A/N: Wow. It's been a long while. O.O I'm very sorry, I had a HUGE writer's block, and I kind of lost my inspiration. I've barely been keeping up with Bleach as well. Dx It' absolutely horrific. Well, I might post up another drabble today, I'm kind of feeling pumped. This is kind of a long drabble, a bit sad, sorry. =/ Anywho, this was inspired by the song "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane, great song btw. And yeah. Please review! And I'm very sorry to everyone again for being such a horrible updater. Dx I promise it's not because of reviews or anything (which I realized I passed the 200 mark! I can't thank all of you guys enough!), it's just my lack of inspiration. Trust me I can update every now and then, but i want to give you guys the best and not crap, so it takes me a while. xP No excuses, I know! Well, you may continue on to read. Please review when you're done - and I shall allow you to yell at me as well.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, not one bit of it.

Orihime's mind buzzed with anxiety, she couldn't believe that she was going to do this. Finally. Of course it took persuasion from her best friend to do so, but still. Her heart pounded as her eyes averted to the clock, ticking away the seconds that her secret will no longer be hidden. Ticking away the seconds to it being revealed.

She had mulled over whether or not to do so, the idea turning in her mind over and over again. She had actually went to the bank of the river and sat, just thinking. Watching the current slowly go on by. And that was when she just knew that she had to tell him. It was going to be the last day of school the next day, and that was when her resolve hardened. Breathing the river air, she slowly got up and gave a sad smile. At least Tatsuki had suggested that road trip if anything goes wrong… but she just might go for it either way. It's not like he has mutual feelings or anything…

It's not like he has mutual feelings… She thought once more in her head, her heart feeling heavy all of a sudden. She then felt that she couldn't do it, but she must… She must…

The bell rang and Orihime looked up, running her eyes over the classroom. She caught the bright orange hair and her heart clenched.

"Have a great summer! See you in a couple of months!" Sensei yelled over the chatter of the students as they were filing out. Before Ichigo could leave, Orihime quickly walked to his desk and gave him a small smile, thankful in her heart that he was alone for now.

Ichigo stayed put in his seat, not wanting to get out of the classroom with the crowd, he didn't want to get anyone upset – more like himself – for the hallway being too crowded. Suddenly, he felt a presence near him and looked up and saw that it was his auburn friend. She gave him a small smile, a bit too small for her usual giddy atmosphere. He gave a small smile back, but a questioning look to her.

"Ano, Kurosaki-kun, I was wondering if you had any plans after-school…" She asked in a soft voice.

"Er, I don't think I do. Just have to get home before dinner unless I want my ass kicked by my dad. Why?"

Orihime began to twiddle her finger in front of her and she turned her eyes to the wall. "I was wondering if you could just join me for a bit at the park. I have something to tell you." She then bit her lip, knowing there's no turning back.

"Yeah, sure. Just let me grab my stuff and I'll meet you out in front." Orihime nodded and walked off, her mind whirring once more.

Ichigo got up, slung his book bag over his shoulder and walked out into the hallway, thankful it was quite empty now, and headed to his locker. Once he was done getting all that he needed, her went outside and saw Orihime at the front gate.

"Alright, let's go."

She didn't say anything in return, but only began walking in the direction of the park. It was about a ten minute walk and the young vizard felt a bit awkward with the silence.

"So… Any plans for the summer?" He asked nervously, not knowing why.

"It depends." Was all she replied with.

"Depends on what?" He questioned further.

Orihime opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again, not knowing what to say. A pained look crossed her face and it didn't go unnoticed.

"Hey, are you okay?"

To Orihime's relief, she saw the park in the distance. "We're here." She looked up at him with the same small smile and began to walk ahead of him to a bench that seemed isolated from the rest of the park. Ichigo didn't question the spot, but sat down beside her.

"So, um, what did you want to talk about?"

Orihime only gazed in front of her, not even slightly turning her head at the sound of her beloved's voice. She bit her lip and her heart was pounding furiously. She thought she was going to pass out.

"Inoue?"

"You know, we've been friends for a while, and we've gone through a lot as well." She breathed out, rushing the words.

"Yeah..." Ichigo waited patiently for her to continue, not knowing where the conversation was going at all.

"Well, through everything that we've gone through, and even before you had gotten your Shinigami powers, I guess…" She seemed to slow out every word, as if to purposely build suspense, but in fact only because a part of her wanted to keep this secret hidden, because she was scared. She was afraid.

Ichigo didn't interrupt this time, allowing the auburn beauty take her time to say what she has to.

"I guess you can say that through the time that we've known each other, I began to love you…" She couldn't believe it, she said it! Out loud! To him! And somehow that rest got easier to say.

"It all just seemed to start as a silly little crush, you can say. We didn't really talk that much either way, except through Tatsuki-chan…" She lightly laughed here and continued, "But then everything changed because of, you know. And when I had gotten my powers, I too wanted to protect my friends like how you wanted to.

And that's why I went to help you with saving Rukia-chan as well. And why I had gone with Ulquiorra to Hueco Mundo. To protect you all, to protect my friends...

But being by your side or behind you in battle, seeing your struggles and your weaknesses and your strengths, it just made me begin to love you even more. The way that you sacrifice yourself for others is a noble thing for anyone to do…

I look up to you, Kurosaki-kun, because one day I wish to become strong like you as well. Well, I'm babbling on, aren't I?" She then laughed and finally turned towards her love. "I really don't expect anything; it's quite alright if you don't feel the same. In fact, it'd be understandable. I just wanted to let you know – and Tatsuki-chan also." She laughed once more and took a deep breath.

"Thank you for listening to me, and I'm sorry if I've now become a burden…

Sayonara, Kurosaki-kun…" With those words said, she got up and walked away, trying to hold her tears in.

There on the bench sat a young man with bright orange hair, not moving at all except for his breathing. The look upon his face was of confusion and there he still sat for about an hour more, immovable from that bench.

Yeah... I decided to end it there. I might continue it, might not... I just don't know how to have Ichigo react exactly... Shall I go super fluffy? xD Ha-ha maybe... Anywho, please review! And thanks guys for sticking with me throughout my lack of updates... I'm sorry...

BTW, I'll try my best to update my other story Orihime Inoue: The Princess, but I have to look up an online website for it, since I don't own it... So updating that story will probably take me longer. I won't give any promises as to how long it might take cause I tend to end up not doing so. Sorry. Dx I'm horrible... T.T

AND, as for that one-shot I used to always talk about, yeah I might just create a new story with it after I finish or at least mid-way my other one. I realized I suck at one-shots. And I kinda want another story of mine up... Did that sound kind of conceited? =X