A/N: Sorry that this took long. It's a pretty difficult chapter to write (had to completely discard the first draft and start over from scratch and even now I'm still kinda iffy about it), and it's not helped by the fact that I have to work for 6 days straight this week and so couldn't find the time to actually sit down and write :/ There'll probably be just one more chapter after this.

On the other hand, isn't it a great time to be an Ichihime fan? First we get that cute scene in the manga last week, and now Movie 4 delivered awesomeness between Ichigo and Orihime according to spoilers and reviews XD The only time I can remember something like that happening between the hero and the love interest was in Rurouni Kenshin with Kenshin and Kaoru during the Saito vs Kenshin-transforming-back-to-Battousai-and-it-was-so-epic fight. Of all the Bleach movies, I'm definitely looking forward to watching this one when it becomes available to English-speakers. Just for that scene :D And I just saw spoilers for the latest chapter. Truly, what a wonderful time to love the Ichigo/Orihime pair :)

Thank you very much for your kind thoughts about last chapter. They are very much appreciated :)

Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Kubo Tite.

Warning: Spoilers for up to chapter 429 (liberties taken describing Orihime's workplace).

The time it took to walk to the bakery where Inoue worked was longer than it ought to have been, what with Kaoru running around excitedly and taking his time browsing through every shop window that they passed by. Ichigo didn't mind the delay, though, as trepidation beat a staccato rhythm in his chest with every step they took.

He found that the more he thought about what he ought to say, the more nervous he became, and he chided himself for it. He shouldn't feel this way as, after all, it was only Inoue.

But because it was Inoue that he knew he must tread carefully. He didn't have enough fingers to count the ways he'd already screwed up.

Stopping two metres from the door that bore the sign ABCookies, he tried to take an inconspicuous peek through the glass from where he stood. There wasn't much to see from his vantage point but the scattering of small tables and chairs and part of the counter that graced the wall.

It was just his luck that the same door opened to reveal the one he sought. She was moving her head this way and that as though looking for something, and that something turned out to be him as her face immediately brightened when she spied him.

"Kurosaki-kun," waved Inoue.

"Yo," replied Ichigo with a nod, his features softening, not at all surprised that she could sense him.

She beamed at him, and he ran his eyes over her face, feeling as though he was seeing her for the first time, suddenly noticing little, everyday details. There were brown flecks in her eyes; slight crow's feet at the corners of her eyes borne from her constant smiles; and something new: chocolate icing smeared on the corner of her mouth. A blush dusted her cheeks at his continued perusal, and he smirked, realizing he may have interrupted her sneaking a snack while on the job.

A running Kaoru broke their gazes, bumping into Inoue as he flew into the store.

"Welcome, kawaii-san," she greeted as though she'd just remembered where she was.

When she turned back, Inoue was startled by coming face to face with Ichigo.

"Welco..." she trailed off as she felt his finger gently swiping at her cheek. "Kurosaki-san," she breathed, watching him lick the chocolate icing at his fingertip. Inoue coloured, alternately staring at his eyes and at his lips, puzzled about why he was here, but pleased nonetheless. He loomed ever closer, both their breathing growing laboured, and the tips of their noses touched.

Just a few scant centimetres more―

"Ichigo the dummy! Ichigo the dummy!"

―and she met only air as Kaoru dragged a grunting Ichigo past her and into the store. She heaved a disappointed sigh as she stood to collect herself before closing the door. She was at work, and she must not act like a lovestruck girl even if the man she loved happened to be here. Schooling her features, she turned back to the newly arrived customers.

"What can I get for you?" asked Inoue as she walked behind the counter.

Ichigo frowned. Disappointment cooling him, but he understood the sudden barrier between them. This wasn't the way they ought to conduct themselves, especially since this was her workplace, and he began to wonder if coming here was a good idea at all. The last thing he wanted was to get her in trouble and cause her to lose her job.

"Ten melon bread, please." Kaoru jumped up and down, holding his hands out with fingers splayed.

"No, no, no, no," interjected Ichigo, holding down the little boy's shoulders in an attempt to settle him down. "Just five."

Kaoru blew a raspberry at him and pouted. "Ichigo the dummy," he muttered, clearly displeased.

Her eyes glinting with amusement, Inoue raised an eyebrow at her schoolmate.

As a reply, Ichigo just shook his head and rolled his eyes.

She began to fill their order. "Say, kawaii-san," she stage-whispered, leaning over conspiratorially to address Kaoru as she put a sixth melon bread into the bag, "don't tell Kurosaki-san about this, okay?"

Kaoru stared at her with big round eyes, nodding his head vigorously. Inoue winked at him as she handed the bag, her smile faltering when the boy asked, "Are you Ichigo the dummy's girlfriend?"

Laughing nervously, Ichigo shot Inoue an apologetic look and gently pushed Kaoru towards one of the small tables inside the store. "Why don't you go eat over there?"

Kaoru pulled down the corner of his eye and stuck out his tongue, even as he followed Ichigo's order.

Alone at last, each of the teen shifted awkwardly, eyes roaming over each other, then elsewhere, then back again. There was a pregnant pause, and it gave birth to a longer, more awkward pause as each waited for the other to fill the silence. A rueful smile graced her lips, her hands fidgeting at the countertop. Placing his own nervous hands close to hers, he wondered what would be the next prudent thing to do.

The silence stretched a little too long and Orihime finally gave in. "Kurosaki-kun...?"

Her voice gave him strength, and he finally began, "Inoue, I want to start over."

She stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief and surprise.

"That is, if you'll still have me." He swallowed, a lump suddenly lodged in his throat. But before she could begin to reply, he pressed on, haltingly. "I know what I said back then...saying sorry...I don't think I can apologize enough for hurting you."

He had a faraway look in his gaze, as though the words he wanted to say were playing hide and seek inside his head, and he was fishing around and voicing whatever he was able to catch. On the countertop, he stroked her hand with his thumb, unaware that he had laced their fingertips together down to the first knuckle.

"I'm just a stupid guy, a stupid guy who was scared...because you gave me something I couldn't fight. Not that I wanted to fight you, but just..." He closed his eyes and muttered "Why is this so hard?" under his breath. She squeezed his hands, and he plowed on. "So if you're willing to take the risk again, I will try to be someone who will keep on protecting you, someone who will be good for you..."

Ichigo looked up as he heard her shuddering sigh. I said the wrong things, didn't I? he thought, alarmed at the sight of teary eyes on that brave face, a reminder of that time. He made as if to retract his hands, and surprising him, she refused to let go.

"You already are," Orihime brokenly whispered. She took a deep breath to collect herself, not liking the way her voice had risen as she spoke.

His heart began to beat faster, not quite willing to let hope take over him, but still starting to feel euphoric all the same.

"I never gave up on you," she continued, her voice growing stronger. "I couldn't. Something about the way you were then wouldn't let me. You were saying one thing, but meaning something else, and it gave me hope. And I was hoping that despite all that, my feelings would get through to you."

Ichigo ran his eyes over her, almost unable to comprehend just how big her heart was to be able to forgive and forget so easily, to be able to salvage whatever pieces of her heart and still continue to feel the way she did towards him... "I'm sorry it took a while," was all he could come up with, and he knew it wasn't enough. He had a lot to make up for.

She shook her head. "I meant what I said then."

A small smile lifted the corner of his lips as he realized something, remembering her words to him. He shook free one of his hands to shakingly wipe her eyes. "I already gave you two lifetimes."

She laughed.

"You're worth them, Inoue. And I will gladly give up however many lives I have over and over to―" She stopped his lips with her finger, but he wouldn't let that deter him. "I lo―" To his mortification, he choked on the word, and he swallowed, attempting to say it again. "I lov―"

Ichigo released a frustrated sigh, kicking at the floor, his grip on her hand tightening. "I―"

"I know," interjected Inoue, an understanding look in her eyes. "I do, too."

He gave a small nod, still unwilling to believe at what he now held in his grasp. A part of him began to feel relieved that he'd passed a major hurdle. And it was only the beginning.

A rare smile lifted the corners of his lips, genuine and tranquil.

"I know."

Thanks for reading :)
Dec/2010