Falling in Love in a Coffee Shop

A/N: aww, you guys, I'm soo sorry! I've been under a lot of stress lately especially because I'm an awkward uke and am having trouble acknowledging my girlfriend's existence, leading to problems, leading to stress... so I apologize. And I will definitely not be updating regularly. Lots of homework, y'see. Oh well, I'm sure you can all be patient.

Thanks to...sigh, I am much too stressed to write down everybody's names. Forgive the uke please. Thanks to everyone who faved or reviewed...sigh...

~Nana

Chapter 10

Memory

All of the while I never knew

*1 1/2 YEAR BEFORE RUKIA*

Ichigo smiled at the orange-haired girl as she flew into a hug. "Ichigo~!" she chirped. "Are you off duty yet?"

"I have ten more minutes, baby," Ichigo told her with a tolerant grin.

"I caaaan't wait that long," Orihime complained.

"You're going to have to," Ichigo told her, rubbing her back with one hand, hefting a tray of drinks with the other.

She reluctantly let go, dancing off to the back room to chat with Uryuu. Ichigo handed off the drinks, bouncing on his toes. He felt its ominous weight in the pocket of his jeans. Today was the day. Orihime would be so happy.

When he walked out of the door, it was with Orihime. She grinned at him and asked where they were going, rubbing her chest up against his side.

"Somewhere special," Ichigo told her.

He sat her down on a bench outside the bar. "Aren't we going in?" she asked innocently.

"No, baby. I wanted to ask you something." Ichigo got down on one knee and pulled out the ring. "Orihime Inoue, I love you. Will you marry me?"

"Ooooh!" Orihime squealed, pouncing on the ring. "It's gorgeous! Thank you, Ichigo! Oh, yes, I'll marry you!" She looked up into his eyes. "Can we go play now?"

"Yes," Ichigo said, laughing, a great weight off his shoulders. "We can go play now."

*A LITTLE WHILE AFTER*

"Ichigo, we should stay away from each other for a while," Orihime said to her ring. She twisted her wrist, watching the light catch and make it sparkle.

"What? Why?" Ichigo shot up.

"Because I'm so happy if I see you I'll give away the secret!" Orihime giggled. She kissed his neck. "Come on, relaaax. I love you, remember?"

"Right," Ichigo said. "Hey, you asked your brother, right?"

"Mhm!" Orihime said cheerfully. "He said he was okay with it! Kiss me!"

*NOW*

Ichigo knew now that Orihime's brother had been dead at the time.

He would ask Byakuya himself, of course. No use getting cheated again.

One fear over another, defeated. As Ichigo waited for the special order to come from the back office, he barely fidgeted. This was what he wanted. And surely Rukia wanted it too, right?

"Here you go, sir," the attendant said, handing him a box.

Ichigo opened it. The engagement ring was pretty, but never as pretty as she was.

A/N: apologies for another really, really short chapter. Stress...it doesn't allow me to write well! Expect another chapter in the next few days! And hopefully longer!

By the way, Fear Garden? Vocaloid. Haven't heard of it? Search 'Miku Hatsune' on YouTube and have fun. :D

Reviews are loved. (Sorry, again :U)