My first AU fic., woot! Pairings will be:
IchiRuki
IshiHime
HitsuHina
Zangestsu/Shirayuki
Rating: T

Summary: In a corrupted and twisted government, Rukia is their key to gaining what they desire. They train Ichigo Kurosaki, to protect their little butterfly...but what happens when he is ordered to kill her?

Rukia sat up, a figure sat at the end of her bed...she could already see the gleam of metal in the moonlight.

"They've ordered you to kill me...hnn..." Rukia said narrowing her eyes, she knew the time would come eventually...it was the only way after all. The man who was her protector was struggling with this order...she knew. "Make it quick...Ichigo..." She said before lying back down. She felt him get up and walk to her bedside, even in the darkness she could see the outline of his spiky hair, that she had learned to love.

Rukia just laughed softly, closing her eyes for what might be her last time. Ichigo told himself he would never hurt her, always protect her...no matter what...

His hand slowly curled around the knife..

Rukia was sitting in front of her mirror, brushing her hair while waiting for her morning tea. Right on cue, Inoue Orihime, a rather busty maid came into the room carrying the silver tray with Rukias' tea on it. Rukia smiled and took the tea from the tray gingerly in her hands.

"Morning Kuchiki-san!" Inoue said cheerfully, she was wearing the usual maid outfit that her brother made them all wear. A black upper-knee length skirt (with an optional white apron), white blouse, black dress shoes and a navy blue necktie. Her hair was up in a bun with a small white flower tucked behind her left ear, she smiled while making Rukia's bed.

Rukia didn't really enjoy being waited on, she found it annoying and waste of others time. Sadly, her brother liked being waited on, so there was no way to call off the maids and cooks. Rukia only half listened to Inoues' story;

"Ishida said that honey doesn't go well with fish"

Rukia drank her tea quietly, I wonder what Nii-sama is up to.

"I beg to differ, I mean...he is a cook for your brother...but"

I wonder where Renji is...I'd like a good sparring match...

"So I was talking to Tatsuki. She said I had unique..."

Master Shirayuki must be busy today, she would of called for me by now...

"I heard that a new body guard would come in today..."

She never misses our walks...

"Inoue?" Rukia spoke up, the girl shut her mouth and raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"What is it Kuchiki-san? Was I talking to much? I'm so sorry! I tend to--" Inoue began but Rukia raised one hand to signal her to stop.

"I was just going to ask...what's on the agenda today?" Rukia asked, she shifted in her seat. Inoue was not only a good friend, a hardworking maid but also she acted as a secretary for Rukia. Inoue smiled brightly and pulled out a painfully pink notebook from the inside of her apron. She flipped through the pages and found whatever she was looking for.

"Ah yes! Morning tea at 9am. Shirayuki wishes to walk with you at 10, then lunch and training at 11. Dinner is served at 6, no meetings are planned today, Miss kuchiki" Inoue explained as her finger ran down the list, she wondered what Rukia would do between 11 and 6. Rukia just nodded and stood up,

"I'll go and get changed then" She said before walking off into the bathroom, her clothes already set aside for her. Rukia picked up what Chizuru wanted her to wear. Chizuru was the 'fashion specialist' and she would almost always set out Rukias' clothes, depending on the days weather and what colors looked best on her. Today she had chosen a very simple but charming outfit for the petite woman to wear, a pair of light brown capris, a light red (almost pink) button down half-sleeved shirt, white sandals, and a white tanktop to go underneath the button down.

Rukia changed, washed her face and found her way downstairs. Shirayuki would always meet her where the garden begins, they would end their walk once the garden ended of course, then she would lead the way back to her home. Rukia was glad her Nii-sama was so fond of Shirayuki, he even would allow Rukia to stay over her house if she wanted to. Rukia smiled as she saw her sensei standing perfectly still, waiting for Rukia to join her.

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"You look beautiful today, Rukia-Chan" Shirayuki commented, her clear blue eyes twinkled in the sunlight. Rukia smiled at her sensei, her cheeks flustered at the compliment.

"So Shirayuki...what's the latest news?" Rukia asked as they walked, passing all different colored roses. Nii-sama liked them the best, so they were the first thing you saw when someone laid eyes on the garden.

"It's not the best..." She began, tucking a strand of sleek black hair behind one ear. Rukia both admired and envied her teacher, she was beautiful...like a goddess in Rukias' eyes. She could be as cold as ice if she wished, she had strength and confidence in everything that she set her mind to. Shirayuki was the object in some mens' desires, but she never gave any of them a passing glance. Rukia knew that her sensei had a close friendship with Zangestsu, he was the top-trainer at the dojo no one was allowed to talk about.

"They are giving you a personal bodyguard..." Shirayuki said, her tone had no warmth in it. Rukia had a feeling that they did not choose Shirayuki for the job.

"Why didn't Nii-sama arrange it to be you?" Rukia had to ask, she looked at her friend from the corner of her eyes. Shirayuki shook her head...

"I didn't want the job..." She said flatly, Rukias' eyes widened and she could only stare at her closest friend. Shirayuki shook her head sadly; "They are planning something, and it won't end nicely...I can feel it Rukia-Chan..." Shirayuki took Rukias' shoulders and grasped them tightly. They had stopped in the middle of the garden where a small bridge went over a small pond that koi fish usually swam in.

"Shirayuki-sama, they wouldn't ever hurt me...right?" Rukia asked her heart told her 'no' but the little voice in the back of her head said 'yes'.

"Rukia-Chan, listen to me. The men working this government claim to be guardian angels over this town...but you know, you lived in the town once, they only want their hearts desires to be granted. The care nothing for this town, the people, and right now you are protected with your brother being your legal guardian...but once you turn 18..." Shirayuki shook her head again sadly, biting down on her perfect bottom lip.

"I know, once I'm 18...I'll be an adult and once I'm an adult they will...you know..." Rukia couldn't finish her sentence, she knew from birth that she was special. She was known as their 'little butterfly'...their key to getting what they wanted. It was myth, her brother had said, but the men were twisted and corrupted by greed.

"I can't protect you...for that...I am truly sorry" Shirayuki said, dropping her hands to her sides and walking away. Rukia quickly caught up, she tried to read her expression but it showed nothing.

"Don't worry about it..." Rukia said with a light shrug, "Maybe this new bodyguard will protect me...from them..." Rukia tried to smile, but failed when she saw Shirayukis' expression...it was almost as if she couldn't believe that statement. Rukia had hope though, she always did. Living in Rukonkai gave her hope and now she was being treated like a princess.

Shirayuki stopped at the end of the garden, had time passed so quickly?
"Do you wish to train today?" She asked casually, Rukias' mood lifted and she smiled up at her sensei. Shirayuki smiled back, "I take that as a yes" she said before pulling out her cellphone from the pocket of her pure white skirt. Rukia just noticed that her sensei always wore white...

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Rukia breathed heavily, they had been training for what seemed like days! Shirayuki had trained her with a sword, hand-to-hand, guns, knives, and assassination arts. Rukia always wanted to ask how her sensei learned all this, but she could never find the right time.

Today, was hand-to-hand, something Rukia was naturally good at but Shirayuki seemed to be pushing Rukia harder, she moved faster and dodged quicker then before. Rukia jumped backwards as a punch was thrown by her sensei, she grabbed her fist while she was off-guard and hurtled her over her small form. Rukia was tiny, but she was fierce too. Even if Shirayuki was roughly a foot taller then herself, and most likely weighed more too (not that Rukia would ask) Rukia was strong.

Rukia smirked, towering over her sensei that was sprawled out on her back and shirayuki smirked too. Rukia felt an iron grip on her ankle before her back slammed into the floor as well, she quickly squirmed away and was back on her feet, her sensei was already up and throwing punches.
Rukia dodged them with difficultly, but when her sensei lifted her leg to kick, Rukia took the moment to duck down and jab and her senseis' middle. Shirayuki stumbled backwards but quickly regained herself, Rukia was on the offensive now.

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"Am I interrupting something?" A cool voice said, both of the women looked in the direction of the voice. Both Rukia and Shirayuki were panting heavily, neither showed any other sign of weakness.

"Hello Zangestsu..." Shirayuki greeted, giving the man a wave. Rukia rubbed the back of her neck, it was sore from dodging so many head blows.
"Good evening Shirayuki, Rukia" Zangestsu nodded toward the out of breath girl.
"What brings you here?" Shirayuki asked, crossing her arms infront of her chest. 'man, she's quick to the point. I never noticed' Rukia thought before she sat down on the training rooms floor.

"I wanted Rukia to meet the man I've been training for the past month" Zangestsu said moving aside, and in the doorway stood a boy, around Rukias' age with bright orange hair. Rukia raised an eyebrow;

"I'm Kurosaki Ichigo" He said, his face in a scowl. Shirayuki helped Rukia to her feet, she wished she could of been at least slightly more attractive when she first met him. Her face was sweaty, cuts and scratches ran along her arms and neck, stray strands of hair clung to her pale face and flushed cheeks.

"I'm Kuchiki Rukia" She said, extending her hand when he reached her. Rukia shook his hand, it was strange...like their hands were met to be together, they fit perfectly. Rukia tried not to think about it too much.

"I'm gonna guess and say that you were training?" Ichigo said casually as he stuffed his hands into his jean pockets, he avoided her gaze. In only a few days she would know that it was actually him who was going to be protecting her. Zangestsu and Shirayuki arranged the meeting, it was Rukia who was left out of the loop.

"Yeah, Shirayuki trains me everyday..." Rukia stuck her tongue out at her mentor.

"Hnn, it's so what happened 2 years ago doesn't happen again" Shirayuki retorted, she suddenly wanted to take back what she just said, how could she be so insensitive? Shirayuki gave Rukia a pleading glance for forgiveness but Rukia just smiled softly.

"That's right Shirayuki-sama!" Rukia said with a fake cheeriness in her voice, Ichigo raised an eyebrow. He noticed when he first walked in that this girl was master at hiding her true feelings. She didn't need a scowl on her face 24-7 to mask what she really felt. He observed it was all in her eyes, when he first walked in, she didn't look shocked at his unique hair color, but her eyes went wide with shock and curiosity.
When Shirayuki mentioned something, most likely a death, that happened two years ago Rukia showed a fake happiness in her smile, but her eyes held a painful sadness.

"Ah, Shirayuki...let's leave them be for a moment, I need to speak to you" Zangetsu said before walking out the door with Shirayuki following.

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Rukia glared at Ichigo. "What's going on?" She asked with a bitter edge to her voice.

"Huh?" Ichigo said dumbly, she was smarter then she looked, and she had caught onto something...

"Are you stupid? I can see something is going on! Now, spit it out before I make you!" Rukia said raising her fist threateningly. Ichigo decided to stall...
"I doubt some shrimp like you is gonna be able to take me out!" Ichigo retorted with a glare back in her direction.

Rukia tackled Ichigo to the ground in one swift motion, she sat on his stomach and held his arms down.

"Tell me." Rukia ordered, her face uncomfortably close to his.

"No."

"Why not?" Rukia demanded, her face in a frown.

"'cause, a midget like yourself can't even keep me down" Ichigo said before he squirmed out of her grasp and shoved her backwards, now their poisitons were reversed. Ichigo grinned smugly as he held her down with ease.

"I hate you." Rukia growled

"The feelings are mutual" Ichigo said and Rukia noticed that he wasn't scowling anymore.

"Hmm Kurosaki...I see that once you have a girl underneath you, you don't scowl..." Rukia grinned as Ichigos' face turned red.

He scowled and narrowed his eyes at her, "I really hate you."
Rukia just smiled and heard the door open, both the teens looked over at a laughing Shirayuki and a confused Zangestsu.

"Geez, Ichigo!" Shirayuki said before a another giggle "Who woulda thought you would already be advancing on poor Rukia-Chan!" Shirayuki was quite pleased with the bright blush she got from of the both of them.

"Ah, Ichigo...Why are you on top of Rukia?" Zangestsu asked quite calmly unlike his close-friend who was holding onto the doorframe for support as she laughed.

"Well...um..." Ichigo began, but honestly he couldn't think of a good excuse. Rukia continued to squirm underneath him, and she was not helping...at all.

"Get off me strawberry!" Rukia groaned, Ichigo blushed brightly, and glared at her.

"My name is not Strawberry! It means 'one who protects'" He responded before getting off the young petite girl.

"Whatever." Rukia said rolling her eyes, crossing her arms in front of her chest and glaring at Shirayuki.

"Rukia-Chan...could you be a doll and take Ichigo back home?" Shirayuki asked kindly, her lips twitching as she fought back a smile.

Rukia sighed, "Sure, c'mon strawberry" She said grabbing the back of his shirt and dragged him out of the house, through the backdoor.

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"You really think...that it's fate?" Zangetsu asked calmly, he looked over at his friend.

"She will stop the rain...I can tell" Shirayuki looked over at Zangestsu and smiled, "After all...I stopped the rain in your heart didn't I?"
Zangestsu smirked and nodded...

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A/N: What do you think? Reviews are love...

Info that I couldn't find were to add:

Rukia and Ichigo are both 17.

Inoue and Ishida are 18.

Zangetsu is 30

Shirayuki is 27.

Also! Readers of my 'Black and White' fic. I'm working on updating it (my friend stole her laptop back! GRR) so It'll be a bit slow.

Sorry :(