Hey guys. Pls enjoy this new chapter.

Chapter 35: Saturday, Holiday Retreat, Soundless Surprise

"This…is huge!" I exclaimed, looking up at the mansion in front of me. "Just how did Rangiku pay for this?!"

"I heard it was her cousin. She works in a fashion industry and got a bonus so she bought this place for the family." Ichigo answered. It was the short holidays and Rangiku invited the gang to her family's resort. I never knew Rangiku's family had that much money. "Hey Kurara! You coming or what?" I was cut out of my daze and rushed over to the guys who were already at the front door. Kuchiki sensei knocked the door and someone unexpected opened the door.

"GAH!" Ichigo screamed and scurried quickly to the far end. "I…INOUE?!" Yes. Orihime was the one who opened the door.

"Kurosaki-kun!" she exclaimed and rushed towards him and gave him a bone crushing hug. "Kurosaki-kun! I'm so happy to see you again! It has been months since we've seen each other. You must be so shocked to see me that you can't even speak."

"Uh…Inoue. He's down." Hitsugaya's comment broke her out of her fantasy and she looked at the unconscious Ichigo.

"Kurosaki-kun!" she cried and hugged him even tighter. Poor Ichigo. Though this kinda feels like déjà vu.

"Guys you're here!" I turned around and saw Rangiku coming in and gave me a light hug. "Come on. I'll take you to your rooms." The three of us followed her in.

"Hey Rangiku, what's Orihime doing here?" I whispered.

"When I was talking to her on the phone about this get together, she was so excited to joining us. I never heard her sound that persuasive."

"Quick question. Did you mention anything about Ichigo?"

"Yeah. Told her he was coming." That explains the persuasiveness. "Why? Jealous?" she whispered into my ear with a smirk.

"What?! No!" I blushed and said. She just smirked and walked up the stairs.

"Here are the rooms. The others are at the lounge. We can start the activities then." Rangiku said before leaving for the lounge. I entered my room and it was stunning. Pale green wallpapers, wooden make up desk and wardrobe, green curtain bed and a large window showing the view of the lake. After looking out to the window, I made my way down to the lounge and saw Rangiku, Rukia and Renji already down there.

"Hey guys. So, what's the plan?" I asked and sat on the couch next to Rukia. "And mind telling me why I had to bring Hoshi here?" Yup, my little corgi came with us for the trip. Rangiku gave specific instructions to bring him along and I had to secretly take him out before Mack could notice him missing.

"Hoshi here will be playing an important role for later's game." Rangiku said before drinking water. I turned and already saw Rukia snuggling Hoshi. She must really love him. Soon the guys came down, with Orihime still clasping to Ichigo's arm. I noticed Ichigo glaring at Rangiku and she just averted her eyes. "Anyways, we should take it easy for today. Let's go to the lake for a dip."

At the lake:

"Yahoo!" Renji exclaimed as he swung off the tire tied to the rope and fell into the cool waters. Once we all dressed into our swimsuits, we gathered at the lake.

"Isn't the view amazing?" Rangiku came over to me, dressed in a quite flashy yellow bikini.

"Yes it is. I've never seen such a beautiful lake." It was so large and the water was clear and the sun shone over the surface, making it sparkle. But then I heard Rangiku give an exaggerated sigh.

"Kurara, I don't think we have the same idea. By view, I mean the men." She grabbed my head and turned it towards the guys by the lake. Renji and Ichigo were having a water fight, Hitsugaya just floated in the cool water (far from the water fight) and Kuchiki sensei just sat under a tree reading a book. Note: all showed their bare chests. I blushed real bad. "See what I mean?" she smirked while I sighed. "But anyways, what's with the suit? I thought you had a better one last time we went to the beach."

"It was drying up so I had to bring this." I wore a simple blue bikini with a skirt for the bottom.

"You should have told me in advance. I would have gotten one even better." By better, she means more flashy.

"Oi, what are you two waiting for? Get in already!" we heard Renji call out. Then Ichigo turned towards us and my heart skipped a beat. The water dripping from his orange hair and chest made him look so sexy. Rangiku then nudged me, giving a I-knew-it smirk.

"Let's just go." I stuttered as I got up and jumped into the lake.

Ichigo's POV:

I watched as the two girls jumped into the lake. Then Kurara rose up and my heart just stopped. The water made her black hair shine under the sun and the water running down her skin made it pearl-like. I didn't realize that I was staring until Renji gave me a nudge on the waist.

"Getting pervy ideas?" he smirked, my face grew redder and I gave him a water slap.

"Shut up." I growled.

Kurara's POV:

We spent about an hour playing in the water, everyone got completely drenched. Well everyone except for Kuchiki sensei who refused to be a part of the water fight.

"We're gonna get some drinks. You guys stay here." Rangiku said as she, Ichigo, Orihime, Renji and Hitsugaya went back to the mansion to get drinks and snacks for everyone. As we waited for them, I decided to take a short nap under a tree. The next thing I knew, I found myself in a flower field.I stood up and started walking among the daisies and tulips. They were so beautiful. Soon something wrapped around me in a warm embrace. I turned around and saw a man, but the sun's rays made it hard to tell who it was. His hand then cupped my right cheek and slowly brought me closer to my face. Before I knew it, our lips touched and we shared a warm kiss.

"K…K…Kiss!" I exclaimed. A dream? So it was a dream. That really surprised me. But…Why is there this sensation left on my lips? I thought to myself, touching my lips.

Two hours later:

"Cheers!" everyone said as we clashed our cups together. We all gathered at the dining table for dinner.

"This is really good!" Renji complimented as he stuffed his face with katsu and rice.

"Renji, for goodness sake. Do you know any manners?!" Rukia complained.

"It's ok Rukia. As long as he enjoys it." I tried to calm her down.

"You really shouldn't be so easy going Kurara." Hitsugaya mumbled before eating his rice.

"Everyone! Time for dessert!" Orihime came in and placed the dish on the table. Everyone froze in shock. It looked like shaved ice but the sauce seemed to be bubbling and there was weird condiments on it.

"Uhm…Orihime…What is that?" I stuttered.

"Shaved ice with curry, cereal, tartar sauce and octopus." Orihime replied with a smile. Say what?! Everyone thought.

"Uh…Ichigo, why don't you take the first serving?" Rukia awkwardly smiled and suggested.

"What?!" Ichigo screamed.

"Kurosaki-kun, aaaahhh." Orihime smiled and brought the 'poison' towards his mouth. I kind of felt sorry for him, always having to the one to sacrifice himself to partake her food. Then I noticed Kuchiki sensei looking at me.

"Kuchiki sensei? Is there something wrong?" I asked and brought him back from his daze.

"Oh, nothing." He turned and said. I gave a confused look. But someone knew exactly what was going on.

At night, Rukia's POV:

I laid on my bed, remembering the event that happened earlier.

Flashback:

"Hoshi, over here." I said as the little puppy followed behind. I just love this dog! Then I noticed Kurara sleeping under a tree. I was about to walk to her and wake her but saw Onii-sama coming in. Soon he knelt in front of her and started getting closer. My face became redder as Onii-sama got closer to Kurara and before I knew it, he…Kissed her! I couldn't hold my yelp and Onii-sama noticed and saw me behind the bushes. He put his finger at his mouth, telling me to keep this a secret. I frantically nodded in response.

End of flashback:

My mind kept replaying that scene. I finally realized why he was now strongly refusing the marriage proposals from grandfather.

He was in love with Kurara.

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