Being with You

XV

Nya~ there's much Ichiruki action in this chapter! It's a pretty good one I would say XD but I'm not sure so please give feed back and enjoy!
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"You know, Ichigo, you've become so....what's the word," I started as we stood on the mountain.
Ichigo looked down at me and raised an eyebrow,

"What, is it bad?" He asked.
I couldn't help but smile and shake my head,

"Noo," I said whimsically, "I guess the word is...romantic?" I put my index finger on my chin and smiled up at him.

"...Romantic? Me?" He said blushing a bit, "Well I've kind of stopped cursing. Maybe because I've been much more relaxed," he shrugged.

"Sometimes it's nice to fight, after all we are shinigami. But..." I started.

"It's nice to just chill too," he finished and smiled.

"Let's get these people back to their rooms," I said. He nodded and we both carried a few on our backs and ran back down to the hotel.

When we reached the hotel, all the guards had dispersed and everything was peaceful once more. Some couples were in the hot springs, others in restaurants...all as if nothing happened...good. We brought each couple back to their rooms through the windows and went back to our room afterwards. I checked the clock while Ichigo showered: 1:00am. I looked at the bathroom then back and sprawled on the bed, wiping my damp hair with a towel. On the ceiling hung a large red lantern, lighting up the entire room with a warm ambience. I could feel my eyelids drooping slowly and fluttering open again. I was tired... But I couldn't fall asleep yet, not until Ichigo came.

Within a few seconds, I heard the water shut off. Ichigo opened the bathroom door, letting the steam gush out into the open as I turned and sat up. He emerged out of the steam, a towel around his neck, otherwise, he was only wearing a pair of pants. I avoided looking at his bare top half but still, I couldn't help blushing ...

"Umm, are you going to sleep soon?" I asked in a soft voice, as I wrapped my arms around my knees on the futon. I wasn't looking but I felt him slide next to me, very, very, close. My cheeks were flaming at this point as I still tried to avoid eye contact. His soft breath prickled the back of my neck as we sat there in silence.

"Yeah, we should sleep. How long are we staying here anyways?" He asked curiously. Not as if he didn't want to stay.

But I wondered the same thing. That woman, Reina was gone, so who would be the manager? Do the people running this resort even know about her true form? Thinking about all this just made me more tired...

Unconsciously, I leaned back a bit on to Ichigo. I couldn't see his reaction but I could feel the heat radiating off his sturdy body as I lay there, wrapped in his arms. His breathing calmed me...

"Rukia," he whispered, the vibration of his voice surging though me like a lullaby. My eyes were closed now as I could feel myself getting sleepier.

"This isn't annoying you...is it?" I decided to ask since it was a slightly awkward position for him.

He laughed nervously and shifted a bit, easing us both flat on the futon, looking up at the ceiling.
"It's actually...uh...pretty comfortable," he said hesitantly. After a moment of silence I wondered if he was blushing and looked up.

His eyes were closed...asleep all of a sudden? I turned and propped myself up with my arms, outstretched, as I studied his peaceful face. A slightly red shade was brushed under his cheekbones. Our noses touched as I leaned a bit closer. His lips looked so soft...
Suddenly, his eyes fluttered open, causing me to jump back in surprise and embarrassment. I must have been even more red...

"Rukia, sorry," Ichigo said as a blush blew across his face.

"No, um..." I started, not knowing what to say. I was just too embarrassed. If I said I was about to kiss him all of a sudden... "I'm sorry," I blurted and stared down at the white linen blankets. Never in my entire life had I been so embarrassed...just when I thought Ichigo was going to ask me what I was doing before he woke up, I felt soft fingers curl under my chin.
"What are yo-

Before I could finish, he pressed his lips against mine, gradually leaning forward. I couldn't remember half of what happened after that but i found myself under his embrace.

"Ah...sorry about that," he said as our lips parted and he sat back up. He was still blushing and I was sure it was the same for me. But there was something about this moment that made me feel warm.

Perhaps it was just the feeling of being in love with the person that has been with me through so many things. In the spur of a moment, I surged forward and threw my arms around Ichigo, hugging him, tightly.

"Thank you," I whispered. I could feel him smile as he wrapped his arms around me in return...