On The First Day of Christmas - Part 3
The weekends came fast enough.
It was a dark morning – as it should be on an early winter morning – but Rukia woke up automatically.
She looked out the closet door, looking at the clock on the table next to an orange fluff at the head of the bed. 6:30… She withdrew her head, wondering what she would buy for Ichigo that day.
After a good fifteen minutes of deliberation, she realized that she was not going to get back to sleep.
Quietly tiptoeing out of the room and down the stairs, she grabbed a cup and filled it with water.
"Rukia-san?" Rukia was just sitting down at the dining table when Yuzu entered the room. Rukia looked up to see that Yuzu seemed worried. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, I'm fine. I just can't sleep, that's all," Rukia assured.
"Oh, okay!" Yuzu sighed in relief. "Um… Want me to get you some warm milk?"
"No thanks. I'm fine." Rukia said. Yuzu smiled, settling herself down next to Rukia at the table.
"Hey, since it's the weekend, and Christmas is almost here, do you want to go shopping?" Yuzu asked. "We should get everyone presents!"
"Ah-yes," Rukia nodded. "That's perfect. I wanted to get something for Ichigo," Rukia said, proud of her knowledge of Christmas. Yuzu smiled.
"For Ichi-nii?"
"Yes… What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing!"
"Yuzu…"
"Let's go in there, Rukia!"
"Oh, okay!" Rukia scurried after Yuzu into a store, not exactly sure what to do. That morning, as soon as everyone was awake, Yuzu dragged Rukia and Karin out the door and to the mall.
Rukia looked around the little store, spotting Yuzu's head over some shelves. She turned to Karin.
"Come on, Karin. Don't get left behind," Rukia said nicely, seeing Karin's face. Obviously Karin didn't enjoy this shopping.
"Yeah," she muttered. "Great."
"Rukia! Karin!" Yuzu called. "Come over here!" Dodging around shelves, the two girls looked at what Yuzu had in her hands.
"Oh no!" Karin muttered. "Not another one!"
"What?" Yuzu said.
"It's a flute…" Rukia said, confused. "Who is it for?"
"No, it's not a flute…" Karin sighed, grabbing the little tube-like thing from her sister. "It's a whistle."
"For daddy!" Yuzu smiled. "He has this whole collection, so I thought he might like another one!"
"No, he wouldn't!" Karin argued. Rukia smirked at the two girls.
"Well, you two figure it out. I'm going to look around." She walked away, now thinking about what to get Ichigo. The shelves were covered with so much stuff that Rukia didn't know about; she just browsed around. There was candy, books, coloring pencils, CDs, scarves, boots – wait. Scarves?
While Rukia was absentmindedly wandering, those colorful scarves caught her attention. She knew just who to give one to. At first, she picked up one that was rainbow in color – bright and vibrant. But looking at it for too long gave her a headache, so she scratched that idea right away. Then she found a long, white scarf, the ends decorated delicately with embroidered sakura petals. Perfect!
"That's not for Ichi-nii, is it?" Rukia squealed, jumping in shock.
"Karin! You scared me!" Rukia said, crossing her arms. "This? No, I… Think I'll give this to my brother." I wonder if he will like it… Hm… I wonder if he even knows what Christmas is…
"Your brother?" Yuzu sauntered up to the two girls. "I didn't know you had a brother! Can we meet him?" Rukia choked.
"Uh- Um… I… don't think that's a good idea," Rukia got out.
"Oh… Why? I'm sure he's nice, since you're so nice," Yuzu asked politely. Karin couldn't help looking a bit interested too.
"Um… I don't think your brother would approve…" Rukia managed a little smile. Nice? Nii-sama?
"Huh? Ichi-nii's met your brother before?" Karin asked, suspicious. Oops… Rukia groaned internally.
"Um…" Thinking quickly, Rukia made an excuse. "I'd better go look for a present for Ichigo. I'll meet you here in ten minutes," Rukia said, escaping.
Once ten feet away from the sisters, she sighed in relief. How would I ever explain Ichigo meeting Nii-sama? Rukia laughed at herself.
She began searching through the store again, looking for something good enough to give to Ichigo.
Rukia was getting more frustrated by the minute, not finding anything she liked well enough to give as a present. As a joke, she did find this fancy pair of sunglasses for Renji. But I do think it would look good on him…
As she was mulling over the sunglasses, something silver caught her eye. Rukia walked over, noticing what looked like a miniature, silver Zangetsu. She picked it up, then realized that it was attached to a chain. A belt? Rukia thought. He does wear chains on his pants... She smiled.
Perfect.
Clueless Rukia… How cute.
Ichigo's present for Rukia is better. Just wait~
Thanks to GirlLoki for telling Rukia to buy a scarf for Byakuya! I wonder if he'd ever wear that scarf…