joker-ayes

The snow is falling already. It's quite weird that I love the snow, yet I hate the rain. They are the same thing, yet I love the solidified form, and hate the liquid form. To me, Kuchiki Rukia, the snow is so pure, and the rain is tainted. Maybe I'm just influenced by Sode no Shirayuki. And, yes, Soul Society can snow. If there is rain, there is snow. It had been 2 years since I left the human world, 2 years since I left Ichigo's life. I'm not suppose to exist in his life. I intruded into his personal life 5 years ago, made his life miserable and up-side down, and left him without a word. It hurts for me to just leave without a word, but it'll hurt more if i said "Good Bye", because it'll be like I'll never have the chance to see Ichigo again. It had been 1 and a half years since I last saw him. Apparently, he was dating Inoue-san. I saw him holding her hands, I was behind them. At first, I only saw his back view. I wanted to ran up to him and hug him. But than, Inoue rushed up, and hugged him. At that time, I felt a pang of jealousy. I hurts so much. But why did I feel jealous? I mean, I don't love Ichigo right? Or am I wrong?

The first snow of the season fell. I looked up into the sky, and saw that it's snowing. The snow flakes are floating peacefully down to Earth. They remind me of Rukia. Ha ha. I, Kurosaki Ichigo, dating Inoue Orihime, is missing Rukia for the past 2 years. I dated Inoue because she has feelings for me. And I thought that if I dated her, I can forget about Rukia. But unfortunately, I can't. Well, I broke up with Inoue 6 months ago. It was harsh for her, but it's better than deceiving her, and deceiving my feelings, for Rukia. That midget crashed into my life, and she left just like that, without cleaning up the mess she made. Rukia was everything. She's like a hybrid of an angle and a devil. She can be caring, kind, sweet and innocent at time, but there were time where she becomes a she-devil. Although we bicker all the time, I always let her win our arguments. I'm growing soft on her. The truth's out. I, Kurosaki Ichigo, who fought the Winter War, is falling in love with my she-devil, Kuchiku Rukia. At least, I've decided to do something useful this Christmas.

Kurosaki Ichigo grabbed his coat, and dashed out of his house, shouting something like "I'LL BE BACK FOR DINNER! GET READY ANOTHER SERVING TOO!" It was freezing cold outside, but nothing is stopping him from what he's going to do now. He rushed to Urahara Shouten, and threatened Urahara to open the Senkaimon, if not, he'll castrate him. [A/N: It's just for gags :B] Ichigo changed into his Shinigami form, but he also wore his gloves and scarf, as he thinks that it'll probably be snowing there too. When Urahara opened the Senkaimon, he jumped in without hesitation, but not forgetting to mumble a soft "thank you" to our dear MR. hat-and-clogs.

Ichigo arrived at the Kuchiki mansion an hour later. The time is 5pm. Ichigo still have about 2 hours before dinner to find Rukia. He asked the servants in the house, but no one knows where she went. And as the last thing he'll ever do, he went towards Byakuya's room.

knock, knock "Come in." a monotonous voice said. I slid the door, and walked in. Before kneeling down on the tatami mat, I bowed. This will be the only time I'm being polite to this cold-ass-bastard captain. "This is unexpected, Kurosaki. May I know the reason for your unexpected visit to me?" Byakuya stated, as he sip on his Japanese green tea. "Kuchiki taichou, may I ask a favour from you?" I started, I'm surprised that I can actually be this polite. Byakuya raised an eyebrow when I called him 'Kuchiki Taichou'. I know. I'm amazed myself. "Please state your business. I'll than decided if I should help you." Byakuya said coolly. "May I know where's Kuchiki Rukia's whereabouts? And may I bring her to the Real World to celebrate Christmas?" I said it. Straight into Byakuya's face. I'll not be surprised if he suddenly unleash Senbonzakura. "Rukia's in her room, in the East Wing. I'll call a servant to bring you there. As for the latter request, may I know why?" Byakuya answered, sipping on his Japanese green tea yet again. "Thank you Kuchiki Taichou. As for why, it's because Rukia's always fascinated by our festivals. For this Christmas, we exchange gifts and all. Today is just Christmas Eve though. And my sisters missed her alot and they were hoping to see her this Christmas, where family and friends gather and have a Christmas dinner." I explained. "Very well. That is if Rukia agrees to go with you." "Arigatou, Byakuya."

I followed the servant through maze-like corridors, and we finally stopped at Rukia's room. The servant knocked on the door, and said "Kuchiki-hime, you have a visitor." A faint voice called out, "Let the visitor in."

I was in my room, starring into the sky as the snow falls, and the icy cold winter breeze came in contact with my face. Than there was a knock, followed by a servant saying "Kuchiki-hime, you have a visitor." I cringed at the name 'Kuchiki-hime'. I didn't like it one bit. No one in the household, except Nii-sama calls me by my name. I hate formalities, as it makes you so distant with the person. Thinking that it's probably Momo, Renji or Matsumoto-san, I said "Let the visitor in." I can't say "Let him", or "Let her" in, because I didn't know if it was a guy or a girl. I heard the door slid open, and I was shock when I heard the said visitor said "Hey, Rukia."

The servant slid the door opened for me, and motioned to me to go into Rukia's room. When the door slid open, I was fascinated by what I saw. Rukia was wearing a formal kimono. It was pure white, contrasting with her raven black hair. The kimono fitted perfectly on her petite form. She was like a porcelain Japanese doll, so venerable, so fragile. Finally, I found my voice, and I called out, "Hey, Rukia." She turned around quickly, her eyes were wide, and I can see astonishment and happiness in it. "I-Ichigo?" She was shocked. Suddenly, her expression changed. It became dark. Her eyes was filler with anger, terror and fear. She put on her cold and distant facade. "What are you doing here, bastard." She spitted. Her sentence is laced with venom. "I'm here to make things clear, and invite you." I said coolly.

"I'm here to make things clear, and invite you." Ichigo said coolly. Behind my facade, my heart broke. He's probably going to tell me that he knows that I love him, but his heart is now Orihime's and they are getting married. It hurts. My eyes were burning. I was willing my tears to not fall. I turned around, back facing Ichigo.

She turned around suddenly. Before she turned, I saw a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Rukia, I have something to confess to you." I started. "What? You and Inoue are dating? I knew it long ago. So you've finished your business, now leave." Rukia said. She knew that I dated Inoue. This is not turning out good. "Rukia, will you hear me out? There is no-" I started, only to be cut off by Rukia shouting. "SHUT YOUR TRAP KUROSAKI ICHIGO. YOU CAN GO ON SPENDING YOUR TIME WITH YOUR INOUE AND FORGET ABOUT ME!" Rukia spatted. I was at my limits. Rukia continued, "Ichigo, I saw both of you. She hugged you. I saw it. I wanted to say a simple hello to you that day. 1 and a half year ago. But when I saw her hugging you, my heart hurts alot. Do you even know how I feel?" She stopped for a moment, catching her breath. Apparently, she was crying. "Ichigo, I felt so terrible on that day. It hurts so much, so much that it felt like there were thousands and thousands of swords piercing into my body, into my heart." Rukia mumbled the last part, but apparently, I heard it all. "Rukia, I'm sorry. I've broke up with Inoue. And the one I truely love isn't her."

"Rukia, I'm sorry. I've broke up with Inoue. And the one I truely love isn't her." I heard it. Ichigo broke up with Inoue-san. But, he loves someone else. It's a bitter sweet news for me I guess. "So who's that lucky girl that our orange strawberry fell in love with?" I said, the sentence is laced with sacartism and anger. "Rukia, I love you. I have loved you all along." He replied, sincerly. I flinched at his statement. He, Kurosaki Ichigo, my secret love interest, is returning my feelings. Ok. He still don't know. I was confused when I heard it. I felt lots of emotions. Happiness, relief, shock, and lots of other emotions I've never felt before. For one, I felt LOVE. "Ichigo, what you said...did you really mean it?" I asked. I was scared that it was all just a cruel joke.

"Rukia, I love you. I have loved you all along." I said it out. I said out how I felt about her. It's all true. I saw her flinch. Probably because she didn't expect that answer. The atmosphere changed. I know that she's not pissed off at me anymore. But it was replace with fear. And my institution was correct when she asked, "Ichigo, what you said...did you really mean it?" She probably thought that I'm going to pull a cruel joke on her, to humiliate her. "Rukia, yes, I mean everything I said. I was going out with Inoue because she confesed to me. At the same time, I thought that if I dated her, it'll lessen the pain of missing you. But I realised that no one can ever replace you in my heart. Rukia, I love you." I said it. It's all out. And it's all true. Now, it's to see if she loves me back. I started figiting around. I felt really nervous. There were lots of 'What If(s)' running through my brain.

"Rukia, yes, I mean everything I said. I was going out with Inoue because she confesed to me. At the same time, I thought that if I dated her, it'll lessen the pain of missing you. But I realised that no one can ever replace you in my heart. Rukia, I love you." He said it out, and I felt relief. "Ichigo, arigatou. I love you too." I replied, while turning around and wiping my tears in process. I gave my strawberry a smile that's only for him to see. Only him.

"Ichigo, arigatou. I love you too." She replied, while turning around and wiping her tear in an elagent manner. Than she flashed me a smile. A smile that no angle can match. A smile that melt my frown, and forced me to smile back at her. I rushed over and hugged my petite shinigami. And the best thing of all is that, she hugged back. It was our world, and that's all that matters now.

They hugged for a few minutes, before reluctanly letting go of each other. Ichigo was the first one to speak up. "Ne, Rukia, would you like to come to my house and celebrate Christmas with my family?" He invited. "I would love to, but Nii-sama will have to approve it first." Rukia said, sadly. She wanted to go badly, but there were possibility that Byakuya will not let her go. "I've taken care of that already, so let's go. We don't want to miss out on dinner today! Yuzu is cooking a feast today." Ichigo replied with a smile, tugging on Rukia's hands, a motion to call her to follow him. They rushed to the Senkaimon and arrived at the Urahara Shouten in a flash.

Rukia got into her gigai and she was wearing the exact same kimono she was wearing in Soul Society. Ichigo went back into his body and they left the shop. Before entering the Kurosaki Household, Ichigo stopped for a moment and dug into his pocket. Rukia, too, stopped in her tracks and was curious at what Ichigo was doing. He pulled out a box, and handed it to Rukia. "Here you go, your Christmas present. You can open it up now if you want." He said, facing the other side, hoping Rukia will not see the blush on his face. Rukia took the present, and mummbled a 'thank you' and proceed to opening the small box. In side it, laid a beautiful necklace. The pendant is a sword, similar to Sode no Shirayuki. It was completly white. Than, there was another pandent on the chain. It was a black sword, like Ichigo's Bankai. "Ichigo, it's so beautiful." Rukia said in awe. "Come on, let me help you put it on." Ichigo said, smiling, partly because Rukia's happy, and that she likes the present.

They entered the Kurosaki Household without getting ambushed. "That's werid. Old man didn't glomp on me." Ichigo stated the obvious. It was than Rukia noticed somthing above her head. "Ne, Ichigo, what's that?" She asked innocently, pointing at the thing hanging above her head. Ichigo was blushing deeply when he saw the mistoe above them. "Rukia, that's a mistoe." Ichigo grunted. "Ichigo my boy! You bought back Rukia-chan! And both of you are under that! You'll have to K-I-S-S, KISS!" Isshin beamed in pride. Rukia looked at Isshin dumbfound. It was than Ichigo turned her around, facing him. "Do you mind?" Ichigo said, not looking at her. "Nope, not at all." Rukia grinned. She placed her hands around Ichigo's neck and gazed into his eyes. "Ichigo, I love you." Rukia stated. And before Ichigo can reply, Rukia closed the gap between their lips. Ichigo was shocked, but enjoyed it, and eventually, returning the act. Neither noticed that Isshin was holding a camera and snapping away, saying that this will be some good black mail stuffs.

OWARI (:

Rain. People will always ask, "How can you hate something that is so delicate, so ... refreashing?" What are they refering? Rain. I can never go out into the rain. Go on, you can call me coward all you want. I'm never going out into that monster. Oh! How rude of me, not introducing myself before going on with my useless rantings. The name's Rukia, Kuchiki Rukia.

There are many reasons on why I hated the rain. For one, Kaien-dono died in my hands, and it was raining at that moment. But that is not the main reason that I hate the rain. Yes, it was raining that day ....

drip, drip,drip. The rain splattered onto the window pane. After some drips, it started to pour. "Kuchiki, are you listening to me?" sensei suddenly shouted. "Hai! Gomen sensei, I was just doing some thinking on what you have just said." I said with a totally faked smile, and that totally oh-sweet-female-student voice. Sometimes, that voice I produce just irritates me, as much as it irritates Ichigo. Sometimes I wonder, how can such a brutle person, a violent person, can score so well in his school grades! He can easily top the class, and he can easily put Ishida to shame, but he didn't. He just made some careless mistakes and he can still get grades that are above average. I will not admit it verbally, but my grades are really bad.

"Mou... It is still raining, Ichigo! How are we going to get home? You don't even have an umbrella!" I shouted right into his ears. His expressions are really funny when he is angry. His face will turn red, veins will pop out of nowhere at his forehead, smoke will be coming out of his ears! "RUKIA! DON'T SHOUT INTO MY EARS! I CAN HEAR YOU PERFECTLY!" Ichigo shouted back. This caused a commotion. Everyone in the classroom was looking at us. "What are your looking at?! GET BACK TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING!" Ichigo shouted with his most pissed of voice. Everyone scrambled back to packing their bags and quickly ran out of class, due to a scary and monster-looking Ichigo.

We finally got on the road back home when we managed to borrow an umbrella from Takuya sensei. Ichigo tooked the umbrella while we walked. He made sure that I was out from the rain, and ensured that his head didn't keep bumping onto the umbrella. When I looked at him while we walk, I felt this warm feeling of being protected. It felt that his strong build will protect me if I ever get into any troble. It is kind of weird, but I like this feeling. Little did I know at that time, I fell in love with the strong build-ed block head, Kurosaki Ichigo. I wanted that warm feeling to last, to always stay, but I know it will be gone soon, but I didn't know that it was immediate. As if on que, at the river where Ichigo's mother died, an Arrancar appeared. It charged toward us without warning. Ichigo took out his Shinigami diakou badge, changing into his shinigami form. I took chappy out and followed his lead.

Blades clattered. Bloods shed. Rain fell, unoblivious to it's surrounding. Ichigo fought with all his might. I called out Sode no Shirayuki, while he called out his Bankai. The Arrancar was just a normal one, not an Espada. We were going to win, but because of me, because I didn't look out for any enemies from behind, Ichigo got seriously hurt. I can still remember. The Arrancar moved so fast, I was unable to sense it. But when I sensed it, it was already too late. It's blade was pointed at me. It was a jump attack. There was no where for me to run. "Rukia! Watch out!" I remember his shout. It was just a second late. This was all I remembered before I blacked out.

When I woke up, I felt a warm embrace. Ichigo protected me with his body. The blade of the Arrancar penatrated him. He was bleeding non-stop. It was still raining, but it became oblivious to me. All that matters is to save Ichigo. I pulled out the blade, and started to heal him using kidou. I can call Orihime to help, but the phone will not work, so all I can do was to try to heal him as much as I can. I managed to secure his life, so I put him back into his body, and rushed him home as quickly as I can in my shinigami form. I left him by the doorstep, knocked on the door and went back into my body. [chappy is in her body, so chappy ran back home ~] I was so worried. Isshin called the ambulance and tried to wrap up his wound. He was in the opperation room for at least a century, for me that is, before he came out. The doctors said that he will not die, but he is currently still in a coma. It was a bittersweet news for me. Ichigo was alive, but in a deep sleep.

"Ichigo, why, why did you save me?" I asked him now. Sitting beside his bed, telling him how was school and Soul Society became a daily routine for me. "Because I love you. That's why." No. It couldn't be. It's his voice. It was Ichigo. Ichigo, has woked up from his 2years sleep. I threw myself on him. I sobbed and sobbed into his chest. He comforted me, stroking my back, softly whispering into my ear to stop crying. I stopped crying and looked at him with puffy eyes. "I love you too, baka! Don't do such recklase things ever again, baka!" I said, near to tears again. Before I can open my month to say somethings again, he cupped my chin, bend down, slowly, the gap between our lips became smaller and smaller, and it 'sealed' up. I was shocked at the act, but enjoyed it, so I returned the act by pressing in deeper. We only broke up when we needed something that we called 'oxygen', so that we can live. I was flustered. When I looked out of the window, it was raining. Maybe now, maybe, I kind of like the rain already.