Kamoku Joben is an OC.
Chapter Thirty-three
Seashore…
The surf crashed onto the shore repeatedly making an interesting soundtrack to the dawn. Rukia stood in the cold water unfazed by the temperature. Ichigo shivered the cold water rushed over his ankles.
"The sun will be up soon," he said it was more of a prayer than a question. He was cold although he struggled not to show it.
"Swim with me," she requested.
"That water is freezing," he protested dropping all signs of machismo.
"What a baby," she said trotting out surfboard in hand.
Without any words he braved the chill and paddled out next to her as the sky began to lighten.
Salty air wafted through her nostrils an old familiar feeling crept up. Looking over at Ichigo she was sure he felt it too. The memory of the vacation they shared not long ago and the times they spent out on the beach with their so called friends.
"New memories," he said suddenly returning her gaze.
"Yes," she said looking forward again.
"New memories that's all I can ask for now," he said.
Rukia stopped and sat up on the board bobbing along with the calmer waters further from the shore. Ichigo joined her sitting up and finding his balance on the board.
"I could sit here forever," she said.
"It is beautiful," he said.
"You're not freezing anymore," she mocked.
"I can handle it," he replied.
"Sure you can," she said.
"The water is too calm to do much surfing," he said.
"Ichigo I don't care about surfing or the sunrise I just wanted to steal you away for a while. I'm not ready to surrender and I wanted to be alone with you. That hasn't happened for a while now and I know I don't sound like myself but that's my story," she said taking his hand careful to balance on the board. She pulled him closer the motion of the waves continued to make them drift apart.
"Rukia and the sunrise what are you trying to do to me," he said holding onto her hand.
Her face was close to his now but it wasn't close enough she was far too short to reach him. He grinned and closed the gap somehow managing to stay afloat and kiss her at the same time.
The sudden shock of cold salty water brought him kicking to reality. She was already composed paddling back to shore as he struggled to swim after his lost board.
"Don't drown Ichigo," she shouted out at a safe distance from any retaliation.
With his attention on the shore he finally noticed the early morning beachgoers. Joggers and Oceanside shops began opening. Somewhat used to the numbness in his hands he made his way back to shore.
Teeth chattering it seemed colder out of the water than in. His target was small and quick but he was quicker as he chased her down and deposited her into the freezing waters.
Rukia shrugged as she stood in the water ringing her hair out.
"Even," he said ready for her counterstrike.
"No, my towel is soaked," she complained holding the wet material at him. Seconds later she dashed by him and wrapped herself in his towel a smug grin of satisfaction on her features.
Ichigo rang out the wet towel and draped it across the surf boards standing up in the sand. He was seriously cold wondering why he threw her in without thinking.
"We should probably head back now before you catch pneumonia," she said rubbing her hands together.
He didn't need to hear it twice. Although he'd love to stay longer they didn't exactly plan things out.
As they walked back a sign drew his attention.
PRIVATE
"Want to sneak in," she said.
"No," he said.
"It looks abandoned and we can hang out some more," she said.
"As much as I'd love to hang out here breaking into private property is not appealing," he said.
The door opening shocked them both. A rather young-looking man laughed and said, "Didn't mean to scare you."
"We were joking about breaking in," Ichigo quickly said.
The strange man arched an eyebrow and grinned shaking his head. His appearance suggested that he had worked on the place. His long dark hair was tied back in a ponytail and his clothes were covered in paint.
"I'm Joben Kamoku. I would shake your hand but I was busy fixing up the place a bit," he said motioning for them to come in.
"We really should go," Ichigo protested as Rukia made her way inside the inn.
"Nonsense the place gets plenty of business," Joben thumped Ichigo on the back pushing him inside, "so go on ahead and hang out I don't mind."
"We were just kidding around sir," Ichigo protested already forgetting the man's name.
"You two won't bother anyone so go on," Joben insisted.
"Thank you," Ichigo said.
"Just make sure to visit my brother's sandwich stand sometime. Tell him that I sent you and he'll give you a discount. Seriously he is the best around," Joben smiled.
"Thanks again," Ichigo said.
Rukia was busy looking at the decorations in the entry way. The Seashore had quite the collection for a small Ryokan.
"This is you in the photograph," Rukia asked pointing out a photograph of a young man ready to jump from what appeared to be a cliff into crystal blue tropical looking water.
"I think I was 13 back then. I'm not crazy enough to dive into the cold ocean here but I remember those days," Joben said.
"You don't look so old," Ichigo said staring at the picture. The frame dated the photo 'summer of 1979.'
"I do get that all the time. I'll be forty five in two months. The baby face is genetic. My son hates it. He's not older than you all I guess but looks like a high school kid," Joben said.
"Looks can be deceiving," Ichigo said. Rukia ignored it and continued looking at seashells and objects displayed along the walls.
"Yes I suppose they can be. Well I have things to look after. Help yourselves to the patio just don't get too loud and disturb my guests," Joben said and returned to his painting job.
000
The aching cold long melted away. Joben allowed them use of the patio which had a hot tub perfect to soak away the aching cold. The moment was perfect, the view incredible as the early morning fog started to burn away. Rukia rested her head on Ichigo's arm. Looking at her eyes closed and relaxed there he knew he'd continue to fall for her over and over.
"In the Seireitei there is a hidden hot springs," he said as her eyes fluttered open nearly taking his breath away.
"Hidden hot springs," she questioned.
"Yeah. I can't believe I'm just thinking of it now but back when I first came there to save you I was there with Yoruichi…in cat form…nothing happened don't look at me like that," he said.
"Relax I didn't even say anything. Knowing Yoruichi I'm sure she had fun with you. Just how did you have time to visit a hot springs while I rotted away in prison anyway," she asked.
"It wasn't like that. While I trained with Yoruichi I used it to heal my wounds. She's the one who insisted I take a break anyway," he said.
"I haven't been everywhere in the Seireitei but who knew there was a place like that. I've never heard of it mentioned before," she said.
He wasn't going to tell her that Renji knew about it.
"Yoruichi said that it was a special place. She and Mr. Hat and Clogs built the place as a playground when they were younger and would go back later to train as Shinigami," Ichigo explained.
000
After laughing and talking for a while they gathered their things and left Seashore. Joben gave them his business card and made them promise to return there someday. Ichigo promised to come back without realizing that he included Rukia. Rather than try to fix things with words he simply held her hand as they walked down the boardwalk. Who knew maybe someday they would return.
After stopping for breakfast at Joben's brother's Sandy Hut stand they headed back to rejoin the others.
"You guys are just waking up," Ichigo asked.
"Yeah," Uryû said glancing at their beach gear, "where did you two go?"
"The beach obviously," Ichigo said setting his stuff down on the floor.
"There couldn't possibly be that much surf out there," Uryû pointed out staring at the surfboards.
"Ichigo found our boards and surprised me with them," Rukia explained.
"We didn't surf just swam in freezing cold water," Ichigo said giving Rukia an accusing look.
"Sounds miserable," Orihime said completely oblivious to the flirting looks between the two.
Uryû could see that the two of them obviously had a fun little getaway. He couldn't help but smile himself.
"We should do something fun today as soon as you all get ready," Orihime said.
"Well you might as well go on without us. We ate and I'm kind of tired," Ichigo said.
"Oh," Uryû questioned.
"But maybe latter we can do something," Ichigo added for Orihime's benefit.
"Alright," Orihime smiled.
Rukia wasn't sure given the way she felt it would be good to be left alone. She could get herself into more trouble this way for sure.
"I'm not so tired," Rukia said.
"We will ask around and do some research while we're out if you want to come you can," Uryû said.
"That will cover more ground," Orihime added.
"If this place is our only lead we have to be systematic. Don't break away from teams of at least two remember," Uryû said for Ichigo's benefit.