OUR LOVE TOWARDS THE FUTURE

By: Mari Kia Aishiteru

SEVEN: Release!

"Wow! A very large underground basement!" Orihime chirped as she clapped. She was wearing a pink blouse with black fit jogging pants, paired up with red rubber shoes. Her eyes roamed around the place, very astonished on what she was seeing. It was Sunday and Rukia and Uryuu went to the Kurosaki Household because of Isshin's invitation.

I need your help he said.

The two want to watch the twins train too, so they gladly accepted.

"I never thought we had this place under our house." Ichigo commented. He was wearing a plain purple shirt and black pants with black rubber shoes. The twins were all motivated so they were wearing rubber shoes despite training in their own—underground, though—home.

Masaki smiled. She was wearing a simple pink dress with flowers as design. The dress was up until below her knees. She was also wearing pink slippers. "Of course, it's a secret. But now it's not."

"Okay, listen." Isshin clapped to get their attention as he faced the four teens. He was wearing a black shirt and pants and a slipper. "Ichigo, since you already released your powers, you just have to learn how to control it at will and learn to use it properly and easily so I recommend you to train with Princess Rukia." He paused, looking at Rukia. "Is that alright with you, Princess?" he asked.

"Hai." She said as she nodded in approval. She was wearing a creamy white blouse and a black skirt with ruffles in the end up until above her knee. It was paired up with brown boots with an inch heel. She didn't have a good training for a long time so why not?

It could also help Ichigo learn some techniques and she could also learn from it.

"Eh?" Ichigo looked at her. "Are you sure?"

"Of course!" she answered, grinning lightly.

"Uryuu-kun, I'll need your help regarding the release of Orihime. Can you?" Isshin stared at Uryuu, waiting for answer.

Uryuu and Orihime looked at each other for a brief moment. Orihime smiled at him and Uryuu looked at Isshin and answered, "Hai, I'll help." Uryuu was wearing a white garb and white pants with white shoes.

Isshin and Masaki smirked at each other.

"Well then, we'll start the training now. Ichigo and Princess Rukia, please have your training over there." Isshin said as he pointed a large place, a few distance away from where they were standing. The two obliged and started walking off after wishing Orihime good luck.

"Orihime, we'll start releasing your powers 'kay?"

"Hai, Dad." Orihime nodded.

"I'm going to go back upstairs to prepare for lunch." Masaki smiled as she started to walk off.

"Let's begin. This is the deal. I will enclose Uryuu-kun in ice. The ice would spread from his toe and feet to his head. When he was totally enclosed by it, he wouldn't be able to breathe."

"Eh?" Orihime said, surprised. "What should I do then?"

"You must release your powers to save him before that! It's simple isn't it?" Isshin declared.

"But, if I will not be able to do it before he was totally enclose by it, he will…"

"Yeah, I will die." Uryuu finished.

"Then, you must not take a part in this!" Orihime said worriedly.

"I believe in you Orihime. That's why I'm here." He said confidently.

"Uryuu-kun…"

"Believe in yourself too. I'm sure, you'll be able to do it." he smiled at her.

"Yeah!" she nodded determinedly. "Dad, I'll do it!"

"That's my lovely daughter!" Isshin screamed excitedly. "Let's start!"

….

"Seems like they're starting already." Ichigo said as he materialized his black sword again. He looked at Rukia and saw her concentrating, her eyes closed and her right arm were raised in front of her. It seems like she was reaching for something.

"Is she trying to materialize her sword? Come to think of it, she never materialized it." he whispered to himself.

He saw Rukia surrounded by a white aura and slowly, a sword materialize in her grasp. It was all white, the blade, the hilt, the guard and the long ribbon attached on its hilt.

It was a beautiful view.

The white aura disappeared soon and Rukia opened her eyes. She saw Ichigo looking at her. She thought of the time he kissed her and she blushed.

"Let's start, Ichigo." She said as she tried to hide her blush.

Ichigo nodded. "Okay."

Rukia was the first one who charged at him. He clashed his black sword with her white one. When the two clashed, two different colors of aura erupted. White and black. It was a very stunning view.

Rukia continued to pressure Ichigo by drawing him in a corner. That way, he will be force to draw all of his powers to defend himself.

On the other side, Ichigo just defended. He couldn't attack her at all. He couldn't see an opening to lunge at her. She was good at this. He really needed to train after all. He then pushed Rukia's sword away from him and unconsciously used flash steps and appeared behind her. Rukia was shocked and wasn't able to deflect his attack on her from behind. She was cut on her left shoulder. She fell forward and to her knees. Ichigo, regaining his composure, was shocked at himself.

"What… did I just do?" he asked himself.

"You learn pretty fast you know. You just used flash step." Rukia said while clinging to her wound.

Ichigo noticed and soon realized what he had done. He sat in front of her and looked at her wound.

"Rukia… I didn't intend to do that… I'm sorry…" he said guiltily.

Rukia looked at him and saw his worry and guilt. She smiled at him. "Don't worry. Your mother gave me yellow crystals just in case." She said as she reached to her skirt pocket and got a small pocket bag full of blue and yellow crystals. She got one yellow crystal from it and swallowed it. Her body was surrounded by a yellow light and her wound slowly healed.

"Wow… that was awesome…" Ichigo whispered.

"These are called Power Crystals. The yellow crystals are used for healing wounds while the blue ones give back one's strength. Got it?" she asked after explaining.

"Yeah… I got it. Do all Butterflies know how to create such Power Crystals? Because I saw Okaasan materialized it from her hands last night when you and Uryuu were unconscious." He asked.

"Actually, only the women from Yoshioka Clan could materialize the power crystals."

"Yoshioka? My mother was from that Clan right?"

Rukia nodded. "This ability could only be passed on all of the women from the Yoshioka clan bloodline. Meaning, Orihime could possibly have that ability."

"Really? That's something." He said, truly amazed.

"Yeah, it is." she agreed. She stood up to her feet and said, "Let's continue."

Ichigo nodded determinedly.

…

It has been an hour since Uryuu was covered with ice. The ice was currently up to his neck now. The only part which was uncovered was his face.

Orihime… concentrate… Orihime thought to herself as her eyes closed and concentrated harder.

There was half an hour left. Orihime must release now or Uryuu-kun will completely jail up by my ice. Isshin thought as he watched.

Orihime…

After half an hour, nothing has changed. Uryuu was totally enclosed in the ice. Orihime panicked.

Uryuu-kun will die! Concentrate… concentrate… I need to release now. Please. Uryuu-kun. I need to protect him. I want to. I... I love him… I love him so much. Please…

She continued to concentrate and Isshin looked up at his daughter, shocked by what was he was seeing.

Orihime was surrounded by pink light aura and her aura continued to rise. In her right hand, she felt a sword slowly materializing.

…

Ichigo and Rukia, who was busily training, stopped for a moment to look at the direction where the strong aura was coming from. They saw Orihime emits such an awesome power.

"Orihime…" Ichigo whispered.

Rukia noticed his worried look at his sister so she said, "Don't worry, Ichigo. She'll be fine." she stared at him and smiled. "She's a Kurosaki after all."

Ichigo smiled back. "Thanks, Rukia."

…

Orihime opened her eyes and looked at the sword in her right hand. Its hilt was purely pinkish and its blade was surrounded by a pink aura. She then looked at Uryuu's ice form in front of her. She walked towards him and raised her sword up, leaning the tip of its blade on Uryuu's head. The ice slowly melts and Uryuu stood there, in front of Orihime. He was breathing heavily and Orihime smiled at him. Uryuu smiled back and placed a hand on her shoulder as he nodded.

"Congratulations. You did it." he complimented.

Orihime grinned widely. "Thanks to you." She said.

I'm thankful that I love you…

…

"For the success of Ichigo and Orihime, cheers!" Isshin started, as he raised his cup of alcoholic drink.

Masaki and the others followed with their cups raised too filled with juice since they were still underage for drinking alcohol and for Masaki's case, she preferred her favorite melon juice. They yelled altogether, "Cheers!"

After the sound of clashing of the glass cups, they drank their drinks simultaneously and sighed. They went back on their own seats for dinner to get started since they were all starving from the all day training. After Orihime released her powers, she had a one-on-one training battle with Uryuu and sometimes, with Rukia. The twins were very thankful to the both of them since they were there to help them.

They continued to eat their dinner in silence until Rukia couldn't contain herself so she decided to ask Isshin about her thoughts.

"Isshin-san," she called out.

Isshin and the others looked at her, curious on what could Rukia want.

"What is it, Princess Rukia?" he asked, grinning widely.

Rukia felt uneasy because of the way he addressed her. She just couldn't help but feel strange that people call her like that. She wasn't just use to it.

"Um… please don't use anymore honorifics. I'm not used to it. Just address me like before." She said, trying to be polite.

"Alright then, Rukia-chan, what do you want to ask me about?" he said, asking yet again.

"Um… I just want to ask, do you know what's going on in the Butterfly Society right now?" she asked softly.

Isshin was taken aback by the question. He was expecting that question coming but not now, at this time where they were having dinner and the three guardians were there too. The others looked at him curiously.

"Actually, I want to know too. It's been six years since I've received news from Thyilea." Uryuu commented. "And, Princess Rukia told me about the invasion just a week ago." He added.

Isshin sighed. "Okay. I'll tell you. Rukia hime, the Butterfly Society was totally in chaos at this time. Most of the Butterflies were forced to serve Tomoki and his legions. More like slaves." He started.

"Eh?" Rukia managed to say with all of the shock written clearly on her face. She started to worry and feel guilty. If only she was strong enough, she would have gotten back to Butterfly Society and defeated that Tomoki all by herself to save her people from the slavery they were in.

It's my fault… because I'm weak. After all this time, I'm still…

Ichigo noticed the guilt in her eyes. He was always feeling weird about it, that he was the only one who could see Rukia's feelings by her eyes. He wanted to help her more than ever before now. She was totally blaming herself for the enslavement of her people and he was so sure about it.

"But, luckily, thanks to the other guardians left, the other butterflies were able to escaped Thyilea and hide somewhere in Butterfly Society." Isshin continued.

Rukia was surprised by this and stared at Isshin with wide eyes. "Really? Where are they hiding now?" she asked.

"In Shimylea."

"Shimylea? In Hinamori Clan's kingdom?" Uryuu asked, not that he was surprised in this. The Queen of Thyilea, Rukia's mother, was a former Hinamori after all.

"They're safe?" Rukia asked hopefully.

"Yes, and they are waiting for you." Masaki answered this time, drinking her cup of juice.

Rukia sighed in relief. She then thought that she needed to make it to the Butterfly Society as soon as possible.

"Did the other three families help out too?" Uryuu asked.

"Well, only the other two."

"I guess the Motomiya Clan betrayed us too huh…" Rukia said thoughtlessly.

"Why do you think so, Rukia-chan?" Orihime asked, joining the serious conversation.

"Well you see… the Motomiya family was jealous because of my Father's power and because he's the ruler of the whole Butterfly Society. In short, he wants to be powerful but that's impossible because of my Father's presence in the throne. Not to mention, my brothers candidacy in the throne." She explained.

Orihime nodded in understanding.

"Why would the other families help you out then?" Ichigo questioned as he stared at her.

"It's because the Hinamori Family was my Mother's former clan. And the Izutsu Family was my sister-in-law's former clan. She was married to my eldest brother a year before I was born. That was my sister had told me." Rukia said as she shrugged her shoulder.

"Hmm…" Ichigo nodded.

"Getting back to the topic, they were already preparing for your return there princess." Masaki said.

"Really?" Rukia asked, hope in her violet eyes.

"Hai, after the preparation, any day from now, someone will come here from there to escort you back there." Masaki explained.

"So, the time is near for me to go back huh?" Rukia murmured to herself.

"While we're waiting for that, you need to train more though." Isshin paused and stared seriously at the youngest Kuchiki princess. "You know well the reason why Tomoki wants you right?" he asked.

"Hai," Rukia nodded. "He wants my power because I had the powers of the four elements, which I absorbed from my siblings before I escaped from the Butterfly Society five years ago." She declared.

"Well, that's true. After draining your power, you'll die." Isshin commented.

Ichigo and Orihime, not knowing about this information, gaped in shocked.

"Really? Is that true?" Orihime asked.

"Yeah. That situation only applies on the royalty. But, when it happened in an ordinary butterfly, generals, and guardians, they don't die. They'll be force to live in the Human World as a human, and they'll lose all of their memories as well as their powers. Butterflies like them were called 'Fallen Butterflies'". Uryuu explained to Orihime.

Orihime nodded in understanding. "That's very disturbing."

"Indeed." Ichigo nodded. "Wait, if Rukia will go back, what are we going to do?" he asked.

Actually, he didn't want her to go away. He wanted to be with her. But, he didn't know why. He was confused but he didn't have the time to think about that. All he knew was that, he didn't want to be apart from her.

He wanted her to stay by his side always.

He wanted to see her smile and laugh always.

It was because he loves her.

Eh? Did he just think of that?

He loves her?

Was that the reason why he felt this way?

Ichigo gently shook his head to bring himself out of his own trance. He heard his father's answer regarding his question.

"Of course, as a guardian of the Kuchiki Family, we need to go with her to help her defeat Tomoki and protect her." Isshin replied, with a goofy smile on his face.

Orihime giggled excitedly as Uryuu drank his juice from his cup. Masaki smiled softly as she knew what her son was thinking about.

He didn't want to be apart from her. she thought. My son is a grown up now. She giggled inwardly.

My twin brother is in love now. I'm excited. Orihime thought as she looked at her twin brother. She saw him smile softly as their 'dearest daddy' answered his question. This will be so much interesting… she continued to giggle.

Ichigo is coming with me? Rukia thought. She couldn't help but smile because of the happiness she felt deep inside her heart. She didn't know why but she didn't want to leave him here behind. But, after learning that they were coming with her, she felt warmth inside her insides.

It seemed to caress her whole being gently.

It was a wonderful feeling.

Ichigo saw her lips curved into a soft beautiful smile. He smiled wider too. She's happy that I'm coming with her.

Maybe, he really loves her. But, there was a lot of proving to do first things first.

"So, starting tomorrow, you should come here to train every day. Is that fine?" Masaki inquired the princess.

"Of course, I'm happy to train here." She answered.

"I'm going to train here too since I think my abilities were getting rough now." Uryuu said.

"That's a good idea, Uryuu-kun. You could also help Orihime to train, and Ichigo, telling him certain tips on how to use his sword correctly." Masaki added.

"Hai." He replied, nodding his head.

"That's a deal then." Isshin said.

The dinner seemed to be quiet after that. It was really refreshing, in Rukia's point of view. She was very happy and she felt like she was with her family.

She giggled at that thought.

…

"Orihime, is it really okay for me to be here in your room?" Uryuu asked as he sat on the floor in front of Orihime's small desk. He saw Orihime sat across him.

"Of course it is. What are you thinking about?" Orihime said, smiling.

"Um… well… we didn't talk about this for a long time but… about the day when you came to my apartment to get Princess Rukia's jacket… Um… Uh… well… I-I'm sorry for what I have done." He said, feeling awkward again.

Orihime remembered that day and the way he kissed her. She blushed madly red again. Uryuu noticed it and he blushed too, knowing the reason why she did.

"Y-you don't have to apologize. I-I'm kinda happy about it." Orihime said truthfully, turning away from his gaze.

Uryuu looked up at her face. He saw in her eyes that she was serious. Even so she was blushing, she told him the truth.

"W-why are you happy about it? W-we're not even together…" he said again, wondering what her answer would be.

"T-then… let's be together…" Orihime replied, her face getting redder and redder than usual. She didn't want to hide her feelings for him anymore. But, she didn't intend it to be like this. It just slipped out of her mouth. Now, she couldn't take it back.

She panicked in her mind. What if he doesn't like her back? What if he just laughed at her now? She didn't know what to do!

Waaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!

So many what ifs! It's getting on my nerves!

She was startled when Uryuu got up from his seat. She didn't know what he would do because she was facing her left side. She couldn't look at him. She was feeling nervous.

But, just then, Uryuu sat in front of her, and suddenly leaned down to kiss her soft lips. She didn't reacted immediately because she was too shocked to retaliate. But, even if she reacted immediately, she would never retaliate against it.

DUH! How she loves to be the only recipient of his kisses you know!

She kissed him back without hesitation. Now, she was sure of it. Uryuu loves her back. Maybe as much as she loves him. She smiled between his kisses.

After what it seemed like forever, they broke apart from the kiss to breathe. Their foreheads touched each other's as they looked in each other's eyes. Just then, Uryuu softly whispered,

"I love you. Orihime."

Orihime smiled again. "I love you too. Uryuu-kun."

They grinned widely at each other.

"Let's be together then." Uryuu declared.

Orihime giggled happily. "You don't know for how long I want that so much."

Uryuu smirked at her. "Me too."

After grinning at each other, they kissed again, more intimately and passionately this time, as they deepened the kiss. The kiss that poured out all of their emotions for each other.

…

Ichigo climbed up on the roof to find who he was searching for. He silently walked up behind her. She didn't budge.

Maybe she didn't know I'm behind…

He decided to call her name instead, to gather her attention.

"Rukia…"

She jumped up in surprise. "Ichigo! Don't scare me like that, you baka! You almost got my soul out of my body." She yelled at him.

Ichigo smirked at him. "Really? How come your soul is still in your body?" he asked sarcastically.

"Haha… funny strawberry…" she said.

Ichigo's eyes twitched. "Hey! Where did that stupid nickname come from, you midget?!" he retaliated.

"From your name, baka and don't call me midget!!" she glared.

Ichigo smirked widely at the sight of her getting teased. It was the first time they had a bickering like this and it was a good feeling.

"Oh yeah, why would I not spoke of the tru—" he never finished that sentence when Rukia just punched him straight on his face.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR, YOU EVIL OF A MIDGET!" he yelled.

"FOR TEASING ME STRAWBERRY BAKA!" She fought.

They both breathed heavily, glaring at one another.

After a few moments, they both averted their gaze and sat on the roof quietly. Rukia was holding the necklace that used to be her sister's.

"What are you doing here anyway? It's cold here. You'll catch a cold if you stay here too long." Ichigo said calmly as he rubbed his now sore face from where Rukia had punched him.

She didn't answer him so he watched the dark night sky with the moon's light illuminating their shadows.

"You alright?" he asked after a long silence.

"Yeah."

He noticed her caressing the necklace that he realized was her sister's. He hesitantly asked her.

"Rukia, your sister's necklace…" Ichigo started.

"This? Ichigo, you know, all of us had this kind of necklace. Except for the pendant though." She began.

"What do you mean?"

"Look at this." she said as she touched her own necklace to show it to him.

He saw the same necklace, but just as she said, its pendant was different. Rukia's sister's was a blue teardrop-like pendant while Rukia's was a white cloud-like pendant. He was confused.

"This necklace helps us increase our powers. It helps us release easily or if we couldn't control it anymore because of the strong pressure, this necklace absorbs it." she explained.

Ichigo looked back at her as she hid her necklace under her blouse again. She looked at her sister's necklace again.

"Woah… that's cool…" Ichigo commented.

"Yeah, you're right." She said. "That's why we have to take good care of this."

A gust of wind passed them and Rukia shivered. Ichigo noticed it and he took off his black leathered jacket, and placed it around her shoulder, shielding her body from the cold wind.

Rukia was startled at the sudden action and she looked at him worriedly. Now that she had his jacket, he will be the one who will catch the cold.

"Ichigo, are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, no problem." He replied, but hugged himself tightly. He was just wearing a plain blue shirt.

He's lying.

A smile slipped from her lips.

"Ichigo, let's go back inside. I want to go home, it's getting late." She said looking up at the moon.

Ichigo looked at her. "You sure?"

She nodded happily. She was feeling better now that Ichigo was here beside her.

"Let's go then. I'll take you home." He added as he stood up. He helped her stand and when they were both standing up, with the light of the full moon behind them, she whispered as she looked at him,

"Thank you so much for being here, Ichigo."

Ichigo smiled at her. "Anytime, Rukia. Anytime."

-END OF CHAPTER SEVEN-