I am soo very sorry for the delay. Turkey Day lasted about two days lol. Enjoy the update!!!
Ichigo walked home, his head down, memories of Orihime running away from him so vivid in his mind. Each time he did, his heart seemed to break a little more. Why would she run away from me? And it didn't help that everytime he looked at her in class afterwards, she would look away, making sure her eyes were diverted from him. He exercised every possibility in his mind and came up with absolutely nothing. What if it was all a dream? Ichigo shook that thought away. He knew it was real. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been hurting so much.
"Ichigo!!" He sighed and turned around to see Rukia running after him. Giving a sad smile, he waited for her to catch up.
"Nice gigai." He chuckled. Rukia punched him in the shoulder and laughed. "Shut up. Soo.." She trailed off.
"Soo.." He rolled his eyes and got another punch. "Hey! You're going to open up my wound that way." He winced painfully.
"What happened? Should I set up a double-date? Does Orihime like restaurants? I did find a nice little--"
"Rukia." Ichigo started.
"No, no. You're right. I think she would like a cafe instead. I'll have Renji--"
"Rukia." Ichigo said, louder this time, but Rukia was absorbed in her own little world.
"Oh damn it, why am I making the decisions for her? Ichigo, you ask Orihime--"
"RUKIA!!!" Ichigo damn near shouted, stopping Rukia from saying anything else. "Don't bother," his voice was just above a whisper now. "There won't be any double dates."
Ichigo expected a question as to what happened. He expected a gasp of surprise. What he didn't expect was a slap to the face and looking up into the blazing eyes of the shingami from the ground.
"Baka!!" Rukia shouted, her hand twitching. "What did you do to screw this up?! I swear if you hurt her, Ichigo.--" But she cut her threats short as she observed the sadness in Ichigo's eyes. Sticking out her hand, she pulled him up and waited for his response.
"I..tried to talk to her at school. She just ran away from me. She wouldn't even look at me afterwards. I couldn't even get the words out before she.." He trailed off, hanging his head down again.
Rukia stood silent, confused as to why her friend would do something like that. Then, it hit her like a ton of bricks.
"She's afraid." Ichigo's eyebrows furrowed. "Afraid? I would never lay a hand on her--" He received another punch to the shoulder. "Damn it, Rukia.."
"Oh my gosh, MEN!!!" Rukia groaned. "I don't mean physically, imbecile. I meant you could hurt her with your words. She thinks you don't feel for her the same way as she does with you. And she would rather not hear it at all then that."
Ichigo took a minute to digest it all. "So what should I do?"
"Don't let her go the next time you see her. Tell her how you feel at that very moment and do not let her leave until you do." Rukia's eyes began to get starry as she pictured the scenario.
Oh boy, Ichigo snapped his fingers in front of her face, shaking her out of her little fantasy world.
"For a death God, you sure are childish when it comes to issues of the heart." Ichigo braced himself for another punch, but Rukia didn't budge. She just grinned.
"Tell me something. Are you bleeding yet?" Rukia asked.
Ichigo frowned and looked at his shoulder. "No..why do you..?" Rukia punched him in the shoulder as hard she could. Ichigo collapsed on his knees and held his throbbing shoulder. He felt blood seep through the fabric of his school shirt. Sure enough, he was bleeding.
"Damn it, Rukia!!!" He bellowed. "When I get my hands on you--"
"You'll be fine. Trust me." He looked up in her gleeful eyes for only a second before she shunpo'd away. "Wait, you midget! What about my--" He stopped, realizing he was talking to nothing but air. He swore under his breath.
"Kurosaki-kun?" Ichigo whipped his head to her voice. Orihime's eyes widened at the sight of his bloodied shoulder and, without thinking, rushed over to him. As Ichigo saw her coming towards him, he instantly knew why Rukia almost dislocated his shoulder. Thank you, Rukia..but I'm still going to kill you for this.
"Are you okay?" Orihime kneeled down and immediately created a orange shield over his shoulder. The superficial wound began healing quickly. Ichigo stared at her, transfixed.
"I'm fine.." Ichigo looked down at his shoulder, his wound now completely healed. He looked back up to see Orihime looking at him, then quickly down again, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Thank you." Ichigo's heart began to beat harder. Don't let her go. The shield slowly vanished and they stood to their feet. Orihime's eyes were still lowered, but she smiled a bit.
"No problem..Kurosaki-kun," she spoke softly.
"Listen, about yesterday--"
"I'm sorry about that." Orihime said, lifting her head. "I didn't mean to.."
"It's okay. I'm not mad. I could never be mad..at you.." Ichigo trailed off, finding himself lost in her eyes once again. He took a gulp.
Orihime felt the world disappear as she gazed into his brown eyes. Oh God..
"Well..see you around, Kurosaki-kun." She didn't want to go; she wanted to run into his arms and kiss him senseless, but knew she would regret it later. As she turned to leave, Ichigo gently took her wrist, stopping her.
"I know what you said, Orihime." Ichigo spoke softly. Orihime said nothing; she remained frozen, daring not to look at him.
"I know you told me..that you loved me.." At those words, Orihime attempted to break his hold, but was futile. Her eyes closed. She tried to block out what she knew he was about to say. That he didn't love her, that he could only be her friend. that he would always be there for her, but could never love her back. Those words, she never wanted to hear
"Don't leave..Hime." Her eyes shot open and she turned to look at him. There was a small smirk on his face. "The truth is--"
"Ichigo," Orihime whispered, cutting him off. Ichigo was stunned that she actually called him by his first name. "Please let me go." Orihime's fear was getting the best of her, in her heart of hearts she wished those next words would be that he loved her back. But it wasn't going to. It never was.
"No, Orihime please. Just listen to me." Ichigo held her wrist tighter, still taking care not to hurt her. "I--"
But Orihime shook her head, her auburn hair swishing around her, bringing the smell of strawberries to Ichigo's nostrils.
"I don't want you to say anything out of obligation, or something just because you feel it will make me happy. I do love you, Kurosaki-kun.." Ichigo's heart stopped at her confession. To hear those words while looking into those eyes, actually made his heart swell.
"But I know you don't love me, and that's okay." Her eyes began shining with tears. "So please..let me go."
"No, you don't understand. I--"
Orihime wouldn't let him finish, couldn't let him say those words that would undeniably break her heart into irreparable pieces. "Please. Let me go."
"But I--"
Orihime lowered her head, tears falling down in silver streaks down her cheeks. "Santen Kesshun..I reject." she whispered. Immediately a orange shield began forming in front of her hand. Ichigo was forced to break off his hold on her as it began to get bigger. He stared at her, powerless to get through to her, his heart breaking again.
"I'm sorry." Orihime whispered, almost inaudibly. The shield vanished, and she ran off, leaving the man she loved with every fiber of her being behind. Forgive me, Ichigo..
Ichigo watched until she disappeared from view, but as his heart ached with pain, a new resolve washed through him.
Next time, Orihime, I won't let you walk away from me again.
A/N: I'm sorry!!! But I gotta put some angst into it LOL. Update coming soon!! (Much sooner than last time. lol)