Hello all! I finally got around finishing typing this chapter. I'm glad how this chapter turned out but felt like there wasn't much going on. I kinda wanted there to more seriousness to the plot and decided to add some elements earlier than expected. There are some things that I wanted to change up and wanted to add more depth to Ichigo's character plus I felt that all my chapters are too short so I tried to make this one longer to see how it goes. I felt so mean typing this as I made Ichigo suffer XD Anyways I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please R&R Thanks again!
Chapter 3
Orihime POV
I sat stiff and frightened in my bed, shivering. Those—people, do I know them? They –seem familiar, even though I've never met them before. I felt a pit in my stomach and my stomach started to ache. I shook my head to bury the new haunting dream from my mind and hopped out of bed. I took out my school uniform, got dressed, packed my school bag, and then closed my bedroom door. I snuck steadily into the family room where Ichigo slept and went into the kitchen. I rummaged through the fridge and made a quick lunch of wasabi beans and bread and looked at the time. Oh jeez its 7:30, I'm gonna be late. I poured cold milk into a mug and chugged it down before taking the little pill I needed. Finally I placed the dirty mug into the sink and dashed out of the kitchen. As I was heading out the door, Ichigo grunted in his sleep and I jumped from being startled. I froze with my hand on the handle and the other halfway into my shoe. I turned back and looked at Ichigo and gazed at his suggestive sleeping position, after a moment of staring I blushed.
His right hand rested on his forehead while his left hung over the edge of the sofa reaching the floor, seeing as how lean and long his arms were. His chest was bear exposing his abdomen and built torso. His head rested, slightly tilted to the right with a scowl on his face. His long legs stretched out and hung over the end of the arm of the sofa. I giggled quietly to myself at his funny yet cute expression and ran out the door. He's not as bad as he seems. I smiled to myself as I jogged most of the way to school. I eventually reached the school and burst opened the door into my homeroom class. Some students stared at the commotion then returned to their activities and talking.
"Orihime didn't I tell you not to run to school?" Warned a black hair teen.
"Sorry Tatsuki, I didn't mean to, I just lost track of time." I humbly apologized.
"Honestly you're so clumsy; you could've tripped and really hurt yourself. Damn girl just pace yourself. Don't make me worry." She confessed while patting my head. I smiled at her simple act of concern and affection.
"Stop worrying so much, I'll be fine." I reassured. The bell rung and the next moment the teacher burst into the room.
"Alright, Alright, take your seats." Barked Yoruichi sensei. She took attendance as usual and the long math class begun.
I sat attentively taking notes as the teacher taught and I paused to look out the window. The school grounds were quite due to the early morning and the sun was bright. I wonder what—Ichigo is doing? I hope he's okay. Last night was so weird the way he was acting and –what he said. I wonder who he was talking about. Saving him. Who could have—
"Inoue!"
"Sorry!" I blurted out. A couple of students laughed at my outburst and the teacher scowled.
"I said stop day dreaming and answer the following question."
"S-Sorry."
The rest of the morning passed by in a breeze until last period before lunch.
"Come on Orihime! Hurry up and get dressed, you know how annoying Urahara –sensei gets when we're late!" Tatsuki teased.
"I-I'm coming!" I gritted through my teeth as I struggled with my shorts. I dashed out of the change room and outside into the school yard chasing after Tatsuki.
"All right, finally all of you lovely ladies made it." He joked while gazing at me and Tatsuki.
"Okay why don't we start with five laps around the track as warm up?" He cheered enthusiastically. The whole class groaned with frustration and everyone spread out onto the track. As I was about to line up, Mr. Urahara placed a firm hand on my shoulder.
"You don't need to push yourself Inoue, two laps will do just fine." He smiled.
"Y-yes Urahara-sensei." I mumbled. This is so frustrating.
After the long gym class, the bell finally ran for lunch and everyone sprinted back inside the change rooms. I steadily changed into my uniform and walked out with Tatsuki.
"Hey Orihime." A raven haired girl called from behind us. I turned around and smiled.
"Hey Rukia! What are you doing coming to school at lunch?" I asked.
"Well, my brother had a meeting in Tokyo with some patient with a rare sickness, se we had to drive there and back." She explained.
"So how did it go?" Tatsuki said.
"It was really boring for me, but onii-san always has work to do so it's nice to just be able to come back."
"Being a sister of a famous doctor must be tiring." I suggested.
"Not really."
The three of us continued our conversation as we made our way back to our classroom. We slid the classroom door open and sat at our usual spots talking animatedly about Rukia's trip until a girl burst into our classroom excitedly.
"Did you see him!? There's this really hot guy on the second floor. I think he's looking for somebody!" The girl giggled.
"Really? I think I saw him too! He's tall, has bright colored hair and looks angry right?"
No way. It can't be. I jolted up from my seat and walked towards them.
"You said he was on the second floor right?" I urged.
"Y-yeah."
I ran out the classroom and heard Tatsuki call out after me. I ran down the stairs bumping into students, not looking where I was going. I turned my head left and right staying attentive and alert while looking at all directions. I ran to the first floor near the show lockers until I saw a familiar bright orange head. I dashed to him and grabbed his arm from behind.
"Wow! There you are. Looks like you found me first." He sung playfully.
"What are you doing—here?" I panted.
"What do you think? Looking for you." He grunted.
"How did you know—"
"You're sexy uniform gave you away sweetheart." He teased suggestively. My cheeks burned and I felt my blood boil.
"What's with you? One minute you act murderous then sad." I questioned. He froze and his eyes suddenly become cold.
"What's going on?" I turned around and saw a figure standing near the shoe lockers. He had short dark hair, glasses and cold eyes.
"Ishida-kun. N-nothing, everything's okay." I assured.
"Are you okay Inoue-san?"
"Yes I'm –" Ichigo grabbed my wrist and pulled me slightly.
"Who are you? Who do you think you are coming here so boldly and harassing Inoue?" Uryu argued in a cold, firm tone.
Ichigo pulled me closer so that my back faced him and his right snuck around my waist and his face near the back of my neck.
"I'm her boyfriend. Do you have a problem with it four eyes?" Ichigo hissed.
"Yes in fact I do." Uryu retorted back.
"Boyfriend?" I interjected."Ishida-kun it's alright this is just a misunderstanding."
"Aww, come on Orihime, you don't need to be so humble. Tell him, you don't need to be so shy." Ichigo softly teased.
My cheek burned from frustration and at his close proximity to my face. His hand tightened around my waist and I felt the back of my neck burn from Ichigo's breath.
"That's enough! I don't know who the hell you are but you can't just burst into this school claiming your Inoue's boyfriend!" Uryu exclaimed with anger.
"Why not? Got a problem with it bookworm?" Ichigo taunted.
Uryu's face darkened, his expression turned from pissed to murderous.
"What nerd face, you wanna go?"
"ORIHIME!" Tatsuki interrupted. She ran past Uryu and stopped a few feet in front of me and Ichigo. "Who the hell are you and what are you doing to Orihime?" Tatsuki demanded.
"AH! Fun's over. I'm getting bored already. I'll see ya back at home, Hime-chan." He sung. He turned around and walked out of the school. Uryu, Tatsuki and I stood in confusion.
"Wait, see you at home?" Tatsuki interjected. "Orihime what the hell is going on? Who was that?"
"Please Tatsuki—don't worry, I'll explain everything later." I called out as I chased after Ichigo.
What the hell does he think he's doing? I ran faster and turned around the street corner and spotted Ichigo.
"Ichigo! Wait hold on." I panted. I finally caught up to him and he stopped to wait for me.
"What –were you trying to prove by coming to my school? What were you thinking?" I urged.
He smirked then grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards his chest. He hugged me softly and whispered in my ear.
"I wanted to see you."
I blushed at his words and my heart fluttered. We stood in silence for a few minutes as we embraced, then he gently let go but still held onto my hand.
"We—should—get home." I sputtered.
He let go of my hand and I looked at him briefly to figure out what he was thinking. His expression was both sad and defensive. We walked the rest of the way in silence and I avoided looking at his face. As we went inside my apartment I went into my room and shut the door. What was that? I walked over to my bed and sat down in a haze. Suddenly I remembered I had something to do. Crap! I have a doctor's appointment today at 4:00. I ran out of my room and into the family room where Ichigo sat quietly.
"Ichigo, I have something I need to do. I forgot can you wait till I get back? Just make yourself whatever you want when you get hungry." I suggested.
I quickly grabbed my wallet, put on my shoes and ran out the door. I can't believe I almost forgot even though I told the teacher I had to leave early! I jogged most of the way to the hospital in order to get there on time. I burst inside and ran to the reception desk.
"H-hello my name is Orihime Inoue and I have an appointment with Byakuya Kuchiki at four."
"He'll be with you any moment. Please wait at the seating area."
"Thank you."
I sat down and waited patiently for my name to be called.
"The doctor will see you know." A nurse said.
I went inside his office and Mr. Kuchiki was at his desk. I sat down in the chair near the bed and the nurse shut the door.
"It's good to see you Inoue-san. How are you feeling today?" He asked.
"I'm fine. The pain has subsided a bit." I explained.
"Let me take your blood pressure and heart rate. Please lift your shirt."
I took off my uniform coat and lifted my dress shirt slightly. He took out his stethoscope and gently placed the end over my chest. The cold metal shocked me and I waited as he listened to my heart beat.
"It seems a bit irregular. Have you been running or exercising recently?" He questioned.
"Um… yes this morning in gym class and just now as I was coming here." I confessed. Mr. Kuchiki looked slightly angry as he took the stethoscope out of his ears.
"You mustn't over exert yourself Inoue-san. I told you before to be more careful. I know that is may be difficult but you must refrain from vigorous activities." He scolded.
"Y-yes."
He took out a sphygmomanometer and wrapped it around my right arm. He squeezed the blub and the inflatable cuff squeezed my arm tightly to cut off my circulation. He wrote down a few things on his clipboard and went to his desk. After taking off the inflatable cuff from my arm he told me to sit as he wrote a few things down. Finally he handed me a pink slip.
"Everything seems to be fine. Just please be more attentive to stay away from any form of physical activity for at least a week." He concluded.
"Yes, thank you Dr. Kuchiki." I bowed.
"I'll see you in a week."
Ichigo's POV
All I want to do is be near her, to protect her. I keep finding myself being drawn to her no matter how hard I resist. It's always been like this.
"Thank you Dr. Kuchiki." I heard her say as she left.
"Are you going to come out or are you planning on staying there for the rest or your life?" Byakuya taunted. I stepped out from behind the curtains of the bed and stood in front of him, angry.
"You know you can't keep coming here. I've warned you multiple times already that by doing this I'm breaking the privacy of my patient's visitations." He disclosed.
"I know that." I muttered. He observed me then continued.
"How much longer are you going to make yourself suffer? Isn't it time for you to move on? She has." He proposed.
"I—can't. I won't." I hissed.
"So you choose to continue to suffer."
"I would rather suffer the pain of remembering than loose her!" I snapped. He was silent for a few minutes then spoke.
"Listen to me very closely Ichigo. She is fragile, her mind is in pieces. If you continue to persist in forcing her past her limits, I will not stand back idly. As her doctor I will put an end to your rash actions if needed." He threatened. His eyes were dark and felt ominous. I walked towards the door and paused before leaving.
"I won'tlose her again." I slammed the door and left the hospital infuriated.
I can't just stand by anymore. I've waited too long. I felt my anger rise at Byakuya's threat and proceeded towards Orihime's apartment. I went inside the apartment complex and up the elevator. When I was standing in front of her apartment door my body froze from fear, sadness and guilt. How much longer will this last? I mustered up all the courage I had and opened the door. I noticed Orihime's shoes by the door and smelt a sweet aroma coming from the kitchen. There Orihime was stirring a pot of soup.
"Ichigo what happened? You were gone when I came back." She questioned.
"Yeah, sorry. I was bored here so I went out for a bit." I lied.
She turned her attention back to the soup and I sat at the kitchen table. Seeing her like this, so peaceful, it's disgusting. I felt this sudden urge to grab hold of her and never let go. How much longer do I have to wait? When will she look at me like she did before? I abruptly stood up and walked towards her.
"Ichigo?"
Don't call my name when you don't even know who I am! I grabbed her from behind and hugged her. Her slender back rested against my chest and her small hands were in mine as I held onto her tenderly. I can't hold back anymore.
"What are you—."
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can hold back anymore. I can't stand the idea of you leaving me behind." I blurted.
"You're—not making any sense." She whimpered as she struggled to escape my grasp.
"Please—just let me stay like this for a while." I begged.
She immediately stopped squirming and let her arms loosen. We stood in silence and I smelt her fresh sent. I longed for her touch, her smile and above all her love. I squeezed her tighter and felt her flinch from my sudden action. After a few minutes I slowly loosened my hold on her.
"I'm sorry."
I walked to the bathroom then shut the door leaving Orihime bewildered in the kitchen. What am I doing? I crouched onto the floor and sat near the bathtub. I punched the wall with my fist and felt all the pain of my past rush up. Why am I breaking down now? It's been so long since then. I closed my eyes and felt my chest ache as I let my mind wonder to my past.
Flashback~
The little girl sprinted through the cool grass, flowers surrounded the garden. The radiant colours made the garden look bright and peaceful. She ran and the breeze brushed by her, causing her auburn hair to flow and follow her as she ran; the scrawny boy following her as he chased after her. The bright sun filled the air and the trees danced in the wind. The girl stopped and the boy finally caught up. They panted from exhaustion and let gravity pull them down to the grass. They lay peacefully while holding each other's hands and staring up at the clear blue sky.
"Hey Inoue?" said the boy.
"Hmm…" She casually mumbled.
"When we grow up, do you still think we'll be friends?" The bright haired boy asked in concern.
He turned his head to the right and the grass ruffled under his weight. Inoue lay on his right and turned to face him in confusion; he hair following her graceful movements.
"Yeah! Of course we'll always be friends!" She cheered.
She smiled trying to reassure the young boy. He frowned slightly; his golden eyes piercing hers.
"Orihime, do you want to be with me? Do you—like me?
"Of course!" She giggled. "We'll get married!" She laughed sweetly.
His cheeks turned light pink and he pouted his lips.
"Jeez you don't have to say it out loud." He pouted in embarrassment.
He squeezed her hand tighter in his grasp and leaned closer so that their foreheads touched. He closed his eyes and whispered softly to her.
"It's a promise."
.
.
.
.
Chapter 4 END
Yay! Another chapter finished! I really like how this chapter turned out! Although it did feel kinda slow and too serious but I wanted to start with the rise of the plot. I wanted this chapter to include Ichigo's REAL personality and some seriousness. I also hinted at a few things with Orihime and Ichigo so I hope you caught on! I would also like to add that I tried to keep Ichigo's personality from previous chapters intact but start to move away from him being silly. Later in the chapter I wanted to hint at some things and I really tired hard to make Ichigo resemble himself like he does in the manga. I really hope that this chapter was entertaining enough! I felt kinda mean by making Ichigo suffer but I wanted to! Anyways please feel free to send me a message on some suggestions or comments you may have! Thanks again and I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did.