I am SO sorry this took me a million years! But I promise this is guaranteed to make you melt!

I know many people have been waiting for the end of this story so I seriously apologize, even though this is NOT the last chapter to this story yet! There's more great scenes to come!
I also promise to hurry with the next chapter depending on how many reviews I get so please leave one!

My breath caressed the pillow top before I slowly swept my leg towards the edge of the bed, noting that warm arms had been keeping me in place. I shifted beneath them and tilted to see his upside down gaze.

"Good morning," His handsome features pulled into a smirk.

I twisted in the sheets, playfully clinging to the man I had grown so fond of and agreed, "It is a good morning."

I turned myself over, his large hands drifting over my back as I balanced on his chest. I felt the quake of his laughter as he held me, his fingers curling through my hair as he eyed me.

I swore to myself that I would remember the moment as his fingers held my chin, guiding me into our first morning kiss.

I pulled from him as reality hit.

"Oh, NO!"

Rushing hastily from my bed I pulled loose of his grasp and slipped to the floor.

"What," Mr. Kurosaki peered down at me from over the beds edge as he joked, "Was it that bad?"

I stood frantically as I gripped the bed sheets when my frightened gaze turned confused by his comment. Gripping a pillow nearest me I whisked it in his direction.

"It's not that," I panicked, "Tatsuki usually comes in to my room at this time!"

His eyes wandered towards the bedroom door that had been firmly closed.

There was an era about him as he appeared curiously calm when pursing his lips, "But, it's almost noon."

I stared at the door and whipped my head around to catch the time on the old clock. He was right. If that was the case then Tatsuki most likely would have entered my room at an earlier time.

I look back towards Ichigo with a horrified expression when he laughed, "Oh well."

I paused and tried to breathe, looking downwards to find I was covered by no apparel other than my bed sheets.

I tried to keep from blushing as he reached for his pants, "Oh, I um-."

"Here," He move through the sheets and gripped the small blanket at the edge of the bed, rising to meet me without holding any embarrassment towards himself. I fought to keep my eyes above shoulder height as he reached me. Unfolding the blanket to drape it over my shoulders. I accepted and clung to the warmth of his chest, his hands slipping beneath the fabric to pull me closer.

His eyes were wanting yet caring as his smile faded to a look with more meaning. It was hard to refrain from denying him as he bent down to collect another playful kiss.

"Relax," He muttered, "You should get ready and find Tatsuki."

I smiled as he held my cheeks, leaving another peck on my forehead.

I wrapped myself in the blanket as he went to retrieve the rest of his garments, watching him pace around the room before meeting me again.

"Oh, Okay," I laughed as he neared me.

"I will see you tonight," He gave me another heavy kiss with the pile of his belongings in hand and moved towards the window.

His sudden decision for departure made me feel unsettled.

"Wh-when tonight?"

He gave me a grin as he unlatched the lock and stepped outside, "Don't worry. I will find you."

It was hard to hide my excitement over his words, and yet, I felt uneasy as I watched him leave.

Amongst the large group of people it was hard to gain his attention.

"Your majesty," I called out but it was no match for the other voices.

"-And have a pleasant trip," A near by lady waved to him before he turned to face me, finally sharing a glance.

"Your majesty, the car is ready," I bowed and gestured towards the running engine.

"Ah yes," He nodded with a goofy grin, "Let's get a move on, Kaien! I want this to be a surprise!"

I cringed as I asked, what I knew, to be a hopeless questioned, "Are you sure your son will appreciate this?"

"Nonsense! My son will be thrilled by my arrival," His cheer dissipated as we walked, "Though even if he's not it doesn't matter. This Ol' King needs to retire."

"Dad," Small Princess Yuzu whined, "Are you sure we have to go? Brother will be angry for sure!"

"Yeah," Karin grumbled, "Ichi-ni will be home soon, so I don't see why we have to go."

"Girls, what's wrong with a little travel, hmm," The King questioned as he gathered his daughters together, "I'm sure your brother would be happy to see you both! I know that for sure."

I made my way close enough to get Tatsuki's attention as she left the breakfast table. Catching her inside the kitchen, I loudly hissed as I caught up to her, "Um, Tatsuki."

With a set of dishes in her hands she twisted towards me, "Orihime! Finally you're awake."

"Uh," I had figured that once the moment came I would know what to say, but it truly wasn't at all as easy as I pictured, "Tatsuki. I, I-"

"It's okay, you don't have to explain," She smiled at me before setting down the plates and winked, "I saw his horse in the stable early this morning so I knew what to expect."

"Oh," I couldn't help but turn pink, and soon enough we both started to laugh.

"Well," She questioned, slowly leading me towards the patio door exit, "Where is he?"

I pursed my lips, "He left just now, but he never said where he was going-"

"Excuse me?"

Me and Tatsuki bent our heads to see Mr. Ishida holding a few plates with a nervous grin, "Where would you like these, Mrs. Arisawa?"

Tatsuki shrugged off our conversation to help him before replying, "That's quite alright. Please don't worry yourself over small matter, Mr. Ishida."

"Oh, Mr. Ishida," The question had just come to my mind, "It's so nice to see you join for breakfast! Have you heard back from the Kuchiki's?"

"That's what I've come to tell you-"

He started off, but Tatsuki interrpted after tending to the sink, "Part of the Kuchiki family has decided to stay in town for a few more days. Mr. Ishida then decided to apply for the position here."

I gazed towards Tatsuki and her shy smile, wondering, "Part?"

"Well, the King has left but Mr. Kisuke and the Princess have decided to stay for a little while longer," Tatsuki played with a hand towel, "For god knows what reason."

"Ah," fixed his glasses to look to me, "My apologies, I forgot. Mr. Kisuke was hoping to have a word with you, Princess."

I took a deep breath, hoping it was good news, "Did he explain the matter?"

"Not entirely," Mr. Ishida sighed, "Though I'm certain it was over private matters."

"Oh."

I tried to calm myself as Tatsuki gave me a concerned look.

"I will call him over right away, Miss," Tatsuki touched my shoulder as she passed me.

Before trailing behind her, I quickly offered to the doctor beside me, "I certainly approve of you finalizing your position here if you wish to stay, Mr. Ishida. It would be a relief to have a full time doctor once again."

After riding and searching I finally came across the unknown address I had been seeking all morning.

"Ichigo?"

I stared in to the wide concerned eyes before me as Rukia opened the door.

"Rukia," I acknowledged, "I was told Renji would be arriving here at some point today. Have you seen him?"

"Is it really that important? You look tired," She uttered, and gestured for me to take a seat inside but I refused.

"Yes, it's important," I snapped, "Where is he?"

"Calm down," She ordered and shoved me back to keep me from walking off, "Sit, and I 'll go get him!"

Just as I was about to sit up again, Renji entered the room after hearing the commotion.

"Ichigo?"

"Oh, thank god," I cried out, moving passed Rukia, "I need to talk to you."

"Um," Renji seemed kind of nervous as he glanced back at Rukia, "I guess so?"

I watched Rukia as she dusted off her cream lilac dress in a pout before excusing herself to give us privacy.

"Um, Ichigo," Renji rubbed his chin, avoiding my eyes, "What's this about? Why didn't you get home last night?"

I grinned at him as I remembered Rukia's words the night before, "The better question is: What are you doing here now?"

"What," Renji grumbled, noticing the open door before closing it behind himself, "I was asked to come here."

I pretended not to care, "As if that's any of my business!"

"Ah! Then why the hell are you here?"

I gave him a confident smile, showing him what I had been carrying around in my pocket all day.

"I need your help with something, Renji."

As Tatsuki served us drinks, we sat alone. It had been quite a long time since I had the pleasure of talking with Mr. Kisuke weeks before, but that was over very serious matters.

My chest felt heavy as I refused to sip the tea before me, waiting for his mouth to part open.

"Miss Inoue," He asserted from across the table, "I don't wish to scare you. Please relax."

Tatsuki gave me a reassuring nod with a small smile before leaving us to talk.

"I wish to go over the matter of your safety, and your open position for a doctor," He requited, connecting his elbow with the table as he held his chin.

"I see," I spoke timidly, with an effort to avoid seeming childish, "Though I have already accepted Mr. Ishida to accompany my home if he wishes. He seems like a nice man."

His eyes widened slightly, "That's great news. I was here to encourage the notion but I see it's not necessary."

"The Kuchiki home has been very kind to me this past while. I'm a bit surprised to be given a doctor as well," I placed the cloth napkin to my lap, "Please give everyone my thanks."

"That is not necessary. That is why I am here," His tone became serious and I gave him my full attention, "I came to apologize to you, Miss Inoue," He knew I fell lost between his reasoning so he explained, "It was my own departments fault for giving you false information over Aizen's death."

I found it hard to swallow, realizing that all that had happened still wasn't the bit behind me.

"That is quite alright. I do not blame you in the slightest."

His brows creased as if he expected me to be angry, "I have everyone looking for him, Miss. And I promise you that you should not be harmed."

"Thank you very much for your kindness," I repeated. There was a small silence as he adjusted his position in his chair.

"My Princess wishes to meet with you some day, Miss Inoue," My heart stalled in my chest as I pictured the fair skinned woman, "After everything I hope you will be able to meet with her before we are ready leave."

I choked on my words but uttered them regardless, "Yes, I was curious to hear that you had decided to stay. Can I ask why the change in plans?"

"My lady simply said it was a private matter," He muttered with a smile and laughed, "'Part of a promise to a friend', she told me."

As I thought of Rukia I remembered the words she had spoken to me over her arranged marriage with Ichigo.

After last night was over I had never questioned Mr. Kurosaki's heart even once as he left. The new thought had plagued me. There was no question in my mind the way he felt about me, yet I had become nervous as to where he was in the present.

As Mister Kisuke apologized for taking up my time, I tried my hardest to pay attention to the waking world.

It was impossible to stop thinking about him.

Gazing over the trees beyond the afternoon sky I bit my lip as Mister Kisuke took his leave, wondering when I would see the Princess Kuchiki next. It would be difficult to look at her now, now that I knew she could have the one man I loved.

I was short of plans after my time with Mr. Kisuke so I retired to my room. I felt that maybe if I had waited he would return to the same place I saw him last, spending time alone on my porch with my thoughts as the evening pushed on. He had told me earlier that he would find me but my heart was impatient.

"Miss?"

I looked back at Tatsuki who stood in the doorway, surprised to find me in such a place.

"Mister Abarai is near the stables waiting for you."

"Really," I inhaled, lifting my gown as a sauntered towards the stairs, "Did he say why he was here?"

"No," Tatsuki affirmed, keeping up with me only to stop after responding, "He just asked to speak with you."

I found myself running, pleased to think that Renji might possibly have to right words to say in order to lift my spirits. I found myself breathless and smiling as his figure appeared from the balcony. He stood next to a carriage parked close to the road, causing me to feel anxious.

"I'm so glad to see you," I chimed as I neared him.

He gave me a small smile, "You look pretty."

"Oh, thank you," I blushed at his random compliment.

"I thought you might like to take a carriage ride towards town if you're ready? We haven't gone together in quite some time."

I could feel my smile fade away. We had both been so busy that it had been so long since we had taken a trip together. But the time still didn't seem right. I was waiting for Ichigo.

As he walked towards a carriage I felt something was wrong. I could sense it as he continued ahead of me. He had never been so calm near me before that it was unusual.

I braved asking the needed question once we seated ourselves inside, "Where is Mr. Kurosaki?"

Renji's eyes darted to me as he chose his seat, "I haven't seen him since yesterday. I have no idea where he could be."

Renji appeared slightly snappy with his remark so I didn't push any further. I felt as if I couldn't speak at all in the awkward silence. Ichigo's absence had me greatly worried especially since Renji didn't seem so pleased during our ride. It made it hard to keep my smile any longer.

"A-Are you alright?"

He looked to me and a small smile appeared across his lips.

"Everything is fine. I just wanted to see you," He could sense I wasn't feeling comfortable so he reached over from across the carriage to collect my hands, gripping them carefully as our ride shook back and forth, "I know you have been extremely stressed with everything lately so I thought we could go out like we used to to get your mind off things."

He didn't drop his hands until I smiled and gave him a nod he had been searching for.

"Thank you, Renji."

We both smiled.

I soon felt the carriage stop and I rose in my seat. I knew we couldn't possibly arrive in town so soon. I was begging to panic once I felt I was reliving my kidnapping but Renji did a good job of calming me down.

"You know I only want what best for you," Renji professed softly as he opened the door, "And I think that this is best for you."

I watched him smile, taking his first step out on to the road before I examined my surroundings curiously in my exit.

"Renji? Where-"

I watched him gesture to a tall figure standing amidst the trees.

After the whole day of waiting I began to run, rushing into Ichigo's arms, holding him as tight as he held me.

He looked so handsome as he smiled, placing a kiss on the top of my head before he whispering, "Renji explained to me that I should take you on a date before things get too serious."

I slipped from his neck to see Renji already placed in the carriage, waving. I giggled as I waved back, both watching him as he began to ride away.

As the carriage light dissipated I noticed the small lanterns throughout the trees as we stood alone.

"Ichigo, I-"

"Come on," He guided, holding my wrist as I followed him down a small well-lit path.

I tried to keep from laughing, "Where are we?"

It only took a few seconds for me to understand when I saw the moon collide with the water.

There were lanterns all around us, surrounding a placement of food and resting spot.

"You mean you don't recognize that spot over there?"

Ichigo held my waist, pointing to a cliffs ridge that I knew all too well.

I prided my answer as he held me closer.

"Where we first met?"

In the light of the moon and beneath the stars, I remembered all that we had been through as we shared a kiss.

"Since that day, I wished I would get the chance to be here with you," I could feel my heart beating as he looked in to my eyes, "I want to be with you, Orihime," He pulled from me, looking down towards a small case he held in both hands. He knelt as it opened to reveal a gorgeous ring.

"Will you marry me?"