A/N: Hello! My first Ichihime fanfic! I just had to! Hime-chan is too cute and let's just say that if it weren't for Renji (I KNOW he has weird eyebrows. I like them too :D), I would definitely be completely crazy about our beloved orange-headed punk.

About the rating, it's mainly because I might be hinting at a lot of stuff. Probably no lemons (basically because I have no experience whatsoever in that department), but let's see. I have been notified by somebody that you can't write Ichihime without lemons apparently.

Okay, now that we've got my babbling out of the way, on with the story!

Chapter 1

Inoue Orihime

'Eto, Rangiku-san. . . ' I trailed off, unable to hold it in any longer. The pit of my stomach was bursting with a bundle of nerves. I couldn't believe this day had actually come to be.

'Calm down, Hime!' she chided.

'Yeah, Ichigo finally got some sense!' Rukia supplied.

'I still can't believe it. He is so dense.' Tatsuki added.

I was getting married. To the love of my life, Kurosaki Ichigo.

Kurosaki Ichigo

My palms were sweaty and shaking. I was discreetly trying to hide this fact. One thing I did not want is Renji (whom for god knows what reason I had asked to be my best man) trashing me more than he already had. Go ahead. Make jokes at my expense. It'll be my turn soon, you bastard.

The same applied for Chad and – I swear he was only invited because she asked me to – Ishida. I had thought that at least Chad wouldn't make fun of me. But even he sported an occasional grin.

And before you say anything, I want to go through with this. It's just that I could have done without the company of a few people. Starting with my father and that untrustworthy Geta-boshi. Not to mention that psychotic Shinji who was still whining about his soon-to-be-lost first love.

I heard Ikkaku calling me. No that's too polite. What he actually said was, 'Get your ass out here, Kurosaki! Or we'll start without you!'

Then I heard a lot of sniggering as if that was actually funny. Call me a loser but I was at least a bit nervous because someone had thought to invite Kenpachi. And of course he showed up. With his zanpakuto. There was no way to guess whether his grin was happy or menacing.

'Ain't got the balls for it, huh?' My hollow sneered. Great. Just what I needed.

I pushed everything out of my head and walked out of the room to the double doors of the ballroom. We'd been lucky to find one big enough to accommodate everybody. I resisted the urge to wipe my hands on the pants of my black tux and entered the room. It was elaborately and beautifully decorated, courtesy of Yumichika. Cream and ivory, along with the slightest hints of pink and gold were everywhere. I walked up the aisle and took my place beside the priest. Who was Ukitake. Don't ask me why but the man had insisted and had even got a license off the internet. How he knew how to even work on a computer was anybody's guess. But I didn't mind so much. This way, we could all be ourselves.

Now all that was left to do was wait for the bride. My bride.

Inoue Orihime

I wanted to run. I just wanted to open those double doors and just run down the aisle into the safe, warm embrace of his arms.

Kurosaki Ichigo

The music changed and my eyes were drawn to the entrance as the doors swung open. The chosen flower girl, Yachiru, entered followed by Yuzu and Karin in deep violet dresses. Following them were Rangiku, Rukia and Tatsuki.

My heartbeat was running wild and suddenly almost stopped as she walked in.

Everyone turned around to look at her and their expressions were as spellbound as I knew mine was.

She was perfect. The white gown had – what was that thing again? Oh yeah – a sweetheart neckline. The fabric stretched over her graceful curves and flared out just above her hips into a floor-length skirt, her train trailing behind her. Accentuating her waist was a black ribbon, tied into a bow at her left side, the long ends hanging down. Looking – no, gazing at her was like riding the free-fall on a rollercoaster and being punched in the gut at the same time. Her hair was tied into an elaborate bun and the white veil placed over the top of her head with the help of a tiara prevented me from glimpsing her expression.

Urahara (the bastard couldn't hold back that goddamned grin even on such an occasion. I don't even know why he was the one giving her away. And she probably paid him to do it. Tch) walked her down the aisle in time with the agonizingly slow music. They finally made it to the front and he lifted the veil back from her face. She turned to face me and I was mesmerized. Sparkling gray eyes with long, black eyelashes that would rest on her cheek when she blinked. Cherry-red lips. And that blush. . .

I straightened my expression from the gawk that had been formed on my face, hoping to hide my embarrassment but the amused titters from around the room told me that I hadn't succeeded. In that moment I couldn't bring myself to care as I slowly drank in the astounding beauty before me.

Inoue Orihime

My breath caught in my throat at the sight of him and I stared. I had always known that he was devastatingly handsome. But today I felt literally blown away. His messy, spiky orange hair was as it always was. It fell over his eyes, giving him that mysterious look that made me feel unsteady on my feet. His tall, lean frame, as usual, exuded a sense of strength and something raw and sensual. His perfectly tanned skin clashed magnificently with his sharp black tuxedo. For once, he wasn't scowling. Instead, he had a small smile on his serious face and his hard, brown eyes had a molten look about them. He was breathtaking.

I felt my blush deepen and my entire body tingle from that one touch as Urahara-san placed my hand in his. We turned to face Ukitake-san and he began to speak. I risked a glance at Kurosaki-kun and was surprised to see him looking at me. Our eyes met. Memories clouded my brain as I remembered his proposal and I knew that he was doing the same.

Flashback – One month ago

Kurosaki Ichigo

I didn't care what that Keigo – or anyone for that matter – said. I saw it and I thought of her. So what if it's a ring? If it signified that I was in this for the long haul, that's fine by me.

Inoue Orihime wasn't a girl (well since both of us were twenty-five, I probably shouldn't say girl. Whatever) you strung along for a few dates (or two actually, as was the case with us). She's the kind of girl you woke up every day to and spend a lifetime with. Even though I wasn't exactly ready for that kind of thing yet, I was well aware of this fact. I slipped the small box into my pocket and started walking in the direction of Inoue's apartment.

Inoue Orihime

It had been such a wonderful date. We had seen a special screening of the first Pirates of the Caribbean and had had a lovely dinner afterwards. Kurosaki-kun didn't even bat an eyelid when I put wasabi paste on my pizza slice. Which of course, had me smiling away, blissfully happy.

Even now as we walked down the cobblestone path in the park, dimly bathed in yellow light by the elegantly designed lamp posts while fallen golden-red leaves were strewn over the ground, I couldn't help myself from peeking at him every few moments. I knew he wanted to ask me something because he had started to while at the restaurant but had been unintentionally interrupted by the waiter. I had tried to ask him about it but it hadn't worked.

'Uh, Kurosaki-kun, your shoelaces are untied.'

'Oh, thanks Inoue.' He said as he bent to tie it back.

Kurosaki Ichigo

As I knelt down on one knee, the tiny, velvety box fell out of my pant pocket. I picked it up and noticed her antsy look. She was probably still stewing about what I had been going to ask.

Unthinkingly, without moving from my position, I blurted out. I had wanted to ask her, 'Inoue Orihime, will you be my girlfriend.'

Instead, what came out from my traitorous mouth was, 'Inoue Orihime, will you marry me?'

The tiny box was clutched in my fist and my hand rested on my knee. My shock was as great as hers when I realized the position I was kneeling in.

Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes and the only thought that ran in my mind was, 'Shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT!'

Without warning, her lips curved and she beamed at me, the most beautiful smile that I had ever seen on her face. She said three words. Barely a whisper at first, but a resounding shout by the end.

'Yes, yes, YES!'

And in that moment, I knew that this was perfect.

Inoue Orihime

A dream come true. I couldn't stop grinning like the love-struck fool that I was. I watched as he stood up and took my hand. He slid the ring in place and immediately pulled me into an embrace.

'Arigato, Inoue.' He whispered into my hair.

End Flashback

Inoue Orihime

Ukitake-san's voice brought me back.

'Do you, Kurosaki Ichigo, take Inoue Orihime . . . '

My eyes were starting to prickle.

His deep voice rumbled around the room as he replied loud and clear, 'I do.'

Now there were tears starting to gather at the corners.

'Do you, Inoue Orihime, take Kurosaki Ichigo . . . '

I really didn't want to cry. But I was just so happy.

I somehow managed to choke out, 'I do.'

My smile was too wide.

'You may now kiss the bride.'

Wait. What?! But I had never –

He turned to look at me and I lost all conscious thoughts.

His hand reached out to cup my cheek and he leaned in. My face was on fire and his lips touched mine in a gentle kiss. A volcano erupted in my heart and I barely registered all the camera flashes. I was too busy concentrating on him as his lips moved against mine. It was nothing like I had ever felt before. Tiny fireworks exploded behind my eyelids. There were a few throat – clearings from our audience and he pulled away to smile down at me, his eyes looking insanely like melted chocolate and there was something in them that I couldn't figure out.

Only one thing registered.

My first kiss. Our first kiss. I knew that he was the only one that I would ever love.

A/N: Yes, lots and lots of fluff. If this bugs you, I'm sorry. But please give me a chance! I'll bring on the steam in the next chapter. We can't have Ichihime without that!

Another thing . . . um, eto, eh heh heh . . . A review would be nice, ne? Fine. I'll beg. Please Review!