Author's Note: Hey guys here is the third installment of my story. I hope it isn't too bad.
Thanks for reading and enjoy!
She was better. After almost a week of feeling sorry for herself, she began to feel better. The person who'd sent her that message hadn't sent her another one since then. It was probably one of her old classmates who'd gotten ahold of her cell number. She would get it changed. But she was feeling significantly better.
It was hard keeping Tatsuki away. She insisted on coming over and caring for her. Towards the end of the week when Orihime could tell that she was feeling a bit better, she did let Tatsuki come over and fuss over her. But only Tatsuki, she didn't let Uryu, Saddo, Rangiku (who almost barged in through the door), or any of her other friends come over except at the door to bring her, her homework.
She was getting ready for school when there was a knock on her door. It was quite early; Tatsuki is already at school, practicing for Karate at the school's dojo, so it couldn't be her.
"It's open!" she answered from the bathroom. She was applying gloss and trying to decide whether or not to apply some blush.
"I think that I should just go ahead and apply it-"
"I think that you look better without it," a deep voice said from behind her causing her to jump and shriek. The blush flew out of her hand and landed on the tile floor with a loud clack.
"Ichigo!" she breathe heavily, "you startled me. I didn't know you were there." She looked up at the tall orange haired boy leaning on the door frame of her bathroom, her heart beating a thousand beats per second. His amber eyes staring down into hers, it seemed as though he was searching for something and the answer could be found in her eyes. She blushed deeply, feeling as though they were having an intimate moment.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to." He replied simply still staring at her. She felt herself getting hot, her throat was unbearably dry, and she desperately needed water. She swallowed thickly.
"Um…uh…would you like a…something to drink? Maybe some milk and orange juice?" she offered trying the ease the weird tension coming off of him.
"Why weren't you in school for the past week?" was his reply. It was strained, as if he was trying hard to keep some emotion out of it.
"Or perhaps some apple juice with some chocolate sauce?" she went on. For some reason she couldn't process what he was say and could only focus on breakfast drinks. It could be the way he was staring at her, or the spicy scent that was coming off of him, invading her senses, making her head swarm.
"You never missed a two days in a row, let alone a full week."
"Maybe just some water with a bit of honey would be fine," she squeaked, biting her lips. He moved closer to her and she was able to smell his toothpaste. She leaned back from him although she really wanted to lean forward. But he was with Rukia, not her. She lost her chance and she needed to get over that. But when he's scowling down at her with those intense eyes, his delicious looking lips turned down in a scowl, his tan skin that looked rough and hard from fights, his orange hair that fell in his eyes and spike out all around his head in various angles. She wondered for a moment if he put gel in it or if it was naturally that spikey. Her hand itched to touch it.
"I was beginning to get worried that something terrible had happened to you," he admitted his breath caressing her face. If she leaned ever so slightly…
"I think that I have some wasabi if you preferred that…in…you're…water…" she whispered meekly. She was sure that she was going to swoon.
"I don't know what I'd do if something terrible happened to such a good friend of mines." He whispered. That's when she came to her senses. She snapped to attention, causing her head to collide with his face. They both grabbed their wounded areas tightly trying to soothe the pain.
"I'm so sorry Ichigo. I'm really sorry. Tatsuki always tells me that I have a really hard head." She said through gritted teeth. Light danced beneath her eye lids. That's all she was to him, a friend, nothing more, nothing less.
"No, it's alright…I was standing to close…but fuck! That really hurts!"
"I'm so sorry. I'm really sorry!"
As they were walking to school, Ichigo glanced at the buxom beauty walking happily next to him. His chin was still a bit sore from when her head connected with it. He couldn't believe that he admitted that he was worried about her. But that's what a friend would do right? He was crossing over any boundaries when he looked the beautiful creamy skinned beauty in her large gray eyes and he juicy plump lips. Ugh! Those lips! Those tempting inviting, God-forsaking lips! And the way that she always bit them, the corners, sometimes the whole bottom lip, it was enticing and he bet that she didn't even know it!
But what was he doing having these thoughts about her. This was Orihime not Rukia. Not the girl that he's been in a committed relationship with for the past 6 months. So why did he feel the need to rush over to her home at the crack of dawn, much earlier than he would normally, and express his discontent over her extreme absence and make sure that she actually came to school. It was unnatural for him to do that. So why?
"So you were sick with the stomach flu was that it?" he asked after she finished talking.
"Yep! It was a really…painful experience. But I'm all better now!"
"Are you sure it wasn't food poisoning? You know, you eat a lot of weird things. Like mixing milk with orange juice."
"People mix orange juice with milk all of the time Ichigo." She replied.
"No one I know do anything of the sort. "
"That's not true!" she exclaimed stopping in her tracks. He stopped and looked at her.
"Who do I know that does that?" she pretended to think for a moment, and then pointed to herself.
"Me, you know me and I like mixing milk with orange juice," she smile brightly. Ichigo don't know why but this was extremely funny to him. It was like he was inhaling laughing gas, this was funny. He laughed the rest of the way to school, which wasn't that far, but it was more than the brooding teen normally laughs at a joke.
When they made it to school they were spotted by Rukia. She didn't look all that happy to see them. Immediately Ichigo's mood darkened. When his girlfriend wasn't in a good mood, it normally meant that his good mood would be ruined as well.
Shit, what did I do now?
Rukia watched as the two brightly haired teens arrive on campus smiling and laughing like they were a couple and that they didn't have a care in the world. This made her angry. Ichigo was hers, not some bimbo with huge breasts and hips who spaced out like all of the time. And what was so funny? Ichigo barely laughed unless it was at someone's expense, but Orihime didn't so why was she laughing along with him? Just what was going on between the two of them in the first place! And when did Ichigo show up to school before 8, it was only 7!
She was seething. She knew that Orihime had a crush on Ichigo. She was good at hiding it now, but before she and Ichigo got together, it was painfully obvious that she was crushing on the boy. But she had her chance; it wasn't Rukia's fault that she had the guts to ask him out before Orihime could. She needs to get over it and move along.
"Oh, good morning Rukia!" Orihime greeted bowing to her, smiling, all sweet and sugary.
"Good morning Orihime," she responded with the same sugary sweetness. She turned to Ichigo's scowling form. "And good morning to you hot stuff," she said quickly embracing him, pulling him down as she stood on her toes, covering his mouth with hers. She delved her tongue into his mouth, pressing her short, small petite body against his, weaving her hands in his hair.
He was shock at the sudden change in his girlfriend, but then kissed her back with only half of the enthusiasm as she was showing. Rukia opened one eye to see Orihime looking away, a bright red blush tainted her face, as she bit her lower lip in embarrassment, and finally, walking away from the couple. Satisfied with the reaction she elicited from Orihime, she released Ichigo.
He let go of a deep breath and looked at her questioningly. He could have sworn that she was angry with him earlier.
"Good morning to you too Rukia. I thought before that you were angry with me."
"Maybe it's because you're dense," she replied looking around to see if she could find Momo and Rangiku. They had made up during the week and she wanted to go shopping after school.
"What?! I'm not dense!" He yelled.
"Yeah yeah, whatever, listen what are you doing up this early. I thought that you were unable to function before 8."
"I was busy," he said already annoyed with her.
"Busy doing what…or the better question is who" she mumbled under her breath.
"What did you say?!" he growled looking her fiercely in the eye.
"You heard me you sex crazed pig!" she shouted.
"For the love of GOD RUKIA I DON'T CHEAT ON YOU!" he shouted.
"HOW THE HELL IS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHEN YOU COME TO SCHOOL ALL HAPPY!" she shouted back.
"DO YOU EVEN HEAR YOURSELF?! DO YOU EVEN REALIZE HOW BAT SHIT CRAZY YOU SOUND RIGHT NOW!"
"OH SO NOW I'M CRAZY!"
"I THINK THAT YOU FORGOT THE BAT SHIT PART OF IT!" she kicked him in his private and stormed off screaming;
"I'M NOT ANY FORM OF CRAZY!"
He crumpled to the ground in pain. He hated when she does that. He hated that more than anything in the world.
"Nah man, she's not crazy," laughed Renji as he, Ikkaku, and Yumichika Ayasegawa came and stood next to him.
"Fuck off Renji," Ichigo muttered as he picked himself up off the ground.
"That's such an ugly word," Yumichika said, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "But I guess its fitting coming from such an ugly person."
"Blow it out your ass Yumichika. I'm in no mood."
"Hey, don't get mad at him because you were blue balled by your excitable girlfriend has issues," commented Ikkaku.
"Don't tell me what to do; I can get mad at whoever I feel like!"
"So what was going on with you and that Orihime chick?" Renji asked with interest.
"Nothing! Which explains why I don't understand why Rukia was all up in my face about it?"
"Well you two did look pretty cozy laughing and what not. And that Orihime is one extraordinary beautiful girl," stated Yumichika.
"Yeah I take a ride on that any day of the- OW! What the hell was that for?!" Ikkaku clutched his stomach.
"Don't talk about her that way asshole, she's my friend. Besides aren't you dating Keigo's sister?"
"HELL NO! That psycho won't leave me alone whenever I'm not in school."
"Why don't you just tell her that you don't want her in that way?" suggested Renji.
"Don't you think I tried? No matter what I say she just won't leave me alone. Its irritating." The boys crossed the threshold into their class. Saddo looked up at them and nodded.
"What's up Chad?" Ichigo called out to the gentle giant by the wrong name. He looks and saw Rukia pointedly glaring at him surrounded by Rangiku and Momo. He turned to make his way to his desk, passing by Orihime and Tatsuki and Chizuru Honshō, who was currently trying to grope the red headed buxom beauty. He sighed and kept moving. Knowing if he stops to talk to Tatsuki Rukia would have another fit. He sat down in his seat and buried his head in his arms.
"So you have work today Ichigo?" asked Renji.
"I don't think that I was on the schedule," he mumbled.
"So you want to do something later?" Ichigo lifted his head up and stared at Renji.
"Are you asking me out on a date?"
"What the hell?! I'm not asking you out!"
"Hey man, I understand. But I'm in a relationship, maybe you should try someone else I hear Yumichika not currently dating anyone."
"As if I would date someone with such weird hair and eyebrows. Seriously, try Ikkaku, I think he's trying to get rid of a girl."
"No, I don't think I'm that desperate."
"SHUT THE FUCK UP! I AM A PRIZE! ANY OF YOU LOSERS WOULD BE LUCKY TO HAVE ME!" Renji shouted in a fit of anger. The whole class was quiet and stared at his outburst. Renji sat down and cleared his throat. "Anyway, I wanted to see if you wanted to go to the arcade today. Shiba installed a new game."
"No kidding? Is it anything good?"
"I don't know, that's why I wanted to go and see it today."
"Hey count me in I could use a stress reliever," Ikkaku chimed in.
"Count me out, I hate going there the owners of the establishment are so…hideously. Especially that brutish brother of hers," Yumichika shuddered in disgust.
"Awn come on Yumichika, he's not that bad," Ikkaku said, trying to persuade him to come.
"Last time I went there he threw sand in my face. My beautiful, expensive face."
"I'm pretty sure it's not a breach of your contract if you got a bit of sand. Besides doesn't that have to do with some form of washing your face or whatever?"
"Ikkaku, I honestly haven't a clue of what you're trying to say, but oh well, I guess I can go for an hour or so." The door opened to the class and their teacher, Yoruichi Shihōin, walked into the classroom followed by an extremely pale boy with shocking green eyes and black hair. His face was impassive and his eyes were penetrating.
"Class, please return to your seats I have an announcement to make." Ichigo notice Orihime go rigid and paled at the sight of the boy. He turned to look at him some more and noticed that he was looking at her, only at her.
"This here is a new student who will be joining our class. Please state your name and something about yourself."
"My name is Ulquiorra Cifer, I am from America," was all he offered. Yoruichi waited for him to say something else, but apparently that was all he intended to say.
"Okay Mr. Cifer, I guess you can sit down next to Ishida. Ishida raise your hand so he knows where to sit." Orihime raised her hand. "Not you Orihime-"
"May I go to the bathroom?" her voice was trembling; she was obviously shaken up by this boy. Ichigo immediately to a disliking to him.
Before Yoruichi could answer her, she stood and basically ran out of the classroom. Everyone looked after her. It was very odd for Orihime to act this way. Very odd indeed.
Orihime ran straight for the girls' bathroom. She was sure she was going to vomit. What is he doing here?! Him of all people! She paced back and forth the length of the girls' bathroom. I can't believe that he's here, of all places! Dear lord! WHY! Why him?! Why now?! She stopped in front of a mirror. She looked crazed and wild eyed and pale. Get it together Orihime! It's just a coincidence. That's all, nothing more nothing less. She breathes deeply until she was able to calm herself down enough to go back to class.
She calmly walked back to class. When she arrived Yoruichi asked if she was okay and she assured her that she was fine. She just had to pee really badly. Eliciting a laugh from the class. She sat down in her seat, two rows behind Ulquiorra. Her heart beat as she remembered their past relationship. As she remembers his cool strong arms wrapped tightly around her feverish bare torso.
She shook her head furiously, trying shake the memories. Tatsuki looked at her and mouthed;
'Are you okay?" she nodded fitfully and tried to concentrate on what the teacher was saying.
A few hours later, during lunchtime, Ulquiorra came up to Orihime and asked to speak to her privately. She stood up from her friends and lunch and followed him to a quiet part of the building. Her heart thundering.
"It's nice to see you again Ulquiorra," she said shyly.
"It's a pleasure to see you again too. I had no idea that you went to this school," his voice was cool, calm and questioning, as she remembered.
"Yeah, it's here that I chose to go all those years ago," she still couldn't look him in the eyes.
"So how are you doing these days? There haven't been any accidents lately…have there?" he tried to look her in the eyes but she wouldn't meet his. She was silent for a long time.
"…no, there hasn't…not since my brother passed," she answered quietly.
"…that's…I'm glad to hear it," she looked at him and saw an honest smile on his face, s rare occurrence for Ulquiorra, who don't normally show any expression.
"So, what brings you to Karakura High?"
"I just felt that I needed a change. I couldn't stand what happened to you in America and decided that I didn't want to be there."
"So it took you two years to leave there?" she said harshly. That surprised even her, but when she think about it, it was true. But still, she hadn't meant to be short with him. He looked at her, stunned at her tone and her question.
"I…I…"
"You don't know why it took you 2 years to leave after what happened to me? Were you going to say something along those lines?" Orihime didn't know what was happening or who was possesing her body. She knew that she wanted to say these things but she would never say them out loud. It was like word vomit and it just kept coming out.
"Why did it take you 2 years to see if I was okay? You didn't even call after Sora died!"
"Orihime, that's not true-"
"Oh I forgot the one 49 second voice mail you left on my phone."
"You changed your number,"
"I'm surprised you noticed," she scoffed. Ulquiorra shifted uncomfortably. She wanted to laugh. She never thought she live to see the day that Ulquiorra be uncomfortable. She sighed deeply and looked at the ground.
"Ulquiorra, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I'm sure you have a reason for-"
"No you're right. I was wrong. The reason it took me so long to leave and so long for me to contact you was because I was a coward. An asshole, a bastard and any other thing you can think of to call me I deserve it," he sighed running his hands through his dark hair, looking at the sky. "I know that you might not believe it but…I really am glad to see you doing better…and…I hope my presence doesn't cause any issues for you. Sorry to interrupt your life…again." She now felt a bit horrible to how harsh she'd been with him. He was apologizing so sincerely she felt as though he truly meant it.
But he fooled you once with that self-deprecating façade once; you think that he wouldn't be able to do it again. Don't let yourself be caught up again. How stupid can one person possibly be, how many times are you willing to let yourself be hurt and humiliated?
Her inner thoughts were right. She should be wary of Ulquiorra, not feeling sorry for him. She stood straighter. "Well…as long as you know that…" she tried to be serious but failed when she saw him smile. Her inner self sighed deeply as she went to hug Ulquiorra. He felt good. Cool, inviting and familiar, he smelled of milk and honey. A scent that didn't really match him but in a way it did.
"I really missed you Orihime," he breathed into her hair, holding on to her tightly.
"I missed you to Ulquiorra," she said into his chest. And that was the honest to God truth.
"I really missed you Orihime."
"I really missed you to Ulquiorra."
Ichigo crushed his can tightly in his fist. His heart pounded with anger. Who the fuck did that kid think he was holding on to Orihime like that?! But from what he heard, they knew each other from America. But what gave that bastard the right to hold on to her like that! He wanted to march over there and beat the bastard's face in.
What gives you the right to be angry about what he does with Orihime in the first place? A small voice in his head asks. It was right. What right did he have to be angry about what was going on between the two. Not just angry, but jealous. Jealous that you're not the one down there holding onto her.
"Shut up!" he muttered angrily to the voice in his head. He turned and threw the crushed can as far as he could. He only followed them because he saw how freaked out Orihime was when the boy came earlier and he wanted to make sure that she wasn't in danger or anything like that.
'There haven't been any accidents lately? Has there?'
What did he mean by that? What accident did she have before? He found himself very interested in what happened in Orihime's life before she came to Japan. She sounded so sad while talking to him and then she suddenly became angry. He's never seen a sad or an angry Orihime before. He didn't even know that she was capable of those emotions.
A hot flash of jealously overcame him. This guy was so special that he got to see parts of Orihime that no one else was privy. He was able to see the real her.
What was he going on about! No wonder Rukia thought he was cheating on her. But lately, more frequently than not, he's been thinking more about Orihime and less about Rukia, an occurrence that shouldn't be happening. He really needed to get this girl off his brain before he does something he really regrets.
Sosuke looks at his phone. The message that he received was an interesting one.
I found the one that got away? How about we have a little fun together.
This person was talking about Orihime Inoue obviously. His little princess. There was a picture of her; she's grown tremendously over the past 3 years into the most beautiful young woman. The picture was of her siting down at her desk surrounded by a girl with short, spikey black hair, and one with glasses and short brown hair.
Sosuke considered this…opportunity that has fallen into his lap. He was bored and had an exceptional amount of time to waste. So…why not interrupt the life of his favorite little princess.