Chapter Fourteen: Pictures

Hello! Hello!

I'm here with a new chapter and I hope you're ready for it!

I am sorry for not updating sooner but I've had test after test this week! Please forgive me! *bows*

But enjoy the chapter!

Ichigo dropped her school bag as she closed the door behind her and leaned on it, sighing... The redhead had just come back from the Arts Building and felt truly enchanted.

The song that Kisshu had played for her left her speechless... He had really wanted he forgiveness and he that song gave him what he desired. He was so talented despite his mischievous intent and he wanted to share his talent with Ichigo, a girl he had only known for about a week...

Ichigo sighed as she got off the door and walked toward hers and Yuka's bedroom, humming the song he played lightly.

"Ichigo-chan!"

Ichigo gasped as Yuka jumped on her, knocking the air out of her. The little girl's strong arms gripped the redhead close as she nuzzled her head into her chest. "Ichigo-chan..." she mumbled happily.

Yuka smiled as she looked up at her roommate, "I'm here and I wanna have fun with Ichigo-chan!" she chirped.

Ichigo smiled as she looked at her, "O-Okay. C-Can you let go f-first? I-I can't breath!"

Yuka giggled before letting the redhead go. She clapped her hands together, "How about some tea?" she offered, her eyes gleaming.

Ichigo caught her breath before nodding, her throat parched. "That sounds lovely..." she mumbled. Yuka giggled as she hopped toward the kitchen, "Go set up the tea table! It'll be right out!" she chirped.

Ichigo smiled as she watched the eager girl disappear into their little kitchen.

The redhead walked into the living room and began to clear off the tea table which had stacks of folders, textbooks and other various papers. The table was usually used for studying as well as eating meals. Yuka usually kept her supplies on the table rather than her bag or desk... Silently humming the melody, Ichigo placed the books neatly onto the cabinets and layed the papers on top, neat and in order.

The redhead then noticed a pink and yellow book sitting on the table, it had been buried under all the paper and books apparently. Ichigo sat down looked at the book, it was thick and about the size of an American textbook. It was pink and had yellow swirling designs decorating it. One word in cursive as on the cover...

Memories...

Ichigo blinked as she traced the word with he finger, "What's this...?" she mumbled, wondering what this album was doing on the living room table...

Looking over to see if Yuka was watching her, seeing as she wasn't, Ichigo swallowed as she flipped open the cover.

There sat three pictures with little captions.

In all three there was a little girl with black hair and a girl with red hair. Upon looking at the little black-haired girl, Ichigo noticed the cute violet eyes.

Yuka-chan...

The first picture was of a red-haired girl about the age of four or five, holding what looked like a baby Yuka in a pink blanket. The caption read: We Meet at Last.

The second picture was of a three-year-old pig-tailed Yuka sitting with the redhead as she read a book to her. The caption reading Story Time.

The final picture was of a five-year-old Yuka sleeping on the redhead's lap. The redhead was leaning against a tree in a field of flowers. A content smile on her face. The caption read: A Nap in the Garden.

Ichigo looked over the redhead that constantly appeared in the many othe pictures. She had shoulder-blade length hair that was a cherry-red color. She had pale skin like Yuka and she had dark eyes like her sister as well. There were many pictures of Yuka growing older as well as the redhead with her. They appeared close and there were pictures of two adults with the girls. A man and woman, with the way they were close to each other in the pictures they were in Ichigo figured they were a married couple. The woman looked young and a gentle look on he face. She had dark violet eyes like Yuka and the other girl. Her hair was long and tied up, the color of red delicious apples. She was tall and thin, her waist was very small.

The man was tall and had a very intimidating demeanor. His eyes were green and dark, his hair black like a raven's wing. But he had a kind smile and he held his wife close in every picture they were present. Ichigo continued to flip through the book, "Is this her family...?" she mumbled, her eyes locked on the nice pictures with captions. Yuka was smiling in all the pictures and she was constantly hugging on the redhead in the pictures. It seemed like Yuka had a strong relationship with her and Ichigo smiled as she looked at the happy look on her face as she played and hugged her family in the pictures.

Ichigo flipped to the last page, hoping to see more pictures of Yuka smiling and being adorable.

But what she laid eyes on was not adorable... or happy...

There was one picture on the page. A picture of Yuka, and the two adults... in black clothing and standing over a tombstone...

Ichigo's heart hitched as she saw Yuka look completely pale and miserable. Her eyes were blank and her body seemed thinner than in the other pictures.

The caption read: Dearest Yumi... May you rest in peace...

The family seemed so... broken... Ichigo had never seen so many emotions in one picture...

Sadness... Despair... Anger...

"Ichigo-chaaan!"

The redhead gasped as she slammed the album shut. Yuka was on her way out of the kitchen and Ichigo did not want to get caught looking over the family photo album. She quickly placed the album under all the textbooks and got back to the table.

Yuka skipped over with a tray, upon it was a small teapot, two teacups and two saucers as well as sugar and creamer.

She placed the tray carefully onto the table, sitting down across from Ichigo. "I made red tea. Is that okay?" she asked as she picked up the teapot with both hands. Ichigo nodded, her hands in her lap.

Good... She didn't see me with her album...

Yuka poured tea into the two cups and placed one in front of Ichigo. Her gentle smile showing, she placed the sugar by Ichigo too. "I hope you like it!" she cheered as she placed some creamer into her own tea.

Ichigo smiled back and placed some sugar into her tea then mixed it with her spoon. "It smells wonderful." she murmured before taking a sip.

Yuka had her eyes shut as she drank her tea, bu she looked blissful. Ichigo kept her eyes on her, feeling sad for her after looking through the album.

Yuka-chan... What happened...?

Fin!

I hope you guys didn't suffer too much... This chapter is probably not the most exciting... I apologize for that... *bows*

I know there isn't a lot of KisshuxIchigo moments in here but the next chapter will have our favorite couple!

But there you go! What was that album...? What does it have to do with Yuka?

Feel free to review and I'll try to post another chapter this weekend.

Bye bye!