Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all my wonderful readers! I hope you enjoy this!
It was Christmas season, and Japan was buzzing with excitement. This year they were supposed to reach several inches of snow in Karakura Town. The whole town was hyped up for the return of the ice rink, expect for one petite woman. She was excited to spend her first Christmas with her boyfriend.
Byakuya was expecting them to be at the manor in a few hours to celebrate Christmas Eve. Shuuhei was even given permission to stay the night, but he had to bunk to the room that connected with Byakuya's. Rukia could understand her brother's reaction, but that still didn't stop them from planning to see one another after midnight.
A small smile crept onto Rukia's face as she imagined Shuuhei seeing his present. The man was fascinated by Byakuya's new sword, and what better gift to give him than one of his own? On the other hand, Rukia also took time to make a special drawing for Shuuhei. She knew that he would love both of her gifts, but she wanted this first time to be special.
A loud bell rang throughout the manor. Eagerly, Rukia ran to the door. She opened it tackling a gift burdened Shuuhei. "Hey there, honey." He said as he tried to keep his balance.
"Let me help you!" Rukia told him ecstatically. Christmas was her favorite time of year! It wasn't about the presents for her. The spirit of Christmas was about giving and being with the ones that you loved.
"Huh…" Shuuhei didn't want to be rude. If he told Rukia no, then Byakuya may would kill him. On the other hand, he didn't want her guess what her gift was. But he was saved as soon as he saw a shadow in the hallway with a brief smile on his face.
"Rukia do not be rude." Byakuya told her as he emerged from the shadows. He couldn't be happier that one of his best friends was dating his sister, but they lived by the age old promise "don't ask. don't tell" when it came to either one's love life.
"Right, I'll go get one of the servants to help." She replied as she ran into the kitchen.
With a serious face, Byakuya turned to Shuuhei. "Remind me to never ever give her chocolate around Christmas again!" They could hear Rukia excitingly telling the servant to come help them with the luggage and presents. "As well as caffeine." Byakuya murmured
Before Shuuhei could reply, Rukia bounced into the hallway with a young male servant falling behind her with wide eyes. The men tried their best not to laugh, but only Byakuya succeeded. Rukia's abundance of happiness rubbed off on everyone after a while.
"Come on! I'll show you to your room." Rukia said as she grabbed Shuuhei's hand and Byakuya muttered good luck as the couple left the hallway.
After a few twist and turns around the glorious manner's secret corridors, Rukia opened his room. Shuuhei marveled at the 4 poster bed with the canopy top. He shot a sexy grin at Rukia and raised his devilishly handsome eyebrow right before he ran and jumped on the bed. Rukia soon followed suit laughing all the way as she climbed up right next to him.
"Just so you know, you are not allowed to use that smile unless it is suggesting something else." Rukia warned him as she punched his shoulder.
"What are we using code now?" He said laughingly at his disappointed girlfriend.
"Yep. I wouldn't want Byakuya to kill you" She replied hiding her smile as she happily snuggled into Shuuhei's side. They both laid their enjoying each others company until their heard heavy footsteps along the floor.
The couple broke away from one another. Rukia slipped outside to the balcony while Shuuhei placed a look of awe on his face as the servant entered. He gently placed the bags and presents down. Shuuhei nodded his head in thanks as the servant left them alone again, but their peace wouldn't last long.
Byakuya entered the room shortly after the servant came. He had a smile on his face. He did love torturing those two supper is served he accounted. "by the way, the Kuchiki elders shall be over."
Both Rukia and Shuuhei paled at this announcement only to hear Byakuya mumbled, "Oh, I'm sorry that's next weekend."
Rukia could have kill him then and there. She knew it was on purpose. "Bastard." She thought. Sure, he was her brother, but she didn't appreciate him interfering in her love life.
Dinner went by smoothly. Five courses were served along with their favorite lemon ice box cake for dessert. After dinner, Rukia made the men suffer through the old claymation Rudolph and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. She had white chocolate popcorn balls while Byakuya and Shuuhei drank a glass of aged bourdon. Of course, what they didn't know was that Rukia has spiked her eggnog throughout the day. She decided to keep that little gem to herself as they blamed everything on the chocolate and coffee.
Soon it was time for bed. Byakuya went off to bed first, but not before he gave Shuuhei a death glare. In other words, Shuuhei knew the rules. No sleeping or even thinking about sleeping with Rukia in his house.
So Shuuhei almost obediently followed Byakuya. Due to their conjoining rooms, each man could hear what the other was doing. Once Byakuya was satisfied that Shuuhei was asleep and not waiting to seek out his sister, Byakuya was able to sleep in peace.
Somewhere down the hall after two hours of playing Skyrim by herself, Rukia grabbed one of her favorite books to read. She needed something to keep her awake at two o'clock in the morning, and Twas the Night Before Christmas was the perfect book to put a pep in her step as she read it out loud.
Granted, all this staying awake may be a waste of time. She wasn't even sure if Shuuhei would be able to sneak out like they had planned. In any case, she was ready with his small, special gift and a large kiss if he could succeed.
Rukia gathered her pillows on her bed and piled, then she laid back on them as her little lamp emitted a radiant light from her room. "Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house. Not a creature was stirring not even a…"
"Byakuya…" Shuuhei finished the sentence for Rukia as he snuck into her room, silently closing the door behind him.
A bright smile crossed her face as she saw Shuuhei. He came quietly over to her bed and sat down beside her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Rukia spotted a small gift in his hand. "Merry Christmas." She whispered.
"Merry Christmas, love." He replied as he gave her a light gift. Shuuhei then brought his gift from behind his back. "I believe this is for you."
"And I believe this is for you." She gave his gift as well while a hint of laughter filled her voice.
They both opened their presents at the same time. Rukia's was a beautiful set of jewelry – a diamond and sapphire encrusted snowflake necklace and earring set.
"A beautiful set for my winter princess." Shuuhei told her right before she pulled him close for a deep kiss.
"You did good." She told him.
"I know." He replied with a cheeky grin.
"Now, what do you think about yours?" Rukia asked. She was so caught up with her own gift that she didn't watch Shuuhei's reaction to his present.
"I love it! You are a brilliant artist, my love. I thought this picture was gone forever, but you brought it back to life." He stated as he looked at a mirror imagine of him and his mentor who passed away. This picture meant more to him than she could ever know. He thought the flood in his apartment ruined the only thing he hand left, but apparently, it was enough for Rukia to recreate it.
"I love you." They whispered to one another right before they indulged into a quite kissing frenzy. Sooner than they wanted too, the couple broke away as Shuuhei left for his room. The couple was truly happy even if they had to part for a little while.
Christmas morning, all the gifts were passed around. Rukia gave Byakuya a first edition book on Japanese Samurai culture while Shuuhei gave him a new bottle of high end whiskey and crystal glasses. Byakuya gave Rukia a new fuzzy bunny that she called Shiro. She was so ecstatic for the little, white ball of fluff! As Rukia played with her new bunny, Shuuhei was caught up examining new work equipment. He had been complaining about needing a new stethoscope and scissors, but he was more focused on saving for Rukia's present.
Rukia placed Shiro in his cage and finished opening her other presents after Byakuya threatened to take the poor bunny away. Now, it was the finally time to open their big presents. Shuuhei hesitantly gave Rukia her second present. He hoped she liked it as much as she did with the jewelry. Byakuya was sending him evil glares because he knew what the package held. Suddenly, an ear-piercing scream rang out throughout the family room followed by a blur of purple as it crashed into Shuuhei.
"You promise?" Rukia asked happily as she tangled herself tighter around her handsome boyfriend as her brother coughed trying to remind her that the couple wasn't alone.
"I never go back on my word." Shuuhei told her proudly. He looked forward to their time in the dojo since Rukia was so determined to learn. He had put off teaching her for a while now. Against Byakuya's wishes, Shuuhei planned to teach Rukia the art of kendo.
"I think I'm going to call her Sode no Shirayuki." Rukia stated as she released Shuuhei to give Byakuya a better view of her sword.
"It's a lovely name for a beautiful sword." Byakuya said as he admired the pure white sword in Rukia's hand. Shuuhei found the perfect sword for her, even if it was causing him a lot of grief. He could see Rukia now accidently cutting herself, but that was Shuuhei problem now. His friend swore to protect and teach Rukia as diligently as he trained.
Now, it was Rukia's turn to give him his present. "Here. I hope you like it." She told him.
Rukia held her breath as Shuuhei unwrapped his gift. Byakuya hide his smile when he heard Shuuhei's breath hitch at the beautiful sword in his hand.
"It's called Kazeshini." Rukia told him. "I had it made especially for you, but Byakuya helped." She told him shyly.
"Thank you." Shuuhei's glittered as he wrapped his little girlfriend up in a hug. "This is the best Christmas ever."
Thank you for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting!
Yes, I know I kind of sound like a sappy Hallmark movie! I apologies, but I couldn't help it! Be on the lookout for one shot around New Years.