#everything is nice

Getting to Soul Society was relatively easy. It was dodgingeveryone so they didn’t sidetrack him on his way to see Rukia that was the hardpart. He liked a good number of the soul reapers, but that didn’t mean hewanted to talk to them right now. He had more important matters to deal with.

Seireitei looked the same, not that he expected otherwise.When eternity stretched out that far he supposed it would be hard to reallyacknowledge how much time had gone by. He enjoyed his stroll through thestreets leading to the Thirteenth Division. While it was Rukia’s off day hedoubted that she’d have left the barracks to return to the Kuchiki FamilyManor. Something about it being too fancy for her sometimes or something. Hewaved good-naturedly at the few squad members he passed who hesitantly wavedback.

It was sometimes hilarious to be so highly regardedespecially when they gave him the bug-eyed look after he acknowledged them.Maybe Ishida was right, maybe his head had swelled a little with all thepraise, not that he’d ever admit that to his face.

Without realizing it he’d made it to the gardens that were locatedjust outside the captain and vice- captain quarters. The water in the pond andthe rustling of the trees created a peaceful ambiance that Ichigo hadn’trealized he missed. His life now usually consisted of long, grueling lectureson the body and medicine with the cacophony of other student’s chatter fillingthe silence.

Suddenly he was tackled by a blur that had him stumbling andscrambling to find his footing. When he’d steady himself he turned his gaze tothe person who was now wrapped around him.

His face softened and a smile crept up at the corners of hismouth. “Rukia,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and giving her a softsqueeze. She seemed to have grown a little since he’d last seen her based on whereher arms were on his body. Not that would stop him from calling her a midget torile her up.

A mumbled conversation barely met his ears and he laughed. “Mightwanna speak up, midget.”

A light headbutt was all he got for his ribbing, but hegrinned all the same.

Rukia pulled away slightly. “I said I missed you, you idiot,”she said.

Ichigo grinned. “I missed you too.”

The two fell into a serene silence, just holding each othercomfortably as if afraid that if they let go the other would disappear. Slowly,Ichigo managed to get them down on the ground before letting Rukia go. He tooka minute to really take in Rukia now.

As he thought, she’d grown a little. The baby fat that hadgiven her a childlike appearance had completely disappeared leaving behind amore angular jawline and sharp cheekbones reminiscent of her brother. Eithershe hadn’t grown a lot or she’d requested a new uniform be made for her. Whatreally caught Ichigo’s attention was her hair. He’d only ever seen her with onehairstyle, the ends flicking outward in a swoop, but not anymore. She’d cut itinto a bob, the strands brushing against her jaw. From what he’d seen in Ishida’smagazines, lots of girls were turning to the style.

“You cut your hair,” he finally said, breaking the silence. “Itlooks nice like that.”

Rukia blushed. “Yeah, I got it cut last time Orihime came tovisit.”

“Orihime comes to visit you?”

“W-well sometimes, she has more free time and likes to bringlittle gifts when she comes.”

Ichigo smirked. “So, you guys go out together?”

Rukia raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“Like a date?”

Rukia’s eyes widened and she sputtered while Ichigo burstinto laughter. “I-I—N-no it’s just—Orihime and I—“

Ichigo waved his hand as if to brush away her excuses. “I’msorry I’m just teasing you, but it’d be fine if you were going on dates.Orihime’s a sweet girl, she’d be good for you.”

Rukia grumbled the blush still dark on her pale face. “And Uryu?”

Ichigo cocked his head. “What about him?”

“Orihime’s been telling me how much time you guys have beenspending together.” She waggled her eyebrows playfully. “Lots of alone time.”

It was Ichigo’s turn to flush at the comment and he felt afunny fluttering in his stomach at the accusation. “We’re in medical schooltogether, of course we spend alone time together.”

Rukia hummed skeptically. “Oh of course, that’s definitelywhy you two went to the last festival together.”

Ichigo stared. “How do you know about that?”

“Orihime.”

Ichigo sighed and ruffled his hair. “We did go together, but uh- I don’t think it really meant anything toIshida.”

“Ooh, you’ve graduated to using ‘Ishida’ now?”

Ichigo rolled his eyes. “Yes I call him Ishida now. Didn’treally think I could keep calling him Uryu, considering,” he gestured to hisheart, “y’know?”

She snickered. “That’s so cute, Ichigo.”

“Oh shut up.”

They fell back into tranquil silence and updates on theirlives with ease. It felt so natural to talk to Rukia, he didn’t feel the needto force the conversation along or fill the silence when it fell between them.It was almost as if no time had passed. He hadn’t registered how much he’dtruly missed her in his life until they were reunited.

They’d ended up lying down at some point and Ichigo turnedhis attention from the gently floating clouds to look at his best friend again.

“Hey Rukia,” Ichigo said softly, his voice nary a whisper inthe wind. She turned her head towards him raising an eyebrow in confusion. Hesmiled softly and turned his attention back to the clouds. “I really did missyou.”

Rukia smiled before she too turned her attention to the sky.“I missed you too, Ichigo.”