A/N: The long-awaited Ichigo's Birthday Fic! This is way too epic, and I don't mean epic meaning cool, I mean epic meaning FREAKING LONG!!! I'm sorry it took so long, Hanlyn, I was supposed to post it on July 15, Ichi's B-Day. Unfortunately, writer's block and the voices in my head got together and conspired against me. This one was actually partially inspired by that Kay Jewelers ad, where the guy is taking the girl to all these places and saying "Do you remember what this place is?" and they were all places like where they met and their first kiss and such. I'm like 'Haha, I could have some fun with that.'
"Geez, Kurosaki, can't you at least be happy on your birthday?"
Ichigo jumped and looked up at the sound of Ishida's voice. Standing in front of his desk were a slightly exasperated Ishida, a bubbly Orihime, a bored Tatsuki, and an indifferent Chad.
"Oh. Hey, guys, what's up?" he asked, rubbing a hand over his tired-looking face.
"'What's up?'!! It's your birthday! Be cheerful! Accept gifts!!" exclaimed Tatsuki, thrusting a box at him, the other three following suit. They set them on his desk.
"Thanks, guys. You didn't have to. Really."
"Yes we did! We're your nakama," said Orihime in a very serious voice. She rested her hand on Ishida's arm absently as she said this. Ishida's face got a very slight shade pinker. Ichigo noticed, and almost cracked a rare smile.
"Let's eat lunch!" Tatsuki commanded. "I'm starving! Ichigo, bring your presents outside. We'll open them out there."
The gifts didn't surprise him at all: from Tatsuki, a sweatshirt with the name of the dojo on it; from Ishida, a sewing/first-aid kit [He didn't even want to know…]; from Orihime, a book he had never heard of; and Chad had given him a CD.
The rest of the day ended up going normally, if not extremely boring. Ichigo spent the entire time trying not to fall asleep. He had no idea why he was so tired. He seemed to keep waking up in the middle of the night. He thought maybe it was because it was so weird having Rukia not there, not hearing her breathing, soft and even. Not that he'd admit to anyone that he missed the midget.
He arrived at his house, thankful for the fact that his father was off somewhere with his sisters at the moment. It was peaceful and quiet. He'd take the opportunity to rest.
He opened the door to his room and the first thing he saw was a hell butterfly flitting around in front of his face. His first thought was, Did something happen to Rukia?
But then it flew over to a box and rested upon it, almost looking at him expectantly. He didn't know if butterflies could look at you expectantly. He wlked over to the box and picked up the note on top.
Dear Ichigo,
Happy birthday. I'm sorry I couldn't be here. But the assignment we're on is almost over and I may be able to stop by soon! Anyway, I got a present for you, but it has multiple parts and you have to travel to different spots to retrieve them! Haha.
But I hope you like it, and again, Happy birthday.
Love, Rukia. PS I miss you.
He closed his eyes, imagining her voice. Only Rukia. Of course she would make him trek all over the place for a gift. No one else. He sighed and opened the box, seeing a box and another note. He opened the box first and out fell a chain necklace. A very big one. He then opened the note, a bit confused.
This is the beginning of your gift. It's a charm necklace, without the charms! So I imagine you can guess what the other gifts are! If not, then wow, you're dumber than I thought!
Anyways, the first place you have to go is: About two hundred feet from your front door. I'll explain more when you get there. Well, my notes will anyway. See you there!
He smiled, picked up the necklace, and walked downstairs and out the door.