A/N: Okay peoples, here's chapter 4! So sorry for the wait, i got cought up with getting back in the swing of things. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 4: Love

She woke up in an unfamiliar room, in a very comfortable bed.

He woke up in a too familiar room, on a very unforgiveable sofa.

The sun rose on the horizon, birds sung their morning song. It was a new day.

Ichigo grumbled as he sit up, rubbing his lower back. He winced as felt and heard cracks. He slowly stood up, his bones groaning in protest.

"That's the last fucking time I'm sleeping on that damned sofa."

He shuffled over to his bathroom, sleep still present in his eyes. He walked in and closed the door.

Orihime jumped out of bed, smiling as she stretched. She never felt so well rested before in her life. She looked out of the window, watching the sun rise. She smiled even brighter; it was going to be a good day.

She walked out of the bedroom and walked into the kitchen. She was very hungry. She tilted her head up as she thought deeply.

"Hmm, when was the last time I ate? The little blue men didn't steal the food out of my stomach, did they?"

Her stomach growled in response. She giggled as she hopped over to the refrigerator, and swung it open. Her eyes widened in pleasant surprise. There was pizza, leftover chicken wings, some strawberries, tuna fish, potato salad, and much, much more. She sighed in happiness as she started emptying out Ichigo's refrigerator, leaving only a can of jelly. Then, on second thought, she would need it. She reached in and took it, leaving the poor thing empty. She warmed everything up, placed it on the table and looked over at her feast. Oh yes, this would be yummy!

"Itadakimasu!"

Then she dug in.

Ichigo stepped out of the shower, water still dripping off his well-built form as he grabbed a towel. He wiped his face off first, then he wrapped the towel around the lower part of his torso. Without a second thought, he opened the door. The smell of food instantly assaulted his nose.

'She must be in the kitchen,' he thought, and headed across the hall for his bedroom. He got dressed in some black jeans and a white button-up shirt. For some reason, he liked the contrasting colors. He stepped out of his bedroom and headed for his kitchen. The moment he stepped in the kitchen, his mouth dropped and his eyes widened in sheer surprise. Orihime sat, eating to her hearts content. There were empty plates and bowls scattered to every inch on his table. It literally looked like everything in his refrigerator was under the wrath of this girl. Just to be sure there was something, anything left, he practically ran to his refrigerator. There was nothing there, not even a can of jelly. He slumped over, defeated by the auburn haired girl. Back at the table, a very satisfied Orihime sighed in content. While she was eating, she didn't notice Ichigo walk in. She was more oblivious to the look on despair on his face.

"Ichigo-kun, good morning! I didn't see you walk in!"

He turned to the smiling girl, crumbs scattered over her face, with a smudge of jelly. Sighing, he took a paper towel, wet it under the faucet, and went to the auburn haired girl. She looked at him in curiosity as he bent over her, and started to wipe her face gently.

"You had crumbs all over your face. You're a messy eater."

She blushed thoroughly at his actions and words. When he finished, he looked into her eyes, and there was such a strong connection that she felt herself leaning in. Ichigo froze when he saw her lean in. For some reason, instead of pulling away, he leaned in also. Closer. And right when their lips were going to touch, the shrill ringing of the phone snapped them back into reality. Orihime felt her face flush even more when she looked away awkwardly while Ichigo stumbled over to his phone.

"Yeah, hello?"

His face went into a scowl when he heard the other person on the line.

"What the hell do you want, Old man?"

Orihime watched with interest as Ichigo talked on the phone to, the old man.

"Yeah, she's still under my care, and her recovery is amazing."

He glanced at Orihime as she got up and started clearing the table. He couldn't help but lower his glaze as she bent over, picking up all the plates and dishes. He couldn't deny it, it was a nice sight.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm going to have to go shopping today. That's all. No, you old pervert, I haven't done anything."

Orihime placed the dishes in the sink and begin to wash. Ichigo was too busy telling his father to stay the hell out of his business to tell her that there was a dishwasher.

"Look, I gotta go. Bye."

Ichigo placed the phone back on the hook, and took a deep breath. His father had some nerve, that was sure. He looked over at Orihime, who was searching for the dish detergent.

"Uh, Orihime, there's a dishwasher, you know. Just put the dishes in there."

She snapped her head up, and glanced at him in utter surprise. Her grey eyes were filled with awe as she exclaimed,

"You have one of those? The little blue men could never get me one!"

He looked at her blankly. Who the hell where the little blue men? Anyway, he took the plates from her small hands and placed them in the dishwasher, then started the load. He turned back to the stunned girl. He sighed as he saw how captivated she was.

"Orihime. I need to go shopping, and you're coming with me. You need some more clothes, and I need some more food."

Orihime snapped out of her trace, and looked at the orange haired man. She smiled widely. She loved shopping! And what made it better was that she was going to spend day with Ichigo-kun!

"Okay Ichigo-kun! I love shopping! Can we go to the mall? They have a new bakery I heard, and I really wanted to go! Oh, and-"

She was cut off when Ichigo placed one long, calloused hand in front of her lips. She blushed instantly upon the intimate contact.

"Breathe Orihime. We can do everything you want, okay? Now come on, let's go."

He gently took his finger down from her lips. Another silent pause filled the room, the only sound was pounding heartbeats. Large, grey doe eyes stared chocolate brown ones. Ichigo couldn't stop the pounding in his chest; he never met a girl who could make him feel like this. Not even his ex Rukia had such a spell on him like this girl did. The way she came into his life was such an enigma, an almost dead girl on the street in the pouring rain. Nevertheless, she was here in front of him, alive and well, staring at him at those big, beautiful grey eyes, framed under thick black eyelashes. He dropped his glaze to her pink, full lips. God, how he wanted to kiss those lips of hers. Just once, so he could get it out of his system. Then he wouldn't have to be constantly thinking about her-

"Ichigo-kun?"

Her sweet, soft voice brought him out of his thoughts. She looked at him innocently, like she was wondering what he could be possibly thinking about. He shook his head to clear any thoughts about kissing and other things. He took her small soft hand, which seemed to fit into his perfectly.

"Lets go, Orihime."

His voice was so gentle, like a caress. She nodded, and tried to clear her mind from the thoughts that were currently torturing her. She was sure he was about to kiss her, she could tell by the way he stared so intensely at her lips. She touched her lips with her free hand; a kiss from Ichigo-kun? She couldn't think of another way to share her first kiss with.

Much to Ichigo's dismay, the mall was crowded. Unbelievably so. It was so damn loud, with kids screaming and laughing, and the shouts of pissed-off people. Then you had the one girl in the crowd who stood out, whose beauty was unearthly, whose smile brightened everything she saw, and how her large, grey eyes shone like diamonds. Orihime was this girl. She skipped and hummed; and every time Ichigo would slow down or complain about something, she would smile at him and hold his hand. This had an immediate reaction, and he could do nothing but go along with her antics. They had been shopping for a good two hours now, and Ichigo felt he got everything they needed, and he was ready to go. Orihime, on the other hand, was still 'Ohhh!' and 'Ahh! Ichigo-kun, look at that!' at everything she thought was cute. Ichigo couldn't just tell her straight up that he wanted to go home; he had to use an different approach. One that would be sure to get him out of this damn mall. Suddenly an idea popped in his head. He smiled to himself; it was perfect, and he was sure that she would say yes.

"Orihime, would you like to go to the park? I mean, it would be good to get some fresh air and exorcise, ya know? They have swings and-

"Ichigo-kun, I would love too! Let's go!"

Even with her bags in hand, she managed to pull on his arm even harder. He thought she was going break it. But that was alright, because he would at least be alone with her and only her. No screaming kids, no yelling parents, just peace and serenity. He breathed a sigh of relief as soon as they were out the door. His plan worked. He felt his heart pick up again as he thought about being alone with her again. He scowled; he was a grown man damnit, and he's getting all worked up over a crush. Yeah, he'll admit he liked her. But in reality, what he didn't know is that he was in the beginings of love.

A/N: Oh, i love this! how cute! Ichigo's in love with her! Does Orihime feel the same way...? Stay tuned and find out! :3