Thank you everyone for waiting for me to get my life together.

And thank you for all the kind encouragements over the last few months 3

Disclaimer- I do not own Bleach or its characters

Ichigo:

I curse as a drop of blood slips down my thumb, the nail I'd been biting now so short it aches but I ignore it.

Too invested in watching the sun set and the world beyond my bedroom window grow dark and empty. With a quick glance at my phone I see school had let out nearly two hours ago- and the pit of my stomach feels even more anxious as I see no missed notifications. While I hadn't expected Orihime to arrive directly from school I still assumed she'd be here already.

While dad had shot down my request to meet her at the school gate, and only laughed in my face when I told him I could just shift and be back before he noticed I was gone, I still itched to do it anyway… even if being this worried about it made me feel like a whiny loser.

Groaning, I turn my attention back to the make up work sprawled across my desk. When the knock sounded at the door nearly an hour ago, I'd practically flown down the stairs, and then hadn't bothered to hide my disappointment at seeing Chad and Ishida standing with a mountain of paperwork. I hadn't asked why it was them delivering it, but Chad took mercy on me; 'Sensei tried to ask Orihime but she left in a rush."

That didn't make me feel any better considering her delayed arrival.

My badge sat utterly silent on the desk beside me, as it had all day. I picked it up and twisted it around in my hands, willing it to sound- to give me probable cause to rush from my window. It remained nothing but dead wood as if just to spite me.

Letting out another groan, I tossed it back onto my desk before slumping down in my chair.

My eyes looked past the empty ceiling and instead saw Orihime's beautiful face, soft and gentle. Closing my eyes I could still feel her fingers drifting over my cheek. Could so easily put myself back on the school rooftop with her, warm in the sun and comfortable in her lap before the image warped into a flash of blood spray and a gasp of shock.

I opened my eyes.

With a steadying breath that I let settle in my chest, I cleared my head of everything but Orihime. Zeroing in on the clear, bright draw of her spiritual pressure. My mind raced toward its warmth- and it didn't have to go far.

I'd found her just moments before the doorbell rang.

Out of my chair so quickly it spun around, I was down the hall, taking the steps two then three at a time. Practically slamming into the wall with my momentum. I wasn't fast enough apparently cause there was my old man, opening the door to reveal the smiling face of my girlfriend, her arms filled with treats.

"Welcome, Inoue-chan!" Yuzu said, passing me, Karin right behind her.

I couldn't even process her response, couldn't step any closer. Karin was saying something, and Orihime was laughing. And I was standing there as a voyeur in the hall.

Hime had yet to look my way but it didn't matter. Even with the nagging fear that she's upset with me, she was still the most beautiful girl in the world. And watching her with my family was like gasping for air, like my throat was trying to crack open.

All the while, she'd come completely into the house, handed off her gifts to my dad.

It was his voice that finally broke through, "Come in, Yuzu's been in the kitchen from the moment she got home, it shouldn't be too much longer now."

Hime's mouth pursed, "I hope I haven't caused any trouble?"

Yuzu rushed to speak but Karin beat her to it, "Trouble? Yuzu loves cooking grand dinners, you practically made her week."

As if on a cue, they all turned to venture deeper into the house, my siblings breezed past me then the old man, who thumped his hand on my shoulder before disappearing into the living room.

Orihime stopped in front of me, her smile gentle but.. Awkward. Uneasy.

"Hey," She said softly, her hands clasped together between us.

Suddenly my own hands felt a bit clammy. "Hey."

The silence between us is thicker than it had ever been. And inside it I'm thrown back into memories of a time I never want to relive.

My relationship with Orihime had always been easy, even when we were friends. Back when the thought of us being anything more had never crossed my mind, it had always been unforced and free flowing. Back then I had never bit down words, or stopped myself from reaching a hand out to steady her. I'd never hesitated to be around her.

Until I'd come face to face with my own feelings for her.

Suddenly, it wasn't as easy to have my guard down. Not when the feeling of my hand on her back, pushing her through a crowded station was imprinted onto my palm for hours. Not when a shift in the wind wisped her hair against my arm and sent shivers down my spine.

It had felt like the worst of betrayals.

And I felt it now, that same hesitation to reach for her. Yet it didn't stop me from knowing what I wanted to do. I knew if I tucked her bangs behind her ear she'd flush. Knew that if I dragged my fingers down her arm, she'd sigh into me.

Yet it was the worry that she'd bristle at my touch that kept my hands awkwardly at my sides.

To keep my impulses in check, I said instead, "You look pretty."

Her eyes lit up from within, and there it was- the blush working across her cheeks. "Thank you."

Pleased with how well I was doing, I allowed myself to lift a hand and run a single finger along the embroidered design at the front of her cream top.

I traced the outline of the strawberry as I spoke, "This is my favorite part." Though the skin tight jeans were a close second, I didn't think I could hold back if I let myself focus on them.

Her breath hitched. I was already lowering my hand as she said, "I knew you'd like it."

And while her voice didn't sound any different, there was a tension in her body I don't think anyone but me would have noticed. Having to clench my hands into fists to keep from pulling her into me, I stepped back toward the living room where the sounds of my family flowed.

The reiatsu blocker on my wrist felt warm against my skin, telling me that if it hadn't been there I'd have released my tension into the air around us like smoke. Orihime didn't seem to pick up on it and I silently thanked Kisuke, his efforts were worth it for this moment alone.

"Are you hungry?" I ask her, still backing away.

Her nod is small and she takes a deep breath before following me into the lion's den.

My dad is yelping as he picks up a too hot plate and runs it over to the table. Karin scolds him as she sets a plate beside it. "Can you just be normal?"

Dad pouts at her, "You could show a bit of sympathy."

She only shrugs, "You've gotta learn somehow."

"Both of you stop it! We have a guest." Yuzu yells from the kitchen.

While my dad argued that Karin started it, and Karin shot something back, I leaned over to whisper, "I wouldn't blame you if you make a run for it."

Orihime didn't answer for a moment and when I pulled back enough to see her face, it was tender, "Never. I love being here."

A mental picture flashed into my mind of Orihime's apartment. It was a place that was such a place of comfort and warmth to me, a place where she existed could never be anything but bright in my mind. But I suddenly imagined it without her there; Imagined what it would be like to be alone in it. Her street was always empty, her neighbors hardly home at all. I couldn't even fathom how quiet it likely was.

And fuck, I couldn't stop myself from sliding my hand into hers at the thought of it. She glanced over at me casually, a question in her expression. And when I only stared at her, she wound our fingers together. God, I wanted to tell her that I loved having her here. Wanted to fall to my knees and beg her to never leave.

"Okay everyone!" Yuzu exclaims, breaking apart the moment. She set the last of her dish on the table. "Let's eat while it's hot!"

It was Hime who stepped forward first, sliding her hand painfully slow from mine. She sat in her usual chair and I slid into mine beside her.

"Wow, Yuku, this looks amazing!"

My sister beams under Orihime's praise. "It really was nothing!"

I could bring up the manic whirlwind she'd become when she'd arrived home from school and our dad had told her about inviting Orihime over. She had all but thrown Karin out of her way to scramble into the kitchen. She'd been a dictator, sending the old man to the store not just once but twice. The first with a list and the second with a scolding for getting the wrong brand of cooking oil.

Instead of ruining Yuzu's calm facade, I start filling Orihime's plate for her while Karin says, "It's been a while since you've come over, Inoue-chan."

"Yeah, sorry! With school and the bakery, I've been staying busy." She pauses to thank me as I set her plate before her. "I'll be taking a break from work around Christmas so hopefully I'll be able to make up for lost time then!"

"How's work going?" My dad asks, "I hear the hours are a bit late, I hope you're getting enough rest."

"Oh, it's not too late. I still have time to do my school work and get a full night's sleep. Toshino sometimes lets me do some school work at the counter too, so most days I have too much time to sleep!" she laughs.

And now I could mention I keep her from her sleep more than anything else but I doubt any of them would appreciate me sharing that fun fact.

"Do you get to make any of the bread?" Yuzu asks.

Nodding around her bite, Orihime responds, "Sometimes! Though, I'm not very good at the simple breads or pastries. But Toshino will take over the front so I can make some custom orders."

I can see the stars in Yuzu's eyes even from across the table. "That must be so much fun. I can't wait until I'm old enough to start working."

"It's not nearly as fun as it seems," I say, "Filled with more nagging than not, usually."

"Well that's only because you never show up, Ichi-nii." She points out.

I shrug, "I show up when I can."

"You're hopeless," said Karin. "With a mentality like that Orihime will be the only one bringing in any money for you both."

I didn't even need to look to know Orihime's face turned red as the strawberry on her shirt but I wasn't fazed. "It'll be different when we're older."

"Well, I'll just work at a bakery like Inoue-san!" Yuku insists. "I'm sure it would be more fun than working such odd jobs like you Ichi-nii."

"You won't have to work, my precious Yuzu! Father will support you for as long as you need!"

Karin rolls her eyes. "You need some hobbies, we aren't going to be here forever."

"How could you say that? You'll never leave me right, Yuzu?"

Yuzu only crosses her arms and huffs at our old man, "Of course, it's normal!"

While they bicker, I watch Orihime from my peripheral. She seems to be enjoying their antics and for once I don't hate it either. I pat her thigh under the table and her eyes snap over to me but I keep my attention on my family.

"So many betrayals today!" my dad says. "First Ichigo gets suspended and now my daughters plan to abandon me, I don't think I can take any more heartbreak."

My fingers tighten around Orihime right as she goes stiff.

My dad seems to realize his mistake, as a sheepish grin spreads over his face as I glare at him. The blocker on my wrist grew warmer, then cooled as I released a breath.

Yuzu leans over the table slightly, "Ichigo, you got suspended? But why?"

"Fighting probably." said Karin, not seeming at all concerned or surprised. I catch her half glance toward my knuckles and drag my hand off the table to hide it beneath the table.

"But you never fight during school hours!"

Orihime was practically stone beneath my touch, and I have to remind myself that Yuzu didn't know the situation and was just concerned for me. Even still, it was hard to keep my voice level, "It wasn't a big deal."

"Of course it's a big deal! You're in your final year, what if they mark it in your permanent record?"

"Now, Yuzu, don't worry about your brother." Dad said, reaching out to pat her on the head. "I got it all sorted away with the principal. Ichigo will be back in school in only a few days."

Yuzu didn't seem pacified at all and I opened my mouth to shut down any further discussion on it when Orihime spoke. "I'm sorry, Yuzu-chan. Ichigo only got into a fight because of me. I take full responsibility so please don't hold it against him."

Yuzu's face softened but I didn't let Orihime's words linger. Turning in my chair to look at her fully I said, "That isn't true. I'm the one who hit him. All you did was try to stop it."

"But it was because of me that he-"

"You're not responsible for his decisions either, Hime."

Her lips pursed and then her nose scrunched up as she stopped more arguments from coming out. Without thinking, I lifted my hand from her thigh and ran my fingertip down the bridge of her nose, smoothing out the lines.

Remembering my watching family I dropped my hand again and looked around the table. "Besides, like dad said, it's already taken care of. Chad and Ishida dropped off all the work for the next 3 days anyway. I'm already halfway through it. No harm done."

There was a heartbeat of silence and then Yuzu sighs, "Well if even Inoue-chan couldn't stop it then I suppose it was unavoidable."

And, fortunately, that was the end of it.

The rest of dinner passed with much easier conversation. Yet it wasn't until dessert, when Yuzu brought out the cake Hime had brought with her, that Orihime seemed to relax. I ate the strawberry vanilla cake slowly, trying to mimic Orihime's pace.

Watching her face while she laughed with my sisters, I began to wonder if her awkward arrival had been because of her own guilty thoughts, and had nothing to do with any irritation toward me.

And while I was relieved, I also was feeling an overwhelming urge to explain to her why she should be pissed at me. Afterall, it was her that would remain in school the next few days and get the brunt of any questions. It was her name that had been slandered in front of everyone, and it was her boyfriend who'd beat another classmate unconscious.

My thoughts turned dark as I watched her stand and clear away the plates.

And she thought it was her fault? All she'd done was exist. All she'd done was date the likes of me, who Aki had always had a problem with. He'd seen the scab to pick at and had dug his nails in, and I, the fool, had taken the bait.

Deep in thought, I wandered into the kitchen. Where Orihime was insisting to help with the dishes and Yuzu was refusing said help. In her focus she didn't hear me come up behind her, and she practically jumped out of her skin when I set a hand over the curve of her hip.

"I-Ichigo!" She calmed down a bit at my expression.

Already tugging at her hip I said, "Will you come with me?"

She studied my face before nodding, not even asking where I wanted to take her.

Mumbling an apology to Yuzu for the sudden abandonment, she allowed me to pull her from the kitchen. She didn't say a word as I led her by the wrist through the house, and then up the stairs toward my room.

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I've really missed these love struck idiots (affectionate)

I think this chapter took so long because I was writing the next one at the same time because I am incapable of being casual about anything

Thanks for reading! ^.^