It's been months since the big battle with Aizen and Shinigami. It seemed as if everything was going to go back to normal.
I was a Shinigami. I loved Ichigo Kurosaki, the hero. He saved me. He saved many lives. He was someone I wanted to spend my life with. But I knew that would be impossible. He was still alive and I was…dead. I died five years ago from an accident.
"Hey Mari! You waited for me?" a voice yelled.
I looked up to see Ichigo Kurosaki walk towards me. "Kinda," I smiled. I waited until he was fully caught up with me.
"Sorry it took me so long, I had to catch up with some class stuff."
"It's fine," I said as we walked together.
Ichigo laughed and quickly took my hand in his.
"H-hey!" I stuttered. He knew my true feelings and I knew his. But there was never time or talk of us being "together".
"C'mon Mari. I think this is a day of celebration."
"Of what?"
"Not sure yet."
I laughed. He just needed a legit excuse for us to hang out.
"Hold on, Ichigo," I said. He slowed his pace. We were passing through the park. The lights down below caught my attention. I watched as we both came to a stop.
"I realized I never really learned to do that while I was here."
Ichigo followed my gaze, "What? Ice skating?"
I smiled, "Yeah."
His grip on my hand tightened. "Well, maybe we can go there someday then."
Ichigo gently pulled me along. I followed him without hesitating.
Yes, I'd want to go there very soon…before—
"Alright so should we eat ramen or sushi for dinner?" his voice said as it broke my thoughts.
"Hm?" I asked, "how about ramen? It's pretty chilly tonight."
We went to Ichiraku Ramen that was close by.
Before I bit into my noodles, Ichigo made me stop.
"Mari, I've been wondering.."
"What?" I asked as I put my chopsticks down. My noodles could wait, besides, Ichigo had a very serious look in his eye.
"We never really had the time to talk, but I was wondering what you thought about me and you..?" his face was covered in a red blush.
I felt my face heat up as well. There was the question. "Ichigo…you know we briefly had a conversation like this. You know it won't work out."
He looked at me with sad eyes and shrugged, "We can make it work. Don't you think we deserve some luxury?"
I didn't answer him, I picked up my chopsticks and picked up from where I left off. I hope he got the hint that, that was the end of that conversation.
After that conversation ended, there wasn't much we said after. We ate in silence and although I was the one that ended it, he paid for my meal. The walk home wasn't too comfy either.
Finally, Ichigo broke the silence. I had tried to walk ahead of him but what he had to say stopped me in my tracks. "Because your dead?"
"What?" I turned to face him.
"It won't work out because you're dead? No longer apart of this world?"
I breathed deeply in before continuing, "Yes, is that so wrong? Why should I be the one you should like? The relationship won't work because I don't even belong in this world. Is that selfish of me?"
Ichigo's eyebrows furrowed as he walked towards me. I knew I was going to get it.
"Of course not! But I want you to be selfish. Do you know how long I waited to pop the question on you?"
Of course I did. We were supposed to talk about it before we found out that Orihime was kidnapped. After that everything was put on hold.
"Ichigo, we can't talk about this now. It's—"
"I know already Mari. I don't have too much time..do I?" he interrupted.
My body froze as I gave him a horrified glance. How did he find out?
His eyes were sad, "I've known since we got back from Hueco Muendo. My spiritual pressure is disappearing."
As soon as he said that I felt as if someone had just stabbed me. My vision started to blur as I realized I didn't have to pretend anymore. No more hiding the truth. Ichigo took a few more steps towards me as he pulled me into his arms. I was definitely not as tall as him; my head reached right below his chest. I buried my face in him. He tightened his grip on me. "Hey now, there's no need to cry," he finally said.
"I have a lot to say about why I'm upset. You should know that," I finally said.
Ichigo's hand slowly found it's place on my head. "Everything's going to be ok." He sounded so confident. Wish I could think the same as him. I looked up at Ichigo and just seeing his face, I almost believed him. He slowly bent down towards me as I slowly closed my eyes…