4. How Can You Tell?

Snow was upon the crew at Cafe Sixx, slowing the already snail-paced business to a stand-still. Being late-November, the weather was an understandable frustration, but a frustration none-the-less. In a show of irritation, Grimmjow pressed his forehead against the glass window, and growled. A blanket of white as far as the eye can see, even their outside-tables had been buried under the devil substance.

"Grim, you might as well relax. There's no way we're getting customers in this..." called Ichigo, poking his head out from the back room. Grimmjow only growled again in response. Stupid snow. Stupid November. Stupid street-plow that never showed up that morning.

Amidst his mental tirade on the elements, he failed to notice Ai, until she was standing opposite of him outside the window. She stared up at him, probably trying to assess his awkward position, hunched over with his forehead stuck to the glass.

"What are you doing?" she asked, prompting an embarrassed blush to spread on the man's face. Scowling suddenly, Grimmjow chose to retaliate by shouting, "What are YOU doing?" Ai paused, assuming what she was doing was obvious. "Waiting to come inside..." she explained slowly. Her hand pointed in the direction of the entrance, "Your door is locked."

In that moment, Grimmjow wanted to smash his forehead through the glass, but had decided that fixing it would cost entirely too much money. Instead, he chose to just unlock the door, and open it for the waiting woman outside.

Ai hurried in, shaking the snow from her head and letting out an audible shiver.

"I meant..." Grimmjow started, his voice at a normal octave now. "What are you doing outside in THAT." He motioned to the snow, watching her peel the soaked cloth coat from herself. Decidedly distracted, Ai shrugged, "I wanted coffee."

Grimmjow snatched her coat away, hanging it on the coat rack. "Where's Nel? ...and Ulquiorra for that matter?" Ai asked, parking herself comfortably at the bar. With his eyes narrowing suspiciously, Grimmjow made his way to the machines to start on Ai's drink. "They live too far away to come here in this crap." "Are you the only one here?" she inquired, surprised. "No," he answered, "Ichigo is in the back room." "You guys live close?"

"You're asking a lot of questions." Grimmjow noted, looking back at the snow-soaked woman. A pout came over her, "I'm just curious."

He raised an eyebrow, staring boredly at the wall as he debated with himself whether he believed her or not. "I think you need to stop hanging out with Nel so much." muttered Grimmjow, before answering her question anyway. "Ichigo does. I live above the cafe." "I see." she said, nodding in understanding.

Silence fell between them, as Ai finally ran out of things to ask. At the forefront of his mind, there was a question Grimmjow wanted to ask, but wondered if he'd be better off just keeping it to himself. Ai had to know what she was doing was weird. There hadn't been a soul on the street since the snow started, yet here she was, sitting in his cafe with no explanation.

'Maybe she really likes snow?' Grimmjow asked himself sarcastically.

Finishing up, he set the warm mug down for Ai. The stare she was giving it went on much too long for Grimmjows' liking. Feeling a growl escape, he grit his teeth. "What's wrong with it this time?"

"No picture?" she asked, almost seeming innocent. Grimmjow glared at her, "You're not funny." "I'm a little funny."

He watched her shrug, and pick up the mug with both hands. Besides being soaked, she looked less put together than usual, like she had thrown her clothes on and rushed out in a hurry. The question on Grimmjow's tongue became more palpable, but he was interupted before he could ask it.

Ai let out a comfortable sigh as the coffee warmed her from the inside out, "That feels much better. It really is freezing out." Continuing to stare at her, Grimmjow narrowed his eyes. "Well, it's kind of a blizzard outside. What were you thinking coming out in it? You're going to catch pneumonia."

"Aww, Grim, you almost sound worried about me." she teased, a smile coming to her lightly glossed lips. Grimmjow scowled in response, and answered too quickly, "No!" he grit his teeth for the second time, "Nel would rip my arms off and tell me it's my fault." Ai stifled her giggle. "No, I won't let her do that. Who else would make my coffee?" "Literally any one else in the cafe." "You're mean." Ai pouted, glaring half-heartedly at him over the rim of her cup.

Grimmjow could only roll his eyes. Was Ai always this talkative? He supposed he wouldn't really know. Over the three months she'd been coming, Ai really only talked to Nel. Well, Nel, Ichigo, and sometimes Ulquiorra when he was feeling talkative.

Okay, so, he was the only one she didn't talk to often.

That wasn't Grimmjow's fault, he was busy taking care of the cafe most of the time. He didn't have time to take frequent breaks like Nel, except for on days like today. Absently, he supposed it wouldn't be too weird to want to strike up a conversation when there were only two people in the room. It's better than an awkward silence.

"Is there something on my face?" Ai asked. Grimmjow hadn't realized he was staring, and now had to cover up the fact that he'd zoned out watching her.

"You hate bitter drinks, but you like coffee. How does that make sense?" he asked, folding his arms. Ai stared at him for a moment before shrugging, "Coffee doesn't always have to be bitter. Especially when you put cream and sugar in it, and the occasional deformed cat." she giggled. "Would you drop the deformed cat thing!?" "Nope."

Grimmjow let out a frustrated sigh. "Ulquiorra draws me nice things." she spoke through a pout, once again sipping her drink. She was met with another glare, "Well don't ask me to make you coffee, then!" Ai continued to pout, though it was quickly broken by a small smile. "I dunno, I think I'm getting used to the taste of yours."

"I'm serving you black coffee next time." "Gross, please don't."

"Are you sure you don't want me to ask Ichigo to take you home?" Grimmjow grumbled, watching Ai slide into her coat. "I'll be fine. My apartment is only a block away."

Without another word, she waved to the two remaining men, and quietly left the shop. They stayed in silence for a few moments before Grimmjow grumbled.

"Who goes out in the middle of a snow storm for coffee?" Ichigo paused thoughtfully, before replying, "Maybe something was going on at her place." Grimmjow looked back at him, a deep frown coming over his face, "How can you tell?"

Ichigo shrugged, "She just had a two hour conversation with you."

Grimmjow would have glared at Ichigo if he didn't already know he was right.