Chapter 2: Orihime
It had been an hour since Nova escaped from Ririn and Kurodo. He met someone who knew him, but he couldn't remember her at all. She said her name was Orihime. She seemed nice enough. They'd been sitting there, talking.
This woman never once said anything about mod souls or that he had to return with her. Actually, she was having a peaceful conversation with him. It was very nice. Every time he looked at her he felt strange. His heart was racing!
"I must say, Nova," Orihime started. "I'm a bit surprised to see you without your mask. You've never had it off before. When I first saw you I didn't even know it was you."
"Oh, well I'm not myself. Remember. Like I said, all I can recall is my name," Nova sighed.
"I know. I'm sorry." She apologized, hugging her knees. She dug her feet into the sand. The soft summer breeze blew her long orange hair back, showing her pretty face.
Nova's heart raced further. His eyes bulged some. Did he like her? He was a little confused.
She peered at him, curious. A why are you looking at me that way stare.
He blushed and turned away. He was embarrassed because of his unintentional stare.
"Oh, sorry," he mumbled and hid his face.
"Are you okay?" She questioned, "Your face is all red. Do you have a fever?"
She leaned over closer to him, reaching out her hand to feel his forehead. He backed off, frightened of what might happen. She continued her advance and set her hand upon her for head.
"You seem okay," she announced glancing at him.
Nova's face became brighter. His mind became blank and he uttered the first words that came to mind.
"You're very beautiful!" He exclaimed, then soon regretted it.
She glanced at him for one moment then smiled, "well thank you. That was very kind to say."
He lay back in the sand, relieved. She hadn't realized he was doing more than just a compliment. He glanced up at the now setting sun. He sighed. The day was over, and it made him sad. He enjoyed the warmth of the suns rays. He felt more comfortable.
"Nova," Orihime said. "Would you like to join me at my place for the night?"
He sat up. Suspicion edged around him.
"You don't plan to take me back to Ririn and Kurodo?" He questioned.
"Of course not," she smiled sweetly at him. "You obviously don't wish to be with them."
She stood up and brushed the sand off her clothes. She held her hand out to him.
"Will you come with me?" She asked kindly.
Nova felt a strong sense of trust in this girl. He nodded and grasped her hand.
Orihime hoisted him up with a little more power than she intended and he bumped right into her front. She made an "oof" noise when it happened.
Nova's face became ever brighter now from the slight contact of her frontal pillows. Her peered at his feet and apologized.
"It's alright. It was my own fault." She announced and dragged him off to her home.
Nova was very happy to be with Orihime at her home. It was just a small apartment, but it was cozy. He made himself comfortable on her couch.
"Would you like something to eat?" She asked from the kitchen.
He paused, "uh…… if you make it I'll eat it. Kay!" He called.
"Righty!!" She said and began to cook her strange concoctions.
His stomach growled as he waited. He really was hungry. Even though Orihime's food smelled odd it was strangely appealing to him. He was anxious to see what she made.
Soon enough she came to the dining table with two bowls full of ramen. They looked delicious enough. He dug in immediately. That's when he discovered its defect. There was a whole lot of hot sauce (like Tabasco) in it. His tongue was on fire! He looked at her with his burnt tongue sticking out.
She was smiling as she ate hers. The spiciness didn't seem to bug her. She was enjoying it quite well.
Not wanting to hurt her feelings after what he said to her he finished up the rest of his spicy ramen.
Once Orihime finished hers she picked up their eating utensils and asked him. "Did you like it? I usually only cook for myself."
"Oh!!!! Yes! It was delicious. Thank you!'' He bowed and thanked.
Giddily she jumped up and down and her upper torso bounced.
Nova became red in the face once again. He'd never seen anything jiggle like that before. He found it strangely erotic. He averted his eyes, tortured by what he thought.
"Are you tired?" She asked fretful.
"I am, but I wouldn't want to become an inconvenience," Nova announced.
"No, its alright. No inconvenience at all." She smiled, "You can sleep in my bed."
"With you?!" He asked, hopefully.
"No silly. I'll be sleeping on the couch, but if you need me just ask. I'll try to help you in any way I can."
"Oh," he sighed tiredly. "Thank you."
He walked off into the room she showed him. Immediately after he shut the door he raced to the window and opened it. He smelled the night air, which wasn't that fragrant, but it still felt good on his face. After that he plopped down onto the bed. So much comfort surrounded him. He fell asleep instantly.
In the morning Nova awoke to see the outside world dreary and full of clouds. He watched as rain was lightly drizzling from the sky. He set his hand out the window and felt the coolness of the rain water trickle onto it. It made him think of Ririn and Kurodo. Every time those two came to mind he felt a small tinge of depression in his heart. Out of nowhere a tear came out of his left eye. He wiped it away, but still felt melancholy.
He left the window to go see Orihime. To his surprise she was still asleep and in the same clothes as the day before. She was uncovered and appeared cold. He found the blanket she had used, that had fallen on the floor, and wrapped her in it. She looked like such an angel as she slept. It made his heart race. He wondered, if he gave her just one kiss would it be alright.
He leaned over her face and swept some hair from it. Then, he leaned further and pressed his lips to hers. A sudden surge of energy shot through his body and he didn't pull away from her. That was until she woke up.
Startled and embarrassed he shot off her. His heart was pounding from the short adrenaline rush. His breathing even quickened.
Orihime got up and stared at him. She looked confused and touched her lips with her right hand.
"Did you just……… kiss me?" She interrogated shocked.
"Uh…… no!" Nova lied. He couldn't think what she'd do if he had told her the truth. She would probably think of him as a pervert. "I'm sorry if I had led you to think that. I'll try to be more careful next time,'' he quickly added.
"Oh. Alright," she answered, sounding like she was sighing.
"You seem upset," he announced. "Maybe I should leave."
Orihime looked sad now. She traced circles along her leg.
"You don't have to go," she said, nervously.
He stood up. He knew better than to stay here for too much longer. More incidents might happen.
"I feel like I am imposing on you," he said. "So, I'm going." He started for the door but her sweet voice called to him
"Will you ever come back to visit?" She asked him.
Before he left her home he said, "Sometimes." Then he went out the door and left.
His heart was still racing. It was undeniably true that he really liked Orihime.
He sighed. He was sure she didn't like him though. Even if she did their love could never be, because he was unsure who or what he was. He didn't want to endanger her.
He wandered along the streets, moping greatly. The rain caused him into further sadness about Orihime. He stopped in the middle of an empty road. He glanced up at the sky as rain soaked his face and hair. He felt a strange presence all around him, but he didn't know what it was.
Suddenly, out of nowhere a man in a black outfit with orange hair charged his way. Startled, Nova tried to move out of the way, but was too slow and the man punched him right in the stomach. At that very moment he lost conciseness. He had no idea why this stranger had punched him. Was this an enemy of his? He was confused.