Well, hello! It's finally here. I am... so sorry for the delay. I had to move out of my country and things were a bit... complicated for a while, but I am safe and stable now, and with Bleach coming back, I managed to gather my scrapbook and put this together. Let there be serotonin!
Now, I have never played BBS, but I saw prints on Twitter that there is a White Day special of Byakuya getting a present for Orihime because of Rangiku meddling and I thought: huh.
One of the reviews actually realized that I was going that way, but it's not exactly set in BBS because again, I have never played it, and there's also no Kon. I am still struggling to see how to bring him back. Also, for those of you on Tumblr, I did insert the Yumichika piece into it, and I'm glad I did. Ah, it is IH week, and this is my piece for Day 01: food (and warmth, too).
Anyway, I hope you enjoy, I am super thrilled with the anime comeback and I hope everyone gets to appreciate Bleach and all these pookies like they deserve!
As always, thanks for reviews and support, you people are the best. Really.
.
February 14th, 2004
Soul Society, 8 am
.
"Matsumoto-san… is it true that Ichimaru-san is your boyfriend?"
"… uh?"
"Woah, really? I've heard he's already a seated officer at the 5th…"
"No way…!"
"… he's…" Rangiku's voice falters, after gathering herself "… someone I've known from before…"
"Well, by the way he looked at you that day, I definitely felt some romance in the air… he's a bit weird though, isn't he…?"
"… weird, huh…"
She remembered that. It was about six... no, maybe eight months since Gin graduated early from the Academy, and she had just returned from her training in the World of the Living with a few of her classmates.
It is weird, though.
Rangiku felt as if she was much taller, and she was already on her Shinigami vests.
And there was blood on her hands.
Rangiku blinked, and her classmates turned to ash.
Ash.
The ash was everywhere. It clouded her sight, she could only see the outlines of fallen buildings, and the dust would not settle. It hurts her eyes, so she closes them.
Rangiku… over here…
The dust settles, and she is back in their old house.
Weirdly, she hears muffled voices arguing in the kitchen – someone let the oven heat too much.
Weird, though. There goes Toshiro, trying to put out the fire.
It comes again, the ash.
Rangiku… over here…
She is standing outside, and she faces his back.
He is taller, too.
And it seems he has something on his hands.
She reaches out, and he turns.
There is nothing.
Rangiku...
Rangiku-san!
Rangiku-san… Come on, wake up…!
.
Light hits the thin, barely-there opening between her eyelids and the image of a friendly - yet concerned - face begins to form in front of her.
"… Hinamori…?"
"Moo…! I've been calling you for minutes, how much did you drink last night…?!" The young lieutenant asks - rhetorically, Rangiku could only assume - while opening the drapes at the 10th Division's Office. "… I came by to pick up the transfer papers, Hitsugaya-kun said you should have them…"
"… what p-" Rangiku yawns "-papers…?"
"Rangiku-san!"
"Geez, relax…"
Stretching and groaning, the older woman drags herself to her desk, sorting through loads of paperwork until she reached the authorization to transfer two un-seated 10th Division members over to the 5th. While internal affairs at the 5th were mostly stable by now, they were still low on newcomers straight from the Academy – as were other Divisions, such as the 3rd, 9th, and even the 13th - so the other divisions helped by boosting... voluntary transfers, of sorts.
"… there…. All set and ready to go…"
"Ah!" Momo sighs in relief "Thanks, Rangiku-san… I'll head back to file this, Captain-"
Tuning Momo out, Rangiku sighs.
It had been a while since ... he... had made his way back to her thoughts like this.
The last time happened months before, as her mind and spirit battled the void of Gigi's zombification, and among the many voice echoes of Toshiro calling out for her, a single "Rangiku…" both warmed and chilled her spine, causing her eyes to shot open, bringing her back to reality.
'- and I know he misses Hiyori-san, because sometimes they spend hours on the phone just calling each other names, which is how they communicate, I guess… but if that's what makes them happy, th-"
Happy, huh…
"...Hinamori"
"… huh?"
"What are you doing today? Wanna join me for something fun?"
She dismisses Momo's exasperated look and mentions for her to follow her while she picks up the cellphone previously owned by Unohana.
- Hey… what are you up today? Is it ok if I drop by…?
- Rangiku-san! How are you? Everything ok? Sure, today is Valentine's Day and I'm going to make some chocolates... you're more than welcome to come! [flower] [heart] [happy face] [candy]
Perfect.
.
Karakura Town, 10 am.
.
"… sorry that we highjacked your routine…" Hinamori mumbles as she helps Orihime fill her grocery basket. "Oh, it's no biggie, I'm glad that you came by to visit…!"
Orihime was not lying – she did appreciate Rangiku's message and their surprise. However, she had to admit that her Saturday plans did not account for the disruptive presence of Rangiku and Shinji, who tagged alongside Momo and dropped by the Vizard warehouse to get Hiyori to join them, which made grocery shopping much more difficult.
She had planned on 1) making grocery shopping with Tatsuki before the girl head out to her morning Dojo class, then 2) bake Valentine's Day chocolates in the rest of the morning to have them ready early in the afternoon – she tried to finish them the previous night, but Finals' Week had exhausted her energies, and then 3) give her friends their boxes, hoping to leave Ichigo as the last one to get some quality time, too.
Graduation was close, and Orihime felt the dreadful, cold weight of loneliness trying to creep its way back to her... and she refused to let it have the day.
So, anyhow, there she was, heading to her usual grocery store and giving Tatsuki's a heads-up text that she would be late... and had a bit of a surprise.
"… you just came by to visit…?" Tatsuki asks, eyebrows raised, when Orihime introduced her to the surprise.
"well, it was boring over there… plus, Orihime told us today is Valentine's Day, so we thought it would be fun!" Rangiku answers, and Orihime lets out a small laugh at the rare flushed look on her best friend's face. It soon changed, of course, as Shinji tried to greet her with an over-excited "It's been too long, Tatsuki-chan!" and she punched his nose.
It turned out to be a disruptive morning, sure. But fun, too, and that mattered most.
"I don't get it" Hiyori yells, tossing products on her shopping cart "you give the person a bunch of chocolates and you have to wait a month for them to say if they liked it or not? That's stupid!"
"Well… it's not exactly like this, you see-"
"Leave it, Orihime-chan!" Shinji interrupts "Hiyori is too much of a dummy to understand the nuances of romance like we do-"
"Can it, you bald, idiot-"
"Guys! Please keep it down…" Hinamori shushes them, the effectiveness of it making Orihime chuckle.
Eventually, they manage to pay – Shinji made a whole scene to show Momo how modern cashiers worked – and exit the store, parting ways with Hiyori waved them goodbye and muttered something about Hacchi sending regards.
"… you know, since we're already on it, why don't we make some more for people in the Gotei? I'm sure they'll appreciate it…"
"That's an excellent idea, Orihime!"
Rangiku appears by her side, grasping her shoulder, and something on the woman's high-pitched "excellent" made Orihime suspicious that this was her plan all along.
"Why don't you come back with us - we can make it a Shinigami Woman's Association activity…! Let's see Iba come up with something fun like this…"
"What?" Momo frowns "…But Nanao-san-"
"Oh, Nanao will be fine!"
"Yeah, I like this idea, come back with us, Orihime-chan!"
"… but…"
"We can arrange to bring Tatsuki with us, too!"
"Eh! No way! I mean..." The human girl blushes and coughs "Thanks, Rangiku...-san... But I actually have to get to my work... anyhow, Orihime, talk to you later..."
"You scared her off, Matsumoto…"
"What, you scared her off…!"
"I get the feeling that nothing scares this girl, right?" Momo turns to Orihime, who nods, smiling.
"Well… Anyway, Orihime, you can do your own cooking there, too – our ovens are bigger, it will be fun!" Rangiku adds, not giving her much room to say 'no'.
"… but... hm…" Orihime stutters "… will I be able to come back with the chocolates in the portal…?"
She voices her concern, earning fond – rather amused - looks from the two Shinigami.
"Oh, don't worry" Momo gently intervenes "we can use Kido for these things… if that's what you're worried about"
"Right" Orihime giggles "you managed to transfer this entire town to the Rukongai, and here I am worried about bringing some chocolates… I'm being silly, hehe"
"… it's not silly, though…" the Lieutenant adds, softly, and as Orihime enters the Portal with them, she misses a buzz in her cellphone.
-Inoue, is everything alright?!
.
Karakura Town, earlier.
.
"That's no good, Kurosaki-kun…! Yoruichi-san's whiskers can't be made out of tree twigs, they're more elegant than that, she'll be upset…!"
"Haaa?!" He lets out a frustrated exclamation, trying not to hurt Orihime's feelings as he stares at their no-so-great looking Snow-Cat-Sculpture of Yoruichi sitting on top of Urahara's hat.
Blame Renji and Rukia for convincing him they should participate on the Marvelous Winter Ice and Snow exhibition, which was obviously an excuse for the Kuchiki Siblings to showcase Chappy and SeaWeed ambassador shenanigans. But, as it turned out, Orihime wanted to join and there he was, knee-deep in snow and hands freezing trying to make some freaking cat-whiskers.
"… but…. How do you expect me to do this, then…?"
"We have to ask Hyorinmaru-san and Sode-no-Shirayuku-san to freeze our knitting threads!"
"...?!"
"She's right, Kurosaki… could you be denser?"
"Hey, shut up!"
He grunts at Uryu, who magically showed up by Orihime's side with a bunch of knitting supplies, and much to his shock, morphed into Toshiro's figure, calling out Hyorinmaru to assist Orihime while Rangiku, Shinji and Momo make slow clap motions in the background. Without warning, Rukia bumped her Zanpakuto on his head and delicate Ice Threads showed up on his hands, Orihime giving a triumphant smile.
That should have woken him up, as the back of his consciousness finally seemed to inform him that this ridiculous situation could only be a dream.
Yet waking up would be terrible, because Orihime kneels beside him to show how to properly weave the Ice-Whiskers, and his knees are no longer cold – they are wobbly, but definitely not cold.
And his hands are note freezing, either.
Because in between the weaving, she had intertwined their fingers, and the warmth radiating from his right hand reaches every inch and cell in his body.
And suddenly, he is back in his bed, lying down – yet their fingers are still intertwined.
Hazed in warmth, but unable to open his eyes, he can only feel that she is right there, getting closer to him… close enough that he can feel her breath-
Ichigo jumps out of the bed with such urgency that his covers end up on the opposite end of his room, knocking down a few of his books in the process.
Coming back to his senses, he reassures himself of his waking state, and seats back, rubbing his temples and a growling noise escaping his throat at the concluding paradox he drew from this dream – other than the fact that he definitely overslept from tiredness.
He had spent too much time with Orihime and her insane fantasies had officially rubbed off on him.
And also…
That time was not enough.
Graduation was right around the corner, and it seemed... he already missed her.
Without thinking much, he motions to pick up his phone and see if there's any text, and focusing to track down her reiatsu – just in case – he realizes he missed a lot on his sleep, because for whatever reason, her reiatsu was nowhere to be found.
He texts her, jumps out the window and heads to her house.
She is not there.
Panic settles in his gut.
.
"Geez, hold your horses, Ichigo…" Tatsuki mumbled over the phone after picking up his frantic call "… Rangiku dropped by and had her join them for something chocolate-related stuff…"
"… chocolate…?"
He feels as if he's dreaming an absurd, Fellini-type dream again.
"Yeah, Valentine's Day and stuff… idiotic things, but you know Orihime, she likes this kind of crap, so I guess they all made a thing out of it…"
"… right"
"Anyhow, she was fine, they were all fine, so you can rest that head of yours, I'm sure you'll get your box of chocolates…."
"Idiot! That's not what I am worried about…!"
"Hi, hi… anyhow, gotta go"
Ichigo sighs, frustration growing in his stomach as he passed by couples getting cozy in teashops and getting the feeling that annoyance would be his companion for the day.
.
Soul Society, 11:30 am
.
When they made their way out of the Portal, she was half expecting they would head to the Kuchiki Mansion – it was the place she knew best, after all.
However, Rukia and Renji were apparently on a mission by themselves - and they seemed to have given different information on their whereabouts, as Momo believed they were in one area of the Rukongai, while Rangiku thought it was the opposite way.
Odd... well, at least they are together...
Also, a much-annoyed Hitsugaya Toshiro was expecting them at the Portal to yell - and his irritation grew when they explained that they had brought her with them to bake chocolates.
After exploding, he apologized to Orihime for his outburst and insisted that since they used the Portal under Matsumoto's request, Orihime was their responsibility, so she would be using their barracks.
Another unexpected turn of events happened when the 5th and 10th officials had to rush out to oversee some transfers between their divisions, and their company was replaced by Ayasegawa Yumichika, mumbling something about needing to cool his head because Ikkaku was on deep slumber after heavy training, heavy eating, and heavy drinking, a combo that always led to "hours of snoring, I swear, I have to change my ear waxes again…"
.
After a couple of minutes of silent working, the girl smiles in relief as Yumichika looms over her and lets out a "aah, this is beautiful, Orihime-chan!"
.
Last time she saw them was months before, after the war, and while she was quite fond of him, Orihime was afraid he would not like her work – he was very picky about aesthetics, after all, and her cooking style has always been more of a "looks weird, tastes good" kind of practice.
However, she had invested more time in deserts, and her drawing and sewing skills actually paid off when it came to handling delicate frosting and icing patterns.
As such, it turned out to be a fun afternoon, and having Yumichika's seal of approval was definitely a high-note – she was also particularly impressed with his own skills, and was delighted with the Hozukimaru design on top of an éclair that he baked for Ikkaku. "Well, it's not like he deserves it…! But I am the bigger person in this relationship... as expected..."
Yumichika shrugs it off after she complimented him, and Orihime laughs, thinking about the time she and Keigo went grocery shopping together, right before they began their junior year, and the boy spent the whole trip complaining about the time Ikkaku and Yumichika stayed in his house, which could only mean he actually enjoyed the company of the Shinigami, and possibly missed them - she could relate to it all too well.
"... those chocolate bonbons are looking pretty special… But..."
Oh no… I blew it…!
His beautifully accessorized eyes scanned her side of the tray, mainly the chocolate-on-chocolate ones
"... isn't it too much chocolate in them...?"
"Oh, those are for Kurosaki-kun! He really likes it..." She answers, softly, and the man next to her smirks
"... ah, so we do have more in common than I thought"
"… how so…?" She asks, amused – flattered, too – and Yumichika looks at her as if she had just asked what color the sky is.
"Well, we're top tier beauties, yet we can't help but love and appreciate those morons… It's a curse, really…"
"Oh…" She blushes "… well…"
Feeling the Shinigami's eyes on her, Orihime fidgets her fingers on the hand-towel, embarrassed for not keeping up with the conversation, fully self-conscious that her flushed cheeks were probably telling just how much embarassed she was of having her feelings that much obvious for everyone - well, almost everyone.
"... you know the Shinigami Academy's commandment, Orihime-chan?"
Yumichika asks her after a few seconds in silence, smiling as he gently picks up the towel to dry his own hands. Grateful that he changed the subject, and curious to see where he was going, she answered, remembering her trainings with Rukia.
"... don't seek beauty in battle, don't seek virtue in death..."
Yumichika nods before she finishes the rest
"Yes… when we graduated, I laughed. I never thought I would not seek beauty in battle; that's why we joined the 11th Division in the first place"
"…"
"... It's not about the battle itself, you see" His voice is gentler, melodical, and he hands her the towel back
"… it was about surviving in the Rukongai at first, but then… It was about living. Battle kept us alive, Ikkaku and I. Battle drove us here. Battle brought us together; battle kept us together"
Orihime smiles, admiring the glow in Yumichika's eyes, and feeling oddly unafraid to speak her mind, nor sounding silly.
"… the beauty wasn't in battle at all, right?"
Well…" Yumichika laughs "We do like to fight around here…. But yes, the beauty wasn't in the battle... at all"
She smiles back at him.
"it took Ikkaku a while, too... well, not to get physical, of course..."
...!
Orihime's face heat up at the unexpected mention of... it
"... that he got right away..."
oh dear...
"... but it took him a long time to get real. Only after Captain made him 3rd seat that I saw the look in his face... and he was ready"
Yumichika finishes his line with a soft smile, and she smiles back, fondly looking back at the éclair - and inevitably feeling her cheeks burn up again as certain mental images popped into her head.
Late morning turns lunch-time and Rangiku and co. head back to join them, Nanao coming along with Isane to properly register the event as part of the SWA's agenda – even though it had involved other members of the Gotei, since not only Yumichika was a part of it, they now were sharing the space with Rose, Kensei, Mashiro, Shuuhei and Kira, too. When Ikkaku finally joined them, the whole thing turned into a chocolate contest.
Luckily for everyone involved, Momo and Toshiro seemed to have engaged in a nostalgic conversation about old times as they worked over some chocolates, and the 10th Division Captain was too immersed in it to paid any attention to the ruckus and mayhem in his barracks.
At that point, she was grateful she managed to secure her own boxes for the people in Karakura, and a few especial ones for the other Shinigami.
When Akon showed up, asking if it was true that the Ryoka girl was back, Orihime felt herself being pulled away by none other than Zaraki.
"Hey girl, you should get back to the Human World before those 12 Division freaks make you stay here…"
"…oh…."
"But come by again!" He says, unceremoniously stuffing his mouth with the candies Ikkaku and Yumichika just presented him "and bring Ichigo so we can fight again…!"
She smiles, fondly missing the tiny pink-haired presence in his shoulder.
"aaah, Captain Zaraki is right" Momo snaps "Let's arrange the Portal for her… Rangiku-san…"
Having realized the state of his kitchen, Hitsugaya begins his banter, and Rangiku takes the opportunity to sneak herself, Momo and Orihime out of there, who tries to politely say goodbye to everyone – in vain.
As they make their way to the portal, she entrusts the two Shinigami with her own creations.
"- and these ones are for Abarai-kun and Kuchiki-san… and this is for Captain Kuchiki-san, too, I hope he likes the Cherry Blossom details I made… ah, and this is for Commander Kyoraku, too, oh, and this is for Captain Soi Fon-"
"… Orihime-san, did you make one for each Division…? Even though most of them are already here…?" Momo asks, noticing the number of boxes on the bag the girl just handed them.
"Well… I just thought it would be a nice gesture, after all… ah, also, if someone could give these to Kukkaku-san's House…"
Rangiku pulls her on a hug, ruffling her hair
"I knew you'd make this day fun, Orihime! Don't worry, leave everything to your big sister here and I'll take care of it…!"
Rangiku says as she promptly hands everything to Momo and decides to escort Orihime through the Portal.
They make some conversation over the journey, keeping it mostly light and fun, until Rangiku casually asks her about Ichigo, and Orihime wonders.
She wonders if the face she saw last year… that face that would always remember, that couldn't even describe it, were his equivalent of being ready. In a way, it was. He was ready to fight with her. That was all she needed to know.
But she wondered if she would ever see a new type of ready… maybe. Maybe not. At any rate, she would not think about it today. She treasured what she had, and it was enough to ward off the loneliness.
.
Karakura Town, 3 pm
.
"Ichi-nii, if you're so nervous, head over Urahara and have him open up a portal for you…"
"I'm not nervous"
Karin raises her eyebrow at him, eyeing his restless legs and letting out a soft chuckle.
"… anyhow, Orihime-chan can take care of herself, what's wrong if she spends some time with Rangiku and the others…"
"That's not…"
"Say if Ishida were the one spending time with them would you mind?"
Ichigo scoffed
"… if Ishida spontaneously shows up at Soul Society on a day like this that would mean something was very wrong!"
She rolls her eyes, and he deflects the conversation by thanking Yuzu for their lunch.
It did not help that she casually mentioned she used Orihime's tip to add extra butter on the curry.
Predictably, he heads out and finds himself getting mocked by Kisuke and punched by Yoruichi the second he enters the shop and asks if he could head to Soul Society to escort her back.
"Inoue doesn't need you, you stupid, oblivious, slow-"
"… anyway, Kurosaki-san… I can get the Portal open for you, but it seems they have already set a Portal directly to her residence…"
"What? How do you know that…?" He asks, but realizes he has no time to hear the man goof around "Nevermind, thanks, Urahara-san, Yoruichi-san…"
He was not being stupid.
He knew she could take care of herself. He knew she was probably having fun, and while he did worry about those meat-heads invading her space and being completely inappropriate with her, he couldn't help but to feel a residual, harrowing fear.
He knew they were on peace times, but Ichigo – and him alone – knew what he had felt the last time she crossed a Portal and things went wrong.
So no, he would make no excuses for being worried.
Because he knew the feeling of relief, warm restfulness, and comforting peace whenever he looked at her and saw that she was okay.
And it was just that feeling that took over him when he approached her building and her reiatsu popped into his senses.
His follows his instinct to knock on her door, but as soon as he lifts his fist, Ichigo comes to a halt, deciding he should probably leave her be, she would be tired and-
"Kurosaki-kun…? I thought I sensed your reiatsu…."
She stands by the door, curious eyes scanning him.
"H-Hey… Inoue…"
He gulps
"… Sorry, I've heard that you had quite the day… I… uh, I just came to check if you were safe…"
Orihime's eyes linger on his for a few seconds, and she smiles.
"… safe and sound, Kurosaki-kun… thanks" She hums, and relaxing, Ichigo notices the bags in her hands.
Oh, right, the chocolates!
"Oh…!" She notices where his eyes went "… I… well, the whole thing turned into a baking competition… there's chocolate for the rest of the year… so I was going to deliver them to everyone… there're some special boxes for Ishida-kun and Sado-kun"
She blushes
"… and you, of course, hehe, t-there's a special box for you – and don't even think about calling it scrap chocolate or anything!"
He snorts at her mocking-serious tone, and smiles.
"… hey, mind if I join you as you go by? I'll walk you back here afterwards… if that's ok…"
"oh… you don't have to… it's cold…"
"… it's not that cold…" He answers, almost on reflex
"well, alright then, thanks, Kurosaki-kun… let's go, then"
She beams at him, and they head down.
"… ne, Kurosaki-kun, did you know Yumichika-san can decorate bonbons…?"
"… really? With his nose up in the air like that...?"
As it turned out, the rest of his day was the furthest thing from annoying.
Not even when they realized neither Chad nor Uryu were home and they had to leave Chad's box tied to his doorknob "That's what I do with the bread", Orihime says, and as they try to figure where is Uryu's mailbox, they are found by Ryuuken on the corridor, and the man gave him an irritated look.
"… do you think Ishida-san was mad at us…?"
"… at you? Hardly…"
When they head back and she invites him in, he accepts – convincing himself that it still early in the evening, therefore, it's a respectful time.
The time for the chocolate comes, and it's like his dream all over again, warmth spreading and reaching far corners under his skin as she hands him the box
"There… I hope you like them…"
His eyes shift from her to the box, then back to her, then back to the box, finally opening it
"… thanks, Inoue… they look great…"
Orihime's eyes glimmer, and he wonders if tasting them now would be rude or make her happy.
Taking a chance, and knowing that with her it was probably safer to to err on the side of the food, he asked if it would be ok to eat it… and her resounding 'yes' confirmed his instincts.
And hell.
It was delicious.
His face must have given him away, because he saw her own face lit up – yet he made sure he voiced just how good it was.
"Thank goodness! I knew you'd like it… well, I hoped, but… hehe, I'm glad!"
As she commemorates her chocolate-y victory and gets to eat it herself – "have some too, Inoue…"/ "but those are yours, Kurosaki-kun!" / "well, right, so, I should get to share it with whoever I want, right…"/ "but I have already ate so much…"/ "are we back at this? When has this ever stopped you before…"/ "oh, ok….. hehe" – Ichigo wonders.
He wonders a lot of things.
Of all those things, he mostly wonders about what will happen over the next months.
And he feels like he needs to ask her…
No, he feels like he needs to say that… that the wants to stay. That he is hoping he will get into Karakura University, and spend more time with his family, more time in his town… and that he hopes that they can remain the same… that he hopes she will stay close.
That he wants… her to stay close.
He knows it's selfish. He knows she probably will stay in their town. But maybe she wants her own life. Maybe she wants some time apart. He shouldn't say anything.
But his chest pounds, and he feels like he needs to say it.
That she should know…
"… Inoue…"
"…hm?" She turns her head back at him, licking her bottom lip to get rid off a bit of chocolate, and it is pathetic how that completely throws him off.
"… oh, darn it… sorry, I made a mess…" Orihime mistakes the reason of his speechlessness, and he's grateful for it, allowing him to pull it together.
"… you were going to say something, Kurosaki-kun…?"
"yeah… I…"
Ichigo sighs
"… I… I dreamed Renji and Rukia convinced you to enroll us on a Snow Sculpture Exhibition and we were trying to build Yoruichi-san in her cat form…"
Orihime's eyes widened, and her lips turn into a bright, focus 'O' that usually meant she saw something really enticing, like a tasty food or when she read an interesting article about things being discovered in the world of robotics or far-away stars.
"… tell me more…! Oh, what did we use to make her whiskers?!"
He laughs, and as the night proceeds and he drags himself back home, Ichigo also wonders how could he possibly give her anything next month that would express what he felt
… that could express that he...
... that he...
...
Soul Society, 9 pm
.
"… So…" Shuuhei takes a seat next to her as they finish cleaning up the place "… you just woke up and felt like bringing Inoue Orihime here to make chocolate…?"
Rangiku hands her bottle over to him, and she thinks about Byakuya having tracked down Renji and Rukia, making sure they would assist on retributing the human girl for her thoughtfulness.
She thinks about Shinji getting to spend time with Hiyori and Momo, and she thinks about her Captain's face when the 5th Division Lieutenant handed him one of the chocolates she had been working on and said it was for him.
Kira takes a seat by Hisagi, and she pulls another bottle to hand over to him.
Rangiku smiles.
… I woke up missing happiness.
And it felt good to make sure it seized the day.
.
.
Notes
1) Yes, Rukia and Renji are away because they are shinigami-and-smooching behind everybody's back. As they should.
2) Are Chad and Uryu smooching as well? They could be, I hope they are. But since they're still young themselves like our sunshine couple, maybe they are just chilling somewhere.
3) Does Karakura have a University after all? In WDKALY it looks like Ichigo stayed at the Kurosaki Clinic, so let's go with that.