Okay! So it's been a long, long, long, long while since I've updated... I'm really sorry. I've just had a lack of inspiration and college applications to worry about and dumb guy problems to worry about, but you probably don't care except for the lack of updates! It probably seemed like I left the face of the planet, didn't it? Well, no! I AM BACK AND STRONGER THAN EVER! Actually not true. But, here's a kind-of one-shot. Not very fluffy, might continue, but I like the way it ends. Inspired by "My Sacrifice" by Creed, another one of the songs from the poll I had super-duper long ago. Hope you enjoy. :D

Disclaimer: Don't own Bleach or any of its characters. Nor the song. Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo.

Laughter filled the air as Orihime walked through the park. The birds were chirping and the sky was clear with a few hints of clouds every now and then. She headed to the same bench that she used to sit at from years ago.

Wow, has it really been seven years? Everything looks the same…

She slowly sat down on the bench, basking in the sun and smiling. She had just gotten back to Karakura Town from travelling the world as a pastry chef. She had gone to Paris, France for an internship in the culinary arts and after entering a contest and won, her fame grew tremendously in the culinary world. She was gazing up at the sky, thinking over the past few years and what would be in store for her here back at home. Slowly she fell asleep as the wind whispered in her ear, lulling her to sleep.

Next thing she knew, she was being shaken awake. Eyes popping wide open, the first thing she saw was a thick set of bright orange hair, and that was when she fainted.

The alarm beeped loudly, making sure to wake its owner. Ichigo groaned and punched down on the alarm, shutting it off. He lay still for a minute and then slowly got up. And so his day begins.

Take a shower. Put on clothes. Check zipper. Closed? Yes. Eat breakfast. Brush teeth. Get laptop and bag. Grab keys. Check zipper again. Leave. Lock door. Walk five blocks. Wait for bus. Take bus. Get off bus. Walk to school. Get to class. Two minutes late. Class is over. Eat lunch. Waste time on laptop. Go to next class. Class ends. Leave school. Walk to bus stop. Wait for bus. Get on bus. Get off bus. Walk home.

Ichigo's life seemed to be on robotic mode where everything was just routine. He did what he had to and nothing more. He checked his watch and sighed. Time for his daily run. Quickly changing, he jogged out of his house and started to run towards the park that he used to go to years back. Why he was heading there, he had no idea, but it just seemed like he should.

The sun beat down on him, making him sweat. Music pumped into his ears, increasing his adrenaline. He eventually arrived to the park and he ran along the path. Someone else jogged past him in the opposite direction and kids were playing on the grass. He continued to run deeper into the park when he saw someone sitting on a bench. Normally he'd continue to run by, but the color of this person's hair made him stop. He knew that hair color… No, it can't be… Suddenly Ichigo ran into a sprint towards the person and as he got closer, the realization hit him as he saw who it was.

"Inoue…"

She of course didn't hear him as she was in a deep sleep. Her mouth was slightly open and her chest fell up and down rhythmically as she breathed slowly. Well, I can't leave her here… He began to shake her as to wake her up and her eyes flew open. He saw those beautiful grey orbs for the first time in seven years, filled with surprise and … fear? And that was when she fainted.

"Oh, shit! What do I do?! Inoue! Can you hear me?" Ichigo shook the auburn beauty once more, only to have her fall limp against his chest. "Dammit, what do I do now…" He murmured to himself. I guess I'll take her back to my place, can't leave her here like this… Sighing, Ichigo looked around the park to find it to be quite empty, luckily enough. He hoisted her up and started to head towards his apartment, avoiding bumping into people along the way. To his astonishment, he was able to carry Orihime to his apartment stopping only once along the way.

Closing the door behind him with his foot, he quickly walked to his couch and laid her down. Her hair splayed across her face and he slowly leaned over, wiping the hairs away. Ichigo looked at her for a second, still in unbelief that she was here, in his apartment nonetheless. He finally looked down and saw his sweaty shirt. Feeling unbelievably dirty, he decided to go take a shower.

Orihime's eyes fluttered open and she stretched her body, then suddenly bolted right up. Whose house is she in right now? Why was she laying down on a couch? Wasn't she at the park? Oh, no! Did I fall asleep again? Did aliens abduct me?! She glanced around the small living room to see if there was anyone else there. She then stood up and was about to leave when a picture frame caught her eye. It was of a woman with hair almost the same color as hers, and she was very beautiful… The next picture beside it was what caught her off guard. It looked like Ichigo's sisters, but older, and his dad as well… That was when she recalled it. The flash of orange before she… fainted? What did I do?! For seven years I haven't seen him, and I FAINT? What nonsense is this! I have to go, right now. I'm so embarrassed, I have to-

"Inoue?"

Orihime's rant in her mind immediately stopped. Her breath caught in her throat and she felt the weak feeling in her knees once again. Wow, seven years really did nothing, did it? Here we go… She slowly turned around and there he stood. Seven years later. Her first love. Her first heartbreak. The first guy to truly enter her heart ever since her brother. Ichigo Kurosaki.

"Kurosaki-kun…"

There was a pregnant pause, one not knowing what to really say next. Ichigo just shifted his weight from one foot to the other when Orihime decided to take initiative.

"Ano, what am I doing here… in your apartment, I'm guessing?"

"Oh, I found you sleeping in the park while I was running and I thought it would be best to wake you up, but once I did, you fainted, so I brought you here instead." She made an 'o' with her mouth and nodded.

"So, er, how have you been?" He finally asked. "It's been awhile hasn't it." He awkwardly laughed, scratching the back of his head.

"Yeah, a long time… Seven years, right?" Obviously seven years… I really hope I don't sound stupid… He just nodded and she continued. "I've been good. Just came back to town this morning. I'm actually planning to run my own bakery in the city."

"Is that so? Oh, right. You left for an internship in France for that kind of stuff." She lightly laughed and nodded. "Oh, where are my manners. Sit down, do you want something to drink or eat?"

"Just water would be fine. Thanks." She smiled and Ichigo headed to the kitchen as Orihime walked back to the couch. He came back with a glass and handed it to her. She took a few sips and turned to him as he sat next to her.

"So, what about you? How have you been?"

"Well, I'm still in college for my Master's Degree in English and I'm in an internship right now in the city for a publishing company."

"Wow! That's great!"

The phone then rang at that moment and Ichigo excused himself to answer. Orihime now thoroughly looked at the living room, taking in every detail. She noticed the small stack of magazines on top of the coffee table and glanced through the covers. There was one that caught her eye and she gasped. It was the magazine that had her in the cover. It happened two years ago and this magazine isn't very well-known, even in Japan… Why does he have this? She heard footsteps coming back and quickly placed the magazine underneath another one, hiding it from view. She smiled up to him, but her heart was beating rapidly in her chest.

"I'm sorry about that, it was my dad just annoying me. I swear I can never get rid of him…"

Orihime laughed and he gave her a questioning look. "Even in high school you complained about your father. I'm happy you still care so strongly for your family even now, Kurosaki-kun." She gave him a bubbly smile and Ichigo's cheeks warmed as they became red. "And your sisters? How have they been?"

"They're both in college. Yuzu actually got married last year; it was surprising but not surprising at the same time if that makes sense." Orihime nodded, urging him to continue. "Karin still seems to be independent. She went out of town for college, dorming there with a full scholarship, as long as she plays for their soccer team."

"That's amazing! It seems like everything is going well in the Kurosaki family." Ichigo only shrugged, not really knowing how to respond.

Ichigo just looked at her, and he felt his heart contracting. Sure he had liked Orihime in high school, not that he had ever admitted it to her or anyone else, and sure he missed her when she left, but the one thing he was not sure of was how he would feel when she would come back. If she came back. And now she's here, in his apartment, and it seems like his feelings came back a hundred times stronger.

Orihime blushed from Ichigo staring at her and she could only glance away, down towards her phone. 7:03 p.m. it blinked. I have to meet Tatsuki in an hour! "Oh! I have to go!" Her sudden loud voice made Ichigo jump and leave his daze. "I'm sorry Kurosaki-kun, but I have to meet Tatsuki-chan in an hour. But I'm really happy that we got to see each other."

"Y-yeah…"

Orihime stood up and headed towards the door with Ichigo following behind.

"Uh, Inoue?" She turned around and he hesitantly continued. "Y-you're still gonna be here tomorrow right…?" She grinned and nodded, replying with an 'of course'. "Well, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to maybe do this again… over lunch, or something?" Orihime stood there in shock, and didn't say anything for a minute. "I mean, if you're not busy. If you are, then I completely-,"

"Yes! I mean, of course. I have no plans. I'd love to be with you tomorrow."

"Oh, great! So, I guess I'll call you, or something…?" Orihime quickly dug into her purse with her hand and grabbed Ichigo's hand, pulling him closer to her. His face flushed, not knowing what was really happening. He felt the tip of the pen against the skin of his hand and wondered what she was writing on his hand. "Here's my number and my address. So I'll see you tomorrow, ne?" She gave a quick smile and ran down the stairs before he could even reply. Ichigo just looked from his hand back to the running Orihime and yelled after her, "Okay, tomorrow!" She responded with a wave and continued to run.

Review please? OH. Just a side note, I wanted to say thank you cause I saw how many total reviews this drabble series has gotten and it just blew me away. Honestly, I am grateful for all of my readers, subscribers, those who review or don't, honestly if you even glance at my story, THANK YOU.