Chapter 4:

Ichigo closed his door quietly; his grin still plastered on his face as he stood there, his head full of thoughts of his date. He hummed happily and made his way over to his desk, pausing when he saw the list he'd made the previous night. He smiled softly, trailing a finger over the last point. Grabbing a pen, he ran a line through the sentence and smiled to himself.

"Only five more to go."

Folding the paper, he put it in his drawer for safe keeping, if it stayed on the desk it would get lost within days. He crawled into his bed and looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully, running a finger over his lip. Ichigo felt his side twinge and frowned, rolling over to grab his medication and take a pill.

Dropping the bottle back on the side, he returned to staring at the ceiling, his thoughts returning to Grimmjow and their date. He couldn't help but smile happily when he thought of their kiss and just how perfect the night went. Pulling his top off, Ichigo dropped it on the floor before his trousers joined them. Curling up under the covers, he yawned and nuzzled the pillow, falling asleep quickly as his exhausted body gave out.

Ichigo was woken up the next day by a loud crash, making him jolt and sit bolt upright. Pressing a hand to his chest, he waited until his breathing returned to normal to get up and investigate. Pulling on a shirt, Ichigo carefully made his way downstairs, ducking as Karin's football flew across the room and ruffled his hair.

"You idiot!" She yelled and Ichigo saw she was glaring at their father. "Didn't I tell you not to kick it? You broke the window!"

"I'm sorry Karin!" Isshin whined from the floor, looking at her apologetically. "It was an accident!"

She snorted, glancing up as Ichigo walked in and smiled. "Hey."

He nodded and looked at their father kneeling on the floor. "C'mon, I think you've punished him enough."

"Tch, whatever." Karin rolled her eyes and went to collect the ball, leaving Ichigo alone with Isshin. Ichigo sighed and helped the man to his feet.

"Well done, it's only seven in the morning and she's already annoyed." Shaking his head, Ichigo turned when Yuzu came in carrying several plates and went to help her. "Morning, need some help?"

Yuzu smiled at him. "No, everything's ready, I just need to bring it in. Just sit down and eat Ichi-nii."

"Can do." He did as instructed, pulling a plate of food towards him to start eating. Once he'd finished, Ichigo took his plate back into the kitchen and kissed Yuzu's head. "Thanks for the food." She blushed and pushed him away, her attempt at a fierce scowl failing, making him laugh. "Sorry."

Yuzu sighed and shook her head as he left to go upstairs and shower, getting ready for the day. When he left the bathroom half an hour later, Ichigo ran a hand through his damp hair, pausing when he heard someone ring the doorbell. Moving closer to the stairs, his eyes widened in surprise when he heard the familiar voice that was unmistakably Grimmjow's.

He returned to his room and quickly changed into his uniform, spinning around when the door opened and tripping on his trousers. Ichigo cursed, blushing heavily when he heard Grimmjow chuckle and looked up to see the man leaning against his door, watching him amusedly. "Morning."

Ichigo scowled and fixed his trousers, securing them around his waist with a belt. "Morning, I thought you were meeting me at school?"

Grimmjow shrugged, watching as Ichigo pulled a jumper on before grabbing his bag and blazer. "Maybe I just couldn't keep away." He grinned when Ichigo blushed and refused to meet his eyes. "Something wrong?"

"N-no." Ichigo stuttered, blushing harder when Grimmjow walked over to him, making him back up into his desk. "I just..."

"Mmm?" Grimmjow placed his hands on the desk behind the blushing teen and smirked. "You just what?"

He felt a shiver go down his spine and slowly looked up at Grimmjow. Letting his bag slip from his fingers, Ichigo slowly wrapped his arms around Grimmjow's neck before hesitating. "Is this ok?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Grimmjow smiled softly and pulled Ichigo closer, leaning down to press their lips together. Ichigo smiled against his mouth and pressed closer, moaning softly when Grimmjow licked his bottom lip and opened his mouth at the request.

Ichigo shivered and pulled away, panting harshly as he regained his breath. He blushed when Grimmjow chuckled and looked up at him shyly. "What?"

"Nothing." Grimmjow shrugged and kissed him again, catching Ichigo's arm when his legs gave way. "You ok?" He asked worriedly when the younger teen groaned heavily.

Ichigo gripped his arms tightly and sighed shakily, waiting for the moment to pass before speaking. "I-I'm fine." He stuttered weakly, letting Grimmjow lead him to the bed and sat down heavily. "Pass me my medication?"

Grimmjow frowned and looked at the bedside table Ichigo was indicating at. He grabbed the bottle when he saw it and handed it to Ichigo who opened it with shaking hands to take one of the pills. Ichigo sighed and closed his eyes, rubbing his forehead for a moment before opening them again to smile at Grimmjow weakly.

"Isn't pretty is it?"

Grimmjow shook his head, touching his cheek. "Not really, but it could be worse. At least you're not coughing up blood or anything."

"Now isn't that a bonus." Ichigo muttered, leaning against Grimmjow's arm with a heavy sigh whilst looking up at him. "I'll be fine." He reassured when Grimmjow watched him worriedly. "It's just a passing moment, afterwards I'm as good as new."

"Until next time."

"Until next time." Ichigo echoed before shaking his head and standing up, brushing Grimmjow's hands away. "I don't need help. This is exactly why I didn't want to tell you, or anyone. I don't want to be treated differently, so please don't."

Grimmjow opened his mouth to object, but shut it again at the warning look he received. "Fine." Holding up his hands in defeat, he stood up and pulled Ichigo into his arms again. "Sorry."

Ichigo pressed his head to the man's chest and closed his eyes, listening to his heartbeat for a moment. He pulled away and cleared his throat when the door opened, blushing when his mother gave him a knowing look.

"Just thought I'd tell you it's gone eight, if you don't leave soon you're going to be late." She turned her attention to Grimmjow and smiled. "So you're Grimmjow are you? I knew you'd be handsome, you've certainly gotten Ichigo's attention."

"Mum!" Ichigo said the word in embarrassment, his voice rising slightly and he drew away from Grimmjow quickly.

She chuckled before turning to leave. "What? I was just reminding you of the time, don't be late for school you two." With that she left and Grimmjow turned to look at Ichigo, grinning when he saw the blush adorning the teen's cheeks.

"Even your mum thinks I'm good looking."

Ichigo came out of his daze and sent him a dirty look. "If you even think of her in that way, ever, you are never getting anything from me."

He raised an eyebrow in amusement. "We've been together for a day, and you're already threatening to withhold sex?"

"Yes." Ichigo grinned and move close enough to place a chaste kiss on his lips. "Now c'mon, I don't want to be late." He grabbed his bag again and slung it over his shoulder before leading the way downstairs, Grimmjow following without complaint. Ichigo glanced behind to see his eyes were definitely looking down and snorted. "Stop staring at my ass."

"What? I can't admire the view?"

"Pervert."

Grimmjow wrapped an arm around Ichigo's waist and pulled him back to press against his front before nuzzling the back of his head. "I've only been able to admire from a distance until now. Let me say you're much more sexy up close." Ichigo blushed but made no attempt to break free of his hold, something he took as an encouraging sign. "I'm having a party tonight, you coming?"

Ichigo rolled his eyes, the party Grimmjow was referring to had been the talk of school for weeks, he sure knew how to throw a good party. But due to them running in different circles up until now, he'd never been invited to one, neither had his friends, much to Renji's disappointment.

"Sure, on one condition."

"Mmm, what's that?"

"I can ring my friends. Renji will bitch and whine for months if he can't go." Ichigo turned around to face Grimmjow and smiled. "Deal?"

"Deal, I can live with your geeky friends gate-crashing." He winced when Ichigo punched his stomach. "Thanks for that."

"You're welcome." He smiled and stepped out of his arms so they could get out of the house. "See you later!" He called before closing the door and they fell in step on the path.

The walk to school was quiet, not that Ichigo was bothered, it was a pleasant silence and he couldn't help but smile whenever their shoulders brushed due to how close they were walking. When the school came into view, he hesitated and glance at Grimmjow who had noticed and was frowning slightly at him.

"Do you want everyone to know?"

"About us?" When Ichigo nodded, he grinned. "Why not? Besides they're gunna see us tonight so what's the point in hiding it. I'm not ashamed of being with you and using for a damn about what people think. But if you want to keep this on the down low, I can do."

Ichigo smiled softly, Grimmjow reply was exactly what he wanted to hear. "No, I'm fine with everyone knowing."

Grimmjow nodded in reply before kissing his temple and slinging an arm around his shoulders. "What class you got first?"

"Maths, you?"

Grimmjow pulled a face of distaste. "That sucks, I've got sport. Walk you to class?"

Ichigo snorted. "I didn't know you could be such a gentleman. You don't look like the type."

"Hey, I was raised well. I know how to behave properly, when I want to."

Grimmjow grinned at Ichigo's amused look as they passed through the gates and Ichigo suddenly became aware of Grimmjow's arm around his shoulders. As they walked inside, he became increasingly aware of the stares and whispering.

By the time they reached his classroom, Ichigo was sure he was paranoid and Grimmjow chuckled at the wary look. "You ok? Looking a bit jittery."

"Mmm." Ichigo hummed before turning his full attention to him. "Thanks for walking me here I guess. See you later?"

"Sure thing. I'll meet you outside after school. Then we can go to yours before mine."

Ichigo nodded. "Sounds good." He went to turn but hesitated and blushed before quickly kissing Grimmjow. "See you after school." He murmured before slipping into the classroom, leaning Grimmjow to watch him go with a smile before turning to go to his own class. Ichigo slid into his usual seat next to Renji and smiled at him. "Hey."

Renji frowned at his friends cheery behaviour, his usual scowl seemingly abandoned for the day. "Hey, what's got you in such a cheery mood?" He just smiled with a dazed look and Renji rolled his eyes. "Grimmjow?"

"Uh-huh."

"Well your date went well then."

"Yup." Ichigo didn't elaborate; instead he decided to change the subject onto Renji. "What did Rukia say?"

The red head huffed and stabbed at his paper with his pen. "No. She said I wasn't her type."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow at the comment. He'd seen the looks Rukia gave Renji when she thought no-one was looking. "Huh. Try again, be persistent."

"No thank you, being shot down once is good enough for me."

"Wimp." Ichigo decided to change the subject again before Renji got too depressed. "Guess what I've got planned for us tonight?"

"What?"

"Invites to Grimmjow's party. You coming?"

Renji's face lit up at the idea. "Hell yes!" He paused and glanced at the front to see the teacher looking at them both expectantly. "Sorry." She nodded and continued so Renji let closer to avoid being caught. "You serious?"

"Of course. I managed to persuade him to let you come too."

"Great! I've always wanted to go to one of his parties." Renji paused and Ichigo frowned at the hesitant look.

"What?"

"You know why he's like though right?" When Ichigo just continued frowning, he sighed and elaborated. "Different pull every party. Quick fumble in the heat of the moment. You know that kinda thing."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow in surprise. He knew Grimmjow was a player but he didn't know he was to that extent. "Oh." He cleared his throat and sat up straight, Renji already greeting mentioning it. Ichigo needed something positive right now, not this. He cursed himself for his inability to think before speaking.

"Hey I'm sure it'll be fine. After all, he's not single anymore is he."

"Yeah you're right. No point in worrying about nothing." Ichigo smiled reassuringly. "Now shut up and let me concentrate."

"Can do."