Chapter Thirty-six
The Spring…
Mid May the flowers were in bloom and springtime made the human world ever more beautiful. Rukia loved the spring for many reasons and the vivid colors surrounding her today only helped brighten her mood. Being stuck in Ichigo's crowded little room was the last thing she wanted today as she stared out the window.
His crabby mood wouldn't ruin her time here in the world of the living she determined.
"Hey Ichigo," she said leaning on his shoulder.
"Is this how it's going to be from now on," he asked. She lost track of his moody questions by now.
"No complaints we can see each other," she grinned hopping that would work.
"Well it is purely coincidence that today…is today," he said brightening suddenly.
His "Jekyll and Hyde" routine kicked in and he was the complete opposite from a second ago.
"What are you talking about," Rukia asked adding; 'have you gone mad,' in her head.
"People celebrate anniversaries here…couples you know…they celebrate the day they met. Today is that day," he announced.
Crazy, yep that is my diagnosis Doctor, she thought.
"You had something planned," she asked.
Hopefully he did have something planned and they could get outside for a change.
"It is a bit of a last-minute decision so I wouldn't call it a plan," he said standing up and going through some papers on his desk.
In Rukia's mind she was picturing: Fresh air and lots of flowers…bunnies…
"Last minute eh…well I know about anniversaries too. I got you something," she said. Anything to get out of this room, she thought.
"Rukia…you remembered…," his eyes lit up as he stared at her.
"Who do you think you are talking about," she asked then quickly added, "a special gift and that's all I'll say."
"My gift isn't all that impressive. I hope you didn't go overboard," Ichigo said contemplating what he planned to give her.
"Not at all; it just popped in my head," she said and it was the truth.
000
Ichigo spent the rest of their anniversary wondering what gift she had for him. The gift he got her was hardly special. It was the kind of gift featured in ads where the girl smiles and throws her arms around her man.
Jewelry the most clichéd gift he could get he was almost ashamed to drag the sapphire and black diamond pendant necklace out. It had a simple white gold chain. Amazingly enough he was able to buy it at a decent price it must have been the most he spent on any single item. Thankfully he didn't have to experience buyer's remorse as Rukia seemed to love it as he gave it to her at the restaurant they sat in at the moment. She did hug him so maybe all those ad makers out there knew what they had going.
"The colors looked like the sky and the stars at night. I thought of you when I saw it," he said.
"I love it. Thank you," she said as appreciative of the packaging as the necklace inside.
"I'm glad you like it," he said gasping for a breath. His injuries were screaming at him during the worse time.
"Love it," she corrected.
"Alright I'm glad you love it but you're squeezing me too hard," he said.
"You're still hurt," she asked concerned.
"It's nothing. What did you get me," he asked.
Rukia paused for a moment to think of his injuries. The hollows were worse but so were the other fights lately. It bothered her but he wouldn't want her bothering him about it so she dropped it.
"Truthfully my gift was last-minute too. I just decided it," she said.
Rukia returned to her chair taking sip of her drink.
"Well…what did you decide," he asked impatient.
"This day is your gift Ichigo and every year after that. I want to celebrate our anniversary. So my gift to you Ichigo is that I'll always be with you on that day," she looked away shyly.
It was an act worthy of an academy award he could actually hear the swelling of violins, Rukia's score.
"What the hell kind of gift is that," he asked still loving the thought behind it.
A few people even turned around in the restaurant to view this exchange.
"Don't cry Ichigo I know you're moved by all of this," she said.
More strings.
"Shut up I'm not crying," he said but he was touched by the sentiment because he knew she meant every word despite her horrible acting routine. Recovering quickly he added, "I'm just wondering what kind of crappy gift I just waited all day for."
"You waited all day for a gift," she laughed.
"Well…yes I waited all day for a gift," he complained.
"You don't really care about that kind of thing do you Ichigo," she asked still sipping her drink continuing the act.
"I don't and I'm glad you decided," he said.
"I love you and I mean what I said," she smiled.
"So it is more of a promise than a gift if I understand you right," he said.
"Alright I'll give you your gift," she said reaching for her purse clue number one that he did have a real gift coming to him. The bag was nearly as big as her.
"Clothes," he asked eyeing the bag she produced.
"Here," she handed over the bag grinning.
There were several items inside the bag. T-shirt, socks and card sat on top of the framed photo.
"Orihime, Uryû, Tatsuki, Renji, Chado, you…everyone is in this picture," he said staring at the faces.
"You didn't want to be in the picture and you complained and got all moody on everyone. Somehow we managed to get you quickly in the picture and you smiled. For once I've found a moment you can't remember and brought it to your attention," Rukia said satisfied with his reaction.
"I remember that day well. This is just the first time I'm seeing this photo. I don't think we have any photos with everyone together," he said.
"We don't," she agreed.
"The rest of the stuff is cool too," he said pulling out candy and sniffing at a small box of cologne.
"A super variety pack; I was told that if I add super to it you would appreciate it more," she said.
"More like a quick stop at the local drug store variety pack," he observed eyeing the gift cards and travel sized samplers.
"Glad you like it," she grinned.
"I love," he echoed and looked at her, "we…I love that you said we. It means were on the same page and I love that."
"It wouldn't matter what I decided honestly-
"Because I wouldn't listen to you anyway," he finished for her.
"Because your mind was already made up and we're both stubborn," she laughed.
"I over think things and you make them simple. You make this easy," he said as he walked to her chair leaned over and kissed her.
000
In Uryû's world things were quiet peaceful and calm. Despite everything he never gave up on the chance that Orihime would come back to him. Or better put that the two of them would come back to each other.
Ichigo and Rukia's anniversary was something all of them could celebrate. If not for Ichigo and Rukia what kind of people would they be? Ignorant of everything drifting through the world each their separate ways fitting neatly into the box assigned them. As Keigo often wondered; "what were they doing together?"
Thinking back his behavior all those years ago angered him. Now in retrospect to think of how he put in danger the lives of innocent souls made him cringe. An immature challenge was the way this journey began.
"Hey Uryû," a voice awakened him.
"Orihime, sorry I zoned out for a second there," he said.
"What do you think they are laughing about over there," she asked.
"I'm not sure but I'm pleased they can laugh and be themselves again," he answered.
"You looked so serious I wanted to shake you," she said.
He chuckled at her excited description of him. They were sitting at the bar in the restaurant giving their friends some space. At the last-minute Rukia invited them all to come down and join them.
It would be strange for anyone else to want their friends around for an anniversary dinner but not for Ichigo. He was happy they all showed up. Uryû was observant enough to realize that a moment of privacy would be good and suggested the others join him at the bar and lounge area for a while.
Separation seemed to work wonders for couples who spread out and seemed to be having a good time. Faces of people milling around were faces of those they worked so hard to protect. He didn't think anyone could grasp what this anniversary meant to the people of this town. They wined and dined in the presence of their hero who couldn't keep his eyes off the girl who started it all.
"They look so happy," Orihime observed.
Uryû couldn't help but hear the sadness in her voice.
000
Rukia got up wrapped the throw around her and walked towards the door. Careful all the while not to wake Ichigo she grabbed her things and slowly turned the knob.
It had to be the most clichéd scene Ichigo's ever imagined. A couple blinks of the eyes told him it wasn't his imagination at all.
"Don't leave," he said in his barely awakened state. It was all that came to his mind as his girlfriend froze in the doorway in this moment.
"Ichigo," she managed caught sneaking away.
She didn't seem to be capable of moving as she mentally beat herself up for her early morning capers.
His footsteps padded the floor quickly reaching her. She still didn't dare face him almost as if she were slowly sinking in quicksand.
His hands on her shoulders broke the tension and she relaxed.
"I'm sorry," she said taking a breath and facing him.
There wasn't a sign of anger on his face nor was there hurt which she prayed she wouldn't turn around and find. Instead Ichigo had a slight grin on his face. She couldn't place this look.
"I just wanted things to go a little different I mean geese was I that bad," he asked.
"No," said the heat rising in her cheeks, "we both know what the problem is."
"Right this is your place," he feigned realization, "even if you leave me here she'll know what went on."
"Orihime's our friend. Besides how clearly did you define our relationship," Rukia asked defiantly still unsure why he was all smiles and jokes.
"Things just happened I don't think we were thinking…no I take that back I know we weren't so just come back to bed. I want to wake up holding you and forget this whole joke of you tiptoeing out on me," he said.
Rukia stared at him as if he lost his mind.
"Come on Rukia. We can talk about all this other stuff tomorrow when I'm awake," he said.
"It is tomorrow," she weakly argued.
His eyes pleaded and she found herself walking back to the warmth of his arms. He saw right through her escape attempt not feeling hurt but understanding her motives. She cursed to herself her stupidity then tried to make it up to him cuddling closer to him.
"Before Hawaii we were close so our friends should consider us closer," Ichigo said.
Rukia was silent in thought. They hadn't made things clear to their friends about their relationship. Perhaps Uryû knew the most out of the entire group after his conversation with Ichigo. Meanwhile Rukia lived with Orihime keeping her out of the loop for the most part as Rukia was a private person.