Author's Note: Ayye! An update! Sorry it took me so long guys, but I'll explain it at the bottom! :D Meantime, enjoy this chapter! Lovey Love! x3

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Bleach! Not a single thing...but I do own my OC, my darling little Kazaki! ^_^

Chapter 10/ Love Is Never Simple

Orihime glanced up at the window high above her, the light was still on, so that had meant that Ichigo was still up.

She only heard just half an hour go that Ichigo was finally awake.

Uryu had told her everything...

And the only thing she needed to do...was to see him. To see if he was truly okay and be there for him if he needed it.

The hollow part of himself.

She, like every one of his friends, thought that 'part' of him was gone...it was supposed to be gone the moment he lost his powers to become a soul reaper, but just today...Uryu had told her that Ichigo was going through the same thing he had went through a year back. Why hadn't he told her sooner?

Perhaps he didn't want her to worry about Ichigo, but she wanted to be there...perhaps there was something she could do for him...

But...

There wasn't anything that she could do...much like what happened this year.

Ichigo had faced a horrible depression, she knew...everyone knew, but no matter how hard any of them tried...no one was able to cure that sadness, no one was able to help him or talk to him, he blocked out so many people who were only trying to support whatever burden he was carrying, and it was then...that Orihime knew...that whatever was plaguing Ichigo...would never cease or stop and she couldn't do anything either. Ichigo refused and shunned even her in her attempt to help him...

But now Orihime knew what that reason was, and as much as it scared her, she knew that it had something to do with that hollow that laid dormant inside the recesses of his fragile soul, but what made it subside and made Ichigo...well, basically, "Ichigo" was...

Was what?

What had made him turn back to his orginal self?

Uryu hadn't spoke the details of that...but did he even know?

Ichigo was himself...but what made that change? A friend? A Family member?

Orihime was unsure, but right now, she needed to be sure that he was ok now.

Orihime went to the window, (with a little help of her Santen Kesshun) and readied herself, her face flushed and eager to see the one person she had been needing to see. She had to make sure he wasn't busy, and if he were undressing she just might faint and fall two stories down on her face, but luckily, he wasn't. He was merely making his bed.

She smiled, her cheeks warm at the sight of him peacefully making his bed, in his pajamas and a small smile lighting his face, but as soon as she was about to knock, she seen the door open to his bedroom, so quickly, she ducked from the window and peeked up to see who had just entered his room. At first she thought it would be one of his sisters, but when she looked to see...it was...a boy.

Light brown hair falling gently down his face and neck, a bright, happy smile lit his face and when she looked closer...she seen the remarkable color of red, his eyes...a deep crimson, but as sinister as the color was, those eyes held such pure innocence. He was...really pretty, (if that word was appropriate for a boy) and Orihime...was a bit jealous at how gorgeous this boy can be. He wore loose-fitting pajamas which hugged his hips and a baggy T-shirt, most likely those were clothes that belonged to Ichigo because they looked like they didn't fit him.

So who was this boy?

He walked in with a coy smile, and made his way towards Ichigo with a box of chocolates.

Orihime smiled. He must be a friend of his...but why didn't he mention him?

She watched, as Ichigo sat down on his bed and take the chocolates generously, smiling happily as he spoke a few words, but those words were cut-off from a quick and sudden action that made Orihime's face blush furiously.

The boy...kissed him...

No...not kissed him...he was still kissing him!

And what was Ichigo doing...? Nothing...he was...

Kissing him back.

Orihime's eyes felt like they were going to pop out of her skull, her cheeks were heated and the feeling that had now entered her heart...was..

"O-Orihime...?!"

She looked up and seen that Ichigo was looking at her...his eyes digging into hers, unmoving and never straying away from her, his expression fell and he gave her a look that she didn't recognize, a look that she never seen him give her before.

What was that look? And what was the reason behind it?

He looked at her...like...he was sorry.

But what was there to be sorry for?

Orihime's heart beated painfully inside her chest, like someone had just dug their nails in it, or ripped it out of her, a heart attack? No, she thought it might have been but she would be in alot more pain...if that were possible at the moment. But her heart did hurt, that much was certain...it ached, it stung, and before she knew it...she was...crying.

Warm and salty tears ran down and touched her lips, and she blinked, not realizing that she was crying.

Ichigo gave her one last sympathetic look and averted his eyes from her presence.

Once he had done that, Orihime felt as if the whole world had stood still and silent, there was nothing that could be heard, no words or anything, even the wind that once blew in the atmosphere had died, everything was quiet and she felt the bitter feeling enter the pit of her stomach like she got punched.

Her stomach twisted in pain...but this was more than just that...this unknown pain was...guilt and...embarrassment.

Finally, Orihime pulled her eyes away from him and left the window, calling back her Santen Kisshun but unfortunately, she had called it back to early and she fell a few feet from the ground.

She fell on her hip, winced at the slight pain that grew there but got back up, that pain was nothing compared to what she was feeling now.

Once she got to her feet, she started to run...

But where was she running to?

She would go to Tatsuki's but there was little that she can do right now, she can go back home...but she knew that that would make it worse, she would be left alone...with a multitude of thoughts penatrating her brain, so home wasn't an option...so...where to go?

She didn't know...she didn't care...she just needed to be as far away as possible.

Tears still escaped and she couldn't hold them back.

She was embarrassed...

Not because she seen two guys...kissing...but the fact that...

Ichigo...did not return her feelings.

She was embarrassed...how could she not see before? Was it denial? Was it a naïve dream to have him love her back?

She felt so foolish and stupid...embarrassed and ashamed...

Ichigo...did not love her, like she loved him...and that was the reason on why he looked so...sorry. He was sorry that he couldn't feel the same way she feels for him, he was sorry that he hadn't said it before, sorry that he led her on, led her to believe that there might have been a possibility.

There wasn't one now, obviously.

She loved him...she loved him...she loved him for the longest time and just when she thought that he might have felt the same, was now nothing.

That boy...

Orihime felt another feeling bubble up to her heart, it was faint, but it was there nonetheless, it started out small, but every time she thought of that boy, and how he had just kissed Ichigo, she felt a small ounce of...anger.

She was angry at the boy...

That boy...where had he come from all of a sudden? Why was he here anyway? Why did he interfere with everything!?

I...I wish...I wish that boy never existed! I wish he was gone!

"Wait..." Orihime whispered under her breath and stopped in her tracks. She hadn't realized until now that she was in the neighbourhood that Uryu's house was in. But she wasn't focusing on that right now...the main focus was...what she had just thought of. Such mean things to think...how could she think that way?

How...can I think that..? I don't even know the boy...

Orihime sniffled and wiped away the tears.

She hadn't really wished for him to be gone...she never even knew him or what he does. She didn't know his name or why he was here.

But...

Ichigo...looked happy.

Could it be...that the boy...was the reason on why Ichigo...was normal again? Was he the cause of his smiles and laughter?

Now she was envious...

"I...I don't know what...to feel." She murmured quietly in the wind and felt only one tear roll down her cheek.

After a moment of silence, Orihime began to walk, but where she was going was something she felt a little confused about.
What if he kicked her out...? No, he wouldn't do that...but either way...she just needed to see someone, and even she found it a little odd that she would head to this person for comfort, but...she just needed to be there.

She hesitated, her hand ready to knock on the door but it only remained still in front of her and the door, her courage, which just moments ago had been there, was now gone and she sighed. I can't even...knock.

But as she was about to knock, the door slowly cracked open and revealed a sleepy looking teen, who fixed his glasses tiredly and blinked at her, bemused at her appearance at his door.

"Orihime? What are you doing here?" Uryu sounded confused.

"Sorry...I...I just..." She gripped her hands together and fought back the tears that stung in her eyes. "Can...can I come in?"

Her voice was heavy with emotion, and Uryu can clearly see that something had happened, and he grew worried, but before he could ask any questions, he placed a hand on her slender arm and smiled warmly. "Or course..." He gently guided her inside as she stifled back the sniffles and tears.

"Ichigo?"

This had been the fourth time Kazaki had called out to him, but every time he asked a question, Ichigo didn't reply.

Kazaki gave a small frown. "Ichigo...? Are you okay?"

Finally, he spoke. "Yeah...I'm fine."

Kazaki heard the bitterness in his voice and his frown fell more, he seen Ichigo upset before, but this was different...this time he looked sad, or...what was that other word...? Regretful?

Whoever that person was at the window...made Ichigo...feel sad.

Kazaki wondered about it...and tried hard to think of what had happened...

He wasn't sure, but whoever that girl was at the window, she must be...familiar with Ichigo, otherwise, Ichigo wouldn't act this way. So...that girl...is friends with Ichigo...but why would he act this way?

Kazaki opened his mouth, about to ask another question but quickly shut his mouth, he knew that if he asked another question, he still won't get a proper answer, and because Ichigo looked so...sad...he didn't bother.

Instead, Kazaki walked over and sat next to him on his bed, than he silently and gently, rested his head on Ichigo's shoulder.

Ichigo's eyes widened slightly at the warmth on his shoulder, but soon he relaxed and leaned his head down on Kazaki's, enjoying the warmth and the surreal feeling of being this close to him.

Just his presence alone, brought such unexplainable, yet peaceful comfort.

But he still couldn't forget her face...

Orihime...

She must hate him now...

He didn't return her feelings towards him, and he had hurt her...terribly. She found out...she seen...she knew right then and there that whatever she had felt for him was meaningless because he didn't feel the same for her.

He couldn't forget that look of hurt across her face, how her eyes shown the undeniable sense of shock and pain, they glittered with tears of hurt and embarrassment...and he knew...that she probably would not forgive him.

"I'm sorry..."

Ichigo blinked. "Huh?"

Kazaki hesitated. "I'm sorry...if I...ruined...a friendship."

Ichigo gave a sad smile and placed a hand on his head. "There's nothing to be sorry for...you didn't do anything, Kazaki. It's just...it was bound to happen anyway."

Kazaki looked up at him, his eyes innocently blinking. "What do you mean?"

"She...Orihime. Was...well...she had feelings for me, and regretably...I did not feel the same way for her."

"Feelings? What does that mean? Did she feel something for you?"

"Yes."

"What was it?"

Ichigo sighed. "She loved me."

Kazaki blinked. "Oh..."

She loved him?

But...He loved Ichigo...how can someone else love him too?

"But...I didn't...feel that way about her. What she feels for me, was something I couldn't return. So...that's why she left, and that's why I feel a bit...down." He admitted. "I guess...I feel that it's my fault that I made her feel sad. And..." Ichigo clenched a fist and closed his eyes. It was his fault for hurting her so badly...for not telling her sooner, and for her to see all this...must have been devistating.

"It's okay..." Kazaki lifted his head from his shoulder and faced him with a smile, then he lightly put a hand on his head. "If...she understands now...than she has to accept it sooner or later. If she can't live with the outcome, than that's her problem...but if she really likes you Ichigo, and doesn't want to lose something so special like your friendship, then...she'll forgive you in time, and will still be your friend."

Ichigo blinked.

That was the smartest thing Ichigo had ever heard from the boy. And shockingly...it made sense!

He was right...

Orihime isn't one to hold a grudge, she was kind, and she always knew what was best for anyone...and as much as it hurts her now, breaking a friendship will only make her feel so much worse. It will heal in time...and it will take awhile for things to sew together again...but...hopefully...she will forgive him.

But Ichigo still needed to talk to her...he had to tell her he was sorry, and everything else.

"You're right..." Ichigo smiled and lightly kissed the boy's forehead. "Thank you."

Kazaki gave a light blush and touched his forehead. That had been the first time Ichigo had ever done that, it came as a shock, but Kazaki gave a shy smile soon after.

"Um..." Ichigo blushed brightly...he was embarrassed, he didn't mean to kiss his forehead like that...it was like an impulse...or something. He hadn't meant to follow that urge to kiss him, but he did, but as embarrassed as he was...he sort of felt...happy. "Anyway..." He cleared his throat awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "We-uh-should get some sleep."

"Ok!" Kazaki smiled and crawled under the covers of the bed.

"Hey! Who said you can sleep in my bed?" Ichigo groaned. "Nevermind...go ahead...I'll sleep-"

"No. You sleep here!" He smiled and quickly wrapped the blanket around him, along with him under it too, which made them both drapped in the thick blanket on Ichigo's bed.

Ichigo blushed again, realizing that he was under the blankets with Kazaki's arms around his neck, his breath on his ear and his chest against his back, and with all that...it was almost...

"Erm..." Ichigo cleared his throat and started to move uncomfortably under Kazaki's arms. "Well...let's go to sleep then..."

"Ok!" Kazaki beamed and let him go as he flopped down on the bed with a happy grin.

Ichigo smiled at him and soon laid down beside him, he was careful not to get to close, not just because he was shy and embarrassed but what if someone else seen him and Kazaki getting...affectionate? So he kept some distance in the bed, but Kazaki only snuggled closer and wrapped the blankets over them both.

There was no use in telling the boy, so Ichigo remained still, as Kazaki rested his head on his shoulder and sighed lovingly as he began to close his eyes.

Ichigo heaved a small sigh until soon, he too, was falling asleep.

He smiled, as he ran a hand through his soft, brown hair, the boy looked so sweet...smiling shyly with a blush along his face. Ichigo ran his fingers across his hair again and watched as the boy sighed lovingly and lean in to the touch. But what fascinated him more was the warmth he was wrapped in, with the boy's arms around his neck and the soft touch of his skin against his own. Ichigo glanced down at Kazaki under him and smiled as he leaned over and gave him a light kiss, it was gentle, like a graze of feather but both of them enjoyed the feeling of graceful kisses. He kissed him again and felt the boy sigh, as he brought him closer with a pull of his arms around his neck as his hands slowly glided across his bare back...

"Ichigo..." Kazaki whispered and looked up at him with a smile...

"Ichigo...? You awake?"

"Mmn...hm?"

Ichigo slowly opened his eyes and felt small strands of hair tickle his nose. "Huh?" Ichigo blinked tiredly, as his brain took a minute to shake off the fuzzy feeling of slumber, and the dream he was having. His brain was numb, like he had just been dosed with a strong, yet beautiful drug. But once he realized that his arm was hooked over Kazaki's shoulder, and seen that his head was just below his chin, it took him a while to react, and determine whether or not if he was still dreaming.

But he realized...that he wasn't dreaming...

He was hugging Kazaki, well...actually, it was more like cuddling.

"You're alarm went off..." Kazaki smiled as he peeked over and looked at Ichigo.

"I-I..." Ichigo flinched back and distanced himself from Kazaki who looked lost and confused at the swift movement he had made just to get away from him.

"What's wrong?"

Ichigo faced was flushed, as he stammered for words again. "N-nothing...I...I just..." He looked at the clock. "Oh! It's time to get ready for school!" He chuckled and tried his best to smile, but it only came out twisted, like he was in pain.

"Ichigo...?"

"Wow! I almost slept in! Heh heh...I should go take a shower...an ice cold shower!" He leapt out of bed, but quickly sat back down and quickly covered himself with the blanket. "U-uh...I should wait awhile." He pulled the blanket over his lap.

"?" Kazaki tilted his head and blinked cluelessly. "It's Saturday, Ichigo. Dad told me that there isn't school on Saturdays or Sundays" He smiled.

"Oh! Well...that gives me a reason to stay in bed...for the rest of the day..." He groaned and slumped back on to the bed again, then wrapped the blanket over his head. "Right...He calls my dad his dad." He mumbled under the covers, "as if that wasn't inappropriate enough..."

Kazaki sat up and stared at the mound of blankets where Ichigo was bundled underneath and gave a small head tilt.

"Ichigo? What are we going to do today?" He smiled and laid his head on the pillow next to Ichigo, who peeked from the blankets to see that the boy was smiling at him.

Ichigo blinked and covered his face again.

"Hey..." Kazaki whined and gently tugged at the blanket. "Don't ignore me, Ichigo..." He tugged at the blanket again, but suddenly, he gave a gasp as the blankets were thrown over his head, and when he opened his eyes, he was under the blankets with Ichigo.

"What do you want to do today?" Ichigo asked with a coy grin.

"Um..." Kazaki thought briefly and smiled as he reached a conclusion. "How about shopping?"

"Shopping?"

"I need clothes...I can't borrow Ichigo's all the time." He grinned.

"I guess you're right...alright than, we'll go shopping." He gently reached over and touched the fabric of the grey T-shirt that Kazaki had been wearing and gave a reluctant sigh. He liked seeing the kid wearing his clothes...he didn't know why, but it...suited him...that, and maybe it's because they were baggy and barely clung to his hips.

Ichigo blushed. "Um...well...let's go see what to eat for breakfast."

"Breakfast! Food! Great!" Kazaki rejoiced in those three words and beamed a smile as he leapt out of bed eagerly, flinging the blankets up in the process.

Ichigo gave a small chuckle at the boy's eager and excited face at the mention of food, and slowly he got out of bed and walked his way to the door as Kazaki followed anxiously behind him, smiling and jumping on his heels with happiness.

As Ichigo pulled open the door, he was greeted with...silence, which was wierd, considering his father would always spring up out of no where and try to pounce on him, but because his father was out for a conference, and Yuzu and Karin were still at their sleep over, he was sort of relieved but also...lonely without the common greetings of the morning. He couldn't wait to see them again, after two days...

Two days...

So what was he going to say to explain his absence?

He could say that he had been at a friends house...but they would complain about him not leaving a note to explain why.

Damn, what was he going to say?

That stupid Uryu! He should have told them or have someone tell them!

Ichigo reached the kitchen, but when he heard the sound of snoring, he looked to the livingroom and seen Kon sleeping on the couch with the remote still in his paw. Then, a thought occurred to him...

How did Kazaki know what a kiss was? How did he even know how to kiss? Kazaki was down here the whole time, with Kon...and suddenly he came up to him and kissed him. What did Kon teach him!?

Ichigo gave an exasperated grumble, but didn't bother to focus on it now. Now, he needed to focus on was breakfast, after two days of sleeping and not bothering to eat when he got home or when Urahara offered to feed him, (like he was going to eat what Urahara gave him...) he never realized just how hungry he was.

Kazaki waited at the table patiently as Ichigo began cooking, it smelled good, but Ichigo kept swearing and grumbling under his breath, which made Kazaki think...has Ichigo ever cooked something? Sure he must have learned, but it looked like he wasn't used to making food for himself...perhaps Yuzu...was the one that cooked all the meals, because that's who Kazaki has ever seen cook.

Kazaki wondered, but whatever Ichigo cooked for him, he would eat it anyway, he wasn't picky.

The boy smiled to himself and sipped on some orange juice that Ichigo served him.

It reminded him on the first morning they had together, the first breakfast he had and how Ichigo fed him and gave him orange juice, which ended up being spilled on him and his clothes.

It was...nostalgic.

Kazaki sighed blissfully and looked around himself, and soon...he looked to the giant picture which had covered most of the wall, he seen that picture before, but he never asked about it...until now.

"Ichigo?"

"Hm?" Ichigo said quickly as he busied himself with mixing pancake batter, all the while reading the directions as he did so. He wasn't very good at cooking, not as much as Yuzu anyway, he knew some things, but he wasn't very skilled or graceful at cooking, he was much too clumsy and forgetful. He was wearing Yuzu's apron, which was a good idea because he spilled some batter on it already.

"Who is that?"

Ichigo had strayed his eyes from the box that held the directions on how to prepare pancakes, and look to where Kazaki had pointed.

Once he seen that he was pointing at the memorial picture of his mother, Ichigo gave a somber stare and smiled half-heartedly. "That...that's my mother. She...died when I was nine, so she isn't here anymore." He turned and went back to stirring absent-mindedly.

Kazaki grew quiet, he knew what that meant.

Ichigo's mother...was dead. She wasn't alive anymore...

I wonder...what it's like...to lose a mother? If I had one...or if I ever had one...I wonder...what it might feel.

Kazaki bit his bottom lip, he wanted to say something, but he couldn't find the words. "She...looks very pretty. Just like you..." He smiled.

Ichigo gave a small chuckle and looked back at him with a smile. "She was very beautiful, kind...and...she was a great mother."

"She sounds like a nice person...I wish could have met her..." Kazaki smiled but bit nervously at his lip as his expression fell just slightly. "I...I wonder...if I had a mother...or if she even...wanted me."

Ichigo stopped his stirring, and peered over his shoulder to see Kazaki, silently looking down at the table with a small, broken smile along his face. He never thought of it before...how can he let it slip his mind? Ichigo forgot that Kazaki had amnesia, ironically, he was the one who had forgotten. Kazaki...how was he to know whether he had parents or not? Where he came from, where he was born. He was like a lost child...

Ichigo put his things down on the counter and walked up to Kazaki who sat quietly at the table, soon, he patted the boy's head softly and smiled. "You shouldn't think like that...If you had a mother or maybe even a father, they must have loved you."

"But...why won't they try to find me? Do they even know I'm gone...? Or...are they...?" His eyes looked distant and scared. Are they...dead...?

Kazaki gasped as he felt a pair of arms wrap around his shoulders and a head rest on his neck.

"It's going to be ok..." He let go and smiled down at him as Kazaki glanced up.

The boy blinked but that smile had always reassured him that everything was going to be ok, and he gave a smile back. "Thanks..." Kazaki sniffed the air and looked to the stove. "Um...Ichigo...I think something is burning."

"What?" Ichigo looked over to the stove top where he seen a small cloud of smoke start to form from out of the pan where he was cooking pancakes. "Crap!" He dashed to the stove, as Kazaki only giggled at him.

Ichigo scowled the pile of burnt pancakes at the end of his spatula and frowned as he dumped them into the trash. He hated cooking...he wasn't very good at it, whenever his sisters and dad left or weren't home, he would go out and eat someplace else...it was so much easier than cooking for himself.

"Hey..." Ichigo murmured under his breath and looked over to Kazaki who sat at the table eating at some fruit. "Let's go eat somewhere..."

Kazaki blinked. "Eat...somewhere? Like, take our food and eat at a place?"

"No...like...a diner, or a restaurant..." Ichigo started to take of the apron and threw it to the floor. I'm never cooking again!

"A...restaurant...? Is that a place to go and eat?"

"Yeah, they have all kinds of stuff to eat, I think you'll like it there. Since, I can't cook...I think we should go out." Ichigo blushed. Go...out? Wait...it wouldn't be like a date or anything...would it?

"Alright! It sounds like fun!" Kazaki beamed a smile and rushed to the door with a happy giggle.

"W-wait!"

The boy halted.

"We can't go out dressed like this..." Ichigo sighed with a smile as he watched the boy's expression change from happy to impatient. "Come on..." He started to make his way upstairs and Kazaki quietly followed. "We can eat, than start looking for clothes for you..." He yawned and scratched his head.

"Ok...!" He smiled.

"I'm so excited!" Kazaki beamed as Ichigo gently placed a scarf around his neck. "I never went out to eat before!"

Ichigo merely smiled at the boy's overjoyed expression and genuine happiness, it pleased him as much as it amused him, to see Kazaki so happy, but in the back of Ichigo's mind, there was something that was bothering him.

Damn, being this close to him...was driving him crazy!

With the boy in front of him...it was hard to focus on anything, even words...it was so hard to lose himself from just being close to the boy...

"What's wrong?" Kazaki blinked and stared at Ichigo. Something was bothering him...Kazaki can feel it...something was going on, not physically, but inside his mind...

After a moment of silence, Ichigo finally looked up with a small blush, his eyes strayed away to the floor and he gulped. "I-I..." He nervously bit his lip, but gave a weak smile. "I...think that should keep you warm..."

Kazaki tilted his head. Yes, there was something on Ichigo's mind...but...if he won't say it now...will he later on? Kazaki didn't want to pressure him, so he let the strange feeling subside and focused on Ichigo who was zipping up his own jacket.

"Ready?" Ichigo looked to the boy who looked up at him with a smile.

Kazaki nodded. "Yeah!"

They both left the house, Ichigo locking the door behind them as Kazaki skipped down the walkway, his brown hair drifting by his face as a small breeze fluttered by and a smile spread across his face.

Ichigo stopped, his eyes widening slightly as he gazed at Kazaki, who looked...more stunning than anything he had ever seen...as cliché as that sounded, but that's what it seemed to be. His light brown hair, which had grown slightly longer in the past few days, was lightly drifting by his eyes and framing his face. His crimson eyes, which looked like embers under the sun and a smile that could pass for an angel's (if they existed.)

But this whole entire image of the boy...was like staring at some sort of heavenly being.

"Come on!" Kazaki grabbed Ichigo's hand, knocking him from his thoughts as he dragged the older teen away with a happy smile. "I'm hungry!"

Ichigo gave a small smile. "Let's go then..."

As they walked down the sidewalk, Ichigo began to fidget under the warm palm that still continued to hold his, as a faint line of blush covered his face, while his eyes scanned around to see a couple of people staring.

"Uh...Kazaki..."

"Hm?" The boy looked up at him.

"I-I think...you sh-should let go of my hand..." Ichigo glanced around nervously, "people are starting to look at us."

Kazaki eyes scanned the area and sure enough, people were staring at them, but he never really understood why they were staring, or why Ichigo looked so nervous. His palms were getting clammy inside his own and Kazaki blinked unknowingly at the ordeal.

"Why?"

Ichigo gulped as he drew near to Tatsuki's house. "B-because...it's uncommon for males to hold hands in public..."

"Why?"

"It makes people wonder..."

"Why?"

"..." Ichigo's face fell as he looked at the boy. He was like a little kid...

"I like holding your hand though..." The boy put on a small pout. "Who cares if people are looking...I like Ichigo!" He glomped his arm and nuzzled it affectionately.

Ichigo jumped at the display of affection, which earned him a few more stares by other people walking the streets. His blush darkened. "K-Kazaki...!"

"Hey! Ichigo!"

Ichigo froze, as he heard the familiar voice call out to him from the other side of the street and when he looked, his face paled as he seen Keigo and Mizuiro walking in his direction, their expressions happy until they looked at the boy huggin his arm, then their faces turned confused.

"H-hey...guys..." He spoke meekly as he tried to stepped away from Kazaki's hold, but the boy held on tighter as he eyed the other two like they were a threats.

Kazaki flinched once they got closer and shyly hid behind Ichigo.

"What's up man!? Where the hell were you these past two days!? You had us worried!" Keigo exclaimed loudly, making the boy once again, flinch.

"How are you Ichigo?" Mizuiro asked with a friendly smile as his eyes glanced over to the young person clutched onto his friend's arm. It was hard to tell from the angle this person was in, but he was certain that it was a female. Her red, but innocent eyes landed on his for a mere moment and Mizuiro gave a warm smile back at the girl. She was pretty, her light brown hair fell over her pale face as those beautiful scarlet eyes watched him."Is this your girlfriend?" He asked with a sly grin at Ichigo.

"Huh!?" Ichigo looked at Kazaki who was hiding behind his arm. Why would he assume Kazaki was his grilfriend? It didn't cross his mind until he realized that Kazaki's hair did in fact get longer, and that his head was hiding under a red beanie cap, along with a red scarf around his mouth, it was actually hard to tell whether he was a girl or not. But Kazaki was extremely beautiful...

"Um..." Ichigo blushed.

"OH NO WAY! Dude, you have a girlfriend!? Whoa! Is that what you were doing for the past two days!? Being with a cute girlfriend!?" Keigo jumped up and met Ichigo's face. "If you were doing that...you could've told us..." He murmured.

Ichigo cleared his throat awkwardly as he looked at Kazaki who still didn't make a noise. "This is...uh...Kazaki..."

"Kazaki? Sounds beautiful..." Mizuiro complimented with a smile and looked at the girl under his arm. "When did you guys meet?"

"Yeah! When did you meet!? And why didn't you tell us, Ichigo!?" Keigo whined as Ichigo rolled his eyes.

They really can't tell he's a guy? I wonder if I should tell them...

"Um...about a week or so...I don't know, I really can't remember..."

"What!? And you still didn't tell us!?-Ow!"

Mizuiro smiled innocently as he smacked his friend over the head with his hand. "He obviously didn't want to make a big fuss...right?" He looked to Ichigo go who was still blushing.

"Y-yeah...Um...look guys, we...uh...we're gunna get breakfast so um...I'll see you later alright?"

"Ok!" Mizuiro smiled.

"Fine! But this isn't over! I want to know all about your relationship!" He threatened as he pointed at the orange-haired teen who only scowled at him.

"Where you going to eat?" His other friend asked as he kept glancing at the small girl with interest. She was pretty cute...! Ichigo was lucky he had to admit that much.

"That place a few blocks down...I forget what it's called...Mooshin's?"

"You mean, Mochi's?"

"Whatever..." Ichigo scratched his neck, still obviously uncomfortable. He wanted to leave, and leave quickly before they ask him more stupid and mindless questions. "I didn't get to make us breakfast this morning so-"

"Wait...!" Keigo interupted, his eyes wide. "Did she stay at your place?"

Shit...

"Um..." Ichigo blushed again.

"OH NO WAY!" Keigo exclaimed again. "Just how long have you two been dating to get that far..!? OWW!"

"That's enough!" Mizuiro smacked him again, except a lot harder than before and started to shove the taller teen away. "It's none of our business! Come on let's go!"

"Hey! W-wait!" Keigo cried.

"Nope!" He shoved the brunette away and looked back at Ichigo with a smile. "Bye!"

Ichigo waved awkwardly, but once those two were out of sight, he let out a loud sigh of relief and hunched over with an exasperated growl. "Finally!"

"Ichigo...? Who were they...?" Kazaki asked.

"Some of my friends...why were you so shy?" He raised an eyebrow. Usually the boy was friendly and up-close and personal when it came to meeting new people.

"That guy was loud and hurt my ears...but I like the other one!" He grinned and looked up at Ichigo. "Ready?"

Ichigo looked at Kazaki, who was still holding onto his arm. "Yeah...but you should let go..."

"I don't want to..." He mumbled and nuzzled his arm again.

Ichigo only sighed. "Fine..."

Whew! Sorry its been so long you guys! I've been seriously ill these past two months! -.- Been in and out of hospitals, so that...wasn't fun. Nope, not at all. But I hope you enjoyed this chapter, a little short...but hey! At least I updated right...!? ...R-right...? o.o Anyways! It will be awhile until I update because I'm always at home, where there's no internet what so ever -_- boo! And I'm always sick :l boo again! So, leave me some reviews guys! I need some feedback! D: also, someone asked about the pairing, heh heh sorry as you can see...its not the pairing you were hoping it would have. ^_^ '

QueenKill33