Author's Notes: Waaah... I'm sorry for the late update. . Apparently, a certain website haven't let me log in the past few months...

Review Responses:

vPaNdA75: Thank you! Sorry for the late update .

Zeprincelini: Yup, it really is .

nypsy: Well, it's still on a 1k+ word story. Yush~ your thoughts are correct ^^

Child of the Ashes: Thanks! They will soon xDD

No name: (Really he has no name): I wish you at least left an anonymous name but, thanks for reviewing!

Nisey610: Thanks for the review~ I think I'll go and make them tell each other what they feel as soon (yes, as soon) as Ichigo realizes what he feels~

Raizen Yusuke: ehehe~ Hope you like this one as well!

It Takes The Two Of US

By: bluebloodedphantom

Chapter 4: Staring At Her

Ichigo was standing by the stairs. He just felt like watching his sisters' talk with Orihime. At first, he seemed just entertained watching them and he was fascinated how Orihime became close to his sisters even if she was only there for about a day then, he found himself keeping an eye on Orihime. He has been staring at her for more than five minutes already. He didn't know why but somehow, his eyes were glued to her.

'Why am I so bothered about what she said while sleeping?' he asked himself. Usually, now was a great time to consult Rukia. He had to admit that even if the raven haired shinigami pesters him a lot, she makes him realize things. Too bad she wasn't there.

"Ichigo, my son. I know Inoue-san's very attractive and gorgeous but please, she's injured. Try to resist." He heard someone say behind him.

The orange-haired teenager spun around to see his father Isshin looking suspiciously at him. He glared at the older Kurosaki. "What the hell do you mean by that?"

Isshin gave a wide smile. "Why, you look at her as if you're going to jump on her any minute." His father noted, saying it loudly.

Ichigo blushed at the thought and at the same time, he feared that Orihime might hear what his father just said. He covered Isshin's mouth. "Damn it, Pops!" Isshin tried to break free from Ichigo.

Orihime on the other hand, heard Isshin muffling and seems like he was struggling to talk so she turned her head to where the voice was coming from. She saw the two Kurosakis and her eyes went curious.

The orange haired teenager kept on covering his father's mouth. He looked at Orihime and saw her looking at them. His face flushed and he instantly let go of Isshin and went straight to the kitchen.

Later that night, Ichigo and Orihime were the only ones left in the living room. The other Kurosakis went to their rooms. Orihime was watching TV as Ichigo sat beside her. Again, he felt like looking at her. She was wearing her pink pajamas and her bunny slippers.

"Not sleepy yet, Kurosaki-kun?" she asked, her eyes still glued on the television. "It's nine thirty in the evening after all."

Ichigo looked away. "Nah. I'm fine Inoue. How about you?" he asked.

"Nope." She said.

"Then," Ichigo looked at her again. "would you mind if I stay with you?" he asked for no reason. He was surprised to what he said. It was as if he just wanted to stay with her like that.

Orihime smiled. "What kind of question is that, Kurosaki-kun?" she asked then, giggled. "I'm always delighted having you around." She said.

Ichigo smiled as well. Since the previous show that Orihime was watching just finished, they ended up watching Don Kanoji's show. Orihime was very excited as she watched it, laughing that weird 'bwahahaha' laugh together with the main man of the show whenever he does that.

Ichigo, on the other hand, had his eyes on Orihime. He may be facing the TV but his eyes were glancing sideways at her. 'She looks real pretty' Ichigo noted when Orihime smiled. Looking at her from that close made him see the few things about her that he never saw before. Her cheeks looked really soft and whenever she smiles, she'll blush a slight color of pink. She also likes to bite her lips when she's eager or at least watching something hard. Sometimes, she even sticks her tongue out.

He found it entertaining to look at her. Somehow, Orihime seemed to make him feel better just by her presence. There's something in her that he just can't explain.

When the show ended, the two of them fell silent and was unsure what to talk about. Ichigo then, knelt down and raised Orihime's foot with the broken ankle slowly which made her eyes widen. "E-Eh, what is it Kurosaki-kun?" she asked.

"I'm taking care of you, what else?" he said, sarcastically. "I mean, I do want you to feel comfortable." He said, placing her foot on the small table in front of them. Then, he went to the kitchen and got some ice pack.

"Really, Kurosaki-kun," Orihime said as he came back from the kitchen. "You don't really have to do this. I'm fine on my own." She said but Ichigo just ignored her and sat down on their carpet and gently dabbed the ice pack on her ankle.

"I want to do this." He stated, looking at her with a slight smile. "You know, I think it's better like this. Having a peaceful life once in a while does seem nice." Ichigo continued to look take care of her ankle. "Besides, I'm having fun having you around." He gave a smirk to her.

Orihime, on the other hand, blushed at what Ichigo said. "I-I'm having fun too but, under these circumstances, I feel like I'm burdening you..." she admitted.

Ichigo sighed and sat beside her again. "Really, Inoue, you should stop thinking about that. I'm grateful to you for sticking to me even after everything and, I want to be a good friend to you too." He smiled, patting her head.

She giggled at this gesture. "You've been a good friend to me even before, Kurosaki-kun." She said. "And, you don't have to be grateful to me. I'm just supporting you in any way I could." She added.

"Well now... Ichi-nii and Orihime-chan sure is having a good time." Someone said which made Ichigo and Orihime look at the stairs.

"Oi, Yuzu... you're still awake..." he said. Ichigo sighed and face-palmed.

Yuzu smiled at them both. "I just thought that I forgot to turn off the television since I'm still hearing it. I forgot that you two were still there." She scratched the back of her head. "Well, I'll be leaving you two now, Good night!" she winked at Ichigo before running back upstairs.

"Yuzu-chan is really a cute girl, neh? Even Karin-chan is..." Orihime just continued to babble but Ichigo wasn't really listening. He was just focusing on her face again.

"Y-Yeah..." he looked away, blushing at the thought that entered his mind. "C-Cute..."

'You're really cute' Ichigo said to himself. He stood up at his thought, covering his face which is going all bright shades of red now.

"W-What is it, Kurosaki-kun?" she asked him.

"Erm!" he cleared his throat. "I'll go get a drink." He smiled nervously at him as he nearly tripped on the sofa as he moved to the kitchen.

"Ugh... What is wrong with me?" he asked himself as he washed his face.

He was supposing to stay there for a while longer to cool himself off when Orihime suddenly shouted. It was as if he was programmed to do so, Ichigo ran towards the living room where Orihime was.

To his surprise, as soon as he got there, arms quickly wrapped around his neck and Orihime was there in his arms. He froze for a while, trying to calm his raising heart which was beating faster and faster by the second. "W-What is it?" he asked when he finally found his voice.

"I-I thought the little blue men was attacking me already..." she muttered. "I just realized it's just a spider that fell on my head." She said.

Ichigo blinked a couple of times before laughing. "You're cute, Inoue." He said before realizing what he just blurted out. At the same time, he noticed that he was hugging her back too. "Erm, I-"

Orihime laughed. "Thanks, Kurosaki-kun. You know, you're scowl's pretty funny. But, I like it." She confessed, hiding her face from him.

And again, it was one of the moments when he didn't understand Orihime and all he could do was stare at her.