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Chapter 5: Love is for Everyone

Orihime was still walking home. She actually wasn't walking home, she was just walking around in circles repeating Ichigo kissing Rukia over and over again in her head. How could I have been so stupid. Of course he loved Rukia. He's never loved me. I was foolish to think so. I suppose I'm not cut out for love, but no worries. I am strong. Heart-ache to heart-ache! Orihime held up her fist. Ah, who am I kidding. She fell down on the side walk and began to cry.

"Orihime-san?"

Orihime looked up and was blinded by the glint from his glasses for a moment. "Uryuu?" She sniffled, "Is that you?"

Uryuu dropped his groceries and bent down then picked up Orihime. "Are you okay Did you fall?"

Orihime wiped all the tears from her face. "Oh no, no, no, no, no, I'm fine. I was... um... I was..." She pointed her finger, "I was looking for rocks! I like to collect rocks and paint them and put them as decoration in my house. See!" She held up a rock. "I could turn this one into a lady bug, or perhaps a little man."

Uryuu smirked. "What's really bothering you?"

Orihime burst back into tears. "I thought I was in love, but it turns out he was in love with someone else and I'm just afraid I'll never find love. I mean how am I supposed to compete with being a soul reaper."

This made Uryuu's hypothesis a fact. She must be talking about Rukia and Ichigo. "Orihime, I don't know what to tell you about this kind of thing, but I do know that there are more people out there. You have plenty of chances for love, I mean you are a lovely young lady," Uryuu pushed up his glasses.

"Oh Uryuu! You think I'm lovely!!!" She grabbed him and hugged him squeezing his head into her chest.

"Orihime-san... Orihime-sa..." Uryuu gasped out.

"Yes Uryuu? What is it?"

"I can't breath.."

"Oh! I'm so sorry." She let go of him, Uryuu taking a deep breath of air. "I've just had such a rough day, hearing any polite words would cheer me up."

"Well Orihime, I'm not just saying this because you've had a bad day. You're a beautiful girl and any guy would be happy to have you in his arms." He reached out to her and pulled her close. Orihime's big eyes just stared at his and he began to kiss her. Orihime felt as if the world was spinning around her. She began to kiss back and she wrapped her arms around him. Uryuu broke the kiss and said, "How about I walk you home? Okay?"

Orihime was speechless. She just stared into his eyes and nodded as he grabbed her hand, picked up his groceries and walked her home. By the time they got to her house, Orihime was resting her head on Uryuu's arm and dragging her feet. She was exhausted from crying so much and just randomly walking around the park.

"Well Orihime, see you at school tomorrow?"

"No, no you have to come in and have dinner with me!"

"No, I really shouldn't..." Uryuu began, but Orihime's face grew long and she bit her bottom lip, "But hey, what the hell. I got time to spare."

Orihime jumped with joy. "Oh goody, you get to try my Onion and strawberry soup seasoned with potato shavings!"

Uryuu made a disgusted face, but put on a polite smile, "Sounds delicious."

He walked into the house, "You just sit right here and I'll go fix it up real fast. It'll take just a sec." Orihime left the room to the kitchen and Uryuu just sat there looking around. A few minutes passed and he called out, "Hey Orihime, do you need any help in there?"

... No response...

"Orihime? You alright in there?"

...No response...

Uryuu jumped up thinking something was wrong. He rushed into the kitchen to find Orihime fast asleep on the kitchen floor with a bag of onions in her hand. Uryuu chuckled and picked her up. He took her to her room and tucked her in and kissed her on her lips goodnight.