Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.
April 12, 2009
pulchritude \PUL-kruh-tood\, noun
That quality of appearance which pleases the eye; beauty
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July 7th. The seventh day of the seventh month. Today was the celebration of.....
"Tanabata!"
Faces turned around at the sudden outburst, displeased with the break of silence.
"Orihime! That's the third time this week. Are you sure you're okay?" asked Orihime's teacher, Ms. Ochi.
Orihime looked around at the faces around her, feeling out of place and on the spot, and blushed. "I-.... I'm sorry! I'll be sure it won't happen again!"
Ms. Ochi sighed and turned back to the blackboard, where she continued the day's math lesson with the students following, scribbling into their notebooks. Orihime let out a breath of air and exhaled, looking down onto her desk, her mind blogged in a haze wondering why she had been screaming Tanabata in class for the past three days after she snapped out of her daydreams.
Maybe it'll end tonight, she thought. I've probably just been too excited about the festival! Yeah, that's probly it!
Or so she thought.........
Walking through the streets of Karakura, Orihime silently admired the decorations and the booths for the annual Tanabata festival while humming a tune. She looked on as mothers hung paper lanterns whilst their children played nearby in the traditional kimono that was most proper to wear for the festival. She turned her head over and saw various restaurants stock up on ingredients for old-fashioned goodies that were always on-sale every year during the festival, and trinket shops setting up a display of items that would be on sale in just a few hours. Orihime always liked to look about and indulge in the beauty of the magical fiesta.
But what she loved even more was the legend itself.
As Orihime neared and turned the corner at the end of the block, she spotted a certain orange-haired boy walking along the sidewalk of the streets.
Orihime POV
I looked on in front of me as Ichigo continued on walking. I feel like I should say hi, but another part of me is telling me to stay away and wait for tonight. But I should! I really think that I should! So I quicken my pace, throwing my arms behind my back, where they meet and hold my bag as I put a smile on my face. I can do it! I say to myself. But everytime I get near Ichigo, I always panic, and I run out of things to say! And all I notice is Ichigo's beautiful face, and the scowl that seems so forever permanent.... I really wonder what he this thinking, when he sees a silly girl like me cowering in front of him, like when -
"Orihime! What are you doing?"
He's noticed me! Oh, Orihime, say something! Say how much you like it when he says your name, or how you like his scowl and his messy orange hair! Or you can always do what Tatsuki said a long time ago and pull him into a dark alley! Wait.... What did I just say to myself?
"Orihime? Orihime, can you hear?"
I see him standing there, waiting for me as I gaze up at the sky, planning on what I'm going to say. I can feel his words cut through my soul, tearing apart my mind, body, heart, and soul, all feeling a strong desire for some part of Ichigo.... But now's your chance! Say hello!
"Orihime? Can you -"
"Oh! Ichigo! I'm sorry, I must have been daydreaming." I smile, but all that I can see is the worry in his face.
"Orihime! You know that's dangerous! Haven't you learned your lesson the last time?" I hear him sigh and look up into the heavens. But yes, Ichigo, I do remember when that time when a car had almost hit me. I was glad that you remember, too, and that you were so worried about me. And Rukia, too! If she hadn't been there and if you haven't looked so handsome that day, I would kissed you on the cheek!
I catch myself on the next breath..... What did I just say?
"Um... Ichigo! Are you coming to the festival tonight? I hear they're going to have fireworks!"
I can hear my own heart pulse and the heat rising to my face, waiting for his answer, hoping that he'll say yes....
"I wasn't planning on it, but... Orihime.... Do you want to go together?"
I feel all of my insides drop to the ground. I can't breathe, my heart has stopped working, and I can feel the butterflies flutter in my stomach. Did Ichigo just ask me to go to the Tanabata festival with him? But I'm going to say yes, of course!
"I-Ichigo.... O-Of course I'll go with you!" I giggle. I didn't even notice when we had stopped walking. A relieved expression escapes from Ichigo's face, and it makes me feel warm inside, knowing that I made Ichigo happy. As he speaks, he smiles at me, one of the warmest, heart-filling smiles that Ichigo had given me.
"Are you sure, Orihime? 'Cause you know, my crazy family will be there, and I wouldn't want them to assume anything, especially my father."
His face loses that smile he once had just a few moments ago and is replaced with a frown. I can feel a piece of my heart crumble and fall into the depths of Earth, burning in the fiery lava. But all I do is smile.
"I-It's no problem, Ichigo. But I would still really like to go."
His face once again fills with passion and excitement, as if he wasn't expecting my answer after his reply. But why would Ichigo do such a thing?
He gives me another smile and says, "I'll pick you up at 7," and continues walking towards home.
Ichigo POV
Ichigo, you stupid jerk! Why would tell her that you didn't want your family to 'assume anything'? But don't worry, Orihime. I made you happy.... And I like it better when I see you smiling, and it makes me even happier to know that I was the one who made happy. Back in Hueco Mundo, all that I could remember is your sad face, but then I saw your face when you saw me and it filled me with.... Hope. Yes, Orihime, you give me hope. Hope for a better future. Hope for a better life. All that I can think of now is seeing your beautiful face.... The day you disappeared, I thought I would never see you again, and it made me so angry! I knew you wouldn't betray any of your friends like that, Orihime, and here you are now.... I won't let you down!
I wander through the backway of Karakura to Orihime's apartment to save time. I admit, it did take longer, but if it's for Orihime, anything is worth it. I near her apartment and climb the steps, slowly breathing in and out, and making sure that my feet don't get tangled in the long kimono. As I reach the top, I take on last breath and knock on her door. I don't hear any footsteps, but the door suddenly opens and Orihime is standing there, not dressed in kimono.
"Ichigo! I'm so sorry! I thought you weren't going to dress up so I decided not to because I thought we would look silly together! Please, come in and I'll go change," she proclaims, a blush filling her face, making her more beautiful than ever.
I laugh. "It's fine, Orihime. Let's just go to the festival!"
As I walk in after her, she turns around and smiles.
"Oh, no, Ichigo. I can't make you go all dressed up while I'm just wearing regular clothes! But I promise that I won't be long!"
Orihime POV
As I enter the bathroom with my new clothes in my arms and shut the door, I close my eyes and slowly fall onto the floor. I imagine Ichigo's face once more as the light hit his face, feeling my body tingle with pleasure and joy. I also notice that he has good taste in kimono! The way the navy blue material wraps around his body makes my heart skip a beat, thinking to myself, Did this man really choose me to go to Tanabata with? I can't help but shake off the feeling that Ichigo is waiting for me outside, and that I must hurry so that he doesn't wait long!
I pull myself up off of the floor and quickly throw off my t-shirt, and then my jeans. I look at myself in the mirror and notice that something is missing. As I continue to think about what, I open the cupboard that is attached to my sink and find just what I was missing: hair ornaments. I quickly pull them out and place them gently on the counter. These were the ones that I wore every year to Tanabata, and I never tire of wearing them. As I set the last one down, I reach for my kimono and hold it out in front of me, watching as the lavendar colored silk flowed all the way down to the floor, just like a waterfall.
After I put the robe on that goes under, I put my arms into the sleeves and then wrapped the fabric around my waist, tieing it tightly with a dark colored obi. Once I was finished changing, I looked into the mirror. I can't help but notice how beautiful I look.... If only Sora could see me now.
I pick up one of the hair ornaments and pull back my hair, placing it smoothly into its layers. I put the next one in, and then the next one. Now, I say to myself, I am ready to go the festival. I look at myself one last time, and turn off the light and open the door.
Ichigo POV
Orihime's apartment is very humble. She doesn't have much, but I do notice a lot of things that must make her life bearable. But most of all, I notice her reiatsu. The place is filled with it.... I can feel it as my arm lies on her table, and I can also feel it in the air; it's just everywhere! If I didn't ask Orihime to go to the festival, I would have asked to stay here instead. Just feeling her all around me makes my body and mind feel at ease....
Hey, king! You should do just that! And while your at it, why don't you let me have a go?
"You really get on my damn nerves some times!" I say out loud. I silently note that I pray Orihime didn't hear my little outburst. But as I think about my inner hollow's words, another side of me doesn't mind but only wishes to do what he exactly means.
As I continue waiting, I hear a creak in the distance and turn to face the noise. As I look in the direction of the bathroom, I can see it open slowly, and the next thing to pop in my mind is how stunning Orihime looks tonight.... The way the silk wraps around her body makes her curves stand out, pleasing my mind and my inner hollow. I continue to look as she approaches me, only to find her more beautiful than she was just a few seconds ago. I can't help but think of her smile, and most of all, her kindness. Orihime truly is the most wonderful creature in any dimension.
"Ichigo... Are you ready?"
Tonight in the town of Karakura, bright lights filled the city as the Tanabata festival had officially begun. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, lovers and all traveled from street vendor to street vendor, or walking through displays set up by local artists, illustrating the weaver princess and the sheep herder. Laughter filled the air as children played games. Stomachs were filled with the most delicious, heart-filling recipies. Souls finding paradise when united....
Walking through a magically lit garden near the festival, Orihime and Ichigo walked along one its paths, blushing and keeping out of each other's eye sight, pretending to admire the beauty of the garden. Nearing the center of the garden, Ichigo stopped and looked at Orihime, who also paused and looked at Ichigo with a slightly confused expression.
"Orihime.... I want to tell you something. I just wanted to tell you that I - "
"Ichigo! Orihime! There you guys are!" An ecstatic Tatsuki in a red kimono approached Ichigo and Orihime. She wore a smile on her face knowing that two of her closest friends were here to celebrate the festival.
"Oh, hi, Tatsuki! What are you doing here?" replied Orihime, returning a smile to Tatsuki. Ichigo folded his arms against his chest, his scowl appearing on his face.
"Keigo said he saw you two together, but I didn't believe him! But here you guys are, together!" said Tatsuki, still smiling. "Oh, and Orihime, that old guy who tells the Tanabata legend every year is about to start, and I know how much you love to hear from him, so hopefully Ichigo here is willing to go!"
Orihime turned to Ichigo who was looking away. She giggled as she saw his scowl.
"Anyways, Orihime, I'll see you there!" And Tatsuki was off.
"Um.... Ichigo?" said Orihime, her voice as smooth and soft as velvet. "What is it that you wanted... To tell me?"
Ichigo unfolded his arms and looked at Orihime. He noticed how the lights hit her face and her body, noting to himself that she looked more beautiful than ever.
"Oh... I was just going to ask you if you would like to go to the storytelling. I hear that the old guy is really great at telling the legend," replied Ichigo. He could feel the goosebumps traveling up his body.
Orihime smiled her warm smile. "Of course, Ichigo. Let's go together."
"And so, on this very night, the princess weaver, Orihime, and her lover, , reunite and share their passionate love for each other."
The crowd of people gathered in the Karakura park cheered and clapped as the old man who told the legend of Tanabata every year took a bow. As the uproar died down, the audience gathered up from the ground and returned into the river of people in the street festival. As Ichigo and Orihime got up, the old man approached Orihime and bowed, only to find themselves confused by his gesture.
Shrugging off the oddity, Ichigo made a suggestion that made Orihime almost faint with joy.
"Orihime, do you mind if we go somewhere private for the fireworks?"
The moon shone brightly in the sky as Orihime sat on top of a hill with her knees tucked against her chest surrounded by oak trees, watching the illuminative Karakura and the stars, which had an extra shine to them on this particular night. With the fireworks display not too far away, Ichigo rested against one of the oak trees that stood at the at the very top of the little hill, a slight breeze gliding through his hair. It's now or never, he thought.
Ichigo walked over to Orihime and held out his hand. "Orihime, the view is much better when you're standing up."
Orihime smiled and took his hand, lifting herself off the ground.
"Thank you, Ichigo," said Orihime, now standing fully erect. As she let go of Ichigo's hand, she found a strong grip that wouldn't let go. Orihime looked up Ichigo, only to find looking down on the ground. Worried, Orihime tried to put him at ease. "Ichigo, is something -?"
Before she could finish her sentence, Orihime found herself wrapped up in Ichigo's arms. As she stood there with her body so close to Ichigo, she couldn't help herself but to melt into his. She wrapped her arms around his body and buried her face into his chest, taking in his scent and pulling herself closer. She didn't want this moment to end, but to last forever
"Orihime, what I wanted to tell you earlier.... I just wanted to say that you look so beautiful tonight. I haven't seen someone as beautiful as you," said Ichigo.
"Ichigo.... I -"
But it all happened too soon. As Orihime tried to sort out her thoughts and her emotions, she couldn't help but feel swept off of her feet. All she felt was the rush of cool air against her face, running wildly in her air. She heard the loud booms of the fireworks that were launched into the sky, splashing pools of color across her face. She felt the warmth of Ichigo's body against hers and felt the cold sting of the tree against her back. But what she felt most was the heat on her lips.
As Ichigo pulled his face away from Orihime's, he placed his hands on either side of Orihime and placed his head down on her neck, breathing hot, heavy and moist air onto her fair skin. As Ichigo lay panting against her, Orihime rested her head on top of Ichigo's, closing her eyes, now feeling as one with the man she loved.
"O-Orihime, I-I need you.... Please, don't ever leave me," begged Ichigo.
Orihime cracked open her eyes and saw what she imagined to be two people in the stars, sharing an embrace with each other that looked like that neither will never let go. Opening her eyes wider, the image disappeared, shoving her back into reality.
"Of course, Ichigo. I won't ever leave your side."
The following year, Ichigo and Orihime claimed the same spot to view the fireworks. As Orihime gazed into the sparkling flashes of color, she turned around and traced the heart that read "Ichigo + Orihime 4ever".
A/N: Aha! I feel like superwoman! XD So, how was it? Please do tell! Except, I already know that the ending is cheesy, yadayadyada. XD And maybe a little rushed, ne? Oh, well. I think it's pretty good for a beginning writer, so there! D: *lol*
Also, the last part with the hill and oak trees is dedicated to Blitch, who has been kind enough to review most of my chapters, which, I must say, helped me get "there". ^_^ (And it also pays homage to one of her stories. ;) So check them out if you have the chance!)
