A/N: Hell everyone and welcome back! Are you all eager to see how things go from here? I sure hope so! But, the good news is, I really don't have anything to distract you with first, so feel free to go read!

Disclaimer: Bleach is the property of someone cooler than me. And I am jealous about that.

Soul Mates

Chapter 14: The First Day

Orihime took a deep breath as the fog of sleep slowly faded, and rolled over, onto her back, stretching her arms high above her head. She felt like she'd been asleep for days.

Wait, she realized, her arms going limp against the floor above her, I was asleep? Does…that mean it worked? Or…did I dream the whole thing?

She was almost afraid to open her eyes, but she knew there was only one way to find out. If she opened her eyes and she was still in her bedroom, then she had dreamt the entire experience. But, if she was in one of Mr. Urahara's rooms, then it had really happened.

So, carefully, Orihime blinked her eyes open, squinting at the brightness until her eyes could adjust.

And, when they did, the only things she could see were Ichigo's softly smiling face and the roof above them.

A slow smile curved her lips and, despite herself, the only thing she could think to say was, "Hi."

Ichigo's lips twitched with amusement and he replied, "Hi."

Belatedly remembering to pull her arms back to a normal position, Orihime quietly asked, "So it…really worked?"

He inclined his head and reached out, catching one of her hands in his and running his thumb across the back of her smooth skin. "Yeah, it worked," he assured her. "You're you again."

Orihime swallowed, distracted by his warm, solid touch.

"How do you feel?" Ichigo asked gently as he studied her expression for any signs of discomfort or confusion.

She hesitated with her answer, giving herself a minute to actually think about his question, before smiling laughingly and replying, "Maybe a little heavier. But otherwise fine."

Ichigo blinked at her, asking dumbly, "Heavier?"

Orihime giggled, shifting her hand so that she could hold his, and said, "The gravity's different out here I think."

He choked on a laugh, grinning now, and squeezed her hand. "I suppose that's acceptable."

For a moment neither spoke as they stared into each other's eyes. Their hands remained clasped together, resting over her stomach, and soft smiles curved their lips.

And then Orihime's smile turned into a grin and she said, "Hey, if I'm me again, do you know what that means?"

Grin returning to his own face, Ichigo tightened his hold on her hand and replied, "It means I can finally kiss you."

"Yes, it does," Orihime agreed. She lifted her free hand, reaching out for him and curling her fingers in the collar of his t-shirt.

Ichigo slipped one hand beneath her shoulders and lifted, helping her to sit up as he pulled on her other hand, and then Orihime was in his arms.

Their hands separated and Orihime curled her arms around his shoulders, letting the tips of her fingers dance along the back of his neck. Ichigo's arms wrapped properly around her, one hand splaying over her lower back and the other hand tangling in her hair behind her head.

And then their lips met, eyes falling shut, as they pressed together tentatively. Their lips tingled pleasantly, and the feeling spread throughout their bodies as their arms tightened around each other.

Orihime shifted, tilting her head slightly to the side, and Ichigo's lips moved against hers.

It was a long moment before he allowed his tongue to slip past his lips and trail along hers, but when he did she gasped against him, her lips parting acceptingly. His tongue slid inside without hesitation, and they both released muffled groans of appreciation at the new set of sensations suddenly coursing through them.

Her fingers lifted, burying themselves in his surprisingly-soft hair, and her nails accidentally scraped against his scalp when his tongue moved along hers for the first time. A strange sound bubbled up from her throat as she slid her tongue over his in response, but he seemed to like it, as his arms tightened again and his lips pressed more firmly against hers.

Ichigo was entirely lost in the new round of sensations surging within him. All of a sudden, he could easily understand why people seemed so obsessed with intimacy. He was already addicted to the taste of her, and to the sounds she was releasing.

Orihime knew nothing of the world beyond Ichigo. His kiss was as powerful as she had always known it would be, and yet it was so much more than she had expected. And she never, ever, wanted him to let her go.

But the moment was interrupted by the unexpected, loud rumbling of Orihime's stomach.

Their lips parted, Orihime's cheeks flushed for more than one reason, and their grips loosened, though neither actually released the other. And, for a moment, they simply stared into each other's eyes as they attempted to regulate their breathing.

When Orihime's stomach rumbled again, insistently, she laughed self-consciously and looked away, mumbling, "Eh, sorry…I guess I'm kind of hungry."

Ichigo's lips twitched and he leaned forward enough to press them to her forehead before murmuring, "That's alright, I figured you would be when you woke up."

She lifted her eyes back to him and smiled. "Did I miss breakfast?"

It was his turn to laugh as a brief, undeniable chuckle rumbled up from his chest. "Yeah," he assured her. "You missed lunch, too. But I'm sure no one would ask you to wait until dinner."

Orihime's eyes widened with mortification. "…What time is it?"

Still grinning with amusement, Ichigo replied, "A little after two."

She made a strangled sound and let her forehead fall onto his shoulder, squealing, "After two? I can't believe I slept that long! Why didn't you wake me up?"

Ichigo's hold shifted into a hug and he murmured, "You needed the sleep, Hime. Honestly, I'm surprised you woke up before nightfall."

"I-" Orihime began, cutting herself off when she registered what, exactly, he had just said. Her heart fluttered in her chest and her lips automatically curved back into a smile. Without thinking, she breathed, "I like when you call me that."

He froze for a second, not having realized what he'd said, but then he relaxed again and smiled at the head of auburn that was taking up his field of vision. "That's what you are, you know," he said softly. He leaned down a little and let his lips dance along the shell of her ear as he added, "My Hime."

Orihime managed to snuggle even closer to him as his words washed over her. He certainly wasn't the first to call her 'Hime' instead of 'Orihime,' but she definitely preferred his version. There was something in his voice when he said it, something she couldn't properly describe, that warmed her heart. Although she was quickly discovering that he seemed to have a corner-market on that particular feeling.

Still smiling and her head tucked against his throat, Orihime murmured, "I love you, Ichigo."

Ichigo swallowed, his thumbs rubbing circles over her back, and he whispered, "I love you, too." It was strange, and not a little surreal, to finally be saying those words. But, at the same time, it was freeing.

Orihime's stomach rumbled again, reminding them of what had interrupted their kiss, and she squeezed her eyes shut in reluctance. But Ichigo only chuckled, tightening his arms around her for a moment before loosening his hold and pulling back enough to look into her eyes.

"Come on," he said with a grin, "let's get you some food before you pass out."

Orihime laughed softly and nodded, but before she could actually allow him to pull her up her brain finally kicked in and she gasped, "Wait! I can't go out there!"

Arching a brow curiously, Ichigo asked, "Why not?"

Her cheeks flushed all over again and she pulled her hands away from him to tug at the strap-sleeves of her nightgown. "I'm not properly dressed!"

Ichigo's eyes reflexively glanced down to her outfit and he belatedly remembered what she wasn't wearing. When he swallowed again it was for an entirely different reason, and it was a moment before he found the voice to say, "Good point. But those clothes I picked up for you are right over there; I'll just wait in the hall."

Her arms fell to her lap and she smiled up at him. "Thanks," she said.

He returned her smile, leaned in, pressed his lips to her forehead again, and then pulled away and pushed to his feet. "Holler if you need me," he teased as he turned and moved toward the door.

Orihime watched until he had pulled the door shut behind him solidly, and she couldn't stop the slight grin that curved her lips when she heard the faint groan of the door, indicating that he was leaning against it. That's one way to keep everyone out, she mused with silent laughter.

She took a deep breath, then, and turned her attention to the bag of clothes that Ichigo had brought over for her. It had been incredibly embarrassing, despite the necessity of it, to have him going through her wardrobe. But she had been comforted to know that he felt much the same way. And it really had been nice of him to do that without even being asked.

Still smiling, Orihime shifted to her knees and reached out for the bag. The faster she dressed the sooner she could eat, and the sooner she ate the sooner her stomach would stop interrupting her time with Ichigo.

Orihime trailed after Ichigo as they slipped into the sitting room a few minutes later, and she wasn't at all surprised to find several of their friends there. Ichigo had told her that their friends were hanging around, and she had sensed their spiritual pressures from down the hall. But it was a little embarrassing to see them at first, knowing that they knew how and why she had been gone for the last few days.

Everyone turned to look over at the couple as they entered the room, and several pairs of lips lifted in smirks and smiles of greeting.

Rukia was the first to speak, smiling at Orihime and saying, "It's good to see you on your feet again, Orihime. How do you feel?"

Orihime laughed self-consciously, one hand lifting to the back of her head as she exclaimed, "Oh, I feel fine!"

"That's very good news," Urahara replied, calling their attention across the table. "But you should sit down! Tessai will be out momentarily with a small meal to hold you until dinner!"

"Eh, heh, thank you, Mr. Urahara," Orihime said, dropping her arm to her side and bowing faintly.

Ichigo calmly settled into his place across from the shopkeeper, keeping room open on his right for Orihime, and gestured toward the spot as he said, "Come on, sit down."

Orihime easily moved to the open seat and tucked her legs beneath her properly. Her hands landed in her lap and her eyes immediately found an interesting spot on the table.

Rukia's hand landed lightly on Orihime's shoulder as she said, "Don't be embarrassed, Orihime. We all understand what happened and, believe it or not, we're actually happy for you."

The healer lifted wide eyes to her friend, unsure of how to respond to the declaration. But, after a moment's pause, she smiled and said, "Thank you, Rukia." She turned her gaze toward the gathered group, her composure found, and added, "I'm sorry for worrying everyone."

"There's no need to apologize, Orihime," Uryuu assured her as he adjusted his glasses subconsciously. "Rukia's right; we all understand."

Renji smirked and declared, "Hell, I'd go so far as to say you even had good timing."

Orihime laughed softly and said, "Well, I am glad I was able to help."

Ichigo's hand landed over one of hers beneath the table, squeezing gently, and he turned to give her a small smile, but before he could say anything Tessai swept into the room with a plate of food.

The food was set before her and Orihime's attention was automatically drawn to it as her stomach rumbled once more. Then the food was joined by a steaming mug of tea, and Orihime said, "Thank you, Mr. Tessai."

"You're very welcome, Orihime," Tessai replied as he stepped back and moved around the group to claim his seat slightly behind Urahara.

Ichigo chuckled faintly as Orihime offered him a quick smile before focusing her attention once more on the food.

As Orihime began eating, Rukia looked past her, to Ichigo, and said, "Unfortunately, Renji and I only had permission to help out until Orihime's situation was fixed, so we're going to have to head back this afternoon."

Ichigo inclined his head, understanding, and said, "That's fine. And thanks for helping out."

Orihime paused, a bite of fish hovering in front of her mouth, and exclaimed, "Ah, but I'll have hardly gotten to see you! Do you think you'll be able to come by for a visit soon?"

Rukia returned her smile to Orihime and said, "Definitely."

By the end of the day Rukia and Renji had returned to Soul Society, and Orihime had been given a clean bill of health by Urahara. The sun was setting when Ichigo and Orihime, joined by Uryuu and Chad, stepped outside, Orihime's barely-packed duffel bag slung over Ichigo's shoulder along with his own.

The group walked together until they reached the intersection that led to Orihime's apartment and away from Urahara's shop, and then Uryuu and Chad bid their friends goodnight.

Ichigo and Orihime walked side-by-side to her apartment, their hands clasped, until they reached her door.

Orihime pulled her lip between her teeth, her hand still tucked in his, and quietly said, "It's okay if you have to go see your family. I know you've been away for a while."

Ichigo squeezed her hand pointedly and said, "Yeah, but I wasn't supposed to be home for a while still. I don't think a few more hours will hurt anything."

She turned her eyes to him, smiling slowly, and offered, "I could order us a pizza later if you want."

He scowled at her and replied, "Nope. I'm gonna take us out a little later. We are not having pizza for dinner on our first day together."

Her heart fluttered again, and Orihime briefly thought, I have got to get used to that. But she smiled brighter and nodded. "If you insist," she said.

He grinned, released her hand, and teased, "You gonna let us in?"

Orihime's cheeks flushed and she quickly dug her key out of her purse (which Ichigo had brought over along with her clothes, and kindly let her carry on her own shoulder as they'd walked). She fumbled with it for a moment before finally pushing the door open and leading the way inside.

Ichigo followed her in calmly, kicking the door shut behind him before moving to slip out of his shoes. He set down his own bag of clothes before holding hers out for her to take, saying, "I suppose you want this back now."

She grinned and accepted the bag with a nod. "Sort of," she teased. She paused, then, and added, "In fact, I think I'll go stick my nightgown in the wash real quick. Make yourself comfortable!"

He watched as she spun and darted further into her apartment to do as she'd said, and only then did he take a deep breath and step properly into the space.

It was still a little surreal to be walking around with Orihime, knowing that their relationship had changed so much. For one thing, he figured it would take a little while to get used to actually having the right to glare at all the guys who checked her out when she walked by. But he could handle that.

He was still shaking his head at himself when Orihime bounced back into the room, quickly claiming a seat beside him. And he noted with an upwards twitch of his lips that, when she sat, she sat just a little closer than she used to.

"Ichigo," she began carefully as her fingers fiddled with the fabric of her floral skirt, "I was wondering…does this mean…we're dating now?"

He chuckled at her question and curved his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side and leaning down to let his lips skim over the crown of her head. "Well, that's probably the best way to start, don't you think?"

Orihime practically melted into him, humming her agreement even as his words cycled through her head once more. She couldn't begin to describe the way she felt at the knowledge that he was exactly right; they were starting their lives together that day.

And then a stray thought popped into her head – more a memory, really – and she couldn't help but laugh softly. I guess I was wrong before, she decided. Five lifetimes wouldn't be enough.

Ichigo arched a curious brow when her soft laughter reached his ears. Tightening the arm around her shoulders, he asked, "What's so funny?"

"Eh?" Orihime asked before she realized what he meant. And then her face flushed crimson. She swallowed, finding herself playing absently with his t-shirt, and stammered, "W-well…I was just reflecting on something that I had thought a while ago…."

"What thought?" Ichigo pushed, holding her in place firmly.

"Um," she began, her fingers settling over his abdomen, "I might have decided, a while back, that I would love you for five lifetimes…. I don't really know where the number came from, it just sort of popped into my head. But, the point is, I think I was wrong. I'm pretty sure my soul will still match yours when we hit lifetime number six."

Incredibly curious, Ichigo allowed both eyebrows to lift even as his lips twitched and he angled his head to whisper, "I don't disagree. But I have to ask…where did this theory come from?"

Orihime swallowed again as she thought back to that night. She wasn't embarrassed anymore about what she had almost done while he'd been asleep, but that didn't mean it wasn't a little awkward to say aloud. And, if she were being honest, it wasn't her favorite memory.

That had been the night that had ended up leading to a long string of terrible events – many of which still plagued her nightmares from time to time.

At length, she softly replied, "Before I was taken to Hueco Mundo, I was allowed to say goodbye to one person. So I chose you." She paused, taking a breath, his arm tightened reassuringly around her, and she continued. "And it was while I was there…that I came up with my 'five lifetimes' theory."

Ichigo was glaring at the wall across from them when she finished. He honestly hadn't expected that her story would go that far back, but he supposed it was the kind of thing that would have come up eventually. And it wasn't like he hadn't known that she'd visited him before being taken to that wasteland.

But, after a long minute of remembering the series of nightmares that had followed that night, Ichigo shifted and turned enough so that he could face her. He used one hand to gently tilt her chin up and kept his other arm around her shoulders loosely.

Their eyes met and he said firmly, "Five lifetimes would never be enough. I want eternity with you at my side, and I'm not willing to settle for anything less."

Orihime stared up at him for a beat, her hands curled over his chest, and a slow smile curved her lips. "You had better be careful," she replied, voice soft and teasing. "If someone hears you talking like that, they might think you've got a ring in your pocket."

Ichigo smirked, not at all daunted by her suggestion, and he leaned closer, their breaths mingling, before he said, "Patience, Hime. We have to date first, remember?"

She giggled and slid her hands up to his shoulders, saying, "I didn't say I was talking about me, silly."

"Right," Ichigo chuckled, his lips brushing ever-so-lightly over hers.

Her eyes fluttered at the contact, and her would've-been response was forgotten as his lips returned, pressing firmly against hers this time.

Orihime's arms curled around his shoulders and Ichigo's wrapped around her back as he pulled her against him. Their lips parted simultaneously and she took the initiative, slipping her tongue into his mouth and sliding it along his.

Ichigo groaned against her as she explored him and he pulled her closer, practically crushing her body against his.

Her fingers buried themselves in his hair as she leaned completely into him, losing herself in the kiss. He was letting her control it, despite the fire that was obviously coursing through his veins, and that knowledge only fueled her own passion.

Restraint, he decided, was going to be his biggest problem for the foreseeable future. Because having her in his arms like this, so tight against him that he could feel every curve of her body and she could undoubtedly feel every ridge and plane of his, only made him want her closer.

It was only their second real kiss, and already he was having difficulty remembering why he shouldn't pull her to the floor and discard the clothing that separated them.

And when his control finally slipped, and his tongue swept over hers and into her mouth, Orihime mewled against him, shifting just enough to rub along the length of his body unintentionally.

But the results of her shifting coursed through them both, causing their lips to separate enough for them to moan aloud, and Ichigo bowed his head slightly, trailing his kisses along her jaw and down the sleek line of her throat.

"Ichigo," Orihime moaned as her head fell back and his tongue slid along her neck tantalizingly.

Her throaty, breathless moan tore through him, and Ichigo clamped his lips over her pulse-point instinctively. He sucked on the sensitive skin and she arched against him, another moan slipping from her lips.

But, as he laved the skin at the base of her neck, he knew he needed to stop. They couldn't take that step yet (no matter how much he wanted to), and they were obviously well on their way as his lips and tongue trailed along the contours of her skin.

"Hime," Ichigo murmured, his lips still brushing the skin of her neck, "maybe we should go to dinner a little early."

Orihime hummed against him for a moment, still too lost in the feeling of his caress to register his words. When he pulled away from her skin, however, and lifted his head to look into her hooded eyes, she finally realized what he'd said.

She loosened her hold on his hair slightly, taking a deep breath to cool her blood, and managed, "I'm not hungry."

Ichigo smirked, leaning in for a brief, lingering kiss before pulling back again and saying, "Don't tempt me, Hime. I don't have that kind of willpower."

She grinned, her fingers dancing again through the edges of his hair, and said, "You have amazing willpower, actually. I've seen it in action lots of times."

"Yeah, well, you're beating the crap out of it," he replied.

Orihime shifted her hold into a hug, leaning forward and letting her head rest beside his as she whispered, "Hypocrite."

He chuckled, running his hands along her spine, and reluctantly loosened his hold on her. "I want to at least start this off right. That means dinner first."

She pulled back, letting her hands land again on his shoulders, and smiled as she said, "Okay, if you insist."

Ichigo grinned and rocked back before pushing to his feet and holding out a hand for her. "I hope you were lying when you said you weren't hungry."

"Well," she hedged as she accepted his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet, "I imagine I could eat."

He chuckled, holding her in place once she was standing, and losing himself in her eyes all over again.

It was several minutes before they left her apartment.

To Be Continued…

A/N: Heehee, yes, it's true, that last scene ran away with me…I just couldn't help myself! But I hope you enjoyed this chapter! And, of course, I hope you'll tell me just how much you enjoyed it before you go rushing off to the next one! ^_~