A/N: I'm back~ Very sorry for the late update, I know I said I'd update once a week, but testing and other school crap got in my way. (Darn you math teacher!) XD

So, I though updating this before my new other fic would be a good idea… So was it? Mmm?

Well, whatever, just read the darn thing! XD

Housing the Bad Boy

Chapter Four

Ichigo watched with mild amusement as the auburn haired woman devoured a full sized ice cream bowl. Drops of vanilla clung to her cheeks making her look like a cute, small child. Not in a weird pedophile way though, 'cause that would just be sick.

In his own hand, Ichigo had gotten just a plain cup of bitter black coffee. Orihime had tried to convince him into buying himself what she had ordered, but he refused. He thought it was better just to enjoy something small. But those thoughts were ruined when the high school girl had ordered the biggest bowl they could get her.

When she was done, she scooted the bowl off to the side of the table. She smiled widely at her companion for the evening. Her grey orbs shined brightly, making Ichigo debate of whether or not it was natural, or just a trick from the lights.

"So how have you been Kurosaki-kun?" the beauty asked curiously. Her legs swung back and forth underneath the table like children did when they were excited.

With his scowl still set like always, Ichigo tried to smile back. It was hard smiling for him. He hadn't done it forcefully in a while. He remembered trying to put on a happy face when he was younger and his Dad asked him if he was ok. It was after his mother died that he had to start pretending. It was hard at first, but he got use to it after a couple months. He didn't want to upset his sisters. He had to prove that if he could get over it, then so could they.

But how can you when you're the one who caused it? How can you forget when it was you who didn't stop the bullet from hitting you own mother because you were too afraid to do anything?

'Dammit,' he mentally cursed. This was no time to think about that. He had to try, try to get over it.

Try to forget about her and all the things she had taught him.

The smile on his thin lips felt bitter sweet. It burned a little to smile like this.

Something in the girl across from him ticked inside of her. She felt like a nerved had just popped as she looked deeper into the smile. Something was off. The warning bells in her mind were going off, telling her not to ask, not to bring it, not to wonder why his smile was so darn fake.

'Why fake a smile?'

"Ano…. Kurosaki-kun," Orihime muttered. Her eyelashes fluttered a bit which was watch intently by the male across from her. Her bottom lip was pushed out to pout, but then pulled back by her teeth so she could nibble on it nervously. "Is something upsetting you?"

"Eh?" He knew that by saying that it made him sound slightly stupid. But he knew he wasn't, even if she thought he was. But from her personality that he had encountered over the few times they have talked to one another, he could tell she wouldn't think of him in that way. She was much too nice to ever consider another person dumb. He could tell this much from just talking to her.

In truth, he wanted to scream out his problems to her. Tell her of the way his mother's blood was stained forever onto his soul. How he could not help her as she screamed for the pain to hurry and pass. He had the feeling she could help him in some way. Ichigo felt that the girl sitting across from him could save him from his past.

"If there is something that is upsetting you, then you can tell me," she didn't look him in the eye as she said this. Her cheeks were flamed and her hands held on tightly to her grey skirt underneath the table.

Damn… she was so much like her. He kept his gaze averted from hers, knowing fully well if he were to take one look, then he would confess everything.

And doing that could get her killed.

Ichigo shook his head in response. "No, I'm not upset about anything." Lying through his clenched teeth to protect a woman he didn't even know. Although, he felt like he knew her.

But it wasn't her. Nothing in the world could bring her back after what he had done. She was gone.

"Ne, see Kurosaki-san! You like being covered in your mother's own blood~!"

"Shit…" he cursed under his breath.

This didn't go unnoticed by the woman sitting across of him.

Orihime bit her bottom lip and furrowed her brows in an awkward looking fashion. She just knew something was wrong with him! It must be pretty bad if he was trying so hard to hide it from her. She bit on her tongue to hold back another question of his feelings. Some things were better left untold, rather then blurted out for the world to hear. If he wanted to keep to himself, then who was she to stop him?

She could taste the blood coming from her lower lip from biting harder then meant to. Orihime licked her bottom lip to get it off, having a metallic tangy taste on her tongue. Her strange pout just deepened.

When he looked up at her once again, she disarmed her pout and replaced it with a heartwarming smile. "Ok, Kurosaki-kun," she chirped. The melancholy from a few seconds before gone when her smile showed itself into the small café.

She pushed herself from the table and stood up, stretching her arms out. Her eyes lit up as Ichigo got up as well, grabbing for some money to pay for their orders. Orihime panicked at the sight.

"Ah! Kurosaki-kun, you don't have to pay for me!" She got closer to him, almost making her large breasts brush against his broad chest.

Ichigo scowled. "I don't think it would be proper for the woman to pay if I, the male, have money for both parties," he stated matter of factly.

The princess got the image of Tatsuki saying (more like yelling) that was a slightly sexist comment. But being the shy girl she was, Orihime just looked away with a dust of pink on her cheeks.

"It seems you always do some kind of thing that I have to repay you for, Kurosaki-kun…" she whispered loud enough for him to hear. He found her frown funny.

They walked out of the café, arms brushing against one another every so often. While they were walking still, Orihime accidently said her thought out loud.

"What could I do for you that could lift all this debt I owe you?"

Ichigo stopped, making Orihime bump into him. She shook her head and peaked up at him. His face was covered in the usual scowls she had always seen him in and his lips pierced in a line. Was this his thinking face? She found it humorous, to think such a cool punk had a thinking face!

His next move took her by surprise. He turned his whole entire body to face her. His eyes looked a bit darker then the shade of brown she had seen before, like a shadow was over them. He had put the black beanie back on his head, but still let some locks of bright orange hair be loose and go past where his eyes were.

She was about to ask what was the matter, but he beat her to talking.

"You want to know what I want in return, right?" His tone was serious. Orihime just bobbled her head up and down to show her answer eagerly. He continued. "Then I want you to let me do one little thing…"

"What is it, Kurosaki-kun?" Whatever it was, she would try her best to supply it, whether it be money or a new house. Orihime was a woman of her word, when a debt needed to be repaid, then she was going to shower them in whatever it was they wanted.

"I want you to let me live with you till I have to head back to my own home."

And of course, being Orihime, she answered him in a way that just had to be her.

"Eh?"

A/N: I actually cut the other scene out where she answers him. Of course, this chapter was scrapped like 5 times before I gave up and went:

"F*CK IT!"

… in other news, a poll was put up for the rating! Please go vote now! And also a big shout out to my fellow ppl who slap me around and bully me to update! You know who you are~! ='D

Favs- 26 (this much already? O.O)

Alerts- 36 (**sloppy kisses and bear hugz** OMGZ! I feel so happy you pushed the button! =D)

Reviews- 40 ("!" Simply speech less! How are their more of these then alerts? XD But please, keep it up~!)

Hits- 2,502 (o.O Whhhaaaaatttttt? This many people clicked and read it to the 3rd chapter? T~T I need a hug, cos that is beautiful! Thank you for clicking, even if you don't continue to read it~)

Gawd, you guys made tears in my eyes with this support~! I luvs you~~!

Now, let's play the guessing game. But I give no hints! =D

Q: What does every bad boy have besides a leather jacket?

The reviewer who gives me the correct answer will get Ichigo shaped cookies!

R&R?