Pancakes and Watermelons

by ~Firithnovwen

"Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down."


------------------Pancakes and Watermelons----------------


There is something about flour in your hair and eggshells on the floor that is wonderful; the way the room fills with delicious smells and how the end result is never disappointing even if you burn it. It just adds a new and unexpected texture and flavor.  Cooking is not only a nifty distraction it has a way to make an empty apartment, homey.

Orhime placed her blueberry cheesecake on the windowsill to cool. It made her feel like she was out in the country surrounded by a beautiful field of flowers instead of the noisy and dreary city.

She sighed heavily once the pie had cool she would add some of her favorite treats, m&m's, taffy, those cheesy fish crackers, maybe some ice cream…oh definitely ice cream.

She leaned over the pie and inhaled deeply it smelled so good she couldn't hardly stand to wait and then out of the corner of her eye she saw movement down on the street below. It was nearly two in the morning and not being a weekend it was curious for anyone to be on the street at all. And although she was perfectly capable of handing herself if need be her first reaction was apprehension. The person was standing perfectly still, almost like a statue but from his dark figure she could tell that he was looking up at her as well. She smiled softly and gave a shy wave to the stranger. Stepping out of the shadows into the dim street light below. Orhime recognized him instantly being that his flashy red hair and strange body tattoos were unforgettable.

"Abarai san?"

Renji was holding his stomach and even in the dark the crimson liquid flowing between his fingers was unmistakably blood. She gasped and quickly left the window and it didn't take her a minute to reach the street below.

"Abarai san you're hurt!" She cried.

Renji forced a smile "Pretty damn useless huh?"

Orhime looked up and gave him a questioning look "Excuse me?"

"Me that is, damn Hallow got the drop on me…Rukia would never let me live it down."

Orhime nodded getting the drift that he wanted to be as discreet as possible. She took his free arm and had the oversized Shinigzmi lean on her for support. He was surprised at her strength although he tried to keep most of his weight off of her.

"Why were you baking at this hour?" Renji asked as they entered her small apartment. Although Renji had to admit it did smell delicious and hoped that she would offer him some after she had healed him.

"Whenever I have trouble sleeping I like to bake." She said with a small laugh like it was the most normal thing in the world. Renji followed her instruction and lay on the ground hoping that he didn't get any blood of her rug.

"Would you please remove your shirt?" Orihime asked. Although she was capable of healing wounds without seeing them it was a lot easier to actually see it, it would be a lot quicker as well.

Renji nodded and removed his arms from the sleeves. He jumped when she suddenly touched his side. His eyes widen as he saw her hands on him he relaxed his body it wasn't the first time he been beneath a healer's hand but none as warm as hers.

"Forgive me." She said softly and reached out and traced her fingers over one of his tattoos. "Did it hurt?"

Renji looked down at his tattoos "Somewhat." He replied feeling that he didn't have to lie about the pain by acting manly. Orihime nodded, she knew that he was being modest they likely hurt a lot.

She signaled for him to lie down and he did as instructed. Her cheeks redden when she revealed his wound was on his lower stomach. "I'm going to move down the fabric just slightly." She said. She was very embarrassed but knew it had to be done. Renji nodded as she moved down his kimono well past his naval. If it had been anyone else he would think they were trying to get a peek but being that this was Orihime and how red her face was he knew she was doing this out of kindness.

Renji knew that he was dense about a lot of things, women especially but he knew what a lover's touch felt like and that of a friend. That's why whenever Rukia touched him his heart sank so low, but the way Orihime's hand slid slowly a crossed his stomach tickling the small hairs below his navel it felt very sexual and he had to close his eyes almost mediating to talk his body out of what he was feeling.

It wasn't like he had a thing for the girl; it was just a physical reaction and perhaps built up frustration.  And he doubt she would forgive him if he pinched a tent just because she touched him and if Ichigo found out he would be for sure in for a fight, luckily he wasn't a complete jerk and had somewhat control over his body.

"Sōten Kisshun" She says softly and two petals from her hairclip become Ayame and Shun'ō. They instantly begin to heal Renji, whom couldn't be more grateful and the new sensation of being healed was a great distraction.

"I didn't realize you were in the human world." She said softly as she focused on his wounds. Renji shrugged slightly and looked the opposite direction. He focused on a small portrait in the middle of shrine. He wondered who the boy was, and it was obvious that she was mourning him. Was he a lover, a friend, or maybe even family. Orihime looked up where his glaze was and her eyes soften.

"My brother." She said " Sora"

Renji looked back determining whether or not she was going to cry. He didn't know the girl very well, he just knew that she hung around Ichigo a lot and often wondered if she had a crush on the jerk. Although he didn't understand how anyone could like him he had figured that was the case being that she followed him around like a love sick puppy.

Not that she was completely useless her healing abilities rivaled that of the 4th Division but her ability to fight was lacking mostly because of her lack of a killing instinct. She was a very emotional girl, not at all afraid to show her emotions. Whether it was happiness, or sorrow, it was very different from the women he had grown up with and now that he worked with.

They were at times downright bitches believing that they had something to prove being that they were females. He never understood the need to hide who you are, and admired Orihime for that.

Her eyes were watery but she wasn't crying and she seemed to have a look of pride on her face.

Renji yawned loudly which bought her attention back to Renji.

"Are you tired Abarai san?"

Renji redirected his eyes towards her he hadn't even realized that he had yawn but now that she mentioned it he was very tired.  He didn't like staying at Urahara shop, they made him work unfairly and he never seemed to sleep very well there anyway. He was always afraid that something horrible was going to happen to him, those kids seemed like the type to do pranks.

"Nah." He said and looked away. He didn't know why but it made him uncomfortable to look her in the eyes for too long. Despite her cheerful attitude her eyes told him a different story; he wondered why she was so sad. Although he knew it wasn't his business he barely knew the girl and felt bad enough asking for her help as it was.

"Okay all done!" Orihime said happily and the shield that was healing him disappeared suddenly and the fairy like creatures returned to petals on her head. Renji sat up and study where the wound had been, the wound was gone and his tattoos were intact.

"Thinks for saving the tats, you wouldn't imagine how much that one hurt." Renji said

Orihime blushed and gave a nod. "It helps for me to see the wound to return it to the state before it happened, although I could have done it without you taking off your clothes but I doubt I could have saved your tattoos without seeing them first."

Renji gave a nod, impressed with her talent. "I imagine you're tired I'll get the hell out of here."

Orihime nodded and looked towards her pie it would be certainly ready to eat and she didn't get much company. "If you're hungry…I mean if you don't have somewhere to go…I understand if you don't want to most people don't like the food I fix."

Renji looked towards the pie "Sounds good to me."

Orihime smiled and jumped up from her position on the ground and ran towards the window grabbing the pie carefully "Please sit at the table."

Renji nodded he was never one to refuse free food although he had been warn about her taste.

"I like to add a lot of sweets on my pie and ice cream too!" Orihime said putting the pie in the middle of the table. She literally skipped to the kitchen cabinets grabbing bags of candy and then turning her attention to the fridge. She pulled out a box of ice cream and then returned back to the table.

Renji watched in awe she placed all the sweets on the table, enough sugar to put anyone in a dietetic coma. He liked all the candies she had put in front of him and he liked pie although it seemed a bit strange he didn't see why he wouldn't like them together.

He gave her a nod and she begun to pour the sweets on the pie. He gratefully took the plate and laid it in front of him. She then scooped some ice cream on his plate.

It was now at least three in the morning and seemed like a ridiculous thing to eat at this time but he was hungry. He hesitantly bought his spoon to the pie and even slower to his mouth while Orihime waited to see his reaction.

He closed his lips around the spoon and his eyes widened.

"I'm so sorry; I know a lot of people don't like the same thing as me!"

Renji swallowed and turned towards her "This is delicious!" He said with a big grin and begun to eat the pie rapidly.  Orihime smiled and begun to eat her pie as well she never met anyone that liked pie the same way as she did.

Renji finished his pie and despite the sugar rush he yawned loudly he hadn't slept in 48 hours and it was overdue. "I should get back to the shop." He said in a reluctant tone.

"Urahara's Shop?"

Renji nodded "They are so kind to allow me to stay there while I'm here." He said with a shit eating grin. Orihime placed a finger on her lip deciding whether or not to invite him to stay here with her for the night…not with her but on the couch of course. Urahara's shop was a cross town and he looked very tired and she knew that he wouldn't hurt her although she barely knew him.

"Please stay here for the night."

Renji's eyes widened and he looked around "My couch is very comfy and I have extra blankets. Renji looked back at the couch and towards the window. He knew she was offering because she was an overly nice person, but he didn't want to take the offer if she didn't really want him here.

"Tomorrow is Saturday and I don't have school so I can make pancakes, I like them with watermelons and cheese."

Renji eyes widen he never heard of such a thing but he liked pancakes, and liked watermelons and cheese although it didn't sound very good together he was interested in how they did taste.

"Ok…" He said softly and looked down at his wardrobe "Well…maybe I shouldn't my clothes are dirty and the blood isn't dry…"

"I still have some of my brother's old clothes you can borrow." She interrupted.

"Oh…"

Orihime turned before he could object and she returned with a pair of pajama pants and a long t-shirt.

"You are quite bigger than Sora but lucky for you he liked to wear baggy pajamas." She said with a genuine smile.

Renji gave a short bow and took the clothes. He noticed how baggy her clothes were as well and wondered if those belonged to her brother as well.

She pointed towards the bathroom and retreated into her room. Renji changed into the foreign pajamas and hung his kimono over the sink to allow the blood to dry. He then returned to the living room where Orihime was making the couch.

He was surprised that it was actually a bed, had she dragged a bed into here what had happened to the couch. Orihime noticed the confused look on his face and giggled.

Renji turned slightly red not as bright as his hair but a harder side of pink. "I must not have hidabeds in the Soul Society."

Renji shook his head "Well there is a bed that folds into the couch, it's for guest. I don't have many over but I like to be prepared."

Renji touched the mattress and smiled this would a great improvement over the floor.

"Thank you." He said. Orihime smiled she was feeling a little down today but life is full of surprises. She certainly didn't expect Renji to show up outside her apartment and she certainly didn't expect to form a bond so quickly but she could tell that they were going to get along greatly.

"Goodnight Abarai san"

"Renji." He said as he climbed into the bed. She stopped and looked back at him.

"Excuse me?"

"Call me Renji."

Orihime smiled "Of course, good night Renji."

---
---
It was late morning before he woke and Orihime was already in the kitchen busy on her promise of Pancakes with watermelons and cheese. He yawned loudly and stretched although he was longer than the bed he hadn't sleep so good in months since he was last in his own bed.

"Good morning Abarai San…Oh sorry I mean Renji."

Renji sat at the edge of the bed rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Orihime watched as he unbraided his long red hair and left it down as he headed towards the bathroom grumbling a good morning. Orihime smiled, deciding that Abarai Renji wasn't much of a morning person even though it was almost noon.

She had waken hours ago and deciding to allow him to sleep a while longer she had done some homework until her stomach begun to growl hungrily and couldn't wait to any longer. She heard the toilet flush a then heard the water running from the tub. She was going to suggest that he took a shower she was just glad he was making himself at home. Too many people were too modest to do that.

Even friends she had for years whenever they stay the night ask her permission before they do anything. She had always felt rude doing whatever she pleased at other people's house, she took it to heart when people had said make yourself at home.

Orihime sighed and reached out and turned on the radio that is on top of her fridge. The newest tunes from America and although she only catches half of what they're singing about she enjoys the sound. She begun to dance as she stirred the cheese into the pancake mix and hadn't realized Renji was out of the shower.

Renji came out in just the pajama bottoms. Although they fit him alright in the waist they were very short on him and the bottom of the pants just came to his shins. He was holding his kimono hoping the girl had some sewing experience. He was supposed to meet up with Rukia today before heading back to Soul Society and he didn't want proof of his dumb mistake.

He stepped up behind Orihime "Can you sew?"

Orihime jumped and fell back into him. Renji had to drop his kimono but manage to catch her. Orihime laughed as she looked up at Renji, he had his hands wrapped beneath her arms and he was actually holding onto her breast. She laughed because he hadn't realized it yet.

"Can I have those back?"

Renji looked down at his hands and jerked his hands back so quickly it didn't give Orihime time to balance herself and she fell flat on her butt.

"Ouchy." She said and rubbed her bottom. Renji's face had turned the same color of his hair and bowed deeply as he voiced his apology.

Orihime stood up and laughed "Don't worry" She said rubbing the back of her head. "I know it was an accident."

Renji face burned as he glanced at the floor, the girl certainly didn't make things any less uncomfortable in here. Orihime turned back to her cooking completely comfortable that she had just been accidentally felt up.

If he had done that to Rukia…although she is a lot smaller than Orihime…not does that matter any but she would have killed him even if it had been an accident.

Renji bent down and picked up his Kimono. "So can you sew any woman?"

Orihime turned towards him and gave a swift nod "Although Isilda is a lot better than me."

"The kid with glasses?"

She again nodded.

Renji wrinkled his nose "The kids give me the creeps."

Orihime turned around with a spoon covered in pancake batter. "Why?"

Renji shrugged and took the spoon away from Orihime whether she was offering it or not and licked the batter. Orihime smiled

"Hungry?"

He nodded and she took back the spoon "Just go sit down it will be ready in a few minutes. I'll clean you're kimono and patch it up."

Renji nodded and sat at the table "If you don't mind I gotta get going soon if you could just sow it that will be fine."

"Oh where are you going?" Orihime said as she placed the pancakes on a plate. She began to cut the watermelon.

Renji stood up and walked over to the sink "Oh I can handle it." She said waving him away.

"Nah I'm not a mooch."  He said pushed her aside. He took the blade out of her hands and begun to cut the watermelon. Orihime smiled and thanked him and left to set the table.

"It's strange to have company." She said "Nice though." She quickly added

Renji nodded "Why don't you get a roommate, better yet why don't you ask Rukia to stay here so she doesn't have to stay in Ichigo's closet."

Orihime stopped at Ichigo's name although it was just briefly Renji had notice.

"Well it seems like a living arrangement they both like." She said softly

Renji paused he had cut through the watermelon and cut into his finger. He frown deeply he couldn't even think about Rukia without getting upset.

"Oh you didn't hurt yourself?"

Orihime walked over and looked at his finger and took his hand into hers "It's not bad." She said with a small grin and without a second thought pokes his finger into his mouth.

His own mouth gaped open and his cheeks blushed, was this girl that naïve?

Orihime looked up and caught his eyes he slowly took his finger out her mouth and looked away, she didn't know why he was looking at her that way but it made her very uncomfortable it put butterflies in her stomach

"Watermelons done?" She asked as she turned her back.

"Yeah."

---

Orihime watched as Renji departed out of her window with just a nod as a goodbye. She wasn't stupid she had felt the tension she just didn't understand why it was there. She was a bit straight forward than most girls but it was harmless at least she thought it was. Renji had eaten his pancakes in silence he even had seconds as she repaired his Kimono afterwards he went into the bathroom and changed and then with sword in hand went to the window.

Orihime sighed softly as he disappeared, she really thought they were connecting, thought they could be good friends. Just like Ichigo and Rukia however he seemed so tense when he left maybe she had done something to upset him.

Deciding it wasn't best to dwell on it she started to clean up the dishes despite the awkwardness she did hope that Renji came back to visit her, she certainly did enjoy his company despite the butterflies.