Love Me Bitterly Loath Me Sweetly

Chapter 38 *The Waiting Game Ends*

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Ichigo's POV.

I woke, and for several seconds I did not know where I was. Inoue's arms were around me, my weight against her. There was a tiny crack in time, though which relief flooded she was by my side. That relief was replaced with gut wrecking feeling in mere second. I pushed myself away from her.

I upright myself and rested my head against the wall. The memories of the night came in full force. I ruffled my hair and swore lightly. I couldn't understand my hollow. . . he took over me after Inoue left for the door. . . it was like I was in control of myself yet I wasn't. . .

'Did she see me? My hallow?' I observed Inoue, her hair sprayed on the floor sleeping away like a child, her exposed neck caught my attention, I realized it was my work, as her neck was framed with red bites and no sign of that bastard anymore. I scanned her lips. 'Lips.' I thought. 'There was no way one see Hichigo and not ran away.'

I remembered her voice calling my name, the sweet fragrance of her hair, the pounding of her heart, and her warmth. I felt oddly comfortable, and calm, and happy too. My fatique replaced with so much energy for the first time in decades I slept good, i thought.

"mm . . ." she wiped the drool with her palms and oblivious to her surroundings.

". . . just how dumb can you get?" Next my eyes scanned her body; her kimono had untied itself and it laid behind half exposing her back, her legs, her flat stomach also had red bites. "Since back then you've been chasing after me and calling my name." I patted her head. "I never thought that I'd see you again."

I withdrawed my hand when I realized what the hell was I doing. 'her hair and her eyes are my favorite.' I could hear the beating of my pulse against my skin. Coming here revived the memories that I had buried inside specially it revived the school graduation day, as if it was playing itself right in front of my eyes. The wave of pain washed over me. I grabbed my chest, trying to calm my breathing. It was a futile attempt. "It hurts Inoue. It hurt so much." I had a dream and we used to lay together in my bed as kids. 'Dreaming about sleeping while actually sleeping together what's with that?'

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Orihime's POV.

"Hey, sleepyhead."

I heard a manly voice, i yawned stretching and squeezing my eyes I pushed myself upright, slowly registering where I was. I could here the ticking of the clock that hang on the far side of the wall. It read 7:43am. Kurosaki-Kun was standing up, poring coffee into a mug. He seemed astonishingly awake. "Kurosaki-Kun, are you okay?"

He was staring at me. "What about you? Are you okay?" I followed his gaze, it was on my exposed body and I became conscious.

"This is something you did, you know." I fixed my kimono and mumbled. "Undressing me as you pleased. . ."

"I know." He stood there.

His eyes flickering as if million questions were taking place inside his head. He began an apology. But I spoke first.

"I don't mind." My voice was vulnerable. "Could we be friends again?" I darted a look up at him.

It was met with silence. Then unexpectedly, he walked toward me, I took this opportunity and spoke, "I know that you were in a daze, Kurosaki-Kun." His eyes met mine, but I was desperate and felt the need to say it. He grabbed my hand and pulled me up until we sat down on a sofa. I put my hands on his shoulders and said, "Look. I know, but please . . . fo__forgive me." Again unexpectedly, he pulled me to him, his arms tightened around my waist and stayed there for a while, until I forgot everything.