Oh Mi Gosh! Its an update O.o I'm SO sorry it took so long… and that its so short…I really have no valid excuse for how long it took to get this up, and my excuse for this even being done is flea bombs…yeah…as for it being so short and weird to read (just like my other fics/chaps) its because I'm not as good at writing fanfics as other things...but I'll try! –Heroic pose- anyway, enjoy XD R&R please!

Chapter Five

Ichigo's date with Masaya had turned into birthday shopping for Ryou, she had told him about needing to get Ryou a present so he suggested they look for one together. They had already been looking for an hour but to no avail.

"Masaya, what do you think Ryou would want for his birthday?"

"I'm not sure, I don't know him very well,"

Ichigo sighed, "That's the problem, no one knows Ryou very well. Especially now." She mentally ranted about Ryou and how he had picked the worst time for…whatever it was he was doing.

Masaya was about to ask what Ichigo meant by "especially now" when Ichigo gasped. "There's Ryou!" she said in a loud whisper, pointing to him. "I told him I needed to get my paycheck early so I could buy you a birthday present so if he notices us, just…kinda play along,"

Masaya could only nod, the guy she was pointing to he never would've recognized as Ryou. Last time he saw Ryou he kind of blended in, now he stood out in a crowd that's for sure. His clothes pretty much demanded your attention and if by some weird twist of fate you didn't see him you'd hear him because of all the metal clinking.

Ryou, of course, noticed them.

"Ichigo, I thought you were out…shopping,"

Masaya, once again delved into thought. What was with Ryou's voice? It sounded like so cryptic and empty, not to mention his expression, completely blank. What was happening? It was like someone dumped ice and shadows over his already cold demeanor.

Ichigo thought quickly and then whispered to Ryou, "I…I'm seeing what kind of things he likes and then getting them for him after our date," See, Ichigo can think quickly under pressure! Okay, so it wasn't that great of a response but you have to give her points for effort!

Masaya finally had sorted through his thoughts and was now paying attention to the conversation.

"Wow Ichigo, I never thought you'd be so clever,"

"Grr... Ryou… quit treating me like I'm some kind of idiot!"

Ryou looked at her for a moment then started to walk away, "Don't be late for work tomorrow, I can assure you I won't be in the mood for excuses."

"Argh…that Ryou…" Ichigo growled.

"Ichigo, what was with that guy?" Ichigo looked at him strangely, "What do you mean?"

"The last time I saw him he used to have normal clothes, and he used to talk normal too. I mean, he's always been cold but now he's just…I don't even know. He acts so strange; he treats you and others badly, and has no friends for said reasons. Why do you even want to give this guy a gift? I mean--"

"What do you mean by that!" Ichigo didn't know why, but what Masaya said really made her mad, and this was Masaya she never got mad at him.

Apparently Masaya was shocked too, Ichigo never sounded so forceful towards him, "All I meant was--"

"I know what you meant, you meant that he's acting strangely. But still that's no reason to talk about someone like that, especially my boss! He can be nice sometimes, and he does have friends, I say this because I'm one of them. And his clothes, that really shouldn't even matter, just because they're different from what you see all the time doesn't mean you should bash them. He has had to go through a lot and needs to know that there are people there who are willing to help him and that actually care! And a birthday present is a small way of showing that you do." Ichigo abruptly stopped talking.

There was a long pause.

"I-I'm sorry it's just--" Ichigo began to splutter out. Masaya cracked a small smile. "It's all right Ichigo, it's good you're so ready to defend the people you care about most." Ichigo was slightly startled that he didn't seem the smallest bit mad. "Th-thank you Masay--"

"However,"

It amazed Ichigo how one word could make your heart sink. "I'm so sorry Masaya! I didn't mean to make you mad! I just, well, I don't know please forgive me! I mean--"

"Don't worry Ichigo, I'm not mad," Ichigo heaved a sigh of relief, "but I get the feeling there's someone else you care about more than me," he smiled, "even if you don't know it,"

Ichigo was frozen in shock, did that mean what she thought it did? "W-wait so are, are you…and me…not…?"

Masaya just nodded, "I think we're better suited as friends, okay?"

"O-okay…" Ichigo was way beyond confused. What had just happened, she didn't get it. In the blink of an eye they went from soul mates to just friends.

"Ichigo?"

"Uhh, wait yeah? What?"

"Do you still want me help you find a present for Ryou?"

"Umm you can if you want but, I-I think I know what to get him though," They walked into a store and came out a few minutes later with a small rapped box.

"D-do you think he'll like it?"

"I'm sure he will." Masaya gave another one of his trademark smiles. "Do you want me to walk you home?"

"Yeah…thank you Masaya"

After Ichigo thanked Masaya and closed door she ran to her room and collapsed on her bed. She stared at the ceiling trying to process what had happened in the course of five minutes. She talked to Ryou, Masaya talked about Ryou, Ichigo ranted at Masaya…Masaya said that Ichigo cared about someone more than him and broke up with her while still remaining friends. Broke up. Broke up.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One…

"BROKE UP!"

Ichigo finally got it; she and Masaya had broken up. She couldn't believe it. What had made Masaya think she cared about someone more than him! Ichigo was rapidly pacing the room wringing her hands, and thinking her thoughts out loud with the occasional shriek of something or another with a few unwelcome tears running down her face. What was happening?

"NYA!"

With that final sentiment she collapsed on her bed once again. She turned her head towards her clock. Good lord, she had been pacing her room for two hours, no wonder she was so tired…