Chapter 3

Ichigo sighed as he made his way down the street, his hands were shoved in the pockets of his grey Joggers, his face was set in a semi scowl, only semi because he was lost in thought. His head was of course full of images of one of his closest friends, now turned...something else. He couldn't stop thinking about Orihime.

He cared about her, greatly, he didn't think he could see his life without her, he'd meant what he said when he'd told her that his life would be full of rain without her, as corny as it had sounded. He'd needed her to understand just how greatly she impacted his life. He'd meant it when he'd said he'd try.

He ran his hand through his hair as he approached his destination, flaring his spiritual pressure for just a moment to give her ample time to get ready for the door, he didn't know what she was doing, and honestly didn't feel like waiting out in the humidity that lingered in the air despite the setting sun.

He made it to her door just as she opened it up and they both smiled when their eyes met.

"Yo." he greeted raising a hand.

"Hey!" she smiled.

"Mind if I come in?" he asked pointing inside and she nodded as she stepped to the left, her hands folded over the black shorts she wore, her face set in a smile.

Ichigo made his way over to her couch, relaxing into the cushions and enjoying the cool air in her apartment, he'd have to admit he loved coming here. Orihime walked over to her seat opposite him and he smiled a bit, he really did enjoy spending time with her, since that day they'd spoken he'd made good on his word and spent most evenings with her. They'd often just walk the park and talk or when the heat was unbearable they'd just stay in on her couch and watch movies. Today was one of those days and he looked over to see Orihime flipping through her TV channels to find DVD. He reached forward and lightly grabbed her hand, pulling her closer to him so he could wrap her in his arms and lean back into the couch. This wasn't new to him or to her, but he still heard her intake of breath as she fell into him and he chuckled.

"What are we watching today?" he asked running his hand up and down her arm.

"A scary movie." she smiled switching the device on with the remote. Ichigo frowned.

"I don't like scary movies."

"I know, but I promise this one is good." she smiled turning to face him, her face an inch from his. "It also has comedy." she said in a grave voice and he pulled away from her to laugh. A booming laugh that came from his chest. Seeing the girl so serious caught him by surprise all of the sudden, and he couldn't help or even estimate his response. When he finally looked back at her she was smiling softly at him, her eyes soft as she met his gaze.

"I like hearing you laugh." she admitted in a whisper and there was a pause between them.

"Thanks." he whispered awkwardly, his cheeks coloring as well. "I guess."

"The movies called House Bound." she said loudly, turning towards the TV and lowering herself back into his open arms with a pout. "It's supposed to be suspenseful and comical so I thought you'd like it."

"I'm sure." he whispered as he looked down at her, she hadn't looked at him while she'd explained and some how he'd noticed just how smooth her skin looked, almost eerie in the light from the TV. Her eyes darted towards him when she noticed his approach and she turned towards him slightly, their noses brushing against each other as their lips neared until finally they kissed. Their eyes closed simultaneously and Orihime threw herself into his arms, Ichigo's arms wrapping around her and holding her close to his chest. Their lips collapsed onto each other passionately, caressing each other with a need neither of them knew how to explain. His hands ran up and down her back roughly and she moaned into his mouth wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer.

Ichigo broke from her first, his lips kissing alone her jaw until he reached her ear, where he paused, his breath coming down hard.

"Sorry." he whispered and Orihime shivered in his hold as his warm breath danced over her ear. Something within her had awoken with this kiss, with the feeling of his hands rubbing her body so hungrily, something had awoken and she knew it was her own hunger in response.

"It's alright." she whispered back, hoping her breath would instill in him the same reaction.

It did.

She pulled away slowly, her hands taking their time untangling from his hair and her cheeks darkened as she tried to remember doing so. Her fingers grazed his ears and she looked up at his quiet inhale, their eyes meeting and fire dancing in his. She'd seen many fires burn beneath his eyes but none like this.

He pulled her towards him again and she gasped into his lips, her eyes closing as she lost herself in his kiss once more, he was addicting. The smell of his after shave was driving her mad and if she'd ever wondered what could smell better than Peanut Butter and Jelly and mustard sandwiches, then here she had her answer. He pulled away from her once more and she made a sound deep in her throat she barely recognized, it sounded so throaty and moan like that she wondered if she'd really emitted it.

Ichigo chuckled against her shoulder, his arms wrapped loosely around her waist as he tried to take in some air. He pulled away from her enough to rest his forehead on hers, her eyes closing as she smiled. She was beautiful, Ichigo thought at he stared at her. Her kiss was intoxicating, her touch though gentle was demanding, her eyes and her smiles and the way she would speak to him sometimes made his heart beat so hard in his chest he almost didn't know if he'd make it out of the room.

What was happening to him? How did he get here, suddenly holding her in his arms and kissing her and hearing her most intimate secrets and being so soft with her when just the past week he was knocking thugs out in the street. Ichigo realized then that this had been going on for just once week, just them spending time together, and they'd already reached this point, was this normal? Were they moving too fast? It was just a kiss but did people kiss after just discussing a possible relationship in a week? Orihime hummed softly to herself and his eyes focused on her, the look on her face made him think he didn't care if it was normal because it was her, and seeing the look of satisfactory bliss on her face was worth it.

"We should watch this movie." he sighed and she cleared her throat looking up at him, he pulled her back into his arms and leaned back into the seat. Her hand reaching out to play the movie from the beginning as they'd missed a few good minutes.

The movie, Ichigo had to admit, was actually really funny and more suspenseful than it could actually be scary. He found himself many times chuckling and laughing out loud as the main character and her mom bantered, Orihime was beside him in hysterics for longer periods than he was and he took the time to just look at her. She'd changed this past week, if it was possible she seemed happier than he'd ever seen her before. Her smiles seemed brighter, her laughs seemed to ring out of her chest with a much deeper thimbre.

"You have to admit, it was pretty funny." she gasped between breaths as she recalled the scene where the psycho was choking the girls mother, for some reason that scene had been hilarious to her, and Ichigo realized she had a dark sense of humor, despite himself having laughed at the scene. He sighed as he leaned forward, shutting off the TV and looking at his watch, it was late.

"I'm sorry I kept you out so late."

"Your fine." he smiled a bit turning to her, his leg propping up on the couch. Orihime leaned towards him, her face turning towards him slightly as her long hair dripped over her shoulder.

"Thank you for coming." she whispered, the tips of her fingers on his forearm.

"Stop." he whispered leaning forward and kissing her forehead.

"Stop what?" she whispered in a gasp.

Ichigo chuckled against her forehead, she didn't even know the struggles he was facing to keep himself from kissing her until she forgot about anything that didn't involve him, and his lips over hers, and his heart racing with hers in his chest. He shook his head as he wrapped his arms wrapped around her lightly and he took a deep breath as he held her to him. Her arms wrapping around him made his heart swell with a joy that he hadn't felt in years and he once again realized how much he enjoyed spending time with this girl.

"Alright." he said puling away from her with a gentle smile. "I have to start heading home."

"I'll walk you to the door." she whispered with a faint nod and they both moved to stand. Ichigo stretched as he made his way down the hall and a yawn escaped his lips, he didn't realize he was so tired.

"Get home safe." she smiled once he'd stepped outside and Ichigo didn't try to stop himself from smiling as he looked at her.

"Yeah." he whispered. "Have a good night Inoue."

"You too." She whispered and Ichigo forced himself to walk away. His eyes darting to her still smiling lips for an instant.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd wanted something as much as he wanted just one more kiss from her. His eyes darted up to meet hers and her smile widened, her hand reaching out to him. Ichigo didn't need a second invitation and in a second he had his lips against hers, his hand on the small of her back keeping her close to him; it was a quick chaste kiss, and he pulled away with a deep breath while taking a step back.

"Goodnight. Goodnight. Goodnight." He said as he walked towards the stairs, Orihime chuckling softly behind him, he didn't think his cheeks could get any hotter.

A/N: I'm alive! Barely, at least it feels that way. I'm sick, been sick for a while, things are happening, pills aren't working, writers block is at it's finest. Here's what my brain has been able to push out, so many rough drafts, and this is the end result. I'm kind of happy with it, kind of wondering if it's boring you to death, I need to build this relationship but I want to try my had at Ichigo's point of view. He's a pretty mysterious character for me. I am not up to speed on the manga which makes me sad because I hear its ending (spoiler?) Anyway, I barely got to make it past the Aizen arc soooooo yeah... my writing tends to stay towards that general information output. Ok so, I have to go sleep because it's late. Love you guys! Drop a nice review please!