AN: Thank you for your reviews! They mean so much to me:) I do a lot of time skips just to warn you…I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.

Chapter 7, Orihime's Point of View

"Alright class, you are all dismissed. Have a nice and safe weekend," I say cheerily as I dismiss the students.

I hear a few girls gossip as I gather my things. "She sure seems a lot happier than last week." "Yeah. She must have a boyfriend by now if she's this happy." I shake my head, thinking, I don't have a boyfriend. I just happen to know someone who changed my life.

It's been a week since our little run in with Uryuu but things seem to be going smoothly. Ichigo hasn't drunken my blood since that 'kiss'. We see each other at school and sit next to each other in the staff's lounge during lunch hour.

Occasionally, we bumped into each other during non-school hours but that's about it. I couldn't bring myself to invite him over again. What did happen is that, Ichigo had asked last night if he could walk me home Friday after school lets out. I'm hoping to get the nerve to invite him in once we reach the apartment building.

By the time I reach the entrance of the school, my hands hurt from gripping the handle of my bag so tightly. Why am I acting like this? I'm not a teenager in high school anymore! I should be calm, I am an adult.

I sigh and loosen my grip on my bag. Suddenly, my bag is gone from my hands. I stare blankly at my hands as I try to think about what happened. I look forward and find a man's chest. I look up and find Ichigo smirking at me.

I feel my cheeks burn as I reach for my bag, "I can carry that myself."

"I know you can, but what would you think of my manners if I didn't carry your bag for you?" Ichigo jokes as he lifts my bag higher up.

I stand on my tip toes but it's pointless. Ichigo is very tall, there's no way I can get my bag back from him when he's holding it so high up. I try anyways.

I jump up a few times, accidentally rubbing my chest against his in the process but at the moment I don't think much of it. I feel him stiffen as he reassures me, "Orihime, it's fine. Let me carry it for you. You just lead the way to your apartment."

"Oh alright," I say with a pout, turning to lead the way.

I freeze on the spot when he grabs my arm though. I turn around and look at him as I ask, "What is it?"

Ichigo lets go of my arm and puts his forefinger under my chin and his thumb on my chin, gently rubbing it. "I'll admit you look cute while pouting but you look much prettier when you smile."

My cheeks are burning. I don't know what to say. I'm not even sure he meant to say that. "Not again…Orihime, I'm sorry for saying that," Ichigo apologizes as he removes his hand from my chin.

I debate whether I should try to say it's fine or just change the subject. "Well, my apartment is this way." I mentally smack my forehead as I think of how rude I sounded. It's painfully awkward the whole walk home so I have trouble asking him to come in. "Well, here we are," I say while I laugh nervously.

"Yeah, here you go,"Ichigo says quietly as he hands me my bag. I begin to take it but stop midway so we're still both holding onto it. He looks at me curiously as I mumble hoping he hears but at the same time doesn't, "Want to come inside?"

"Sure," He responds. I almost panic and ask again but then I realize I'd look foolish. He lets go of my bag and follows me once I start walking to my apartment.

I must be nervous because I can't get the key in the lock. My hands are so shaky that I end up dropping the key. "I'm sorry this is taking so long."

I pick up the key and attempt to get it in the lock again. I sigh in frustration when suddenly my hands feel warm. I look down at my hand and see that Ichigo is holding it with his own. He whispers, "Orihime, your hands are freezing, no wonder you can't get the door open. I'll help you." He guides my hand and gets the key in the lock. Then he turns it gently so the door can get unlocked.

After that, he guides my hand to take out the key before letting it go and opening the door for me. I walk in tensely as I look at my hand that's holding the key. Ichigo closes the door behind him and sets his briefcase down before closing the distance between us.

I almost gasp but manage to hold it back by clutching onto my key more tightly. He looks at me with those soft brown eyes of his and I begin to feel warm inside. He takes both my hands into his while whispering, "Let me warm your hands up."

I don't speak. I don't move. I just stare into his eyes as my hands warm up through his warmth. How does he do this? How does this man drive me so crazy with a single look, with a single touch…why do I feel this way around him? I want him to be mine. But I could never tell him something like this.

I still don't know him enough. He's a vampire, for crying out loud! And why would someone like him, like someone like me? Just because I feel this way, doesn't mean he will.

I see his lips move but hear nothing. I blink several times before asking him to repeat himself. He chuckles lightly as he says, "I think it's time that I tell you more about being a vampire. And maybe about my past as well."

"What, really? Are you just going to tell me things or can I ask?" I ask as curiosity fills my mind. I can learn more about what it's like to be a vampire and more about Ichigo himself.

AN: Was this chapter okay? I feel it was maybe…repetitive, boring? I don't know. Please review.