3. You Should Feel Bad

"Why the fuck should I feel bad?!" Grimmjow exclaimed, his voice much louder than it needed to be.

The cafe was barren, today. Not a soul had been seen since breakfast, but it gave Grimmjow the freedom to sit at the bar as he pleased. The ever-present scowl on his face didn't seem to stop the scolding he was receiving.

Nel stood behind the bar, frowning very deeply. "Ai hasn't come in in three days!" "Maybe she's busy!" he tried to retort.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Ulquiorra spoke up, "Ai's university is on break this week." The boss felt his scowl deepen, "No one asked you!" Rolling his eyes, he appeared unable to escape Nel's wrath.

"I called her to come get her phone today, Grimmjow. You better not be a dick!"

"You DO realize I'm your boss, right!?" "Yeah, well you're a crappy one!"

A snort came from Ichigo, who had silently been doing the inventory that Grimmjow was too lazy to do. "She's got a point, you know." he began, glancing at the wholly unamused man, "Ai was our only regular in a long time."

The bell above the door jingled, bringing everyone's attention to the girl walking through it. Nel let out a gleeful squeal, "Ai! You came!" She ran around the counter to pull the girl into an unwanted hug. "Well, yeah... you have my phone." "Well, come in, come in! Let me get you a cup of coffee." Pulling her to the bar, Nel shot a glare at her boss, "Make her coffee!"

Grimmjow stared at Nel like she'd grown another head, "The fuck?"

Sitting next to him, Ai folded her hands in her lap. "It's fine, Nel. His coffee would probably taste bad anyway." The icy jab gained raised eyebrows from the man. He narrowed his eyes at her, "You've never tasted my coffee." "Then I guess you should get to making it then."

Grimmjow felt rage boiling in his chest, the muffled snickers from his employees not helping in the slightest. Connecting his fist to the counter with a loud slam, Grimmjow stood. "Fine. I'll make your fucking coffee." His anger only built higher as he watched a small smirk tug at Ai's lips.

Nel took a seat on Ai's other side, as Grimmjow begrudgingly settled at the station to begin the coffee that would make their beloved customer eat her words. "Here. Boss found it after... y'know..." Nel smiled as she handed Ai her phone. A relieved sigh escaped her. "Thanks. I was going crazy without it."

Quietly, Ai went through her missed messages. Her heart lept and sunk within a few short moments. Sousuke had sent many texts over the last three days. The first few started out with 'Forgive me's and 'I'm worried about you', but quickly dissolved into 'Where are you' 'Are you with another guy', worse ones following.

"Ai?" Nel spoke up, noticing how quiet she'd gone. Ai quickly stuffed her phone into her pocket, and hid her feelings with a smile. "Sorry, just seeing the messages I missed. They're nothing special."

"Oh, okay. Well, anyway I was saying-! We totally missed you!" "It's only been a few days..." Ai chuckled, the cheerful personality putting her at ease. "She misses people easily." Ichigo added, leaning on the counter. "Why wouldn't I? I'm stuck with you three all day!" A pout came as Nel glared up at him accusingly.

Ai watched the playful bickering, surprised at how pleasant it felt to be sitting with this group. Nel had become her friend quickly, and she didn't mind talking to Ichigo or Ulquiorra now and again. The only problem seemed to be that her and the boss didn't get along.

"Here." barked the man that was just plaguing her thoughts, the mug being put down with a sharp clatter. "Enjoy your stinkin' coffee."

The reflection in the dark brown liquid stared back at her with a displeased expression, that expression was quickly turned on her server. "What is it?" Ai asked cautiously. Deadpan eyes met her, "It's coffee." Grimmjow stated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "It looks like death." "I'm going to force feed it to you if you don't just drink the damn thing."

"Fine." Ai pouted, taking the mug with both hands. Tentatively, she sipped at it. The displeased expression returned as she looked up at Grimmjow. "It's bitter." she spoke, vaguely reminding him of the tone of a five year old.

"It's. COFFEE."

"Ai always gets a cappuccino or a latte." Ulquiorra interjected quietly, receiving a death-stare in response.

Setting the cup down, Ai stared up at Grimmjow silently, Grimmjow glared at her in response. Several minutes of silence spread between the two before a growl came. "FINE. I'll make you a fuckin' latte!"

After several moments of grumbling, cursing and growling, a latte was placed in front of Ai. This time, a badly drawn picture of a cat was in the foam. Ai bit her lip, willing herself to suppress the giggle that threatened to escape.

"What?"

Ai was losing the battle. Even as she covered her mouth with a hand, laughter quietly escaped. "Why does the cat have one eye?" Grimmjow grit his teeth, a blush barely showing on the angry man. "It doesn't have only one eye! The other one is right there!" "I thought that was the ear..." "WOMAN, I WILL BAN YOU."

Fits of giggles forced Ai to put her head down against the counter. She held her aching sides as laughter erupted. Both embarrassed and frustrated, he simply watched her cackle at his expense for several moments.

"I'm taking this back." Grimmjow growled, reaching for the cup. "No, no!" Ai exclaimed, waving her hand. "I'll drink it... Thank you." With a delighted sigh, she took the new mug. "Whatever..." he spat sorely, leaning back on the other counter.

Nel smiled hopefully, as the giggling finally subsided. "So, you'll come back?" Ai met her eyes with confusion, "Who said I wasn't coming back? I had a paper to turn in over break. I was just finishing it at home."

"Oh."

Suddenly feeling a glare, Nel chuckled, "W-Well, I'm glad you aren't upset anymore! I was worried..." Ai shook her head, "I was for a while, but I'd say the deformed cat is apology enough." She grinned, looking up at Grimmjow.

At Grimmjow's expense, the four shared another laugh, and the cafe was harmonious once again.