Marriage for a Million: Love is Eternal

original story by missyromanticme15

this story by Ulquiorra9000

Epilogue

{four years later}

Rukia had long gotten used to her new life in Tokyo, and now, only days away from graduation from the University of Tokyo, all she could think about was the long-awaited end to studying, exams, staying up late cramming, all of it. She was nearly at the peak of this mountain, ready to plant her flag. Her college friends felt the same way, though their way of relieving stress involved house parties that Rukia didn't mind missing. Taking walks at night and visiting quaint novelty shops was more her speed around here.

Rukia had only been out and about for an hour this evening, but she was already feeling sleepy. Time to take a cab back home? Probably. She made her way to a street corner to hail one when her phone chimed with an incoming call.

"Hello?" Rukia put the phone to her ear.

"Hey, Rukia," said one of her classmates and friends. For a change, she wasn't out partying. "I found this really nice new apartment to move into once we graduate. Come and see! It's fantastic."

Rukia smiled. "Thanks for the offer, but I can hear my bed calling me from here..."

"Look, just come and meet me, okay? I need your opinion on this place. The address is..."

Once she got the address, Rukia hailed a cab and gave it to the driver. The place was further away from the University's campus than Rukia expected, and in a trendy part of the Toshima ward. Rukia paid the driver generously, stepped out, and went up to the fifth floor, like her friend had specified earlier.

The place was pretty nice but unremarkable. Rukia shrugged and knocked on door 536, and the door creaked open. She expected her friend.

A familiar orange-haired man was there instead.

Rukia gasped, a hand over her mouth. "I... Ichigo?" She actually felt her knees go weak. A thrill went down her spine.

Ichigo smiled. "Surprised? I moved into town just last week and found this great place in my price range. You were right all this time; Tokyo is amazing, Rukia. You can show me around sometime."

"Come here." Rukia took hold of the collar of Ichigo's expensive shirt and kissed him, holding his head in her hands. Her heart raced in her chest. "You rascal! Springing this on me... were all my friends keeping this from me?"

"Well... yeah." Ichigo made an embarrassed chuckle. "I had one of them pretend to want to move here and get your opinion on it. Sorry, I promise it'll be the last prank I pull."

"Ichigo..." Rukia felt a silly, wide smile cross her face. She had seen him twice a year, visiting Karakura Town with fresh stories of her life and studies in Tokyo. But to have Ichigo here, by her side...

"So... your house arrest is over?" Rukia said awkwardly.

"It sure is," Ichigo said, stepping back. "Come in."

Rukia stepped inside and removed her shoes and coat, noting that Ichigo had already unpacked his meager collection of personal items. Looks like he's still living humbly after the fraud scandal and selling most of his worldly items. "I still can't believe it," Rukia said breathlessly, a hand over her heart. "It's like a dream."

"Believe me, I won't disappear if you close your eyes," Ichigo said cheerily. "Rukia... after your graduation, and when you're ready, will you move in with me here?"

Rukia gasped again. "Of course I will! I'd love that." She was already making mental notes on how to fancy this place up and make it hers, too. Their own place, together, in the city of Rukia's dreams.

"I'm glad," Ichigo said warmly. "Oh... and there's something I always meant to do."

"Like what?"

Ichigo got out a hand-written list on a sheet of paper. "Oh, let's see... here's my evening plan. First item: quaint, romantic, private accommodations. Check." He spread his arms to encompass the warm, inviting interior of his apartment, and he turned on classic romantic music on the modest sound system.

Rukia beamed. "I'm touched."

"Not done yet." Ichigo consulted his list. "Second item: hold her hand." He reached out and clasped Rukia's hand in his, and gently squeezed. Rukia felt four years of longing in his warm skin, a torrent of unspoken thoughts. Her heart beat even harder, galloping in her chest.

"Third: kiss her lots." Ichigo held Rukia's waist as he returned her kiss from earlier, and when he parted, he was already on item four. "Buy her flowers," he said, and he stepped into the bedroom, then returned with a bouquet of several flower species, the stems bound with red and gold ribbons. Rukia took it and gave the blossoms a sniff.

"They're wonderful," she breathed. "Thank you."

"Number five: tell her she's beautiful." Ichigo grinned. "That's an easy one. Rukia, you're the most gorgeous, charming, wonderful, seductive, alluring, beautiful woman I know. When I see you, my world seems brighter and warmer, and I feel like we can do anything together."

"Oh, stop that." Rukia made a bashful smile. "You're such a cheeseball. Meaning, please keep going."

"Sixth item: dance with her." Ichigo placed the bouquet in a glass vase and guided Rukia into a slow dance to the music.

Rukia's eyes widened. "Hey... I know what this is. It's stuff from the to-do list for the honeymoon we never took."

Ichigo blinked. "You... you saw that?"

Rukia swallowed. "Yeah. Not long after Dad's heart attack. Sorry, I just had to peek."

"No harm done," Ichigo said. "I couldn't give you your honeymoon back then, and what we're doing now is pretty modest compared to my original ideas... but still, this is my gift to you."

Rukia rested her head on Ichigo's chest. "It's perfect. I love you, Ichigo."

"I love you, Rukia."

They danced for what felt like an hour, until Rukia made up her mind. "Hey, I have a little activity planned for us, too," she said. "Follow me."

She took Ichigo's hand and led him into the bedroom and shut the door. Then, she gently shoved Ichigo onto his back on the double bed, and she smiled widely as she clamored on top of him, straddling him.

Ichigo looked both excited and flustered. "Whoa, Rukia."

Rukia seized Ichigo's shirt and parted it, showing his well-defined chest. She took off her top and leaned down, kissing her husband again, this time with burning-hot desire, her hands running along his chest.

"This is a long time coming," Rukia panted. "Ichigo, I want you."

"Rukia -"

She put a shushing finger on Ichigo's lips and smiled even wider. "Shut up and listen up. I love you, Ichigo, and tonight, I'm all yours, and you're all mine."

.

.

"Love knows no limits to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. Love still stands when all else has fallen."

- Blaise Pascal