Um...yep X) I'm just going to start the chapter and run away from all of the flying fruit coming my way!
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'Beautiful,'
This was the word that echoed through Ichigo's mind as he gaped, open-mouthed at the woman before him. Vaguely he realized that all his staring was bound to be making her feel uncomfortable, yet his eyes remained glued and his faced remained twisted in a fish-like expression. The smile on the woman's face seemed frozen in place and Ichigo regarded that fake grin with interest. It seemed cold and unfeeling, obviously no real emotion had gone into forming that simple twist of the lips. Yet her eyes, they were alive. Real emotion could be seen in the gray depths of her glittering orbs, there was nothing fake about her eyes. Then the pure surprise and emotion disappeared all together and a frigid cold settled in and her expression froze into a mask so perfected, that Ichigo would have not suspected a thing had he not seen the real emotion that was on her face just minutes before. Idly he wondered what horror this woman had been through to be able to close her self up so thoroughly.
Orihime became aware that she was staring about half way through checking him out. Checking out THE, Lieutenant Kurosaki Ichigo, THE police officer Kurosaki Ichigo, THE man that could throw her in jail if he knew just who he was looking at... Mentally she smacked her head over and over into a brick wall, cursing her self for her stupidity.
'Off limits, danger, danger Hime,'
Checking her expression Orihime was horrified to realize that she was laying her emotions out on a silver platter. Immediately she shut down, made her eyes go dead and replaced the shocked twinkle in her orbs with cruel amusement.
"Sir?"
Ichigo blinked in confusion at the deja vu he felt as he listened to her silky voice run down his spine.
Her bell-like laughter invaded his ears and Ichigo mentally shook him self out of his stupor.
"I-I'm sorry, wha?"
Orihime made sure her smile was razor sharp, previous attraction long gone.
"Do you feel OK, Sir?"
The sheer venom injected into her tone almost made him wince,
"Fine," he muttered, a little put out.
"Good," she said briskly, "I guess I'll be going then." And with that she turned on her heel and stomped away to the end of the aisle, dropping her box of bandages and wincing with every step she took.
Ichigo watched her go with a growing disappointment that was surprising to him. Again a sense of deja vu hit him hard, watching her walk away her stance was almost...defensive. Like she was running away from something; escaping. Glancing back down at the deserted box of bandages Ichigo decided to go with his gut and figure out just what made this girl so intriguing. In one swoop he ducked down, grabbed the box and sprinted down the aisle. Skidding around the corner Ichgio called out to the woman just as she was about to step outside the store.
"OI!"
The bell tinkled softly overhead as Orihime froze in her tracks. She glanced over her shoulder at the man that was very quickly becoming the bane of her existence both in her criminal life and now in her personal life.
"Yes," she said softly, praying that he could hear the distaste in her voice.
He let out an a tiny smirk that made her flush slightly in anger. He KNEW she didn't like him, the bastard!
"You dropped this Miss." He waved the bandages at her and she cursed her luck. Walking over to him, she plucked the box out of his hands and limped over to the check-out counter.
"Just this please." She mumbled.
Ichigo grinned and nodded at Mizuiro who winked back. Orihime eyed this exchange with distaste, she snatched the change from the cashiers hand and was about to limp to the door when the box was pulled from her grasp. She whirled around with a growl and glared at him, Ichigo merely shook his head with a smile and plucked a pen from the counter before writing something on the box. Orihime snatched the box out of his hand and glared at him.
"You little-"
"Miss, your receipt." Mizuiro interrupted smoothly. She directed her ferocious gaze on him and only took the slip of paper out of his hand when it was waved it front of her face. Muttering a variety of insults and threats and throwing her hands up in frustration Orihime limped to the door with a scowl announcing her leaving with a simple,
"Men!" as if that explained everything.
Following close behind, Ichigo stepped outside of the door moments after her. The woman was quickly stomping down the sidewalk, he let a small smirk come to his lips as he called out after her,
"Can I at least now your name?"
Orihime abruptly stopped and turned her head to look at him, feeling compelled through some unfathomable reason to answer. This man was a temptation, a cop, a good guy. She was a thief, a low life, someone who was evil. Yet it seemed that the age old saying, 'opposites attract,' was correct. So, she answered,
"Orihime."
Ichigo nodded slightly, it fit her. And with one last smirk, he turned around and strode in the oppisite direction. Never once looking back but still keenly aware that he had her full attention.
Orihime watched him go slack-jawed and looked down at the box in her hands, on the front was a phone number and next to that phone number a name was printed: Ichigo Kurosaki.
Rolling her eyes Orihime looked up to the sky and gave a disbelieving laugh.
"Men." she said with a sigh.
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Across the street, Yammy watched the scene unfold with interest.
He looked down at the grainy black and white photo of a figure dressed in black and up at the cute, young thing across the street.
Grunting Yammy nodded in approval, she definitely matched the description. He fished a cell phone out of his large coat pocket and dialed out his bosses number,
"Yo, Grimmjow? Yeah, I think we've found our girl. But you wanna know the interesting part? Ichigo Kurosaki from the boys in blue seems to be with her."
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Done. :) Things are starting to heat up, no? I just would like to thank all of my reviewers for sticking with this story and I hoped you enjoyed. Any questions, comments, or feedback? Well then, please review!