Standard disclaimers apply to the fictional characters of BLEACH used in this story. They are the property of the esteemed Kubo Tite-sensei, and I have no claim over them. Please don't sue.
-.-
The large copper bell sounded once, twice, and a third time from deep within the shrine grounds. Snow fell gently from the grey skies and dusted the ground. Visitors to the sacred place milled about from the shrine to the open grounds.
Dressed for the winter weather, Katagiri quietly made her way into the shrine while Ryuuken stayed at the shrine entrance. Once she went through the proper rituals, she prayed. She prayed for the health of the Mistress, for the safety of the Master, and for the luck of the Young Master. She also prayed for Masaki-sama and her happiness with Shiba Isshin, both of whom she hadn't heard from since Masaki departed from the Ishida mansion.
She bowed deeply to conclude the prayer ceremony and stood up. Ryuuken looked over as she approached him. He asked, "Is there anything else?"
"I'd like to write my wishes on the ema, if that is alright with you." She offered him a small smile and they descended the short steps of the shrine. "Does Ryuuken-sama have anything to wish for this New Year?"
She could see his blue eyes clearly a he studied the cloudy skies above in thought. "No."
Her dark eyes lowered in disappointment but her smile stayed. "I see. I won't be long then."
Kanae carefully picked out three wooden plaques—one for scholarly success, one for good health, and one for hopeful dreams. Just as she went to purchase them, she was surprised when Ryuuekn stepped up next to her and said to the vendor, "We'll be taking four of these."
The young woman managing the sales calculated their purchase and thanked them politely as they paid.
When they went around the cashier counter to where the brushes and ink were located, Katagiri discrete eyed the plaque that Ryuuken bought. It was another plaque for hopeful dreams.
Wordlessly they wrote their wishes on the back without looking once at each other. When he finished, he went back around to the cashier to hand his plaque in, allowing her to finish writing hers in solitude. As she turned over the plaque emblazoned with the character for dream, she held her breath and quickly but concisely wrote out her wish.
Once she was sure that all three were filled, she made sure to tuck the last wooden ema at the end of the set and handed them over to the sales woman. Ryuuken was over by the line of stone lanterns and watched as the flames flickered.
"I'm sorry for taking so long," she said apologetically as she quickly went to his side.
"It's nothing," he brushed it off indifferently. Ryuuken then looked at her directly. "Happy New Year, Kanae."
She flushed but her eyes glimmered happily. "Happy New Year to you too, Ryuuken-sama."
-.-
AN: Might be even slower updates from here on out. We'll see how much free time I can squeeze out of my schedule.
Many thanks to my lovely readers and reviewers, especially to Stresses, Amulet Misty, Nessie910, HaibaraAiFan, Isame Kuroda, and Anna Riza Kurosaki.