Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
To See Her Smile
By PaintedTyrant
"What is that... that thing?"
Ichigo turned around. Why had he decided to take her out to the mall anyway. He should have known that she would ask him annoying questions all day.
"It's a game. Here, I'll show you."
Sighing, Ichigo took out a coin from his wallet and carefully placed it into the slot. Lights lit up on the machine and he chuckled as Rukia jumped back in wonder and surprise.
"How do you play this game?"
"Che, I told you already, I'll show you."
Very carefully, Ichigo moved the lever, making sure that the metal claw was aligned perfectly above the doll. Satisfied with the position, Ichigo pressed the little red button.
As the metal claw descended, Ichigo heard a gasp to his left. Rukia had her nose pressed against the glass, eyes twinkling in fascination at her new discovery, while Ichigo watched as her eyes trailed the path of the device. He realized that this was why he put up with her.
He wanted to show her that the world was a wonderful place and that work wasn't the only thing to live for. He wanted to show her so many things, just so that he would be able to savor that instant when her eyes light up and the edges of her lips tilt upwards to form a small smile. He had decided long ago that she was pretty like that.
A little 'ding' signalled to him that the metal claw had reached the end of its journey. Bending down, he reached his hand into the plastic box to retrieve the prize. He had purposely aligned the claw over the doll of a smiling bunny, just because he knew Rukia liked them. Slowly, he reached his arm out towards her, gesturing for her to take the doll.
Her face broke out into a wide smile as she nimbly reached out to take it. She murmured a small "thank you" before proceeding to hug the doll against her chest. She was happy. He had made her happy.
As he let out a rare smile, he remembered the other reason he put up with her.
A/N: And that reason is up for speculation. If no one can guess why, then I have failed as a writer...