Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Hollow Charm ❯ Flawed Intuition ( Chapter 4 )

Tite Kubo owns Bleach. I just borrowed the characters.

 

Author's note: There will be no author's note at the end of this chapter as I want to keep the flow going for the next chapter.

 

A big Thank You to yuwa and 1snakecharmer4u for the reviews.

 

Warning: There has been a change in viewpoint for this chapter. After half the chapter was completed I noticed the plot line did not flow.

 

A quick think made me realise that Orihime's viewpoint was essential. Ichigo was wrong for the feel of the chapter. So a quick (ha!) rewrite, a change of mind, a further change of mind, some conflicting ideas, some cheese and a large amount of water and here we are.

 

Remember this is rated M. Possible nudity, kissing, eating.

 

Please review.

 

Flawed Intuition

 

`If you thought I was in love with Rukia, why did you suggest this hotel?' Ichigo asked curiously.

 

Orihime blushed again. `I don't know. It was the first thing that came to my mind and I couldn't think of anywhere else. It's hard to find privacy. I'm accustomed to living alone and I've never really thought about it. I suppose we could have gone somewhere else. I knew that if you loved Rukia, she would probably be here as well. I thought I would be here for a little while and then leave you two together. You wouldn't have much time to be alone at your home,' she admitted.

 

Ichigo shook his head. `But you agreed to stay for the night even though she wasn't here. You have some strange ideas,' he said.

 

`I don't think they're strange. I think they're normal ideas,' Orihime replied.

 

Ichigo reached across and took Orihime's hand in his. `You do have some strange ideas. How could you imagine that I am in love with Rukia? Even if I was, which I'm not, how could you be certain that Rukia loved me?'

 

`My womanly intuition,' Orihime replied.

 

`I think your womanly intuition is as flawed as Rukia's drawings,' Ichigo said. `Do you think I'm the sort of person who would kiss you if I was in love with Rukia? I thought I appeared a little more honourable than that.'

 

`You are more honourable than that,' Orihime protested. `I was so very confused. First you kiss me, and tell me you care and then you left. When Rukia and the others arrived you seemed so pleased to see her, I thought you must love her. Matsumoto saw your expression, too, and she agreed with me. When we met later, you didn't talk to me. You only talked to Rukia. I thought I had disgusted you because,' Orihime blushed again and stopped speaking.

 

`Because why?' Ichigo said.

 

`Because I didn't protest,' Orihime admitted guiltily.

 

Ichigo frowned, `Protest? Protest against what?'

 

`About you kissing me and,' Orihime faltered again. She didn't want to say anything more. It was too embarrassing.

 

Ichigo looked even more confused. `I thought you said you liked me kissing you.'

 

Orihime bit her lip as her blush deepened. `I do,' she said in a small voice. She had really enjoyed his kisses.

 

`Then why should you have protested? I don't understand,' Ichigo was frowning.

 

`I thought you were disgusted because I let you take my shirt off, because I took your shirt off. You left so soon after that.'

 

`I left because the hollow was trying to take over. He was influencing me. I didn't want to leave, but I had to.'

 

`You weren't shocked or disgusted?' Orihime asked, seeking further reassurance.

 

`No.'

 

Orihime smiled at Ichigo, the relief evident on her face. Ichigo did not love Rukia. All the tension she had felt knotting her stomach disappeared. She was alone with Ichigo and no one knew where they were. It was a liberating realisation. He had been so honest with her, had revealed so much, and told her he didn't love Rukia. Ichigo had not been disgusted by her behaviour.

 

When she had talked to Matsumoto she had not revealed her major concern. That night when he had kissed her, she had responded so eagerly. Orihime was so ashamed of her behaviour, but so pleased Ichigo had kissed her. The feeling of his body pressed against hers had surpassed anything she had imagined. She had been prepared to allow him to do anything. In fact she'd hoped he would, but he had left. Now, finally she knew the reason.

 

She felt three conflicting things all at once. First: she was really hungry. Since that night she had not been eating properly, guilt obliterating her appetite. Second: she felt the immense relief, but also a feeling of fear. For all his assurances, maybe he only wished to be friends. Third: she wanted to kiss him, to feel his body pressed against hers. They were in a sex hotel, after all. Even though she had expected Rukia to be here, she had willingly agreed to stay the night with Ichigo. She felt her cheeks flush at the realisation.

 

`I am so pleased. So pleased you don't love Rukia, so pleased you don't think badly of me. I'm pleased that you have gained control of your hollow,' Orihime smiled at Ichigo and her stomach rumbled loudly.

 

Ichigo looked at Orihime quizzically. `Are you hungry?'

 

Orihime dropped her gaze. `No,' she said shyly. Her stomach rumbled again as if it was contradicting her denial. `Well, yes, I feel hungry, now'

 

`Please eat,' Ichigo urged her, moving toward the table. `What do you want? Let's see, Sushi, stir fry. When did Yuzu have time to make all this? I was only home for an hour. Oh, wait a minute. Some of these have dates on them. In think she must have frozen all the meals I hadn't eaten and defrosted them for me. How many people did she think she was feeding? I think the sushi must be fresh. You can't freeze sushi.'

 

`Yuzu made sushi?' Orihime asked.

 

`Looks like it,' Ichigo said, handing her the container and some chopsticks. He put some wasabi on the table.

 

Orihime opened the container and began to eat the sushi. `I like the pickled vegetables,' she said. `It's really very good, especially with the wasabi.'

 

Ichigo sat on the other chair watching her eat. Orihime was enjoying the sushi, plastering it with wasabi. It tasted so good and her stomach really needed the food.

 

Orihime became aware that Ichigo was staring at her chin and her mouth. She began to worry.

 

`Is everything okay Ichigo? Why are you staring at me?'

 

`Everything's fine,' he replied, still staring.

 

`Are you sure?'

 

`You have some wasabi on your chin.'

 

`Oh,' Orihime blushed and wiped her face with a paper serviette she found. `Is that better?'

 

`It's fine,' he said.

 

Orihime blushed more. `I'm not normally a messy eater,' she explained.

 

`I know. It's not a problem,' Ichigo said, still staring at her mouth.

 

Orihime ate the last piece of sushi wondering if she had made a mess of her face while eating. She suddenly felt thirsty after all the wasabi she had eaten. `I'd really enjoy some tea,' she said. `Would you like one, Ichigo?'

 

`Is there anything to make tea with?' Ichigo asked curiously.

 

Orihime looked through the cupboards and found a kettle and some cups. The tea looked as if it had been there some time.

 

`If it's no good, we can drink water instead,' she suggested.

 

As she made the tea, her mind slipped back to the memory of the last time she made tea for Ichigo. Her pulse began to race. As she poured the hot water into the cups, she noticed her hands were shaking. She took a deep breath.

 

`Nothing is going to happen. It is all innocent. No matter how much I want something to happen, it won't. Ichigo explained everything. It was the hollow that made him act that way. He wouldn't normally kiss me. I know he's been nice to me and held me, but it's only because he wants to comfort me. Nothing else,' she assured herself.

 

Carefully she placed the tea on the table.

 

Silence fell as they sipped their tea. Orihime was trying to think of something to say.

 

She suddenly felt as if she was going to sneeze. Quickly opening her bag, she pulled out a tissue, and a package fell to the floor. Ichigo picked it up.

 

`What's this? It's got my name on it,' he asked.

 

`I made some chocolate. I know that it is not Valentine's Day, but Matsumoto wanted to practice. I made it as a joke,' Orihime said feeling embarrassed. She'd couldn't remember placing the chocolate in her bag, or writing Ichigo's name on the package. Looking at it, a piece of paper was stuck to it with Ichigo's name in her handwriting.

 

Ichigo looked at the parcel and then looked at Orihime. `Chocolate?' he asked.

 

`Yes. I've never made chocolate before. Neither has Matsumoto. She helped me with it. I hope you like it.' Orihime explained.

 

Ichigo looked uncomfortable. `Can I eat it later?' he asked.

 

Orihime's felt even more embarrassed. `If you wish, Ichigo.' She was trying to remember when she had put it in her bag. Maybe she'd done is unconsciously.

 

`I'm really full. You saw how much I ate. I think I ate enough for two people,' Ichigo explained.

 

Orihime looked at him gently. `I understand, Ichigo.'

 

`I'll eat it soon, I promise,' Ichigo assured her. He placed the package on the table.

 

Orihime sipped her tea.

 

`I have to go back tomorrow,' Ichigo said suddenly.

 

The change in topic confused Orihime. `Go back? Where?'

 

`I have to go back to the Vizards. I haven't finished training with them. I know there's a lot they could teach me. It'd be easier if they weren't so mysterious,' Ichigo explained.

 

`It's odd, but while you haven't been at school, neither has Chad or Uryu. I don't know where they are.'

 

Ichigo looked at Orihime. `I haven't seen them. Maybe Uryu's trying to find a way to recover his powers. As for Chad? That's anyone's guess.'

 

Orihime nodded. She wanted to tell him how much she missed seeing him, how Tatsuki appeared withdrawn, all the gossip, but she wasn't sure he'd be interested. The change she had noticed in him made him appear more mature and less interested in school.

 

`Orihime, you don't have to stay the night, if you don't want to. I'll understand if you want to go home.'

 

Orihime looked at Ichigo. His expression was hard to read. Was he asking her to leave?

 

`If you want me to leave, I will,' she said quietly.

 

`No, you can stay, if you want to. I've paid for the room, so I may as well stay. I need to sleep after all the training. I have to admit I'm pretty tired and sore.'

 

`There's a bath. A bath might help you. Or, I could see if I could heal you,' Orihime offered shyly.

 

`No, I don't need you to heal me. A hot bath sounds like a good idea. I might just do that. I won't be long.' Ichigo went into the bathroom and closed the door.

 

Orihime listened, but did not hear Ichigo lock the door. She heard the water running.

 

`Should I stay? Should I go home? I don't know what to do,' she thought. She hesitated then tidied up the containers of food, placed the rubbish in the bin and then smoothed the sheets on the bed. Still unsure she sat on the chair nervously looking around the room. Feeling uncomfortable she went to look out the window. She wasn't sure how Ichigo felt. If she was honest, she wished he returned her love, but he didn't give any indication. He had told her that he cared. He had kissed her, but that was the hollow's influence, she was sure. Was she prepared to stay the night with him, if he didn't love her? If he was in the room, she wouldn't be asking the question. She felt uncertain.

 

Her Good Side told her to go. She remembered her earlier resolution to listen to its advice in the future. Making up her mind she picked up her bag and went to knock on the bathroom door. `Ichigo, I think I'd better go,' she called.

 

`No, wait,' Ichigo yelled.

 

She heard him get out of the bath and the bathroom door was quickly opened. Ichigo was wearing a towel. Orihime blushed.

 

`This is probably the wrong thing to do,' Ichigo said as he drew Orihime close and kissed her.

 

She felt the heat from his skin warm her. He was wet from the bath and the water was soaking into her clothes, making the contact more intimate. Most of all she felt his lips on hers once more. She kissed him in return.

 

`Please stay, Orihime,' Ichigo said.

 

Orihime blushed again. `The whole night?'

 

`The whole night.'

 

He kissed her again, this time his tongue moved between her lips and she found he was again kissing her the way she remembered. She returned his kiss, her eyes closed, trying to memorise his taste, the way he felt when his body pressed against hers. She touched his back, feeling his skin under her hands. She controlled her impulse to run her hands all over his exposed skin. She wanted to touch all of him, but was too shy.

 

`We don't have to do anything you don't wish to do,' Ichigo assured her taking his mouth from hers. `I could sleep on a chair and you in the bed. Or the bed's big enough. We could both sleep there, fully clothed. Or we could talk all night.'

 

She answered without thinking, her emotions and desire sweeping aside any other thoughts, `I'll stay. What do you want to do Ichigo?' Orihime asked.

 

Ichigo smiled at her. `What do you think?'

 

`Play chess?' she hazarded.

 

Ichigo groaned. `Are you deliberately teasing me? I didn't bring a chess board and I'm pretty sure that this hotel wouldn't supply them.'

 

Orihime lowered her eyes. Now the moment had come she felt shy and uncertain. In truth she hoped Ichigo would kiss her again. That would stop her thoughts.

 

`I don't know what I want to do,' she admitted quietly. `I thought I did, but I don't know.'

 

Instead of kissing her again, Ichigo released her from his embrace.

 

`I understand,' he said unconvincingly. He walked to the table and she watched him covertly. The towel clung to him. Her mouth became a little dry as she stared.

 

`Stop it Orihime,' she commanded herself. `Keep those impulses under control. It was your impulses that got you into this situation in the first place. Maybe I should listen to my good side.'

 

Her good side (GS) advised her to leave, now. Make her excuses and leave without any further contact. She could go home, have a cold shower and eat ice-cream. Go to bed early and then study all the next day. She didn't want to fall behind. Maybe she could try a new recipe involving bananas and curry sauce.

 

Her bad side (BS) decided to advise her as well. It told her to stay, but first she should remove that towel from Ichigo as soon as possible. She should kiss him, passionately. Then take off her clothes and lead him to the bed.

 

Orihime was a little concerned. Her BS had never been so wanton before. Her GS insulted her BS calling it a rude name. Her BS sidled up to her GS and flipped it under the nose, hard. Her GS responded by pulling BS's hair. Orihime shook her head. Neither of them was any help. They seemed to enjoy fighting each other more than helping. She left them rolling around on the floor in her mind. At least they weren't using weapons this time. She'd check back on them later, when she'd worked out what to do.

 

`I might eat this now,' Ichigo said, looking at the package she had given him. `Do you want to share?'

 

`I made it for you,' she said.

 

`All the more reason to share it. I don't think I can eat it all,' Ichigo said reasonably.

 

`Okay,' Orihime said.

 

She watched as Ichigo opened the package. Inside the package was a heart shaped chocolate.

 

`You made this?' Ichigo asked.

 

`Yes.'

 

`Are there any unusual ingredients?' Ichigo asked, hesitating before he bit into the sweet.

 

Orihime thought for a few seconds and then shook her head. `I don't think so,' she said, uncertainly.

 

Ichigo bit into the chocolate. `It's good,' he said sounding surprised. `Here, try some,' he said, offering her some chocolate.

 

She took a bite and found her mouth flooded with the familiar and welcome taste of chocolate.

 

Ichigo finished the chocolate and licked his fingers. She watched his tongue, self consciously. He looked at her.

 

`I better let the bath out, unless you want it,' he offered.

 

She shook her head.

 

He wandered into the bathroom and let the water out and then came back into the room.

 

`Do you want me to get dressed?' he asked suddenly. `Am I embarrassing you?' His face turned pink as he asked. It was as if he suddenly realised he was only wearing a towel.

 

`I find it a little distracting,' Orihime whispered.

 

The expression in Ichigo's eyes suddenly became very determined and he moved close to Orihime. `Distracting? How?'

 

Orihime refused to look at him, feeling her cheeks redden again.

 

`Good distracting, or bad?' he asked.

 

Orihime turned away, but he moved in front of her and placed his hand under her chin, tilting her face to his. Unwillingly she looked into his eyes.

 

`Good,' she murmured as quietly as she could. Immediately she denied it. `I didn't mean that. Please Ichigo.'

 

He kissed her again, pulling her close. She surrendered to his kiss, wanting more, wanting so much more. He tasted of the chocolate they had shared and the warm richness made her feel in some way comforted. She felt his hands on the back of her dress, undoing the fastenings. For a brief moment she thought of protesting, but his lips felt so good, his tongue was caressing hers and she wanted him. She had wanted him before, but that was nothing to the desire she felt for him now. The increase of his confidence had aroused her even more. The sight of his naked chest, the feel of his skin, the heat of his body, the proximity of the bed. She loved the feeling of his mouth on hers.

 

He slowly undid her dress and pulled the dress off her shoulders. It fell to the floor at her feet. Ichigo pulled away from her and his eyes caressed her. Her eyes dropped, embarrassed.

 

`Is this alright, Orihime,' Ichigo asked.

 

She nodded, too shy to speak. His arms encircled her once again and she felt her body pressed tightly against his. Ichigo buried his face in her hair.

 

`You smell so good,' he said and then kissed her again.

 

She couldn't ignore his arousal. She pressed against it, as she had the time before. Her body's reaction embarrassed her again. Her hands wanted to reach under to towel and explore. Instead she placed her arms around Ichigo and returned his kiss.

 

As his tongue caressed hers, she found her breath quickening. She was torn. She wanted this, but at the same time, her hope had been that he would at least tell her he liked her. It didn't matter because she could deny him nothing. He could ask anything of her and she would agree.

 

As the kiss finished she found she was unwilling to open her eyes, hoping Ichigo would kiss her again, hoping his hands would touch her again.

 

`Um, Orihime, I need to know something,' Ichigo said.

 

She opened her eyes reluctantly and focused on his face. `Yes, Ichigo.'

 

`Are you, er, experienced? I think I remember you asking me to be your first, but did that mean sexually?'

 

Orihime did not know what to say. She lowered her lashes and could not meet Ichigo's gaze.

 

`Are you, um, a virgin, Orihime?' Ichigo asked.

 

She nodded, not looking at him.

 

`I thought I should tell you, that I'm not experienced. I don't want to disappoint you,' Ichigo said quietly.

 

Orihime's heart thrilled. Ichigo was a virgin. They were both innocent. There was only one more problem to overcome. Her fear.

 

`I want this to be pleasurable for us both,' Ichigo continued, `but you are going to have to tell me what you enjoy. If I do something you don't like, I want you to tell me.'

 

Orihime nodded.

 

`If you want to stop at any time, I want you to tell me. I don't want to hurt you. I care about you,' Ichigo continued.

 

Those words eased her soul. He told her he cared about her again.

 

`I'll tell you, Ichigo,' she said quietly. `I care about you too.'

 

`Now, I need you to help me,' he said. `I have no idea how to take your bra off and I want to touch all of you.'

 

Orihime looked at Ichigo, surprised. She quickly undid her bra and dropped it to the floor. Now both of them were naked from the waist up.

 

Ichigo breathed a sigh of satisfaction as he gazed at her breasts. His hands reached out and cupped them as he had last time. He then brought him mouth to hers as he continued to hold her breasts in his hands, running his thumbs over the nipples.

 

She reacted to his touch. Her nipples became erect, straining against his fingers. She hadn't known that a simple touch would bring such excitement. He encircled her breasts with his hands, so her nipples were in his palms.

 

When he drew his mouth from hers he commented, `I like how your nipples feel against my palms. It makes me wonder how they would feel in my mouth.'

 

His head dipped as his mouth moved to one breast, gently licking the nipple. She shuddered at the tender contact. He drew the nipple into his mouth, sucking softly. Orihime wanted him to continue, so much,

 

`Oh, Ichigo,' she groaned.

 

`Do you like that?' he asked, momentarily removing his mouth.

 

`Yes,' she said.

 

He returned his mouth to her breast. He licked her nipple again and then sucked her other nipple. She had never experienced that sensation before. It made her bold.

 

`Please, Ichigo,' she heard herself say.

 

He straightened, and looked into her eyes meaningfully. `Let's go to bed,' he said taking her by the hand and leading her to the bed.

 

She lay on the bed willingly and he lay beside her. At first all he did was kiss her mouth, holding her close. As he held her close she could feel his arousal even more. It felt so hard and alluring. She felt both scared and intrigued. If she removed his towel she would be able to see him, but she did not want to take that step, yet.

 

His hands slipped under the elastic of her pants. Momentarily she felt herself become rigid at his touch. His continued kissing relaxed her as his tongue moved into her mouth. He pushed her pants down and then removed his mouth so he could pull them off her body. She was now completely naked, on a bed, in a room, alone with Ichigo.

 

She felt very shy as Ichigo looked at her. `I thought I remembered how you looked in the shower,' he said, `but this is different. The hollow is not telling me what to do. I have kissed you. I can embrace you and feel your body against mine. I want you.'

 

`I want you too, Ichigo,' Orihime breathed.

 

Ichigo removed his towel and threw it over the edge of the bed. Orihime finally saw what she had only felt against her until now. She was a little surprised. She had not expected it to be so large.

 

`Do you have to stare?' Ichigo asked, sounding a little uncomfortable. `You're acting like you've never seen a naked male before.'

 

`I haven't,' Orihime said quietly, still staring.

 

`Well I haven't seen any woman naked, except for you and Yoruichi,' Ichigo said distracted, his eyes staring at Orihime's body.

 

Orihime sat up. `You've seen Yoruichi naked?' she asked stunned. Why did he have to mention this now?

 

`Only briefly,' Ichigo protested. `It was in Soul Society, the first time she changed from cat form into human form, in front of me. Oh, and the time we bathed together.'

 

Orihime felt somehow shamed. She'd seen Yoruichi in human form. Ichigo had seen her naked. He was sure to compare them. How could he prefer her to Yoruichi? Sorrow racked her mind. She should leave.

 

`What's wrong, Orihime?' Ichigo asked surprised.

 

`I'm not sure this is a good idea,' she said stiffly. She wanted to hide, to cover her nakedness so he couldn't compare her body to Yoruichi's.

 

Ichigo's face fell. He looked so disappointed. `I thought you understood,' he said.

 

`I keep thinking I understand, but then I find out I'm wrong,' Orihime said mournfully. She wanted him, but not if he was thinking of another person when they had sex. The experience of the repeats had shown her that she wanted his love, not just sex. Until now the way he'd acted had made her hope again, but then he had mentioned someone else while they were together. She was not important to him. He'd said he cared, but was that enough? Was her love enough for the two of them?

 

`I'm sorry. Did Matsumoto mention that she raised her skirt at me? Should I have mentioned that?' Ichigo said hurriedly. `I didn't see much, I didn't really look, but if she did mention it, I'm sorry. It was a mistake.'

 

Orihime felt her heart turn cold within her. Her intuition was right. Ichigo did care for someone else. Not only Yoruichi, but Matsumoto as well! Maybe Matsumoto had made the chocolate for Ichigo. This was becoming worse by the minute. How could he want to be in the same room as her? The comparisons must make her look like a very poor substitute. Why hadn't Matsumoto said anything? She felt betrayed and so unhappy. The tears formed in her eyes. Not wishing Ichigo to witness her crying, she ran to the bathroom and locked the door. She collapsed onto the floor and began to cry. This was a mistake without comparison. Why hadn't she brought her clothes into the bathroom?