~~~~If only she knew~~~
The lazy sunlight threw violet hints onto her hair. His pale skin, she jokes, will turn red as a lobster if he stays out here any longer. He ignored her jibe, seeing only her lips move and the scent of the reddened charcoals heating up beneath her studious care. Voices of their lovers float through the screened back door. Ichigo, his Doctor's uniform set side for Hawaiian print shorts and a t-shirt, flip-flops snapping down the cement, in one hand the platter of meat seasoned with spices reposes. A woman follows him out, her long orange hair cascading down her back in a golden sheet, her gray eyes alight in gentle amusement at some joke her childhood friend had cracked.
He feels a small surge of affection for her, his wife.
Rukia takes the platter from Ichigo, remarking on the lack of peppercorns studing the steaks. The Doctor snorts, decrying to Mrs. Schiffer, the lack of respect he has to put up with. Then he says with a wink, that Ulquiorra was probably a big pushover.
He blinks confusedly at his name, thinking of other things.
The food sizzles on the Hibachi, Rukia cooking it as her husband talks to his friend. Nobody notices Ulquiorra stay near her or offer to help when she looks up questioningly, wondering why he wasn't joining in on the conversation across the yard. She acquiesces, allowing him much too close for propriety's sake. He doesn't mind the burn he gets on his hand, she fusses over him, leaving Ichigo to finish cooking. Innocently, Orihime watches her lay a cold cloth over the marred skin tenderly, he thinks.
Knowing deep inside she meant nothing by keeping his palm a little longer between her hands.
He sees her sit with Ichigo, alternately feeding each other, right then she only had eyes for the man she loved. They exchange a quick kiss, sticky yet sweet, he thought, sensing Orihime watching him. He'd been staring too long at them. With effort, he turns to her, the woman he married, the woman who was to bear his children. But he can only think of receiving an announcement for the birth of a Kurosaki baby.
Night falls and the friends gather. Saying goodbye one last time, before she and Ulquiorra leave for their apartment on the outskirts of Karakura town. She told him, she wants to try for a baby later on in the night. He nods, silently accepting the fact that he'll never hold her baby and proudly say he's the father.
Rukia and Ichigo see them leave, she notes the odd almost pained expression visible in the green-eyed real estate Agent's eyes. She considers remarking on it then doesn't.
It was better for him not to know.
~~~Finis~~~
A/N: don't own Bleach. :) a different sort of one-shot, au of course and um...well was it just one-sided or was there something else?! :D please review!