A/N: Sorry for staying away for so long. I've battled with other versions of this story, but one day while I was in class, it just came to me and once I returned home I couldn't step away from the laptop, haha. Hope you all enjoy this story

Title: Miss You Always

Pairings: Ichigo/Orihime

Rating: I'm rating this M. I don't normally do Ms, but I wanted to live on the wild side! Besides, imagining a raunchy scene isn't as fun as reading one ;)

Description: After a devastating family death, a single mother of two kids meets a handsome stranger who is immediately smitten by her. Will she allow this man to penetrate the wall she's built around herself and her kids? Is returning his love worth the risk? AU, OOC, OC.

Warnings: M-rated scene, OOC, OC. Yeah!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or any of its characters.

Chapter 1: The Promise

Day: Unknown. Time: Unknown.

The woman stood still, staring down at the grave.

She inhaled. A soft breeze crept through the fabric of her dress making her shudder a little.

It wasn't as hard as she expected it to be, staring down at him. This would be her first time visiting him, alone, but it wasn't hard. Though, she couldn't help mimicking the feeling of her clenching heart by squeezing the bouquet of red roses closer to her chest.

It was no longer fresh, the grave that is. The disturbed dirt was matted, dry, and green grass was growing in its place. The headstone's sides were beginning to look a little weathered but besides this, it still looked as good as new.

Keitaro Sano

1980-2012

Loving Father and Husband

R.I.P.

She exhaled. The woman bent down and placed the bouquet of roses over his grave.

The wind blew again, rustling the trees, sending nature's symphony through the air.

Again, she stood up straight, smoothing down the new wrinkles in her dress and pushing back her windblown hair, as if the illusion would be shattered if one strand was out of place.

She thought… she really didn't know what to think. What? That he'd magically appear up from six feet under and confront her?

The woman shook her head and smiled at the ridiculous thought. She may not have known what to think, but there was so much to say…To say to him.

Her mouth opened slowly…

Sunday, April 8, 2012 at 4:53:28 PM

Orihime blew her bangs out of her face and redialed his number.

"Keitaro…, where are you? You're missing your son's birthday…" Orihime glanced behind her at the festivities. "This is, like, my fifth message. I guess I expected too much... I guess asking you to show up was too much to ask." She hung up then.

Orihime shoved the phone into her pocket. How typical of her ex-husband to promise her one thing and then do the complete opposite. The woman looked on at her son's birthday party. One of the kids were attempting to whack open a piñata with a baseball bat as the others shouted and yelled directions and commands. Kenta stood near the end of the group, looking around the yard as if expecting someone.

Orihime sighed. It wasn't his fault that his father always let him down. Kenta was eleven now and he understood his father's antics. He understood that there was a high chance that he wouldn't show.

Rukia, Orihime's tiny friend, walked into the backyard, carrying the soccer themed birthday cake. "He's a no-show, huh?"

Orihime shrugged. "Yeah, well… it's not like I didn't expect this to happen."

Kenta turned back around to the howling group of children. One of the taller boys managed to crack open the colorful donkey making various candies spill out of it's under belly. The children dove in but Kenta just watched.

Orihime walked over to her son and crouched down to his eye level and squeezed his arm. "Kenta, are you having fun?"

Kenta shrugged his shoulders. It was heartbreaking to see him so upset.

"Kenny, Mommy! Look!" Just then, Orihime's six year old daughter, Kioko, appeared, showing her mother and brother the handfuls of candy she held. She grinned, displaying the deep dimples she inherited from her father.

Orihime smiled. "That's lovely Kiki."

"Where's dad?" Kenta asked suddenly.

Orihime exhaled. She pushed his dark hair out of his face. "He's running a bit late, but I'm sure we can cut the cake without him?"

Kenta nodded reluctantly. Orihime smiled and kissed his forehead. "I know you wanted him to be here to see you make your wish, but… your father's a busy man."

Kenta kicked the dirt at his shoes, avoiding her eye. "Okay…"

"Everyone!" Orihime beamed up happily, "It's time to cut the cake!" The children quickly forgot the candy and ran to the bench table where the cake slices would be doled out.

Rukia handed her camera to her husband, Renji. "Okay, big smiles!" she said before hopping into the picture herself.

When they cut into the soccer shaped cake, Orihime was hoping for some reaction from him. She got nothing. "Wow! Chocolate!" She exclaimed. "It's your favorite flavor, right?"

Kenta furrowed his brow, a look she knew all too well. "Its dad's favorite too."

Orihime deflated. Why did he need to act so difficult today?! "Please… just smile." Orihime said as she handed Rukia's son, Sanji, a plate and he skipped away happily with his treat. "I know this is the third year he's missed-"

"It's like he's purposely avoiding me." Kenta snapped back in a low voice.

Orihime continued to slice the cake as if she hadn't heard the sharpness on his tongue. "We're not going to discuss this now. I know he wouldn't have wanted you to be upset today." She tried to sound convincing, but she could still see the heavy doubt in his eyes. "He really does love you."

"Yeah," Kenta rolled his eyes and shoved a fork full of cake in his mouth. "Right."

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 9:22:51 AM

Kioko jumped down from the kitchen counter and lifted her lunchbox to her mother. "Here mommy, I finished the sandwiches."

"Thank you so much, baby." Orihime said distractedly. Her boss had texted her multiple times already due to her tardiness. She knew she was in for it the moment she'll step into the office.

"I cut the crust off." Kioko added.

"What did I say about using the knife?"

Kioko lifted her thick, dark eyebrows in defense and her silver eyes widened. "I didn't, I used the spoon!"

Orihime opened the lunch box and pulled the sandwich out of its baggy. The edges were all torn and rounded. There was no possible way the six year old could have gotten those results with a knife. "Fine, I believe you. Good job."

She twisted her daughter around and put the lunchbox in her Abby Cadabby backpack. Her phone buzzed again and she fought the urge to curse out loud. "Kenta, I'll leave without you and you'll have to walk to school!"

"Mommy, I have the play on Monday…"

"Honey you tell me every day. I wrote in the calendar you gave me, and it's on my daily reminder." Orihime kissed her daughter's forehead. "I won't forget, I promise." Orihime shouted to the ceiling, knowing her son could hear her. "Kenta!"

"Will daddy come?"

Orihime looked up, shocked. She knew Kiki loved her father and missed him when he was gone, but she never knew she craved his presence- at least not in the manner Kenny craved him.

She glanced down at her watch. 9:27. "Ken-"

"I'm right here…" a voice said behind her.

Kioko lifted his lunchbox. "Kenny, I made your sandwich!" Kenta took the bag and glanced in side. "PB&J. Again?!"

Orihime took the sandwich, placed it in his bookbag and zipped him up. "Your sister made it, you should be proud." The mother daren't look at the clock and handed her son his soccer duffel bag. "Let's go, I'm late!"

Orihime ushered the children out the door and locked it behind her.

"Daddy!" she heard Kenta and Kioko shout in unison.

Orihime groaned. She hoped their screams were a figment of her tired imagination. She stayed up all night working on a report for her boss and now she was going to show up to work tired and late. The last thing she wanted was to deal with her ex-husband.

But sure enough, Orihime turned to see her children running up to their father who leaning against his black car.

Orihime shook her head. Oh you're going to get it this time, she thought.

"Hey!" Keitaro scooped Kioko up in his arms. "Oh, you're getting so big!" He planted kisses all over her face as she squealed and giggled. "And you! Big, strong man now!" The man said as he lowered the girl onto the ground. His father squeezed his shoulder and feigned shock at his muscle. Kenta blushed but stood a little taller.

There was something about his dad. Kenta knew-he just knew- that he wanted to be just like him. He was a cop, a law enforcer, but he was cool, and confident. He was a leader. He was everything he wanted to be and more, and Kenta couldn't help but look up in awe at the man he wished to become.

Keitaro ruffled his son's hair. "I got a surprise for you! Get in the car, the both of you!"

Orihime blew her bangs out of her eyes. It was always tiresome dealing with him. "Um, Keitaro… what are you doing?"

The ex-husband grinned. "It's nice to see you too."

He pushed his hands in his pockets and smiled down at her. She always felt short compared to his six foot frame and dark hair. She was obviously pissed but he continued to smile.

"They have school! And you're two days too late." She added the last part in a lower voice.

It was just like him to pull a stunt like this. Sure, Orihime didn't mind the extravagant adventures and fun road trips. She didn't mind that he wanted to spend time with his children, but why couldn't they happen on the correct day at the correct time.

"Let me make it up to him." And in an even lower voice he added, "...to the both of you." Keitaro watched her suck in a sharp breath and glance at the giddy children in the car. He knew he had her then.

"Get in the car."

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 11:15:21 AM

Kioko placed her Barbie on the floor in complete boredom. "Are we there yet?" Kioko asked. Orihime was surprised the six year old had lasted that long before asking that dreaded question.

"Not yet, honey-bunny." Keitaro responded quickly.

"Well… When…?"

Orihime laughed at Kioko's question. She was an inquisitive little girl, and once she started talking, it was hard to get her to stop.

"Well…," Keitaro pointed out the window, "why don't you look out the window, right… there?!"

Kenta and Kioko both strained against their seatbelts to see the billboard out the window.

Kenta's eyes drew big. "Whoa! Are we going…? Are we going… are we…? Yes!" Kiki squealed, influenced by her brother's excitement. "Wahoo!"

A giant billboard of children splashing in a giant pool and a large rollercoaster behind them passed them by. The children shouted and squealed.

Keitaro laughed along with them. "I knew you'd like it!" He turned around to look at his son. "Plus, it's during a week day, so all the lines are short!"

"Score!"

Orihime had to say, she was thoroughly impressed. Normally it was a fishing trip or baseball game, but this one topped them all. Kenta's head looked as if it was going to explode. Each line was shortened to about a two minute wait, while others were completely empty which allowed Kenta and Keitaro to just hoop right own with the exception of a few others.

Kiki was happy riding the spinning teapots and carousels until purple. For a six year old, she stressed a lot, so it was uplifting for Orihime to see her filled with complete joy.

"And, and that drop was like 'whoosh', and then we went up and plummeted down like 'bam', and it was so fast!" Kenta took a bite out of his pizza and swallowed without chewing. "It was amazing; mom should have gotten on it!"

The family had sat down under umbrella table to eat lunch. They'd been here for two hours and the boys still hadn't gone on all the rides yet.

Orihime handed her son a napkin to wipe the pizza sauce off his face. "I don't think I like this ride very much…"

Before he could grab the napkin, he involuntary wiped his face with his sleeve. Orihime sighed. She's completely given up on keeping his face clean.

"I'm surprise the champ isn't sick yet." Keitaro crouched down in his chair and looked suspiciously around the food stations before whispering into his son's ear: "Better chew your pizza or you'll vomit chunks."

"Whoa… cool!" Kenta's blue eyes widened. "What if I vomit on the ride, and I blow chunks all over the people behind me!"

"Kenny!" the thirty-one year old mother exclaimed.

"What'd I do?!"

Orihime opened her mouth to reprimand him but her phone vibrated again. Her boss was going to kill her.

"Mom, can I get on that one right there?" Kenta asked, pointing to a nearby rollercoaster.

Orihime didn't look up from her phone. "Um… finish your food first…"

"But I'm done," Kenta grumbled. He hated when she stuck her face in her phone. She never paid attention to what he wanted.

"Hey," Keitaro pointed to the rollercoaster a few feet away. "Why don't you take your sister and get on that ride right there."

Kenta looked over at the tiny red and green rollercoaster. It moved slow and had weak inclines and slopes. "But it's for babies!"

"Skedaddle kid." He handed his sister over to him. "And hold hands!"

When Orihime looked up from her phone, the table was cleared and the kids were gone. She wanted to ask what happened, but Keitaro took her hand and led her away from the table.

"Keit-"

"How have you been?" Keitaro asked, cutting her off.

Orihime looked down at their hands and then up to his face. From down below, she could only see his squared jaw line and dimples as he smirked.

"I'm… fine."

"Who keeps texting you?" He led them to a bench near the ride their children were on.

The woman sighed. "My boss… he's pretty upset that I called out sick."

Keitaro lifted a thick brow before staring off at the tiny rollercoaster.

Orihime had to admit, the thirty-two year old was in impeccable shape. He looked good... and he seemed to have been doing much better since their divorce five years ago

"How have you really been?"

Orihime pushed a lock of auburn hair behind her ear. "I've been better."

"I want us to relax as a family." Keitaro reached over her and slipped the phone out of her hands. "And that would mean no more…" He quickly opened her phone and zipped through the password lock which was 2345 and opened her messages "… Uryū Ishida."

Orihime resisted the urge to smile. "Fine. Can have my phone back?"

A thick brow lifted. "Are you seeing him?"

It was a question he asked every time he saw her. Whether it was the guy at the supermarket who said hello to her everyday or the assistant at the gas station, he was always suspicious.

She never asked him if he was seeing anyone for, well, two reasons. One, have you seen this man? He looked like a Greek God. And two, she really didn't want to know who was sleeping in his bed with him. Besides, once in a blue moon, when they haven't seen each other in a while, the two would hook up now and then. But Orihime knew their tryst weren't permanent. She made the mistake of being with him once and couldn't see herself doing it again… well maybe she did. Either way, the sex was always satisfying. It was the aftermath and the drama that trailed him that sucked.

"What? No." She stuck out her hand. "Give it back please."

Keitaro shook his head. "Nope, you have to be nice."

"I said please!" He tapped the side of his scruffy cheek, indicating a kiss. Orihime laughed. "Come on, stop playing games."

He lifted his long arm in the air and she had to climb on him to reach. "Keitaro, give it back!"

"No! Now your punishment has double!" He switched hands, avoiding her tiny grasps. "I want a kiss on both cheeks!" he continued evilly.

Orihime huffed, grabbed both sides of his face and kissed him hard on the mouth.

It wasn't anything sexual- at first- she was just giving him what he wanted… right? But the longer her lips were on his, the more she realized she liked it. She really liked it.

This wasn't a kiss to quickly satisfy their needs. This was a real kiss, or at least it turned into a real kiss when Keitaro slipped his tongue inside her mouth.

"Daddy, daddy!" Kioko ran over, her pigtails bouncing wildly behind her, Kenta was hot on her trail. "Can I have some cotton candy?!"

The duo broke apart and Orihime was quickly sitting on the bench and Keitaro was tugging at his shirt as if nothing every happened.

Keitaro recovered quicker than her. "Sure, anything for my honey-bunny." Her hoisted his daughter up on his shoulder and walked over to the nearest vendor before Orihime could say another word.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 9:32:34 PM

"That was the best birthday present ever…"

After the long trip at the amusement park, Keitaro took them to a nearby boardwalk where they ate dinner and saw movie. Orihime wouldn't be able to tell you what it was about, her mind continued to drift in and out of the big screen the way Keitaro's hand drifted in and out of her hair.

Orihime ruffled Kenta's black curly hair. "Yeah, well, get upstairs, you're going to school in the morning."

Keitaro carried in a sleeping Kioko and tucked her in upstairs. It was rare he ever got to do this. When they divorced, Orihime took the kids and this went without saying. It wasn't that he didn't fight for them; he just knew he'd lose.

Besides, he would come around as often as he could. And he paid for some household expenses and maintenances and other cost when needed, no questions asked, especially since she didn't ask for alimony.

Keitaro silently closed Kioko's door behind him. "Keitaro… thank you. I know Kenta enjoyed himself."

Keitaro smiled his dimply smile. "I'm happy to know he did."

He pulled out her phone from his pocket, leaned in and kissed her cheek before going down the rickety, old steps. She'd be lying if she said her heart didn't flutter for a second.

So, she called after him before he could leave. "It's really late and I don't want you driving in the dark."

Keitaro watched her walk down the narrow staircase. "Now you care about my wellbeing?" He caught a whiff of her scent as she brushed past him. It's been driving him crazy all day. "I can recall you saying- no, shouting- that I get hit by a car."

"I was in the heat of the moment." Orihime locked the front door. "We still have some cake left. It's chocolate. Want some?"

Keitaro smirked, knowing where this would possibly lead. "If it's chocolate then I don't really have a choice."

"Here you go." Orihime sat a plate down in front of him and watched him take a bite. "You like it?"

"Love it." He wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I wish I had some when it was fresh."

Orihime had done this song and dance before. Most times they'd just head right to the bedroom or the floor- which ever was closer. But this time… she was unsure. She didn't want this to be a selfish; self-satisfying thing… she actually wanted this to be a… romantic thing.

"Um… I have a bottle of chardonnay that I haven't opened yet…" She walked over to the top cabinet and pulled out the bottle of white wine. "You're the expert on alcohol so I guess I should get an expert's opinion."

"I'm hardly an expert- not like my father." Keitaro watched her pour into two cups and took a small sip. He sat up a little straighter and puffed his chest up. "Hmm… In my expert opinion, I can detective sharp fruity flavors with an oaky tang- no, wait! An oaky flavor and a fruity tang." He took a long sniff making Orihime giggle. "Oh, and a hint of musk."

The two adults erupted in laughter over his impersonation. How good it felt to feel normal around him again, Orihime thought. She liked it best when they both acted like their naturally goofy selves, like they were kids again.

But after the laughing died down, it was silent again. And she was afraid to make eye contact again. And he was afraid to pick up the cup and take another sip because too much has happened between then when he was in a less then sober state.

And if anything were to happen next, he wanted to be awake for it.

For the life of her, Orihime didn't understand what happened next. She didn't know who made the first move, but their lips were touching, tasting. Their hands were groping, searching.

He was unbuttoning her blouse and she was peeling off his shirt. All in one move, Keitaro managed to hoist Orihime onto his lap, stand and bush her back up against the kitchen wall all in one swift move.

Keitaro broke off their kiss. "Stop," he began breathlessly.

Orihime stopped trying to unbutton his jeans and lifted a brow. "What? Why?"

He eased her back on the floor and looked down at her. "I… I have work in the morn-"

"Oh, please." Orihime smirked and kissed his bottom lip since it was the only one she could reach. "Come up with a better excuse," she begged. If they weren't going to do this- if he wanted to stop her- she wanted a legitimate reason to. A reason that would bring her to her senses even though she never this adventure would bring nothing but pain when the smoke cleared.

Keitaro bent down to her level to kiss her full on the lips and wrap one leg around his waist before hoisting her back up. "I'll have a horrible hangover…" he said between hungry kisses.

"You only had one drink…" Orihime argued. Her heart beat faster when he managed to push her panties to the side. Orihime let her head fall back and moaned and Keitaro leaned his head against the wall as he eased himself inside. Both took a moment to completely feel one another, inside and out.

Keitaro cussed before daring to move again. "You want me to get hit by a car," he said jokingly before giving one big thrust.

"Minor details!" Orihime squeaked as she was filled to the hilt. She just prayed to God or to whoever was up there that one of her kids didn't come down now to ask for chocolate milk or a cookie.

The man pressed her other leg up to his waist since her short frame hindered him from completely feeling her. He continued to press into her, making her walls silkier and tighter as he went.

Orihime moaned his name and pressed her hand against his chest, almost trying to pry him off. Keitaro grabbed her ass cheeks to better balance her around his waist and to better his angle. Orihime knew he was a selfish lover, so she hit him hard on the shoulder for him to finally pay attention.

"What now?" he groaned, slowing the pace but never stopping.

The woman wiped the sweat from his dark brow. "I have a bed you know…"

As silently as two aroused adults could, they ran up the narrow staircase, giggling like high schoolers with naughty intentions.

Orihime closed the door behind them and did away with the rest of their clothes which included his jeans and opened undershirt and her skirt and bra and panties.

Keitaro attacked her with intent in his eyes. He wouldn't let her get away or say another word unless it was his name and his name only. He was serious and wasted no time pinning her down and continuing what was started down stairs.

Keitaro stopped and stared down at her. His hand slipped through her sunset hair and behind her head for support as he bent down and kissed her deeply. His tongue lightly played with hers and swept through her whole mouth. He even went on to lightly nibble on her bottom lip, which was already swollen and plump enough. Orihime moaned into him and he responded by slowly grinding his hips into hers in a ripple like movement, slowly pushing himself in and out and back in again- driving her crazy.

Her body became more serpent-like, bending and arching to fit his body. It all seemed to fit into place as if they were puzzle pieces connecting perfectly into each other.

He didn't stop kissing her as his other hand slipped down between their bodies and found a home to play in. Her breath hitched and without missing a beat, his mouth moved down her jaw and to the crook of her neck.

Orihime could hear his chortle against her skin on her neck as his hand continued to flip and massage her moist folds. The woman's legs tightened around his waist and her hips involuntarily bucked, giving him a better angle and pushing him in deeper.

They both knew better then to make any noise, but a spontaneous groan or mewl placed their tryst at risk making the game more dangerous and exciting. It became his mission to make her say his name again.

His grinding came quicker now, and so did his breath. Orihime bit her lip and turned her head into her pillow to keep her moaning muzzled.

His thrust slowed for a moment and both of his arms snaked around her torso, bringing bodies together, moving in unison like an ocean's wave.

Orihime slid her hands up his back and hooked her hands around his shoulders. Feeling his hot, straggling breath against her neck turned her on, making her breast swell even more between them.

Keitaro sat up on his knees, bringing her on his lap.

She could feel the blood pumping through her veins as he grabbed her bottom and began bouncing her up and down.

Orihime bit down on the urge to scream at his new angle of penetration. Keitaro freed a low, feral growl into her skin as he slowly lowered her down on his lap.

Sweat dripped down face and back.

One hand clawed into his back, the other in his dark hair.

He could feel his body readying itself for release. His hips bucked upward violently making her wince in pain. She felt her walls tighten once more around his twitching member. His body curled up into hers and he released a long moan into her skin. Orihime could his warm eruption running down her inner thighs. Her own soon followed.

She couldn't help the hazy feeling in her mind as her body began to feel heavier and heavier. His body was warmer than a blanket as she wrapped herself in him. Her hands roamed up and down his sweaty body, lightly caressing muscles here and there before stopping at his bullet wound on his lower torso. Orihime fingered the scar tissue before kissing whatever she could reach- his neck, his chest, his shoulder- and falling asleep in his arms.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 6:42:29 AM

His thumb stroked her cheek back and forth. His body still felt tired and heavy from the night before but also loose and light. Was that even possible?

Her lashes fluttered up and she smiled. "Hey…"

Keitaro kissed her lightly on the lips. "Hey."

It was warm there, wrapped up in his arms and legs. They slept on the opposite end of the bed, with their feet sprawled across the pillows. "So, breakfast?" Orihime asked as she reluctantly moved from his arms. "You can have your pick of waffles or pancakes." She turned her back to him and pulled a robe on over her exposed body. "You'll get a side of eggs if you're lucky."

Keitaro rolled out of bed and reached for his jeans. "Actually… I gotta head out."

Orihime paused. She turned to see him fastening his belt. "Keitaro… no…"

The man exhaled, knowing how the conversation would end. "Orihime…"

Orihime followed him out of the bedroom and down the narrow staircase. "At least be here when the kids wake up."

The man grabbed his shirt, jacket and keys from the kitchen floor without saying a word. It was suddenly cold and embarrassing, standing in the middle of the room with nothing but a robe on.

"You always do this..."

At least in past times, he had the decency to leave before she woke up.

This time, he couldn't even look at her.

Keitaro faced the door as he slipped his leather jacket on. "I'm not arguing with you right now. I get enough grief from you about the kids-"

"You always do this to me…" he voice squeaked.

His hand on the doorknob, he paused.

Orihime grabbed the sides of her robe, curling the fabric around in her fist. "…It's not fair."

She closed her eyes tightly, not knowing what would happen next… would he turn around and stay? Would he yell at her and leave…?

Between the closed lids and straggling breath, a tear squeezed out and a door closed shut.

Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 2:36:01 PM

"I can't believe you allowed yourself to fall for his antics again." Rukia shook her head. "He's such a pig."

Kioko squealed and the women looked over at the six year old chasing a more than terrified squirrel up a tree, Sanji followed close behind.

Orihime took a sip of her tea before putting it back down on the bench table. "It was different this time… he felt something too, I know he did."

Kioko hopped and skipped around the tiny backyard as Sanji watched in awe. Occasionally, she would bend down in her pink dress and find one or two old pieces of candy from her brother's birthday last week and shove them in her pocket. Orihime made a mental note of taking them out before she ate them.

"Oh he felt something alright."

Orihime turned back to her friend. "I just get too caught up in his… I don't know what it is about him." The mother relived the feeling of emptiness every time he left her like that.

Rukia poured herself and Orihime more tea in their cups. "I'll ask Renji to talk to him if you want me to."

Orihime pushed both hands through her auburn hair. "No… I just have to know better next time." Who was she fooling? She'd ignore him, give him the cold shoulder the next time she saw him, maybe prevent him from seeing the kids for a month or two. But really, it was up to him. Whether he felt in the mood or needed company, all he needed to do was schmooze her into getting exactly what he wanted from her.

She was no easy girl. Men hit on her all the time and she didn't invite them to her bed. It was just him. She could never turn him down.

"That's what you say every time." The tiny woman added a few spoonfuls of sugar before stirring her tear and taking a sip. "Besides, you have bigger things to worry about besides your ex."

"You're right; I have other things to preoccupy my time. Kiki has a play on Monday- I think she's playing a bird or a… I don't know- and I have to pick Kenta up from soccer practice in an hour and I'm behind on all my work, my boss has been killing me all week." Orihime shook her head. "And… I think I forgot to pay one of the bills... I have to go check…"

Rukia nodded approvingly at her incompetence. "See, you're forgetting about him already!"

Monday, April 16, 2012 at 2:05:34 PM

"So we went to the doctors and he said there wasn't anything actually wrong with either of us. So he gave her these drugs that'll make her… you know… more and it's supposed to help us get pregnant- hey man, are you listening?"

Keitaro blinked. "Huh?"

The dispatcher droned on and Renji adjusted the knob.

Renji cruised into a red light and lifted a brow. "Shit man… what's gotten in to ya?"

Keitaro rubbed his face. "Nothin', just tired, I guess."

Renji drove over to a gas station, parked the police car and unfastened his seat belt. "Want anything?"

Keitaro shook his head; he had much more on his mind besides food.

He felt absolutely sick from the day he left Orihime last week. He should had never left like that… he just didn't know what to say, so he said nothing. He didn't know what to do, so he left. He didn't know how he felt, so he…

Keitaro cussed. He knew how he felt. He still loved her and he still wanted her. So why didn't he just say it?

Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he dialed Orihime's number. He waited and listened to Orihime's greeting, waiting for the beep.

"…"

Monday, April 16, 2012 at 2:07:58 PM

Orihime pushed her files and folders down into her briefcase. She figured she'll just need to take her work home if she couldn't finish it here. She was too distracted, and knowing her, being home wouldn't help anyways.

"Orihime, where are you going?"

Orihime turned around to see one of her colleagues staring at her as she was heading out the door. "My daughter has a performance today…" "I thought I told everyone…"

Dan shook his head. "We have a meeting in the main office."

Orihime deflated. She hated meetings. Looking at boards and graphs, for what?! Her work was strong ethic hadn't changed in three years until recently; she understood how to do her job and knew her place. It the bigwigs up in corporate didn't crap on everyone else once in awhile, they wouldn't have so many issues in sales. "Can you just… Can you brief me afterwards?"

Dan shook his head again and pointed at the bulletin board to her right. "Ishida said it's very important. Didn't you get the memo on Tuesday?"

Orihime rolled her eyes. Of course he would issue an important meeting last Tuesday. She could tell where this was heading…

"Alright, but I can't stay long…"

Monday, April 16, 2012 at 2:11:18 PM

Renji hopped back into the cop car, chewing on fresh gum and placing his coffee in the cup holder when the dispatcher informed them of a robbery nearby.

"We have a blue van with no license plate. He's on 44th and…"

"Damn," Renji said as he started the car. "Just when I thought today was going to be normal."

Keitaro buckled his seatbelt and smirked. "Renji, this is normal."

…

Akina hopped from one foot to the other. "Are you excited!?"

Kioko nodded and grinned, her butterfly wings bobbing behind her. "My daddy's coming!" She said proudly. Somehow, the child had gotten into her head that Keitaro would show up. She hoped and prayed he would ever night and she was sure that it would work.

…

"His speed is approaching seventy…" Renji said into the mic, feeding information to the person on the other line. "Traffic is moderate, he's northbound."

The siren was warning enough for bystanders to move their cars to the sides of the road. The suspects used them to his advantage by swerving and moving in complicated patterns around them.

"He's still northbound and heading towards the freeway."

Renji slowed in order to have more control over the wheel. "Shit, he's determined." The last thing he needed was a civilian death.

Keitaro nodded. "Aren't they all."

The dangerous suspect turned from the wheel and fired. "Fuck!" Renji kept straight. "He is armed; he just shot through the back window. I repeat he's armed."

…

Akina twirled in her larva suit. "My mommy's coming! She brought us cookies!"

All of the kindergartens seemed to scream in excitement at the announcement.

…

Keitaro took over the mic as Renji focused on "His speed is approaching ninety…"

Renji swerved as the suspect took another shoot.

…

"Children!" Mrs. Noto clapped her hands and they all got quieter. "Get into formation, hurry!"

Monday, April 16, 2012 at 2:27:24 PM

Ida finished explaining his last slide before looking over at his boss. "I think that about covers this presentation… Ishida-san?"

Ishida nodded his head. "No, that about wraps it up. You're all dismissed."

Orihime breathed a sigh of relief that the stuffy meeting room doors had opened and everyone was filing out. She badly needed to text Rukia and tell her she was running late, but Orihime knew that if she made one move in the horrid room, that Ishida would be on her before she could press send.

"Inoue."

Before Orihime could leave, Ishida was summoning her into his office. He waited until she was inside before he slowly closed the door.

"We never discussed your absence on Tuesday." He said as he made his way around to his desk.

Orihime dreaded this room. His office held a bad memory that neither cared to remember. Whatever happened in here, neither asked or talked about it again. And it's been awkward since.

Orihime sat in the chair in front of him. "I know, I'm sorry." She licked her lips, a trait she normally did when she lied. "Family issues can up, it was last minute and it won't happen again, I swear."

Ishida looked at her long and hard. He adjusted his glasses before scribbling something down on a pad. "Fine, you're dismissed."

Orihime concealed her smile. "Thank you…" She could feel his eyes burning a hole in the back of her head as she walked out the office.

Monday, April 16, 2012 at 2:15:03 PM

The children filed out on the stage in their various customs. Sanji was on the other end, dressed as a leaf with a few others, a couple more were dressed a larva, along with Akina, and

Mrs. Noto stood before the class and raised her hands. Kioko looked around the auditorium excitedly. Though it was dark, she knew if she looked hard enough she could see her mother's wild red hair… or her father's height… or her brother messy dark head… or…

The others began to sing in, what was almost, unison.

"I start from the beginning and end at the end…"

…

"Where the hell is that roadblock?" Keitaro demanded into the mic.

The dispatcher droned on about it being a few ways away.

The blue van took a left onto dry land. From the back seat, another head came up with a shot gun, pointing it through the back window, and shot.

"Fuck," they missed the window but it ricochet off the bumper. More police vehicles were here now, also pursing the suspects. "There's two of them." "They're heading off-road, towards the marsh."

…

"When I am an egg, I sleep in my bed…"

…

The suspect changed guns since his shotgun was ineffective. The blue van began to change directions.

"He's heading back, he's eastbound." Keitaro cussed. "Move that roadblock, asap."

Keitaro knew he'd get away if something wasn't done. Where was everyone's mind at today? "You have to intervene…"

Renji shook his head. "I don't have enough room."

"If you don't fucking do it, I will."

Renji knew Keitaro was serious, but he also knew he was wrong and it was dangerous. The outcome would be detrimental to both parties and the rest of the vehicles behind them, but Renji sped up; ramming his bumper into the corner of the van's wheel, bring the van into a tailspin and accidently slamming into another police vehicle.

"When I wake up, I do the larva dance and eat the leaves until I get fat…"

Renji slammed his foot on the breaks. "Shit man, I'm not going down for this!"

"When I get fat, I make a little home, where I sleep in a cocoon dome…"

Renji, Keitaro got out of their cars, along with others. It was easier to arrest suspects when they were in their car then out. The duo climb out of their sideways van, holding their money filled bags and guns in each hand.

…

"And when I wake up, I spread my wings and lay eggs in the trees!"

…

Keitaro drew his gun.

Monday, April 16, 2012 at 3:24:00 PM

Orihime pushed her hands through her hair and continued typing. Her job was stressful enough as is, but with the added pressure of Ishida's disapproval made the job that much harder.

She took a sip of her water and blew out hot air. She smiled at all the pictures on her desk. A few toothless grins from her babies Kioko and Kenta and goofy moments only a camera could capture. She also foolishly kept an old Polaroid of her and Keitaro in her desk.

She opened drawer and pulled it out. It was her, much younger, less stressful, and much happier. She remembered Keitaro snapping the picture himself as he surprisingly kissed her on the cheek.

Orihime smiled. Her eyes were closed and she had the biggest grin on her face. Oh how she wished she could go back… back to before reality made her fantasies come crumbling down.

She placed the photo back in its home and looked at the computer clock. 12:26. "Oh shot!" Kioko's spelling bee began an hour ago and was surely over by now. The mother knew calling out for an hour was out of the question, so maybe she could call the school and ask how her daughter had done.

It was then she remembered her phone was vibrating in the meeting. Orihime pulled it out of her pocket and clicked on the first voicemail and brought the phone to her ear.

"Hey… it's me, Sano- well, Keitaro. Keitaro Sano… ah…it's me, huh. Um…"

Orihime chuckled at his goofiness.

" I've… I have been thinking, and… I want to come back. I want to come back home and be with you and the kids…"

She couldn't believe her ears. Did he just say he wanted to come back?

Orihime couldn't help the tears that began to wield in her eyes. But while she was listening to the message, two men entered the office, dressed in the proper law enforcement attire; the first one stopped a nearby employee.

"Where looking for Inoue, Orihime…"

The woman looked up from her paperwork and pointed to the redheaded woman. "She's right there…"

Orihime didn't need to finish the message. The answer was yes, he could come back- and no one would judge him, no one would blame him. She just wanted him back.

Orihime turned around in her chair but two men looming over her stopped her in her tracks.

Orihime was an LEO- law enforcement officer-'s wife before. She knew what it meant when fellow officers were knocking at your door. Either your significant other was badly injured or… worse. A wife always hoped for the former.

"Um…" Orihime squeezed her phone tighter, still hearing the faint buzz of Keitaro's voice in the message, "…can I help you?"

"Ma'am, are you Inoue, Orihime?"

Orihime slowly nodded. The blood began to rush to her ears and the color drained from her face.

The cops took their hats. "We're here on the behalf of your ex-husband…"

Her throat swelled.

"…to regretfully inform you…"

Her fingers became numb.

"…of the events this afternoon…"

The phone slipped from her grasp.

Keitaro was dead.

Monday, April 16, 2012 at 2:05:34 PM

"Hi, this is Orihime Inoue! I'm not here right now so please leave a message at the beep and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!"

Beep.

"Hey… it's me, Sano- well, Keitaro. Keitaro Sano… ah…it's me, huh. Um, I've… I have been thinking, and… I want to come back. I want to come back home and be with you and the kids. I haven't made the best decisions- and I know that. But you're right. I haven't been fair. I know… we- it's…um… Huh, this is a lot harder than I thought it was going to be… I. I just want things back to the way they were- but this time it'll be better. It'll be much much better. I'll be much much better. I wanna make this work. I'll do right by you and the children. I promise… I lov-"

Click.

This was exciting! I hope the ending didn't make too many of you upset, although the beginning is a dead giveaway. And what did you think about the lemon? I'll admit I still have a lot to work on so tell what you thought of it.

I can't tell ya'll when the next chapter will be up, but just stay tuned!

Rocka.

P.S. Thank you LuvleeCookieChan for proofreading and beta'ing! She IS the bee's knees!