Okay, Hi, my first story...ChadxIchigo, 'cos I think it's just sooooo adorable. Oh, and I totally don't own Bleach (haha I wish!).

"So, how bout from now on, I throw punches for you, and you throw them for me?"

Ever since that wink, I knew. I would do anything for that boy.

Except it was awkward. I mean, I knew he didn't return my feelings. Why would he? He had Rukia. He even had Orihme, if he wanted her. Why would he need me, the same way I needed him?

So I kept quiet, and faded to the background. Said, and interacted, as little as possible. Of course, I did everything he needed me to. And more. That's what friends are for, right? But it was becoming more and more...hard.

Like this one time........

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Ding Dong

Wait a sec...today's Saturday. Who...?

I ran to the door, and opened it. Then I experienced that familar pang in the area of my chest that seemed to be happening lately when I was around him...He stood there, panting. Then he looked up at me and grinned. Those cords around my heart tightened even more. "H-hey, Chad. Do you think...*pant*...you could do...*pant*...me a favor?" How could I say no?

I stared at him a second. "Come on."

He raced in, and Renji soon followed. I looked at him a second, then at Ichigo. As always, Ichigo was amazing at interpreting my looks. One of the reasons...

"Oh, he needs help too. Okay, Chad. There's this hollow, right? We gotta go get it, can we leave our geigas here? I can't find my mod souls, and Renji's all out." He gave me his best puppy-dog eyes. I never could resist anything so cute...

"Sure."

"Kay, thanks, we'll be back in an hour, byee!" He yelled quickly and left his geiga on the floor. Renji slapped me on the back and followed him out.

I sat on the couch. Hmm. Well, that was unexpected. I sat there for a couple of minutes, letting my eyes wander aimlessly around. But like a moth to flame, my gaze was drawn to Ichigo's body. Ichigo's pale, unmoving body. Ichigo's pale, unmoving, vulnerable body.

A thought struck my head all at once. I was alone. With Ichigo (well, his body). For an hour, at least. Different scenarios rushed through my mind...me, pressing him against me; me, taking off his shirt; me taking of his....

I blushed and stopped there. I wouldn't be comfortable with it. It'd be too much like being with a dead body, which is basically what it was. But then I remembered.

The reason Ichigo couldn't find his mod souls was because I had them. The last time I'd been in his room, I'd seen them. They were so cute, and looked like candy. I couldn't resist slipping the container into my pocket. But at home, I realized they were mod souls. And now, entirely new possiblities opened up. I could slip in a mod soul...and start kissing him, as if I was supposed to. And the mod soul would assume that, because I thought I was supposed to, I was supposed to.

It played out in my head as tangibly as if it were actually occurring. I brought Ichigo's body to my bedroom (the thought made me blush). I slipped him onto my bed and got on top, then put the mod soul in his mouth. The mod would look at me, and at first would be confused as I kissed him. But I'd say something along the lines of, "What's wrong, Chi-chi?(A nickname I'd always wanted to call him by)" And he'd continue, because he would think that it was normal, and he'd kiss me back. I started wondering how far I'd be brave enough to go.

Except that it felt too much like rape. Me taking from Ichigo what he hadn't willingly given up to me. It wasn't fair or right of me. Plus, I couldn't figure out how to get the mod soul back out, short of putting Ichigo's spirit back in. And Ichigo would want to know why I'd put the mod soul in. And the mod soul might say something...

No. I couldn't. So I sat there. I contemplated getting up and giving Ichigo's body just one little kiss...I wanted to know what kissing him tasted like. I wanted to know what he'd feel like, under my hands. In my mouth. But I wanted my first kiss with Ichigo to be when he was conscious, and kissing me back.

My leg jiggled up and down, and I began to sweat. This was abnormal for me. Usually, I was as immovable as a rock. But him, so close, but so far, flustered me. It took incredible restraint to just sit there for most of an hour.

Ding

I was there before the Dong. Ichigo's surprised face looked at me in confusion. I realized what he must see - me, big, sweaty, and pale, panting in the doorway. "Um...you okay, Chad?"

"Fine." I didn't want to give too much away, and didn't trust my voice not to break.

"You sure? You look sick or something..." and without warning, his hand came up to brush the hair out of my eyes and feel my forehead. My eyes widened in shock. What...?

Ichigo nodded grimly. I realized Renji was behind him, cocking an eyebrow at us. "Yep, definite fever. Trust me, I know these things. I'm going to have to put you to bed."

Thank God blushes don't show up too easily on my face. I was so surprised, I let myself be led to my bedroom. He pulled back the covers on my bed. Renji was right behind him. "Get in," he ordered me. I meekly lay down, my pulse racing. It quickened even more as he tucked the heavy blankets around me and pulled out a thermometer (Where the heck...?), gently sliding it between my lips. "Just sweat it out for today. I'll call tomorrow, to see how you're doing and if you need any real medicine."

Renji had already left the room to reenter his body. My muscles tensed as he lingered by my bed. He seemed so motherly that I half expected him to lean down and kiss my forehead. But instead, he brushed his fingers against my face.

Then he was out the door. As soon as I heard the slamming noise, I relaxed. Sweat was pouring down my face, mixing with what seemed suspiciously like tears. I closed my eyes and let them fall. Dammit, Ichigo. You just might be killing me.