I don't own Bleach. Kubo Tite does.
A/N – This is based on the mini chapter not known to many, numbered 25.2 or so, showing a scene between Ichigo and Tatsuki after Ichigo's battle with Grand Fisher in Memories in the Rain.
I personally loved those four manga pages as they really fit my taste and I love interaction between Ichigo and Tatsuki, and it clarified a lot of things I thought about but had no basis in the manga.
Bottom line, things important from there –
Ichigo skipped not only the 17th of June that year, but also the 18th on which the events of that half a chapter take place.
This happens on the 19th.
Just a Taste
She wasn't used to being alone.
Life was hard on her, but she was never alone.
She always had someone, and not just anyone.
His constant frown told her that for him it was the other way around.
Voluntarily alone among others… was the worst fate one could bestow upon oneself.
She wanted to do something for him… anything… if only to keep from remembering her own pain, her own ache so overly mirrored in his chocolate hued eyes.
She'd have hugged him had she could… yet her legs remained planted where she stood. Her arms weighted heavily at her sides, tightly gripping the small bag smelling of freshly baked goods.
Her face, constantly a mask of happiness and glee was now set in a cold, unreadable expression.
When was the last time she had seen him smile?
It was June the 19th.
He had skipped school the day before.
She could only assume it was due to what happened the day before that.
She wouldn't ask.
She preferred believing that to knowing she couldn't.
Would he even answer her?
She bit her lower lip. The last thing she wanted was for him to smile fakely at her the way he did three days before…
Or worse…
Let his true smile be painted with sadness and grief.
Something…
Anything…
"Kurosaki-kun…"
He raised his head from the notebook he was scribbling in, blinking as he realized who had called his name.
"…Inoue?"
She tried ignoring how tired he seemed and sounded. How worn out she knew he must've been.
She knew…
No matter what happened the day before, she knew what at least happened the day before that.
Visiting ones gone and buried was never an easy task.
"I…"
Want to hold you.
"That is…"
Wipe your tears.
"Are you hungry?"
"Huh?"
He blinked at her, not following the trail she herself had lost.
"I made some cookies."
Would you even cry in front of me?
"Chocolate ones."
I cried for you.
"Would you…"
Would you have held me?
"… I'd love some."
I'd love you to.
"… Not enough sugar."
Tilting her head, she smiled down at him warmly.
"Somehow… I knew you'd say that."
He blinked up at her, confused.
"I'd… make some for tomorrow. Would you…"
"… I'd eat it."
I'd love you to.
"Then, tomorrow."
"Ah."
"Don't skip then."
"… Somehow… I knew you'd say that."
Simple things were enough.
Because even for that one fleeting moment, his eyes were closed as he pondered the taste she had prepared for him, not thinking about anything painful.
And she, in that one moment he had probably already forgotten, told herself it was the shadow of a smile dancing at the corners of his lips, helping her get through the rest of the day.
"…Too much chocolate."
"… I'll try again tomorrow."
"… You do that."
"Eh heh heh heh…"
I'd love you to.
