Omg I'm back! A big big THANK YOU to everyone who reviewed and left me your feedback – your reviews are really what keeps me going. I'm glad that some of you appreciate this piece of work. I can see many of you heart-broken and banging your heads because of Ichigo's character. But don't worry, believe me I only write Ichihime fics. This is unlike the usual repetitive themes - typical fluff or try-hard lemon fics that have been regretfully flooding the fanfic page these day. This is a mature adult fic with Blitch-style twistS!

Love Me - Chapter 5

Cracking open an eye, Orihime's befuddled mind barely registered what was happening.

But she felt the familiar pair of arms brought her up into a sitting position, pillows behind her back, and she was given a couple of tablets and a glass of water. A manly voice gently told her that it was just too much alcohol and too little food – and that she would feel much better after breakfast. Then helping her lie back onto the bed, he said he'd bring breakfast to her while she got more sleep. Not long after, she felt a warm kiss on her forehead before returning to a sweet slumber.

Am I dreaming?

Kurosaki-kun is so nice. So nice!

Yes, I must be dreaming.

Orihime found herself cooking dinner for two persons. You may ask - Who was she cooking for? Didn't she say she'd give up on her husband already?

Even to her own disappointment, she was indeed including her husband's portion in her cooking. No big deal, right? It was only a simple meal of teriyaki chicken and rice and some miso soup.

Wrong – she had not cook for him since they got married.

Well, there was once or maybe twice, fine – maybe more than a few times. But that was just the beginning. Soon, it was known that he was never home early enough for dinner.

She'd keep the leftovers in the fridge and leave him a note on the table. But she normally ended up having them for the following day's lunch.

Thus, she stopped.

So what in the world possessed her to cook for him today?

It was late afternoon when the princess was disturbed from her slumber by the sound and vibration of her phone. Not looking at the caller ID, she mumbled a sleepy hello.

"Still sleeping?"

Her eyes widened like saucers upon recognising the voice.

"Orihime, you there?"

"H-hai," she was still in shock that he'd call her.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, slightly better," she responded after pinching herself on the arm, but surprising the gasp of pain.

"Good... there is breakfast.. well, in your case - lunch, on the table," but she was even more shocked when her eyes traveled to her dresser and found a tray.

Quickly jumping out of the bed and hurrying to the dressing table, she found a tray of omelette and rice.

Chotto matte!

Her high and mighty ex-shinigami of a husband who defeated Aizen, current Blut Corp heir, future CEO actually made her breakfast! Which meant this morning when he looked after her, it wasn't a dream either!

"Uhm, did you cook?"

"If it tastes good, then yes I did. If it's bad, then some random blue men did it," His voice was carrying a soft chuckle.

Her husband was cracking a joke? She couldn't help but laughed at his attempt at the joke. But it did lighten the mood.

"Anyway, Orihime... I'll be back early,"

Pulling his sleek black Porsche Carrera into the garage, he can't help thinking back at his call, wondering if it was a little too vague.

Should he have said "I'll be back to have dinner with YOU,"

Or should he have offered to buy dinner back, or she'd assume he was ordering her to cook dinner for him?

What if it made her mad? What if she wasn't even at home?

Maybe he was overthinking and he was driving himself crazy.

What did other husbands do?

Go home early and have dinner with their wives – right?

When he opened the front door and saw the lovely auburn sight humming as she set the dinner table, all he knew was he wanted things to work between them.

Orihime honestly didn't know if she was more surprised at his concern, or that he was home early. He had not mentioned that he wanted dinner, but she was pleased when he joined her at the dinner table.

Next few days, her husband was home no later than 8pm. Which means that's the time he got off work and headed straight home. No drinking at the bar. No rendezvous with some girl too.

She'd greet him when he came home, ask him about his day. And he'd reply in words rather than grunts and scowls.

Sometimes they would have dinner together, sometimes they would not.

Then they'd go separate ways and mind their own business.

It was awkward to say the least.

He wasn't quite sure what she meant by 'I give up'. But he was thankfully relief each time he came home to see her still around. All he knew was he wanted to keep this marriage, and he should do something about it, other than come home early to be with her... but he didn't know what else he should do, and he wasn't ready for the talk with her.

Orihime, of course, noticed that he had come home early every day. If he thought she'd forgive him just by coming home early, he was wrong. And just because he took care of her that night, as heart-warming as she felt, she didn't think it should make any difference to their relationship. Not until they have the talk, which she wasn't ready for either.

She wanted to give up. But there he goes, caring for her, those genuine brown eyes.. his deep sincere voice.

She said she'd give up on them – but what does it really mean?

She was still in their house. Did it look stupid on her that she said she'd give up but continue to stay there? Should she have made a dramatic exit?

No, she decided. She didn't mean to walk out when she said that. And divorce was far from her mind.

Yes, she decided that it means she would give up trying to make things work. They both could do whatever they wanted. But – she will walk out if he does anything to hurt her again.

And so, it was like a ticking bomb, just waiting for its time to explode.

It was close to midnight.

Orihime looked at the time, but pretended not to care, and surpressed the irritation she was feeling caused by the fact that her husband was not home.

On top of that, Ichigo's dad called earlier that evening. He had invited them to dinner over the weekend. She really really really hated making excuses for Ichigo's absence. She was sure Isshin could tell whenever she was lying.

In the end, she had lost all appetite and skipped dinner.

There was no sign of her husband when she retired to bed.

He was an adult, since when did he informed her on his whereabouts anyway. But it would be nice to know, that he was somewhere safe so she need not worry. It was no point worrying for him if he was doing some girl now, would it? Ignoring the nagging voice in her head that gave her ideas on where her husband would be, or with who.. she told herself with finality that she didn't give a damn and closed her eyes.

A crashing sound followed by an unmanly shout broke the silent night in the large empty house, waking the mistress from bed.

On hearing the ruckus made in the kitchen, Orihime felt a chill.

Who could it be?

Hurriedly putting on a coat, she reached for her mobile phone and quietly made her way downstairs, ready to fight.

There in the kitchen the light was on. And behind the modern kitchen top, orange spikes where seen.

She gave a sigh of relief that it was just her husband.

Said man stood up sheepishly.

"Sorry, uh - did I wake you up?"

Orihime took a step closer around the counter.

"Careful, don't come here,"

Her eyes widened at the mess and realised he broke the bowl of leftover udon. And his fingers were bleeding.

Tucking her hair behind her ears, she quickly helped him pick up the mess.

After throwing out the glass pieces and wiping the floor, she attended to his cut.

He stole glances at her as she showered him with tender care, cleaning his wound and carefully banding it. He wondered if the heat he was feeling was due to embarrassment that a big guy made such a mess and required a lady to help, or was it due to something else.

"There, all done," she completed her task and grinned proudly.

At that point, both their stomachs growled.

"You didn't have dinner?"

"Well... I wasn't that hungry, what about you?"

"No, it was hectic the whole day. I didn't really have appetite when there's so much work to wrap my head around."

So her husband was busy working. She suddenly felt ashamed at her earlier anger at him.

"The soup's in the pot, and luckily you didn't break the beef," Orihime turned on the stove and gestured to him to take the plate of beef out of the fridge. "It'll take me two minutes to cook more udon."

As she put the noodles to boiling water she realise her husband has been having all his meals at the cafeteria almost every day since he leaves for work around 6 in the morning.

"Ichigo, do you eat at the cafeteria every day?"

"Huh, yea... it's not that bad. They rotate the menu – weekly. It's just food anyway."

Just food? Yes her husband probably thinks of food as nothing more than to sustain the body. Eat to live.

But to Orihime food is something exciting. Live to eat.

"Itadakimas!"

Ichigo ate in appreciation once the bowl of hot and tasty noodle soup was placed before him.

"I can make you bentos if you want,"

He stared at her as if she had three eyes and two noses.

"B-but, not every day – just occasionally when you feel bored of the office cafe menu. It's easier for me to cook for two person than one anywa-"

"I'd like that, thanks."

"Alright,"

"But no weird concoctions,"

"Well, that depends on the chef's mood."

They laughed as they continued their supper.

Suddenly, things didn't feel that awkward between them anymore.

"Orihime,"

"Eh?"

As they walked back upstairs together, Ichigo paused outside her room.

"This thing... Let's work on it – together."

"You mean?"

"What I'm saying is - please, give me another chance. I won't repeat the same mistakes."

"How would I know that?"

"I know I've been an ass, and don't deserve it. And you have every right to reject this pathetic request but I.." He took a step closer to her and held her hand, causing her heart to beat tenfold. "You are important to me. You always have been but I took you for granted. And I realise that - that I don't want to lose you." From his tone and his eyes, she knew he was being honest.

"One last chance, that's all I ask," he whispered in one last breath.

"I don't want to hurt anymore," she whispered as she dared her eyes to meet his, "and I may regret this later,"

She placed her hands on his chest as he placed his around her back and her face.

"But now my answer is yes, I will give you one last chance."

Maybe she was being stupid.

But as his lips descended on hers, a girl can hope that one day the man of her dreams will just...

Just...

Love me.

.

.

.

.

End.

Love,

Blitch out (08.01.2011)

I'll try my very best to update whenever I can. Kindly review, please?