Bleach is owned by Tito Kubo, however my OC's are my own.
Apricot Parfait
Ch.1 The Little Miss Graduates
"And with these words. I congratulate Karakura University's class of 2001. Well done everyone".
Black hats flew into the air as the crowd roared.
"We did it, we did it", cheered a group of girls hugging each other.
"Thank God it's over. I don't ever want to be in a classroom again", cried a male student who was being comforted by his friend.
"That's my boy! That's my boy!" stood an overly excited father as he shouted in multiple directions to who ever would hear. His wife tried to get him to sit down to no avail. The "boy" in question just face palmed while his friends giggled.
Graduates all over the auditorium exhibited a range of emotions as the realization that they graduated slowly set in. The hectic and often times chaotic nature of being a college student escaped no one, but with anything there were periods of ups, neutrality and even excitement as these young adults navigated their college years. Regardless of what anyone chose to do next, everyone was relieved to finally be free to start the next big chapter of their lives.
"Can you believe it, Kisuke? Our young miss has graduated university. Time sure flies by fast" Tessai lamented as he blotted his eyes. "I remember when she was first born". With a congested inhale, Tessai looked to Kisuke. "Remember when she told us that she got accepted to Karakura University? I was so proud". Tessai grabbed a second tissue as his eyes started sprinkling tears.
"Hey, watch it, you're getting me wet, ", said a disgruntled Jinta. "Though, it is pretty cool how Big sis is the youngest graduate in her class". "All those late-night study sessions and hard work sure did pay off, and her valedictorian speech was inspiring. Even that big guy over there was crying" chuckled Jinta as he crossed his arms over his head.
"Yeah, I'll say. Big sister sure is amazing", agreed Ururu as she held a sign with the words "Congratulations, Anju!" in rainbow lettering.
"You sure look proud, Kisuke", said Tessai as he blotted the last of his tears.
With both arms crossed over his cane, and a smile, Kisuke looked up at Tessai with the look of a proud parent. "Well, you know Tessai, Anju is my god daughter, so I feel as if my own child just graduated. Reo would be so proud of her". Kisuke turned forward to see the back of a graduate with long silver hair making her way towards an exit.
"Looks like Anju is ready to go. Alright everyone let's go meet up with her outside". From their seats on the second floor, Kisuke, Tessai, Ururu, and Jinta made their way out the room towards the stairwell.
Once outside, Anju took a deep inhale and let out a long exhale stretching her arms, leaning her body from side to side before standing on her tippy toes to stretch her back releasing the tension she had been holding. "Whew, I'm glad that's over. Giving speeches sure is nerve wrecking". Looking up at the sky Anju took a moment to stare at the full moon. "There's that feeling again. It's like someone is watching me from afar". Before Anju could spread her reiatsu to find the exact locaton of her onlooker, she felt four familiar presences approaching, and heard the distinct clicking of geta on the pavement. "It's gone". Steeling her nerves, Anju turned around and saw Kisuke and Tessai walking towards her as Ururu and Jinta rushed past them.
"Big sister".
"Big sis".
Bending down, Anju waited with open arms as Jinta wrapped his arms around her followed by Ururu still holding the graduation sign. "Did you see the sign we made for you? I made sure to hold it up high so you could see it", beamed Ururu as she smiled up at her big sister.
"Yes, I did, thank you for making it for me". Ururu blushed and her smile deepened as Anju patted her head. "You too, Jinta". Anju patted his head. "I really appreciated it. I get so nervous with these kinds of things, so seeing you all cheer me on helped me to keep my focus". Jinta smiled and all three hugged tighter before letting go. Standing up, Anju smoothed out her graduation gown and started walking with Jinta and Ururu towards Kisuke.
"So, what'd you think of my speech?" inquired Anju with a sassy smirk. "I could hear Tessai bawling from the stage, but I could have sworn that I saw some tears escape your eyes, Kisuke".
With a chuckle, Kisuke adjusted his hat before responding. "Me? Cry? No, I just had some dust in my eye". Looking at Anju, Kisuke's eyes began to water. "I'm just so proud of you". Covering his eyes Tessai handed Kisuke a tissue as he too began blotting streams of tears again.
"There, there. It's ok boss. Our little miss is grown up and ready to take on the world. Soon she'll get a career, get married, and have babies, and then those babies will repeat the cycle, and then their babies will repeat the cycle...". Both Kisuke and Tessai stopped crying as they turned to look at each other. Then, without warning both erupted into sobs as they hugged each other wailing about Anju's projected future.
"What a couple of dummies". Crossing his arms over his head, Jinta sweat dropped at Kisuke's and Tessai's emotional display.
"Now now, calm down you two", Anju said gently raising her hands up and down in an effort to calm the two men. "It'll be a long time before I get married. Plus, I'm taking a gap year before I apply for my master's program… and… it's not like I'm moving out anytime soon" Anju added as she thought of what else she could say to stop Kisuke's and Tessai's tears. "so, we still have plenty of time together" Anju concluded with a gentle smile.
Both Kisuke and Tessai let go of each other as they dried their eyes before looking at Anju with red puffy eyes.
"I suppose you're right. The little miss is still quite young, so we should focus on the time we do have with her instead of worrying about a future not set in stone". Tessai wiped the last of his tears before pocketing the soiled tissue.
"Exactly, there's no use sweating a future you don't know, and who knows what'll happen. Maybe I'll live at Urahara shoten forever", giggled Anju.
Kisuke smiled at Anju and clapped his hands once to sober himself. "Alright everyone, let's go out to celebrate. My treat".
"Alright, it's been ages since we went out to a restaurant", stated an excited Jinta. "Pick the most expensive place, big sis."
Anju chuckled at the dollar signs in Jinta's eyes. "Do you have any place in mind, Jinta, Ururu?"
Jinta and Ururu both looked at each other before looking at Kisuke, exclaiming "Hiroki's".
"Isn't that a bit too expensive?". Anju stated with a sweat drop.
"It's alright, Anju, we started saving for this months ago. We even have enough for everyone to get dessert".
With a faint blush, Anju smiled. "Oh, in that case lets go then". The group of five made their way to the Urahara mobile as Jinta and Anju belovedly called Urahara's van.
"Alright, restaurant food!". Jinta jumped as he shot a fist up into the air.
"You know Jinta, with how excited you are about eating at a restaurant. In a way I'd think you're saying my food is bad". A dark gleam waved across Tessai's glasses as he pushed them up and stared down at Jinta.
"What? No, that's not what I meant". Several sweat drops quickly ran from the back of his head. The last thing he wanted was to get tombstoned by Tessai again. "Its just restaurant food is fancy, and I have a special appreciation for the finer things in life". Jinta looked up to the side as he daydreamed about wearing a suit and tie with combed back hair as he ate at a Michelin star restaurant he saw on tv the other day. "Don't you ever get the taste for the finer things in life, "? Jijnta glanced up to Tessai as that sparkle returned back to his eye.
"Hmm, I suppose your right, Jinta".
Shutting the car door, the Urahara Shoten inhabitants made their way into the shop.
"Ahh, that was great. Big sis, you should graduate more often so we can have more meals like that". Jinta let out a content sigh as he rubbed his belly. He may not have had slicked back hair or a suit, but the food he ate was on par with what he thought fancy food should be.
"It was really good", Ururu said shyly.
Anju chuckled and closed her eyes before taking off her cap and gown. "It was good, wasn't it?". "Thank you for a great evening, everyone. I'm now exhausted, stuffed, and am going to take a shower".
"You earned it Anju. We're all so proud of you. I'm sure Yoruichi will be happy to see your diploma when she gets back" Kisuke stated as he closed the front of the shop.
"Yeah, she did say she was sorry to miss my graduation, but with the number of times I practiced my speech with her I'm sure she got the gist of it". Anju took off her heels as she finished her thought. "I hope she's ok wherever she is". Anju lamented with a slight down look before catching herself, and looking back up at Kisuke, smiling. It wouldn't do good to dampen the festive mood.
Kisuke noted Anju's attempt to hide her worry but decided not to press it further. Taking off his own shoes, Kisuke sat down with Anju on the ledge of the shoten floor. "Yoruichi hasn't been gone that long, so she should be back in a week or two. I'm sure she'll have a story of her own to tell you".
"You're right. I shouldn't worry too much about her. After all, this is Yoruichi we're talking about. Well, I'm going to take my shower now. Thanks again Kisuke". Anju shot up hurriedly as she made her way to her room on the first floor.
"I'm really not good with these things. Am I… What would you do Reo?". Kisuke stayed on the ledge for a moment longer before entering the house component of the shoten and closing the shoji door.
Stopping by the living room Anju saw Jinta and Ururu playing a racing game on the family PS2. "Are you still down for a rematch, Jinta?".
"You bet I am. After you take your shower, I want at least three. I'm gonna win this time for sure".
"Uh huh, I'd like to see you try, little man". With her hands on her hips Anju smirked down at Jinta before heading towards her room.
Passing the kitchen Anju gave a quick "Good night, Tessai".
"Good night, young miss. Would you like some tea? I'm brewing some for Kisuke. You know how congested he gets when he cries".
"Is it one of your home remedies", asked Anju warily holding the side of the door frame as she peeked inside to see what Tessai was doing.
"Haha, no. It's just tea. It's supposed to relax you.", chuckled Tessai as he put the pot on the stove and spooned some tea leaves into the cup he intended to give to Kisuke.
"I'll pass, Tessai, but thanks for the offer". Anju continued to make her way to her room
Before returning to his task, Tessai yelled out to Anju, "Congrats again, young miss"
"Thank you, Tessai", Anju shouted back.
"That young miss. I can't believe she's already graduated college", Tessai mused to himself. "Huh, what's this?". Tessai's touched his face seeing that tears were starting to form. "Not again. I'll make the tea salty if I continue to cry like this, Tessai chastised himself as he grabbed several tissues from the tissue box on the island counter.
Turning on the light switch, Anju made her way across her bedroom. She draped her gown followed by her cap on her desk chair as a reminder to wash them tomorrow before storing them in a garment bag. Anju contentedly ran her hand through her silver tresses before looking at a picture frame on the far-left side of her desk. She stared for a few seconds before gently clapping her hands once and holding them in prayer while giving a slight bow. Straightening her posture, she grabbed her pajamas and made her way to the first-floor bathroom to take a well-deserved hot shower.
Well, what do you think? This is my first fanfic and I'm super excited to see how I do and what you all have to say about it.
A tombstone is a wrestling move.