#ccVerse : Ichigo Kurosaki | post TYBW

[cc-ichigo-kurosaki]

No Nut Nov 2024 [Ichigo x Rukia]

@rukia-kuchiki-divided asked // Nov 2

“So I heard it this month is called ‘No Nut November’ so I took the liberty of throwing out all your chocolate bars that had nuts in them so you wouldn’t be tempted. You’re welcome, Ichigo!”

"Wait, that was you?! Damn it Rukia, you have to stop taking things so literally!" Ichigo growled at her. Yes, she meant well, but she couldn't be more backward with her helping.

He deliberately bought those chocolate nut bars in bulk, for him to snack on them if he needed an energy boost, especially for when he was studying long hours.

"Please tell me you didn't throw them in the trash, they cost a fair amount too you know," Ichigo spoke with a sigh, hoping he could at least salvage some, Rukia was technically throwing out the money he spent too. Last thing he needed was to have to do a ridiculous errand for Urahara just to make some extra cash.

[cc-ichigo-kurosaki]

// Visiting the Rukongai [Ichigo x Rukia]

It was typical of them, they never planned to have such a talk, it just happens as things usually do with them. All because they somehow started talking about marriage or something, Ichigo had no idea how it even all began, probably their usual banter that escalated into some serious discussion.

He got Rukia to open up about her past, he never did know much besides that she grew up with Renji, and they were surrounded by others like them, but they unfortunately did not make it like they did. So Ichigo thought it was fitting that he should at least visit them once, right?

"Well, by that look you're giving me, I could ask you the same thing," Ichigo replied, sensing how nervous Rukia was. So he brought his hand over to give her a brief squeeze, to try and snap her out of it.

"Relax, Rukia. I'm sure, this is something I want to do, for you too," he reassured her. Ichigo understood how hard it was for Rukia, and that it took a lot of courage for him to lead them here, so the least he could do, was not let her doubt change her decision. But still, he'd be patient with her, she'd lead the way once she was ready.

Closed Starter | A Visit to the Rukongai | @cc-ichigo-kurosaki

It had been several days since the talk she and Ichigo had in his room. Several days since Rukia had opened up to him about her past in the Rukongai. She hadn’t meant to - had no intention of putting that emotional burden on the one person who deserved less burdens. When was the last time she had brought up the past? Even with Kaien, she had danced around the topic and only hinted at her situation. It was surreal. Watching as Ichigo readied himself to come with her to the Soul Society. Rukia had arranged to used the private senkaimon on the Kuchiki grounds to avoid as many eyes as possible. For some reason, this entire thing felt utterly intimate and personal. She hadn’t spoken about it with anyone.

Rukia shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her hand playing with the hilt of her zanpakuto in a familiar, comforting way - the weight of it at her side allowing her to focus her breathing.

���Are.. are you certain you want to do this?” She asked for the second time, her eyes reflecting the nervousness in her reiatsu.

[cc-ichigo-kurosaki]

Will It Rain? [Ichigo & Tensa]

@kuurosakiis asked // Oct 30

"Do you think it'll rain?" - Tensa (kuurosakiis)

"If it does, it won't be like it used to be," Ichigo replied as he found himself in his inner world once more, it was familiar but different this time around. What was different was his lack of doubt, about who he was, his past, and his powers.

"What do I call you now? The hollow other me is Zangetsu, and it doesn't seem right to call you 'old man' either," he wondered as he addressed the male figure before him. He had introduced himself as his zanpacuto spirit, but was really the manifestation of his Quincy powers.

[cc-ichigo-kurosaki]

Happy Birthday Ichigo 2024 [from Yuzu & Karin]

@whiskeysmulti asked: // July 17

"Happy birthday, Ichi-nii!" Yuzu and Karin called out as they held out a chocolate cake for him decorated with a little icing zanpaktou drawn on it.

"You guys..." Ichigo was expecting the usual breakfast, though he appreciated the extra with the chocolate cake made by his sisters.

"Thanks, make sure you two eat your fair share too! Birthday boy's orders," he added, looking curiously at the zanpakuto made from icing drawn. "And that's a really nice touch with the sword."

With things having escalated with the truth about their family and Ichigo's powers, he was glad things were out in the open now, no more sneaking around like he used to. Though he had a feeling Karin knew long before he realised, it was still nice to be open about his Soul Reaper powers and duties.

[cc-ichigo-kurosaki]

Happy Birthday Ichigo 2024 [IchiRuki]

@rukia-kuchiki-divided asked // July 15

Happy Birthday, Ichigo!

“Thanks, Rukia. Guess I should say, enjoy the party...” Ichigo greeted her on the day of his birthday. He didn’t ask for a party, but apparently he was such a big deal, that it would be a disservice to him to have one. Once they had more private time together after the party when everyone left, he intended to show Rukia how much he appreciated the gift she left for him that morning.

[cc-ichigo-kurosaki]

@rukia-kuchiki-divided asked // Aug 19

“You’ve been quiet lately. What’s going on?” Rukia crossed her arms, frowning slightly with concern. “And don’t even think about lying to me!”

"Why would I even try lying to you if you can read me like a book?" Ichigo replied to Rukia with a sigh. It wasn't like he was hiding it from her on purpose, he just didn't think it was necessary to bring it up first.

"I'm just tired and drained from my studies, I've been busy with medical school. So it's good that there's another substitute shinigami around or more to cover my usual hollow patrols, I honestly don't have the time or energy anymore for it."

// my default thing is to say that my Ichigo is busy with medical school (with my Uryu) especially when I'm busy myself IRL or my other RP blogs haha.

[cc-ichigo-kurosaki]

Could Not Without You [IchiRuki Divided]

@rukia-kuchiki-divided asked // April 8

*whispers* "I couldn't survive losing you again." angst meme

“Sorry, Rukia. I got careless…” Ichigo replied weakly, luckily he was being healed by Orihime. But if she and Chad did not show up when they did, his condition would have been a lot worse, from being attacked by a group of Quincy when he lost his resolve to fight.

“I just... I needed to hear Ishida’s reasoning, why he chose to side against us…” he admitted. Ichigo was desperate, he didn’t understand, and he didn’t believe the ‘because I am a Quincy’ nonsense, that did not stop him before, why now? Ichigo dusted himself off after he was healed completely, resolute to his plan of action.

“Ishida is our friend, and he’s always fought by our side, until now… I don’t know if his feelings have changed or not. That’s why we’re going after him, go hear what he has to say for himself. Then I’ll beat him up and drag him back with us, whether he likes it or not!”

[cc-ichigo-kurosaki]

Taking Frustrations [IchiRuki Divided]

@rukia-kuchiki-divided asked // Nov 19, 2022

“i can’t take this anymore.” ((~because I'm always in the mood for angst!))

“I know, Rukia. I can understand, this frustration…” Ichigo replied, trying to offer her some comfort. At least she was no alone in this feeling, everyone who survived the Quincy invasion would probably have some survivor’s guild, especially because of those who perished and sacrificed themselves.

His zanpakuto was broken, but at least he was still alive. Unlike when he rescued Rukia and later Orihime, it was a complete loss for him and them this time. The frustration of being unable to go after the enemy due to his own weakness, it was like when he first fought Grimmjow. After all this time even after regaining his Shinigami powers, some things did not change.

“But we’ll become stronger, like we have before. If they return, we will protect Soul Society better next time,” he spoke. Ichigo was trying to be more optimistic, naturally with the enemy retreating like they did, it bought them some time.

“Once you’ve recovered enough, let’s go out to get some fresh air, alright?” Ichigo forced a smile in a lousy attempt to pick up Rukia’s spirits, sometimes he wondered if it was worth trying. It was hard to hide things from her, Rukia could read his face like an open book, and could probably tell that there was more to his demeanour.

[cc-ichigo-kurosaki]

// Ichigo Birthday Gifted 2024 [from Rukia]

Ichigo was sound asleep, looking more peaceful than usual in his subconscious. His constant scowl, that was his defensive mechanism whenever he was awake, his resting face by default. But it definitely softened some over the years, especially around certain people like his family and friends, including Rukia.

Despite not knowing him for as long as others, Rukia always knew and understood him best on an emotional level. She could read his face easily without him speaking a word, which also make it impossible to hide things from her. Her gifts were always thoughtful in some form, even though he would be happy with her just wishing him a happy birthday on the day.

So when Ichigo woke up on the morning of his birthday, he noticed something on the pillow next to him. “This is…” Ichigo looked at Rukia’s card, yeah that definitely had her trademark art and writing on it. She was probably the only one who could sneak into his room without waking him, his sisters aside.

“What did you get me, Rukia?” He wondered, soon opening Rukia’s wrapped gift for him. These pictures, Rukia must have asked Uryu for a favour to help. Though he heard that his father was even less approachable, there was a good chance Urahara was involved so Rukia could get these without causing too much trouble. The other pictures were probably from his old man, he would have been overjoyed to help Rukia with her gift. These photos in chronological order, it was a homage to his mother Masaki's life.

Ichigo had always blamed himself for his mother’s death, but after learning of the Quincy bloodline he inherited from his mother. It make things a little easier, and he learned not to be too hard on himself. Still, the anniversary of her passing would be hard, but he knew that compared to before, he would not be as alone in grieving now that the truth was out there.

“Damn it…” Tears formed in his eyes as he quietly sobbed, hands over his face and where his tears could drop so they did not wit Rukia’s present. It was a beautiful gift, more than he could ever expect. He couldn’t even fathom all the time and research Rukia did outside her duties as a Soul Reaper, to get this ready to gift him on his birthday.

"Thank you, Rukia. You really are…" Ichigo spoke fondly towards her despite her not being physically there, then sighed lightly. "Now I have to find the right time and place to tell her without getting too emotional, jeez…”

Ichigo’s Birthday 2024

@cc-ichigo-kurosaki

Rukia woke up extra early, taking in a moment to revel in the early quiet morning. She moved silently through the Kurosaki house, taking extra care not to wake the sleeping orange haired soul reaper who was passed out on his bed. Violet eyes lingered for a moment on his face, so peaceful in sleep without a trace of that usual scowl he wore. It almost made him look younger. Her nimble fingers found the hiding place she had secured her gift, carefully packaged in plain brown paper. Rukia had wrapped it simply with some orange and purple ribbon, a small bow on one corner. She tucked a card that contained her characteristics drawings depicting Ichigo and Rukia in rabbit forms with the words Happy Birthday, baka! There was much more she could say but she felt that the gift itself would speak volumes. It had taken Rukia ages. Long days and nights of research, many conversations with Isshin, some rather hostile negotiations with the Ishida family, and even a business agreement with Urahara before it was complete. The gift itself was simple but hopefully something meaningful for Ichigo. The gift - a simple plain weatherworn photographic album with several pages inserted within. Each page contain several photographs of Ichigo’s mother. She had arranged them in chronological order, starting with several childhood photos of Masaki painstakingly taken from the Ishida family’s private collection. Her teenage years were quite adventurous, filled with many friends - all collected from scraps of conversation Isshin had relayed to Rukia that spurred her investigative pursuits until she had tracked down those old friends. All the way up to, of course, photos of Masaki with Isshin, with Ichigo and his sisters. Happy and well loved. So different from her own childhood - and for that reason, all the more precious. “I hope you like this when you find it.” She murmured, leaving it on the pillow beside Ichigo before slipping out.

[cc-ichigo-kurosaki]

"How was I supposed to know that was for my birthday?" Ichigo replied, giving a look at Rukia, "And honestly with what you have so far, I'd be surprised with whatever it is when you're finished."

@cc-ichigo-kurosaki " what are you working on ? "

Unprompted Ask | Always Accepting @cc-ichigo-kurosaki

"None of your business!"

"You're going to ruin your birthday surprise, baka!"

Even if she had no idea what that surprise would be... yet.