CHAPTER 3: UNOFFICIAL DATE NIGHT

The school day seemed to go by a lot slower for Ichigo. Not heading out in the middle of class in order to fight hollows was quite the change. About halfway through the day, Ichigo noticed Chappy was in Rukia's place yet again as the latter was out fighting hollows. The giveaway was the stifled giggling and hushed singing of "Boing, boing, boing, boing!"

At least I don't have to worry about Kon doing something stupid, the carrot top thought as he watched the instructor go on about an advanced mathematical procedure. He looked over to Orihime who was busy scribbling down notes.

She seems calm right now, he further pondered, but I can't shake the feeling that she's really worried and she's just hiding it.

The school day finally came to a close and Ichigo was headed down the road toward his home. He turned the corner and stopped dead in his tracks upon hearing the familiar roar of a hollow. He started to reach down to his pocket to grab the small green pill containing Kon- only to be stopped by a firm grip on his wrist courtesy of Orihime.

"Urahara-san said, 'not today'," the caramel-haired girl reminded. Ichigo moved his hand away from his pocket and Orihime shifted her grip so that they were now holding hands. Orihime hid her blush the best she could as she did this.

"Inoue, if you just wanted me to walk you home, all you have to do is ask," Ichigo guffawed. They continued down the road in a comfortable silence. As they enjoyed each other's company, people they past and other onlookers showed adoring glances in the direction what they saw as a young cute couple.

Once they reached the door to Orihime's place, Ichigo attempted to continue on his way home.

"Kurosaki-kun," Ichigo stopped to turn and face his friend who called to him, "You don't have to, but I-I was wondering if you could stay for dinner tonight."

Damn my stuttering, Orihime mentally cursed, I might have just blown a good chance to get closer to him! She stood by her door as she waited for Ichigo's reply but eventually added, "I'll prepare something normal for you."

"Define 'normal'," Ichigo guffawed as he joined the healer by her door. Orihime joined in his laughter as she unlocked her door and walked into her house with Ichigo in tow.

The two entered the kitchen and began to decide what to prepare for their shared supper. Before long, they were setting out the required pots and pans. Several times throughout the preparation and cooking process, Orihime tried to add red bean paste but was stopped by Ichigo every time. Occasionally, she would make a face at him in a mock pout and whine, "Kurosaki-kuuuuuuuuuuuun!"

"No way are you gonna ruin a perfectly good dinner recipe," Ichigo would respond with a mock frown. Within seconds, they would both start snickering before breaking out in full laughter.

It wasn't long before supper was ready. The two teens smiled at each other as they took their first few bites. They eventually began to chat about how slow the day was for Ichigo and how bad both Rukia and Chappy were at drawing.

Time flew by and before Orihime knew it, she was yawning every few minutes. Ichigo looked at the clock over the TV and saw it was already pretty late.

"You should get some sleep, Inoue," Ichigo said as he stood up from his spot next to Orihime on the couch.

"You sure you want to be out alone this late at night?" the busty healer asked.

"I'll be fine, Inoue," Ichigo assured, "We've got school tomorrow so you'd better hit the sack ASAP." He then headed for the door, bidding Orihime one last goodnight before leaving.

Orihime then headed for her bedroom. Within minutes, she changed into a short pajama dress and was under her bedcovers. She lay there for several more minutes, recalling the whole evening she just spent with Ichigo. Sighing contently, she rolled onto her side and entered dreamland.

Blood was everywhere! It stained the floor, the walls, even the ceiling. It also stained his clothes. The reason: the body of an innocent girl cradled in his arms. He looked down at her still face, hoping in vain for any signs of life. But she was completely limb- completely void of any life force.

"Why? Why like this?" he cried out to the heavens. There came no reply. He was alone- left behind to mourn in his misery.

Ichigo jerked upright in his bed, breathing heavily to calm his shaking body. His vision blurred with tears but he quickly wiped them away with his hand.

That damn dream again, Ichigo cursed inwardly, why is this happening? He looked over at the short drawer on the opposite wall from his bed that had a few framed pictures sitting on it's top. He walked over and picked up a certain framed picture that was a photo of him and Orihime smiling together at the small park down the street. Rukia was the one who took the picture and the fall season made for a beautiful backdrop.

Ichigo continued to stare into the photo, the reoccurring nightmare still fresh in his mind.

Inoue….., he pondered out of uncertainty. He quickly set the picture back down after another minute or so and changed into his school uniform before heading downstairs for breakfast- only to find that Yuzu was still preparing it. He walked into the kitchen and began to assist his youngest sister in getting breakfast ready. Before long, it was on the table and Yuzu went to inform Karin while Ichigo went to sit down and wait for everyone else to arrive.

"Time for breakfast!" Isshin shouted as he dove at his son for a tackle. Ichigo quickly took the chair he was about to sit in and held it out front, causing Isshin to crash face first into it. The carrot-topped teen sighed heavily as he set the chair back down on the floor and took his seat.

Yuzu and Karin entered the dining room several seconds later. Upon seeing Isshin on the floor, Yuzu looked up at Ichigo with a questioning look. This caused both Ichigo and Karin to say simultaneously, "Don't ask."