Fate (A Bleach Fanfiction)

Christmas Special: A Special Surprise!

3rd person's pov

Things had been very hectic the past three weeks for everyone both in the Soul Society and in Karakura town, hollows were showing up left and right and it was beginning to tire out Ichigo, Kuroki, and their friends. They had no clue as to why there had been so many hollows attacking, and they were starting to get fed up with dealing with all of it. As if that already wasn't hard enough to handle for Ichigo and Kuroki, everyone had just finished taking their final exams and were anxiously waiting on the results which would be released soon to the students. Currently, Ichigo and Kuroki were in class watching a movie since their teacher didn't want to do anything today. With it being the last day of school until the start of next year, the teacher didn't think it was wise to make them do work when they had already been recovering from final exams and projects. Kuroki sat in her usual spot, but Ichigo, Toshihiro, Ishihara, the twins, and Rukia all sat around her. A lot of the class had broken off in their normal groups, so they were either paying attention to the movie or talking quietly amongst themselves. This year was going to be a bit different, Yumichika was away on a mission with Shuhei and Izuru. Uryu was taking a trip somewhere with Orihime and Chad, so they wouldn't be around for Christmas. Also, Ichigo and Kuroki decided finally spend Christmas at home. They would be having a slumber party the day after Christmas at Toshihiro's place with most of the Captains and their Lieutenants. Shunsui, Jushiro, Toshiro, and Byakuya all would be coming from the Soul Society for Christmas. Kuroki felt a bit saddened as she hadn't seen or heard from Rui in quite a while, she had wished that she could see him again but there was a bigger wish that she wanted to come true. Ichigo looked over at Kuroki, who seemed lost in her own thoughts as the movie played in the background. He wasn't sure if he should say anything to her and ask about it since Kuroki had also been stressed the past week over the results of their final exams. He suddenly thought of a great idea that included Renji, he was just going to have to get his father's approval first before going through with it. When he looked out the window, he smiled as he saw the snowfall. His eyes found their way to Rukia, who looked back at him with a warm smile.

"So you guys are leaving tonight?" Kuroki asked Orihime, who turned her head to look at the ginger standing beside her. The school day was now over, so everyone was packing up and ready to head home.

"Yeah, Uryu, Chad, and I are meeting up later so we can catch our flight." She said, "I'm sorry that we aren't going to be around this year for Christmas." Chad apologized, making Kuroki immediately shake her head. "No. Don't apologize for that. It's nice to take a trip away from Karakura town once in a while. Just be careful and travel safely, you three." She smiled at them, as they all said their goodbyes. With that Ishihara and Toshihiro first broke off from the group, heading to the vacation house to get everything ready for the day after Christmas. Rei and Yukio headed home, leaving Rukia, Ichigo, and Kuroki to walk home with one another.

"So I guess this means that I will be spending Christmas at home with you and your family?" Rukia asked, looking to Ichigo and Kuroki.

"Yeah," Kuroki smiled, wrapping her arm around Rukia to pull her closer. "I can't wait. Karin and Yuzu are going to be really happy to see you." She smiled, Rukia returned the smile.

"Just gonna warn you now... Dad can get a little crazy around this time of the year." Ichigo said, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, he turns into a blubbering mess. And since we are spending Christmas at home this year, he's going to be even more of a mess than usual." Kuroki spoke, "I'll be fine you guys, don't worry." As the trio finally made it through the door, they were greeted by none other than a sobbing Isshin. He tried to put Ichigo in a chokehold, but he kicked him in the stomach and pushed him away with his foot. "MY Babies!!! You are finally spending Christmas at home!!" Isshin cried, making Kuroki and Ichigo cringe at how loud their father was being. He wrapped Kuroki in a hug, blubbering like a baby which annoyed Kuroki to no end. "Dad, stop crying so loud like that, will ya?!!" Kuroki grew angry and punched Isshin harshly in the stomach, causing the father to groan in pain as he let go and sunk to the floor. Ichigo was a bit shocked to see that, especially because it had been a while since she had outright used violence against Isshin for a while. But the shock wore off as he realized Kuroki hated when Isshin turned into a blubbering fool and got all clingy with her. "Dad, Rukia is staying with us for Christmas since her family is too busy," Ichigo explained, having no regard for his father's wellbeing. He knew that punch wouldn't seriously harm Isshin, "Okay.." Isshin suddenly jumped back to his feet, rushing to tackle Rukia in a hug but both Kuroki and Ichigo had kicked him so he wouldn't bother Rukia. She only let out a giggle at the trio, watching them fight.

"Hey Rukia." Rukia turned her head towards the voice that called her, spotting Karin and Yuzu. "Hey girls." She smiled, as the two walked over to her.

"You're spending Christmas with us this year?" Yuzu asked, her eyes finding Rukia's big purple ones. "Yeah, I am. My family is too busy this year, so they basically told me to hang out with friends." She explained, both girls feeling a bit sorry that she had to deal with that. The three heard a loud smack, followed by a grunt of pain and a thud. So they looked over to see that Ichigo and Kuroki were wrestling with Isshin, who was still a blubbering mess. "Good grief. He blubbers like a two year old and yet, he's supposed to be the mature one." Karin shook her head.

~~

A little while later, Ichigo went downstairs to talk to Isshin about something that was rather important to him. When he reached the bottom of the staircase, he thought for a moment silently praying his Dad would allow it. He walked over to the kitchen, where he had found his Dad washing and rinsing dishes. "Dad, can I talk to you for a sec?" Isshin looked back at Ichigo, who rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "What is it, Ichigo? It's not like you to look so nervous." He said, drying his hands on a rag before turning his body fully towards Ichigo.

"Well... I know you probably don't trust or like Renji much.." He started, "It's not like I don't trust him.. I just don't know him very well besides what Kuro has told me." He said, "Well.. In that case.. I was wondering if you would be okay with letting Renji come stay with us for Christmas? You know, these past few weeks have been stressful since Finals and final projects. I think it would be good for Kuro to spend time with him here. And you can finally get to know him properly. What do you say?" Ichigo asked, hoping that Isshin would at least consider this. Isshin stayed quiet for a moment, just thinking and smiled when he came to a decision.

"Sure. Why not?"

With that Ichigo smiled at his Dad, thanking him and rushed away to go get Renji who had been staying at Kisuke's place. Within only a few minutes, Ichigo returned back home with Renji in tow. Renji was a bit nervous to say the least, as he had worried what Isshin would say to him. He was shocked to say the least when Isshin welcomed him warmly into their home, he wasn't sure that Isshin would.

"Kuro, I have a surprise for you." Ichigo said, walking into his room. Rukia and Kuroki looked back at him, the two of them were both sitting on Kuroki's bed.

"You know I hate surprises."

"Well, I think it's one you will really love. Come downstairs and see for yourself." With an exasperated sigh, she stood to her feet and followed Ichigo out of the room. "I swear if it's something stupid, I will murder you just using Yuki's shikai." She threatened, making Ichigo scoff and shake his head as they walked downstairs. When she reached the bottom step, her eyes lit up as she spotted Renji. He was having a nice conversation with Isshin which was nice for her to see, she didn't think he would be so nice.

"Renji!!" Renji snapped his head over to her small figure, his eyes lighting up as a smile spread across his lips. "Kuro!" Kuroki immediately shoved Isshin aside, jumping into his arms. He caught her with ease, laughing as she wrapped herself around him. Ichigo scoffed, shaking his head as Isshin stood there with a smile on his face.

"So this is the surprise you planned for her, huh?" Rukia smirked, appearing next to Ichigo.

"Well, yeah. With finals and everything going on, they haven't really seen one another and it was making her depressed. So I basically made Renji a Christmas present." Ichigo rubbed the back of his neck, "That's so sweet of you, Ichigo." Rukia smiled, this caused Ichigo to blush which didn't go unnoticed by Isshin.