SPOILER ALERT! Mentions of scenarios from the latest BLEACH Chapter (685).
WHAT IF...? Snippet 11: She's sad that he didn't show up for that major milestone in her life. Why wasn't he there?
"What's with the long face?"
Her best friend's words continued to echo in her head long after the rites had ended.
She was frustrated with herself, really.
Rukia Kuchiki had long mastered the art of reigning in her emotions. Sure, she allowed a select few to see her true feelings, but not like this.
She should have been elated (which she was); not overwhelmingly disappointed.
For after ten years of hard work, she earned her promotion as the new Captain of the Thirteenth Division.
Ukitake-Taicho would have been proud.
Kaien-dono would have been proud.
Brother Byakuya was proud.
Even Renji was proud.
Was *he* not proud?
Rukia sighed.
No, she's not supposed to be feeling this way.
Today, she should be celebrating her accomplishment.
She should be inside the great Kuchiki hall mingling with her guests, accepting their congratulations and well-wishes.
She should be.
But she isn't.
He was supposed to be there.
Intimate as the event was, being only among, now, her fellow Captains, he was granted a special invitation by the Captain-Commander.
But he didn't come.
The evening's party at her home was for those who were not as privileged.
His family and their friends, Shinigami and not, were all there.
Imagine her surprise when his sister looked at her with wide eyes, appalled when she found out that her brother was not in Soul Society as they had originally thought.
Even the nonchalant, logical twin could not offer her an idea where her 'idiot brother' could be or where he had gone.
His father, one to infuse humor in almost all situations, was unusually serious. He was not happy at all about his son missing his 'third daughter's' big day.
No one knew where he was; not their human friends, not Kon, not Kisuke nor Yoruichi.
So where was he?
Is he okay?
Surely that is the only reason why he was not there.
Panic crossed her features at the thought.
They should go search for him.
And just as she decided to rally everyone on a massive manhunt, she felt him.
The familiar, overwhelming but warm, reassuring reiatsu that belonged to nobody else but him.
"Ichigo."
He was alive, thank the gods, and he appeared well.
Relief was soon replaced by irritation.
She moved so that her back faced him, her head held high.
"I'm sorry I missed your promotion ceremony."
He had the decency to at least sound apologetic, she noticed.
"Don't be mad. I have a very good reason for not being there."
She heard some of the koi from her brother's pond splash around.
She liked this part of the Kuchiki Manor. The wooden bridge above the small artificially made body of water had always granted her some sort of tranquility, even during the years when she felt she did not belong there.
This time though, it did not seem to be helping her.
She shouldn't really be angry.
She shouldn't really be... anything.
She had long wished for Ichigo to live a normal human life.
Well, as normal as a substitute Shinigami's duties would allow him.
After the Quincy war, he finished high school then went on to study and graduate from college.
He even has a thriving career now.
He's busy enough as it is.
Him not present for the formality of her rising from the ranks should be irrelevant.
But she couldn't help it.
That was obvious when Renji pointed out the expression on her face while she waited outside the Captain's hall.
He was teasing her, of course, to help calm her nerves, but it was much more than that.
A hand gently grasped her arm to turn her around. "Give me a chance to explain."
She allowed him to move her; allowed him to continue speaking despite the lingering frustration.
"You know that I would have never missed this, not for just anything."
She kept her attention on the placid water.
She heard him sigh.
"Hey," he tried getting her attention again, as he took hold of one of her hands. "I wanted to do this today, so I had to wait for this to be finished."
His excuse made no sense at all and she intended to let him know that.
Her eyes narrowed into slits as she looked at him but her words died in her mouth as soon as she saw it…
… a white gold ring, with a round, sparkling amethyst in the middle and two side diamonds.
Ichigo then got on one knee, still clutching her hand, his amber eyes expectant.
"Taicho," his tone a mix of playful endearment as he acknowledged her new title, "will you marry me?"
Her answer was immediate.
"No."
His chest tightened and it suddenly felt difficult to breathe.
How one small word could break him - the boy who had won and survived several battles - was beyond his comprehension.
His grip on her loosened and he lowered his head.
The hand that held the ring started shaking; confidence and resolve no longer willed it to be still.
And just as he was about to retract himself from the rather embarrassing and depressing situation...
"My name isn't 'Taicho.'"
His head snapped back up, his eyes meeting her own teary yet happy ones.
He knew what she was trying to say.
He always did.
With a renewed hope, he steadied his hand and his gaze with a smile, no, a cocky grin, then asked her again:
"Rukia, will you marry me?"
No longer able to contain herself, she jumped into his arms, surprising him and causing both of them to fall.
The discomfort of landing on his back on the hard wood was soon forgotten when the woman on top of him, tear-stained face and all, but radiant like the full moon above them, nodded.
"Yes, Ichigo, I will marry you."
A sudden cheer erupted from the manor and they both craned their neck to see a rather large audience watching them.
(And was that his dad crying and giving him a double thumbs up?!)
They both blushed but ignored the crowd for a little longer while Ichigo slipped the ring on her left hand's fourth finger.
After a quick inspection of the dainty, beautifully crafted piece of jewelry, she pressed her forehead to his.
"I'm still mad at you, by the way." she whispered, her mouth just a breath away from his.
He arched an eyebrow at her.
"What do I have to do for you not to be mad at me anymore?"
"Chappy." she stated simply before planting a kiss on his lips then moving away. "Lots and lots of Chappy."
He knew what he was getting himself into.
"Fine, woman. Chappy it is."
With a triumphant smile she got on her feet then walked towards the eager mob. Some of the ladies were still squealing after witnessing the exchange and requests to see the ring were rampant.
Ichigo stood and dusted himself off.
That's when he felt a menacingly dangerous amount of spiritual pressure.
He gulped, turned around and saw Byakuya staring him down.
Oh, yes, he knew what he was getting himself into.
But she was worth it.
She always has been.
- END -
Author's Note: By definition, "long face" is a noun meaning, an unhappy or disappointed expression. So why, on the day of her promotion, is Rukia sad? Because Ichigo's not there, that's why! (A fanatic can dream, right?)
OMG, Rukia's a Captain now! But anybody else wonder why Ichigo wasn't there? I can accept the solemnity of the ceremony since it was just the Captains inside with the Lieutenants outside, but still, you would think that Ichigo would be present, right?
Goodness, one more chapter. Happy as I am that there's one more, I was a little heart-broken. I already managed to psych myself that it will be the last one this week, but finding out that we have to wait two more weeks(?!) made my stomach drop.
I CAN'T TAKE THE SUSPENSE!
I wonder where Mr. Kubo is taking the story with a timeskip and a mysterious spiritual pressure surge?
A lot of fans seemed dissatisfied with the direction of the ending.
I agree on the part that there will probably be a lot of unanswered questions, but what can you do with two chapters?
I personally enjoyed reading Chapter 685. Some comments and questions, though (WARNING AGAIN: SPOILER ALERT):
- I'm a little confused about the towering white twin-structures … what's it for?;
- Kenpachi, you may be a monster, but you're a funny and admirable monster;
- Shuhei finally learned his bankai and he's getting no love from Rangiku nor his Captain for it;
- Ikkaku is now Lieutenant of the Eleventh Division and Yumichika is presumably now third seat. I'm a little sad that Yachiru is no longer around;
- Toshiro regrettably did not keep his (hot) adult form... how young is he anyway?;
- Tetsuzaemon is now Captain of the Seventh. I guess this means that (the former) Komamura-Taicho is no longer capable of reverting back to his old form?
- Isane is now Captain of the Fourth. Her lieutenant is her sister, Kiyone. Does that mean that Sentaro is no longer third seat but now Rukia's lieutenant?;
- Lisa is now Captain of the Eighth, taking the place of Shunsui. Her power was never really showcased so I'm not sure how I feel about this one;
- Nemu has been re-created. She's a cute kid... I wonder if Mayuri's going to be a little more nurturing (or a little less brutal) on her now?; and,
- I can't possibly be the only one who cried a little while Shunsui was talking to Jushiro's gravestone.
Also, I can't help but wonder how the humans fared. What are they doing with their lives now that they're adults (they'll be twenty-seven years old, if my math and guess are correct)? Surely there will be those that are married or planning to get married (I SHIP URYU AND ORIHIME, too). Even Ichigo's sisters will be young adults now. And where are the other Vizards? Where is Kisuke? Yoruichi? Isshin? The Arrancar?
Gah. My head hurts!
So two more weeks.
More time to speculate, and maybe get some more positive, wishful ICHIRUKI vibes out there.
Please be a happy ending...
