Well, there's nothing much to say. HAHA. Thanks for all those who reviewed, followed, and made this story their favorite.
ON WITH THE STORY!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and the characters in this story.
Our meeting was made in a moment at the intersection walking home.
You called out to me, didn't you? "Let's go home together."
Ichigo blinked at the figure standing in front of him. The rich auburn hair, those wide grey eyes, and that sunshine smile—it's definitely Inoue Orihime standing before hime. Ichigo's gaze dropped below her chin and tried to fight a blush. Damn.
For some reason, she had grown up at his age and sported a body he never thought she'd even have when they were little. Her hair was longer than what he remembered, reaching past her hips but still maintaining its rich color. She's become tall as well, about a couple of inches below his shoulder. Her curves became more prominent, showing how well endowed she has become.
"Kurosaki-kun? Are you alright?" Orihime waved one hand in front of his face, her grey eyes widening. "OH NO! Kurosaki-kun's mind has been invaded by those little blue men! Don't worry! I'll protect you!" she shrieked, lunging at Ichigo's still form.
They fell back on his bed, her arms tight around his head and trying to 'shake away the little blue men from his mind'. Ichigo's body tensed at the feel of her soft body pressed against him. Trying hard not to blush, he pushed at the girl to the side so he can escape her grip.
"WHA-WHAT THE HELL!" Ichigo scrambled away from Orihime. "Who are you?! How do you know me?! AND WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE INOUE?!" His body was trembling. He didn't know if it was because from being hugged too tightly or from the girl's mere appearance.
Orihime tilted her head to the side, blinked, then smiled. "Kurosaki-kun hasn't forgotten about me! I'm happy!" Pain and sadness flashed in her eyes, but they were quick to disappear. "I'm back Kurosaki-kun…err…back from the grave? No that sounds wrong…Ahhh! How should I say this…"
As she rambled, Ichigo continued to stare. He watched how her hands fumbled with the ends of her sundress or at a lock of stray hair as she tried to figure out what to say. "Inoue? It's really you?"
Her head snapped up to look at him as she smiled brightly. "Yes! It's me! Inoue Orihime!"
He reached for her, his fingers touching her soft skin and hair. He let his eyes roam over her face to take in the familiar sight of her eyes, cheeks, and flawless skin. "Inoue...How—I mean, why have you come back?" He couldn't help the desperation lacing his tone as he asked.
"Ahh..Hehe..Well, you see, Kurosaki-kun, I…I didn't disappear like I'm supposed to…" Ichigo raised his eyebrow in question. "I, what I mean to say is…I haven't been able to cross over."
"Why?"
Orihime looked down, her cheeks tinged with red. "I have to fulfill a promise."
"We'll be Karakura's Peace Busters! We'll protect the town from evil aliens, monsters, and everything bad!" says he.
"OH! That's a great idea, Kurosaki-kun! I'd love to join!" says she, smiling happily as the group headed towards their secret base.
"You can't!"
"Eh! Whyyyyyy?" she pouted.
"Because…because I'll be the one protecting you!" he says with a cheeky grin, which left her blushing the same color as her hair.
The next day Ichigo woke up, he found no sight of the auburn haired girl in his room. He looked around and sighed. I guess it was all a dream, then.
He was about to go back to sleep when the door creaked open, making Ichigo snapped back to reality. "Dammit old man! I told you no more of your silly morning gree—" he gulped. Words left Ichigo's mouth, as his brain took in the image in front of him.
Orihime came inside the room, her hair wet and a towel around her body. "Oh! Good morning, Kurosaki-kun! I used your bathroom to take a shower, but I couldn't wake you to ask for permission!" Her wet hair was sticking to her skin, her cheeks flushed from the hot bath she just had. The white fluffy towel hugged her body, reaching above her thighs and showing her long legs.
"AHHH! SHIT!" Ichigo covered his eyes with his hands. "Inoue! Go put some clothes on!" He turned around, trying to prevent blood from rushing to his face and down his lower region. Ichigo groaned at the image of Orihime out from a fresh bath invading his mind once again.
"I'm all done now!" she chirped, twirling around in her yellow sundress.
"Tch. Why'd you need a bath anyway?" Ichigo scoffed, picking up his own towel to prepare for school before turning back to her.
"Hm? Well, because I want to! I can even play games, cook, and even eat! Oh how I missed red bean paste and wasabi!" Orihime's eyes twinkled at the thought of her favorite food. Ichigo couldn't understand it. He was certain she was already a ghost for he's the only one in their family who can see her. She might even just be his hallucination. Fuck. The others would think he's become crazy.
"Ku–Kurosaki-kun….I'm sorry…" then it rained.
He didn't want to leave her alone, but Orihime insisted he go to school, saying how important it is to not miss his classes. Ichigo was already halfway on his route when he spotted two familiar figures rounding the corner. One was a girl with short spiky hair named Tatsuki Arisawa. He recognized the sleek black hair and lean physique of the other figure walking alongside Tatsuki, belonging to his classmate and long-time rival, Uryu Ishida.
"Ichigo." He turned his head slightly and gave a small nod to acknowledge Tatsuki's greeting, but without stopping or slowing down his pace.
"It's nice to see you again, Ichigo. How's your dad and sisters?" asked Tatsuki. He managed to mumble a "They're okay" reply before closing off his thoughts once again.
"I see. Well, that's good. How have you been?" Tatsuki pressed on. "We haven't been hanging around lately so I'm just wondering if there's something new with you."
"Nothing much. I sleep, eat, study, then sleep again," Ichigo answered monotonously. Somehow, it felt kind of weird to be talking to Tatsuki again.
Serving as constant reminders of the past, Ichigo started distancing himself away from his childhood friends. He couldn't remember when exactly was the last time he had spend lunch with Rukia, Tatsuki, Chad, Renji, and Ishida. His brows furrowed, his scowl falling back in place as he tried to push back the memories.
"It's surprising you can actually do something, Kurosaki. Proves just how you can be reliable sometimes." Ichigo hardened his eyes at Ishida's banter, trying to keep his temper from flaring.
"Ishida," Tatsuki hissed. The last thing she wants to see is her two friends acting like immature kids.
"What? I'm merely stating the truth," Ishida said in his deadpanned voice. "I'm even surprised he's showing himself to school again. I thought he'd be the good for nothing pun–"
"Shut up, Ishida. Or do you want to see stars this early in the morning?"
"Oh please. As if you can take me down, Kurosaki."
Ichigo dropped his bag and clenched his fists, "I'm going to laugh once you're down on your sorry ass, Ishida."
Before Tatsuki can even stop their bickering, Ichigo had already pounced on Ishida, swinging his fists to connect with the other teen's face. Ishida was able to block his attack with his own, sending them away from each other and avoiding Ichigo's hits. The black haired teen took a fighting stance, ready to block whatever attacks Ichigo may force.
"STOP IT! YOU MUST NOT FIGHT!"
Her voice made him freeze in his spot, looking awkward with his hands ready to land a blow on Ishida's face. Sure enough, Orihime came running beside him and clutching his arm back with her small, frail hands. "It's not a good thing to fight with others, Kurosaki-kun."
"Inoue…" Ichigo let his gaze wander to her eyes, seeing them full of innocence and passion and, ironically, life.
"What..what did you just say?" Ichigo snapped his attention back to a seething Ishida. "Who did you just call Inoue, Kurosaki?"
"Inoue, she's—" Ishida cut him off with a swift punch to the face, making Ichigo stumble back on the ground.
"ISHIDA!" Tatsuki screamed, hurrying to his side to hold him back and keep him from hurting Ichigo more.
Orihime squeaked as Ichigo fell backwards, losing her grip on his arm at the other teen's hit. She knelt beside him, seeing a bruise forming on his left cheek. She was about to touch it, "Kurosaki-kun, are you al—"
"You have no right to say her name. Remember that, Kurosaki."
Orihime turned her head towards the other teen whose demeanor seemed to change completely. She saw his blue eyes ablaze with indescribable fur, burning behind thin-framed glasses. Memories flashed before her eyes, making her remember what happened ten years ago.
"I-I really like you, Inoue-san! So please, take this!" he held his palm out and revealed a necklace with flower pendant that match her blue hibiscus hairpins.
"Ah! I…uhmmm…I have….I have to go see if Kurosaki-kun is alright! I-I'll see you later, Ishida-kun!" she ran off towards the direction of the other boy. He didn't know that it'd be the last time they'd talk.
While I embarrassedly hid my face with my bag,
In truth, I was very, very happy.
A/N: YAY! Another chapter done! I'm not really confident about this chapter (I was sleep typing and was surprised to see almost half of it was done.) I'll try to update both stories next week since I'll be gone for the weekend.
Thanks for reading, guys. :)