A New Beginning

AN: Here we are, the final chapter, it's really more of a bonus chapter. The poll on my page shows demand for more IchiHime stories and I may have one mapped out and ready to write but first I need to finish my other story and then I'm taking a week to edit everything I've posted (wish me luck haha).

Thank you so much to everyone who's reviewed, followed, and favorited this story. It was a lot of fun to write and I hope y'all enjoyed it! Always feel free to let me know what you thought or where I could improve.

For the last time, I do not own Bleach or any of the characters.

The month at Orihime's past in a blur for the teens. Ichigo left his crazy job, after she kidnapped him one more time, and started working at his dad's clinic. Orihime kept her bakery job, she loved it there and wanted to work with them for as long as possible.

The night before Valentine's Day Orihime was up all night making Ichigo a special treat but also made a ton of smaller ones for everyone in their year. It was the last time she'd be able to do this and she wanted to make sure everyone felt special. Everyone was thrilled to get a small pink baggy with a few home-made chocolates each from the lovely Orihime who spent the day handing them out. Ichigo spent the day threatening every male who got one to make sure they knew it didn't mean anything…. Orihime didn't need to know that though.

When the end of the month finally came Orihime was touched by what she saw. Isshin, Ichigo, Chad, Uryu, Tatsuki, her boss and Tessai all came to help her move. With the help of her boss' truck, the move only took half a day. Orihime donated all the things she didn't bring with her to a local teen shelter.

Isshin offered to keep everything in storage but she wanted to help others who were struggling. It made Ichigo love her even more after that.

March to June was full of stress, joy, love, and friendship.

All the 12th years were figuring out where they wanted to go to school next year, make plans and enjoy the time they had with their friends before everything changed.

Isshin's POV

When Orihime-chan moved in, I was thrilled. Hell, the whole family was. I knew it would be okay, she fits in so well with all three of my kids, but I did worry about them getting too close and forgetting how to be individuals. It was important in any relationship to know how to have space from your partner but living together would make that harder, or so I thought.

The two worked hard and planned their futures. Ichigo started to get interested in fighting more and more. He joined a club and started teaching lessons at the local club for kids. I was shocked to see my moody teen teaching kids with a huge smile on his face, after class of course. During he was very serious.

Orihime kept working at the bakery, she loved baking goodies and seeing people's faces. Once she talked to her boss, they decided to give her an apprenticeship. She was thrilled with the news, but they demanded she gets a basic education at least in college.

Her boss called me in to talk and explained his plan. He wanted her to get some type of degree that she could use for a backup if baking ever didn't work out for her. We both thought of her as a daughter and wanted to make sure she had everything she'd need going forward.

During one of the "guy's nights" Ichigo had in the few months leading up to graduation, I noticed Orihime, Yuzu, and Karin were all still outside. It was 12am and I was worried, so I went out to see what they were doing. All three of them were sleeping in a tent. When I peeked in I found cookies everywhere, some movie cases and the laptop. He turned it off before zipping the tent closed and heading in for the night.

Orihime did an amazing job keeping the twins involved with her girl's night. When they were at someone else's house she'd always check if they were invited and then make sure the girls knew they were welcome.

Misaki, I wish you were here to see this. Ichigo is doing well, Orihime is apart of the family, always helping and making sure we all know how loved we are. You'd be so proud of all of them. Orihime is so much like you, happy, sweet, but can be serious and hold her own. I thought while I waited at the airport. We had a few hours left until graduation and this flight was cutting it close. It would all be worth it when Orihime saw her aunt.

Orihime's POV

It was graduation day! Chizuru, Tatsuki and I were all getting ready together. I was wearing a light pink dress, it stopped a couple of inches above my knees. The back dropped open to the middle but only showed the middle with thick straps. There was a bit of cleavage but sadly there wasn't much I could do to hide it. Once my dress hit my waist it started to loosen up a bit and flow as I walked. I put my hair halfway so only the front was clipped back with my hair clips while the rest had lose curls. My make up was very basic but the eye and lip make up would help make me look even better for photos.

Tatsuki was in a black dress, I was able to get her to wear one that was like mine but didn't show her back, it had thinner straps as well. She didn't want any makeup and left her hair as it normally was, but she looked gorgeous.

Chizuru wore a dark blue dress. It went down to her knees and had straps that crossed in the back. She clipped the left side up with light eye makeup. Tatsuki's mom had us take a ton of photos together, separate, and with her. I was a little sad not to be with the Kurosaki's but we'd be having a party afterward there and I knew we'd get some good photos with them as well.

We walked towards the school to grab our cap and gown there. All of us were smiles, even Oshima-kun was smiling and being nice to others. I had a feeling Ichigo and he would still fight but hopefully they didn't see each other.

As I walked to the list for I-L to get my stuff I realized how much I wanted my brother here. He'd be so proud of me. Strong arms wrapped around me.

"You look beautiful." He said in my hair.

I smiled as he turned me around. "You look handsome!"

He was in a button-down black shirt with grey slacks.

"Way to sound surprised" His fake anger made me giggle. I loved this man so much.

"Come on, let's get to our seats" I pulled his hand towards the spots we were assigned.

"Inoue Orihime"

Everyone clapped as I stood and walked across the stage to get my diploma.

"That's my daughter!" I heard Kurosaki-san yell out.

I turned towards the crowd like we were told and smiled. However, my mouth fell open when I saw the older lady sitting by Isshin.

"Aunt-san?" I whispered.

I kept walking, I didn't want to be scolded right before I leave this school behind. I sat in my seat and waited for all my friends to be called. I yelled out cheers with my close group of friends waiting anxiously for us to be excused so I could see my aunt.

3rd Person POV

Orihime and her aunt met in a hug. While they may not be close to one another, it was a special moment and the young woman was happy to the lady who cared for her all these years. Her aunt was so proud of the young lady. She pushed past the things that were thrown at her to reach her goals. They headed home to get the party started.

The party at Ichigo's was a blast. Everyone's friends and family were there, no drama just fun. As Orihime thought, there were a ton of photos taken of everyone, and it'd take some time to go through them all and pick the best ones out.

Orihime's aunt stayed the weekend but then she had to go home. She felt much better after meeting the Kurosaki and hearing about the promise ring. When she left to go back to her family she had no worries about her niece's safety. She trusted this family and knew she'd be seeing them in the future.

Two-year time skip

July came and went with no word from Ichigo. He left the week after graduation to soul society saying he needed to handle a few things but didn't say much else. Orihime worked and spent the time with her friends and the Kurosaki's but she missed him.

It was August 16th, Orihime was getting ready to finally see her boyfriend. She chose a dark red dress, it was tight and showed off her curves while not showing off too much skin. It had a thick black ribbon on the top with thin black straps and black roses on it.

She put her hair up in a fancy bun with more light makeup like at graduation. She wasn't sure why they were dressing up so much for Ichigo's return but she was excited none the less.

The backyard was stunning. Paper lanterns hung from the trees to light up the area. There were small four-seat tables all over the yard; decorated with white cloths and mixed flower arrangements in the center of each. All the chairs were decorated with white covers that had black designs sewn in.

Isshin had soft music playing in the background. An instrumental piece that set a calming mood. When Orihime walked outside she was shocked. "It's beautiful" she whispered to herself.

"I'm glad you like it 'Hime."

Said girl quickly spun around to find her boyfriend all dressed up. "Ichigo! I've missed you so much." She rushed to give him a hug while their closest friends and family watched the reunion.

"I've missed you too. I'm back now and don't need to go back any time soon. I brought some friends with me too."

Orihime saw their soul society friends spread out at a few tables. "What's going on?"

While she was thrilled to see them, they were not allowed over to the world of the living unless there was a good reason.

"Well... you see... Um... My reason for leaving wasn't just to train. I mean I did train but there was another reason."

"Oh, is everything alright?" She couldn't help but worry.

"Better. I um have something to ask you."

Come on King! She's already ours. Grow a set or I'm going to be King and you can sit back while you watch me handle things.

'I'm fucking trying.'

"Oh fuck it." Ichigo dropped to one knee, he pulled out a little black box. He slowly opened it to show her a modest ring. The center was a square with a large diamond surrounded by smaller ones.

Orihime's eyes instantly started to shed tears. Her whole world froze.

"Inoue Orihime, marry me?"

She couldn't speak. Her mind still wouldn't work for her to answer his question.

Ichigo was starting to panic. He had this whole speech prepared but that wasn't him. Maybe he made a mistake by just asking without doing everything he already planned but he figured having all their loved ones here would make up for that.

Orihime fell into his arms crying. "Yes! Always yes." She cried while he held her. The others cheered as Orihime pulled back to let Ichigo slip the promise ring off and onto her ring hand while this ring he put on her wedding finger. They slowly stood and smiled at each other before walking around to show everyone the ring. Well the girls at least, the men just patted Ichigo's back.

When they reached Isshin Orihime gave him a hug.

"This was your wife's ring, wasn't it?" She whispered while they were still in an embrace.

"It was, she would be honored to have you wear it now. I love you Orihime." It was the first time he ever said those words but he stopped adding –chan to her name when she moved in. What made him cry was when she spoke next.

"I love you too, Dad." Isshin held her tighter while both calmed down.

"Come! Everyone sit, dinner will be served now." Isshin called out while discreetly wiping away the stray tears.

Ichigo watched as the two held each other and heard the words the spoke. He knew when she called him Dad it would be a huge step for both of them and he couldn't help but smile. Ichigo pulled Orihime to their table, they were the only five top but it was in the middle for the whole family to be together. He waited until everyone was eating and chatting with the people at their tables before he slipped his hand into his jacket, pulling an envelope out.

"Hey, this is for you. It's why I was gone for so long." He handed it over. Ichigo, Isshin, Karin, and Yuzu held their breath while they watched the gentlewoman open the envelope and start reading.

"Ichigo!" She gasped.

"Read it. It's real." He held one of her hands as she started to read the most important letter of her life.

Orihime,

This man tells me you were my little sister in my past life. I wish I could remember more but it's fuzzy. I know it was just us, but I mainly remember how much I loved you. I had no idea you and your group of friends saved us all, more than once.

Ichigo tells me you're going to university and you're both half way done. I'm so proud of you, Orihime. He's come to ask me for your hand in marriage. I tried to explain he didn't need it but he said it was important to both of you. I want you to know, I fully support you two getting married and hope the next time you come back here you come visit me and my family.

I love you

Sora

Orihime read her letter three times before completely losing it. Ichigo pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back while she let it all out. He knew it would be a shock to hear from her brother but he thought he needed his approval to marry his sister. And deep down Ichigo thought Orihime needed it too.

"I can't believe you did this. I love you so much." She cried on his chest.

"I love you too, don't cry though. Be happy." He begged

"I am silly, these are happy tears." She pulled back with a laugh.

"Oi! Are we going to get this party started?" Renji yelled when he noticed how tense it was getting. He was successful at getting everyone to laugh and celebrate this great day.

The two bright-haired adults were finally going to get their happy ending. It was their own little fairy tale full of adventure and love. Masaki watched as her family grew older with new families of their own. This was the ending they all wanted but this was only the beginning of a whole new adventure.

The End