Standard disclaimer : I do not own Bleach.

Turning right, turning left

Chapter 1 : Thank You

The weather is so hot today. It felt so uncomfortable that my robe is sticking to my skin like a second layer of skin due to the sweat. I hate summer.

Oh, I just happened to pass by here after I had finished off a hollow nearby today. Anyway, it isn't important. Here I am, wandering alone in our former school compound. I was never really a student here. It was merely for the cover up. But strangely, I do miss this place sometimes.

The school seems so quiet today. Isn't it supposed to be a school day today? Wait... of course, it's summer break now. I'm making myself an idiot. If you are here, I bet you'll knock my head and yell at me "baka!" But you can't really blame me, you know? You see, there's no such thing as "summer break" in Soul Society, more so for the shinigamis. We are on duties all year round. You human are so damn lucky.

I heard that you had left the school and enter a university. Yes, I still overhear bits and pieces of your news every now and then, although no one ever mentioned your name in my presence in Soul Society. Everyone just pretend like nothing had ever happened. It annoys me that they still treat me like a baby after all these that had happened. I've grown up now and I can take care of myself, thank you.

Perhaps they thought it's best for me to forget and move on. Perhaps they are right about that. I should have move on with life by now. It had already been three years, for God's sake. But something is always in the way whenever I tried to forget you and move on. Maybe it was just me - I'm not ready to let go and move on yet.

Much to my delight, everything in our former classroom still looks pretty much the same from the time I left. I still remember exactly where we sat in the class. I sat just next to you, third seat in the forth row. Memory is a weird thing. Small things that you never think is important enough to remember at the moment will somehow find its place in your mind and surprise you later in life.

The class looks neat except that the desks and chairs are so dusty that I can even draw on it with my finger. Speaking of drawing, it is still a favourite past time of mine, especially drawing bunny cartoons! I'll never get tired of it. Feeling the itch to draw, I begin to draw a bunny on the dusty surface of my desk. My finger tip turns grey after I finished drawing but I don't give a care. I'm having fun and it is all that matters.

Before I realize it, the sun is already setting and its golden ray lit the entire room in a warm, golden shade. It reminds me of the shade of your hair, so warm and bright. I used to avoid looking at you sometimes because the brightness of your orange hair would hurt my eyes if I stare too long, especially under the daylight. I prefer night. My mind is more at peace during the night time.

But then again, you and I, we are so different from each other since the very first day that we met. We are from two different worlds and nothing we can do can change that. I think it's time for me to leave now. I shouldn't really be here in the first place.

But just before I leave, I can hear some suspicious noise coming from the other side of the wall outside the school. My curiosity gets the better of me and I move nearer to the source of the noise. Suddenly, I heard a girl gasps, "What? What if we get caught?"

"Shh...don't be so loud! Trust me, we won't," a guy said in a lowered voice.

My body freeze for a moment. Is that your voice? Could it be that I mistaken somebody's voice instead of you? Before I can think any further, a hand already gripped the edge of the wall. Looks like whoever he/she is, is trying to climb over! I flee at once! I know it's silly. Ordinary people can't see me, but just in case it is you, I'm not prepared to let you see me yet.

A figure creep to the top of the wall when I'm just in time to hide myself on a big tree at the field. I couldn't believe my eyes! It was Orihime! Next, a figure leaps effortlessly onto the wall beside her. The orange hair of that figure can be seen clearly even from a distance. The moment when the figure lifts his chin, I know I can't be wrong. It is you! You are smiling to her. How I miss seeing you smile again like this, a true smile from the heart, that's it!

What am I supposed to do now? I shut my eyes tight and I begin to feel dizzy, unable to think at the moment. I can only pray that you did not see me. I only open my eyes again when I hear you saying, "Come on, I'll catch you down here."

You already landed on the ground and ready to catch Orihime with your arms stretched out. She hesitates for a while but at last she jumps. She doesn't land in your arms but landed flat on top of you instead. It is quite a comical scene and I would have laughed out loud if it wasn't you.

She apologizes frantically as she pushes herself off you. "Sorry, Ichigo. I'm really sorry! Are you hurt?" Her face is as red as a tomato.

"No, I'm fine," you answer quite calmly, considering the circumstances. A few minutes later, both of you get up and disappear from my sight as you sneak into the school building.

So, I guess this is it. Nothing happened between us. And it is the best that way. It isn't going to change anything even if something does happen. It'll only turn out worse, much worse. But I must admit that I do feel slightly sour and disappointed, just slightly. My heart isn't made of stone, though sometimes I wish that it is, especially at times like this.

You deserve to be happy like now. I will not step in your way this time. Orihime is a nice girl. Treat her well. As for me, don't worry about me. I'll be fine, really. This I promise you. Thank you for everything, Ichigo. And I'm saying this from the bottom of my heart.