Stings Like A Bee [YoruSoi, IchiHime, RenRuki, GinRan, HitsuHina, IshiNemu]

Chapter 17

A/N: Hi~~~~ I'm back~~~ it's winter break~~~ But I just realized that I'm still actually kinda busy, and I'm not sure about when I can write. I'll update as soon as possible, so please be patient~~ here's chapter 17~~~ please enjoy~~~

Everyone in 2-A was on the stage, holding the trophy given by Principal Yamamoto, cheering, shouting, and throwing Ichigo and Inoue up and down in the air. In front of the stage stood the other students, also cheering and clapping.

2-C was among the cheering students as well. And after receiving their silver trophy as the award for their second place in the competition, the whole class started moving back to their classroom in a pack. But there remained a white skinned guy, staring at the stage. "Oi Ulquiorra, we're leaving." Grimmjow shouted over his shoulder with his hands in his pockets.

"What the hell are you staring at?" He asked as he walked back to him. "Nothing." Ulquiorra answered with his expression unchanged, but his gaze was still fixed on the stage. "Whatever. Get back quickly or I'll finish your food for you." Grimmjow said and walked back. They were about to throw a small party in their classroom.

Ulquiorra continued to stare at the stage for another few seconds before he turned away and walked back toward the school building. Just then Inoue, still being thrown up and down with Ichigo by her classmates, turned and saw the white skinned guy's back disappeared through the door to the building. She closed her eyes just as her classmates put her down, and she missed a step and fell backward, and fell into someone's arm.

"Careful." Ichigo said, and Inoue opened her eyes again, and saw Ichigo smiling down at her. "Now the Sports Day has officially come to its end. You may go home now! And please be prepared for the Cultural Festival tomorrow!" Principal Yamamoto announced, and everyone all cheered again, and leaving in packs, the students started heading home or to their activities afterwards.

"Well let's not bother those two love birds now!" Yoruichi shouted as she and Soifon brought their fellow classmates away from Ichigo and Inoue. She looked over her shoulder and smirked at the two and gave them a thumbs-up. "Ano bakeneko..." Ichigo said with a slightly annoyed tone, and smiled.

"Let's go." He said, reaching out his hand to Inoue. She looked at the hand for a few seconds, and took it. They two left the school in silence, and remained like that all the way to the street.

Inoue still couldn't quite believe what had happened in the few hours. First she hugged Ichigo out of excitement and happiness, and then Ichigo hugged her as well and kissed her, and now they were walking home holding hands. Everything just happened to quickly that she couldn't really absorb it all yet.

"Ano sa, Inoue," Ichigo said after ten minutes of silence. "Yes, Kurosaki-kun?" Inoue answered. "I... well, I think I need to apologize." He said. "What for?" She asked. "I was... kinda keeping you waiting, wasn't I?" He said, turning away.

"During the last ten minutes or so I've been thinking back, and I... well, realized many things. And I kinda figured out why Yoruichi-san and Tatsuki got so pissed off that Monday." He said, scratching his cheek, still facing the other way. "I think I actually knew it all the time, but I just didn't realize it. It's been a while..." Ichigo said. Inoue was listening quietly.

"Gomen, Inoue." He said, and looked back down at her. Under the afterglow, Inoue could still tell that Ichigo's face was growing redder. "Suki da yo." Ichigo said softly, and Inoue's eyes widened, and filled up with tears. "I-Inoue...!" Ichigo said, looking at her, feeling a bit panicky. She turned away and wiped the tears away and turned back to Ichigo.