Hi everyone,
This one-shot is for the Valentine's and White Day contest of the Bleach Asylum IchiRuki Fan Club. The theme I picked is confession. It's a bit short but I hope you guys like it.
Happy Valentine's Day! n_n
~Some things will never change~
It was a sunny afternoon in Soul Society as she lay on the grass staring at the passing clouds. Somewhere along the months they had been apart, Rukia had come to the frightening conclusion that her feelings for Ichigo were different. This conclusion was frightening indeed not because of the obvious complications of such feelings if she were to act on them but because of the simple fact they were completely new and unfamiliar.
As she lived her daily life doing the daily things she had done before Ichigo came into her life, she couldn't stop her mind from thinking about him. She would then start reflecting on her feelings and wondering why they differed from what she felt for her other important nakama. She had always had more guy friends than girl friends, but what made her relationship with Ichigo and the feelings that stemmed from it different than the rest?
Her friendship with Renji was without a doubt stronger than it had ever been, not to mention it went back to their childhood years. They had been like siblings; fighting, laughing, and protecting each other from the cold world of the slumps.
Her thoughts would then take her to Kaien; his kind eyes and warm smile. Kaien had a love for life that was so contagious she couldn't help but feel truly happy whenever she was around him. Because their meeting happened at such a crucial time in her life, he would always hold a very special place in her heart. He was a mentor, a friend, and the man who taught her the reason why life is worth fighting for.
She then proceeded down her list and thought of her nii-sama. Although cold and distant at first, their relationship had evolved into one in which she was able to say that she truly felt the warmth of sibling love in her heart. She respected and cared for her brother deeply.
And then she thought of Ichigo.
She laughed out loud at the fact that his bright mop of orange hair was the first thing to come to mind. Her thoughts would then go back to the first day they met up until the last painful day she saw his face. Why did he awake such feelings in her heart? It wasn't so much about what he did or about his looks (which she hated admiting but hey, he was definitely not bad looking) It was about the way he made her feel. Something she still couldn't put into words but knew exactly what it was. When Ichigo lost his powers and therefore the ability to see her, she felt like something inside of her had also died.
"Damn..." She said out loud as she continued staring at the blue sky, the trees and birds soothing all uncertainties running through her head.
She focused her violet eyes on the white clouds passing by. They looked so calm, bright, and light. Clouds are funny though. They stir up this feeling inside of you and make you wish you could hold on to them but the closer you get to them to more it turns into an impossible task and a mere illusion.
"Is love like a passing cloud, Ichigo?"
Present time
When she set foot in the Kurosaki house once again she wondered just how much things had changed. The Kurosakis greeted her warmly like they always did and then proceeded to go on with natural Kurosaki shenanigans. Ichigo scowled at his father's ramblings and as if by instinct led Rukia to the stairs.
"Why are you so eager to take her to your room Ichigo? The rest of us might want to spend some time with her too" Isshin taunted from the couch with a smile.
"Shut up old man!" Ichigo yelled and continued walking up the stairs glaring at a now laughing Rukia.
Here they were again. All those thoughts, reflections, and conclusions she'd came up with had been sent into a whirlwind once again the moment she saw his expressive brown eyes again. The funny thing was that even on the battlefield amongst all of the commotion he had managed to see right through her fearless mask.
"You want some tea?" He asked breaking her thoughts as he opened his bedroom door to let her in.
"Sure" She said and he simply turned around and headed back.
She walked in and took in the surroundings of the familiar room. It always felt safe. It felt like home. Every time she returned to Soul Society she would always wonder why the mansion didn't feel the same. It wasn't that the mansion was bigger in size per say, it would just feel inexplicably lifeless at times. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath taking in Ichigo's scent. She loved the feeling of peacefulness it brought to her, the feeling that filled the little cracks and voids in her heart.
The door opened and Ichigo came in with a tray. He noticed Rukia was staring out the window and proceeded to place the tray on his desk. She turned around and decided to just go ahead and sit on the bed so she walked quickly and plopped on it. Ichigo handed her a cup. He then sat on the desk chair and grabbed one for himself.
Rukia looked at the golden liquid in the cup and then looked up to meet Ichigo's chocolate eyes. "Looks like you've become a rather gracious host Ichigo" She said in a slightly mocking tone to liven up the mood and hide away any troubling feelings.
"And you didn't even throw a tantrum because I'm sitting on your bed!" She continued.
"Maybe you'd kick my butt now since you're a fukutaichou and all" He said with a half smile and took another sip of warm tea.
Rukia was running out of digs and was surprised at how Ichigo was acting. He was still the same Ichigo but…a little more grown up?
"After all this time I wasn't sure if I would see you again" He finally said in an unusual serious but calm tone.
"Baka" She said sternly, "Some things such as your thick skull will never change. How many times do I have to tell you I would never…" Dammit she couldn't continue. She had a feeling anything she said from here on would give away her feelings. She looked up and noticed Ichigo staring at her with those expressive brown eyes that were now becoming a weapon against her sanity.
A small smile graced his handsome features as he stood up from the chair and set his cup down. He took the cup from a still speechless Rukia and walked closer to her. He proceeded to kneel so he could make eye contact with the petite girl.
"Sorry. It's not that I didn't believe in you, I was afraid I wouldn't see you again" He said softly. He then grabbed her chin. His hand was rough from countless fights but his touch was soft and tender. He closed the small distance between them and her eyes closed on their own. He pressed his lips on her rosy trembling ones. When his lips made contact with hers she felt lightheaded and her mind went blank. He broke the kiss to look into her eyes once more,
"Ichigo I-"
"Baka" He said tenderly and kissed her nose, "I know" He then kissed her gently by the ear and whispered "You should also know some things will never change"
So after writing this I realized the confession was kind of implied hehe :p
