title: kisses and gossip
summary: —There should really be simpler ways of asking people out.

pickup line— if i buy a soccer ball, will you kick it with me?

note: guys gossip more than girls, true fact. also, i felt like writing something that was more happy and romantic than funny.

It is common for Orihime to notice things that concern Ichigo. These things can and do include his favorite food, his favorite color, and his favorite sport. She notices that out of the many athletic clubs at school that pay him, he always accepts the soccer teams offers.

She sometimes even watches him play and she thinks that he is amazing at it, though that might just be because she thinks everything he does is pretty amazing.

People may think that being goalie is not that amazing but the position suits him. He protects the goal and the team wins; being a goalie is not easy. If the team loses people place the blame on you for letting the other team score. No one places the blame on Kurosaki-kun though, because he never allows anyone to score.

'Goalie isn't the only position Ichigo is good at either! He is actually really good at all of them, who knew that idiot had talent?'

At least, that is what Tatsuki has told her and by what she has seen of his practices it is true. If the soccer team is lacking players, any position, they would call on Kurosaki-kun. Tatsuki has also told her to use this interesting fact to her advantage but she still has no idea on how?

Maybe she can challenge him to a game of soccer but he would probably beat her at it. Besides she would probably end up skewing the rules and playing some strange version of soccer that ended with one of them becoming famous and winning the world cup.

She sighs watching the soccer team scrimmage, behind the chain-link fence that surrounds the school soccer-field. Who is she kidding? She can barely manage to ask him simple questions, like, would you like some left over bread Kurosaki-kun? or Are you okay Kurosaki-kun? Do you need help Kurosaki-kun? Honestly, she is even starting to annoy herself. It is so simple to just ask him: Kurosaki-kun, please go on a date with me? But it isn't simple!

Could she really be content with just watching him and staying by his side forever as only a friend? No, she couldn't.

:

"Hey look at that, isn't that Inoue-senpai?"

"Yeah, I wonder who she's waiting for…"

"Do you think she's got a boyfriend on the soccer team? She's always there when the senpais' practice."

"Let's guess who it is."

"Shou-senpai? All the girls think he's good-looking, I heard he even has his own fan club!"

"No way! I heard he doesn't like stupid girls."

"Hey! That's insulting! Inoue-senpai is third in her class!"

"Really? I never would have guessed, she seems a bit…ditzy."

"Well if it isn't Shou…then Tsukasa-senpai?"

"Nah, he already has a girlfriend."

"What? Who?"

"She's in the same year as him! I think they're childhood friends or something like that."

"I think it's…Kurosaki-senpai." The boy's statement is instantly met with outcries of disbelief.

"WHAT!"

"ARE YOU STUPID!"

"NO WAY!"

It seems that Kurosaki Ichigo is an unlikely candidate for their beautiful senpai's attention.

"I heard he's a delinquent."

"He hangs out with yakuza, too! At least, that's what I heard."

"Wasn't he going out with that short girl with black hair? What was her name…Kuki? Kuchi?"

"It's Kuchiki, dumbass!"

"Yeah, her. Weren't they going out?"

"Nah, they just seemed really close. Besides I heard her boyfriend is some scary yakuza with red hair and tattoos."

"What about that demon? Arisawa…"

"I heard she kicked his ass so, I doubt it."

"See! Then it might be possible that Inoue-senpai and Kurosaki-senpai are dating. It's not a stupid assumption!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No. The idiot might be right, it could be possible."

"H-how! She's so…and he's like…!"

"Well, have you noticed that when the team doesn't use Kurosaki she doesn't show up to practices?"

"And remember that one time those guys tried taking picture of her? Kurosaki was pissed!"

"Well, that was only because they tried to take them of her in the locker room! Anyone would be pissed off at those perverts!"

"Well can you explain to us why Inoue-senpai is kissing Kurosaki-senpai at the moment—WAIT, WHAT!"

The entire group of gossiping boys turns around and finds that…Inoue Orihime is indeed kissing Kurosaki Ichigo.

:

When Ichigo woke up that morning he had expected his day to go by normally. He would go to school and after school he would attend soccer practice. He did not expect though, that during practice he would be kissed. It isn't just some kiss either, it is a kiss from Inoue. His friend.

He knows that people gossip. He knows that people say things like I heard Inoue Orihime is in love with Kurosaki Ichigo. He also knows that gossip is rarely, if ever, true. He hates gossip, he hates rumors but even he has to admit that he does not entirely hate the idea of Inoue loving him. Who wouldn't want to be loved by her? She is beautiful, kind, intelligent and everyone thinks so as well.

He doesn't think so though, he thinks that Inoue is much more than just beautiful, kind, and intelligent. Inoue isn't someone that can be explained to people who don't know her. She isn't someone superficial so, superficial words could never describe her. Maybe he is just over thinking things though.

So, just how has he ended up in this situation? Inoue had come up to him as he finished the scrimmage he was in. His lips tugged upward into a small smile, he waved before gathering his things and heading over to her.

As he approached her he could see a look of determination on her face, one that he rarely had a chance to see. It made him wonder if she had been waiting for a reason, had something happened?

But before he could get out a greeting or ask her if everything was alright she had pulled him down in, her lips pressing softly against his. He should have pulled away, but he didn't. Instead, he kisses her in return.

Her hands on his chest for leverage as she presses closer to him and he hold her there. He doesn't hesitate to respond, his hands on either side of her face to hold her close to him. He pulls away only when he feels a multitude of eyes staring at them, as much as he likes the feeling of Inoue's lips on his he does not like the feeling of being watched.

"Um…why don't we take this somewhere else," he says, pulling her along with him and away from prying eyes.

When they are somewhere more private than the school-soccer field he looks at her awkwardly. What should he say? Is something expected to be said after a girl kisses a boy? He doesn't know and it is making him freak out, especially since Inoue seems satisfied just simply being there.

'Why is she not freaking out! I'm freaking out and I didn't even start the kiss!' his thoughts filled with inner turmoil.

But before he can further think about their predicament, or panic over it, she is saying something.

"So…Kurosaki-kun, I was wondering…" she casually says, poking her index fingers together, a light blush on her cheeks.

"Yes?" he prods, barely able to get the words out without stuttering, compared to her his entire face is encompassed in red.

"!"

Her words come out rushed and embarrassed and he can't help but find that slightly amusing. After kissing, she is embarrassed to ask him…wait what exactly did she say?

"Um…what?"

"I-I said…if I buy a soccer ball will you…kick it with me?"

His only reaction is to stare at her dumbly because he can't believe that Inoue would use a pick-up line on him. But then again, she had kissed him and he would never have believed she would do that. After recovering he says the only acceptable answer, one he is comfortable with and one he is sure Inoue would be fine with.

"I think that…" he watches as her face falls slightly at his hesitant answer, "I would like that."

As soon as he gives his answer she lights up, and it makes the corner of his lips tug upwards in a small smile.

"Come on. I'll walk you home," he motions for her to follow with his head, ruffling her hair when she skips to his side with a bright smile.

:

As he walks her home in a comfortable silence, she thinks quietly that she is glad she took a risk. Though it had been an embarrassing way to give away her first kiss and—

"Weren't there simpler ways of asking me out on a date?"

His voice breaks her out of her musing, making her blush. There were simpler ways of asking but none as funny as a pick-up line.

A simple "Nope!" and smile is her response to him.

(a/n): idk where that kiss came from but it felt right to put it there even if it seems a bit rushed.i'm trying to improve on dialogue…but the gossiping boys were there more for fun than anything else, haha!

reviews greatly appreciated (: thank you!