Date One
Blossoming of Love
By Aristaeus
Disclaimer: The classic disclaimer! Ahh... Well, here it goes; I do not own Bleach, nor do I in any way own/indorse the characters from Bleach used in this story. These are all characters created by Kubo Tite. This is, obviously, a fan-fiction! Now, enjoy :)
Note from the author: I'm going to go ahead and apologize for any errors in the way I make Ichigo/Orihime or anyone else act! I'll try to keep it as close as possible though! I'd also like to give a thanks to StarrySakuraSky (on Bleach Exile forums), 'cause her fan fiction is what inspired me to do this! If you haven't read her stories yet, GO READ THEM NOW! Or, after mine rather. :3
PS: This is my first story, so don't be too harsh! I'll probably revamp it later on.
Update 12/15/2007
I'm combining the date stories I've written so far into one story; each date will be a different chapter!
"Uh, Inoue, what exactly is this..?" Ichigo hesitantly said as he stared down at the odd looking food spread across the blanket they had laid on the ground. He was exactly surprised. Inoue had always had a strange taste in food.
"It's our lunch, silly!" Inoue rested on her knees, brushing a few wrinkles out of her skirt. She glanced up at Ichigo with a bright smile, pulling out different assortments of food. Odd food at that. Inoue had made sandwiches for their picnic. She had used bread, assortments of deli-meat, and bean paste.
"Yeah, but.. Is that bean paste on the sandwiches?!" Ichigo huffed as he sat down next to Inoue, a small trickle of nervous sweat on his brow. He really didn't want to eat sandwiches with bean paste on them, but he had all ready told himself that if it came down to it he would; if it made Inoue happy.
Inoue let out a loud giggle, leaning forward to reach into the picnic basket. Ichigo watched her, afraid that she'd pull out more of her weird food combinations. To his surprise though, she pulled out a second set of sandwiches, "I brought these on the off chance you didn't want to eat my sandwiches." Setting down the normal sandwiches next to her odd ones, she reaches back inside the picnic basket. Ichigo, wondering what could be next, yells out in surprise and almost falls over at what she pulls out next. It appears to be a cake, but it has so many obnoxious looking toppings on it! "Now, this, Ichigo, you have to eat no matter what!" Inoue giggles loudly, with a sly looking smile. A smile that makes Ichigo feel a little frightened.
"Aaaah! Those were delicious, Inoue!" Ichigo leans back, rubbing his stomach with one hand.
"Don't forget about desert!" she giggles yet again, sliding a piece of the cake over to Ichigo.
"Err.. Right.." he gulps, picking up the cake slowly. Inoue watches him anxiously. "You're making me nervous!" gulping yet again, he takes a chunk out of the cake with his fork. Giving it a sniff, he decides to do this quick and painlessly. Closing his eyes tightly, he shoves the cake into his mouth and quickly chews it.
"How is it, Ichigo?" she leans forward, looking anxiously at him again. A look that makes Ichigo feel if he said anything bad, she'd burst into tears.
Pausing for a little bit, Ichigo lets the taste roll over his tongue. To his surprise, it was actually delicious! "Wow, this is really good Inoue!" digging into the rest of the cake, he quickly finishes; dropping his plate and fork on the blanket. "Ooh man, I'm stuffed.."
"I'm glad.." Inoue quickly finishes her portion of the cake. She quickly puts up the rest of the cake. As she stands, she yet again smoothes her skirt out.
"Well, it's almost night time. We should get going. " Ichigo rolls up the blanket, tossing it over his shoulder. He smiles over at Inoue, who gives him a soft smile back.
Ichigo and Inoue had started dating about a week ago. She had finally confessed her feelings to him, only to find out he felt the same way. He had just been a little too dense to notice to signs she gave him. He felt even worse when he found out that everyone knew how she felt about him, too. Once they announced it to their friends, everyone gave him the same reaction. "It's about time!"
Today was their first date. Rukia and Renji were in the city, and the reassured Ichigo he didn't have to worry about any Hollows. They could handle it.
"What should we do next?" Ichigo looked down at Inoue, a small smile accompanied with a light blush on his face. Inoue had wrapped her arm around his, and was now resting her head against his shoulder. He didn't mind at all. He actually enjoyed her being like this a lot. It just wasn't something he was used to.
"Let's play some games!" she shouted exuberantly, releasing his arm and running ahead of him.
"H-Hey, wait up Inoue!" catching up with her in front of a game booth. "This one, huh? Okay then!"
It was one of the game booths were you have to knock down a stack of bottles. "Knock down the bottles and win your lovely date this nice stuffed animal, how about it son? Only 2 dollars!" The booth attendant exclaimed, pointing to a large, blue stuffed dog.
"Oooh, it's so pretty!" squealed Inoue, gripping Ichigo's arm tightly.
With a determined look on his face, Ichigo slaps down a couple of dollars on the table top, "Okay old man. Give me a ball!"
Gripping the ball tightly, Ichigo inhales deeply. With a quickly glance over at Orihime, he gives the ball a strong hurl towards the stack of bottles. The bottles all collapse on the floor, and Orihime jumps up and down excitedly as the booth attendant hands her large blue dog. Hugging Ichigo tightly, "Thank you, Ichigo!"
Flexing his muscles, Ichigo chuckles "Not a problem! Anything for you, Inoue."
The night goes on, Ichigo and Inoue enjoy the festival. Ichigo wins Inoue a couple more stuffed animal prizes; though none as big as the first dog. And as the festival comes to an end, the young couple decides to end it with a Ferris wheel ride.
"I had a wonderful night, Ichigo..." Inoue says gently, resting her head against Ichigo's shoulder. She hugs the large blue dog he won for her. A relaxed, happy smile is spread across her face. This was almost like a dream come true for her. She had fawned over Ichigo for ages; obvious to everyone but him. Now, they were dating!
"Yeah, I'm glad we did this.." Looking down at Inoue, Ichigo smiles gently back at her.
The Ferris wheel slowly makes its way up. Ichigo and Inoue continue to converse on the night, on school, and a few other random topics. After a few stops the wheel finally makes it to the top, just as the festival lets off its fireworks.
"It's such a beautiful view!" shouts Inoue, looking up at the fireworks.
"Yeah, it really is.." Ichigo says softly, though he isn't looking at the fireworks; he's looking at Inoue.
Noticing his eyes on her, Inoue blushes softly "Ichi—"she's cut off though. Ichigo quickly closes the gap between them, taking her lips in a soft kiss.
Both of them, blushing, just stare happily at each other for what seems like an eternity. Inoue rests her head against Ichigo's shoulder yet again, and in return he wraps his arm around her; resting his own head atop of hers.