A/N: Okay, so this is mostly just a really short chapter that doesn't say anything so I could legally give you the news on the upcoming Deeper Care plotline extension!! But first, the little chapter… I can't really call it a chapter…
The Not-Really-A-Chapter Chapter
Rukia opened her eyes, the warmth of Ichigo's draping arms heating her stomach. Rich aromas of blooming spring flitted through the window on a cooling night breeze, just the right temperature to remind one of smooth satin. With a small sigh of romantic contemplation, she let her eyes wander over conscious dreams that played across the ceiling above.
She closed her eyes as she imagined Ichigo's voice, phrases he used often, jokes he made. The feel of his peaceful breath upon her collarbone was calming and comfortable, a kind of midnight secret that she buried within herself. He was always so hard, so reserved and stiff. These moments of tenderness weren't necessarily rare, but often interrupted by duty, friend, or foe. Despite the sorrow she felt in only being able to enjoy their time together in split-second moments, she knew somewhere deep within her steeled heart that the remembrance of small, loving things would help her in trials before them.
While the smell of chrysanthemums swirled about the bedroom as if performing the sandman's mesmerizing dance, Rukia's eyelids began to surrender once again to sleep, her smile tranquil, serene. Her violet eyes seemed to glide closed like slumbering flowers, petals curling into a gentle swirl of peaceful, soft colors. As her consciousness drifted away in the seas of dreaming, Ichigo's arm curled more tightly around her waist, his cheek nuzzling the warmth of her heartbeat. He smiled in repose, suspended in life until the sun rose. Maybe even in sleep he recognized the caress of Rukia's soul against his. Maybe even in sleep, Ichigo knew that as the sun's rays poured into his room in the hours to come, Rukia would rise with it, as beautiful and illuminating as the great orb in the skies.
A/N: Whee. Yey for writing on the spot! In any case, here's what's going on!
Story Updates:
The Ramnian Chronicles and Dark Weavings have both been updated and you should read them! I'm far more proud of those than my Bleach fanfiction.
Deeper Care II? That's right! I got 50/50 on whether or not to actually continue the story from the love scene, and to appease both ends of the spectrum, I've decided to make Ice on the River the sequel to Deeper Care! It will take place a few months in the future, so that both people who'd like the story to end can see it as a new story and those who want it to continue can just take it as a time lapse! The story will be out…within a few hours, so look for it!
The Shopping Agenda is finally coming to an end. The next chapter is the last! Review and let me know if I should make a second with a different shopping motif.