A/N: Blitch is back again. Thanks for staying tuned my lovely readers. This is dedicated to all who reviewed

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I apologise for the long wait! I've been very mentally drained at work (which made me go on a full throttle retail therapy). And when I have time to breathe I'd spend it with my loved ones. Thanks for all Ichihime updates that made my days brighter too!

I love updating my fics when a new chapter of Bleach is posted don't I? Chapter 349 is frustrating. Stop saying Kurosaki, woman! Leave me your thoughts!

Tho' I've been feeling kinda angsty (Beaver and Babiip would know) regarding some annoyingly sneaky fics I've come across.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach and I don't own fan fiction, if I did I'd ban all the Ichiruki fans who write Ichiruki fics and post them as Ichigo and Inoue fic. How Sneaky!

Chapter 6

Scene 1

"You should have came along to Aizen Ichigo's party… It was great." The bathrobe-clad raven haired girl combed her damp hair while looking at the figure leaning on the wall with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"Oh I bet you had a great time."

"Hmmm… Is that jealousy I hear?" She placed the comb on her dressing table and gave him a sultry smile.

"Good night Rukia."

"You're leaving?" She spun around, blocking his path almost immediately.

"Stay." Her authoritative tone, he'd recognized, was not one to be messed with.

Hesitantly, he sat on the edge of her bed and she moved over to massage him.

"You've been avoiding me." There was nothing authoritative in her voice this time, but pure concern. "Why?"

"Since I found out about the fact that you're going to marry Aizen Ichigo?"

"It's not certain yet."

His body was starting to heat up as her petite hands trailed his muscular chest down to his navel.

"Stop." He said, although secretly hoping she'd not comply.

She kissed the crook of his neck and sneakily lowered her hands into his pants.

"I heard you were dancing with Ichigo-sama." He breathed out bitterly.

"It's n- .. well… He's my friend since young. We're like best of friends. He's like a brother to me! I admit he's turned into a handsome young man… well.. he looks so much like kaien! But he's not Kaien and I don't feel anything for him."

Rukia felt that she had to explain herself in fear of him getting jealous.

He was always insecure… He was afraid that he was merely a rebound... as Kaien's replacement. But to him, her long explanations were like excuses made by a lying child.

"Kaien? I didn't mention Kaien." He pushed her hands away and stood up abruptly. "You still haven't gotten over him! He's a married man!"

"Stop… I know he loves Miyako more than anything else in this world. I admire him but I know he can never return my love and I've tried my best to forget him. So please stop bringing him into the picture!"

"Are you really over him? Or are you're interested in Ichigo-sama so he can substitute Kaien's place?"

"Please… believe me. I'm over Kaien and I'm not in love with Ichigo-sama!"

"Prove it!"

Her eyes darken as she gazed at him. Without a word, she pounced on him.

The room was filled with heated breathing and passionate moaning for the rest of the night till they hit their slumber.

"Silly, you're the one I love, General Abarai."

Scene 2

"I'll never forget you Orihime-chan."

Her lips twisted into a wide smile as she tipped her toes to the orange head boy.

"I'll never forget you too Kurosaki-kun."

And she kissed the boy on his cheek, causing the latter to blush profusely.

Ichigo leaned his head against the large oak tree. It was close to dawn, he wondered if Inoue was still in his room, ignoring his inner hope that she would be.

Love? I don't think so. Blame my shameless body that lust to be inside her. But I'm certain that I do not love her.

It's only lust.

He should avoid her to escape all these confusing emotions. They're just a waste of his energy.

Although it didn't stop him from picking out a matching yukata for her while he ordered one for himself the following day.

Scene 3

"Can I see it now?"

The orange haired boy furrowed his brows while concentrating on the task on hand, not turning to the auburn haired girl behind him.

"Not yet. Just be patient. I'm almost done."

"What about now?"

The orange haired boy smiled and kept his pen knife.

"Now."

The auburn haired girl slowly opened her eyes to see that instead the boy was now standing next to her and she was standing of front of a large oak tree.

"Do you like it?"

She blushed profusely but gave a firm nod.

Inoue opened her eyes lazily and gave a stretch. It was close to dawn, she resist the feeling of disappointment that Ichigo did not return to his room.

Love? I don't think so. Blame my shameless body that lust to have him inside me. But I'm certain that I do not love him.

It's only lust.

The only reason she's alive is just so she could avenge her brother's death.

Although the deal came at a price… at which point she thought was worth it.

Scene 4

Everything had gone according to his plan.

As soon as the marriage with the Kuchiki takes place, he will have his hands on the Kuchiki scroll.

With that, he will be unstoppable. He will be at the top of the world, once again.

Besides... the leader is too distracted to realize his plot… just like his own father.

Scene 5

Tatsuki held Inoue's hands away from her body and gave her an approving nod.

"Today is when you reunite with Hikoboshi, ne?" Ran winked.

Inoue chuckle at the little joke Ran made using her first name which, Tatsuki had shared with the girls.

"If it doesn't rain I guess." Inoue giggled.

Ichigo's lips and face carried subtle contentment as he watched. Inoue was smiling happily as she did a swirl in her dark navy blue yukata with yellow cranes at the lower part of the clothing, similar to his own dark midnight blue yukata but with only one big yellow crane on the back. Her hair was secured in a bun, and her blue flower clips were in place.

Soon after, Gin and Ran, Grimm and Nel, Chad and Tatsuki, Ichigo and Inoue, arrived at Rukongai Hills for the festival. Colorful streamers, bright ornament balls and lanterns decorated the rows of stalls. The lights of different colors shone against the crimson blue sky. The low buzz was a mixture of excited children, stall tenders and the Tanabata Play that was going on in the open space amphitheatre.

It was the most lively and happening night scene Inoue has ever come across. Back in Southern Village, her clan was much smaller and they celebrated Tanabata on a much smaller scale.

Ichigo took her petite hand in his, ignoring her gasp, and led her through the crowds. They have been physically intimate in every way imaginable, yet a small gesture of holding hands sent her heart beating tenfold, a streak of pink covered her cheeks, any maybe his cheeks as well.

The group went from stall to stall. They started with food then moved on to games.

Ran, Nel and Tatsuki tried to catch goldfish with the net. Gin, Grimm and Chad found it silly but watched their girls in amusement.

Until Tatsuki said "Since we can't catch any, why don't you boys catch one for us? Let's see which of us girls will receive the first fishy?" their boys got all serious.

Inoue watch with excitement lit in her eyes as she stood beside to Ichigo who chuckled at how clumsy the three boys were, with Gin and Grimm cursing and swearing, while Chad was silent… as always.

Tatsuki cheered when Chad gave her a goldfish.

"Chad, can you please get another goldfish? There're four girls, so we need four goldfish. A high and mighty leader like Ichigo would never get himself dirty in mess like that."

After a sarcastic remark from Tatsuki, Ichigo rolled his sleeves and announced that there's nothing difficult in catching a goldfish.

Another agonizing ten minutes passed and Ran pulled Gin for a quick kiss when he presented the second fish caught, leaving Ichigo and Grimm frowning.

Feeling the tanzaku in her pocket, Inoue gaze around and spotted the large group of people surrounding the bamboo trees in a far corner.

"I'll be right back."

Inoue said but they were too caught up in the goldfish to notice her exit.

Finally, there were four goldfish.

The stall tender was extremely pleased with the money he collected but the long que waiting were extremely annoyed. But when Ichigo stood up they immediately bow to him. Ichigo nodded and turned to the group to see their questioning faces and that's when he went berserk realizing that Inoue was missing.

Inoue did not have colorful or fancy papers to write her wishes on. She used the plain note pad she found in her room. Tieing her plain tanzaku around the bamboo trees, she began to made her way back to meet the group. But her eyes wandered off to the oak trees by the hill. By an unknown force she walked away from the crowds and entered the bushes.

She began her search. It seemed like she knew the way to what she was searching for as her footsteps moved intuitively.

This place… I know this place… I've been here….

She came to a stop and stood there for what seems like an eternity.

Scene 6

She was found standing in front of a large oak tree. Her perfect curvaceous form was evident under the moonlight. Her glorious auburn hair was like a halo over her.

"Why did you wander off on your own?!" Ichigo's ragged breath reached her ears.

"I'm s-orr-" Inoue mentally smack herself on the forehead when she sensed his anger.

"Everyone was worried!" He snapped but almost immediately felt guilt threatening to emerge when he saw her biting her lower lip.

"It's really sweet, ne?" She said in her timid voice.

Ichigo followed her gaze to where she ran her fingers gentle across the rough surface of the old oak tree, on which it was a carving of a heart-shape with letters in it which read –

Orihime-chan,

I will be your hero.

Forever love, K.I.

Ichigo scratched the back of his neck.

"It's just cheesy."

"Don't say that, I thought it's really sweet…" hesitantly she added in a whisper. "Kurosaki-kun put a lot of effort into it."

"W-what did you say?" he turned to look at her in bewilderment.

"N-nothing.." she shook her head but avoided his piercing gaze.

Wait!

How did you know his name based on the initials?

Ichigo froze in his spot but thought hard and fast as his thought run wild.

"Today is when you reunite with Hikoboshi, ne?"

Ran had mentioned that Inoue would… but Hikoboshi would reunite with Orihime in the Tanabata Legend… so it meant that Inoue's name was…

What did Tatsuki said her name was during his birthday?

"No way! You better apologise to Orihime!" a drunk Tatsuki lifted herself up of Chad's arms but fell down again.

Yes, the name had struck a deep core within him when he heard it.

Which means…

"What's the matter Ichigo?"

ORIHIME?

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End.

Love,

Blitch out.

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