Being with You

XXII

I'm back for this chapter! Ah the hotel arc has ended ^^ I don't even know why I'm calling it an arc ... This story might be longer than I had planned XD But I hope you're still loving it! Thanks guys!
d(^_^o) 

I felt conscious again as the bright sun shined through my eyelids. I opened my eyes slowly and realized we were still at the top of the hill under this arch. Turning my head up, I saw Ichigo still asleep, his head nudging slightly against mine. I breathed a sigh of content and gazed below to the hotel.

The sakura trees and other plants blossomed with beautiful colors and the fountain in the courtyard made a sweet sound through the air. I had never had such a lovely time in my whole, long, life. I wanted to stay there forever but just then, I heard a bell toll from the courtyard. Reina's voice didn't sound, which everyone seemed to realize, but it being the morning bell, people knew it was time for breakfast.

"Ichigo?" I called him with a soft voice.

His eyes batted open as he sat up right and stretched himself, finishing with his arm around my shoulder.

"Time to go home I guess," he sighed, his breath tickling my ear a bit.

We stood from the wooden bench and made our way down the stone steps back to our hotel room where we packed our things as slow as we could, savoring every last moment at the resort. We took so much time to pack that we forgot to change out of our kimonos, but that was fine with me.

The warm summer breeze blew around the mountain as Ichigo and I waited for the train to take us back to Karakura Town. We didn't say much to each other but we stood awfully close. For some reason, it made me blush even though this was not something out of ordinary anymore.

We watched as the train pulled up in front of the hotel and I looked back once more to see the tall, decorated arch that we walked into just a few days ago. I followed Ichigo on the the train along with some other couples that were leaving. We settled into a seat next to each other and were soon on our way back.

"Ichigo," I started

"Yeah?" He said without looking over.

"I'm glad we went on this trip, I must thank your father when we get home," I replied sincerely.

At first I wasn't very interested in going and thought it was another one of his father's jokes. But over a few days, we've become closer than ever. Being with Ichigo now always reminds me of when we first met and how much has changed since then because of him. He himself never changed, which is what I love about him.

"Sometimes that old man does have good ideas," Ichigo said with a light laugh, "I'm glad we did too," he leaned against me and put his head on mine.

In turn I put my head against his shoulder and we fell asleep together.

"They're BAAAACKKKKKK!" I heard an overly excited cry as we opened the door to the Kurosaki household.
I couldn't help but smile and once again find that warm feeling spreading through me every time I went into that house. Suddenly, I felt myself being pulled into a hug by Ichigo's father, who dragged both of us into his embrace. I started blushing uncontrollably but at the same time, felt truly apart of their family.

"Dad!" Ichigo shouted and  kicked his father in the shin, causing him to stumble back, releasing us.
  I stepped back slightly embarrassed that I enjoyed that moment, but still thought it was funny how childish Ichigo and his father acted around each other.

"But really, welcome back! And son, how was that trip?" Ichigo's father asked, putting his arm around Ichigo, bringing him towards the dining room. I stood in the doorway awkwardly until Yuzu and Karin came downstairs.

"Welcome back!" Yuzu greeted me with a smile.

"Thank you," I smiled in return, "It's good to be back,"

I walked towards the sofa as Yuzu offered me to sit. While i waited there, I could hear Ichigo and his father bickering. It was mostly Ichigo talking back in an annoyed tone because of all the questions his father was asking him. I listened more closely and heard a bit of what they said,

"So you guys slept in the same bed right?"

I felt my face heat up and stopped listening after that first sentence, too embarrassed to hear about the rest. It felt awkward yet comfortable sitting there in Ichigo's house. I was so accustomed to being there but only in Ichigo's room, specifically his closet. I let my eyes wander around and saw picture frames resting on a table by the tv. In the pictures were Ichigo as a child, beaming his usual smile that could cheer anyone up. It reminded me of the time I followed him to visit his mother's grave on that summer day...in June. We weren't as close as we are now, so maybe this time, I'll be able to tell his mother how much I love him, how much he's grown, how brave he's been.

"Rukia?" I heard a voice behind me, which brought me out of my thoughts.
I turned to find Ichigo standing there with an expectant look.

I just turned back around and folded my arms, trying to tease him a bit. As I expected, he came over and sat down next to me.

"It's June," I said quietly.

"It's been June, Rukia," he laughed a bit.

"I know," I replied and looked up at him.

He met my eyes and I knew he understood,
"Thank you. I think she'll be happy to see you, this time as my-

He stopped his sentence as I put my head against his arm.

"I never got to apologize for that time. I asked too many questions about your mother that I shouldn't have," I explained.

"You never needed to apologize," I felt his head rest on mine and we stayed like that for a while.
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If that last part was confusing you can refer back to the episode and chapter "Memories in the Rain" when Rukia and the Kurosaki family go to Masaki's grave. But more will be explained in the coming chapters~Thanks guys!