A/N: This fic is beginning to seem meaningless and plain stupid... sigh. But best to finish what I start. Sorry for the delay if anyone around is reading this. I was overseas and missing the internet):

Chapter 3

"Ano, Ishida-kun, you live alone here? In such a big house, very beautifully decorated too I must say," Nemu finally spoke after spending three minutes gazing around the ground floor of the two story bungalow in awe. Cloud was getting a little uneasy during the short three minute silence and was a little slow in taking in Nemu's question.

"Ishida-kun?" Nemu prodded, lightly tapping Cloud's shoulder, "Ishida-kun, Ishida-kun!"

Cloud snapped out of daydreaming and looked up at Nemu. He almost gasped but caught himself in time and smiled nonchalantly at Nemu, who was standing closer to him than he would have imagined and staring right into his eyes.

"Ah! Uh...uh...what was that you said earlier Nemu fukutaichou? Please excuse me for droning out, eh I was only thinking about er... dinner!" responded Cloud, eyes an inverted "u", grinning.

"I asked if you stayed- ah well never mind, silly me, of course you stay here alone. Doesn't look lively enough for two or more people. Oh and yes you were thinking about dinner? There's a restaurant not too far away that I reserved a table at! I heard from Matsumoto fukutaichou that the food there is really scrumptious! Shall we go there together, Ishida-kun?"

Nemu looks really reserved and bashful on the outside but I guess she's really different when you talk to her, thought Cloud, I wonder who is Ishida to her. Should I go with her? But how can I refuse a girl? Kuso! Such a simple role of pretending to be Ishida could become this troublesome?! Why, where's that Ririn and Nova! Can't they come and help me, some friends they are, probably watching me and laughing.

Meanwhile, Nemu also had a stream of thoughts pouring into her mind.

Shit, was that too straightforward, about dinner? I can't let everything go downhill just because I opened my mouth and talked more than necessary! Ahhh what now, if he refuses? Whatever it is I better excuse myself to call the restaurant to book a table. Can't believe I said that when I had not even done it.

How?! How?! Argh! I'll just say…

"Erm, yes, of course! Why not? We are friends, are we not?" Cloud answered, hoping as hell it was only a normal friends outing and not anything else beyond that. Sure he would love to be with Nemu and satisfy the slight perverted thoughts he had. No matter how hard he tried to block them out, they attacked again; this was after all not any ordinary women but a young, attractive lady who seemed quite willing. He was only nervous as he had not been around women for some time. Besides that, he could not afford to blow his cover either.

Nemu was stunned.

He actually agreed? Oh wow, he said... yes! A direct affirmative! Not like some who would be embarrassed and beat around the bush. That kind of makes me even more attracted to him! Man, I must get a hold of myself! At least look normal and respond like a friend would! And conceal the excitement burning throughout me!

Nemu sighed.

"Oh good! Yes! Thank you Ishida-kun!" Nemu said, some what sounding too enthusiastic and eager, "Please excuse me first, and I need to use the bathroom!"

"Sure, it's no big deal. You don't have to pretty yourself up anymore though, else I'd be blinded by your sheer beau-" Cloud glorified, but slapped an invisible hand across his mouth when he realized he was teasing her.

Nemu blushed at Cloud's reply. Red flushed up her face as her eyes widened in surprise.

Does he actually feel the same way I feel about him?

At a lost for words she politely nodded before dashing out of his sight, almost tripping over a small bump in the carpet as she escaped to the bathroom, unknowingly dropping something.

Now that was really an awkward reaction. She must really like this Ishida. Well she's such a nice person, I might as well play along and let her have what she wants, I mean, she's gonna have to return to Soul Society soon. Like that bastard Mayuri would let her have a life. Speaking of Mayuri, it's really weird that he let her come down to earth in the first place. I wonder. Anyway I should just reciprocate her feelings for now, though it might be hard seeing as I'm only infatuated with her whilst she is truly in love with this Ishida. Crap.

Cloud pondered, brushing off nagging feelings that things were a little off about Nemu coming down to earth.

No! I've embarrassed myself deeply in front of the person I am devoted to! Gah! No time to worry about that now, first thing first, the restaurant!

Nemu dug a hand into the pocket of her new priced possession, the green lacy skirt she was wearing. Her bony fingers felt about the shallow compartment for a smooth surface but felt none. Her anxiety level increased as she frantically searched for her mobile phone.

I must have dropped it when I half tripped over the carpet! Oh no, no!

Just then Cloud knocked lightly on the toilet door.

"Erm Nemu? You all right? You've been in there some time already. Oh and you dropped your phone!" Cloud said, visioning how Nemu would appear after touching up her make up.

I hope she won't over do it. I heard its pretty bad for the skin. She gorgeous enough, came her reply, as she silently swore that she had let things go differently than planned. Facing the gold plated mirror in front of her, she tidied her hair and adjusted her clothes, slightly irritated at the discomfort of a gigai.

FLUSH!

"Oh finally! Now let's go shall we?" Cloud said, thinking.

How come girls always vanish into the bathroom for a considerably long time and appear the same as before?

Nemu took back her phone from Cloud, their fingers touching for a brief instant. Her cold and delicate fingers brushing against his palm. He curled in his fingers, wanting to hold her small hand. But she was faster and pulled away first, dumping her phone into her bag this time. But the split second that they touched, however minor and short, triggered some sort of heat shooting through their bodies. She turned around and started to walk out the door when Cloud recovered and followed behind her. Things were getting a little too intimate, but neither cared.

Cloud hummed softly as he walked along with Nemu towards the restaurant which was about a ten minutes walk if they took the shortcut throughout a deserted area. Nemu had refused at first but Cloud managed to coax her into it. "But, I'm starving," he had said. A soft growl emitted from Nemu's stomach just at that moment, as if deciding for her to go along. SO she she no choice but just to agree.

As Cloud hummed, gazing off into the dark night lit up by street lamps and the moon and stars in the sky, Nemu was staring at the ground, a little shy to be walking alone with the person she thought was Ishida and loved. Thankfully they were not walking in complete silence, which would have been very awkward and unnerving. Nemu felt herself relax as Cloud continued humming, the melodious rhythm of the song soothing her nerves.

It was unexpected. And Nemu was quite surprised. She knew that they were walking very close to each other but when his hand edged towards hers and cupped her fingers, she looked up from the ground astonished. Much as she hated to admit it, the warmth of his hand felt really pleasant and she loved the feeling it gave her. So she responded by holding his hand as well. They strolled hand in hand down the quiet lane, the only noise being the crickets.

"Konbanwa, welcome to Ishimu Eating Place, a seating for two?" asked a tall man clad in a black suit at the entrance of the restaurant.

"Konbanwa, we have a reservation," replied Cloud.

"Oh? But there are no more reservations for tonight. All the customers who reserved a table have arrived!" the man said, but quickly continuing when he saw Nemu turn red and figured only used the word "reservation" so that her companion would not decline, "Oh yes, well anyway let me show you to your seats! Would a table by the window be fine?"

"Sure sure! Arigato!" replied Cloud, letting go the fact that a reservation was not made.

Nemu was silent all the while, though she was quite relieved things went smoothly although she had lied. They sat down and looked at the menu. The waiter came and Nemu was about to order when Cloud suggested they try the lobster and share it along with rice and fried vegetables. For the second time Nemu was surprised. Not only was he asking to share food with her but he picked her favorite dishes. She smiled and nodded her agreement as the waiter scribbled down their orders.

A/N: Sorry for this short chapter. This chapter was really badly written I know. May edit later.