A/N: Let's continue things with the same topic as last time: the importance of touches in a relationship... or in starting one...(Don't worry, this still remains well within T rating...)

Turn back now, if you're not up to reading totally fluffly, cheezy, girly stuff! You have been warned!

Just one side comment : about Ichigo's new powers in the manga (spoiler!)... To me, it seems he's now able to use his soul reaper powers with his real body, just as he had used his fullbring earlier. I'm still not 100% convinced about this, but in this particular story, I'll go with this assumption...

Setting: after the fullbringers

Stolen moment

It happened on a Sunday afternoon...

The radio's voice filled the air, a nice song was playing, with a fast rhythm. Orihime was running to and forth in her small little kitchen, spinning like a gyroscope top, singing along with the radio in a loud voice. A large courgette was in her one hand, and she was simultaneously using it as a microphone, and cutting it up with the knife in her other hand.

When only a little chunk remained out of her microphone, she put it into the large dish, and started opening her cabinets. Now came her favorite part! The spices and herbs! She took out no fewer than seven boxes, and arranged them in a neat line before herself, smiling fondly. Then her expression became pensive, and she reached back inside the cabinet once more, to add an eights box... When this was done, she sighed contently.

The rhythmic song have ended, and now the newsreader's voice filled the air, so Orihime turned the radio off. She needed to concentrate on her masterpiece! And the most complicated part was still before her! She went to the counter, and lifted up the big round ball of the large coconut she had to cut up... She placed it on the chopping board, and she opened her drawer to extract the biggest kitchen knife she had.

'Here goes nothing...' she tried to encourage herself.

First she tried to merely cut it. Of course it wasn't that easy... Then she tried to puncture it with the knife's tip. That didn't work either. Even the end of her tongue was sticking out as she wrestled. The knife slid and trembled dangerously. Finally she gave up. A cute little pout settled on her features.

'Now that's not very nice of you Coconut-san! And you are the key ingredient, I simply can't do it without you!' she sent a mild scowl to the large fruit, that was supposed to show her anger. She gripped the knife in both her hands, and tried again, with even more force. She stopped, panting.

'Oh, please! Just open up! I promise to make a real delicious stew out of you! Come on!' she begged. Then she leaned closer to the coconut's surface. 'Hallooo? Is anybody in there?' she cried quite loudly, then put her one ear there, to listen for any response.

Suddenly she jerked her head away, as she heard movement from behind her back. She was alone in her apartment, and wasn't expecting any visitor... Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt fear as she started to turn. But she was addressed before she could turn properly.

'Inoue?'

Orihime released a big shaky breath.

'Kurosaki-kun!' She straightened up properly, and faced her visitor with a blushing face.

Ichigo stood in her doorway, his face showing confusion and anxiety. Then his cheeks started to turn pink too.

'Sorry... I didn't want to butt in... or frighten you. But you were shouting... and the door was open, so I just... What were you doing anyway?'

'Umm... Cooking! I was trying to reason this coconut into opening up for me, because apparently, I was getting nowhere with force...'

'I see...' he said, his eyes wandering between her and the coconut dumbly. Finally he got himself together. 'All right. I guess I can help you.' he stated, tossing the bag he had been carrying to one of her chairs. 'Maybe this is not the appropriate way to do it either, but I really don't want to rush back home for a saw... stand back!'

Orihime did. She felt his spiritual pressure flare, and the next moment he was standing there in his black shikansho, and before she could blink, he took Zangetsu in his hand, and aimed it carefully at the coconut. He wasn't using force: he didn't want to refurnish her kitchen... Zangetsu just slid through the hard surface as though it was butter.

'Wow! Thanks!' Orihime cried enthusiastically. 'Next time, I'll use Tsubaki to cut a coconut! It just didn't occur to me to use my powers for something like this... Maybe Tsubaki-kun would be indignant...'

Ichigo changed back, and sent her one of his half-smiles. That was when she remembered how unexpected his arrival had been.

'Kurosaki-kun... What are you doing here... I mean... was there a reason why...'

'Yes... Inoue... Can I ask a favor?' he looked uncomfortable, and he started avoiding her eyes.

This made her very curious.

'Yes?' she said, in an encouraging tone.

'But you must promise to tell me if you're not ok with it!'

'Ok...' she said hesitantly, even more curious.

'Can I... er... would it be all right if I would just hang around here a bit? My Dad's having the Clinic renovated, and everything is turned upside down back home... Dad's ecstatic, Yuzu's desperate, Karin has shouting matches with the workers... I just need a quiet place to study for the finals. I promise not to get in your way... Yesterday, I went to Chad's, but he's working today. Tatsuki wasn't home either...'

'She has karate practice.'

'Right. Karate practice. And I've tried the Urahara shop, but there were a bunch of weirdoes in there... I mean others than the usual bunch...'

Orihime studied his expression as he spoke... The usual scowl was there, but it had none of it's "wildness". His tone, which she was sure he meant to be disapproving, angry and careless came out rather tired and weary instead. His shoulders were bent, and there were bags under his eyes... Thinking about it more, Orihime realized the young soul reaper had been looking rather weary for some time now. She could even recall an incident a few days back in school, when Ochi-sensei had told him off for falling asleep during class...

Then it occurred to her, that she still hasn't said anything to his request, so she quickly spoke up to amend that.

'Of course you can stay here! Do you need a table, or...'

'No, just a place to sit.'

She smiled at him, and motioned for him to follow her to her living room. He brought his bag.

'Um... you can sit anywhere you want, but that crouch is probably the most comfortable place you'll find...'

'Thank you. Are you sure I'm not disturbing you?'

'I'm sure! What can I bring for you? A tee? Or an orange juice?'

'No, nothing, thank you! I don't want to impose, really... I just...'

'It's no trouble at all! I'm glad I can help!'

Ichigo studied her sincere smile for a moment.

'All right. A tee then.'

She nodded happily. 'Maybe I'll join you later, and we can study together! I just need to finish my stew!'

She walked out to her kitchen, leaving him there. While heating the water for the tee, she finally had time to think. And after one minute, she was able to think something else than: 'Oh my gosh! He is in my living room... he sits on my crouch... we are alone in my apartment... Oh my gosh!' Saying that she was happy to have him there, would be an understatement... She was honored, really, that he regarded her a close enough friend, and felt so comfortable with her around, that he had come to her, when in need of some tranquility. She wowed to herself, that she would do everything in her power to make him feel at home... Starting with this tee!

She only fiddled around with it as long as to give herself some time to cool down, then she went inside and presented a large mug to him. Ichigo had already arranged his pile of books and notes next to him, and he even had a pen in hand. He put it down though, to be able to take the tee from his host.

'Thank you!'

He gripped the mug with both hands, blowing on it, to make it cool faster. She just stood there, watching his weary face, dancing from her one foot to the other, and finally she just couldn't help asking.

'Are you tired?'

He awarded her with a smile for noticing the obvious.

'You seem to be tired a lot lately...' she said tentatively.

'Don't worry... I'll get over it. It's just that... so much is happening right now...'

'Is it just the renovation at home? Or the finals? Or is there more?' she tried to ask further. She didn't want to pry, but after all, she knew very well that there were more... the soul reaper duties...

Ichigo understood what she was asking, and answered.

'Yeah... freaking hollows find this a most convenient time to throw parties in the world of the living too...It's not like they would care about my graduation grades!' Then he hastily added. 'Don't think I'm complaining! I'm so glad I got my powers back, and I'm able to protect the innocent again. I'd do ten times this much, if I had to...'

She smiled. 'I know that...'

Silence settled around them. Ichigo tasted his tee, with a content sigh. Orihime found she didn't like seeing him like this, but didn't know what she could do for him.

'Well... I'll leave you to study then...' she said after a minute, and retreated to her kitchen awkwardly.

In ten minutes, she was totally lost in the happy task of cooking, and almost completely forgot her previous unease. She couldn't help it: she was always like this when inventing new combinations... and she even found her guest's presence oddly inspiring. The closeness of his familiar, strong spiritual pressure, which she had missed for 17 month, made her smile continuously.

Only once did she permit herself a swift peek into the living room. Ichigo was still sitting on the crouch, immersed in one of his books. His face was cutely scowling, even when reading... Orihime giggled silently, and her heart felt strangely warm, in a good way...

She returned her attention to stirring the stew, humming quietly, merrily. She tasted it a few times, and finally she decided it was ready. She had just turned off the heat under the pot, when she heard movement again, and Ichigo came in the kitchen, looking kind of miserable, like some lost little puppy... All Orihime's previous concern reawakened in an instant.

'Do you have something for headache?' he asked.

'Um... I store my medicament up there...' she pointed up to one of her cupboards. '… in a blue box... could you get it down?'

He nodded. Of course he didn't need to stand on her chair to do it, like she would have... He lifted the box down, and put it before her. Orihime started riffling through the contents.

'My Dad gave me these useless homeopathic candies...' Ichigo said, scowling. 'I really need something stronger, as it have been hurting since yesterday.'

'Uh! That must be bad... I'm so sorry! But I'm sure I will find something for it here... Ah! This will do!' Orihime announced happily. 'It has an elephant picture on the box... I guess that has to be strong enough... I got it when my elbow was hurt during a volleyball match...'

'Let me see...' Ichigo took the box from her, and read the notices. 'Thanks! This will be fine!' he declared after a minute. He started to walk back to the living room, but Orihime called after him.

'Kurosaki-kun! Um... dinner is almost ready, and I'm sure you are hungry... I heard somewhere that an empty stomach can make headaches even worse!'

He turned, looking back, and his eyes were uncertain. Orihime knew it was because he thought it impolite to accept her offer, since he had intruded on her without invitation... So she added in her most begging voice possible: 'Please!'

He smiled.

'Ok...'

Orihime smiled back, happiness radiating from her like sunlight. She started to set the table, and Ichigo only walked away long enough to take one of the painkillers with the remains of his tee, before coming back to assist her. She handed him the plates, still smiling.

'Besides, it's only fair that you get to taste the result, since you helped with the preparations!'

He looked confused for a moment, then recalled the coconut.

'Oh... yeah...' he only now began to wonder vaguely what was in store for him...

When they sat down, and Orihime began serving, she started to babble about different ingredients, and his stomach instantly started to turn over, just imagining them... So he quickly silenced her.

'Inoue... I'm sure it will be delicious, but I think I don't want to know the contents before I tasted it...'

He quickly grabbed his chopsticks, and put a large piece in his mouth. He closed his eyes, as he savored the tastes... Finally he smiled. Just as he had expected: it was unusual, unexpected, but still nice. A little sweet, a little sour, a little salty... It was like Inoue herself. And since it was, it was no surprise he liked it!

Orihime gave a relieved sigh, when she saw his reaction. After all she had been told not one time before how weird her cooking tasted to others... But luckily, Kurosaki-kun seemed to like this particular stew.

After they ate, and after she strongly declined his offer to help with the dishes, she sent him back to study. When she put the last clean plate to the dryer, Orihime went to her room, and brought her own books out to study with him, as she had promised. Ichigo shifted over to give her more room on the other end of the crouch.

'What are you studying?' she asked.

'History... I hate memorizing these freaking dates!' he answered with a worthy scowl.

'Yeah! I know! That's hard for me too... I always make these charts you see. A time-line. I mark every event on it, and I find they are easier for me to remember after seeing visually what was before and what after...' She extracted one of the hand-made charts she was talking about from one of her books. 'See, like this!'

She removed the pile of books separating them to the floor to be able to move closer. Ichigo took a look. The time-line was colored, it had all the dates, but it also had little drawings of battles, and chibi Captains signing important contracts, and ships sailing to unknown lands, and everything that referred to what happened on those particular dates. He laughed.

'Wow... this looks cool! You had to put a lot of work in this! I bet you'll have no trouble at all with history exam!'

They had a good time looking over Orihime's chart. Ichigo laughed at some of the drawings, and asked questions about others. They opened the history book now and then to see the details. Finally they questioned each other.

After history, they moved on to physics. That turned out to be a very lucky choice, because it was easily Ichigo's best subject, and it was now his turn, to shed light on some shady points in Orihime's knowledge. He really understood it all, and he was good in tutoring it too. He tried to explain the different formulas to her patiently, but he couldn't help yawning now and then.

It was getting late, the sky outside started to turn darker. After a while, Orihime proposed they take a little brake. He only nodded, with an even larger yawn than the ones before.

Orihime giggled.

'Sorry...' he apologized.

'Did you have any sleep at all last night?' she asked, half teasingly.

'Between the three separate hollow attacks, you mean?' he asked sarcastically.

'That many?'

'Yeah... and believe it or not, at 4 in the morning, when I finally thought I could rest a little, a messenger showed up from Soul Society, inviting me to a Captain's meeting... I know it's an honor that the old man thinks so highly of me now, and I'm grateful for him agreeing to the restoration of my powers, but... I was really tempted to beat that poor messenger to pieces...'

Orihime only smiled at him fondly.

'I know I've done things like this in the past, and dealt with it well, but it's even harder now, with the finals so close, and everything... and you see... my body is a problem!'

She blinked. 'What?'

He didn't notice her puzzled expression, he just continued his rant, getting more and more into it.

'Until now, I've been doing all this in spirit form. I needed rest, but I could go on without any sleep, even without really having to eat, for what felt like days! It's good, that I no longer have to shad my body, leaving it behind like an empty shell, or even worse, fill it with Kon... but the price I have to pay, is that I'm limited by human needs... I continuously train for bringing my body up to good enough shape, one that's able to keep up with my spiritual powers, but I must say I'm still not satisfied... This damn weak body!' he cursed angrily, punching his own chest in frustration.

Orihime was just looking at him, her eyes widening more and more. She looked to the place where he had hit himself, following the outlines of toned, hard muscles under the fabric of his shirt. She studied his huge biceps, as it strained because he was balling up his hand into fist in his anger.

Kurosaki-kun weak?

'I think... you are... er... way too hard on yourself...' she said, blushing.

'It's my duty to protect, Inoue, and I must do everything I can in order to get stronger!'

She looked at him sadly. His facial expression was painfully familiar to her, and she thought she understood some of what he wasn't saying. Guilt...

'Are you still feeling angry with yourself about what happened with the fullbringers?' she asked, avoiding his eyes.

He jumped slightly. He didn't expect such an open question. And he was sure he had never talked to anyone about those feelings, let alone Inoue! He remained silent for a long time, before finally answering.

'Yes... that was totally my fault...'

'No it wasn't!...' she wanted to defend him, but he wasn't listening.

'… Everybody were in danger because of me! Because I wanted my powers back so badly...'

'Nobody's blaming you for that! Even Ishida-kun said...'

'And when I did get my powers back... I knew I would sacrifice it again, that very instant, if I could get you all back in return, and free you from under Tsukishima's charm... You have no idea how terrifying it had been... seeing you all like that... turning accusing, disappointed, alien eyes on me...'

'Kurosaki-kun...'

'I can't sleep well. Not even when I could... I'm still having nightmares...' he finally admitted in a quiet voice.

Then he suddenly shook himself, smiling a large, but fake smile for her.

'Oh... I'm so sorry, Inoue... I didn't want... can we just forget everything I said, and get back to studying, please?'

Orihime's heart ached, and she wished to continue the conversation, but she could also see, that he wouldn't let her closer than that today... This made her sad, because she knew that if this issue was really troubling him this much, then only speaking about it more would help... But she was not a girl to force anything.

'Ok.' she said gently. 'Is your head better now?'

He looked apologetic. 'Not really... It still hurts... I think it's because of my neck... I got it strained during training and now it's all stiff!' he reached up, and massaged his own neck with closed eyes, and a frown.

If you would have asked Orihime later, she would have said it was instinctive... She was just overcome with the need to do something for him... to make it better for him... She was on the move before she could really think about it. She rose to her knees, shifting behind him... Only when her hands connected with his skin did the full consequences of the actions she was just about to take hit her. But there was no going back...

Ichigo's eyes fluttered open in shock. He had heard Orihime move, indicated by the rustle of her robes, then something warm and soft touched his neck. Delicate fingers danced across his skin, massaging lightly, making his blood run wild...

It was a few moments before Orihime trusted her voice enough to speak.

'It really is stiff... I can feel it...'

Ichigo wanted to answer, but had nothing really intelligent to say, so he opted to remain silent. Inappropriate thought started to invade him, making his cheeks glow, and he really wanted to draw back from her... But then, he realized that the poor girl probably didn't have any idea how her innocent actions could be regarded as an act of seduction... If she had been Yoruichi or Rangiku, Ichigo would just drop them of himself, being angry. But this was naive little Inoue. Maybe she would be hurt by such a reaction. He didn't want that... Besides: there was nothing really wrong with what she was doing, was there? And there was nothing really wrong with him enjoying it either...

Orihime's hands started to work with more force. They slid down towards his shoulders, and even continued a little way under his shirt... She reminded herself, that this was nothing more, than a massage, similar to the ones they gave each other with Tatsuki after a hard training... But there was no denying that the feeling of this massage was totally different... His masculine scent invaded her senses, evoking a feeling similar to dizziness... Luckily, at that moment, her hands found the tight knot which was the source of all the trouble. Ichigo jerked back.

'Ouch!'

'I'm sorry!'

'It's all right... I guess it will only get better if it hurts first.'

'Um... should I do it with more force then?'

'Yeah...'

She resumed her previous actions. Ichigo tried not to hiss and growl too much.

'A little to the left... Aww! Yeah... right there...'

After a while it did become better, the pain lessening, and the muscles warming up nicely. Finally Ichigo was even able to relax into the feeling, letting his shoulders down, and closing his eyes. Even the inappropriate thoughts were silenced somehow. What she was doing to him felt really nice. Parts of his mind were still shouting questions at him, but he really was very-very tired, and the strength and the desire to battle it out have somehow melted away, along with that knot she was working on. So he uncharacteristically silenced every question and doubt, and just enjoyed the moment.

Orihime's first shyness have disappeared, and even though she was still self-conscious, she was so caught up in the moment, that she didn't care. She tried to concentrate solely on her task... on Kurosaki-kun... And she could see that her actions were good for him... She didn't want to stop... After a time, her hands moved more and more gently, until it was more of a caress than a real massage. If he noticed this, he didn't say anything, and that must mean it was fine... And this was enough for her. She looked down on him: he was completely still, breathing evenly. His face was relaxed, even the scowl missing...

Finally Orihime stopped. Her hands remained in place, connected to his skin with a light pressure. She slowly sat down behind him, and gave a very small pull... He obeyed, and leaned back a little. Orihime pulled more, still gently, until his head came to rest on her shoulder. He just let it be, his only reaction being inhaling and exhaling once deeply. Orihime trembled a little, as she moved her hand up, to reach his head. Her fingers dug into his orange locks, combing through them slowly, tenderly.

Both were aware to some extent that what was happening right then was way too intimate for two friends to share... but they ignored it in favor of the enjoyable status quo, not wanting to break or ruin anything...

Orihime was in pure bliss. Her heart felt like exploding with happiness. Her hand was still entangled in his hair, exploring and caressing. She moved on naturally to trace the lines of his face too, with a gentle smile on her own.

'I've always wondered...' he murmured sleepily, breaking the long silence for the first time. 'To me, you always smell faintly like strawberries...'

'It's my shampoo...' she admitted shyly.

'… figures.'

Orihime fought back the round of giggles that wanted to burst forth, by biting her bottom lip. But after she gained her composure back, a big smile remained on her face.

They stayed like this for a long time. Orihime finally stopped moving at all, her hands just embraced him tightly, and she let her head rest on top of his. They were lost in pace and tranquility...

When she finally thought it was time to move, she raised her head again, and looked down.

'Kurosaki-kun?' she whispered.

His eyelids were closed, and his chest rose and fell rhythmically. Her love was asleep in her arms...

oOoOoOo

The phone rang...

'Hello, Kurosaki Clinic. May I help you?'

'Hello, Kurosaki-san? I'm Orihime... Orihime Inoue.' her voice sounded strained from nerves. 'I don't know if you remember me... I'm Kurosaki-kun's classmate from school... his friend...'

'Ah, yes! Hi, Orihime-chan! Of course I remember you! And you don't have to be so formal, you know! Just call me Isshin! What can I do for you at this late hour?'

'Um... I'm calling because Kurosaki-kun had been studying here at my place all afternoon, and he... er... accidentally have fallen asleep on my crouch... I know it's a school day tomorrow, but I just don't see any need to wake him up, and making him walk through all the town... I'll make sure to wake him early tomorrow, to be able to go home and change...'

Silence on the other end of the phone...

'Kuro... I mean Isshin-san?'

'May I ask what are your true intentions with my son, Orihime-chan? I do hope they are honest...!'

'Er... um... what?'

A mad laugh followed, so Orihime had to remove the receiver from her ear for a moment.

'Only kidding... of course he can stay... Thanks for calling, Orihime, dear! ... and sweet dreams to him!'

'Thank you... bye...'

Back in the Kurosaki Clinic, Isshin put the phone down, with a grin on his face.

'Man! I never knew the kid was this damn good!' then a slightly indignant look formed. 'Even better than I was his age!'

oOoOoOo

Ichigo woke up to the sweet fragrance of freshly made coffee in the air. He opened his eyes slowly, and blinking, as he saw a figure standing before himself. But it was not his silly father, about to jump right into his face... It was an angel...

Then his brain slowly started to function again, and the full weight of reality hit him. He jumped up, making the blanket he'd been covered with fall off the crouch.

'Oh, no! I fell asleep! Inoue! I am so...'

She quickly put a finger to his mouth, silencing him effectively.

'None of that! It was no inconvenience, and you really needed this sleep. Have you slept all right?'

'Perfectly...' he said slowly, still recovering. Then he suddenly looked scared. 'Oh, damn! My family! They...'

'It's all right, I took care of that too. I called your Dad to say you were staying the night.'

His eyes bulged.

'You... you did?'

She nodded.

He shook his head. 'This will be pretty... I'll never live it down... not if I live to be a hundred...'

She giggled. 'Coffee?'

He smiled at her. 'Yes, please!' He took the mug from her, and took a sip. 'Ahh! Cinnamon?' he asked with closed eyes.

'Yes.' she answered, fidgeting a little nervously.

'It's good.'

He ran one hand through his tousled hair, and grinned up at her, mischievously. 'You'd better watch out, you know... I could get used to this!'

Her cheeks turned crimson, but she laughed.

Ichigo drank the coffee, but he didn't want any breakfast, as he wanted to rush home fast. He just washed his face with cool water in her bathroom, and prepared to leave.

'Thank you... for everything...' he said to her, standing in the doorway.

She blushed.

'Hey, would you like to come and watch that new monster-movie with me next Saturday?'

Orihime's jaw dropped comically. Ichigo grinned, but this grin was softened with other emotions. He realized that her wonder was not due to the film, but due to him asking her out, and this just made him realize, that with this move, he had made them official... He hadn't been even thinking about that, when he had made the offer... he just felt like it... But he was all the more glad now that he had...

He reached out, and put a finger under her jaw, closing her mouth back for her playfully.

'So?'

She gulped. 'Yes... of course... I'd love to!' she said, barely above a whisper.

Ichigo still kept that finger under her jaw, and was now looking into her eyes deeply. Orihime saw some hesitance in his eyes, before he leaned in, and gave her a soft, swift kiss to the cheek. True, it had been just to her cheek, but it had been intimate, and she was sure he was not that kissing-type, usually...

'See you in school!' he promised, while he turned to leave.

'Yes... see you!' she greeted too, feeling so ecstatic and filled with energy, that she could have climbed a mountain... Or flew to the Moon and back...

oOoOoOo

A/N: There, you got it... Simple, and pure fluff. Hope you enjoyed it!

Poor Orihime is yet unaware of the fact that even the strongest man turns into a whining kitty, if he feels even a little unwell! (Sorry male readers, I know there could be exceptions, as always :-) Wait... are there really male readers still around?)

I'm anxiously waiting your reviews, please don't let me down!