Being with You

XVI

YES this chapter has more Ichirukiness too but not as much as the previous chapter~ and its longer than the average chapter! Enjoy kiddies :3
(・ω・)ノ

As a form of relaxation, we decided to go to the hot springs the next morning. Female...male...couples...

"Umm..." I said as Ichigo and I stood in front of the three doors leading into different areas of hot spring. We exchanged glances and stared back ahead.

"Excuse me," I heard a voice behind us. I turned and saw a couple trying to get past us as we were blocking their way.

"Sorry," I said and moved. They smiled and walked towards the middle door for the couples hot spring. I thought for a moment...the purpose Ichigo and I came here was to supposedly "bond" but if we went into separate hot springs...

"Ugh,"
I turned and saw Ichigo groaning as his head turned to all three doors and back again. This was a real dilemma...

"This may be the most difficult decision I've ever had to make," I said with wide eyes. Just then, Ichigo sighed and took my wrist.

"Ok we'll only get to do this once in a while right? It should be fine," he said quickly, almost to himself, as he walked me towards the center door.

He was really going through with this? I could almost be proud of him...
And so we opened the doors to the couples spring, to find ourselves surrounded by them. I looked up at Ichigo and saw his face turn red.
"I think I'll just g-
I grabbed his arm and pulled him back before he could leave, giving him a stern look.

"I'm going to go change," I said bluntly and walked off to the women's changing room. I left him standing there, staring at the large hot spring with couples all around. I couldn't help but laugh a bit at his embarrassed state.

When I came out of the changing rooms, to my surprise, Ichigo was waiting.

"You could have left," I said as I reached him. He glared at me,

"Well I wouldn't do that," he said and rolled his eyes. I smiled and held my towel up with both hands, covering just above my lips.

"I knew you wouldn't," I replied softly. He didn't respond but I'm sure he knew what I said, even if he didn't hear it.
That was one thing between us...sometimes we are able to comprehend each other's feelings just through the fact that we know each other so well. That was one thing that could make me smile no matter what.

"Alright let's just get in," he said and started down the stairs into the hot water.

I followed and stepped into the clear spring...it warmed me immediately and with each step down, I could feel my body start to loosen up and relax into a dreamy pool of cherry blossoms that floated on the water's surface. I closed my eyes and sat on the underwater ledge, resting my head in the towel I placed. It felt as if I was fully refreshed.

"You look relaxed," Ichigo's voice drifted through me. I opened one eye and saw him smiling lightly as he sat next to me.

"Ha, this is what hot springs are for, are they not?" I said and closed my eye again. I could feel his eyes on me as I rested but it wasn't too much of a bother. I knew he felt a bit awkward in a hot spring filled with people of both genders...
"Ichigo?" I called, keeping my eyes closed.

"What is it,"

"They're talking about your hair," I smiled. Even before we went into the springs, I could see people staring at Ichigo and his odd colored hair.

"It must be bleached," I heard someone say.

Next to me, Ichigo signed,
"I've heard it too many times to notice anymore. Also, I've been in Soul Society so long, coming back here and interacting with normal people is weird," he explained. Again, I smiled lightly and leaned a bit closer toward him, our shoulders touching.

"Just admit it, it's bleached," I said, as to mock him.

"But it's not! And you know it's not," He said loudly.

I opened my eyes and saw him glaring at me. I stuck my tongue out and he did so in counter. People just stared at us as we made a fool out of ourselves in our teasing each other. But we always did that, and I doubt it would ever change since we both had a childish side in us.
After a moment I couldn't help but laugh. Ichigo too gave a smile, knowing we were childish but not caring what others thought.

When we finished in the hot springs, a worker their suggested we go to the sauna as well.

"What is a 'sauna'?" I asked curiously. I've never heard that work before but it sounded interesting.

"It's a room people go in to sweat all their 'impurities' out. You go in with towels on and hot steam comes gushing out, making you sweat!" The worker explained looking rather excited.

To me, it just sounded like a very hot room that made you sweat. I wasn't quite sure how that would be fun, but Ichigo and I still went because we had nothing else to do at the hotel...

"Do we have to turn the steam on?" I asked as we took our shoes off and walked up the wooden steps to the small private room. My question was answered...
Right when I stepped inside that wooden room, I felt the steam wash over my face and blind me for a moment. Luckily Ichigo guided me towards the bench that was attached to the side wall.

"We shouldn't stay in here too long, it's unhealthy," he said as we sat.
I nodded and we sat in silence. I could feel the sweat start to trickle down even though I was in my gigai...
5 minutes...we stayed in there. It was getting so hot that we couldn't even breathe, but I suppose it was only because we've never been into a sauna.

"Well..." Ichigo started after we had dressed ourselves and stood outside of the hot springs, "What should we do next?" He asked and turned towards me.

I looked about the courtyard and saw a man holding a very interesting sign. That would be fun~