~How Ichigo Taught Me to Smile~

AN:

Hey there! If you are reading this AN, that means you probably just finished reading the 2nd to the last chapter of 'The True Will of the Heart'. That story was a real nice one, wasn't it? Stay tuned for the last chap!

Anyways, I named this new chapter of 'Life Lessons with the Strawberry' How Ichigo Taught Me to Smile for a reason. You'll see why…

…I'm just saying. This story will be more IchiRuki than anything, really. No 'other individual/obstacle' ('cept Orihime. If she counts…). It's simply flashbacks Rukia has about what Ichigo has taught her [In Her POV, basically.]. It's set after the Hueco Mundo arc.

Here goes! REVIEW~!

-Fanatic99

"I don't get it." I said.

"Don't get what?"

I pointed to the flashing TV screen. "I don't get why that girl always smiles. I just don't."

Ichigo and I were seated on the loveseat [Ha-ha.] in his living room, watching some random show. It was really uncomfortable because it was the middle of June, and it was really hot. I was practically squished up against him, because the Kurosaki's couch was really small.

Isshin and the girls were out to see a movie, so it was just Ichigo and I, sticking to the sofa, on a hot summer day.

Ichigo smells like burning rubber when he sweats. He says I smell like hot sake. I prefer my smell, personally.

Ichigo punched me playfully. "She's smiling because she's happy. It's a social norm, Rukia. Don't you ever smile?"

I frowned. "I don't smile for the hell of it like she does."

Ichigo shrugged. "I mean, I guess it's normal in this society to just smile."

"I smile," I murmured.

I leaned over and turned the electric fan near us on full blast, but the hot air still seemed to kill me. I was already in a black tank top and short shorts, and Ichigo was already in a t-shirt and shorts. I'm pretty sure that neither of us wanted to strip down as much as we wanted to. I mean, it's not 'normal' to walk around in your underwear. Not at all, especially in front of other people.

I sighed. "Ichigo, go grab me a beer from the ref."

Ichigo looked at me like I was insane. "But…"

"I'm ten times your age, fool. I've drank alcohol before."

Ichigo stopped for a moment. "I'll only get it for you if you smile."

I looked at him, annoyed. "You've got to be kidding me. I'm going to melt into a freaking pool if I don't get something cold to drink."

Ichigo shrugged. "Get it yourself."

I moaned and stood up, dragging myself the whole way to the fridge. To my utter amazement, next to the ice cold beers and soda cans in the freezer were, yes, my salvation.

Packets of popsicles. Ice cream.

I looked at the popsicles, too happy to contain my joy. I pulled the box out of the freezer along with a can of coke and stared at it.

"…oh…"

The box was labeled 'Ichigo's Only. Don't touch unless you want to die. That means you, Dad.'

I still reached for one, but I didn't want to take any without permission.

But… it… is…. So… damn… hot….

They were chocolate flavored. It was mainly milk chocolate, with a rich caramel filling, and a spiral of white chocolate wrapped it. And- oh gods- the popsicles had bunny prints on them.

I could feel myself salivate.

I sighed and lifted the box, bringing it over to the living room.

"Hey, Ichigo," I called, showing the box to him over the kitchen table. "You mind if I had one?"

Ichigo turned around. He was sweating so much that I saw that he was shiny. "Bring me one of those first."

I did so, even opening the package before handing it to him. He immediately stuck it into his mouth, and he sighed as if he was the most relieved he had ever been.

"…well?"

Ichigo looked at me, his Popsicle lopsided in his mouth. "Only if you smile."

I was furious, but I still respected his stupid condition and carried the box back to the freezer and slammed it shut without taking one. I simply picked up the Coke can I left on the counter, plopped myself back down on the couch, and popped it open.

For some reason, it got so unbearably hot that I was almost tempted to rip off my tank top [Which God forbid I do, not in front of Ichigo!].Even my ice-cold Coke wouldn't suffice to the scalding heat.

"…Ichigo," I moaned, looking at the sun fry the carpet through the window. "What's the temperature?"

Ichigo checked on the weather channel really quickly. "…it's… 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and I'm not sure how much in Celsius."

I freaked out. "We could lie on the sidewalks and fry to death!"

Ichigo shrugged, continuing to lick his ice cream. "You can. I'm just fine."

I looked at his popsicle jealously.

It looked so good. It was beautiful, in fact. I wanted one.

I flashed the fakest, cheapest smile I could at Ichigo.

"Can I have my popsicle now?"

Ichigo eyed me for a second, but shook his head. "No way. That smile was crappy."

I wanted to wrangle his neck that second, but I wanted something of his so I couldn't get on his bad side.

I cracked him a better smile.

"Now?"

Ichigo looked at me, but shook his head.

"No."

I was angry, but I didn't show it.

"I know this is corny," Ichigo said, scratching his head. "But I don't think you are smiling honestly. You can have one when you do."

I frowned. Fine then! If he wanted to play it like that, I would have to be tougher than ever.

So I downed the rest of my Coke.

One Minute.

Two Minutes.

Five Minutes.

The popsicle was melting now. It ran gently down the sides, down the stick, and soon, through Ichigo's fingers. I wanted some. I wanted some!

Without another thought, I simply grabbed the popsicle out of Ichigo's hand, and started sucking it furiously. A cold wave of relief ran through my body. It was so good….

…wait…. I just remembered! Licking something someone else licked is basically like kissing them.

AHH!!!

I practically spat the popsicle out onto the carpet. The melted chocolate seeped through the carpet, and it looked like actual shit.

Ichigo glared at me. "…what the hell was that?!"

His expression was hilarious. I could feel my cheeks blow up a little and my face turn pink.

Before I knew it, I was laughing. I was smiling, happy beyond comparison.

Ichigo laughed too.

When we stopped, he bent down to pick up the popsicle and throw it in the trash. He carried it to the trash in the kitchen, and I turned to watch him.

I turned around and faced the TV, but I wasn't paying it any attention.

"You see, Rukia," Ichigo said, opening the freezer with a click. "There's no point in being sad if there is no reason to."

I heard him fiddle around in the freezer, and it sounded sort of like the sound you get when crumpling a paper bag.

"…but it's perfectly fine to be happy for no reason."

He walked back, this time, holding two packages of popsicles.

I swear I could've kissed him that second. I didn't, if you were wondering.

For the rest of the afternoon, we sat on that loveseat, eating ice cream, and I realized it wasn't too bad being stuck so close to him on the couch after all.

AN:

What did you think? Please review!

Next Chapter: How Ichigo Taught Me to Dance