DISCLAIMER: I do not own Bleach.. If I do, it would've been a mess.. haha..

After the exhausting battle, Ichigo was struggling to keep his balance. His shihakusho was torn and bloody. His body was wounded and aching. His eyes began to blur as he fought off the unconsciousness threatening to succumb him.

Rukia immediately rushed towards Ichigo to keep him from falling to the ground. She held him close and whispered softly, "you fought well, Ichigo." A proud smile was etched across her beautiful face. She wanted to say more but she couldn't think of anything that would suitably convey the sensations enveloping her right now. So she just stood there silently, steadily supporting the man that occupied the biggest spot in her heart.

Wrapping his arms around her delicate frame, Ichigo laid his head on her shoulder. He inhaled the scent of fresh snow emanating from her. And in an instant, the darkness that had been creeping in earlier was driven away by Rukia's embrace.

With the little amount of his strength left, he lifted his head to look at her face. He had to do this now. A battlefield may not be the most romantic background but to hell with that. The war was already over. A new chapter would unfold soon. And he wanted it to start on a more positive note.

The world faded into nothingness as brown eyes bored into violet ones intensely. Their gazes both reflected each other's feelings: joy, concern, pride, gratefulness, hope, faith and love.

Yes, love. The love that had been waiting patiently to be revealed. The love that withstood the time of their separation. The love that led them back to one another time and time again. The love that strengthened them in every adversity. The same love that would guide them into the future, no matter what it held for them.

Gathering up all the courage he could muster, Ichigo gave Rukia his most heart-warming smile, "I love you, Rukia."

"I love you too..." Rukia replied with a loving smile of her own. "...idiot," she added affectionately.

Slowly, they closed the gap between them. Their lips locked in a sweet gentle kiss. The gesture spoke of words they could not utter and of emotions they could not describe. It engulfed their souls in caressing warmth, brightening up the Red String of Fate that connected them as one.