04. Chocolate Covered Ichigo

Summary: It's a Japanese tradition for women to give the special men in their life chocolates during Valentines Day. Ichixruki and slight UryuxHime

Bleach is not mine.

"Kuchiki-san, have you done your chocolate shopping for tomorrow?" Orihime asked. They walked together on their way home because Ichigo was asked to help in cleaning up their classroom. Rukia was supposed to wait for him outside the gate but Orihime almost dragged her to come.

"Chocolate shopping? Why? What are they for, Inoue?" Rukia asked with a confused look on her face. She maybe a hundred and fifty year old but she was still very clueless when it came to the living world.

"It's Valentine's day tomorrow and well, girls can give chocolates to the guys they like well, not exclusively guys they like, you can also give some to friends and family but you make an extra special one for that one person that is very dear to you," she said with a slight blush on her face. "It's the season of hearts after all," she grinned at her friend.

"Interesting," Rukia brightened up at the idea. "So we can give out chocolates, but what about girls what do we get in return?" she asked curiously.

"Well, after a month we will celebrate White day and if that special person likes you back you will receive a gift in return, well, some would just be gifts of gratitude while some maybe extra special," Orihime replied her eyes shined with delight.. "Tomorrow you can express your true feelings to the person special to you," she added.

They reached the shopping district and they went inside a store that specifically sells sweets and chocolates. Rukia was awestruck by the delectable display of chocolate of different shapes and sizes.

"Here we are," Orihime said. "I'll be buying some chocolates for Sado-kun," she pointed a bunch of chocolates that were covered in golder foil which made it look like coins. "I'll buy some for Kurosaki-kun as well," she said a slight blush on her face as she pointed on the bunch of chocolate shaped hearts. "I mean he's also a good friend," she added.

Rukia somehow understood, Orihime still had some feelings for Ichigo. "I really don't mind Inoue-san," she muttered.

Orihime gave her a gentle smile of understanding to what Rukia said. "But the chocolate I will be giving to Uryuu-kun would be special because I'll be making them myself," Orihime added excitedly. "He's been very kind to me. He always checks on me and visits me at home when he has the time."

Rukia smiled at the thought of Inoue finding someone who cared for her so much.

She was glad that her friend was trying her best to move on from her infatuation with Ichigo. To be honest with herself Rukia was actually relieved and she isn't actually sure why.

"So what will you be getting for Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime asked as she started to pay for her purchase.

'It's a good thing I saved the money Ichigo gave me,' she thought to herself. "I'll get some of those," she said as she pointed to the bunch of chocolate hearts. "I'll give some to Chad, Ishida, Asano-kun, Mizuiro-kun and some for Ichigo's otousan too. Oh and I also have to buy some for Nii-sama, Ukitake-taicho, Renji and the others."

"What about Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime asked.

Rukia looked at a big truffle that looked like a rabbit. She considered buying it but then realized that she might not be able to give it to Ichigo to eat. She then thought of a better Idea. "I'll make something for him as well," Rukia exclaimed as she cheerfully grinned. "Can you help me find some chocolates for melting?" she asked Orihime.

Her friend giggled and well even if it was uncharacteristically like her, Rukia did the same.

Both girls came out of the store with their bags of chocolate. They dropped by the fruit store to buy some more ingredients. Rukia and Orihime had to go on their own way home.

"Well, see you tomorrow Kuchiki-san!" Orihime clumsily waved goodbye almost toppling down the packages she was carrying.

Rukia was supposed to go to her when her friend motioned that she was okay. Orihime was able to compose herself then she gave Rukia a sweet smile before she turned the corner to go to her house.

Rukia ran fast as she could to hide her chocolates in the refrigerator. She then spoke to Yuzu and told her that she would be needing her help later. She quickly dashed back outside. She realized that Ichigo would still be waiting outside the school.

"Where the hell were you?" Ichigo yelled at her with sheer annoyance. "I told you to wait for me and you ran off. I should have known that you'd be making me wait instead. I shouldn't have asked to be excused early."

"Be thankful I came back," Rukia said with the same level of annoyance. She was truly sorry for not coming back earlier but because Ichigo yelled at her first she didn't want to give him the benefit of seeing her feeling sorry for what she did. "Stop yapping, let's go home."

Ichigo shut up and they silently walked together back home.

Ichigo went straight to his room and Rukia didn't even bother following him instead she went to the kitchen to start with her project. Yuzu was already waiting for her with Karin seating by the dining table.

After a few hours of working in the kitchen and Karin preventing Ichigo from going there, Rukia's chocolate masterpiece was almost done.

"Rukia-neechan, I think it's too pretty to be for Ichi-nii," Karin commented as they marveled at Rukia and Yuzu's creation. "We'll just finish the rest tonight when Ichi-nii is already sleeping."

Ichigo was annoyed beyond anything else. He asked her to wait for him outside and he ended up waiting for her for almost an hour and she went to god-knows-where, she wouldn't even say.

He busied himself with finishing his school work. 'She didn't even follow me in here,' he thought.

"Oi Ichigo! Where is Nee-san?" Kon poked out his head from the closet.

"Probably down stairs, I honestly don't care," the carrot-top grunted.

"You had a row with Nee-chan again and to think it's Valentines day tomorrow. I heard all about it from Yuzu-chan. I guess you won't be getting any chocolates," Kon taunted. "I'll be heading down stairs. I hate to bother you while you study." The plushie was about to get out of the room and Ichigo grabbed him and stuffed him in the closet before shutting the door.

"Stay out of the way Kon," he grunted. Ichigo was even more pissed now. It's not like he expected anything from Rukia. She probably doesn't even know about those things.

Dinner went quietly, with no bantering or bickering from Rukia and Ichigo, they seemed like a normal family. Isshin was dying to ask why everyone was acting so weird but somehow fought the urge too.

Rukia went inside the room she shared with Ichigo's two sisters. He wanted to go and ask her what's wrong and even apologize if he had too. The fact that she was not talking to him bothered him so much. That night Ichigo couldn't sleep, he finally got a shut eye when he looked out the window and saw the sun almost coming up.

That morning Ichigo woke up late. "What time is it?" he looked at his side clock and he over slept. His classes started two hours ago. Where were his dad's morning surprise attacks when he needed them? He freshened up and dressed for school. Kon was humming to himself inside the closet and when Ichigo opened the closet door Kon was hugging a chocolate heart wrapped in plastic.

"Oi, Ichigo you're late for school!" Kon said before closing the closet door. Ichigo wanted to give the plushie a well deserved beating but realized that he wouldn't get to school in time for third period. He almost flew down stairs

He was about to dash outside when he caught sight of his dad. He was sipping coffee while marveling at a small package of heart shaped chocolates.

"Where did you get that?" Ichigo asked as he stopped in his tracks.

"Ohayo, oh this was a valentine's gift from Rukia-chan. She said it's for the kindness that I have showed her and for letting her stay with us. Ichigo, if I were you I will ask Rukia-chan out before someone else does. She would be a very beautiful addition to our little family," Isshin said in his usual wishy washy way.

"Shut up old man. Where is she did she go to school already? She didn't even wake me up," Ichigo grunted.

"She had left early and specifically told me to not attack you because you may need some more sleep. She said she will visit some people before going to school. She should already be at school now so if you want to catch up with her you should be moving along.

Ichigo met his classmates just as they came back from their snack break.

"Ichigo!" Keigo ran up to him and greeted him excitedly. He noticed the package with the chocolate hearts.

"Rukia-chan gave me these. Did you get any from her?" Keigo asked him with a proud look on his face.

"No, she didn't give me any," Ichigo retorted.

Keigo flashed his winning smile. "Too bad then, Mizuiro and I got some, Sado-kun and Ishida as well."

"Not like I care," the pissed Ichigo replied then walked towards his seat. Rukia was sleeping, her head resting on her desk. Ichigo put his bag down and sat on his assigned seat. He looked at Rukia who looked so peaceful. For some reason he found himself glued at the sight of the sleeping Rukia.

"Kurosaki-kun," Orihime said in a hushed voice. "Happy Valentines," she said as she handed him a bunch of heart shaped chocolates that looked like they came from the same place where Rukia got the chocolates for his father and Keigo. "and this one is from Tatsuki." She said as she handed him another package of chocolates in tiny car boxes.

"Thanks, Inoue," he smiled at her. Orihime smiled back before she went back to her seat where Ishida was holding a bag that seemed to be full of chocolates. Orihime sat next to Ishida then started feeding the bespectacled boy the chocolates.

Ichigo was glad with what he saw. Inoue and Ishida were smiling at each other like love sick puppies. Then his gaze fell back on the sleeping Rukia. 'She went inside their room early and yet she's sleeping like she hadn't slept all night.

The class went on. Surprisingly no one bothered to wake up Rukia not even their teacher. The bell rang signaling that it was already the end of their class and as if on queue Rukia opened her eyes.

"Did I sleep the whole time?" she absentmindedly asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"You bet you did," Ichigo replied. He didn't feel like arguing with her. The thought of what happened yesterday hunted him. He wouldn't be able to stand another day with Rukia ignoring him so he tried his best to be calm and composed.

"Oh. I thought you would be sleeping in the whole day? Didn't think you'd make it to school," Rukia said. "We should be heading home now." She stood up and made her way to the door.

Ichigo was stopping the urge to ask her why she gave his dad, Kon, Ishida, and the other guys not to mention freakin' Keigo chocolates and not bothering to give him any. 'Was she really that pissed off with me?' he asked himself.

"Are you coming, slow poke?" Rukia asked. She looked at him and rolled her eyes before walking out of the room.

Ichigo followed behind once again he was drowning in deafening silence. He wished Rukia would lash at him or something because it was much better than not talking to her at all.

"I'm sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to keep you waiting. I went with Inoue-san to the shopping district to buy chocolates. I lost track of time. I hope you're not mad at me," Rukia said as they approach the front door of the Kurosaki Clinic.

"I'm not angry I was just worried, that's all," Ichigo replied scratching the back of his head. "Let's get inside I think it's gonna rain tonight." The sky was starting to fill slowly with grey clouds.

They went inside the house. Ichigo made his way to the stairs but stopped, "hey maybe you can swing by my room tonight so we can work on the school work you slept on a while ago," she called out to Rukia who was making her way to the kitchen.

"Be right there in a sec. Can you also bring Kon to Yuzu's room so I wouldn't have to deal with him later," Rukia asked before she disappeared to the kitchen.

Ichigo somehow forgot about Valentines and the chocolate deal. He was just glad that she was talking to him again.

Rukia knocked on his door. "Can I come in?" she asked.

"Ey, Rukia you can go inside my room without knocking you know," Ichigo replied.

"Sorry wrong question, can you open the door for me. My hands are sort of full," Rukia said.

Ichigo made his way to the door and opened it. Rukia was standing in front of him holding out what looked like mini-chocolate cakes with whip cream and chocolate coated strawberries on top.

"What are those?" Ichigo asked he let her through.

"What do you think you dope? They're chocolate cakes," Rukia answered coolly.

"Well, I know they're cakes but what are they for?" he asked her.

"Are you really that stupid?" Rukia asked with frustration. "I made them for you. You idiot! It's my valentine's gift for you."

Ichigo was speechless. Rukia baked for him. It was probably the reason why she was so sleepy she must have worked all night for it. "I don't exactly know what to say? Wow. They look delicious. Did you make all of these?"

"They don't just look delicious they really are. Yuzu helped me out. We did a couple of tries before we came up with the perfect cakes," Rukia told him. She placed the cake on top of his table. "Karin did some taste testing too and she helped in cutting the strawberries," she added.

"I can't believe you did all that," he replied.

"I was going to give it to you first thing today but you seemed like you just caught some sleep so I told your dad not to bother you. I don't think you'd want me to give you the cakes at school because they're special than the chocolates I gave to our friends," she said feeling a slight blush rising on her face.

"Thanks, Rukia. Can I try one?" Ichigo asked clumsily.

"Of course you can, they're all yours you dope," Rukia replied. She handed him a cake in one of those paper holders and a fork.

"Ittadakimasu!" Ichigo said before he started on his chocolate cake.

Rukia watched in amusement. Ichigo was eating his cake with gusto. "This is really good Rukia," he commented as he took another bite.

"I'm glad you liked it. I guess Yuzu was right," she muttered to herself.

"What did Yuzu say?" he asked her. Rukia now sat beside him and watched him as he ate more of the cake.

"Well, she said that food taste better when they're prepared with much love," she said looking away from his face. "Everything turns out right when you do it to the people that you care about."

Ichigo put the cake back on his desk and moved closer to Rukia. He touched her chin and motioned for her to look at him. No words were needed. It was all so clear. Their eyes reflected the longing and the love that they shared. Ichigo hugged her. Rukia rested her head on his chest.

"I believe what Yuzu said," Ichigo replied. He touched her cheeks and gently kissed her on the lips.

It was soft and chaste and when they parted Rukia smiled. "I've always loved chocolate covered Ichigo," she said then kissed him again.

Isshin and Yuzu were listening by the door and were giggling. Karin was watching from the side with a slight smirk on her face.

FIN

A/N: Happy valentines everyone. I kinda rushed it… Please read and review. I want to know how I'm doing? R/R. Constructive criticism is also welcome. Well, it's Valentines Day so forgive me for the OOCness of the characters.…

Word translation (just in case it's needed):

Otousan- is for father in Japenese

Ittadakimasu- is what you say before you start eating

Ohayo – good morning.

Check out the sequel it's coming up soon…