Hello fellow readers~! I know it's been a LOOONGG while, and I am still alive and breathing! I've been losing my writing juices, but they're not gone yet! And I know you guys deserve an AMAZING UPDATE, so here it is. I've actually been working on this chapter for a long time, I've just been neglecting it. I'm sorry for being so invincible lately, but hopefully with my current time off until the start of my next semester, I can write and update a bit more. I hope you enjoy! Read and review please :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or any of the characters or the song that inspired this story.
~.-.~: This is a change of perspective, or a change in point of view. Kind of. It's like a transition. You'll see... (I just felt changed the sign cause my old transition symbol hasn't been appearing for some reason)
Their laughter slowly faded away and Orihime looked up, discovering that they had arrived at her apartment building. She softly sighed and turned to the handsome stranger.
"Thank you for everything. I really enjoyed our walk." She grinned at him, her cheeks getting rosier by the second. "Well, I guess I'll be going now and you should get home too, it is late after all…"
"Right, yeah. Well, get there safely." Ichigo was about to walk away when the young auburn called him.
"Wait! I just realized that I don't know your name…" Her voice began to slowly falter towards the end and she began fidgeting.
"It's Ichigo."
"Well, Ichigo, I hope that you get home safely also." She smiled again and he chuckled and turned around.
"Ichigo?"
He turned his head towards her, waiting for what she was going to say.
"I hope that you come to the café soon." Blushing madly, she gave one last smile and walked inside, leaving the man in a stupor.
~.-.~
Ichigo unlocked his house door and threw his keys on the counter table that stood next to the front door. On top of the counter was his house phone and saw that he had 2 messages. Pressing play, the voice machine played out the message as he was taking off his jacket.
"Hey Ichigo! Renji and I hope you're doing alright, you haven't phoned us in a couple of days so we were hoping that you were alright-,"
"And that you didn't go off and kill your own sorry ass." Renji yelled in the background with a following sound of a smack and "What the hell was that for?!"
"So, please call us back soon. Renji and I are just worried for you-,"
"Actually Rukia, it's only you. Wait, no, I was just kidding! I was kidding! I'm worried about the poor bastard too! Ow!"
"So, yeah. Hope to hear from you soon! Bye!"
Ichigo shook his head and the next message came on.
"Ichigo, my boy! It's your wonderful daddy here! I hope you haven't forgotten your family here in Japan. You know, just because you're off in France now doesn't make you cool! You should pick up your phone calls too you know! Don't ignore your loving father! And remember to wear a condom if you have sex with a beautiful French lady! But who would want you anyways, a man who ignores his own blood! Call back your family soon, young man!"
Ichigo banged his head on the wall; he honestly doesn't know how he endured all those years with his father. There was rustling in the background and a new voice came on, in fact it was two.
"I miss you Ichi-nii! I hope you're doing alright and that you're eating enough too, I know you can be lazy sometimes…"
Ichigo's heart warmed hearing Yuzu's voice and then Karin's followed.
"You better be taking care of yourself, Ichi-nii. And don't be so down either if you have been. We miss you over here…" *cough* "Well, bye, Ichi-nii."
Other byes were heard from the background and the message ended. Ichigo scoffed and continued down the narrow hall to the stairs. That was when the phone rang and he angrily breathed out, skipping down the steps and grabbed the phone.
"Hello?"
"Ichigo!"
It was Rukia.
"What the hell, Rukia? Do you know what time it is?"
"Yeah. It's almost 8:30 in the morning."
"Maybe for you, but not for me. It's past midnight!"
"Oh, right, the time difference!" She lightly laughed on the other line and Ichigo just scowled.
"Well, you weren't picking up before! Renji and I were getting worried."
"I was out, that's why. And I'm fine; you don't have to worry about me."
"Are you sure?" The petite woman questioned.
"Yes! Now I'm tired and going to bed."
"Well, alright. Don't have to be so grumpy. Talk to you later."
"Yeah, yeah. Bye midget." He hung up and placed the phone down. Walking back up the stairs grudgingly, he entered his bedroom and began undressing. He stretched his arms upwards, trying to relax his muscles after the interesting night he had. He slowly walked to his bathroom and decided he'd take a shower. Hopefully it'd help him sleep better.
As the warm water cascaded down his figured body, Ichigo just couldn't clear his head. This woman he just met somehow couldn't get out of his mind. Squeezing his eyes shut, the orange head punched the wall with the side of his fist. I can't get attached; this is a business-only trip… It wouldn't work out either way… He slowly opened his eyes and let out a deep breath. Turning off the water, he grabbed the towel that was on the rack and got out of the shower.
~.-.~
Orihime walked up the stairs to the second floor. Her footsteps lightly thudded as she walked to the front door. The door made a loud 'click' as she unlocked it and stepped inside. Her shoulders were slightly hunched over, the events of the night finally catching up to her. She didn't realize how tired she was until the walk with Ichigo had come to a close. Ichigo. For some odd reason she couldn't get this new man out of her mind.
"Oh, I don't know what I'm going to do…" The young beauty spoke out loud to herself, placing her hands on her warming cheeks. "I can't be having these feelings for someone that I don't know that well… Oh, I know what happened! It's only the night doing tricks in my mind making me think I have feelings! Oh, night can be tricky sometimes…" Orihime began humming to herself and decided to take a shower before she went to bed.
~.-.~
Grey eyes slowly opened, taking in the sight before them. They blinked before closing again, and then snapping open. Orihime propped up from bed and looked at the clock on her bedside table. It read a quarter to seven. Jumping out of bed, the auburn girl ran to and fro around her room, grabbing any clothing that she touched and putting it quickly on. She sped out the door, running down the stairs and onto the street. She ran to the café, not stopping once. Dramatically slamming the door open, Orihime stepped in the café, panting. All heads from the counter turned their heads to her with wide eyes.
"Sorry. I'm. Late." She said between breaths.
"Orihime! What happened?" Tatsuki quickly walked to her best friend, setting her on a chair before she passed out.
That was when footsteps were heard and a glass of water was presented in front of the flushed auburn. She gladly took it, gulping it down. Setting it down on the table beside her, she looked up to thank the person, but then gasped seeing who it was.
"Monsieur Ishida!" She stood up from the chair so quickly that it tipped over and clattered on the floor, causing her to slightly jump at the noise. "I-I just came in, I'm so sorry I'm late, I overslept, not on purpose of course! It was by accident! I -,"
"Orihime, it's alright. Just sit down and calm down, I wouldn't want you to be feeling unwell later in the day. And I told you to call me Uryu, just like everyone else in café." He gave her a small smile to let her know that she isn't in trouble.
"Well, yes, but you're the manager…" She mumbled under her breath. Uryu only chuckled and walked away as Orihime began blushing.
She turned to her friend with wide-eyes while Tatsuki only shrugged and turned around. She breathed out and followed in suit.
It was another busy day in the café and Orihime's break was shortened due to the increased number of customers. She was so preoccupied that she almost didn't notice the orange-top man come in. She just set an order on a customer's table when she looked up and saw him. Instinctively, Orihime grinned and walked up to him.
"You came."
"I came." He gave a half-smile and she lightly laughed.
"Well, I guess you should seat yourself and I'll be there to take your order in a few."
Ichigo nodded and saw that the table he sat in last time was empty once again. Taking long strides, he tried his best to ignore the stares and noisily sat down. He glanced at the menu and decided he'd just get the same order as last time; he didn't have enough focus and was too lazy to bother reading the menu. He glanced out the large window pane beside him, his eyes focusing on random objects.
"Hi! I'm sorry for the wait, today's busier than usual. So, what would you like?" Orihime smiled down at him, her heart beating hard inside her chest. She could practically almost hear her pulse beating in her ears.
"I'll get the same thing I got last time, if you remember…"
"Of course I do! It was a crêpe with strawberries and the chocolate syrup that I insisted along with vanilla ice cream. I always remember things, especially from really cute guys-," Her eyes widened in horror when she just realized what she said. I really need to think before I talk! Quick, what do I say? What do I say?! "He, I-I mean… Your order will be here soon," she quickly turned on her heel and walked away to place his order. I can't believe I said that out loud!
Ichigo watched her walk away, dumbfounded as to what just happened before him. She called me cute? Slightly blushing at the thought, the confused orange top cleared his throat and went back to looking out the window. Minutes later, a plate appeared before him, startling him.
"Bon appétit! And remember, you don't have to pay. Free meals for a month for saving my life." Orihime smiled and began walking away when Ichigo called out to her.
"Wait. I really don't mind paying, it's fine, you don't owe me anything-,"
"But I do!" Orihime strut back to him full force. "You saved my life. This is the least I could do, unless you want something else, anything for what you did. I mean it was my life, I might not be here if it weren't for you! I mean really-,"
"What time do you get out today?" He blurted out.
"W-what time do I-I get out to-today?" Orihime swore her heart stopped for a few seconds.
"Yeah. What time do you get out today?" Ichigo snickered, flashing a crooked smile.
Oh no… oh no. I can't breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
"Orihime? Are you okay?" Ichigo stood up and placed his hands on her shoulders, concern in his eyes. The auburn jumped at his sudden touch and Ichigo jumped back from her sudden reaction.
"Yeah, I'm fine! And, um, 6. It's Nel's turn to close the café, so I get out earlier today. 6. Yeah, 6. Why do you ask?"
"I was hoping that maybe we could get to know each other better… Maybe over dinner tonight?" What am I doing? Dammit. I really need to stop going with my instincts so much…
"Know each other better? Dinner?"
"Yeah. I mean, if you don't want to, that's perfectly fine. You know what? Never mind. Forget I asked. Sorry to bother." Ichigo felt so embarrassed. Well that went well… He decided to start eating his food as a distraction. Orihime just stared at him, her mouth slightly open.
"Dinner?"
"Yeah. Silly of me to ask. Sorry." Ichigo chuckled, but not really meaning it. Inside he felt like practically throwing up as he was practically stabbing the plate with his fork.
"I'd love to."
Ichigo's head perked up, almost not believing what he was hearing. "You'd love to?"
"Yeah. I'd love to go to dinner with you, Ichigo." A smile slowly formed onto her face turning into a grin.
"Great!" Ichigo heartily laughed and then calmed himself down. He cleared his throat, correcting himself. "I mean, that's great. So I'll pick you up around 8 then." Orihime nodded and giggled and pointed as his food.
"I'll let you eat then. So I'll see you at 8." She giggled again and began walking backwards away from his table not knowing that there was another waitress who didn't see her going in the same direction. She then spun around, knocking right into the waitress, the plates flying and breaking on the floor and both falling to the ground.
"Oh not again…"
Poor Orihime. Things keep happening to her. Hope you've enjoyed it! Review?
Next chapter: Date night!
This story will mainly be fluff. If I haven't mentioned this before. Maybe a bit of drama here and there to keep it interesting.
