#ukitake-taicho is so precious for doing this!

[turnbackthependulum]

Rukia's special day, so throwback to this cute clip from the Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book from Ep 248!

[dedahblog]

Chapter 3 is how I imagined Ichigo would talk to Rukia about his mother's death. The setting is Rukia refuses to be a captain and Ichigo refuses to let her belittle herself.

*************"""

Rukia followed his spiritual power and found him in the 13th training camp, his back facing her.

He turned to greet her:

-" Yo"

-"Hey Ichigo, I think you are already aware why I am here. Ichigo you shouldn'-"

-"No matter what you say, nothing will change my mind so from now on, all your opinions are rejected… Taicho" he responded smirking.

"... Huh? ...W-w-what kind of tyrannical appointment is this ?! I have the right to choose whether I want to be a captain or not! Also, I have never heard that subordinates have the right to order their captain around ", she answered indignantly.

"Subordinate ?… so you mean you did agree on that ", he teased.

She stared at him, suddenly conscious about what she had said then sighted :

"Listen Ichigo. The seat of the vice-captain was empty for over 40 years. I only decided to take the seat only after that long. Ukitake Taicho died only a week ago and his funeral was just 3 days ago. I saw him dying and heard his last words. I can't just accept to replace him so easily."

After listening to her answer, he serenely said

"It is not like I am telling you to be too hard with yourself. It's alright to take some time to relax before moving forward. I am just saying that I won't accept this position"

"But-"

"Since we met, you were always there for me, watching my back. You didn't only gave the power to protect but it is all thanks to you that I could remember my vow to protect people. I tried so hard to forget because whenever I go back to that night ..."

Ichigo stopped a little gathering his thoughts and Rukia knew what he was referring to.

She promised she would listen to him when he was ready to talk.

She slowly sat down next to him. He was still looking at the grass beneath his feet, his hands slightly shaking. She gently put her right hand on them. He was surprised by this sudden contact as he was met by her gentle smile.

He smiled back and looked upon the sky.

"You know if you are not ready-"

"No. It's all right I am fine. I want you to know….. Everytime I go back to the night when mum died, I can't help but feel like my soul is being torn apart."

Rukia held Ichigo's hand a little more tightly before difting hers away.

When Ichigo turned to meet her gaze, he was hit by the richness of her violet eyes.

" Mum was the first person that I wanted to protect. That night when I wished to help another person, the girl who was Grand Fisher's bait, I lost the first person who I wanted to protect no matter what. You helped me face those fears, that fear of losing those precious persons to me and it's thanks to you that I could surpass that despair. You were always there to help me. But this time, I want to stay back and want to do my best helping you overcome your inner turmoil."

that same gaze.

So intriguing, so distant that he faced the other way to not be drawn to it again, feeling extremely flustered by his outspoken speech.

"And you know, white doesn't suit me. I prefer wearing black like the other fukutaicho" he continued while rubbing the back of his neck.

"…. Ah" she paused a little, " Thank you Ichigo for telling me about your mother. I am glad you are able to talk about her. But I don't feel that I am on a captain level to actually-

"It's alright. As I said you don't have to be a captain right now. You could train if you want but no matter what you say, I will gladly become your vice captain ."he replied with his trademark arrogant grin.

He never changes . "Dummy"

He was going to retort back by saying that's the kind of compliment he could ever get from her, but he was met by her soft gaze again. He looked anywhere but her face.

Hope is you

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/QfOVhqm

by dedah

Ichigo can’t look back on killing a part of his soul. Rukia can’t look forward to being a captain. They help each other

Words: 4026, Chapters: 4/4, Language: English

Fandoms: Bleach (Anime & Manga)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M, Gen

Characters: Kurosaki Ichigo, Kuchiki Rukia, Kyouraku Shunsui, Juhabach | Yhwach

Relationships: Kuchiki Rukia/Kurosaki Ichigo, Kuchiki Rukia & Kurosaki Ichigo

Additional Tags: Bad English, No Romance, Platonic Lovers, unromantic fluff, whatever you call ichiruki, soon to be captain Rukia, soon to be vice captain Ichigo, Ichigo stays in Soul Society as it was intended, Character Study

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/QfOVhqm

[sonderlynights]

So uhhh a really long while ago @conniferusblack tagged me in a WIP meme but life happened and I got super busy but I really wanted to do it! So here I am? This is part of an ichiruki fic I wrote last summer after the ending happened. I don’t think I’ll ever finish it but I thought some part of it deserved to see the light of day so...

“You,” she said, jabbing his chest, “are my treasured best friend, you idiot! And, theoretically, yes, I could have taken many many days off but I didn’t, because I was being responsible! I’m the highest ranking shinigami in the 13th division now Ichigo! Until a new captain is chosen, I will be the one that the lower seated shinigami look up to, I will be the one that represents the 13th division to the rest of Soul Society! What kind of division would the 13th turn into if I was constantly shirking my duties?! The 13th is the precious legacy that Ukitake-taicho and Kaien-dono left for us all, I will not sully it with my selfishness!”

Ichigo swallowed, and the frustration and anger that was in his eyes previously melted away to something much softer. “Was even a single day too much to ask for? Didn’t you ever consider being just a tiny bit selfish?”

“I... I can’t, Ichigo. The division comes first.”

“And what about yourself?”

“A Kuchiki should be selfless.”

“Look at how well that served Byakuya.”

“That’s-- That’s different!”

“You called me your treasured friend. Where do I fall on your list Rukia?”

Her breath caught as he stared at her intently. When it was clear that she wasn’t going to answer him, he continued. “I’ll tell you where you are on mine. You’re always, always at the top.”

I’m tagging @mercuryandglass @anocturnalmorningperson and @pyrrhy

Please feel free to not post anything if you guys don’t want to