Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. It's property of Tite Kubo.
Author's Note: Hi! So I'm back and this time with the explanation for chapter 25. So in this chapter we explore what decision they both take and how they got to this moment without it being vague lol. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as you seemed to enjoy chapter 25. It was a delight to write it, honestly. It's one of my favorites so far. I hope you think so too.
As always, thank you all for your support! I'm grateful for all of your kind words. I'm happy that I've been able to make you guys happy during this IR Month.
And since I'm not done with all the prompts, don't worry. I'll keep on posting until it's done.
See ya!
would it be enough?
Prompt: favorite scene
Summary: It's probably the rain will never leave. But they will try their best for each other. More than that. They will give it all.
But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm
If your cascade, ocean wave blues come
All these people think love's for show
But I would die for you in secret
The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me
Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?
Sometimes, they lie awake and wonder.
Just sometimes.
When they are in bed, wide awake, and the moon shines through the window.
They wonder.
They wonder about a single moment in time.
A single second that could have changed it all.
They recall it all.
The setting sun.
Grass surrounding them.
The Senkaimon.
"Let's go, Rukia."
"I've decided to stay here."
"See ya!"
"Thank you, Ichigo."
"That's my line."
What would have happened if they had done things differently?
How would their lives have changed if Rukia had decided to go back to Karakura with Ichigo back then?
Would anything have changed at all?
Or would they have stayed the same?
Certainly they would have saved each other from heartbreak.
Maybe.
Or not.
Would it have been easier?
Would it have been more difficult?
And where would they be now?
The truth is they don't know.
They will never know.
These questions cannot be answered.
But one thing is for sure.
Rukia had made her choice then.
To stay.
That is true.
Eventually, however, she had gone back.
To Karakura.
To Ichigo.
Time and time again.
And it had all turned out just fine.
One could say it had been worth it.
But still, sometimes, when they close their eyes, they can see a field of grass and the sky painted with dusk.
And there had been a promise in Ichigo's eyes.
Both had known it.
That something had changed right then and there.
And if she had taken that leap.
If she had followed him…
Well─
Perhaps it hadn't happened for a reason.
Maybe there were things that they had needed to experience to reach this moment.
And so, they forget about it.
Move on with their lives.
Forget all the what-ifs and missed opportunities.
And enjoy this new thing they have going on.
It's been years after all.
Over four years that cannot be reversed.
The present is much different.
It's just the two of them now.
And it's alright.
They can forget about doors closing and about unspoken questions.
That is, of course, until they are back there.
In that very same spot.
It is funny how there are moments that just repeat themselves without meaning to.
Ichigo had just gone to Seireitei that day.
Not uninvited.
But unannounced.
It had taken Rukia by surprise.
As it turns out, the holidays are around the corner.
And he's asking her to come to Karakura.
With him.
For an extended period of time.
It feels exactly like it did during that moment.
A sense of déjà vu fills them then.
They are in front of the Senkaimon.
There is a gentle breeze blowing as the sun dies.
And Ichigo has a question in his eyes.
An unspoken "come with me."
But somehow it feels as if he were asking for more than accepting a simple invitation.
As if he wants more of her.
As if he's proposing the idea of forever.
It catches both of them off-guard.
They realize there is a decision to be made right here and now.
It is frightening.
Because it is obvious that this half-life must come to an end at some point.
That there will come a time when they will have to choose.
To choose a home.
A life.
For the two of them.
They have matured enough to know what they want.
But the question is if they want it to always be like this.
And forever is such a long time.
Humans make promises of love.
But it is always until death do them part.
Shinigami, likewise, make promises that they could very easily break, and not only because of death.
But this
This bond that they have, they know will transcend the limitations of time of space.
These are not empty promises.
Forever is quite frankly, for forever.
Stretching over the course of their lives and beyond.
Lifetime after lifetime after lifetime until the end of time.
The question is, then, if they are ready for something like this.
Would they be alright if they were to undertake such a journey?
Would they ever come to regret it?
Wish they would have chosen differently?
That is the fear.
The frightening thought that they don't have what it takes.
That they are severely lacking.
Because they will never have a calm life with each other.
They know this.
It won't be rainbows and butterflies all the time.
They won't live a normal life.
Or have a normal relationship.
Perhaps there won't be marriage nor children nor white houses.
And there will always be fighting.
With wars and blood and pain and destiny always following them around.
A threat at the back of their minds.
(During your happiest moment, I'll come back to kill you)
There won't ever be peace.
And yet they cannot fathom being without the other.
Because maybe they are not each other's best option.
It's probably the rain will never leave.
But they will try their best for each other.
More than that.
They will give it all.
For better or for worse.
If the other needs a partner to fight for them, they will be that.
If they just need a shoulder to cry on, there will be there.
And they cannot promise that the clouds above will leave.
But for richer and for poorer.
There will always be even the tiniest of rays of light shining through.
Even when the other doesn't want to talk, they will be there.
Basking in the tranquil silence that comes from understanding each other.
In sickness and in health.
They will keep the other warm when it is too much.
When oceans and thunder try to drown them.
To love and to cherish.
They would die for each other.
They would kill for the other.
They would change destiny time and time again.
Because nothing, not even death, can separate them.
This bond that ties them is infinite.
But would that be enough?
Is it enough?
And the answer will always be yes.
Ultimately, there is no hesitation.
They must accept the true meaning of their bond.
And so they do.
"Let's go, Rukia."
They walk hand in hand towards the next stage of their lives.
Together.
(And the rain has stopped)
A/N: So basically my favorite scene here is when Ichigo tells Rukia they are heading back to Karakura, but she tells him that she wants to stay in the SS. I absolutely love how they look at each other in that scene. And, of course, it is the same scene in which we get two iconic IR quotes: "I remember now, the reason why I wanted to save you so much" and "Thank you, Rukia. Thanks to you, I think the rain has stopped." Bless everything about this scene except for Rukia staying in the SS.
It's also kind of a call-back of the final episode in the anime, when Rukia tells Ichigo that she feels as if they are always saying goodbye as he stands in front of the Senkaimon, and he tells her it's not a goodbye but a see you later, because they will definitely see each other again. And I also adore how they look at each other here. The anime team really did deliver.
So, in this one-shot, I wanted to explore a situation in which they ultimately decide to really stay together, not just in a platonic way as they had been toeing all this time, but beyond that. That they will have a home with each other, whatever that will mean for them, even if it is not in the traditional way.
It was inspired by Taylor Swift's song "peace." I've said before it feels very IR and I also feel asnwers a few of the issues agains this pairing.
Maybe it won't be normal or peaceful, but it is worth it.
And I totally sneaked in some wedding vows cause this decision has the same value, even without a formal wedding.
They are vowing to be together forever.
As for the chronology, this takes place before the final confrontation between Rukia and the gang, as they do declare at the end they will be together forever because this is what they had chosen in here.
Hope you guys liked it!
See ya!