Touched
Disclaimer: Creator Tite Kubo owns the manga and anime Bleach and its characters. No offense or infringement is intended.
A/N: Alright! A timely update! The last chapter left on a cliffhanger, and I promised some changes- let's see if anyone thought I'd go here…
Chapter 8: Discover
Ichigo didn't like the worried looks on their faces. Uryu finished his statement, "After Orihime told us she was missing we split up to search the whole inn. I'm afraid that Tatsuki is nowhere to be found…"
Orihime's eyes were as large as planets, "What? But how can that be?"
Ichigo shook his head, "No. That isn't right." It didn't make sense- Tatsuki was finally starting to turn a corner. He could feel his own anxiousness and impatience tightening his chest. "Where did you look?"
Not the least bit offended, Ishida stated factually, "Every floor. I searched the main floor, Chad took the second. Keigo, Mizuiro and Hanataro went to the upper floors. Ganju checked the perimeter, basement and wine cellars. There was no sign of her."
At that moment the remaining trio entered the kitchen, Mizuiro sighing resignedly, "We checked again- still no luck." Looking around the room, he noted some absences, "Are we sure she didn't go with Renji or Rukia? Or maybe Shiba-san?"
Ganju answered, "My sister and the twins left yesterday afternoon on business; I think your friend was still here."
"And Renji and Rukia went back to Seireitei with me this morning- obviously she didn't come with us," Ichigo added exasperatedly. Uneasiness was creeping across his skin like a chill. "This doesn't make sense! Who was the last to see her?"
Hanataro offered, "She charged with Ishida in the afternoon, and then with Sado after dinner, yes?" The two teens nodded silently in confirmation. "I checked her reiatsu levels once more before she turned in for the night."
Orihime piped in, remembering, "She was in the room last night; she fell asleep before me. But when I woke up this morning she was gone…" Her eyes grew wider still, "Wait, does that mean that I was the last to see her? Wh-what if something happened to her while I was sleeping?"
Keigo scoffed before anyone could interrupt him, "What, like getting kidnapped? You think one of those crazy monsters is gonna tiptoe over you and Rukia to get to Tatsuki? Like she'd even let that happen?"
Ishida reluctantly agreed, "The probability of her abduction is highly unlikely under the circumstances. And we already checked the room; there were no signs of foul play."
Ichigo took a deep breath, noting the steady increase in the dull thudding behind his eyes. He was missing something; he just wasn't sure what it was…
Mizuiro shrugged, "So… maybe she went for a run? She used to do that a lot when she needed to clear her head."
"She should know better than to leave the safety of the inn," Ishida replied before conceding, "However, I suppose it's a possibility… perhaps losing track of time…"
Hanataro interjected, "Her spirit energy levels are typically the lowest in the mornings- I doubt she'd have the energy to go running…" Hearing Orihime gasp, however, he quickly amended, "Though perhaps a walk wouldn't be out of the question?"
"We could check the streets nearby, in case she went out and lost her way," Ganju suggested.
Keigo muttered sullenly, "Yeah, except Tatsuki doesn't get lost. Ever."
Mizuiro scowled at his friend, "We should still check- it's the best lead we have so far."
Ichigo struggled to tune them all out as he tried to concentrate. He knew her better than anyone else. What she did, how she thought… he even knew her energy now. Uncertain as to how he knew, he was somehow certain that some part of him knew exactly where she was… he just needed the conscious part of his brain to register it.
"It's a good idea," Ishida agreed. "Some of us should check the streets beyond the inn. Ganju, you can direct us to the best routes and we can split up. Orihime, you should remain here in case she returns and needs a charge- if she can come back, she will. Keigo and Mizuiro should stay here, too."
Mizuiro looked crestfallen, "But it was my idea! I want to help!"
Meanwhile Keigo plopped right at the kitchen table, "Hey, I'm fine with staying behind. The last time we lost track of Tatsuki, Uryu ended up kissing her and I ended up in a coma."
Ishida suddenly coughed whatever air he'd been trying to breathe as Mizuiro stared down at his friend, muttering, "Keigo, you have zero tact."
"Psht! I don't even pretend it's my strong suit." The brunet leaned back, propping his hands behind his head, "Besides, it's raining anyway. I'd rather wait here than get wet."
Orihime spoke quietly, "Tatsuki doesn't mind the rain."
She's still here…
"Maybe I can modify the spirit detector to track her somehow," Hanataro wondered.
"That would be helpful," Ishida agreed. "Ganju, you can lead the way. A little rain never slowed us down."
I don't know how I know…
Keigo snickered, "He's only saying that because his outfit's probably waterproof."
Ishida raised a critical eyebrow at the boy, "Actually, it does wick quite well. You two stay here with Orihime." The unspoken words 'out of trouble' were heavily implied.
…But I know she is…
Mizuiro sighed, "I hope they find her."
Keigo shrugged, "If they're not back in an hour we're gonna have to wake up Yoruichi." The others suddenly turned to stare at him. "What? Her room was on my floor! When I looked in she was curled up in the windowsill." Not understanding the disbelieving stares directed at him, he added, "I was very quiet; I didn't wake her up! She never knew I was there!"
"You're lucky she didn't rip your face off," Mizuiro said, rolling his eyes.
I can feel it…
As the others began filing out of the kitchen, Orihime chimed out, "Please be safe! Bring her back, okay?"
Ichigo hung back, still thinking. "Guys, I'm gonna stay here and check one more time, for myself."
Ishida eyed him for a moment, then nodded. "That's fine. You may join us later if you wish." Ichigo merely nodded back, strings of memories playing in his head. As the others left for the front door he headed towards the large hall steps.
'Not yet. I… I need a minute…'…
'She used to do that a lot when she needed to clear her head.'…
'Tatsuki doesn't get lost. Ever.'…
'…if she can come back, she will.'…
'Glad to see I'm not totally replaceable,'…
'I don't need protecting, Ichigo! I need my friends!'…
'Ichigo, I don't want to go! Not if I have to walk around the place with a scarlet letter on my chest like some leper.'…
'Tatsuki doesn't mind the rain.'…
'…just… say 'you're welcome,' okay? And get me off this freakin' building?'
…There!
Suddenly sure of his destination, he raced up the stairs to the top floor.
Without ever noticing it before, Ichigo stopped right in front of the large picture window on the top floor- it had a stunning view over all of Soul Society. With an eerie sort of certainty he turned around to see a much smaller window at the other end of the hall. Running up to it, he peered through; with another gorgeous view, this window opened directly onto one of the roof gables. Inspecting the casement he found it still unlocked, a sure sign. Without another thought he opened it and jumped out into the rain.
Scaling the water-slicked tiles of the roof gable proved a simple task for him, however he guessed that getting down would be far more challenging, particularly for anyone with shorter legs or who didn't happen to be a Soul Reaper, even someone as strong and limber as Tatsuki. Once at the top it was easy to locate her- a small gray lump was curled up precariously against one of the stone fist-topped pillars adorning the inn. Even with her as his focus, he couldn't help but notice the expansive vantage from atop the inn; Rukongai was spread like a child's model set before him and he could even make out the great stone walls of Seireitei in the distance.
"Tatsuki?" he tentatively called out to her, not wanting to surprise her in such a precarious perch. Her lack of a response only heightened his worry.
Nimbly making his way to her across the steep angle of the roof, he finally found himself crouched in front of the unconscious girl, the perfect position in case she startled and slid forward. She was thoroughly soaked from the rain, her thin clothing clinging to her dampened skin as the jet spikes of her hair wilted to drip in her face. For the briefest of seconds he feared he'd been too late until he heard the faintest hint of a whistle in her exhale, a noise she made in her sleep ever since she'd had her nose broken in the fifth grade.
He realized she was sleeping, how deeply he wasn't sure. She seemed so peaceful curled up against the wet stone, arms hugging herself, with raindrops sliding down her cheeks and lips like someone else's tears; he fought the urge to smooth them away with his fingers.
"Tatsuki?" Afraid of startling her he spoke softly, raising his voice to just above that of the rain. When she stirred a little, he called her name again, "Tatsuki? Wake up…"
Heavy lids slowly lifted, blinking away the haze of unconsciousness and the drops of water weighing down her lashes. She dragged her fingers across her face and seemed confused as to why she was wet. He noticed her gloves were missing; she was peering between the spaces of her dripping fingers when she finally noticed him crouched in front of her, "…Ichigo?" She looked around far less surprised by her surroundings than his presence before her, "What are you doing up here?"
Relieved, he smiled at her, "You missed an appointment."
She swiped again with the back of her hand but it wasn't any drier. She replied groggily, "Oh yeah. Well, that was an accident. This time I got stuck…"
"Got stuck?" he repeated with skepticism. "Wait, this time?"
He noticed that she left her head resting against the pillar and wondered if there was a more troubling reason why she didn't raise it to speak to him. "Yeah… I've been coming up here every morning for the past three days… to watch the sunrise. I sit up here for a little while, then climb down and go wake up Orihime." She paused to take a few deep breaths, as though talking were exhausting.
"Yeah, I remembered how you are about your alone time," he mentioned.
"This morning was different… I think it was the rain. I couldn't stand up. I tried to crawl down a couple of times. After I almost fell off it took everything I had just to park it here…"
Tatsuki didn't move through the entire conversation. He nodded, "So you're…"
"Toast. Yeah," she sighed heavily. "It's embarrassing. If you had a spirit detector you'd be pissed as hell at me right now. Like I said, I think it's the rain; I think warmth or water zaps my energy. Out here it's both."
"Has this happened before?" Ichigo asked not bothering to mask the concern in his voice.
"Kinda. Whenever I take a shower I almost pass out- I've started taking them after charges just in case."
She seemed so nonchalant, however he noticed she was talking with her eyes closed. "Does Hanataro know?"
She peered up at him at that, wincing guiltily, "I wanted to be sure before I mentioned it. I think this pretty much clinches it."
"Pretty much…" he muttered. She looked as though she was going to say something else but then her lids began to slowly slide closed again. "Tats?" She went out again and this time Ichigo was less convinced that she'd merely fallen asleep. With a greater sense of urgency he shouted at her, "Tatsuki? Wake up!"
When she still didn't stir he tentatively nudged her shoulder, eventually escalating to a full-on shake before she finally came around again. "Whaaaaaat?" she groaned irritably. Then, realizing what had happened, she groused at him, "Hey, cut it out… You're not supposed to touch me, remember?"
"Relax, I touched your sleeve. But it hardly matters now because we're gonna have to get you off this roof before you get any worse. You passed out in the middle of talking to me."
She sighed dejectedly, eyes barely open, and he wondered if it was the worst he'd ever seen her. "I'm sorry. I know I brought this on myself. It just sucks that we don't have someone up here who could lend me a little juice…"
His jaw clenched reflexively, "You wish it had been someone else who'd found you?"
He watched her eyebrows huddle in confusion, then for the first time in their conversation Tatsuki turned her head towards him to stare in his eyes, "I knew you'd be the one to find me, Ichigo…" and she smiled sadly at him, even as her head lolled in fatigue, "I wanted it to be you…"
His chest clenched, throat suddenly going dry at her words. After five days of agonizing and wondering she'd finally offered some insight into her own feelings towards him. He unconsciously held his breath as she softly continued, "But we both know it would have been more convenient if it had been Ishida or Chad… It just sucks because you're right here and you look so… strong… but you're a Shinigami and I don't want to get you in trouble…"
Her last words were almost a pitiful whine that shattered his heart. He nearly shouted at her, "I'm your friend first, Tats, and I'm not gonna just leave you up here a second longer while I go and fetch one of our 'pre-approved' friends just because somebody made up some rules for us!"
She chuckled bitterly, "Then we've got a problem, because Captain Unohana was pretty specific about me avoiding people with those fancy black uniforms- especially you, Ichigo."
He frowned, "You must be under the impression that I give a damn about that stuff when you're up here looking like you'll pass out at any moment again. I'll carry you off of this roof if I have to." The fact that her protest took even a moment's delay was enough to confirm his worry.
As he inched closer to her, she sent him a sidelong glance. "This isn't… a good idea, you know," she said wearily.
He rolled his eyes even as he carefully wrapped an arm around her shoulders and slid the other under her legs, "Well, I haven't heard any better ones…"
Just get her off the roof; Orihime's waiting in the kitchen…
Ichigo lifted her with ease and once again he was reminded how small and light she was. She curled into him just as she had before when he'd saved her. Dropping her head against his shoulder, a soft moan escaped her lips as though just moving were causing her discomfort, and he was reminded just how critically low her reiatsu was. "Tats, are you okay?"
He was talking about the hold, however from the folds of his robes he could just make out her weakened voice, "God I hate this feeling… being so weak. I never want to feel like this again…"
It was such a heartbreakingly personal admission that he knew she hadn't meant to say it aloud. He squeezed his eyes shut tight, knowing in the end he'd already made the choice.
I'm gonna be in sooooo much trouble before this is over…
Handling her gingerly, he sat back down on the roof just where he'd stood. Bewildered, Tatsuki tilted her head back against his shoulder to look up at him as he settled her comfortably in his lap. "What… are you doing?" she asked as he stared back at her with the softest eyes she'd ever seen. Gently pulling his arm from beneath her legs, he lifted it across her body. She tracked his hand with her eyes until he rested it lightly on her shoulder, and she finally realized what he was planning to do. "Ichigo…"
"It's okay," he whispered. Instead of dropping his hand to touch hers, however, he raised it to ghost his fingers along her cheek.
Exhaling deeply, almost drunkenly, she asked again, "Ichigo… seriously… what are you doing?"
Growing bolder he brushed his knuckles along the angle of her jaw before opening his hand to cup her face in his palm, open fingers settling firmly against her wet skin. He replied, "Making sure you survive the trip."
Within seconds he knew something was happening because Tatsuki's eyes drifted seductively closed as she inhaled a relieved breath. However, mindful of Hanataro's cautions he still asked, "Is it working?"
She gave a tiny nod, eyes still closed as if concentrating. "Yeah," she replied breathlessly. They'd been told he could hurt her, so Ichigo watched her vigilantly for the remotest sign of distress. He had to admit he couldn't feel much of a difference, just a new cool sensation where his palm cradled her cheek. However, he could tell she was improving as her hand subconsciously drifted up to loosely clasp his wrist. Soon she was able to lift her head from his shoulder. "Mmm, wow…" she murmured, "You're so… wow…"
Instantly blushing, Ichigo stammered, "Is that, um, a good thing?"
He could feel the twitch of her smile against his palm. "This thing I have… I'm getting better at sensing spirit energy. Yours is different- thicker… so much more powerful…" She absently licked her bottom lip as he watched, mesmerized. "It's… amazing…"
That's when he felt it- an odd tingle of energy coming from her, scintillating through him to mingle with his own reiatsu. At first he was admittedly confused- wasn't he supposed to be the one giving energy through their contact? As the sensation built, however, he began to recognize it- the one other time he'd felt something like it… five days ago, on a rooftop, with Tatsuki when she'd touched him…
As bizarre as it seemed it was there again, a tenuous link to her beyond her reiatsu in which he could feel her emotions- a deep hidden fear slowly giving way to relief the longer he touched her… an odd bewilderment directed toward him, as though she wasn't sure what to make of his presence there. Without realizing how, he gently pushed past these to reach a sensation of embarrassed vulnerability coupled with an awed admiration. Most encouraging, though, was the hum of an undeniable attraction that both surprised and elated him.
She seemed too distracted by the charge to notice the link this time and he realized she was concentrating on the surge of his spirit energy into her. He didn't recall ever seeing her focus so intently when charging with the others and wondered if perhaps she was asserting some control over the flow. "Tats, are you controlling the transfer?"
She opened brighter eyes, surprised by his inquiry, "Not exactly. More like monitoring it. Your energy is different from the others- it's like trying to take a drink from a fire hydrant instead of a water fountain- it just takes some getting used to."
He smirked a little, "So it's stronger?"
She raised a suspicious eyebrow at his cockiness, "Let's just say it's a bit overwhelming."
"Is it faster? You look better- why aren't you turning cartwheels yet?" he asked with a dubious grin.
She rolled her eyes at him, "Let's just aim for standing on my own two feet first. It still takes time to build up enough energy. With the others it usually takes twenty or thirty minutes or so; we've been at it for less than five. And I was a lot lower than usual. And it's still raining."
He frowned, "I'm stronger than a little rain shower."
Tatsuki shook her head, "Of course you are, but maybe I'm not." She stared up at him thoughtfully, her fingers tapping absently against his wrist, "I can't believe you of all people would be self conscious."
He liked the way she was looking up at him, her eyes so soft and open, her body so relaxed and comfortable. "Hey, when all is said and done, Tats, I'm just a guy. A guy trying to do the right thing…" Looking down at his fingers against her skin, he grazed his thumb along the smooth plane of her cheek, "…A guy with a beautiful girl in his lap who just happens to be his best friend…"
He watched her eyes grow wide in surprise, a blush blooming across her nose and the top of her cheeks beneath his thumb. She blinked rapidly, then averted her gaze, embarrassed, as she quickly changed the subject, "We're gonna be in so much trouble, you know."
He had to smile at her evasiveness. He could still feel her true emotion through their connection. "It doesn't matter, it was an emergency."
She still wouldn't meet his eyes yet, "You don't think you could have gotten me to one of the others in time?" Ichigo thought about Orihime waiting for them in the kitchen at that very moment.
Unwilling to concede, he answered her question with a question, "So you wish I had waited?"
She blinked up at him and he could read her answer along their unspoken connection. She'd been glad he'd touched her. Still, she wasn't going to let him off the hook completely, "I wish I hadn't pushed you into something you'll regret."
He shook his head adamantly, "I don't regret it and I never will. I care more about you than some arbitrary rules and protocols. You need to know that. I will always put you first, Tatsuki, no matter what."
Her eyes widened again and she nervously pulled the corner of her lower lip between her teeth. "You… know what that sounds like, right?"
He shrugged casually, remembering how well his honesty had rewarded him the last time with her. "What? That I care more about you than either of us realized? Than being a Shinigami? When have you known me to say things lightly?"
She swallowed hard, her eyes darting around his face as though she weren't certain where to rest her gaze. "Because… we're friends?" she asked, a hint of uncertainty present.
"Or more," he replied firmly. Then he finally gave her a mischievous smile, "Give it up, Tats. I know how you feel about me; at least I think I do. I thought by now you would have figured out how I feel about you- how I'm absolutely crazy about you. Even if I was trying to be subtle about it. Still, I thought girls were better at that sort of thing?"
Blinking rapidly now, her face seemed to vacillate between confusion, shock and elation. Still she managed to stammer out, "I'm… not a regular girl…"
He merely chuckled, "I know. I think that's why I like you so much."
He could read the doubt mixed with her other emotions and hoped he wasn't frightening her away. Her face appeared just as bewildered as ever as she asked, "How do you know how I feel? Maybe I don't even know how I feel?"
Honest. Just be honest with her. "Because I know you about as well as you know me, Tats. I know once you realize you want something you get scared." He could have listed off examples but preferred to let it sink in on its own.
She took several long moments to consider his words, moments that after a while had him second-guessing everything he thought he'd known. The sound of the rain seemed to be growing louder.
"So you think I want you?" she replied, her features schooled into her poker face until her own amusement cracked them into a smile; the hand along his wrist squeezed playfully, "…How do you know I couldn't do better?"
He let out a huge sigh of relief, his grin confidently back in place, "I'm sure you could do a lot better, but I'm hoping you'll settle for what's in front of you."
Rolling her eyes, she playfully smacked him in the chest, "Oh shut up, Ichigo! If you were any more amazing we'd have to start worshiping you like a religion!"
He chuckled at that, "Wow. Totally unnecessary. I'd settle for just getting you off this roof safe and sound."
"Already? But…" Her smile suddenly faded, eyes falling to watch her fingers as they absently played with the lapel of his dark kimono, "…I kinda like this… us… like this…"
He nodded thoughtfully, trying not to betray just how euphoric her words made him. "Me too. I could probably stay like this all day with you. But I feel as though I should point out we're still sitting out in the rain. And everyone is down there looking for you…" He gave her back a squeeze with the hand still holding her up. "Do you think you can walk yet?"
"Almost. Maybe after a bit longer…"
Skeptical, he raised an eyebrow at her, "Really? How much longer?"
She rolled her eyes, "The transfers still take time. It's like charging your phone- you can't just charge it in one jolt."
He thought about the first time they found her unconscious, "You did once."
"I did? When was that?" She honestly didn't remember, and instead of telling her he thought about a little experiment, an experiment that he knew would change everything…
"Tatsuki, do you trust me?"
Despite her puzzled look she gave him a very affirmative nod, "After the week we've had that's a pretty ridiculous question. Of course I do."
"Good. I want to try something…"
She eyed him suspiciously but remained dutifully still as he repositioned her a little, his hand on her back sliding up her spine until he pressed it in the space between her shoulder blades. When he lifted the pressure of his palm from against her cheek he could already sense her inner protest at the possible loss of contact. But he only slid his fingers below her jaw to lift her chin; he brushed his thumb ever so lightly over her lips and she licked them reflexively.
"Ichigo…" His name was barely a whisper from her as her eyes slid shut once more, her hand falling against his chest until her fingers brushed softly against his skin. He looked down at her rain-glistened face, so ethereally beautiful in her unguarded placidity. He lowered his head until his nose was next to hers, his lips hovering just above hers until their breath mingled warmly. A tiny part of his brain told him he shouldn't do it- that he was disobeying direct orders. However, the rest of his entire being simply wanted her too much.
With an inhale he closed the distance, lips pressing firmly on Tatsuki's as he pulled her against his body. With a relieved sigh she kissed him back, mouth pliant beneath his in a rare display of submission. He realized it was likely due to the energy flowing into her- this time even he could feel the coursing of his reiatsu into her, like an ocean wave crashing onto the rocks. A pleading moan escaped her throat and she opened for him; he slipped inside, enjoying the exploration of her mouth as she melted into his lap. So intimate, he could feel her satisfaction and desire for him along the connection they still shared, stronger than ever through the bond of their kiss. It was addictive- she was addictive- and he knew before they even broke apart that it wouldn't be the last time he touched her.
Eventually she was the one who ended the kiss, reluctantly breaking away with an overwhelmed gasp. He loosened his hold allowing her to sit up as she inhaled large gulps, smiling even as she fought to catch her breath. Chuckling, she fell against his chest, still breathing deeply as he wrapped an arm tight around her waist.
Uncertain of such mixed signals, he asked, "Tats, are you okay?"
In answer she grabbed his face and gave him a quick yet forceful kiss before she began rambling excitedly, "Ichigo, that was… amazing! What did you do? I feel like I could fly right into those rain clouds if I wanted to! I never thought… I mean… woooow!" He laughed as she smiled dizzily up at him, even when her eyebrows huddled together with a thought, "Wait, did you know that was going to happen?"
He shrugged happily, "I just knew I wanted to kiss you again- it's all I've thought about since the last roof we were up on."
Blushing, she wrinkled her nose at him cutely, "So is this gonna happen every time we're on top of a building?"
"Only when I'm rescuing you," he reassured her.
She laughed again, then settled a very stern gaze on him, "Seriously though, Spirit World-shattering kisses aside, I need to thank you… for saving me. Again." She rolled her eyes at the last part, "I guess I'm just not used to being the one who needs help. I like being the one who does the saving."
He nodded at her words, "I know what you mean. I feel the same, which is why you should understand why I'm glad to be able to save you, Tatsuki. And not just because you're a good kisser…" He winked at her and she punched him in the arm, discomfited. He gave her an affectionate squeeze before continuing, "I meant what I said- you're important to me; I hope now you know why. So I'll be here, whenever you need me, whether it be on rooftops or in rainstorms…"
She smiled at him, "You're really kinda sweet, you know that?"
He smirking as he finished, "…In the shower… After all, you said you get lightheaded in there so I should probably be on hand for that…"
Gasping, she gave him a hard shove in the chest that made him fall back against the roof tiles, "Oh, forget I said anything!"
When she moved to crawl out of his lap he sat back up, placing a heavy hand on her knee, "Hey, you sure you're okay? No more passing out, right?"
In answer she stood up as confidently as ever, even offering him a hand as she smiled down at him. Satisfied, he nodded, then let her hoist him to his feet. As they both stood there up on the roof of the inn, Tatsuki's eyes drifted over towards Seireitei off in the distance. When she sighed resignedly Ichigo reached up and brushed her dripping bangs out of her eyes to kiss her forehead. She smiled up at him once more. In a whisper she admitted, "I have a confession to make, Ichigo. I think I was able to walk long before you kissed me…"
He whispered back, "I figured." Then he looked back over his shoulder toward the window, "Time to go. The others were worried sick about you. We have to get you back."
However, Tatsuki looked over the side, frowning, "You mean not like before?"
Following her gaze he caught her meaning and nodded, "Sure, we can go like before," and without warning he scooped her up into his arms. She laughed, grabbing tight to his shoulders. Looking into her deep, mirth-filled eyes he wasn't certain he'd ever be able to put her down, "Remember?"
She wrinkled her nose up at him, "Yeah. Tuck my head- you're pretty fas-"
He jumped out into the rain before she could finish.
A/N: *SQUEE!* That was such a fun chapter to write! I love fluffy stuff like this but sometimes it can be tricky to write- the pace and timing have to be just right. I'd really love some feedback to know it if worked. As you can probably tell, kick-starting the relationship between these two will have some interesting consequences and of course there are more twists to come so stay tuned! *Reminds you to click the review button* ^_^