Author's Note: This very short story is written from Rukia's POV. There are references to Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet (On Love); if you're familiar with the reading you'll understand. I hope this makes you smile; it's mushy, I know…watching too many IchiRuki moments is bad for my inner fangirl's heart. As usual, reviews will be cherished abundantly.
Disclaimer: Kubo owns BLEACH.
Dear Love
Dear Love,
I didn't know who you were. I'd heard of you a lot, of course, but I was yet to meet you. You were like this person to whom I am related yet have never met in my entire life. I'd been waiting for a long time to meet you and know you and cherish you. I couldn't wait for that day to come. I couldn't wait to look at you in the eyes and hear the words from your sacred heart.
People say you appear to us in different kinds of manifestation. Some will see you in a tragic light while some others will meet you in tears of joy. Some others will know you through pain and weaknesses, and some people will encounter you in an emotional rollercoaster ride.
It's just the way you reach out to us who have been longing to meet you and know you.
And I'm not complaining.
Even if you appeared to me in a way I'd never imagined how.
Dear Love,
Let me ask you a question. Do you connect people through destiny? Do you match up a couple through an accidental encounter? How do you know that two people are destined to be with each other? How do you choose me as your vessel to deliver your words to the other person? How do you choose the other person to show who you are to me?
Love, you have a quirky sense of humour. I'm sorry, but it needs to be said. I'd never imagined you'd appear to me in the form of a teenage boy with loud orange hair and a scowl that would put Nii-sama's or Hitsugaya-taichou's to shame.
But you did.
And I'd never have it the other ways. I would never.
Because you are perfect, and I love how you reach out to me through this boy with everything he has: his strengths, his weaknesses, his fears, his dreams and hopes…
You are perfect.
Love, I believe that if we want to love another person completely, we must accept that person as a whole. Sure, I love Ichigo's smile, I love Ichigo's eyes, I love how he calls my name, I love how he's a big goof with a big heart to boot…but I also love and accept his weaknesses. I won't ditch him just because he has that hollow in him. I won't be afraid of his whole entity. I won't condemn him when he can't fight. I'll protect him just like how he protects me, over and over again.
And through him, you are beautiful. More beautiful than anything I've known.
I am so glad that it was you. And him. I'm so glad that I get to know you, in your most splendid form, through Ichigo. If this isn't love, I don't know what is. If this isn't love, I don't know who you are.
I'm so grateful that you find me worthy, for I've been told that one should not direct the course of love; if you find us worthy, you'll direct your own course.
Dear Love,
Now that I know and remember you again, thank you so much for trusting me and bringing Ichigo to my life. Thank you so much for bringing us together in this lifetime, just like you did in many other lifetimes. I believe that you'll never leave us. I believe that you'll always be with us, even if the barrier between life and death will sometimes bring you away for a little while.
Thank you for loving me and crucifying me and embracing me and stabbing me and doing everything that you're supposed to do. For knowing you is to bleed willingly and joyfully, and I'm glad that I do.
I'm so glad that I found you.
With love,
Kuchiki Rukia.
FIN