Chapter: Chapter Three: Secrets Revealed

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo. Not me. Thank you.

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Having disappeared into the kitchen to make the drinks for her friends, Uryuu, Ichigo, and Rukia sat around the table, quiet for a few moments. Uryuu seemed to be content with the silence, sipping his tea, watching as the steam temporarily fogged up his glasses when he took a sip, and then cleared up when he put the cup back down. Ichigo and Rukia, however, seemed rather uncomfortable with the silence.

"So uh, what do you guys wanna do?" Ichigo asked, trying to break the unnerving period of soundlessness. Rukia glanced out the window and sighed lightly.

"When I was a bit younger, Nii-sama used to take me out on walks on evenings such as this around the outer edges of Soul Society. There were always such beautiful flowers on the paths he took me. He'd never look at me nor say a word, but it still made me happy to be walking next to him," Rukia said with a smile.

"Yeah, my mom would take me on walks, too. She'd always liked to walk by the river here, watching the sun set as she held my hand," Ichigo said, a nostalgic look on his face. They both looked toward Uryuu, who looked back at them clueless.

"Well, what about you? Did anyone ever take you on walks when you were a kid?" Ichigo asked him. Uryuu set down his cup and pushed his glasses into place.

"I never had such time for leisurely strolls. When I did take long walks, it was in order to visit my grandfather at his place, deep in the forest. He would not only train me in the ways of the Quincy, but he would always leave me with some piece of knowledge about life to think on. He was the wisest person I knew," Uryuu said, picking his cup back up. Ichigo stared at him for a moment.

"Sorry…about th-," Ichigo started.

"No need to apologize, Kurosaki," interrupted Uryuu. "It's in the past, and you had nothing to do with it."

"So you don't hate me anymore?" Ichigo asked. Uryuu stared at him incredulously, and then smirked.

"No, I don't hate you." He sipped his tea once more. Orihime returned with the two cups of tea for her friends, setting them down on the table.

"So, what is it we're going to do first then?" She asked excitedly, kneeling down beside Uryuu at the table and smoothing her dress out beneath her. Uryuu remained silent and Ichigo was too busy sipping his tea, loudly, to respond.

"Well, I think it's decided that we all want to go on a nice, evening walk," Rukia said. Orihime's eyes lit up instantly.

"Ohh! That's a great idea! And look, it's almost dusk so we can see the stars while we walk. Oh and maybe the fireflies will be out, and I bet the air smells great and it'll be the perfect time to get…something…to eat," Orihime's energetic wording slowed as she saw Ichigo crinkle his nose and make one of the funniest faces she had ever seen on him. She giggled and tried covering her amusement with her hand, but to no avail. Ichigo looked at her, and then down at his tea.

"Um…Rukia, I think this one's yours," Ichigo stated.

"Oh really?" Rukia asked, taking a sip of the tea in front of her. No flavor. "You're right, this one is much too bitter, it certainly fits you more," she jabbed, smiling devilishly at him.

"Well at least my taste in tea is straightforward and not trying to sugar coat its true nature like yours," he snapped, grabbing the cup from Rukia's hand and shoving the other toward her.

"That was a surprisingly well worded metaphor, congratulations Kurosaki," Uryuu said, unable to resist the opportunity.

"Don't patronize me. Whose side are you on anyways?" Ichigo yelled.

"Neither, seeing as you're both shinigami," Uryuu stated, simply.

"Ishida-kun's tea is spicy! What does that mean?" yelled Orihime, randomly. Uryuu coughed into his cinnamon spiced tea. Rukia couldn't help but smile, awaiting a response from Ichigo who seemed oblivious to the accidental second meaning behind Orihime's comment.

"It means he's trying to spice up his bland personality with overly dramatic bullshit," Ichigo replied, finishing his tea in one gulp. Uryuu grasped his cup tightly, glaring at Ichigo.

"So, how about that walk? Orihime?" Rukia said, restraining Ichigo and gesturing toward Orihime to do the same with Uryuu. Orihime nodded, placing her hands over Uryuu's. He immediately relaxed as she lead him toward the door, following Ichigo and Rukia.

"Come on, Ishida-kun! I'm hungry, let's get something yummy!" she yelled excitedly, practically dragging him behind her. Ichigo noted with obvious interest how Orihime pulled him along by his hands. Uryuu stumbled up next to Ichigo when she finally released him and ran ahead of the group, out the door. Rukia made sure the door shut securely behind them as Ichigo and Uryuu followed quite a few paces behind Orihime. Ichigo roughly placed his hand on Uryuu's shoulder, causing him to wobble slightly.

"So, what did your note say, huh?" Ichigo demanded. Uryuu threw Ichigo's hand off his shoulder and straightened his glasses.

"Don't touch me, you idiot. And what my note said does not concern you," Uryuu replied, sternly. Ichigo only smiled, knowing that Uryuu was hiding something very personal.

"Hurry up, you guys!" Orihime yelled from afar, turning back to wave at them.

"We're coming!" responded Rukia, speeding past the boys. Ichigo grabbed Uryuu by his tie and took off running after Orihime, dragging him along.

"You'll tell me what your note said whether you want to or not!" Ichigo threatened.

"I will not!! Now release me, you're going to ruin this tie!" Uryuu yelled at him. The four of them ran down the street, headed toward Orihime's favorite place to eat.

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A few hours later, the group had returned from a filling dinner and a long, peaceful night's walk. Orihime trotted happily alongside Uryuu as Rukia and Ichigo trailed behind them. Uryuu glanced behind him and saw Rukia and Ichigo whispering amongst themselves, pointing toward him and Orihime. He could feel his patience thinning. Orihime ran up toward her door, unlocking it and dashing inside. She immediately began digging through her drawer as Uryuu stepped in. He watched in amusement and wondered how she could always have so much energy. Rukia and Ichigo soon entered, closing the door behind them.

"I'm going to take a shower!" Orihime announced, as she walked down the hall to the bathroom, carrying her fresh nighttime clothing. "It won't take long, please, feel free to use whatever you like while I'm gone!" With that said, she shut the door and began running the water. Ichigo and Rukia suddenly looked at each other with devious glances, as if they were plotting some conspiracy. Uryuu began to sweat nervously.

"So're you gonna tell us what your note said?" stated Ichigo, demanding it more than asking a question.

"No, I'm not! It's none of your business, would you give it a rest already!" Uryuu yelled, clearly flustered. Rukia nodded at Ichigo. What were those two up to? Before Uryuu could think another thought, Ichigo had leapt behind him and held his wrists together tightly behind his back, while holding his arm against Uryuu's neck. Uryuu struggled violently but it was no use. When it came to brute strength, Ichigo clearly had the upper hand.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Uryuu demanded. Rukia answered him by reaching into his pocket and pulling out his note. She quickly unfolded it and read it while Uryuu kicked furiously and turned a nice shade of deep red. She stared in disbelief at Ichigo.

"What? What does it say?" He asked, struggling to keep Uryuu restrained. Just then, Rukia began mumbling something under her breath, yet Uryuu clearly heard the word 'Bakudou' as her hand made a swift movement across her chest. She had used Demon Arts to restrain his soul! Uryuu fell down limply, unable to move his body.

"Rukia! That's cheating! Release me immediately, damnit!" Ichigo could no longer tell if Uryuu was red with embarrassment or anger, he was just glad that he was still restrained. Rukia handed Ichigo the note, who quickly snatched it and read the words. Uryuu watched helplessly.

Hello Ishida-kun! I'm writing to ask if you'd want to come over to my apartment for a weekend get-together with Kurosaki-kun and Kuchiki-san? It'll be lots of fun I promise! I've already got tons of activities lined up and there's plenty of room for the four of us. Plus, I have something for you so you really can't say no. Oh! And please bring your knitting stuff, I've really wanted to learn how to and I don't think anybody else is as good as you. I can't wait to see you there! Inoue

P.S. Ishida-kun…it's hard to say this in person, but…the truth is, I really like you. And I've been wanting to know if…if you feel the same way and if you do…would you like to be my boyfriend? I mean, I can wait but…in the end, I really want to be with you. Please let me know soon.

Ichigo could not believe his eyes. Had Orihime, possibly the most attractive girl in his class, just asked Uryuu, the dorkiest pansy he could think of, to be her lover? He looked at Uryuu in shock, yet he also felt relief. Ichigo knew for quite some time now that Orihime had liked him, even loved him, at one point. Yet he regrettably did not feel the same way for her, so he pretended to be oblivious to avoid hurting her feelings. He never expected that she would fall for Uryuu, not in a million years. Ichigo sighed heavily, releasing a huge psychological weight off his back. He could now be more open with his feelings toward the one he loved, if he chose to that is. He knelt down, smiling at Uryuu in a strangely calm manner, placing the note on top of Uryuu's head. Uryuu was completely motionless, looking back up at Ichigo, though he could not see his eyes due to a glare on his glasses. Ichigo wasn't sure he wanted to see them anyway.

"Are you two finished humiliating me?" Uryuu asked, death threats emanating from his tone.

"Oh come on, don't be embarrassed. You should be proud! Orihime's a really pretty girl," Ichigo said, grinning.

"Kurosaki Ichigo, when this restraint is lifted, I will kill you," threatened Uryuu. Ichigo felt chills race up and down his spine. Just then, the bathroom door flung open and Orihime cheerfully walked out in her pajamas, brushing her still wet hair. She looked down to see Uryuu lying on the floor.

"Is Ishida-kun okay? Why is he on the floor?" she asked. Rukia quickly released her bind on him.

"Oh yeah, he's fine! He just likes your carpet," Ichigo lied with a nervous laugh. Uryuu calmly stood up, his back to Orihime.

"Inoue, I apologize for what you're about to see," Uryuu stated. Orihime looked confused and Ichigo looked terrified. Before another breath was taken, Uryuu used Hirenkyaku to appear just in front of Ichigo. He landed a hard punch square into Ichigo's face, knocking him back a few paces next to the window. He then materialized his bow, pointed it straight at Ichigo's head, and released an arrow. Everyone stared in shock as the spirit arrow narrowly missed Ichigo's head by a few millimeters, safely flying out the open window and leaving a burn mark on Ichigo's cheek.

"Next time, I won't miss," he said, dematerializing his bow. Orihime gasped.

"Ishida! What did you do that for?" She yelled, upset and worried.

"Trust me, he deserved it," responded Uryuu, turning around to face her. His breath was caught in his throat and he was struck motionless at the sight of Orihime. Her radiant skin shone and her grey eyes sparkled with the intensity no color in the spectrum could replicate. Her beautiful auburn hair lay flat against her cheeks and draped down over her chest, mimicking the pale yellow, flowing nightgown she wore. He blushed deeply, causing his glasses to fog just slightly. Just then, Ichigo's foot landed squarely in the center of Uryuu's back sending him flying past Orihime and onto the floor.

"Payback, you ass," Ichigo huffed, laying out his pillow and sleeping bag on the floor. Rukia smacked him across the back of the head with her pillow.

"Ow, jeez! What wa-,"

"I'm going to shower, try to behave while I'm gone," Rukia said, walking toward the bathroom. Ichigo waved her comment off, laying down and sliding under his sleeping bag.

"I'm goin' to sleep, you and Uryuu are givin' me a headache!," he yelled after her. The bathroom door slammed shut. Uryuu stood up, dusting himself off and sighed. There was no use continuing this argument tonight, and Inoue was clearly upset and confused which was the last thing he wanted. His head was much too full of annoying thoughts constantly running loops in his mind, and his body still contained too much adrenaline to be able to fall asleep. He walked to his bag he had brought earlier and pulled out a small book.

"Inoue, I'll be sitting at your desk and reading for a while if you don't mind," he stated.

"Oh, no, that's fine of course!" she said, clearly masking some sort of painful emotions. She watched him sit down, open his book, and turn on her small desk lamp. She stared at him for a while longer, watching him slowly flip the pages and rub the corners of the paper between his fingers. She blushed lightly and immediately turned around to finish brushing her hair. Uryuu smiled, knowing what her thoughts must be. His smile faded as he remembered his own troubling thoughts. He softly sighed, and flipped another page.

Orihime retrieved two more sets of sleeping bags and pillows, laying one set out directly beside Ichigo, and the other beside that one. She went to retrieve one more when Rukia stepped out of the bathroom and saw her bustling about.

"Oh, don't worry about that Inoue! I've brought my own," she said, running to get her things. She returned with not only a pillow and sleeping bag, but an adorable pink stuffed Chappy bunny as well.

"Oooooh my gosh, is that yours? It's so cute!" Orihime squealed, pointing toward the bunny in Rukia's arms.

"Isn't it just the sweetest thing you've ever seen?" Rukia replied, hugging it tightly.

"Can I see it?" Orihime asked, with big puppy dog eyes. Rukia smiled, handing her precious bunny over to Orihime who squealed and hugged it tightly. Rukia began laying her sleeping bag and pillow down on the other side of Ichigo, who was already deep asleep and slightly drooling.

"Does he always look so angry in his sleep?" Orihime asked Rukia, reluctantly handing Chappy back over toward her. Rukia took the bunny and put it under the sleeping bag with its head laying against the pillow.

"Usually he does. It makes it even worse, though, if you pull on his hair or tickle his nose," Rukia said, pulling lightly on one of his bright orange strands. His face contorted, and his eyes twitched. Orihime giggled at his strange reaction as Rukia kept torturing him. Uryuu nervously continued to read his book in the other corner of the room, making a mental note to always fall asleep after Rukia and Orihime had.

"Well, we should get some rest," Rukia said, tucking herself under her sleeping bag and holding tightly to her Chappy.

"Oh, you're right! It is getting pretty late," Orihime responded, glancing at her clock. She looked over toward Uryuu. "Um, is it okay if I turn off the light?" she asked him.

"Of course, I still have the desk lamp, and I'll be asleep shortly," Uryuu replied. Orihime nodded and turned her room light off, sliding herself beneath her sleeping bag and closing her eyes tightly. She really wanted to sleep, she really needed to sleep. Her mind, however, would not allow her to forget her troubling thoughts.

Rukia sleepily gazed over at Ichigo through half opened eyes. She admired the way the soft lighting outlined his face and made his hair seem to glow. He looked angelic, except for that scowl on his face. She reached over toward him and lightly placed her hand on his cheek, brushing her thumb over his lips. She watched as his eyebrows began to relax and his frown straighten out. This was the only way she knew to soften that harsh expression of his and hopefully ease the pain he carried with him. " I wonder what he's dreaming," she thought with a smile, caressing his cheek gently. He parted his lips very slightly, and let out what sounded like a sigh to everyone else, yet she clearly heard her name. She stared at him in awe, wondering if what she heard was correct. She had done this many times before, but this was the first time he had ever whispered her name in his sleep. Was he dreaming of her? Just then, he rolled over and began to snore loudly again. An annoyed look crept onto Rukia's face as she held back the urge to smack him over the head. She grabbed her bunny and rolled over, her back facing Ichigo. "Goodnight, you idiot," she quietly said under her breath.

Uryuu continued to read his book, 45 minutes later. He looked over toward his friends who all seemed to be deep asleep, as he should be. He sighed as he realized his mind was not going to give him any kind of reprieve tonight. Closing his book and turning off the desk lamp, he stood and stretched, yawning slightly. His body ached for rest and his mind ached for answers. He pulled off his socks, putting them in his bag, and then set his glasses down on Orihime's desk. Rubbing the corners of his eyes, he sleepily made his way over toward his friends.

Uryuu crawled beneath his sleeping bag, to the right of Orihime and to the left of Ichigo, who was already snoring loudly enough. Rukia rested quietly on the other end next to Ichigo. Uryuu glared at the orange-haired boy before quickly turning over on his side. "You're even undignified in your sleep," he thought to himself. His eyes then caught site of Orihime's beautiful shining hair, draped lightly over her pillow just in front of him. He longed to reach out and stroke his fingers through those silky strands, to hold her head comfortingly against his chest. He then noticed that her breathing was not steady, and her body seemed a bit tense. Was she still awake?

"Inoue?..." he softly called to her in the dark.

"Hai, Ishida-kun?" she replied after a moment of silence.

"Ah, so you are still awake. Is there anything troubling your mind?" he asked gently. Orihime stopped breathing a moment, seemingly holding something back but he could not see her face to read her eyes nor her expression.

"No, I think I just had too much tea earlier and it's keeping me up." Uryuu knew this was a bluff and was lightly irritated by it.

"Inoue-san, I'd like to talk to you about what you wrote me," he stated, confidently.

"Uryuu…" she softly interjected.

Again, she said my first name. "No, please don't interrupt Inoue. I've waited all day, and I'd really like to clear up any confusion between us," he said. She obeyed and waited patiently in the dark, still not facing him. "You asked me something that I've honestly wanted to hear for a very long time now," he started, trying to be bold even though the words seemed choked in his throat. "But, what I'd like to say, and what I must say are two different things."

"What do you mean?" she responded, quietly, fidgeting with a few strands of her hair.

"I mean that…Inoue, I really like you too, but I just don't want to be your second best." He had finally admitted his feelings. He clenched the blanket beneath him into his fist, awaiting her response. She seemed to remain silent for ages, before she finally spoke up.

"My…second best? But, it isn't like that, Ishida-kun," she began. He closed his eyes tightly and knit his eyebrows together trying his best to keep his emotions in check.

"I know that you loved Kurosaki," he interrupted, "but I don't want you to have to settle for someone less, for your second best choice, just because he is out of reach." He could feel that he was hurting her, and he wanted to strangle Ichigo for even putting her in such a position to begin with.

"But that's not right," she stated, more confidently than he had expected. "I did love Kurosaki-kun, for a long time. And even though he was always there to save me, he was never there to comfort me," she softly trailed off, yet Uryuu unmistakably heard her whisper three more words: "…Like you are." She turned over to face Uryuu, a few tears forming in her glassy eyes. He stared at her, unable to speak, unable to move.

"I just eventually came to realize, that he wasn't the type of person I had my heart set on. He's so rough and violent, his voice and his touch are so harsh. But after getting to know you better, I realized that you fit all of the expectations I had hoped Kurosaki-kun would. All of this time, you were the one I was looking for," she quietly finished, a few tears rolling down her cheeks. Instinctively, Uryuu gently placed his hand on her cheek and wiped her tears away.

"Then why did you keep avoiding the subject all day?" he managed to ask.

"I just didn't want to be rejected again," she shakily responded. His heart ached in empathy for her. Why did she always try to carry these burdens alone? Without thinking, he pulled her close to him and let her head rest against his chest as his chin rested atop her head.

"If that's the case," he began, unable to keep a slight smile from forming on his lips, "then what I want to say, and what I must say are one in the same." She looked up at him with that bright spark of hope in her eyes. "My answer, then, is yes. And…I love y-," but before he could finish, Orihime had joyfully sealed their lips in a kiss.

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AN: Sorry about the long wait for this chapter, but I hope you all enjoyed it! More coming soon.