A smile planted on his lips as he walked along side her. She looked beautiful as she looked the opposite way with her big, violet eyes. He was more than happy to have her and he was sure that having her for the rest of his life was all he needed. Eighteen was an awfully young age to marry. The glares they would receive from the elderly when they would walk around with rings in their hands, the odd glances they'd get in college. But those things couldn't mean anything to him. It's as if they were both in a bubble apart from everyone else. To have someone commit to love you forever, to have Rukia commit to loving him forever, would complete his life. He'd be the happiest man alive. He was so sure.
"Hey, Rukia." Ichigo began as he stopped walking, halting right under a tree. Rukia copied his actions and stopped too.
"What?"
"Do you love me?" he asked, smiling.
Rukia blinked a few times and then finally realizing her answer. "Oh, I hate you with my guts." she said as she gave him a punch on his shoulder with a playful smile though the punch didn't look so playful at all.
"That hurt!" he exclaimed, rubbing his shoulder. "I hate you too."
A smile crept up on Rukia's face. She stood on her tip toes, both her hands locked on his jacket. "More than anything in the world." she whispered, answering his question before she felt his lips meet her's. Ichigo couldn't help but smile against her lips.
As the both lips departed, Ichigo didn't care how insignificant this was going to turn out. He didn't care how lame proposing under a tree was or how there were way better ones than this. He wanted her his forever and ever, even longer.
"Rukia, we've been dating for the past couple of years now.." he said, nervously.
"Since you were sixteen." Rukia corrected like she wanted to boast her memory.
"Don't act so smart." Ichigo snapped. "And I thought.. That no one makes me happier like you do."
A blush popped on Rukia's cheeks.
"No one hits me like you do." he scratched his head and sighed.
She bit her lip as her blush darkened.
"But.. I don't mind. I realized I DO wanna grow old with you, Rukia. I want you forever. So.."
The sight of him rummaging through his pockets and then kneeling down was enough to freeze Rukia. She covered her open mouth and tears started to form in her eyes as she did her best to hold them in.
His brown eyes looked back at her's under the shade of the tree. "Will you marry me?" he asked with an open ring box in hand.
Rukia's breath hitched as she saw the ring glisten. She couldn't react to something so sudden. "I-I can't.."
"What?" Ichigo questioned with a frown.
"This is so embarrassing.." she said quietly as the tears finally dripped down from her face. She ran to him and hugged him, almost knocking the ring off of his hand.
"Hey!" Ichigo warned.
"Yes." she replied.
Ichigo raised his eyebrows. "Yes?"
"Yes, I do."
Ichigo couldn't help but smile. "Now can you pull away so I can give you the ring?"
"No.." she replied as she tried to calm down. "I'm crying. You aren't allowed to see my face."
"Aww." he pulled away but she automatically covered her face with her hands. "Come on, Rukia. Really?"
She shook her head. He tugged her hands away and planted a kiss on her lips. He held her hand as he pulled away and pushed the ring further. She took it swiftly, holding it with a smile. He closed the case and shoved it in his jacket's pocket. He took the ring from her hands and inserted into her ring finger.
"You.. Moron.." Rukia croaked as she stepped on his shoes and hugged him.
To be with someone who constantly punched him wasn't such a bad idea. Especially if that person is the one to make him the happiest. He'll survive. Maybe past a hundred years if he could. Or even forever.