Ichigo X Rukia -One Shots and Short Stories-

~Christmas Special; The Gift of a Soul Reaper~

Just wanted to say a quick, MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you all get lots of lovely gifts and have a great time, and if you don't celebrate Christmas, then have a wonderful day regardless. This chapter may be a bit long, sorry~

Thanks for all the reads, think we can reach 150?

Rukia looked up at Ichigo, what in the world was he doing? Bright roles of patterned paper lay in a messy clump next to him as he fought with a pair of sizers and sticky tape for dominance. A box with a fancy dressed teddy laid on its side already trapped in tape.

"Ichigo, what in the soul society are you doing?" Rukia asked confused.

"Christmas... Wrap... Presents." Was all Rukia heard as Ichigo spat out the colourful paper from his mouth, "Yuck, how did that even end up in there?" The strawberry said face palming.

"What's... Christmas?" Rukia's voice was soft.

Ichigo gave the soul reaper a gobsmacked look, his face hid no shock what so ever. "You've never heard of Christmas?!"

"Well... No, I haven't. I don't remember my past life at all, had you forgot?"

"Right, well. How about I show you instead of telling you."

Rukia felt her curiosity spike. She had seen and heard of all sorts of amazing festivals and celebrations in the world of the living, Easter, Halloween and even New Year when she had first arrived at Ichigo's house. Rukia felt excited.

"Yes please!"

Ichigo smiled at Rukia, "Ok, go grab your coat. It's cold outside."

Rukia followed Ichigo to his car, battling snow and ice for grip along the way. "Where are we going?" She said as she buckled her seatbelt.

"Surprise," Answered Ichigo.

The orange haired teen started the engine of the car and the two were off, driving along the icy roads to Ichigo's unknown destination. It wasn't long before the car stopped and Rukia found herself outside of a toy shop.

"The first part of Christmas, giving to others." Ichigo explained to the confused Rukia.

"Giving to others?" Rukia echoed.

Ichigo began to walk towards to the toy store, "Yeah, you buy gifts for friends and family but since I've already gotten all my gifts, we're going to get presents for children in an orphanage."

"That sounds... Very nice," Rukia pondered, "I think I like Christmas already."

The duo entered the store and spilt up, Ichigo reminding Rukia not to pick anything too expensive and something a young girl would like while he went to pick a present for a little boy. Rukia strolled the lanes of toys and scanned shelf upon shelf of dolls. I want to get something nice, she decided.

While looking at a rabbit plush, Rukia noticed a toy that had been shoved to the back of the pile. It was a funny looking thing, it reminded her strongly of a Hollow, however it had soft cute eyes and puffy hands instead of clawed ones. She wasn't quite sure what it was, expect for the fact that it was suppose to be some sort of pink creature.

"It's... Perfect!" Rukia said pleased that she had found both an interesting and girly toy, in her opinion of course.

Rukia headed to the front desk to find Ichigo so that she could pay for her toy. She found the strawberry waiting for her near a rack of fairy dolls. "Found something?" He asked,

"Yes, I have. I quite like it too, don't you think it's interesting?" Rukia said as she held up her find.

Ichigo's eyes once again went wide, "Its hideous!"

"It is not! It's cute! Like a Hollow!"

"Hollows are not cute!" Ichigo countered.

"Well im buying it not matter what you say, you said I could pick!" Rukia grumbled as she turned to join the line at the counter.

"You don't have any money, Rukia..." Ichigo sighed with his hands on his hips, a bag lazily hung around his wrist which contained his already bought gift.

Rukia froze and slowly rotated her head 180 degrees, shooting Ichigo a cheesy but distressed smile, "Pleaasse" she begged.

"Fine, but no kid is going to want that... Thing," Ichigo said as he joined Rukia in the line.

Soon, it was Rukia's turn to buy her selected item. She took the last step up to the counter smiled up at the clerk, she looked to be one year younger than Ichigo and wore a name tag that read, 'Lotus.'

Rukia noticed Ichigo giving the girl a funny look, as if he knew her somehow. "Excuse me," he asked, "But do you happen to know a girl called Rose?"

"Oh, yes...I do." Lotus kept a straight face, "She is my... older sister."

"Oh, um.. Ok?" Ichigo said awkwardly.

"Who is Rose?" Rukia asked, worried that another girl might have tried to steal Ichigo away.

"Movie clerk, I'll explain later." Ichigo spoke quickly, "Ahh, could we buy this please?"

"Oh.. That? You.. Want it? Nobody's wanted it... For years..." Lotus didn't seemed to blink as she spoke.

"Years?!" Ichigo gasped, "Rukia, are you sure this is what you want?"

Rukia looked down at the odd fluff ball in her hands, "This isn't supposed to be for me... Kids in an orphanage don't have much, right? This toy, whatever it is, doesn't have much either, so for Christmas I'll give it a home."

Ichigo sighed as handed Lotus the money needed to buy the toy, "You continue to surprise me everyday, Rukia. But maybe.. That's what makes you so likeable..."

Rukia noticed Ichigo's face going bright red, as if he were embarrassed, "I said that aloud, didn't I?" Ichigo face palmed.

"$10.40 change... And.. You did say it... Aloud... Please come again... And enjoy your Christmas... Sir.." Lotus' face remained as blank as a sheet of white paper.

~~~

Rukia smiled as she and Ichigo left the toy store, "Thank you for letting me get the gift I wanted."

Ichigo yawned, "No problem, just don't be disappointed if it gets sent back."

"Idiot!" Rukia slapped Ichigo, "I was trying to be nice!"

Ichigo held face in his hands as tears formed in his eyes, "You, nice?! Never! And what the hell was that for?!"

Rukia stormed off to the car.

"You don't have the keys Rukia. Not that you would know how to use them."

Rukia turned her head 180 degrees, "Pllleeeaaassse?" She begged laughing.

Christmas... Seems so wonderful. Maybe that's because of Ichigo.... What are these feelings? Will this Christmas help me understand?

Who knows?