A/N: n-no way... so many wonderful reviews and follows and favs, I could explode! There are no words for your awesomeness, people! I am rewarding you with a beautiful, slightly naughty chapter...don't worry, no smut yet. Key word yet, because I am planning on it. *wicked grin* So, thanks are in order for: xcHiiBii-RuKiiax, Jessenia-chan, Aizawa Ayumu, BleachisAwesome, Thornspike, Romance Without Words (augh, you're so awesome, girl! Thanks a million for the author alert! And I love Yoruichi, but it would be awesome seeing it through Yachiru's eyes. So cuuute :3), Personal Riot, and gaia08. If I missed you, please tell me - doing all this on my phone can get confusing. I'll mention you in the next chapter with extra exclamation points! Please enjoy! ~Nana-chan

Chapter Three

Moldable

I've seen the paths your eyes wander down

As Rukia swung open the door to Black Coffee, she was pleased to see Ichigo standing by the table she'd sat at yesterday. He was leaning on the chair and nervously tapping his fingers on the light wood of the table.

Good, I made him nervous, Rukia thought, a satisfied smile spreading over her face. Yeah, she knew boys. She'd even dated a couple of 'em.

"Oy," she called out calmly.

Ichigo practically jumped a foot in the air. Rukia allowed herself a small smile.

"Y-you're early," he said, recovering.

"How long've you been waiting here?" Rukia smirked. "Been an hour yet?"

Ichigo blushed. "Why would you say that?"

Rukia just gave him a mysterious look. "So," she said, adjusting her small black messenger bag. "Where are we going for lunch?"

"It's only eleven thirty," Ichigo said.

"I'm hungry!" Rukia told him.

"Okay, okay, do sandwiches sound good?"

Rukia smiled, relaxing as she slipped her arm into the space between his arm and his waist. "Sure."

She felt Ichigo tense a little. When was the last time he had a girlfriend? She sighed inwardly. She'd probably have to retrain him.

"Relax," she told him. "I promise I won't eat you. As long as we go to lunch." She gave him a comforting smile.

He relaxed a little. Not all the way, but a little, and as he led her out the door Rukia mentally celebrated her small victory.

They walked about a block with their arms linked before Ichigo tried to discreetly untangle himself. It wasn't very discreet at all.

Rukia looked at him silently. He frowned. "Uh...sorry. It's just that...uh, my last girlfriend was kinda...clingy. Brings back bad memories."

Rukia raised her eyebrows, but still said nothing. He winced, barely noticeable, and then said, "Um, so, the sandwich shop is right across the street. It has really good sandwiches."

She looked where he pointed. To be honest, it looked kind of shady, but he knew best, right? She followed him through the traffic and into the shop. It smelled smoky and salty, she thought. Like smoked turkey.

"Hey, Kurosaki!" a loud voice called from the other side of the room. "You want the usual, man?"

Ichigo's shoulders slumped. "That's Keigo," he said, almost apologetically. "I was hoping he wouldn't be on shift today."

"Why's that?"

"He's kinda..."

In a few seconds the guy had showed up in front of them. "Woo! Hot chick, Ichigo! Where'd you find her?" He looked Rukia up and down as if appreciating a piece of art (though Rukia doubted he could understand the true beauty of any artistic masterpiece).

Without missing a beat, Rukia ignored Keigo completely. "Ichigo, I think I want the grilled cheese."

"Got it, cutie," Keigo said.

"I want her to make it for me," Rukia said, pointing at a girl in the corner taking orders.

Keigo frowned. "That's not nice!"

"Okay, we'll go order with Tatsuki," Ichigo said, following Rukia's lead and ignoring Keigo.

"But, but, but-" Keigo stammered.

Rukia calmly walked over, Ichigo by her side, and ordered a grilled cheese for herself. Keigo did not appear to have followed.

"How did you do that?" Ichigo whispered.

"I'm used to dealing with assholes," Rukia said. "He was a stupid asshole, so even easier to take care of. Thanks for paying, Ichigo."

Actually Ichigo hadn't taken out his wallet yet, but he did so now sheepishly and paid Tatsuki. "I'm really bad at dealing with jerks. I work at a coffee shop, so I probably should be good at it, but I'm really not."

"It takes time to develop such skills," Rukia said. "Thanks." She took the sandwiches, giving Ichigo his.

"Let's go eat outside," Ichigo said, giving a wary look at the kitchen.

"Good idea," Rukia agreed. "I'd rather not be molested again."

They sat outside on a bench, eating their sandwiches in silence.

"So," Ichigo said uncomfortably.

"So tell me about yourself," Rukia said. She looked squarely at him. "Your family and your girlfriend and stuff."

"Uh, Orihime and I broke up a year ago," Ichigo mumbled. "She was, like I said, clingy. I live by myself. I used to live with my dad and my sisters, but I moved out. I like being alone, I guess. Supporting myself."

"And your mom?"

Ichigo's face turned dark. "She died when I was four. Drowned herself."

"I'm sorry," Rukia said. "I used to live with my older sister, Hisana, but when she died I moved in with her husband. He's like my brother, really. You see, both my parents died when I was young, as well. Luckily Hisana married Byakuya, who was rich, so we lived fine until she died. He never really got over it."

Ichigo had paused, his sandwich about an inch away from his open mouth. He closed his mouth. "I had no idea."

"Of course you didn't, I didn't tell you," Rukia said coldly. Pity was not something she appreciated.

Ichigo bit his lip. "Uh...why don't we eat and walk? I wanted to show you this cool bookstore we have."

"Okay," Rukia agreed, glad to be free of the awkward topic of dead people.

Ichigo led her to the store. "You said you were a journalist, so I figured you liked b-"

"Chappy!" Rukia flung open the door and ran off.

"Wait, what?" Ichigo ran in after her, thoroughly confused.

"Chappy," Rukia repeated breathlessly. "I love this guy! He's my favorite thing ever!"

"He's a bunny," Ichigo said dubiously.

Rukia watched Ichigo with an angry glare.

"But hey, whatever floats your boat," Ichigo said quickly.

Rukia picked up a plushie. "Buy this for me," she commanded.

"Hey! I don't have limitless money, you know!"

"You're the guy, you're supposed to buy me stuff," Rukia complained.

Ichigo scowled. "That's not how it works!"

"Is too!"

"No, it's not! Girls can pay too!"

"I appreciate you avoiding sexism, but really! Boys are supposed to buy stuff for the girls!"

"No! I don't have enough money to pay for all your crap!"

"Chappy isn't crap!" Rukia waved the plushie threateningly. "Go on, buy it!"

"But I-" Ichigo stopped talking. He also stopped breathing. And his heart stopped beating. Because Rukia had stood on her tiptoes and kissed him full on the lips.

She broke away, scowling.

It was obvious Ichigo was trying his best to not smile really big. "O-okay."

Rukia smiled, a little wickedly, and shoved the plushie into his hands. "Thank you, Ichigo."

He stared at the plushie. Still blank, I see, Rukia thought with satisfaction. She did it right, then.

"Thanks for taking me everywhere, Ichi," Rukia said, giving him a genuine smile.

"And buying you everything," Ichigo grumbled, referencing the six shopping bags Rukia was carrying, a few of which had had other bags consolidated in them.

"You'll live," Rukia promised him. They stopped in front of the coffee shop. "I'll come back tomorrow on your break, okay?"

She watched with pleasure as Ichigo smiled despite himself. "Yeah, I'll be waiting. Bye, Rukia." He entered the shop, and Rukia followed.

"Ichigo," she said.

He turned. "Thought you were going home?"

Rukia smiled devilishly, seeing Uryuu and Renji approach from behind. Just as planned. "I know, but I couldn't help myself..." She stood up on tiptoe again and kissed him, with tongue this time.

When she pulled away she glanced at Uryuu and Renji's faces. Both were amazed and decidedly jealous. Just the reaction she wanted!

"Bye, Ichi," she said flirtatiously, before spinning on her heel and leaving.

Ah, those faces were just too funny. And Ichigo's faces were even better. Lord knew when he'd been kissed last. Rukia snickered, skipping home, multiple shopping bags swinging.

A moldable boyfriend? Just what she wanted. Younger guys were just too cute.

A/N: If you liked, leave a review and I'll update faster! Loves! ~Nana-chan