Wow, sorry for not updating for months! There's not much action here between the two characters, but there's a little something something. :) Please review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Orihime fast-walked to the bathroom, pushing the door open and running into the bathroom stall, quickly shutting the door behind her.

Just take deep breaths, deep breaths…Tears were on the verge of coming out, but she couldn't let them fall. If even one tear comes out, it'd look like she'd been crying for hours. And she can't have Tatsuki see her like that. She had told her best friend that she was just fine.

I'm fine! Everything's okay… Everything is back to normal… No one's going to hurt you anymore… Orihime shook her head to herself and took deep breaths, trying to think positive thoughts. She was finally able to calm down, but she just stayed in the bathroom stall for just a few more minutes to compose herself before she had to face the outside world once again…

Ichigo raised his head when he heard Orihime's voice ask sensei to go the bathroom. It was odd really, she never asked to go before… Before Hueco Mundo… He shook the thought away, he asked her after all, well Tatsuki really, if she was fine. And all he got was, "She just says she's fine," from Tatsuki and she would walk away from him.

But then there was this nagging feeling that she wasn't fine… She's still hurting somehow…

I'll talk to her myself after school.

Orihime walked back into the classroom and sat back down in her seat. Sighing, she picked up her pen once more and focused on the class. Although, the young healer felt like she was being watched… Slightly turning her head to the right, she saw that Ichigo was staring at her. When he saw that she caught him, he only smiled faintly to her, a smile in which she returned, and turned back to the board.

Oh my gosh, Kurosaki-kun was staring at me! Wait, no it's nothing… He only thinks of you as a friend… just a friend…

The rest of the day passed by and the final bell rang, announcing for the students to leave. Orihime put away her books, and stood up to leave. Although when she finally looked up, she saw the man she loved standing next to her desk.

"Hey, Inoue, I was wondering if I could walk you home today."

Her eyes widened at the sudden suggestion, barely believing they were true. He seemed to be waiting for her answer…

"Oh, yeah! Sure, that'd be great." She gave him a big smile, mostly out of nervousness though. She glanced to Tatsuki and she gave her a thumbs up sign and winked as well. Orihime blushed, hoping her beloved didn't just see that.

They walked out of the school and Orihime looked up at the blue sky.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" She asked without really knowing.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I guess so."Ichigo replied back. He scratched the back of his head, not really knowing how to begin talking about the real reason as to why he's walking her home.

It was then silent between the two of them and all the orange-top could do was clear his throat.

"Ano, Kurosaki-kun, exactly why are you walking me home?" He looked at her in surprise, and her eyes widened. "I mean, I'm happy you are! Because it just seems like we don't really hang out a lot, but it's not a common thing you do for me…" She trailed off, blushing heavily. Oh gosh, now I must sound like a weirdo to him, he probably thinks I'm rude too right now!

He slightly turned his head towards her, hoping that his words will come out right. "Well, I wanted to talk to you about something and I'm kind of hoping you'll tell me the truth…" He slowly began. Her heart pounded in her chest, hoping to heaven that it wasn't what she thought it was… "Inoue, are you really okay? I mean, I'm just getting this feeling that you're not feeling so great, like you're just acting happy so that no one will worry about you. Like what you usually do." He softly laughed and looked ahead of him.

A rush of relief washed over Orihime's body. She was able to breathe normal again. Wow, I can't believe he noticed… I guess I'm not as great of an actress as I thought! She jokingly thought in her head. She accidently laughed out loud and just went to answer his question, "Thank you for your concern, Kurosaki-kun, but really, I'm fine." And she gave him a smile, a true, sincere smile. But of course it's only due to the moment that she's in right now.

He then stopped walking and just looked at her. "You don't have to keep lying you know."

She just looked at him, not knowing what to say.

"Inoue, please, tell me what's going on. It pains me to see you like this, keeping all your emotions bottled up inside."

"I'm scared…" was all she said. It was soft, almost blending in with the breeze, but still audible to Ichigo's ears. And once he heard that, he hugged her.

"Don't feel scared, no one is coming after you now, Aizen is gone along with all the other bastards who hurt you. And if a new guy comes around to hurt you, then I'll protect you. I'm not going to allow any of my friends to be hurt again. Especially you." He then pulled away, but still had his hand gripped on her shoulders. "Inoue, you just need to let go. Of everything. You just need to enjoy life now, it's over." He then gave her his own rare smile and she gave him a soft smile back.

"Thank you, Kurosaki-kun. You helped me a lot." Tears ran down her face, but she quickly wiped them away, not wanting to have her love see her cry like a child. I'm a strong woman! I won't cry in front of Kurosaki-kun!

"Of course, I'm here you know. And all of your other friends. Tatsuki, Chad, Ishida. You're not alone." Without thinking, he placed his hand on her cheek and she smiled up at him. Finally seeing what he was doing, he quickly put his hand back to his side and cleared his throat and continued walking with her by his side.

I hope you liked it! I'll try to update every now and then, I should be doing my summer homework... Hopefully the next one won't be next year. Please review! Oh, and if you have any suggestions, don't be afraid to tell me. :) But then again, I'm sure you would write your own suggestions... anywho, I'm done now. Until next time!

P.S. Sorry about my one-shot thing... It's a bit more difficult to write one than I thought... So, just forget about it for now until I actually plan it out thoroughly. Sorry. =/