Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Daydreams Come True ❯ Uryu ( Chapter 4 )

Tite Kubo owns Bleach. I just borrowed the characters.

 

A slightly different pace to the other chapters.

 

Uryu

 

Uryu was walking to school, not too fast, not too slow, enjoying the morning. It had rained last night, but the rain had passed. The sun was shining on the puddles left by the rain. The air smelt fresh. He was momentarily distracted by a car passing through a puddle. He moved out of the way to avoid the splash of water from the tyres and bumped into Orihime who was had been walking ahead of him and had suddenly stopped. She looked a little pale, as if she had not slept well, but she was smiling.

 

`Oh, sorry Uryu. I wasn't paying attention,' Orihime smiled at him. The smile lit up her face. In that smile Uryu saw much hope and happiness. For a moment, he dared to think that she was really pleased to see him, but her next words quickly dispelled that notion.

 

`Have you seen Ichigo this morning?'

 

The mention of Ichigo's name made Uryu's mouth tighten. Ichigo, again. Always Ichigo. A substitute soul reaper, a replacement. Someone so much less than a Quincy. Why was all that admiration wasted on someone so inferior? Why didn't people admire Uryu, especially Rukia and Orihime. He was better at school, had many talents including sewing, he pulled a mean bow. His accomplishments were many. Ichigo, what were his accomplishments aside from his fighting abilities? He was useless at kido.

 

Uryu realised that Orihime was waiting for an answer.

 

`No, I haven't; seen Ichigo this morning. As you are obviously going to school, why don't I accompany you,' he replied.

 

Orihime continued to smile. `That would be nice,' she said.

 

They crossed the road and continued walking.

 

`It's a beautiful day, isn't it Uryu? Isn't it the most beautiful day ever?' Orihime asked.

 

`It is a very nice day,' he replied.

 

“I am feeling so happy today. I think today all my dreams will come true,' she continued.

 

`I hope all your good dreams come true, Orihime.'

 

She smiled, `Nothing will spoil today.' She spun around in a circle, right in the path of a car. Uryu quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her to safety. Orihime blushed and let go of Uryu's hand.

 

`I'm sorry. That was careless of me. I didn't get much sleep last night. I was, I was thinking of things,' she explained.

 

`I see. Please try to be more careful. Ah, we have arrived,' Uryu replied.

 

They went to their classroom, where they were the first to arrive, and prepared for lessons. Orihime sat in silence, staring into space with the happy smile still on her face. She seemed to be waiting for someone to arrive.

 

Uryu re-read his homework, making a few minor corrections. He liked to check things thoroughly before submitting them. The work hadn't been too challenging, for him. He was certain he had made no errors. Every so often he glanced at Orihime.

 

The classroom quickly filled, but neither Ichigo nor Rukia had appeared. Orihime appeared to be concerned and anxious. The commencement bell rang and still they did not appear. Shortly afterward, Rukia rushed through the door, apologised to the teacher and went to her desk. Instead of looking worried, or guilty at arriving late, she was smiling. Uryu could see some bruises on her neck. Orihime paled slightly.

 

A few minutes passed and Ichigo arrived. He looked very dishevelled. His hair did not appear to have been combed, not that it ever did, and he was scowling less than normal. In fact, Ichigo was smiling.

 

Uryu quickly glanced at Orihime. She had looked up when Ichigo had come in, but then quickly looked at her books, blushing. While Ichigo was explaining to the teacher the reason for his tardiness, Orihime stared at his back. So did Rukia.

 

When Ichigo turned around, the collar of his shirt flipped back momentarily. Uryu notice a large bruise on his neck. It was hard not to notice. In fact there was more than one bruise. Uryu heard a started gasp and he looked at Orihime. She was staring at the bruises on Ichigo's neck. She went pale. Orihime quickly turned and looked at Rukia, who was laughing. Rukia and Ichigo looked at each other and smiled. Orihime obviously saw the look that passed between Ichigo and Rukia.

 

Orihime went white, then red. She quickly jumped up and ran out of the classroom. Tatsuki ran after her. Neither Rukia nor Ichigo appeared to notice.

 

Uryu leant back in his chair. He was intrigued. What had Ichigo been doing? From the body language he would guess that Ichigo and Rukia had probably mated. Pity really, as he quite liked Rukia. He knew that Orihime adored Ichigo, but the expectation this morning was almost as if she expected Ichigo to… No, that could not be correct. Even a substitute soul reaper would not be so low as to play with the affections of 2 females. No one would want to hurt Orihime.

 

It was strange. When Ichigo arrived, he did not even look at Orihime. He only appeared to be aware of one other person in the classroom, Rukia. If there was anything between Ichigo and Orihime, he would have at least glanced in her direction.

 

Tatsuki returned to the classroom and told the teacher that Orihime was feeling unwell and had gone home.

 

The rest of the day passed, filled with gossip. Ichigo and Rukia were constantly looking at each other and smiling. It was rather sickening, but at least they were not holding hands in class. They displayed a little more decorum than Uryu expected.

 

At lunch Uryu checked his text messages. He noticed a text from an unfamiliar sender. It was from Orihime requesting that he visit her that afternoon. He replied, agreeing to the request.

 

oooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooo

 

When he arrived at Orihime's' home, he fully expected to see Tatsuki, comforting Orihime. However, when Orihime opened the door, she was alone. Her eyes and nose were swollen and red and she was still crying.

 

`Please come in Uryu,' Orihime said her voice rough and croaky.

 

`Thank you Orihime.'

 

`Would you like something to drink?'

 

`Some tea would be very welcome, thank you,' he replied.

 

He watched her make the tea. Every so often she wiped her eyes. Her shoulders were slumped and she seemed to be the antitheses (opposite, if you prefer) of the happy girl he had talked with in the morning. It was almost as if all her hopes and dreams had been destroyed once she understood the relationship between Ichigo and Rukia.

 

Orihime served the tea and sat down.

 

`Thank you for coming, Uryu. You probably wonder why I've asked you here,' Orihime said.

 

`I believe that I may have some inkling, but please explain', her replied.

 

`I want you to challenge Ichigo and beat him. I don't want you to hurt him. I just want him punished, a little.' The usual softness with which she spoke Ichigo's name was less evident. Orihime looked so miserable.

 

`I know you are a Quincy, the mortal enemy of all Soul Reapers. Ichigo is a Soul Reaper. It is your duty as a Quincy to challenge him.'

 

Uryu did not respond immediately. He sipped his tea and contemplated his answer. Orihime was not thinking rationally. Of course, he would like to challenge Ichigo, but for his own reasons. He did not owe anything to Orihime to make the challenge an onus on him. He wondered how far she would be prepared to go to make the challenge occur.

 

`As I see it, I would be challenging Ichigo on your behalf. What is in it for me? I am not normally known for my altruism and I don't think you are offering money. You only have enough money to support yourself. So, Orihime, what are you prepared to offer?'

 

Orihime swallowed. She looked surprised at Uryu's question.

 

`You won't challenge him, just because he's a Soul Reaper?'

 

`Oh, I'd do that, but only on my own behalf. Why would I challenge him for a person I go to school with, unless it was to my benefit?' Uryu asked.

 

`I just hoped you would. I thought we were friends.'

 

`Friends, maybe. But I don't issue challenges for the sake of friendship.'

 

What would you request as payment?' Orihime asked, reluctantly. Her gaze dropped to the table as if she did not wish to hear his answer.

 

`I don't think the payment would be too onerous.' Uryu paused and let his eyes roam over Orihime's body. How far would she be prepared to go?

 

`Sex, Orihime. You could pay me in sex if you want me to really hurt him.'

 

Orihime gasped. She looked at Uryu, but could not read the expression in his eyes as the light was reflecting off his glasses. Her hands covered her mouth as she blushed. She shook her head.

 

Uryu leant forward and watched her reaction intently. He was very curious to hear her response to his proposition.

 

`Sex, with you, Uryu?' She seemed to be having trouble with the concept.

 

`Of course, sex with me. If you want me to hurt him.' He was exasperated and a little hurt by her answer.

 

`But I don't want you to hurt him. I never want to see Ichigo injured. I just want him embarrassed a little…..I think. I don't know.'

 

`If you just want me to embarrass him, this will be payment enough,' Uryu knew he was making a mistake but he quickly moved around the table, and before she could protest, took Orihime in his arms and kissed her. She resisted, but suddenly she responded, just a little.

 

He was surprised at how her lips felt, soft and sweet. Her mouth tasted of the tea they had been drinking. Orihime suddenly stiffened and gently but firmly pushed Uryu away. Unconsciously she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Uryu was surprised to notice that his pulse had quickened so much from just one kiss.

 

There was a long silence. Orihime refused to look at Uryu, while he gazed at her.

 

`I thought I liked you, Uryu. But now I am not so sure. You shouldn't have kissed me. Last night…'

 

`Last night Ichigo came here and tried to seduce you. Am I correct?'

 

Orihime looked at him in surprise. `How did you know?'

 

`That's not important right now. Do you still want me to challenge Ichigo?'

 

Orihime shook her head. `I don't know. No, of course I don't. I'm so confused, Uryu. I thought you would challenge Ichigo without any real encouragement. After last night, I had such hopes. He came here, he kissed me, and he touched me. I nearly made love with him. Then this morning….Rukia and Ichigo? This day has been a nightmare. Then you propositioned me.' She crying, her face in her hands.

 

`I didn't really want you to challenge Ichigo. I never want to see Ichigo injured on my behalf. I don't want to hurt anyone or see anyone hurt. I'm just so sad and disappointed. Why did you proposition me, Uryu? Did you think I would accept?' Orihime asked.

 

`I never expected you would.' His reply appeared to stun Orihime.

 

Orihime looked at Uryu. `I don't understand any of this.'

 

`Of course you did not want Ichigo hurt. I know you love him and you are such a gentle person, Orihime. But he was not responsible for last night. Let me explain. Ichigo did not visit you last night. The body was Ichigo's but the soul that inhabited the body was Kon. Please don't interrupt', he said, just as Orihime appeared ready to speak. `I want to explain everything at one time. You can ask questions once you have received the full explanation.'

 

`You were probably daydreaming about Ichigo. Ichigo and Rukia were out killing hollows. Kon has apparently formed a type of affection for you. He came over here once he had Ichigo's body and tried to seduce you. I trust he didn't speak? No. And he acted fast so that you would not question him? I thought so. Kissed you, every time you spoke? You were probably already suspicious and if he had spoken you would have known for certain. However, if it seemed like a daydream coming true, I suppose you would be susceptible. Neither Rukia nor Ichigo questioned Kon about his actions last night as they became caught up in each other. They did not know that you were hurt. I am sorry that this caused you pain. They are sorry too. I spoke to Rukia and Ichigo before I came here. We worked out what might have happened. Apparently there were a few clues they did not wish to discuss with me.'

 

Orihime wiped her eyes and thought for a moment. `So, it was Kon. I thought briefly it might be, but I did not want to believe it. I really wanted Ichigo to love me.' Orihime paused. `That still does not explain your actions, Uryu. It is not like you to be cruel, and it was cruel to proposition me.'

 

`I wanted to shock you out of your thoughts of revenge and I hoped it might make you think of something else. That behaviour did not become you, Orihime. It was not like you. You must agree that it did shock you. You realised you did not want revenge.'

 

`Yes. It did shock me. You are always so correct. It seemed you were not Uryu, but some one I did not know.'

 

`And was it cruel to kiss you?' he asked gently.

 

Orihime thought for a moment. `Yes, it was. You kissed me when I was vulnerable and unprepared.'

 

There was silence as Uryu took off his glasses and placed them on the table. He rubbed his eyes. He knew he was going to regret what he said, but the moment was there.

 

`I took a chance. It was rash of me, but you are a very beautiful person, Orihime,' Uryu stated.

 

`You think I'm beautiful?' Orihime asked.

 

`Yes Orihime. Very beautiful, kind and gentle. Isn't it obvious? I have feelings for you. I never thought I would have the chance to say this and maybe I should not. I care about you, Orihime, but you've never noticed me. I was always the friend, but you didn't see the man. You never saw me as the lover. You could only see Ichigo. That hurt me because I love you Orihime.'

 

`I don't think I want to hear anymore, Uryu. I think you should leave.' Orihime said.

 

`I'm sorry Orihime. It is the wrong time. Forgive me. My feelings overcame me. But you did respond to my kiss Orihime. You did kiss me a little,' Uryu spoke the last words so softly.

 

Orihime bit her bottom lip. She looked down at the table and played with her teacup.

 

She then looked directly at Uryu. `Yes, I did kiss you. At first I tried to pretend it was Ichigo, but all the time I knew it was you. It was a mistake.'

 

Uryu leant close. Before Orihime could move away Uryu took her hands in his and kissed the back of each.

 

`Please, do not dismiss me. I am prepared to wait, Orihime. Please give me a chance.' Uryu uttered the words sincerely.

 

Orihime sighed sadly. `I still love Ichigo. I know he wants Rukia…… It is too soon Uryu. Too soon for me to even think of another person.'

 

`I will give you as much time as you need. I will leave now. May I visit you tomorrow? I have a surprise that may amuse you. I'll provide chaperones so you won't have to worry about my behaviour. May I visit?' Uryu asked again. He rose to his feet.

 

`I suppose so,' Orihime said despondently as she escorted him to the door.

 

At the door Uryu kissed Orihime quickly and gently on the cheek. `If you need to talk, call me. If you need me to visit, just ask. I am here for you. Will you be okay on your own?'

 

Orihime nodded.

 

Uryu shut the door gently behind him and walked home. Remembering the kiss, he smiled. She had let him kiss her, very briefly. Given time, maybe she would come to love him. It was too early to tell.

 

Authors note:

 

Hope you like it. Please read and review.

 

I didn't know what Uryu was doing when he propositioned Orihime. I thought he had been taken over by another mod soul. It became clearer as I kept writing.