Story: Perfect Imperfection: Special Chapter: IshiHime

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach...

Ever since Ichigo and Rukia's confession, there had been a change in Orihime, but only a few of her closest friends, such as Tatsuki, Ichigo, Rukia, Chad, and Uryu could tell. There were a few classmates as well.

"Oh, I just remembered something. I'll see you guys later. Bye, Tatsuki-chan!" Orhime said, smiling the whole time, before she got up, running off.

"Yeah, see you later then..." Tatsuki waved.

"Is it just me, or has Inoue-san been acting a little weird lately...?" Mahana stated.

"Yeah..." Tatsuki mumbled, nonchalantly.

"Inoue-san, wait!" Ishida shouted, cursing as he ran off after Orihime.

"You know..." Mizuiro started to say, catching everyone's attention. Keigo looked up noticing his friend's distant look.

"What is it, Mizuiro?" he questioned.

"When I think about it, Ishida-san kind of seems to like Inoue-san..." Mizuiro said.

"You may be right..." replied Mahana. "But one thing's for sure. You never can know with that guy..."

Meanwhile, with Orihime...

"Inoue-san!" Ishida called to no avail. "Inoue-san, please stop!"

This time, he caught up, grabbing her by the wrist. It wasn't that tightly, but it was enough to keep a hold on her. She turned around to face him.

"What is it, Ishida-kun?" She questioned, smiling. With only a glance, Ishida could tell it was fake and didn't like it one bit.

"Is something wrong?" Orihime wanted to know, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Don't." he said.

"Don't what?" Inoue replied.

"Don't smile if you're not happy. There's no need to hide your emotions with me. Please, for your sake, allow me to shoulder your pain..."

His eyes pleaded for her to let everything out, and try as she might, she just couldn't hold it in any longer. Before she knew it, she found herself crying into Uryu's chest. He looked down, momentarily taken by surprise.

"Ishida-kun, I just don't know what to do..." Orihime choked. "I'm happy for Kurosaki-kun... I really am.., so why am I crying...? Why does it hurt so bad...?"

Ishida's eyes softened, as he reached up, placing a comforting hand on her back. He pulled her closer into a warm embrace.

It pained him to see her like this. 'Inoue-san has been holding her feelings back for a while now.' he noted. 'Even now, she's trying her best to hold it in."

"It's okay, Inoue-san... Just let everything out."

After a moment, she seemed to feel a little less tense, and seemed to relax a little, but still continued crying. They stood like that for about fifteen to twenty minutes, and finally, Orihime had managed to calm down.

"Thank you so much, Ishida-kun." she smiled for real this time.

"Don't mention it." he said, pushing up his glasses, awkwardly, as he briefly averted his gaze. "Do you...feel better now...?"

"Mhm. In fact, I'm not really even that sad anymore." Inoue nodded.

"I see... that's good." Ishida replied. "Inoue-san there's something...I need to tell you..."

"What is it Ishida-kun...?" Inoue asked. Ishida blushed bright mumbling something incoherant beneath his breath.

"I'm sorry...?" Orihime inquired.

"I like you..." he finally said, meeting her eyes. "Even if you don't return my feelings, just remember that I'll always be there for you. If you're hurting, I'll bear the burden with you. If you're too weak to fight, I'll fight in your place and I'll be your shield. If you're unable to protect your friends with your strength, protect them with mine. We're friends."

Orihime reached up, clutching her chest, as tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. "Ishida-kun, I..."

Suddenly, she broke down in tears for the second time that day. "All this time, I've been so blind, only thinking about Kurosaki-kun when there was someone else who cared so much for me. I can't believe I didn't see it before, but it was you..."

Ishida averted his gaze momentarily as she continued.

"This whole time, it was you who was watching over me..." she said.

At that moment, everything changed. It was kind of strange though, as you'd don't really expect to go from loving someone who you had loved for years, to loving someone else in just a few seconds, but she did. "Ishida-kun, I like you too..."

"...You-" Ishida started to say, but was interrupted when Inoue quickly hugged him.

"I'm sorry...I didn't realize it until just now, but...I really do love you..." Orihime cried.

"Inoue-san...It's okay..." Ishida reached up, holding her tightly. "It's okay now..."

A/N: What did you think? Good? Bad? Sorry if it's OOC. I know it, is infact. Review anyway, if you will.