HAPPY NEW YEARS! I hope you all had a good one. :)
Poll Result!
What do Ichigo and Rukia want/get as presents for the holidays?
x.x.x.x
"'Kids' a book from Ishiin/Love potion from Matsumoto or 'Saké'" -xXBleachluverXx (AN: Aren't Sake and a "love potion" the same thing? ;)
"Rukia would give Ichigo a lap dance...lol i think I'm feeling a bit too perverted XD forgive me...its the uraharaish lines affecting me!" -sallythedestoryerofthewords23
"Chocolate covered strawberries" -Experimentnumber628
"Ichi wants Ruki and the ring he liked and Ruki wants Ichi and the ring she liked!" -Crazy Otaku Fangirl
"I can see Ichigo wanting dance lessons, that could really work to his advantage in this story... that or for his dad to stop texting rukia...and I bet rukia would like more dirt on ichigo for christmas." -ricejames
"Rofl Rukia should tease Ichigo in giving "herself" as a Christmas present" -P
"They should both get...Strawberry Plushies..? o.o" -SmOrOnPwNs
"gift from the holidays... will be... a rukia stressball from rukia and growth vitamins from ichigo. XD" -vreni
"Rukia: A new sketchbook and artist pencils, and a 'How to draw Chappy' book. I think we all know she would love that ;P Ichigo: A coupon book, from Rukia with coupons like 'day off while other Shinigamis do your job' an' stuff." -Skye222AnimeGurl
x.x.x.x
All of 'em where amazing, so thanks for all the answers!
ONWARDS! To the longest chapter thus far!
GAMES
Referees Part VI
-Rukia-
"For Masaki."
Rukia watches as Ichigo settles back onto the stool after the well known introduction, his fingers weaving a melody through the otherwise quiet music hall.
To make up for Ichigo needing Friday night off for his cousins wedding, Ishida made Ichigo play every night he could up until than.
So on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thrusday, Ichigo plays and Rukia sits at a lone table to listen.
She's gotten used to his songs, noting her more favorite ones and softly humming to the lyrics as Ichigo sings lowly into the lone microphone on stage.
Rukia had also taken note of a warm silence that always surrounded Ichigo while he played. The mass around him would always make the least amount of noise possible while the guitar strings vibrations went through the air, his voice interlaced with them. Almost a respect and awe came from Ichigo's playing, but it wasn't a question of why.
He was so. Damn. Good.
However, after his performance was done, the applause would almost break the near silence and Ichigo would merely bow humbly.
Rukia always took this as her cue to meet him by the door to the backstage and find his hand in hers as they weaved around the tables to get outside quickly.
-Ichigo-
The tradition of his guitar playing, let alone Rukia coming home with him, was getting easier to get used to.
The first time, when he mainly talked about his mother with a few polite questions from Rukia, was so hesitant. The other times where mainly focused aroundRukia's childhood and some of her dance life. Now, conversation flowed between the two of them as Rukia sits on one end of the couch and Ichigo on the other, their feet meeting somewhere in the middle.
"Ready to witness two fools getting married tomorow?" Ichigo asks with a slight grin, fingers gently running over the curves of his guitar. "Freaking morons..." He adds with a mumble, keeping his smirk.
He watches as Rukia rolls her eyes at him.
"Fools for getting married, yes. They'd only be morons if they where marrying you."
At this, Ichigo grabs the throw pillow from behind him and tosses it at the head of his "enemy".
Rukia merely smiles as she catches the slow flying object before throwing it on the floor.
"What time is it, stupid?" Said devil asks, hiding a yawn behind her hand as Ichigo shakes his head, looking at his small clock hanging on his wall.
"Only midnight, midget. Bedtime already?"
Lifting a corner of his lips as Rukia's turn downwards, he watches her kick his feet with hers.
"It's been a long week, let alone the train ride for tomorrow and the wedding soon after that."
Ichigo lets out a little "che" before grabbing a stranded blanket (that had now become more of Rukia's than his...) as he tosses it over to her.
-Rukia-
Snuggling into the familiar blanket that had just been thrown at her, Rukia makes quick work of wrapping it around her.
"Tell me more about your mother... just until we fall asleep." Her voice is sleepy, yet still hesitant. It isn't an unusual request from her, yet she still doesn't like intruding upon Ichigo's past unless he's willing to let her know...
"I think..." Ichigo yawns before continuing, "I've told you all there is to know..."
Rukia smiles. Maybe she's not the only one tired...
However, she watches his thoughtful face turn into a small smile.
"Hold on."
With that, he's off the couch and out of the room, rummaging for something that Rukia can only imagine is in his bedroom.
However, a few moments later, he's out with her again, plugging a stereo into the wall.
"Don't... make fun of this music..."
His voice is hesitant, and Rukia understands why as soon as the track starts.
The same woman they listened to on the first trip to his guitar playing, the beautiful, smooth, feminine voice and the strumming of an acoustic guitar.
"Your... mother?"
He nods, turning off the lights so very little can be seen.
"Now scoot over, midget. If you're going to use my blanket, tonight you're sharing it."
Complying with his demand with sleepiness, Rukia scoots over as Ichigo slowly (is he hesitant?) leans himself into her.
Wrapping her arms around the giant orange teddy bear who has his arms wrapped around her, the female voice lulls her to sleep with familiar lyrics.
"We are never sad 'cause we are not allowed to be.
Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day,
All the world is waiting for the sun..."
-Ichigo-
Waking up this morning had been... different.
Rukia was pressed into him, the couch not making any room for space between the two as Ichigo tried to ease Rukia into consciousness.
It was different, waking up with someones warmth besides your own next to you while the fall morning lifted...
The word "nice" comes to mind, but Ichigo pushes that thought away.
Because the she demon (still sleeping, he might add) pushed him off the couch and rolled over to take his spot.
Now on the train, Ichigo still scowls from the bump his head he must now have.
"I told you I was sorry." Rukia says, a smile hidden behind her tone, siting next to him as they make the half way mark on their journey.
"Sorry my ass." Ichigosays, glancing up from his homework about the respiratory system to look at the mischievous midget next to him. "I could have internal bleeding for all you know."
"But you don't."
Ichigo raises an eyebrow.
"How would you know?"
A smirk graces her face.
"Because evil doesn't die that easy."
Turning his face back to his homework, Ichigo continues his work about blood transfusions as his own simmers in his veins.
"So you'll never die than, neh, Rukia?"
"I'll die before you do." she says calmly, stretching her arms in front of her.
His blood still warm, Ichigo smirks.
When did her retorts not bug him as much?
-Rukia-
Off the train, picked up by Ichigo's family, and now at the Kurosaki house to try and get ready to go to a wedding in fifteen minuets.
Stress was the name of the game.
Yuzu curls the ends of Rukia's hair, putting the now curled strands into a loose knot to the back left of Rukia's head.
Rukia herself was trying to refresh her make up as Karin lazily walked around the house, casually counting down the minuets and making Yuzu "humf!" with agitation.
"You look nice, Rukia!" Yuzu says, admiring her handiwork and breathing again as Rukia applies a layer of gloss to her lips.
"Why thank you, Yuzu!" Rukia responds, a little out of breath as the young Kurosaki rushes from the bathroom to give Rukia some time to change.
Fifteen minuets wasn't a lot in girl time, but in ballet time, it was eternity.
-Ichigo-
Piled back into the car, Ichigo glances down at his required color of tie: Orange.
His father was wearing something similar, but his orange tie had spots of darker orange colored flowers. Yuzu was wearing a yellow, semi formal dress while Karin looked pissed as hell to be in a black skirt with a silk red shirt.
Rukia, however, wore a dark purple, knee length, strappy number with a black lace around the edges.
Ichigo smiles at the choice. So what if it didn't go with the wedding colors?
She looked...
...nice.
-Rukia-
Her fingertips run along Ichigo's open hand as the car pulls to a stop before a reception hall.
Many other cars are parked along the way as Rukia feels Ichigo's hand close around hers as they walk to the wedding.
The closer they get to the stone built building, the more Rukia starts to feel nervous.
Meeting three Kurosaki's was fine. Meeting all of them and their friends... not so much.
However, Rukia keeps her head held high and her steps even as she and Kurosaki's pass through the arches lit with small lights and into the wedding.
-Ichigo-
Most of the chairs in the outside wedding are filled, and Ichigo scans for their families reservation...
"Dad, where are we siting for this?" Ichigo whispers to his father, who's smile only widens.
Never a good sign, Ichigo gulps.
"Son! You didn't forget we're in the wedding party, did you? We're groomsmen and your sisters are bridesmaids!"
"I thought you remembered, Ichigo!" Yuzu says, a little shock seeps into her voice as he cringes...
"Oh yeah... that..."
Looking at his hand holding Rukia's, who gently wriggling her fingers out of his, she smiles at him.
"I'll take a seat, you go ahead."
Her smile seems sure enough, so Ichigo allows himself to be dragged off by his father to greet his soon-to-be-wed cousin.
-Rukia-
Siting down in an empty chair near the back, Rukia turns her attention forward. The rows have ten chairs on either side, a row of twenty chairs down...
Almost two-hundred in attendance.
Rukia lifts a corner of her mouth at this, trying to forget that she was the one here who nobody knew...
"Ruuuukia! Ru-Ru-Rukia!"
Turning around to the all too familiar sing-song voice of Isshin Kurosaki, she smiles at him, than frowns slightly when he seems to be waving her over.
Taking a few unsure steps to him, Rukia asks him what's happened.
"Oh, the tragedy! One of the bridesmaids fell ill and we need you to take her spot with Ichigo!"
"What?" Rukia half shouts, covering her mouth with her hands before responding with a much more normal tone, "I can't do that! I don't know your family well enough and-!"
"Nonsense, third daughter! You're family to me and you're therefore family to them!"
With that, the eldest Kurosaki grabs Rukia by her wrist and she lets herself be numbly dragged behind the corner of the building as she's placed next to Ichigo.
"They dragged you into this?" Ichigo asks, Rukia feeling him loop his arm through hers.
"I-I... I shouldn't be here! I'm not part of your family, it's a special time and I'm already intruding enough as is-"
Rukia shakes. She's never been nervous before going on stage, in either dance or performance... but this is scaring the hell out of her now.
"Hey."
Turning her face upwards, she looks as Ichigo smiles at her with his hair as bright as his tie.
"You're fine, besides, you look beautiful today."
Whether it's nerves as the prelude wedding music plays or Ichigo's complement, Rukia flushes as Ichigo wraps his hand around hers.
-Ichigo-
Being towards the middle of the line, Ichigo watches as Yuzu loops arms with a male cousin and Karin wrinkles her nose at looping arms with a stranger.
And the walk begins.
It's boring, really, walking down a long aisle with people waiting for the bride. Why was he even supposed to be doing this anyway?
It didn't really matter, but Rukia's fingers seem to tremble against the back of this hand, so he lightly squeezes her hand with his and meets her eyes with his peripheral vision.
Figuring a small smile wouldn't hurt, he gives her one, and she returns the gesture.
Unwinding his fingers from hers and letting his arm drop empty, Ichigo follows the guys off to the side of where the groom stands as Rukia does the same with the girls.
Watching Rukia keep her head slightly bowed, he wonders how she feels, being thrown into a wedding march of a family that didn't know her with a boyfriend who was out to get money to make her cry...
Ichigo assumes it must not be a great feeling...
But the wedding march plays and Ichigo's attention snaps as he watches his cousin walk down the aisle (tears already in her eyes... sheesh...) he wonders if a day will come for him like this, where he'd be in the grooms spot and some dark haired girl will be with Aiko is.
-Rukia-
This was so bad.
Everyone in the wedding party was wearing the colors chosen for the event: Oranges, yellows, reds, and browns. Earth colors, fall colors. Colors that matched the outside of the early, warm September. And what did she choose to wear?
Purple.
Purple!
Shit!
Keeping her head low, Rukia smiles gently as Ichigo's cousin ties herself to the brown haired man who looks at her with the same emotion in his eyes as is in hers.
Love.
Foolishness.
Both of it was the same thing, right?
But it didn't matter. Rukiadidn't belong here. She didn't belong with Ichigo's family. She didn't belong among them when she knew nothing about them and was out to break Ichigo's heart.
Rukia feels herself pale... this wasn't good, not good at all...
Thinking of the orange haired giant, Rukia glances up to see him making eye contact with her, a bit of embarrassment on his face as he mouths something to her.
"Sorry..."
Somehow, Rukia knows it's about the situation she's been thrown into so she mouths something back.
"It's okay."
Rukia allows a grin to stay on her lips as Ichigo grins back, a little embarrassed still, but also a smile that's completely goofy.
They keep hold of the eye contact, and Rukia tries to ignore the constant feeling that she didn't belong among Aiko's family and friends and tries to focus on Ichigo and his stupid smile as the newly wedded couple walk back down the aisle.
The music is joyous as each previous couple coming together again like the teeth of a zipper as Ichigo leads her down the same path they came up in.
-Ichigo-
Once out of the wedding line and behind the stone building, Ichigo takes a look at Rukia.
Her shoulders are rising up and down, faster than "normal" breathing should allow.
He feels a scowl on his face, wrapping her hand in his once more before asking, "Hey midget, you alright?"
Rukia's eyes snap into his as she smiles.
"Fine, I'm fine!"
Narrowing his eyes, Ichigo doesn't understands as he slowly escorts Rukia to a bench tucked off to the side of the large garden.
And suddenly, his homework on the train, chapter sixteen, exercise 18B pops into Ichigo's mind...
'...Is the state of breathing faster and/or deeper than normal. It can result from a psychological state such as a panic attack from a physiological condition and...'
And now it all connects. It all makes sense.
And Ichigo's scowl increases.
"Like hell you're not! You're hyperventilating!"
-Rukia-
Feeling dizzy as Ichigo continues their walk to the bench, Rukia clenches her teeth together.
'Dammit... he did notice...' She silently curses herself as she lowers herself onto the stone bench, Ichigo siting next to her.
Her breaths come in and out much faster than she's supposed to be breathing, and the irregularity in her breathing makes her lightheaded as she rests her head upon her knees.
"Why didn't you let me know you where hyperventilating?"
Rukia holds her breath as Ichigo's voice is so low, it almost sounds like he cares about her...
But she can't hold her breath any longer and so she gasps for air again as her fast paced breathing continues.
Rukia tries to control her breathing, teaching her mind that it wasn't a big deal. A wedding is a wedding. Who cares about intrusion? But even as she tells herself this, Rukia still finds another part of her fighting that she ruined everything. Her dress didn't match, she didn't know this family, she was now ruining everything by causing attention to herself, as if she was a spoiled child who feigned illness for attention, like she-
"Hey... calm down Rukia."
Ichigo's voice once again breaks her train of thought as she feels his rough hand gently running up and down her back, trying to calm her down.
Maybe, just for today, she could "forget" that they still where hell bent to make the other fall in love...
-Ichigo-
The midget never shows weakness... not like she's being weak right now... but what the hell sent her into a panic attack?
Underneath his hand, her back and ribcage expand and deflate quickly, but after a few generic wedding songs the reception hall plays around the garden, Rukia's breathing is almost normal, only a few shakey breaths taken in every minuet or so.
"Sorry..." he hears her say quietly, taking her head off her knees to turn her face to him, a small smile on her lips. "I didn't mean to disrupt anything... I didn't mean to cause a scene or intrude on Aiko's wedding or-"
So this is what was bugging her? Her not "belonging" to the family of the bride? Her feeling unwanted?
"-I just didn't want to-"
Ichigo softly puts his hand over her mouth, her eyes finally making contact with his.
"You weren't intruding. It was Aiko's idea to pair you up with me when her friend bailed. You're never in the way, you're never unwanted, you never did anything to cause any trouble."
Her eyes glance away, but Ichigo leans an inch closer to Rukia and her eyes dart back to him.
"Got it?"
His hand still on her mouth, he watches her nod and takes his hand off her face.
-Rukia-
"Why-" Rukia inhales another shaky breath of air, trying to tame her wild breathing, "Why did Aiko's friend not come?"
Ichigo appears to fluster at this before standing as she puts his hand in his.
"Her other bridesmaid was one of my recent ex's..."
Rukia lets out a small laugh and elbows Ichigo in the ribs as he lightly bumps his hip into hers.
"Rukia!"
Turning her attention to where her name was said, Rukia watches a figure in white walk towards them, pulling a groom with her.
"Rukia! Thank you SO much for standing in for Senna! When she told me she couldn't come I was worried I couldn't have my favorite cousin be with me during the best day of my life!"
Ichigo coughs at the "best cousin" part, but keeps quiet.
An embarrassed blush creeps onto Rukia's face as she mutters an apology...
"I'm sorry I had to stand in... I'm sorry I wasn't matching or-"
Ichigo's hip bumps hers again as Aiko rolls her eyes.
"So modest! If you didn't step in, the only person that would've been able to fill in would be my eighty year old grandmother who needs a hip replacement! Come with us, we're heading to the dance floor! Make sure you drag Ichigo with you!"
Rukia smiles a small, but pure smile.
The Kurosaki's sure do know how to make a girl feel welcomed...
"Of course Ichigo will come, after all, Ichigo loves to dance."
Rukia doesn't miss Ichigo's mumbled comment.
"Rule number four, rule number four, rule number four..."
-Ichigo-
This music was defiantly NOT the generic music that had been playing earlier.
The chicken dance, macorina, and some country line dance was not what Ichigo considered to be romantic music to dance to.
However, he would be lying if he said he didn't like dancing the goofy dances with Rukia and his family around with laughter on their faces.
Rukia seems to be calmer as she talks to some of the woman in Ichigo's extended family, smiling, laughing, and dancing. Spinning around as her dress flowers purple around her.
But now the mood of the music changes as the slower tunes graces the floor and everyone with a date (himself included) sway back and forth until the announcement of cake is made.
Of course, cake meant the first time the married couple feed each other...
But in the Kurosaki rule book, that meant that half the cake was cleaned up off the floor as his cousin laughs and her new husband licks the white icing from her face.
The rest of the wedding goers (usually) kept a clean face and ate their pieces of cake with smiles.
'Maybe I'll find someone who'll let me lick cake off her face too...' Ichigo thinks, watching Rukia lick the icing off her fork as she talks to one of his aunts.
-Rukia-
The rest of the night is a blur.
There is more dancing and the wedding attendees thin out. When nine o' clock strikes, the bride and groom are running to a limo parked in front of the building to leave for their honeymoon.
Leaving a bit of a mess and a lot of gifts.
'Aiko sure did have a lot of friends...' Rukia thinks, looking over the stack.
Most of the family has cleared out as well. The elderly left an hour ago and now only Ichigo's family and Aiko's close family remains.
"These Kurosaki's will take care of the gifts!" Rukia hears Isshin yell as Aiko's family verbalizes their gratitude and fall into the empty couches.
Rukia follows Isshin to the pile and grabs as many gifts as she can.
"Why are you carrying gifts? You're wearing heels, dwarf! Besides, you don't need to help, go relax."
Rukia smiles to herself. Even with his insults she can hear this concern.
"It's okay, Ichigo. I want to help. Besides, who knows, maybe we can steal some of this and use it for ourselves."
Watching Ichigo load his arms with the wrapped presents as well, he smiles.
"Yeah, because somehow we're going to split toaster ovens and dish sets, right?"
"When we return them, we can split the money 60/40. I get sixty, you get forty."
Following Karin, who's loading the gifts into a large van, she watches Ichigo raise an orange eyebrow at her.
"Why not fifty/fifty?"
She smiles.
"Because I'm doing the most work, moron."
Needless to say, carrying the most presents becomes a challenge.
-Ichigo-
Finally, the presents are loaded and hauled away and Ichigo falls into one of the empty couches, making room for Rukia to plop next to him as he wraps an arm around her shoulders and leans into him.
Ichigo leans his head upon hers and shuts his eyes. Maybe today, the games could be put on hold. Today, he could forget the rules and let himself smell Rukia's lavender scented perfume and inch her closer to him. Today he could pretend he doesn't feel her tense before melting into him like she was his actual girlfriend.
It's ten o' clock and Ichigo's exhausted. The train, the rushing around, and now carrying all the gifts was a pretty good work out as the reception halls slow songs play on to an empty dance floor.
"Ichigo, Rukia, we're leaving."
Ichigo let's his mind smile. Even his father sounded tired.
"Okay, we're coming."
Slowly separating himself from Rukia, he feels her stand first, than letting himself stretch out into a standing position as well as Rukia leads him toward the doors.
And now Ichigo realizes he wants to finish this "forgetful" night, because he gets a feeling that tonight would be the only night he could get away with this, so he pulls Rukia back to him and puts one hand on her waist, one hand interlacing with hers.
-Rukia-
Automatically resting her free hand on Ichigo's shoulder, Rukia looks at her boyfriend who's as tiered as she is.
"We're breaking your rule."
"Screw the rules."
Rukia lifts a corner of her mouth tiredly at his smirk and decides to take his advice and gently leans into Ichigo, resting the side of her face on his chest as the slow music plays on.
"Thank you." Rukiawhispers, not knowing if she was loud enough for him to hear her gratitude... her thanks of calming her down, making her feel accepted and wanted, and everything else he had done for her.
"You're welcome." He whispers back as she feels his head come to rest on top of hers.
They sway to the music until they stop their movement all together and Rukia leaves her arms wrapped around Ichigo.
She can't say that she's disappointed that Ichigo leaves his arms around her as well.
THANKS TO:
LittleRuu: Haha, Zangetsu and Shirayuki is a small river in the ocean of this story... but it sure did get a lot of people interested on what's going on! And I agree, Chappy is WAY too over-used for Rukia... I don't care how much she likes it! No more Christmas/Birthday Chappy gifts for Rukia!
xXBleachluverXx: Isn't sake already a love potion... or any alcohol for that matter? XD Haha! I like the kids book from Isshin! A "How to Make Them" or maybe a baby naming book? XD
Kurosaki Anne: Sorry, I didn't update before the year ended! Poop. :( And yes, Ichigo getting his powers back would be great! Haha, and Rukia and Ichigo HAVE to meet again... if they don't... I'll be way mad! :D
Black Sun Upon An Icy Sky: Haha! Rings for Christmas? But we have yet to see who wins! And school/work will ALWAYS suck your soul out... but more painful and slow than a Bount would. :) Yes, obviously the cousin's wedding was in this chapter... but I'm not one to focus on OC's... they usually don't work well with the story... so I played them down a lot. :)
sallythedestroyerofworlds23: I would LOVE a text from Isshin everyday too! I think it'd all be love advice... :) Haha, the uncreative chappy for Rukia and a lap dance for Ichigo! WOW! Sounds... intresting. Write a one shot! XD Hahaha! Thanks for reviewing!
Experimentnumber628: Chocolate covered strawberries! I love it! :D Thanks for answering in the poll!
bubbles171: Yes, yes cello's will... that's why I like them so much, because they better freakin' appointment me as second leader or something... right? :)
Crazy Otaku Fangirl: Haha, wow! Everyone wants them to get married? Ridiculous! And this is your favorite fic ever? Thanks, that's way sweet! And if Isshin sent you a text message... what would it say? Just a question for ya!
Aika Ray Kuroba: I like ballet, however, why would they fall for each other? It's a battle of not winning love! (did that make sense... O.o) However, I'm very rusty on my shunpo... but I hope to finish this fic by March at LEAST! :)
Ashi altair: I didn't see any ichiruki Christmas fics! I was surprised too! And yes, Shirayuki and Zangetsu... ah, the cuteness. :)
AwesomeAnimeStarIchiRuki: Haha, how do they like each other? They're out to break the other's heart! Haha, thanks for reviewing!
ricejames: Haha! I love the thought of Ichigo taking dance lessons for Rukia! That's sweet! Hehe, and yes, I think Ichigo would like it if his dad stopped texting Rukia as well! (But I'm sure they don't mind!) You can waltz? I'm not one for partner dancing, so that's mainly why I stick to jazz... in partnered dancing, I tend to try and lead... not good. :/ And the rings may or may not come in later... we shall see, neh? :)
XxKasumiAmuxx: Haha! Ichirukiness? Really now? Zangetsu is an ass? In this story or in general? Why so, either way? I like the platform boots idea! And... Ichigo gets a chocolate fountain? Mmm... the uses for melted chocolate... XD ...And where's Rukia? She's hiding better in the manga than Waldo does in any of his books. -.-
karling08: I love cute, sentimental gifts... I think it too is something Ichigo and Rukia would give to each other. :)
CharmedNightSkye: Haha, the game is certainly twisted now, and Zangetsu and Shirayuki will be explained. :) And Rukia letting Ichigo know about her dance is another twist, and thanks for seeing it! Haha! ("I want to read it as a compliment, so I will." That made me laugh!) And Rukia's AND Ichigo's story may or may not be coming... though I don't give them the characteristics for nothin', we'll say that for now. ;) And happy late Christmas and New Year to you too!
Cridle: Haha! I love Kisuke! I think he's an interesting character and I'd love to get inside his twisted mind every once and a while! And what can I say? I love throwing people for a loop... such as innduendo's about lollipops and such... ;) Everyone knows what Rukia wants (chappy!) and yet few have suggestions for Ichigo! -sigh- Boys are always hard to shop for. :) Yes, Kisuke and Shinji are babes! YES! ;)
P: WOW! Rukia give herself as a present to Ichigo? 8) You write the fic and I'll read it! Haha!
The5thElement: Haha, thanks for the compliment, I'm glad you're enjoying the fic so far!
Wawa: Dude, really? That's awesome! Second languages are always hard... and I took French more than five years ago, so I know next to nothing now! -.- Sad day, really... Haha, Ichigo and Rukiaalways have to fight, I think it's law... :) ...I love writing with Zangetsu and Shirayuki is cold for her reasons. :) DS lite? Haha, I'm not a gamer... I don't even know what that is! O.o' and... wow... Chocolate fountain... :D
SmOrOnPwNs: The fic is turning more serious? Is that a good thing, or bad thing? O.o' Haha! I need to find that laugh now! You make me want to hear it! I'm guessing it's Japanese/English sub? And I found it fun to throw Ichigoin for a loop with Rukia and Isshin being text buddies. :) Strawberry Plushies? Mm... maybe Strawberry Shortcake! :D
Luminous Snow: Filler-ish, yes, but they must be put in every once in a while... and Zangetsu and Shirayuki may or may not be explained... but time will tell! :D Thanks for reviewing!
lemonapple27: Haha, Ichigo and Rukia can't fall in love! It's against the rules, remember? :) But thanks for saying you'll stick around! I hope that you do! :)
LyraZeldaCyndaquil: HAHA! Ichigoand hair dye! If he doesn't love the idea, than I do! :D I love bunnies! I'll take yours! :) And step up... let's just say you don't go for the acting... but it's always the same plot line anyway. Cliche and overused good girl/bad boy with awesome dance skills... you're not missing out. :)
The Ever-Blue Alchemist: Merry Christmas to you too! And thanks for reviewing for me! :D
NoMangaOrAnimeEqualsDead: Awh, thanks for calling this story epic... I'm not sure if it's true or not, but thanks all the same! :D Haha! Ichigo would probably want to land a punch on Byakuya! Rukia's chappy wish is always predictable. :) Xbox? I'm not a gamer, but I'm glad you got what you want! That always makes the holidays more awesome! :D
xbleachfanx: Haha, next year got you freaked out? Haha, I'm glad I got someone! :D And money is ALWAYS a good Christmas gift! 8)
falconrukichi: Rukia's ballet life is not something her previous boyfriends knew about, so it's not supposed to be a part of the game, you could say. :)
applestoapples: Zangetsu and Shirayuki may or may not go into further detail. (Can't give anything away now, can I? :) And Botan is screwed... poor guy... :) Thanks for reviewing!
LeyCoo: Haha! Poor Ichigo and Rukia! Lets hope they realize the crash course they're in before it's too late, neh? :)
Royalraven007: Haha! Awh, thanks! And sorry, I guess I should not do review responses at four in the morning anymore! They tend to come out sounding like I'm high! :/ And I love ballet, I'm glad you could picture it all!
vreni: A stress ball for Rukia and growth vitamins from Ichigo? Haha! YES! :D Thanks for your input!
Sky222AnimeGurl: Awh! A "How to Draw Chappy!" That's cute and new! Haha! A coupon book for Ichigo... I'm sure he'd enjoy that! And yeay for gaming systems! (everyone's a gamer... makes me feel like an outcast! O.o) I got hi-top converse, clothes, and a Barnes and Nobles gift card... but I've been given money to buy my Christmas since I was 12... I kinda cheat Christmas that way! :D
shnizlefritz: Dude, never be old! Feeling like your five? How do you do that and let me know how! ;) Ichi-ass... aw, the pet-name... ;) And texting Isshin is not free! The phone company's will charge ya for it! :D Thanks for reviewing!
Komilia F. Jenius: Games can never end in a tie! Goodness... And wow... Chappy deluxe present... I want to see that! :D Oo! How are Bleach games? Do tell!
Kuchiki chappy: Haha! Orange hair chappy sounds cute! A bike for Ichigo... I like that! And if fake characters could text real life people... I too would want Isshin to text me! :(
CaribbeanPrincess07: YES! Rukia should come back for Ichigo's Christmas! I'm tiered of her being gone... -.- ...And thanks for all the compliments! Shucks... :)
_: Haha! Wow! Ichigo and Rukia want to read a fiction about themselves? ... I can see it. ;) And thanks so much for your compliments! Way nice of you. :D
eelgirl13: Haha! A big ass box of strawberries for Ichi-ass? I like it! :) And Renji and Orihime will be back, don't worry! :) And the game is getting tangled up... obviously. 8/ I'll try to explain the ballet to ya! So there are two, pure white lovers and the male is killed. The ballet is than about revenge as the woman kills her lovers murderers. However, she than becomes tainted with them and when she finds out her lover did not die, but is still alive, she is glad. But, her lover is still pure and she is tainted, therefore making them unable to be with each other and so, he gets rid of her. It's twisted, but isn't everything? :) I hope you get it now! And thanks for reviewing!
huffyPoohBear: WOW! All twenty-eight chapters in one day? I feel SO honored! :) Wow... I'm glad you're liking the fic! And yeay for updates!
Review and subscribe please! Thanks for ALL the subscriptions, reviews and favs so far!
NEXT CHAPTER due The 12th or 13th! (Fingers crossed...!)
Review for stealing wedding gifts and splitting the loot!
POLL QUESTION!
Short answer! (again!)
What's a likely message Isshin would send out as a mass text? (Advice, update, gossip, ect!)
