Here's the final chapter! Sorry it took so long to update. Hopefully this will make the wait worth it C:

Thanks to all my readers/viewers who have taken the time to fav/review/follow this story. It's because of you that I have motivation to update!

Without further ado, here it is!

Sighing, Orihime continued to flip through channels on television. There wasn't anything on that interested her and she couldn't decide on a show to stick with. With a bored expression, she settled for some game show, though she didn't pay much attention to it.

Her mind was too busy thinking of what happened earlier and how she missed her chance to tell Ichigo how she felt.

And here I was determined to tell him today. Why did I have to back out again? I mean, the worst that could happen is he rejects me. It's not like we can't be friends. I wish I was more motivated to tell him. I wouldn't pity myself every day because of this.

Her eyes looked to her brother's picture, his happy face shining behind the glass. Resting her head in her hand, she turned her gaze from the photo, feeling intense guilt. She had all day to confess, yet she felt that nothing was accomplished and it only put her in a fouler mood.

Tatsuki would be so ashamed of me if she saw me in this state. I shouldn't be beating myself up over this. There will be plenty of times where I can confess. She might freak that I didn't do it like I told her. Maybe I should just give up.

Standing up from her couch, she stretched her arms over her head. Her eyes flickered to the clock that sat above her t.v., the hour hand stretched towards the eight. Reaching for the remote, she clicked the power button to turn it off before the sound of knocking startled her. She tried to sense the reiatsu first, to see if it was safe to answer the door.

That's Kurosaki-kun's reiatsu. Why would he be here this late?

Not wanting to keep him, she quickly went to answer the door, only to be pulled out of her apartment and dragged down the stairs by said shinigami. The action had robbed all words and thoughts from her brain, so a squeak came from her mouth. She was being dragged away from her place, though she noted his grip wasn't tight.

Probably to keep from leaving a bruise. Tatsuki would kill him if he hurt me after all.

She had never seen Ichigo act this way. Thinking back to all the times she's hung out with him, he had never shown this reaction to her. It puzzled her to no end, but more importantly, it only made her heart ache. She was really confused, and as much as she wanted Ichigo to feel the same as her, it only made her want to hide her feelings more. He'd never been this rough with her, always looking at her with gentle eyes and giving her small but awkward smiles, ones she'd never seen him give to anyone else.

So what was different?

She didn't have time to contemplate this as she smashed into his chest, his arms wrapping around her protectively and with warmth that not only made her blush, it made her sink into his embrace. He was acting so weird, weirder than how Kon acts in Ichigo's body. Paralyzed, she couldn't think of anything to say, including his name.

Realizing she wouldn't be able to get out, she returned his hug with as much emotion as him.

God, what am I doing?

In truth, Ichigo wasn't so sure his plan was going to work. Originally, he just wanted to take a walk around the neighbourhood; however his feet lead him to Orihime's place. The rest of his actions he didn't think through. He wasn't sure if invading her personal space was such a good idea, but he also knew that it wasn't his hollow in control either. He was fully aware of his actions and he probably scared the healer by his out of character actions.

Those thoughts fled from his mind when he felt her embrace him.

Blowing out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, he lowered his head to her shoulder, inhaling her scent, imprinting it in his memory forever. He didn't want to let her go, and it seemed as though she thought the same thing. He couldn't contain how he felt, and the only thing he could think of was to hold her tighter than before.

"A-Ano…."

He lifted his head from her shoulder to look into her eyes. A blush filled her face and it only made his heart race faster.

"Kurosaki-kun, you're hurting me…"

As though he was shocked, he pulled away from her, ignoring the cold that took place in his body. Keeping his hands in the air, as he didn't know what to do with them, he cursed.

"Shit… Sorry, Inoue. I didn't mean to.."

Covering his face with his hands, he looked away from her, not wanting to keep staring at her as though she grew two heads.

"What I mean is… I wanted to talk with you, Inoue. I didn't intend to drag you out of your apartment without your permission and I certainly didn't mean to invade your personal space…"

Blinking, she looked at him before smiling and giggling. Her eyes were wide and shining with happiness.

"It's okay, Kurosaki-kun. It must be very important if you decided to come this late at night and drag me out of my place. In truth, I wanted to talk with you too…"

And just then, both of them made up their minds.

.

.

.

I'm going to tell her.

.

.

.

I'm going to tell him.

.

.

.

"I LIKE YOU!" They both shouted in unison.

.

.

.

Both their eyes widened when they realized that they said the exact same thing.

She likes me?

He likes me?

They couldn't take their eyes off the other, both of them trying to read the other. Surely, they had misunderstood each other. It was Ichigo who broke the silence.

"You…. Like me?"

Turning her face away from him, deciding the sky was more interesting, she nodded. Keeping one eye closed, she looked up at him from beneath her hair, and she couldn't help but gasp as his expression.

He was smiling.

"I… I… I like I-Ichigo-kun…. A lot. The way you scowl, how you protect everyone, your kindness, your laugh, everything. I'm very proud to say that I like you."

Grabbing her hand, he murmured, "Well then, I guess I can say the same for you. I like you a lot too… Orihime. Your bubbly personality, your bright smile, how you take pride in healing others, your selflessness, everything. And I, too, can say I'm very proud to say that I like you."

He looked from her hand to her eyes, his heart racing in his chest, seeing her oh-so bright smile. The one she reserved for him and him only. Not knowing what else to say, she just giggled at his confused expression.

"Ne, it's nothing to worry about Ichigo-kun. I'm just very happy."

He nodded, turning to look at the sky, which now sparkled with tiny stars. Coughing into his hand, he lightly tugged on hers. "Well then, shall we go?"

"Un!"

Smiling at her cheerful attitude, they both began walking back towards her apartment. They still held each other's hand. But neither one seemed to care.

For the only thing they paid attention to was each other.