So this is the final chapter to this story! So sorry for the wait everyone! I hope this chapter satisfies you all C: I enjoyed writing this story! Also, please keep an eye out for any other stories that I plan on doing after C: Suggestions would be lovely too for drabbles/stories! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed/favourited/followed this story!

Without further ado, here's the last chapter C:

It had been a few weeks since Ichigo had saved Orihime from drowning. But to him, it felt like a lifetime. Between remembering the horrible way his mother had died and almost losing yet another precious person, he was exhausted. Not just physically.

But emotionally as well.

However, he had no one to blame but himself.

He had acted rash, not thinking of how to tell Orihime his feelings without hurting her. But he knew that it was pointless. Either way, she would've been hurt. If not by his silence, but by his own tongue. And though he hated hurting her, it seemed that was all he was good at.

He shouldn't have made her that promise if he couldn't have kept it.

And now, here he was, at his mother's grave, contemplating what he should do. Or rather, how to do it.

Orihime had talked to him as though nothing was wrong. She would still wave at him and yell "Good Morning Kurosaki-kun!" every morning. But he knew it wasn't her real smile. It was forced, because she didn't want anyone to know what had happened.

And so, her facade began. And it hurt him so much to know that her once radiant smile was no more.

Sighing, he ruffled his hair with his hand, standing awkwardly in front of his mom's grave. He wasn't one for talking to someone who was dead. Though he did know in his heart that his mom heard his words, there was no indication of her showing any signs that she did.

"Mom... What should I do?"

"Why do you look so down my boy?" You know your mother won't like seeing your ugly mug with that expression."

His eyes widened before he turned around, to see none other than his father, a goofy grin on his face.

"D-d-dad... What are you-?"

"What? Can't I come and pay respects to Masaki without being questioned? Or perhaps you feel there's a different reason for my coming here of all places."

Taking a cigarette out of his pocket, he lit the smoke before placing it to his lips. Exhaling, he turned to his son.

"Well, you'd be right on the second part. I figured you came here. You always had a habit of coming here when you were confused."

Silence reigned over the two Kurosakis. Ichigo's gaze had returned to his mother's grave. He sighed.

"Dad... Mom would be so disappointed in me right now."

Isshin's eyebrow rose. "Why would she be disappointed in you son?"

"I'm such an idiot... For hurting her. I don't deserve her... And yet..."

"You want her?"

Lifting his gaze to his dad's serious one, he nodded.

"Badly."

Isshin could see how sincere and honest Ichigo was. Obviously something big happened that had changed his mind about liking the girl he was talking about. He was glad his son had finally seen through the dark and opened his heart to someone else.

"You know my boy, Masaki would only be disappointed in you if you ran away from how you felt. But seeing as you're here, admitting this to me, makes it seem like you're willing to give it a try."

Ichigo blinked. Before he could ask, his father continued.

"You finally opened your heart and let someone else in. I don't know who it was, but it's clear to me son that you're ready to commit to this girl. Even if you feel that she deserves better, you're willing to make it work with her. Masaki would never be disappointed in you, Ichigo. In fact, she'd be really happy. Because at least you're trying."

His eyes widened. His father's words had sunk into his brain, and a warm feeling enveloped his heart. He could feel a light presence behind him, knowing very well it was his mother agreeing with his dad.

"Ichigo, if you don't want to disappoint Masaki, disappoint me, then fight for what you want. You're never going to get what you want if you just give up. It takes time and effort, son. There's going to be mistakes. What the important thing is, you've learned from them. Don't let any mistakes you've made go in vain Ichigo. They're there to show you the right way. Listen to what your heart says. It knows best."

Taking another puff from his cigarette, Isshin exhaled before sighing again. He looked at his son who had a smile on his face. He blinked before looking at his wife's grave.

"Thanks old man."

With that, Ichigo left a stunned Isshin behind, knowing what he had to do.

.

.

.

Orihime had come home from the sewing club. Apparently, there was a huge competition a couple weeks away and they had to fully prepare. Uryu was being very kind to her, obviously not prying into her personal business. Though he probably had a vague idea of what happened between her and Ichigo, he didn't show any sign of asking about it. Which made her really grateful.

Sitting down on her couch, she felt antsy. None of her favourite shows were on, so the tv was kept off. Staring up at the ceiling, she sighed before placing herself on her back. So much had happened in the past couple weeks.

While her and Ichigo were somewhat back to normal, she still couldn't help but feel sad. Ichigo didn't act different from how he normally did. Though the memories of him holding her against his chest still burned in her mind. The way he held her so delicately, and whispered her name in sadness...

It made her cry all over again.

Flipping onto her stomach, she had buried her face in the cushion, and she began to sob. Her hands clutched at the soft fabric, as though it was his shirt. Imagining the couch was really him just holding her... Oh how she hated herself. If she had known that loving him would've been this painful, she wouldn't have fallen in love.

Or that's what she told herself.

Her heart knew the truth. She would always love Kurosaki Ichigo. No person or thing would change her mind. Did that make her a bad person?

Sighing, she tried to get a hold of herself before the sound of knocking clicked into her mind. She had no idea who it was or how long they had been knocking for, so she quickly got off her couch to answer the door.

It was Ichigo.

Her eyes widened in shock. She should've been able to sense him! So why didn't she?

"Inoue. We need to talk."

Not trusting her voice, she nodded before moving out of his way to let him in. However, Ichigo had other plans. His arms had reached out and pulled her into him. Too stunned to do anything, she stared at his shoulder, not registering the door being shut by his foot or him directing them to the middle of her living room.

"Kuro- Kurosaki-ku..."

"Inoue... I'm such an idiot."

Blinking, she looked into his face, seeing his fierce brown eyes blazing. She knew Ichigo was a serious person. And just by looking at him, she knew better than to argue or even try talking at this moment. So she just stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

Moving his hands to her shoulders, Ichigo looked at the carpet. He closed his eyes before taking a deep breath and opened them to stare her right in the face. Seeing her attention was on him, it gave him the courage he needed to explain everything.

Especially his feelings.

"I know I haven't been the best friend to you. I completely ignored your feelings, not realizing just how hard it was for you to love me. I was too focused on just my friends and being a soul reaper to even think about having a girlfriend. I've never been a normal kid. In fact, I really am a good-for-nothing-punk. Because I hurt you, Inoue."

He heard her gasp. Clearly she was going to disagree with him, but he continued to talk. "I promised you that I'd protect you. Yet I couldn't protect you from myself. And I feel like shit because had I known sooner, I would've recognized my own feelings. Today, I realized that I had been running away from how I felt. But I'm finally going to accept them."

The way his eyes blazed with confidence and reassurance made her heart melt.

"And hopefully... you can accept.. mine."

Her eyes had widened to the point where he wasn't sure if they'd pop out. She had opened her mouth then closed it at least five times.

A loud smack had been heard within the few miles of the residence.

Ichigo's eyes widened at the sight. "I-I-Inoue! Why would you smack yourself?"

She blinked before looking up at him, a smile across her face. "I wanted to make sure it wasn't a dream."

He almost fainted at the sight. Oh how she looked so cute! "Inoue, I wouldn't lie about my feelings. Why would you think it wasn't real?"

"Because, I always thought Kurosaki-kun loved Kuchiki-san."

He gawked at her. "Y-y-you thought I l-l-loved R-R-Rukia?!" He yelled in disbelief.

She nodded "Un! You guys were so close. And she was able to help you with all your problems. It was like you two were dating.."

Shaking his head in disbelief, he replied "I only think of her as a sister. To think I would love her..." He shuddered at the thought.

She blinked before smiling. "You guys would've been a cute couple though."

Ichigo facepalmed. "Orihime, I would never love Rukia like that. I only love you! Get that thought out of your head right now! I will never love her like that. She has Renji!"

Grabbing her face, he spelled it out, "I l-o-v-e y-o-u O-r-i-h-i-m-e! You got that?!"

Giggling, she looked up at him, "Yes sir!"

Scowling, he pulled her to his lips, effectively silencing her. Orihime kissed him back, her smile never leaving her pretty face.

Pulling away, he held her close, not wanting to leave her side.

If there was one thing he learned that day, it was that his Princess needed a huge reality check.

And he was going to show her everyday just how much he loved her. And not that midget she claimed he loved more than her.