Being with You

XXI

Dinner time! After this chapter, Rukia and Ichigo will be going back ^^ was it a wonderful trip? That will all depend on what's coming soon ~ Enjoy!
♪（ｖ＾＿＾）ｖ

When we reached the courtyard, where the couples were to gather, the woman was already at the front, talking away about what dinner would be. Everyone seemed to be dressed up as well, surprisingly.

The crowd started moving and we filed into an empty restaurant booked specially for the participants. The wooden floors creaked under all of our sandals until we made our way to different tables.

"Alright, please enjoy this four course complimentary dinner!" She smiled and walked away, possibly to the kitchen.

"Hmmm, this is nice," Ichigo said contently as he leaned back in his chair.

I nodded in agreement and relaxed a bit myself before the first course arrived. A beautifully decorated plate of sashimi.

After that, I couldn't remember what the next courses were. Ichigo and I were silent most of the time with an occasional exchange of comments on the food. But all I could remember was  feeling so happy in that moment.

When we had all finished dinner, we were set free to roam the hotel.

"Rukia, do you see that?" Ichigo asked and pointed up above one of the roofs to a small wooden pavilion.

"Yes, why?" I eyed him suspiciously.

He smiled and took my hand, walking swiftly towards his desired destination.

After going through a few pathways and up wooden steps, we reached the pavilion overlooking a majority of the hotel.

"I'll be right back," Ichigo said after sitting me down at the bench.

I nodded and and he was gone in the next moment. What was he up to now? I was somewhat excited or maybe nervous. Possibly anxious or suspicious but the view from up there did look rather spectacular, especially at night when all the buildings lit up.

I couldn't tell how long it was, but I heard a bit of rustling and wooden sandals against stone ground. Ichigo emerged and calmly sat beside me. I turned and saw that he had changed out of his original clothes and into a plain dark blue kimono. For some reason, the kimono drew my attention to his face and, if possible, accentuated his handsome features.

"Did you just..." I started

He turned to me and gave a shy smile,
"Yeah. I figured I might as well match you,"

I couldn't hold back a blush and gradually inched closer to his side. Finally, my arm was wrapped around his and I could lean my head on his shoulder. I would've fallen asleep right then if the fireworks hadn't started.

But they were beautiful.

"Wow," I heard Ichigo as he looked ahead where the fireworks sparkled.

Greens, reds, purples and every other color dazzled the night skies against the starry background. The high-pitched stream followed by the light booming was music to my heart, that felt like it was beating in sync with the fireworks.

All the while, I never lifted my head from Ichigo's shoulder and I hoped the world would just stop for a while...letting us enjoy this moment.

"Rukia?" Ichigo spoke softly, his voice resonating through my whole body.

I looked up just before he reached his hand under my chin, lifting my head up from his shoulder. Our eyes gazed into each other as he leaned down and pressed his lips against mine ever so softly. I let out a content sigh and kissed him back as he wrapped his other arm around my waist, turning to face me directly. Our lips never parted as the kiss grew more passionate but still soft and gentle.

We broke away for air but Ichigo continued to trail his kisses down my neck, making me tingle in surprise and slight embarrassment.

"Ichigo?" I breathed his name.

The fireworks were near its end, where it was louder, brighter, and more dazzling. But all I could think was that I had never seen Ichigo so passionate.

His lips left my bare skin as he smiled gently,
"Ruki-

I leaned forward and kissed him again without a moment's hesitation. It wasn't long though before I released him, resting my head, this time, against his chest. His heart beat steadily and tenderly, as if it was saying it knew I loved him.

"Thank you, Ichigo," I whispered.

I felt his arm around me again followed by a blissful sigh. His head rested on my own just as the last firework sparkled and scattered in a rain of color.

"I wish this moment would last forever," The last words I heard before falling into a serene sleep.