Jasmine tea.
That's what you chose for tonight, late at night. You had a few bags left, the water was ready all you needed was the bag. Opening a cabinet reach in and take out a bag. You walk and realize you needed a cup. Without looking do a casual, soft sweeping gesture of your hand, and a soft golden hue glowed on the cabinet knob. It opened and the golden hue surrounded a ceramic cup that floated over and set itself gently upon the counter before you.
You turn off the water, set the tea in the cup, and fill it with heated water. In the silence you watch, with heavy exhausted eyes, the tea seeping. Your reflection stared back at you, but you paid it little mind.
What time was it, you wondered without glancing at the clock on the wall.
Whatever time it was…we'll it was that time. Silence just paid time little mind. After about five minutes you felt the tea was ready, take your cup and walk over to the nook. You slip in and sit down. Before you sat your journal and with it a few open books.
Setting your cup to the side you pick up the pen next to your journal and release a lengthy sigh as your shoulders fell with weight.
Goodness, they felt sore and your head….this headache was one to behold. The pounding was nearly unbearable but you managed just as you did with those hard coughs and shaking hands.
You hadn't written anything yet, your hands had begun shaking.
Of all the nights, why this one did that memory have to present itself as a dream. You could still feel the diadem being placed upon your head, though it wasn't heavy by any means…your neck felt feeble under it but you accepted it.
You accepted it every day.
You promised.
Your hands stopped shaking, and instead of writing you grip the dangling crystal spear of your chocker. Your hand constricted around it, to the point your knuckles began whitening. You give it one more…lamented squeeze and let it go.
From the release and with the silence for flavor, their…screaming voices came. Echoing in the stillness, shouting for you. You couldn't breathe and found yourself drowning…being pulled under, deeper and deeper and-
"You look gloomy. I know let's go look at the stars!"
Marigold's buoyant voice echoed affably, hitched with her infectious giggle pulling you back. The kitchen returned. The desk and all its contents reappeared before you, you blink a few times still hearing Marigold's giggles. After another blink everything vanished and there she was...standing there before you...in all her youth. A healthy ten-year-old, dressed in a fine fabric flowing dress with a golden sash around her waist, her round face glowing with an exuberant smile that held an infectious charm. Her round, bright cyan eyes glimmering with joy, that matched Adam's. Her blonde hair was tidily pulled back into a fish braid adorned with small stones.
"Let's go look at the stars!" she repeated, turning around and hurrying off.
You follow her, each step was measured effortlessly it almost seemed as though you were gliding, through the near-empty towering arching corridors. Your steps softly echoed on the smooth slabs beneath your feet; attendants who were up respectfully yielded what they were doing and bowed addressing you with formality and Marigold. You respond with a gentle nod, the nod was enough...you remember to feel honored and quietly blush. Your stomach churned.
Marigold lept outside onto the spacious patio, overlooking one of the courtyards, you followed the sound of her giggles and step outside. Your gaze lifted instantly to the heavens above and a cool relief washed over you. Everything...just stopped. Calmness seeped into the marrow of your bones as your eyes closed.
Marigold's giggles began fading and your eyes snapped open. You found yourself standing outside in the backyard under the dark sky, barefooted. A tinge of disappointment pressed on you. Marigold's giggles...you couldn't hear them anymore. Cricket chirps and the soft rustle of nature took her place. The night...it was peaceful, but...you just couldn't feel it.
Realizing where your thoughts were going, you reel them and turn around rigidly heading back inside. You had more important thoughts to concern yourself with, Rukia was one and the other the students. But, there was one that every year required your focus and it was fast approaching. Your heart clenched at the thought.
A year had already come and gone, you thought.
You step back inside, and once you did you were greeted by...her warm voice.
"There you are, May. What were you thinking about this time, huh?" Masaki asked tenderly.
Your heart froze and you kept your eyes on the kitchen titles. You refused to blink, knowing what would happen if you did. But, it was an inherent function and you blinked. There she was...there she came entering the kitchen wearing that smile.
Masaki Kurosaki.
From her smile followed humming, a perky and cheeky humming that released an exasperated sigh from you always. She'd come and stand next to you while you were doing whatever it was in the kitchen, whether it preparing food...or cleaning or...just seemingly staring longingly out the window at the sky. Once you were just reading one of the many books she and Isshin gave to...understand certain things you'd forgotten. A few times she'd quietly come behind you, poke you, and startling you. Causing you to nearly scream.
Resulting in her laughing even if a moment. Though nerved by it, you couldn't help but quietly smile subtlety. She knew you were trying to hide it and couldn't help to tease you, causing you both to share a smile.
Her question repeated itself and...then you'd be hesitant to tell her but eventually...the words came.
Right now, your lips remained sealed. There was no point in answering to an echo. Still, you made your way back to the nook and sat down, memories and moments of Masaki arose when that day encroached. It was almost here...and...if only you...
A heaviness burdened your heart, it wasn't new. Once the day passed it would bury itself again and you could...continue on. That didn't stop your mind from wondering about...how Masaki's family was going to be that day. You shouldn't wonder, you knew exactly how they would be doing...you always did. You and Adam still needed to make your way to pay respects.
You weren't sure of the time, you set that aside to focus on the tasks before you. Lessons for the next few weeks, the upcoming term testing, the meal for the Urahara Shop, a few other things, and Rukia.
Rukia!
You almost forgot. You needed to get ready for that for her, how much time did you have? A pressuring ache began settling on your forehead, causing your temples to throb. Quickly you take a few sips of your tea until it stopped. The cup was halfway when you stopped and set it back down. Rukia, you refocused your thoughts and picked up your pen.
For a moment the pen turned into a quill. Shutting your eyes tightly for a moment you open and find the pen. It was just a pen.
Rukia, you repeat her name. Rukia.
With an idea in mind, you write it down. It didn't take long with it, but you ensured it was detailed and felt good about it. You set it aside and began working on the others.
"Ta-da! What do you think, Rukia?" Adam asked beamingly hours later in the morning in Rukia's room, holding up his latest drawing and using a finger pushes his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose.
Rukia paused from her own drawing and looked up from her pad at his. Normally she'd raise an eyebrow and tilt her head unsure what to say, now she just stared with a small smile. His drawing had four people in it, she was able to tell that three of the four were her, you, and him. The fourth one...wasn't really a Boney Face. Though it had fragments of a Boney Face, it was rather short with short, spiky tawny hair on the top attached to a longer strand. There was a hole in the center its chest. The face was...had a smug expression and she believed it was wearing clothes.
"It's nice," she praised, "It's a picnic isn't it?"
Adam's mouth stretched from ear to ear and smiled, "Yes! You got it! A picnic. We're all having a picnic. Together. With Whipy too! But Whipy is different this time. Well, that's what Whipy said to me. I hope I made Whipy look cool. Have you ever been on a picnic before?"
"Well," she gave it a thought, frowning inside from the coldness, "no...no not really."
"What's wrong? Why are you sad?" Adam asked concerned, setting his drawing aside.
Rukia was surprised at his awareness when she shouldn't be, but the attentive look he had for her was touching.
"It's nothing," she assured with a smile and began drawing, "just thinking that's all."
Adam tilted his head a bit, "About what?"
"Nothing really. Just stuff. That's all." She answered dismissively, Adam opened his mouth to say something and she held up her drawing, "What do you think? Do you want to hear about Yuki and the Sweet Society?"
Adam jumped up elatedly, throwing up his hands giggling, "Yes. Yes, I want to hear it!"
Rukia chuckled to herself at his reaction and calmly cleared her throat. "Alright then," she patted a hand on the floor while trying to suppress her rising laughter, "Sit down and I'll begin."
"Okay!" Adam threw himself next to her, latched onto her arm, and sat down. His eyes were wide and brimming with sparkling excitement. He gave Rukia his fullest attention.
The sight warmed Rukia silently, and her eyes soften. His hold on her, she didn't mind. Feeling a tug from Adam urging her to start, she cleared her throat and brought up the first new drawing, before she began it dawned on her momentarily that...you hadn't called or come to get them for breakfast. With a quick glance at the rabbit-themed clock hanging in her room, it was ten minutes pass. Her brows furrowed for a moment, before her worry could rise she felt another tug from Adam.
"Okay, let's start," she began.
Down in the kitchen, you had started on another food item, one out of the three flavors of onigiri. One was savory, one was sweet, and the other a tad earthy. You made an abundant amount of rice and had it laid out along with the filling on the counter. Letting out a small yawn, your eyes were a bit heavy but you happily continued preparing them. You had quite a few to make for today, at least you finished the majority of the other food items. You stored them in the fridge, each packed in their respectable container ready to go.
You finished one of them and set aside when you heard a thud from upstairs, normally you'd react and rush up there but knew it was Adam throwing himself on Rukia or hopping over. A content smile quietly appeared on you and you let it be. Using the small bamboo spatula you scoop up some of the rice, collect some of the filling and make another one. Goodness, this would be much easier if you did...that. There were still the last two food items you needed to do.
"Huh," you thought, slowing down. "I should. Should I not?"
Thinking nothing of it and knowing Rukia and Adam were busy drawing(instead of doing homework) set the last onigiri down, casually give a wave of the hand, and all the ingredients you were using an outline in a faint golden glow and continued the process of making onigiri.
Left with finishing the last two items you begin and take out the necessary ingredients and cookery. Setting them aside you quickly open the fridge and check the portable pitcher, it was cold now, good. Shutting the door you go back to finishing the rest. As you busied yourself a visitor appeared and perched themselves on the backyard fence, their golden eyes keenly upon you. Feeling something or someone watching you quickly look up and around, before glancing out the window. There was nothing and no one there, still, your eyes lingered for a bit and surveyed the backyard. Nothing moved except the blades of grass from the breeze and the rustling of the trees. Your eyes narrowed and the knife you held, turned into a grip. Nothing should be able to enter unless...you allowed it and should they manage to bypass...well...you'd be ready. For a moment your eyes flicker over to the candle and the flame, its color had changed, and everything was fine. Still, you couldn't shake this...feeling crawling over you and-
"Uh, excuse me, Miss Bishop, is everything okay?" Rukia suddenly asked, her voice snapping you back.
Your heart dropped like a stone to your stomach and you whipped around like a torrent agast finding her standing there and...that the onigiri was preparing itself. Panicking inside you rush in front of her suddenly. She was surprised by your sudden burst of speed; you stand before her(give a quick whip of the hand the onigiri making stops) with a slight disarray beaming smile.
"Miss Kuchiki, yes! What can I help you with?" you tenderly ask with a bit of aggression.
Rukia was confused for a moment and had to find her words again, "Umm...I just wanted to know if everything was okay." She repeated with sincerity, that surprised and calmed you, she continued, "Normally you would have called me and Adam down for breakfast or come and get us. But it's past the time, and well...I just..." her words began fumbling as her eyes break from you and starting lowering to the floor.
You were touched and composed yourself before her, she looked adorable you thought silently chuckling, "How kind of you to check on me, Miss Kuchiki. I had no intention of causing you concern. You are correct normally I would call you and Adam for breakfast by now, however at this moment I am busy and seem to have become caught up in it."
You step aside and allow her to see what you were doing. She lifted from the floor to the counters filled with what you had out. Her eyes trail from the onigiri across the counter and stopped at the stove. She does another sweep and takes a moment to muse it over before realizing it. She had on that concentrated expression when her brows furrow a bit and her eyes seated.
"I see," she said and without another word, she entered the kitchen and stopped in the center.
You watch her doing your best to keep your amused smile hidden. She was just so cute.
"If you don't mind, can I help you?" she suddenly asked.
That surprised you, you were lost for words and repeated her words in your mind. Was she serious? You didn't answer for a moment, still shocked until she repeated the question again.
Blinking a few times you processed the question and developed an answer, just as you were about to respond noticed pleading beneath her eye and the response vanished, "Of course, Miss Kuichiki. Do you know how to make onigiri?"
Upstairs Adam exited Rukia's room and went into his own holding a few new drawings. He went over to his desk and sat them there, just as he began climbing into his chair a thrilled smile appeared on him and he turned to the air.
"Whipy! Hi! Guess what, I made new drawings do you want to see them before I tape them and go downstairs?" he asked, he waited for a few seconds and giggled, "Yeah, I know. Here what do you think?"
He held the drawings up one by one until he finished. After the last one, he sat them down and grabbed his roll of tape. "Where do you think I should hang them?"
He nods a few times and turns around to the corner of the room, "Okay, I'll put them there. Are you coming with us to the picnic today?" he inquired walking over there with the drawings and tape, "You should come, there's going to be a lot of food. But if you don't want to then I'll bring you back some like Licorice. Oh, Rukia told me a new story about the Sweet Society and Yuki." He then giggled, "Do you think the people in black live there? I hope they do. I want to see it. There."
He finished hanging up the pictures and stepped back with marvel. "Whoa! So many pictures. Huh?" He turned to the right, then gave a thoughtful look, "I haven't heard the voice yet. I'm sad I haven't, I miss them. But," he perked up, "I know I will soon. You should meet Rukia. She's really nice."
He stopped for a moment and shook his head, "Be nice. Anyway," he spun around and began flapping his arms a bit, stopped, and made his way to the hall, "I'll see you later. Bye!"
Pushing up his glasses again back into their proper spot hurried down the hall.
"Alright, finished," you say relieved setting the last onigiri down in its container, "it seems you are too, Miss Kuichiki. Well done."
You give a praising smile, Rukia finished her last onigiri with and proudly set it in the same container. You saw her chest puff out a little, even if she tried to be discreet about it.
"Thank you," she said dusting off her hands, "I'm glad I could help."
Your smile remained as you picked up the container and walked to the fridge. Rukia stayed in her spot and again looked around. There was clearly more to do with the food you had out. Just what were you doing, she wanted to know. Was this breakfast? The table wasn't set she noticed when she came downstairs, and you always had it set and ready. Just what was it?
The sound of the fridge door shutting brought Rukia's attention back, as you walk back over to the counter you give her a smile and her words just came out, "I-I can help you the rest. For breakfast."
You were stunned again and turn back to her, and your heart just...it just...you felt it plummet with gutting fear. A tremor slowly rose inside and everything for a moment...just faded out and...their screams they came back and-
"Picnic for breakfast!" Adam's voice burst dispelling isolation and bringing you back. He came rushing into the kitchen flapping his arms over to Rukia. He wasted no time and jumped on her.
She instinctively caught him and helped him upright. He kept going, tugging on her arm, "I told you we're having a picnic! I told you Rukia! Are you happy now?"
Rukia cast a confused look at his words, then turned it to you, and right away you knew there was no point in trying to hide it. "What?" she asked, "A picnic?"
"Yes," you nod and walk back over to the fridge, open it and display a fridge filled with containers of different food items and dishes, a harmless guilty look appears on you, "it was to be a surprise for you, Miss Kuchiki. We shall be having breakfast in a more interesting way. A picnic."