What Sets Us Apart
Chapter 14: Enjoy Your Stay
Author's Note: Yeah…last chapter. And I know, this is a VERY short story compared to the last one…21-25 chapters, I think? Please enjoy this one! Oh yeah…just to tell you guys Orihime and Ishida's part of the story is very significant.
-----------------------------------------------------
The carriage arrived pretty early as the sun just began to rise. It was perfectly serene. The air crisp and fresh, the forests and fields as lush as ever. It was hard to believe that a war had happened the past three years.
Inori slid down against the leather seat and let out a relaxed sigh. He was a bit tired after signing documents and hiring all those new soldiers for future purposes. Rukia had requested him to take a small break, and of course he obeyed. Besides…he shouldn't be working because today was the day of the reunion party. There he would see everyone that had helped transform his life.
"…Only thirty more minutes." The king replied to himself looking rather happy. His mother and father were to arrive in an hour due to some issues with neighboring kingdoms and angry comments about the forbidden techniques. But he was pretty sure that they would come in on time. It was, after all, very important. Maybe more important than his birth?
-----------------------------------------------------
"Rukia…hurry up…" Ichigo replied lazily as he rest on their bed. She was preparing for the picnic and couldn't help but decide which kimono to dress into. "Jeez. You take forever." He muttered and flipped through some documents that Ukitake had so kindly given to them. The letters were all complaints about his and Rukia's revival, it was pretty disgusting seeing all those angry protests. Especially the one that wanted the two to die, in order to maintain a more normal world. "Assholes." Ichigo muttered closing the folder.
Opening the bathroom door Rukia stepped out wearing a brilliant red kimono with a dark amethyst obi. Her hair perfectly shaped her face and her violet eyes shimmered with a little life. "I'm ready." She replied with some small hint of joy, she slipped on her sandals and looked at Ichigo's figure. "AND what are YOU wearing?" She asked pointing at his shabby attire.
Her husband wore a plain black outfit, nothing decorative, nothing abnormal. "My everyday clothing." He retorted gazing at his wife. She rolled her eyes and commanded him to change into more suitable festive clothing. He got up from the bed and rolled his eyes walking into the restroom to change into his new midnight blue kimono.
-----------------------------------------------------
Sounds of yelling and shouting and laughing reached his ears. Renji sighed as he stuck his pinky in one of his ears. "Not again…" He moaned and got up from his bed. Only two more hours until the picnic party. "Better inform them." He growled and opened his door. Walking outside he found Byakuya and Matsumoto talking. Well…Matsumoto was doing most of the talking.
"After the picnic, we need a pink dress for Shire-chan!" The orange-haired woman replied thoughtfully, heaving up a small child in her arms. It had only been three months when they had adopted the poor child, and she was completely spoiling her. Byakuya let out a defeated sigh, whatever he said would never reach her anyway.
"Two more hours, captain!" Renji walked through the hallways and caught a glimpse of the baby. Matsumoto's eyes widened, and she suddenly ran (with the baby) to her room in order to prepare for the feast. Byakuya tilted his head, rolled his eyes, and strolled away. "Odd couple." Renji muttered.
"What did you say?" Byakuya asked. Renji let out a nervous grin.
"N-Nothing."
-----------------------------------------------------
"…You ready?" Ukitake asked wandering towards the carriage. Hitsugaya was carrying some food that Ukitake had kindly asked the chef to make, and nodded. "Where's Kyouraku by the way?" The man asked rubbing his chin. Actually, no one had seen him since the first chapter…
"Remember? You sent him on a special mission in the desert!" Hitsugaya muttered placing the last of the packages behind the cart. Ukitake opened his mouth and stared at him.
"No I didn't." He muttered. Hitsugaya stared at him with intense concentration. "…Oh well!" The other man laughed and Hitsugaya hopped in.
-----------------------------------------------------
Orihime gazed outside the window. One ore hour until the picnic party. She hardly could wait. "…Orihime, you need some rest…" Ishida whispered pushing his glasses up. His wife gazed at him with a small smile. "I'll wake you up when it's time." He whispered kissing her on the forehead. She giggled and gently lay down on the bed.
"…Time is running out…right?" She asked as he turned around. His face made a small frown and he made a slight nod. "…I'll love you no matter what though." She muttered with tears flowing down her eyes. A smile formed on Ishida's face and he closed his eyes.
"I love you too." He murmured facing her. "Time might run out…but my love for you will never."
-----------------------------------------------------
Rukia and Ichigo had just come to the picnic sight, they were hand-to-hand once they arrived and the two seemed awfully happy. TOO happy that it was a little suspicious. Inori kept a close watch over the two as he began preparing his wonderful feast. "Do you need help?" Rukia asked watching her son's every movement. He shook his head, assuring her that he was perfectly capable of preparing his own picnic. "Oh, okay then…" She whispered smiling kindly.
Ichigo on the other hand was a little TOO happy, that it was too obvious that something was going on. "You want me to hand down the napkins or something?" He chimed in. Inori's shoulders stiffed. No where in the world would Ichigo offer such a…thing.
"…N-No I'm fine." He stammered with a laugh. Ichigo grunted and sat down on the grass.
"Do we HAVE to sit on the grass?" He complained, some stains were getting onto his hakama. .
After some period of time Matsumoto, Renji, and Byakuya had appeared, along with the little Shire.
"Nii-sama!" Rukia replied and bowed down to the King of the Kuchiki clan. Byakuya nodded at his little sister and sat himself beside her. Matsumoto placed herself next to her husband while Renji sat in front of Rukia. "Renji…" The queen of the Kurosaki clan smiled with a little guilt.
"Why are you looking at me like that now?" Renji scowled sticking his middle finger up. Rukia glared at him and jumped towards him, strangling him to death. "We're friends remember? Just friends." He laughed as she finally let go of him. She sighed and let out a relieved laugh. Ichigo just smiled at the two from afar.
The next to arrive was Ukitake and Hitsugaya. They were carrying some delicacies from their homeland and were seated next to Ichigo. "By the way…where's Kyouraku?" Asked Ichigo with a stern face.
"Don't know…" Ukitake replied.
"And obviously he doesn't care." Hitsugaya responded while taking a small drink of green tea.
"OHAYO!" Orihime's carriage had just arrived and she wore a simple pink kimono with a crimson ribbon. Much opposite of Rukia's. Ichigo stared at her figure. A loving smile appeared. "Hello Ichigo!" She replied and sat down herself next to Hitsugaya. Ishida appeared suddenly and sat himself next to his wife.
"What's with that stare, Kurosaki?" He asked in a suspicious tone. Ichigo turned red. "Just kidding. Of course. You're just admiring your friend's grace." He smiled and asked for a glass of water.
"OKAY!" Inori hopped from his place and stared down at everyone. He could feel Goosebumps popping from his skin. "…T-Thank you for coming here!" He squeaked. Rukia laughed while Ichigo gave him a stern stare. "…AS you all know, this is a reunion." Inori muttered playing with his fingers. "And I want you guys to have the BEST time of your life…TODAY! NOW!" He shouted a command. Everyone stared at him. "Because…Because…"
"I love you all." He muttered with tears strolling down his face. "And I KNOW you don't have time left.."
Ichigo was about to yell at his childish behavior, but as soon as Inori said that latter part of the sentence he shut himself up. Rukia gazed at Ichigo with a longing stare. It was almost time for departure…he knew it…
Orihime gazed at Ishida who comforted her crying. Everyone knew what was going to happen.
"So please…" He begged them. "Enjoy your stay."