Happy Freaking Birthday

by Chappy-Is-Mine

This is a short collection of a few birthday drabbles I put together for Rukia's and Ichigo's birthday and maybe some other characters if it ever comes around. Hope you enjoy! Rated T for raw language.

1. Happy Birthday, Jackass

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ICHIGO ;D !

I know this is probably a few days late , but hey I've never been on time before . This is dedicated to Tite Kubo-sama for making Bleach so amazing to begin with(; Oh , and yeah I guess this goes out to Ichigo too . Enjoy !

I'm not on my own computer and the one I'm using doesn't have Microsoft Word , and so there might be a lot more mistakes in here than usual . Sorry . Please bare with me !

Disclaimer: I own only my fingers and the squishy thingy in my skull .

Summary: "Ichigo hated a lot of things, but around this time of year he especially hated surprise parties. Which is exactly why I, Kuchiki Rukia, decided it was mandatory to throw him one."

Warning: Language , I guess , but other than that there shouldn't be anything inappropriate :D

If there was one thing I knew about Kurosaki Ichigo, it was that he hated surprise parties. He hated the loudness and the shouting. He hated balloons. He hated the music. He hated the dumb gifts he'd get, like the pair of fuzzy socks Inoue-san got him last year. He threw them away the moment the party was over. I didn't have the heart to tell Inoue.

Ichigo hated a lot of things, but around this time of year he especially hated surprise parties. Which is exactly why I, Kuchiki Rukia, decided it was mandatory to throw him one. I mean, I am his best friend after all, shouldn't I be the one to make him suffer for two straight hours against his will? That seems logical.

So that would explain why I was currently lying on his bed with my Chappy themed notebook, scribbling down party ideas with my Chappy themed pen. Ichigo always hated Chappy and anything that had to do with it, so I tried to bring it out as much as possible around him just to annoy him; always works.

"Yo, Midget, get off my bed," Ichigo grumbled grouchily as he walked into the room with a towel around his neck and water dripping from his wet and matted hair. He slammed the door closed behind him, coming into the middle of his room and yawning loudly. He was in nothing, but a pair of blue stripped boxers and an old white wife beater with a mysterious brown stain at the bottom. Damn that wife beater and its tightness. I could see every muscle sculpted on Ichigo, and for a 16 year old young man, he had plenty. To make matters worse, his shirt was sticking to his skin because of the previous shower he had just taken. I shifted uncomfortably on the bed and averted my eyes down to his toes. He had strange toes. They were really long. I made no move to get off of his bed and instead hid my notebook underneath my stomach. Ichigo stretched his arms above his head, cracking something in his back while popping all of his fingers at once without hesitation. I made a face as I watched his feet move towards his desk.

"Ewh, Ichigo, don't do that," I complained offhandedly as I shifted my gaze back to his face. I avoided looking at his chest, but he made it incredibly hard sometimes. I mean, I don't think I ever go around splashing water on myself in a white -very see through- tank top and walking around my best friend's house as if he didn't have eyes; let alone raging hormones. Well, I don't have raging hormones, but I do happen to have an incredibly sexy best friend who likes to wear tight clothes and ignore the words "personal space" around me. I think he intentionally wears skin tight shirts and gets close to me just to watch me squirm. I wouldn't put it past him.

He glanced at me for a second before shrugging his shoulders and mumbling something along the lines of, "Whatever." He then smirked and popped his toe; his freakishly long toe. I could've sworn something in my eye twitched. I knew he purposefully tried to make me squirm.

"I said to not do that..." I grumbled, feeling my eyebrows knit together. He only smirked wider, almost evilly, and popped another toe. His toes were creepy enough. They didn't need to be popped to add to the creepiness. "Dammit, Ichigo! I said to stop!"

"Why're you still on my bed?" Ichigo glared at me, totally ignoring my outburst. He grabbed the hem of his shirt and stared at me impatiently as if just looking at me was going to make me move. Please, this boy knew better than that. Noticing that I was definitely unmoving and keeping my place on his bed, Ichigo sighed heavily before he pulled up his shirt and threw it over his head, and into the corner of his room. I nearly choked on my own spit.

"What the hell are you doing!" I sputtered, instinctively slapping my hands over my eyes. "Put your shirt back on!" I heard the bastard chuckle darkly. Right now, I didn't know if I wanted to run my hands all over his perfect chest or throw him through his window and to his death.

It wasn't that I liked Ichigo that way...that was far from it. I hated the idiot. He was my best friend, but that didn't mean I had to be nice to him, let alone even like the guy. When we first met, he kicked me from behind because I was taking too long in line to sharpen my pencil. He left a bruise on my ass, along with a very big foot print on my new white dress. I still remember that. I loved that dress.

I used to hate Ichigo. He was such an annoying brat, always scowling and always walking around like some sour puss. He was stubborn and stupid, and anytime our teachers would pair us up, he'd never listen to me. It was like talking to a scowling brick wall. I didn't start to enjoy his company until that one day when he saved my ass from a bunch of creeps in an alley trying to get in my pants. He beat them all up; all 5 of them. I never understood why he was trying so hard to save me or why he let himself get so beaten up just to protect me- practically a stranger. After that, we found ourselves talking more and more until it seemed like every day that we would hang out. I still kind of don't like him, but he's grown on me. I only keep him around for a good laugh now and then. And because he's nice to look at.

"Chill out dork, it's not like you haven't seen me shirtless before," Ichigo laughed again. I heard him coming closer and I instantly sat up and scooted back until I hit the wall behind me.

"But this time you're all wet!"

"You went swimming with me like two days ago." My mind reverted back to that day and how gorgeous Ichigo looked emerging from the pool, dripping wet and glistening like some sea God. My Kami, how he looked delicious.

What the hell was wrong with me? Maybe my hormones were raging...

"But...but...! That was different! We were swimming then and now you're just randomly taking off your clothes in front of me like it's nothing!" I shouted, slowly separating my fingers apart from each other. I peaked open one eye and saw a nipple. "Get away from me!"

I might have fallen over, but I think Ichigo pushed me. I lifted my head from the bed just in time to see Ichigo leaning over and grabbing my notebook. Chappy's face stared back at me as I scurried to my feet until I was standing on top of Ichigo's bed. My hand reached out and snatched it from him, holding it over his head in an attempt to keep it from him. It seemed smart in my head, but I think I forgot the whole height difference and even though I was standing on top of his bed, if he were to reach up he'd still be taller than me. Dammit. I hate my small torso. My legs are freakishly long, why couldn't the rest of my body keep up with the process? Ichigo gave me a weird look before he extended his arm only half the distance and grabbed the notebook in his grasp. I held it tightly and hoped my strength would somehow overthrow his.

It didn't.

He gave a hard tug and my fingers clenched around Chappy's face. My elbow came down and ended up smashing into his face. He yelled out in pain, screaming out a string of curse words as he stumbled backwards -the notebook still in his hand. I refused to let go though and as he fell back, I went with him. This wasn't exactly how I had planned it in my mind.

I was straddling Ichigo's lap and hovering over his face, one of my arms holding me up and the other raised above our heads as we both clutched the notebook tightly. Ichigo's face was beat red and I prayed that mine didn't look the same.

For a moment, nobody said anything and I actually wouldn't have minded if it were to stay that way. Then maybe I could've jumped out of his reach with my notebook and secretly flip to another page. I didn't want him to read my plans because I knew he'd find a way or some excuse as to why a birthday party wouldn't be a good idea. Or he'd flick me in the forehead and tell me I was stupid like he did last year.

Ichigo scowled up at me and tugged at the notebook one more time, but I didn't let up. I don't think he noticed his nose was bleeding by now. Damn, was my elbow that strong? Go me.

"Rukia, what's in this notebook?" Ichigo's tone dropped low as did his voice. His face turned deadly serious and went back to its normal colour. I gulped and tightened my grip on Chappy.

"Nothing."

"Bullshit."

I rolled my eyes. He knew me too well and could sense my lies from a mile away. I guess I had to try a new tactic.

Slowly, I leaned down until our noses were only inches from touching and I watched as Ichigo's eyes grew like saucers and his face reddened all over again. I might have gotten closer if it weren't for the fact that one, my breath probably stunk and two, his nose was still bleeding and I'm not very into touching blood. So this was as close as I was getting.

Ichigo only stared up at me, his eyes searching my face frantically for any signs of what I was going to do next. He looked incredibly handsome this close up. I could see every detail of his face and could practically count each of his freckles. I didn't even know he had those -three of them in fact. Ichigo nervously cleared his throat and tried averting his eyes from mine, but in the end he just kept looking back at me.

I felt a smirk tugging at my lips. I knew I had him now. He was too much of a prude for his own good. He had to be the least perverted guy I've ever met, so any close contact to a girl like me made him freak out. This was going to be too easy.

"What's wrong, Strawberry?" I whispered, dropping my voice low and keeping my eyes trained on him while noting how Ichigo's grip on the notebook was slowly letting up. I just had to keep him entertained for a few more seconds. My free hand came up and drew circles in the middle of his naked chest. His breath hitched for a second and I took that opportunity to snatch the notebook right out of his hands. Can we say success?

Uhm, success!

I jumped off of Ichigo and held the notebook above my head, doing a little victory dance and laughing triumphantly. I heard him trying to get up and hurriedly jumped up on his bed as if that worked last time. Maybe the blood now running down his chin would remind him not to try to snatch anything out of my hands again.

"Stay away from me, Berry-Head!" I shouted, pointing at him warily. It took me forever to finally get Ichigo to get off of my case about the notebook and to leave me alone. I told him his nose was bleeding and that he should get his father to tend to it before it gets infected or something. While he was gone, I hid the notebook in my backpack and tried to act like it mysteriously went missing when he came back. Of course he didn't believe me -I actually didn't expect him to- but I told him I'd break his freaky looking toes if he didn't shut up about it. That made him leave me alone. Ichigo's weirdly sensitive about his toes. What a loser.

Ichigo's birthday was only two days away now, and so far all I had planned was the guest list and the location. I still needed food for everybody and I'd have to buy a lot because I accidentally went over my limit. I knew I shouldn't have told Renji he could come. Only an hour after I had invited him , he called to tell me he was bringing along some friends. That would've been fine, if his friends didn't want to bring their friends. Hopefully Ichigo knows them all. If he doesn't then oh well -he can deal with it. I'm throwing him a freaking party. He should be grateful.

Renji is my childhood friend. I grew up with him and we were always close until he admitted his undying love for me, in which I turned him down and we stopped talking for a few months because he was "in the grieving process." It would've just been too awkward if we dated. Renji was like a big brother to me, and I felt nothing more than that. We're on good terms now and him and Ichigo are pretty close, except they fight a lot. They better not fight at this party I'm throwing or I'll be very pissed off. I'm working very hard on this and those two buffoons best not mess anything up.

The party will be at Ichigo's house so I won't have to drag him off somewhere like last year. That took me forever and by the time he finally agreed to come with me -the stubborn asshole- half the people I had invited already left. Oh yeah, but not before they ate all of the chip and dip. I was really looking forward to that chip and dip.

I asked my Nii-sama, Byakuya, to go out and get some snacks for me. It took a lot of convincing and begging and he didn't finally agree to do it for me until I offered to pay for everything. Which is totally not fair because my brother is loaded with money and all I get is $10 a week. It's not a lot when you're my age and have the need to drag your best friend to the mall to buy everything possibly related to Chappy. I guess I won't be Chappy shopping this weekend. Ichigo better love this damn party.

Speaking of shopping, I had to have Nii-sama go get the food so that I'd have time to buy Ichigo a birthday present. Out of everything I had planned, I didn't remember the most important part. It totally slipped my mind until yesterday when Ichigo said something about his bookshelf looking old. I wasn't really paying attention, but I'm figuring he wants a new bookshelf. Or at least some new books to spice up the ugly thing.

The moment I walked into the mall I felt as if I walked into Antarctica.

The mall is really cold.

I forgot my jacket.

Dammit, I'm so cold.

I didn't know where to start off or really what exactly I should buy him. It seemed almost impossible to shop for Ichigo sometimes, mostly because he's so aloof and usually keeps to himself. I have to drag things out of him when I want to know something about Ichigo. Sometimes he'll just tell me out of the blue, but that's totally rare.

I guess I'll just have to go with the whole book thing and hope for the best.

I passed by a tall lady pushing around a stroller and headed into the bookstore. The store was painted dark green and books were stacked to the ceiling. There were bookshelves full of every genre known to man. I walked in and gazed around, taking in the faint smell of whatever old books smell like. The cashier gave me a funny look as I came in, but I only smiled politely at her and turned towards a table stacked with comic books I knew would never interest Ichigo. Ichigo was more into long novels about romance and tragedies. He liked the kind of books that required a lot of thought and made you want to take the story with you when you showered. He did that once with my Twilight book and when I got it back it was soaked and smelled like Axe. Maybe I should get him a shower book cover instead.

I passed by a long aisle of mystery novels, a section I knew Ichigo would practically squeal over. Sometimes I wonder if Ichigo is actually a girl. I mean, he likes romance novels, clips his toenails, and likes to wear tight clothes. He's either gay or emo, I'll decide later.

I glanced over the mystery books in front of me, but nothing seemed to pop out at me and scream, ICHIGO! I didn't want to get him just another book that he'd finish in a week. I wanted something that he'd read over and over again, and every time he looks at it, he'll think of me. Something sentimental would be nice to find right about now. Maybe I was looking in the wrong store. Maybe I should get him something he can use, not some stupid book.

I actually wanted this to be special, believe it or not. I know he may think I'm some hell-bent bitch out to destroy his life, but really I love Ichigo with all of my heart and I'd do anything- HA HA! No, I'm kidding; like I'd ever say something so mushy. I just want to get him something to finally make him smile -a real smile. I've only seen him smirk and grin, but he's never actually smiled. Maybe only once, but that was in a picture I saw of him when he was little with his mother holding his hand. Ichigo hasn't smiled much since her death. If I could be the one to bring that smile back...alright I'm getting mushy again. I should stop before I ruin my eyeliner.

Suddenly, I noticed something that struck out at me. It was like it was almost calling out to me. The cover was sleek and thin, brand new, and shiny. The letters were golden, big, and bold. It was thick and the moment I saw the author, I knew Ichigo just had to have it. I could see his reaction now. He'd hold it in his hands and look down at it in pure awe. He'd be so speechless that all he would be able to do is smile -or at least I was hoping that would be his reaction. Oh, how I wanted to make him smile so badly.

I grinned and reached out for the book, feeling its texture underneath my fingers and instantly knowing the moment this landed in Ichigo's possession that he'd never want to let it go.

He had to have this.

XxXxXxXxX

I fucking hate myself.

I'm so stupid!

After all of this preparation, all of the money I spent, all of the planning and sweat and cursing -everything I did was for nothing! Absolutely nothing! I did everything right, perfectly, except the most important item on my list and right about now I want to just fall off of a cliff and die.

I told everyone the wrong date.

The wrong freaking date!

Instead of July 15th, like I had originally planned because obviously that's the day of Ichigo's birthday, so one would just think that'd be the day you would throw your best friend's surprise birthday party right? Oh, well wrong! I stupidly got the day mixed up and told everyone July 25th. I had typed the invitations...and so...the one and the two are right next to each other...and well a typo is so simple to make! The party on the other hand that I had been slaving over to create was not so simple to make.

I know I could just simply call everyone and tell them to come sooner, don't think I didn't try that, because as a matter of fact I did. The only problem is that by the time I had realized my mistake, it was July 14th, which is today. Everyone said they had already made plans and were too busy to come on such short notice. So here I was, sitting on Ichigo's floor like a stump and staring blankly at the wall and just hoping it would fall and crush me to my death. I had the invitations scattered around me from when I had checked over it to make sure I did everything right -I have no idea why I didn't do this when I was actually typing it out- and I realized my mistake, screamed to the top of my lungs, dropped them to the ground, and sat flat on my butt to sulk and criticize myself. I should've known my scream would attract attention, especially since I have an over protective best friend who would come running for me if I ever got hurt.

Ichigo slammed open his bedroom door, a frazzled, almost bewildered look on his face. He scanned the room for a second, looking for the source of the scream that drew him up here in the first place. He didn't notice me until I shifted to catch his eyes and he looked down at me in surprise. I must've looked ridiculous because Ichigo's face was shocked and his eyebrows were furrowed deeply to the point I thought they'd snap right off. He cared so much for me and I'm big enough of a bitch to mess up his surprise birthday party. Would it be an understatement if I said I wanted to cry right here on Ichigo's bedroom floor and let out all of my frustrations?

Ichigo crouched in front of me, his eyes frantically roaming around my entire face. His hands came out and he grabbed me by my shoulders, tightly squeezing them and giving me a little shake. He might've said my name, but I don't know. I saw his lips move, but I heard no words leave them. Ichigo's hands were so warm.

"Rukia?" He called out to me warily, shaking my shoulders lightly. I finally met his eyes for a second and felt my expression soften. Why was I making this face? I hated for Ichigo to see me so weak, and for something so incredibly stupid. "Are you okay?" Why was his voice so gentle, so calm and soothing and why did it make me want to lose myself in his beautiful eyes? Man, look at me, I sound like one of those girls from the soap operas Ichigo and I usually make fun of.

I looked down from his face and stared at the invitation crumbled in my clenching hands. I shook my head, scowling down and wishing this weren't happening.

"Last year was a disaster..." I mumbled, fiddling with my hands and still not meeting Ichigo's eyes. I could feel him giving me a puzzled expression as his hands on my shoulders loosened slightly. I shook my head.

"What?" Ichigo shook me again, confusion evident in his voice. I groaned and shook my head.

"I messed up...I always freaking mess up!" I shouted, much more angrily than I had originally intended. I clenched my teeth, turning my head away from Ichigo and looking towards his desk. Ichigo was silent for a moment before he finally looked around him at all of the scattered invitations around me. I didn't dare look at him to see his reaction. He'd just tell me the same thing he did last year. I was stupid to think I could actually pull off something like this. His hand reached out and dropped from my shoulder. I missed the warmth immediately as he grabbed one of the invitations off of the floor. He held it up to his face and I heard Ichigo mumble to himself as he read over the words in small, Italic print. I knew Ichigo loved to write in Italics when he ever wrote for school or to just write. I even planned that perfectly, but who would care now?

There was more silence from Ichigo and I wondered briefly if he was thinking of a way to scold me for being stupid again, like he had done last year. He didn't even thank me last year; only told me I was dumb for not listening to him about not throwing him a party. Then he patted my hair down and kissed my forehead. I guess that could count for a "thank you", but at the time I was too angry about what a total tragedy my planned party had been.

I really wished Ichigo would say something now.

"My birthday is tomorrow," Ichigo stated matter-o-factly in a tone that suggested we might as well have been talking about the weather. I chuckled darkly, shaking my head and biting down on my lip. My head snapped up and Ichigo finally caught my eyes. Dammit, he was gorgeous right now. A spiral of shivers worked their way down my arms and my legs until I felt fuzzy. Oh Ichigo.

"Yes, I know that..." I mumbled, watching as my best friend glanced back down at the invitation. He took his other hand off of my shoulder to scratch his fluff of orange hair. He raised an eyebrow and turned the invitation towards me.

"This says-"

"I know what it says, Ichigo!" I barked at him, interrupting him. Ichigo's eyes went wide for a second at my outburst before they returned to their normal size. He glanced back at the invitation and back up at me, still obviously confused. I rolled my eyes and pointed at the date I had written by mistake. "This is where I messed up...again..." I admitted dejectedly, dropping my hand and staring at Ichigo, waiting for his response.

"Oh."

Dammit, this kid made me want to punch him in the penis sometimes.

"Oh? That's all you have to say? Oh?" I shot back, my short temper getting the better of me already. Ichigo looked off to the side and rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"Well yeah. I mean, you tried to throw me another birthday party after I already told you not to do it again last year. This is why..." Ichigo shrugged it off and looked back at me. I didn't know how my face must've looked, or how incredulously I was gaping at him, but all I saw was Ichigo's cheeks heat up immediately. He coughed and averted his eyes from mine. "C-calm down, Rukia..."

I really don't think Ichigo realized how long I slaved over all of this party planning, for him. My mouth clamped shut as I stared hard at him, feeling all of the blood in my body yearning to boil. I didn't want to flip out on Ichigo, not when I needed his comfort the most; I couldn't push him away into a wall -literally. I clenched my fist and breathed in deeply, keeping my eyes up on the ceiling so I didn't have to look at Ichigo's laid back expression and risk the chance of punching him in the nose for the second time that week.

"I'm calm...I'm calm...I'm totally and completely calm and have no urge whatsoever to stomp on your nuts until all that is left is dirt and grind on the soles of my shoes," I breathed, bringing my attention back to Ichigo for the moment.

"So, no party?" Ichigo chuckled, raising an eyebrow at me. I shook my head and sighed. "Fine by me. I'd rather spend it alone." My chest tightened at his words, but I showed no signs of distress, masking my pain for whatever reason with a grimace. I grimaced all the time, so this expression was natural to see on me.

"Alone?" I repeated while placing my balled fist in my lap. Ichigo only nodded, smirking and taking his hand to play with my hair. He smelled like strawberries and Axe. Wonderful.

His fingers wound in my black locks, playing with each strand and feeling it slip in-between each individual finger. I couldn't help but smile, even with the thought of Ichigo spending his birthday without me. He was so close to me, it was intoxicating. I could practically feel the powerful warmth radiating off of my best friend onto me like a giant blanket smothering me into a world of Ichigo.

When did I start thinking of him like this?

The word alone still rung in my head, bouncing around the walls of my brain and pissing me off the more I thought about it. I put so much into my failed party, only for Ichigo to decide that he was going to spend the day the most wonderful, honey eyed, tall, lean, and muscular man was born -alone.

His fingers were still in my hair when he smiled at me warmly, melting my insides to nothing.

Wait, did he just smile? Did I cause that? Was he smiling at me, or for me, or because of me? Just the thought of it made me quiver with delight. That was all I really wanted from him, just for Ichigo to freaking smile for once.

"Why are you smiling like that?" I asked, feeling his fingers brush against my cheek. My skin heated up instantly and I was embraced with his warmth in the pit of my stomach.

Ichigo shrugged and dropped his smile slightly, never intending to smile on purpose and being seen with it on made him embarrassed. His cheeks tinted pink as he frowned.

"Your hair is soft."

"That's a creepy reason to smile."

"Shaddup."

I laughed and watched my face light up in the reflection of Ichigo's eyes. His fingers grazed my cheek once more and I noted how he noticed this, but didn't attempt to pull back. He looked at me strangely, trailing his fingers down until he was touching my collarbone. A bolt of lightning struck me at that moment. I was lost for words and I could only stare numbly at Ichigo as he simply touched me and made my whole body feel like it was on fire.

Although his touch made my throat want to close up, I couldn't help the thought of him wanting to be alone on his birthday. It made me angry and upset. I was always there for his birthday for as long as I could remember, and vice versa. It was almost a tradition by now. I sighed heavily, feeling my chest become taut all over again.

"So, tell me Ichigo," I started off, feeling his fingers trail slowly down my arm. "Why do you want to spend your birthday alone?" I choked out in hopes that my throat hadn't closed up yet. Ichigo just shrugged again and stared at his own hand running down the length of my arm. I felt my heart in my throat and swallowed hard in a weak attempt to get rid of it and send it back into my chest where it belonged.

"Just because." I frowned at him, but he didn't notice, still staring at my arm. His fingers found my palm where he made small random patterns. He either had just made a heart and spelled my name, or that was a duck eating a lobster named Larry. I was going to go with the lobster for this one. "I don't need a party. I just need some alone time..." Ichigo trailed off, shrugging his shoulders again. My palm was on fire under my best friend's touch. For some reason, Ichigo's cheeks went red and his eyes stared down at my hand as if he couldn't make eye contact with me. "..with my favourite person."

My heart leaped back into my throat, clogging up my airways and so the only thing I could do was stare at Ichigo and gape like a fish out of water. He still didn't look up at me and instead drew another heart, this time making my name very obvious as he did so.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"But I don't understand..."

"I know you understand, don't make me say it again." Both of Ichigo's hands were holding my palm, one massaging the skin and eliciting a raw pang of electricity to vibrate my entire body, while the other continued drawing hearts and my name. "So tomorrow, you and me," Ichigo finally looked up to meet my eyes, ceasing his ministrations on my hand. He grinned at me and nodded his head in my direction. "-will be completely alone for the entire day."

Well I had no idea where my heart was now because I could've sworn it was lodged somewhere in my throat, but then Ichigo just had to look at me with those eyes and I swallowed it right down. It might've been fizzling deep in my stomach by now. Maybe I should excuse myself to the bathroom to poop it out. Oh great, I just ruined the moment.

"Oh..." Was that really all I could say right now? Ichigo's grin dropped to a frown and he stared at me like I was dumb. His stare was blank for a second and he took his hands back and set them in his lap. Did he read my mind about the poop thing or something?

"..."

"What?" I half shouted at him, glaring at him now. He grumbled something under his breath and shook his head, still staring at me as if I were the dumb one in the room. Last time I checked, I was the one with straight A's.

Ichigo scowled, knitting his eyebrows together and rolling his eyes.

"I practically just asked you out on a date, and all you can say is: Oh?" Ichigo barked at me, obviously irritated and blushing. He closed his eyes and scowled deeply, bring his hand to his head to rub his temple and soothe away the ticks that had formed there in his spurt of barking and being annoyed with me.

I stared at him, eyes wide and my mouth hanging open. How many times had I gaped at him so openly like this, and all in the same hour? My mind boggled. I had no words except for the ones caught in my throat and the bubbly laughter building up in the pit of my stomach. I could either let out a jumble of incoherent words or laugh right at his face, shooting down his offer to take me on a date and making him feel like the complete loser I knew and loved. Ichigo was never one for romance, why was he trying to start now?

He had been my best friend for as long as I could remember and any romantic feelings I had ever felt for him were kept hidden under safe keeping beneath the layers of my heart. I would -could never tell him how I actually felt about him and how I thought about him all day nonstop. He'd be in my thoughts no matter where I was. He was the first thing that I thought of when I woke up, the last thing I thought of when I went to sleep, and even then I'd dream about him until the moment I opened my eyes the next morning. I would of course never tell him this because he had always known me before as the girl who was sent straight from Hell to ruin his life and cause mayhem because I was the bitch who hated him and vice versa. Apparently my cold demeanor to keep away unwanted emotions; like the ones I found myself feeling lately, hadn't worked at all. Ichigo saw right through me.

That was how we had become best friends. He knew me better than I knew myself, so much better to the point that he could almost predict my next action before I even thought it through.

When had he realized he wanted to be more than friends with me? When had it just occurred to him that I was in fact not a hell-bent bitch and just a regular girl madly in love with him? Did he even know how I really felt?

Ichigo stared at me expectantly, waiting impatiently for my response as he drummed his fingers on my leg. When did that get there? How could he be so relaxed about this when I was freaking out in my mind and still currently couldn't find where my heart was? Wait no, there it was; once again lodged in my throat and closing me up. I couldn't find the words, I couldn't speak, I was too scared to say anything.

I went with option two.

I laughed right in his face.

Ichigo's expression was priceless. His eyes went wide and he jumped back slightly, taken aback by my random outburst and loud, hearty laughter. For a second, he only stared at me with a bewildered expression and leaned back from me from when he had jumped. I was still laughing when his face contorted into one of hurt and he blushed madly, scowling and frowning as he looked away dejectedly. I couldn't help it, but his expression made me laugh even harder until tears welded up in the corner of my eyes and I held my stomach in pain.

I never noticed it because I closed my eyes momentarily in my spurt of laughter, but Ichigo had gotten up, probably defeated and angry, or upset. I stopped laughing and stood up as well, stopping him from leaving, his hand already on the doorknob. I grabbed his arm and clasped my hand around his fingers wrapped around the doorknob. I was chuckling softly, so he refused to look at me, still blushing and scowling.

I had to summon the words to come out of me because frankly, I was still lost for them. If only he would actually look at me, he would be able to see my dilemma. Dammit, why was he so stubborn?

I tugged on his sleeve, my lame attempt to get him to turn towards me and meet my eyes, but he only made a sound in the back of his throat and nonchalantly turned further away from me. Oh please, Ichigo, please look at me. Well, maybe I should stop chuckling first...

I finally shut up and tugged on his sleeve again, urging him to look at me. He stood still as a lamp post; like the annoying one on his desk that never seems to want to turn on when I want it to. It works for Ichigo though...

"Dammit, freaking look at me, dumbass!" I shouted angrily, reaching up as high as I could -damn legs- and slapping him upside the head. "This is awkward!"

Ichigo sputtered angrily and turned towards me, yanking his arms away from my grasp and making me stumbled forward. He scowled down at me and made a face. Well, that wasn't very attractive.

"Don't make that face. You look ugly."

"Shut the hell up!" He finally blurted out, taking me by my shoulders and shaking me like he had when he first came in the room. I almost forgot about what this whole thing was about. Something about a party and how I screwed up I think. Not sure, Ichigo always makes me lose my train of thought.

"I'm trying to talk to you!" I countered, scowling up at him and matching his expression. Ow, my eyebrows.

"You call laughing right in my face when I ask you out on a date, talking to me?" He shot back, leaning down and getting closer to my face. Christ, he still smelled like a combination of Axe and strawberries. I was intoxicated for a moment and forgot what I was about to say. I felt my eyes gloss over and it took me a second to recompose myself and glare at him, still acting as if I were angry.

"I didn't know what else to do!" I tried, knowing before I even said it how lame that sounded. Ichigo stared at me for a moment before he scoffed. I didn't say anything, waiting for him to shoot back another comment about the situation, continuing our banter. Something in Ichigo's eyes changed. I didn't have time to register what it meant before he pulled me in, wrapping his arms around my waist. I think my body was on fire because it suddenly got very hot in here.

I stared up at him for a second, watching as his eyes trailed down to my lips.

And then he kissed me.

His lips pressed against mine hard, kissing me fully and passionately. His lips felt incredible, nothing like I had ever imagined. My imagination did no justice whatsoever to what I was feeling against my mouth right now. He was delicious, beautifully delicious. His lips moved against mine slowly as his teeth raked my bottom lip and tugged and nipped at the flesh. He kissed me deeply and yet I couldn't respond, too shocked to move or do anything, but mewl under his touch. His arms were still snaked around my waist, pulling me in close as he kissed me feverishly now. I wanted so badly to respond and kiss him back -wrap my arms around his neck or something! But I was motionless, letting Ichigo do all of the work.

I was surrounded by his smell, spicy and sweet all at once. It assaulted my nose and filled my lungs entirely until it was all I could breathe, or all I wanted to breath in fact. I was in bliss, blinded by my utter love for Ichigo and this wonderful talent with his lips. I just wished I could've kissed him back. My hands were still limp by my side, doing absolutely nothing. I was melting in his arms. I expected to be gooey and a pile of liquids on the floor by the time he was done with me. His hands were just so hot on my back and his lips were sending a fire down my throat. I didn't know how much of just kissing I could take any longer.

He finally pulled away from me, loosening his grip around my waist and bringing his hands up to grasp the sides of my face. I was gaping up at him all over again for what, the fourth time that day? Ichigo's eyebrows were still knit together in a frown. Was he upset because I didn't kiss him back? Well, he did spring that amazing kiss on me out of nowhere so yes of course I would be shocked and too stunned to do anything. Part of me wanted to slap him for not even telling me what he going to do first before he did it. The other part wanted him to do it again.

I found some words in the back of my throat and pulled them out, although they felt forced.

"Why d-did you do that?" I stammered, searching frantically all over his face for any signs of the reasoning behind such a kiss. My mouth clamped shut as I stared at Ichigo, but he grinned and let go of my face to shove his hands in his pockets.

"I didn't know what else to do," Ichigo mocked, repeating my own words back at me in a high pitched voice in an attempt to match how I talk. I so do not sound like Inoue Orihime.

His words rang through my head for a second before it finally registered what he had done and the meaning behind his words. My eyes widened and I felt my face flush completely.

"Wait...what..?" I growled, stepping back from him. Ichigo just threw his head back in laughter. It sounded like evil laughter to me and I really had the urge to punch him in the penis now. "You only kissed me to prove a point?" I shouted heatedly as I shook my head in disbelief. I had actually let myself believe that he liked me, wanted me, kissed me to prove his affection. And there he was, laughing at me like the fool I was for believing such a thing. I should've known he only saw me as the hell-bent bitch that I was.

I turned from him, fuming now, but more hurt than anything. I stared at the wall opposite his desk with my hands on my hips, trying to breathe and calm myself enough to walk out of here without socking him in the face and leaving him in the hospital for the next week. Yeah, then he could really spend his freaking birthday alone.

I fucking hate Kurosaki Ichigo.

"Rukia, calm d-"

"Do not tell me to calm down, dammit!" I snapped at him curtly, turning around and shoving my finger in his face. Holy crap, my hand was shaking. Was I really that angry? Sure as hell did feel like it.

Ichigo's eyes went wide for only second before he went back to grinning. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into him until I practically slammed into his chest with my face. I could've sworn I just heard my nose crack a little.

He took me by my shoulders again as I looked up to meet his gaze. I could see my expression in his eyes and it wasn't anything near happy, even with me pressed so tightly against his chest like this. How could he possibly still be grinning when I looked like this?

"Know how I feel now?" Ichigo chuckled, leaning down slowly until our noses were touching and our lips were only mere inches apart. I snarled and tried to push off of his chest -like hell I was going to kiss him again- but Ichigo was stronger than me, much stronger, and he held me tight.

"Get off of me, you asshole! That's not what I meant when I said that or when I was-"

"You talk too much," Ichigo interrupted me, smirking down at me. Jerk. He knows how much I hate to be interrupted when I'm talking. I balled my fist and frowned. "You're cute when you pout, you know?"

I rolled my eyes, fighting the blush creeping up on me despite my anger.

"Yeah, I know, you've told me before," I mumbled. Ichigo looked at me puzzled.

"Wait, really?" Ichigo looked up as if he were thinking.

"Yes, really, you ass! You tell me every time I get angry and it never works! Now let me go!" I screamed, pushing against his chest again, but Ichigo wasn't letting up even a little. I struggled against his chest, pounding on him furiously with my fist. I didn't care how good he smelled, I was pissed beyond my words that he would use me so easily and play with my feelings as if I were some toy. Kuchiki Rukia was nobody's toy and I never intended on being one.

I'm getting dramatic here. Maybe I should just apologize for laughing at him, forget we ever kissed -yeah right- and move on with my stupid life. He wanted to be alone tomorrow with me, well too bad. He could spend his freaking birthday alone under a tree and I hope it falls on him and crushes him to his death, for all I care. Maybe then he'd realize how much it affects a girl when you kiss them and then tell them, "Oh ha ha, just kidding! I didn't mean it! You fell for it!" He never said it in those words, but he might as well have. I really wish he'd just let me go so I could go home to my bed and cry there until my eyeballs fell out. Or at least so I could kick around dirt and curse under my breath to my content.

Ichigo looked back down at me, reading my expression like a book.

"Well, I only say it because it's true," he whispered, his breath fanning against my face. He's lucky his breath didn't smell or I would've stuck my fist in his mouth. I think he used my toothpaste. Orihime lent it to me, he had no right to take that! Now it's all tainted with his finger germs and he's probably one of those people who puts the toothpaste opening on their toothbrush when they squeeze! That's so-

"Earth to Rukia?" Ichigo called out to me, poking my forehead. I shook my head and glared at him, realizing he not only interrupts when I talk, but my train of thought as well. How dare he.

"Can you let go of me now?" I growled through my clenched teeth. Ichigo only chuckled, throwing his head back in laughter before he abruptly stopped, looked straight at me with the most serious face ever, and flat out said, "No."

"What is your problem!" I barked as I slapped the middle of his chest in hopes that would make him feel some pain. If it did, he showed no signs of it. Damn him and his rock hard abs and well built frame and biceps the size of my head. Damn everything about him! Why couldn't he be ugly? Just for the sake of me and my hormones.

"My problem is you!"

"How! What'd I do?"

"First of all, you claim that you have no romantic feelings towards me whatsoever by laughing in my face when I finally summon the courage to ask you out. I know I'm not the smartest kid out there, but I could've sworn you liked me just a little -don't know if my ego is getting ahead of me or not, but I'm just saying! And so when I get up to leave because it actually isn't that great of a feeling to get rejected, you try to stop me! And for what? To yell at me and slap me upside the head! And if laughing was really all you could do at that moment, then maybe you need to get your brain re-wired or something because I could think of at least ten other things you could've done instead. It's not my fault that you happen to be my best friend and we happen to spend every waking hour with each other and it's totally natural for a guy my age to develop feelings for a girl like you, so why is it such a shock to find out how I really feel? Oh, and Rukia, you don't make it very easy on me when you come over to my house in short skirts and flaunt around here like it's nothing. I am a guy, you know that right? And it especially doesn't help when you lay on top of me, running your hand down my chest, naked chest might I add, and using your stupid low voice to get me all worked up. You're fucking beautiful, you're my best friend, every time I see you I want to kiss you, so this isn't easy on me either! And if you're thinking that I didn't feel anything when I kissed you just now, you've got another thing coming. Although it would've been nice if you would have kissed me back, but whatever. So yeah, that's my problem with you." Ichigo finally finished and I could've sworn he said all of that in one breath. Maybe two, I'm not sure.

It took a very long time for his words to sink in, and then it took me even longer to process everything and the meaning behind his words. I don't know how long I stared up at him in awe, my face pink, and my hands still resting on his chest where I was pressed flush against him.

So he knew how I felt this whole time, never said anything about it because he was scared of being wrong, and he's choosing now to act upon his feelings?

He stared at me, waiting for me to say something, but all I really wanted was for him to kiss me again. I didn't want to talk or discuss my feelings or admit to Ichigo that I practically felt the exact same way. I wanted him to kiss me fully on the lips, smothering me with his addicting scent, and holding me tight to his body until my legs turned to jelly and my brain melted inside my skull. I wanted to feel the warmth, the smoothness, and tender and fleshiness of his lips on mine. I needed him to make me want him more than I already did. Suddenly his hands felt like hot plates on my shoulders and his lips were just too far away from mine.

Dammit, boy, lean down and kiss me! I'm too short to reach up myself...

I must've been staring at him for a long time because Ichigo's face changed from relaxed to shot down in only seconds. He must've thought I was rejecting him again. Can't he just look at my eyes, my freaking expression and know how I feel?

"K-kiss me," I whispered, my body tense against him and my hands shaking, pressed against his chest. Ichigo's eyes softened before he smiled -my God, he was beautiful- and slowly he leaned down.

His lips captured mine and sent my heart into yet another frenzy.

XxXxXxXxX

Of all the places Ichigo chose to spend his birthday alone with me, he just had to pick the park. Don't get me wrong, I usually love the park, but not around this time of year. It's smack in the middle of July, the sun is practically beating down my skin, and I'm sweating as if I were wearing five coats and decided to go to the beach. I freaking hate the summer. Sweat is gross. The sun is a bitch. The grass burns my feet. And heat makes me want to punch people in the face. The only reason I'm not expressing my annoyance to Ichigo is because it's his birthday and I won't let my bitching ruin it. If I couldn't even plan a decent party, again, then I guess the least I could was not announce that my boobs were on fire and I have excess sweat running down my back.

Dammit, I'm going to need to shower like five times when I get home. Damn Ichigo. Damn sum. Damn hot grass.

I was just fortunate enough to be wearing a dress, and not pants like I had originally thought I would need. Nope, look at me, out here in the sun and sweating like a fat pig. Ichigo stood by my side, not a single drop of sweat anywhere on him. His clothes weren't sticking to him like mine were. His hair wasn't all wet and matted at the bottom like mine was, where it stuck to the nape of my neck. His freaking feet didn't even hurt!

Why did I choose to not wear shoes out in public again?

How could he possibly, how could anyone not walk out into the sun and not want to just die? Why couldn't Ichigo's birthday be in December? Or January like mine? Then we could go to the park in winter coats and I wouldn't sweat a drop!

"Rukia, you haven't said anything all day..." Ichigo commented from beside me, his hands stuffed deeply in his pockets. We were walking around the park on some trail made for runners, but screw them. I was walking here, they could go around me.

I didn't want to even open my mouth because I knew the moment I did so, a spew of curses and complaints would come out me like there was no tomorrow. I refused to do that and ruin his birthday like I had for the two years now.

I simply nodded and shrugged, pausing for a second when we walked underneath a tree. Oh my goodness, the shade feels wonderful! I looked up at the tree, silently thanking it for being there and giving me time to cool down for even a second. Then the sun peaked out from a branch and I felt a bubble of curses just wanting to burst out of me, but I held it in as much as I could and walked on. I matched Ichigo's stride, stepping in with his pace.

He peeked at me from the corner of his eye, scowled, and made this "che" sound.

"So you're really not going to talk to me on my birthday, Midget?" Ichigo yawned, stepping over a small rock. I would've kicked it out my way.

I shook my head, ignoring his "midget" comment, and shrugged my shoulders again. The sun shined down on my face, making more sweat form on my forehead. I wiped it away and glanced at Ichigo to see him still staring at me, expecting an answer.

I sighed and hoped when I opened my mouth, nothing stupid would come out like usual.

"Nice day, isn't it...?" I tried, grinning nervously. Ichigo gave me a strange look and glanced up at the sky as if letting the sun kiss his face.

"Yeah. It's kind of hot though, don't you think?"

GOD DAMMIT ICHIGO.

I bit my lip and averted my eyes, trying to keep in any comments about this ridiculously hot weather. I freaking hate summer. He should know this by now.

"N-no! Not at all!" I lied through my teeth, smiling up at him. "I love this weather! Who wouldn't!"

Ichigo raised an eyebrow at me, looking me up and down. How could he not know I was suffering under the wrath of the sun and wanting so desperately to go inside somewhere with air conditioning and a fan and ice cold drinks?

"Are you alright? You're sweating..."

Is he purposefully trying to piss me off? That's so not fair, considering if he does piss me off I'm not allowed to retort back because it's his damn birthday. Snapping at Ichigo is strictly off limits today. This was going to be a very long day.

"Y-yeah! I'm fine...I love to sweat..." What the hell did I just say? If Ichigo was looking at me strangely before, he was looking at me as if I had two heads now. We both knew that was never a sentence I would've never said unless my mind was melting in my skull. Which it kind of was due to this heat.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ichigo asked again, looking at me closely. Any closer, he'd smell the perspiration down my back. I grinned nervously and leaned back slightly to lengthen the proximity between us a little more. Just because we kissed doesn't mean I'm ready to let him get a big whiff of how gross I probably smell right now.

"Ichigo, I swear! I'm fine!" I tired convincing him as a long drop of sweat rolled down my nose. I quickly wiped it away and turned from Ichigo. A wave of guilt washed over me. I wish I could've enjoyed this day with Ichigo and not have to him worry about me, but of course me being me and Ichigo being Ichigo, I always have to have a problem that he always has to solve.

"You're not okay." Ichigo stopped walking and turned me towards him, placing his hand against my moist forehead. No! He was touching me! "Why are you sweating so much? Are you sick? We can go home if-"

"No!" I shouted a little too quickly. I brought up my hands and removed his hand from my face. "It's your birthday! Let's just enjoy it while we can! These things only come once a year, you know..."

"There's always next year though..."

"Not unless you die! So let's just walk around the park in this invincible heat where I'm freaking dragging a swimming pool around with me every corner I turn! But that's fine! Because it's your birthday and I don't mind being baked to death! That's cool! I'm perfectly fine! I like sweating down my back and my boobs are sticky and my feet hurt like hell, and my hair is getting curly, and my goddamn skin is going to peel off because I burn very easily in the sun! But that's freaking fine!" I bellowed, throwing my hands in the air and expressing my feelings. I got some stares from a few pedestrians and a couple of joggers that ran by. I didn't realize all that I had said until Ichigo only stared at me with wide eyes and I felt my face go red from the heat and my own embarrassment of blurting that out without thinking. I groaned inwardly, cursing under my breath, and dropping my head into my hand.

I let the silence engulf me for a second, feeling my face slowly drain of colour. All this heat was getting to me.

"Ichigo...I'm sorry," I mumbled, shaking my head. Dammit, can't I do anything right?

Ichigo laughed and raised yet another eyebrow at me.

"For what?" He chuckled, watching me as I looked up with a shocked expression on my face.

"Well, I kind of just had an outburst about how I actually hate the place you picked out for your birthday for us to be alone...I think that kind of deserves an apology."

Ichigo shrugged and continued walking forward, yawning in a bored manner. I caught up with him and punched his arm lightly to get his attention and because I was still kind of confused. He ignored my light punch and grinned at me.

"It doesn't matter rather you like it or not, we're at the park and it's hot and you're going to sweat. Deal with it, munchkin." Ichigo laughed, reaching out and grabbing my hand. He felt warm and for a second I forgot what he had just said. He laced our fingers together and tugged me to his side.

"Wait, you mean you don't care!" I looked up at him in disbelief. All that time I had been trying to keep my big mouth shut, and this whole time he didn't even care what or I how I felt. Stupid bastard. "But I'm so wet!"

"That's what she said..."

"You're gross, Kurosaki." I rolled my eyes at him, scoffing and turning my blushing face away from his view. He gripped my hand tightly for a second before giving me a little tug. I puffed my cheeks and glared at him, not expecting him to be so close. His face was only inches from mine. I bet he could totally smell me right now. "G-get away!"

"I was kidding, stupid," Ichigo laughed in my face again, pecking the tip of my nose with his soft lips and going back to his original position. I wonder if he tasted the sweat on my nose. Hope he enjoyed it, stupid redhead. He was lucky he's gorgeous when he laughs. "Your nose is sweaty."

"I know that, jackass!"

"Are you hot?"

"Do you want to get punched in the penis on your birthday?"

Ichigo chuckled, squeezing my hand. I sighed, fighting the fact that I loved the way my hand fit so perfectly in his. We walked in silence for what seemed like forever, hand in hand and the thought of my sweating problem disappeared from my mind. I focused on the God beside me and my heart fluttered as my stomach filled with moths. They kept running into the walls of my stomach, flying like they were broken and making me inwardly tremble with merriment.

I wish I would really think before I did some of the things that I found myself doing. Like now, when I heard the ice cream truck chiming down the road and my ears perked up instantly on cue. My head whipped around, almost popping something in my neck, but I ignored the feeling and listened intently for where the chimes were coming from. Then, I saw it, white and big and coming down the road slowly with its music loud and attracting the attention of little kids. My eyes went wide and my mouth watered. I had to have that ice cream before any of these little brats did.

That was when I did something I would've never done if my mind weren't being baked alive right now. I ripped my hand from Ichigo's grip, startling him and making him stumble slightly. Before I knew what I was doing, my legs bolted for the white truck and I ran like I had never ran before.

"ICE CREAM!" I screamed to the top of my lungs, before I yelled it out again and again until my throat threatened to get sore. My bare feet pounded on the grass, pumping me to go further. Only a few more feet and I'd be there with ice cream in my hand and licking it to my fullest content. And then maybe I'd buy another one.

"Mommy! Mommy! Ice cream!" A little boy called excitedly from behind me, pointing and shouting and tugging on his mother's arm. Go to hell little boy! That ice cream is mine!

I reached the truck, happily cheering and bouncing on my feet. Which wasn't a very good idea considering I was on concrete, with no shoes, and the sun made the ground feel like a stove.

The man inside the truck looked at me oddly, pausing for a second and looking over the counter around where I stood. He checked around me, seeing if by any chance I had little kids with me -which would be my reason for being so excited and wanting to get ice cream. But there I was, standing alone, grinning from ear to ear and reaching in my dress pocket for my money. I already knew what I wanted. The ice cream man coughed nervously and asked what I wanted, in which I could only giggle like a little school girl. I read his name tag, deciding I'd be polite and call him by his name: Gus. Weird name for someone Japanese.

And when I reached into my pocket to find them empty, my heart fell into my stomach and I had the very strong urge to cry and fall to the ground, burning alive and dying right there. I wanted to scream...for my ice cream...

"W-wait! I know I have some around here somewhere!" I shouted in a panic, making Gus back up a little and look around nervously. I dug deep into my pockets, ruffling my dress hem, and even looking into my bra. Nothing. Nowhere. I had no money and therefore I'd have no ice cream.

I could hear the kids approaching, ready to circle around me and steal the ice cream that was rightfully mine.

I turned around, seeing Ichigo still where I had left him, staring at me blankly before he realized what had happened with my money issue and he busted into laughter while pointing at me and holding his stomach. My mouth dropped open and I couldn't help but think of how much pain he'd be in by tomorrow. I couldn't hurt him today, but I sure as hell could do some damage when the day was done.

I twisted around and glared at Gus. He recoiled back and cringed.

"I'll be back," I snapped at him before quickly running towards Ichigo as fast as I could. I ignored the heat burning my skin and the very evident sweat making a trail down my back. Ichigo's laughter dialed down only slightly when I approached, grabbing him by the bicep and yanking him forward.

"I need money!" I said urgently, pleading him with my eyes and pouting so that maybe he would think I was cute and give me what I wanted. That usually worked.

Ichigo chuckled, reaching into his pocket and pulling out some money. He smirked evilly down at me, leaning down and waving the money in my face. I tried snatching at it, but he was too quick for me and pulled it away from my reach. He held it above my head, taunting me.

"Please! Ichigo, I don't have time for this! Ice cream!" I cried, reaching up and jumping, trying to grab the money above me. Why did I have to be so freaking short?

Ichigo grinned, winking creepily at me and raising the money in his hand even higher.

"Kiss me," Ichigo said in a husky voice, leaning down even further until our lips were barely touching. My breath hitched in my throat. His voice was like honey, silky and smooth and made me want to melt right there in the grass. My heart drummed in my ears and goose bumps sprinted down my neck for a race to my back.

A little girl ran by, her money clutched in her hand as she ran past for Gus and his ice cream truck. My eyes widened.

"No time! Gimme the money now and I'll kiss you later!" I shouted, jumping up and grabbing for Ichigo's money way out my reach. I made a noise in the back of my throat and groaned, jumping one more time for the money, but to no avail. "Fine! I'll kiss you, jackass!"

I took Ichigo's face in my hands and brought him down hard to my lips as I lifted myself up on my tiptoes to meet him halfway. He might have tried to say something, but it was muffled by my lips. The electricity that shot through my mouth left me slightly jolted and disoriented for a moment. His lips moved against mine quickly and I tried not to moan, fighting the urge to kiss him longer as I pulled away from him.

"Money!" I immediately shouted, reaching my hand out with my face completely flushed from the fact that my best friend just paid me to kiss him, and how that very kiss left me legs feelings like Jello underneath me. Ichigo, still slightly frazzled, blinked for like two whole seconds -doesn't seem like long, but it is when you're on an ice cream mission. He finally seemed to come to his senses and handed me the money in his hands.

I thanked him and ran away, laughing and giggling to my content. I ran past the little girl from before, pointing at her and laughing loudly as I approached Gus once more. He rolled his eyes at me and crossed his arms over his chest. I was giddy and jumping with joy in front of him.

"What would you like?" He asked in a monotone, bored voice. I giggled again and pointed up at the picture of a strawberry flavoured ice cream cone. I grinned as Gus groaned and reached back into his freezer and pulled out an ice cream cone with a pink scoop of a frozen treat on top. He handed it to me hesitantly, but I snatched it out of his hand and threw the money down on the counter.

I skipped away and towards Ichigo, my tongue licking up and down the coldness. This felt so good in this heat.

Ichigo met me half way with a smirk on his face. I grinned up at him with the strawberry ice cream cold on my lips.

"You've got some right there," Ichigo whispered as he pointed at my face. I looked at him for a moment before I realized he meant I had ice cream on my cheek. I frowned and stuck out my tongue, trying to get to it. I don't know how long I was standing there trying to get the sticky ice cream off of my face before Ichigo grabbed the sides of my head and brought his lips right next to my lips.

"I-Ichigo, what're you doing?" I stuttered as my cheeks burned red. Why did he choose the one day where I'm sweating profusely and most likely smell like a camel to get so close to me? If that weren't bad enough, him being so close nearly made me tremble and drop my ice cream cone. I swear, Kurosaki Ichigo, if I drop this ice cream I will not hesitate to drop kick your ass.

My eyes went wide and my stomach lurched inside of me as I felt the wet appendage of Ichigo's tongue flick out and lick my cheek. I froze and stared at him from the corner of my eye. He was licking the ice cream off of my cheek! Christ, my insides are melting.

"Ichigo..." I choked out, feeling the sun beating down on my pale skin, my ice cream slowly melting and dripping down my hand, and Ichigo's tongue quickly removing the strawberry flavoured ice cream off of my face.

I shuddered as he pulled back, smirking.

"That was for not getting me one," Ichigo remarked, cocking his head in my direction and then glancing quickly at the ice cream truck now being ambushed by little kids, waving their money in the air and an overwhelmed Gus trying to calm them.

I scoffed and wiped my face as I looked up at him and grumbled, "You don't even like ice cream, stupid," Ichigo wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, grinning, and shrugged his shoulders as he raised his eyebrows.

I finished my ice cream cone as we continued our walk down the jogging path with our hands intertwined and the sun slowly dying down. It had begun to finally get late and the sun was ready to vanish behind us and let the moon come out. I was so happy, almost thrilled for the sweat dripping down the sides of my head to finally cease. We walked and walked, talking about life and different kind of pies, and how he was having the best birthday ever in a long time. That alone made me smile and I leaned my head on his arm as we walked further and further down the trail. It wasn't until the sprinklers came on that we realized that everybody had left and the sky had grown dark, our only light being the multiple lampposts stretching over us and guiding us through. The moon was high in the sky, big and bright and surrounded by tiny little stars.

When the sprinklers first came on, Ichigo thought it'd be funny to use me as a shield and duck low behind me as he grabbed my waist. I, on the other hand did not think it was so funny when I got a face full of water and my dress became completely soaked. I couldn't even count how many times I cursed him out while swinging my legs in an attempt to kick him and throw punches at him. Which would've been much easier if he hadn't been carrying me away towards his car.

Soaked and pissed off, I finally got Ichigo to set me down by flicking his nose repeatedly until he got annoyed with me and practically dropped me. My ass still hurts.

We were at last at his car when he leaned against the hood and stared up at the sky as if he were deep in thought. I couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked as the moon shined brightly on his face. I found myself staring at him and taking him in, noticing things I had never noticed about him before. His hair, bright and orange and wild. It fell over his eyes and was a big mess at the top, sticking up in every direction and yet he never used an ounce of jell. I used to loved to run my fingers through it and feel the soft texture against my fingers. I loved how it ended just at the nape of his neck so I could hug him like I used to and play with the little hairs there. He scowled all the time with his eyebrows knit together and his hands shoved in his pockets.

Moments like these, where I wished I could just stare at him forever. He was my best friend; the one person in this world I could always confide in. He was always there for me, rather I was screaming at him or falling head over heels for him. Right now I had the urge to just let him wrap his arms around me and kiss me until I couldn't breathe and my lips were puffy.

I smiled and looked down, sighing contently to myself.

I hoped his birthday was going good so far. There was just one more thing I had to do before this night ended.

I opened the back door of his car and reached in, bending down to the floor and picking up a box wrapped in orange wrapping paper with a bow on the top. I grinned as I closed the door and glanced up to see Ichigo looking at me questionably.

I came by his side, sitting on top of the hood of his car and handing him the box diligently. His fingers brushed mine as he grasped it and looked at me with one eyebrow raised. I smiled, urging him to take it with my eyes. He examined it for a second -raising it above his head to look under it and turning it to look at the sides.

"Just open it, idiot," I said finally.

"What is it?" Ichigo weighed the box with his hand, lifting it up and down. I rolled my eyes and grabbed his arm to cease his motions.

"You'll see when you open it,"

"You know you didn't have to get me anything, right?"

"I know,"

Ichigo chuckled and threw off the bow before taking the orange wrapping paper and tearing it off. He got the last of it off until all was left was a medium sized box in his hands. I waited patiently for him to open it -half of me scared that he wouldn't like it and the other half anticipating his expression when he would see what was under the lid.

I watched as Ichigo took the top of the box off and set it aside. His eyes went wide for a second as he looked into the box in his hands. I watched intently at his expression while glancing back and forth between the present and him.

Finally, Ichigo looked up at me and for the first time that night, he smiled and his scowl eased into a more relaxed expression. My heart soared and I couldn't help but to smile back when the corners of my mouth tugged up quickly. His eyes lit up as he looked back down at his present and took it out of the box carefully.

"Wow," Ichigo breathed, bringing up his gift to his face. He looked like a kid in a candy store. "Shakespeare's Most Brilliant Work," Ichigo read the name, grinning from ear to ear. I wish he looked like this more often. If I had a camera right now, I'd take a million pictures and tape them all to my wall so that I could look at this expression everyday and know that I caused that. Wait, now that I think about that, that would be really creepy the next time he came over and he just saw his face all over my room. Yeah, never mind.

"Rukia, thank you," Ichigo grinned at me at and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, bringing me in close to his side. My smile never faltered as I laid my head down on his shoulder. He smelled like cherry blossoms and strawberries today. He must be using a new shampoo or something.

He set the book aside and laid his head on top of mine. I could stay like this forever. If I really thought about it, Ichigo had been grinning all day, chuckling and laughing -the happiest I had ever seen him in a long time. And to top it off, he even smiled; an actual real smile. I wanted to make him smile like that more often. I wanted to be the cause of his laughter, even if it meant making a fool of myself. I wanted to see his eyes light up with joy and excitement and happiness. I wanted to make him laugh so hard that his sides hurt and tears rolled down the sides of his face.

I wanted to be in his life forever, or as long as I could. I wanted to be with him rather he wanted me there or not. I wanted to wake up each morning with him by my side and go to sleep the same, and I could only hope that deep down somewhere that Ichigo actually felt the same. If I could kiss those lips anytime I wanted or hold his hand and lean my head against his arm like I had today, I'd want to do that forever. I'd want to make him laugh everyday and kiss his smiling lips and be held in his warm embrace -even if it's 100 degrees outside. I didn't care. I just wanted to be with him.

Man, Ichigo makes me so sappy sometimes.

"Thank you, again, Rukia," Ichigo whispered, looking up again and letting his eyes drift over the night sky. I imagined he was counting the stars. I smiled and closed my eyes.

"Happy Birthday, Ichigo,"

DONE! HAPPY VERY LATE (ABOUT FIVE DAYS) BIRTHDAY ICHIGO ! HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS(;

If we were being realistic then you'd actually be 25 years old, but apparently you're only 17 now so yeah(:

Sorry for any mistakes ! My friends would get on the computer and add in random words to my story, so if you see any, I'm sorry.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!

REVIEW! Flames or IceFlakes!

XOXO~ Chappy-Is-Mine