DISCLAIMER: I guess, you know the drill. Bleach is not mine. Words to this poem are mine, though.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Minna-san, this is just a little poem that had been whirling in my head ever since the cold breeze of autumn began blowing on my face every morning. This breeze seems to give me a preview of the coming winter and somehow that makes me both melancholy and retrospect. I've decided to post it here to remind me of the other fanfic I have that needed updating (e.g. What She Feared Most).

The poem is inspired by the images (in the anime, manga, and fanart I saw) of Rukia wearing a scarf. Of course, this was written in Ichigo's point-of-view. I'm an IchiRuki fan, after all. I hope you enjoy reading this short and sweet poem. Ja!

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TO RUKIA WHO LOVES SCARVES

There are some gifts one can never give,
Like waking up to a morning frost
Formed on the bedroom window,

With autumn changing to early winter,
The bed is seemingly warmer
As one's own nakedness.

Meanwhile, flowerless sakura trees
Find the night frozen into their leaves
That glisten now of emerald and jade.

On such a day, I will help you put on
Your scarf that matches
Those bunny boots on your tiny feet,

The one we will sacrifice to the first snow
As we walk, searching for the nearest lake
With the sun making love to the cold wind.

We will watch the water's edges
Struggle not to be ice this early in the season
Its white foam sharp against the blue sky,

I will marvel at the way you look at the morning
Splinter from so much joy
Your face touching the warmth of your scarf.

Truly, during cold and quiet days like these
I find myself fervently wishing
My arms were scarves.

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POST AUTHOR'S NOTE: I realized this is just a poem. There's no fic or story accompanying it. Gomen. At the moment, I'm focused on the imagery more than the scenarios leading to the poem. I'll revise it once I think of something that could be considered appropriate fanfiction. Thanks!