying to relax. He drifted off to sleep.
"Kurosaki-Kun.." Orihime sang in a sing-a-long. Ichigo turned around, smiling at the bell-like sound of her voice. He's filled with a peace he hasn't felt since..ever. He extends his hand to her, and she seems to float to him, touching her hand to his. Their fingers intertwine. Ichigo pulls her over to him, arms encircling her waist. They stare into each other's eyes, Ichigo relishing the feel of her body against his, her soft gray eyes hypnotizing him. He could stare in those eyes forever and not mind.
"I love you, Ichigo." Ichigo is shocked that she called him by his first name.
"I love you too." He is stunned that those words can come out of his lips so easily. But he realizes that is what he feels in his heart for her. Love.
They kiss. Gently. Then harder. And they tumble into peaceful oblivion, just the two of them.
Ichigo's eyes slowly came open, the details of his dream vivid in his mind. He can't believe he had such a dream. A smile crept onto his lips. He liked it. He liked it alot.
He still doesn't know what he feels in his heart for Orihime, but if that dream meant anything to signify in the future, he would welcome it with open arms.
Tomorrow..Hime. And he drifted back off to sleep, a smile still on his face.
A/N: Yes, RenRuki is together, DUH!!! Those are my second babies. Anyways I wrote this chapter like this to set things into motion, and I also wanted Ichigo to be shown as indeed having feelings for Orihime, he just doesn't know what they are at the moment. Thanks to those who reviewed and faved this story, I won't disappoint. Update will be up soon!! :)