Main pairing: Hitsugaya x Rukia

Side pairings: Ichigo x Orihime, hint of Rangiku x Gin

Summary : Supposing if Aizen died in Huecos Mundos. What if that happened at a cost of their loved ones. What if 2 certain ice type shinigami's found love. HitsuRuki

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach in any way.

Right: this is my first HitsuRuki fanfic. Please be nice about it. I dont want any flamers in any form.

I know loads of HitsuRuki fans hate HitsuHina with a passion. Sorry, but I love HitsuHina so I don't want any comments about either Orihime or Hinamori – calling them bitches, whores, sluts and think they should die in a hellhole. For me, I find it very insulting.

This HitsuRuki fanfic will be extremely gradual. Love will bloom XD but it will be gradual. I hate cliches and this story won't be one.

Also, I will be switching POV's every now and then.

Now I've got that out of the way, I'll get on with my story! XDD

NORMAL POV

Deep in the dark world of Huecos Mundos, where time seemed to lose meaning, Kuchiki Rukia managed to get to her feet. She had somehow survived this brutal battle and after it was all over, she felt a wave of peace wash over her. She had avenged the death of Kaien dono and everything was alright. However, she still needed to get to Inoue.

As she walked onwards, she suddenly felt a massive drop in Renji's reiatsu. She stopped in her tracks, trying to make sense of it all. What had happened to Renji? Abandoning the mission to find Inoue temporarily, she raced frantically, trying to find Renji. Where was he?

Then suddenly she saw him, lying on the ground in a pool of his own blood. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Renji" Rukia whispered. He can't be dead! He just can't be!

Immediately she ran to his side, she pressed her head against his chest, trying to listen for a heartbeat and trying not to blush from the close contact. She breathed a sigh of relief. There was a heartbeat...but only just. She quickly removed her head from his chest as she felt him stir.

His eyes flew open. "Rukia?" He muttered.

"Shhh" Rukia said urgently "Don't talk."

She felt scared for him. All that blood, the faint heartbeat..it wasn't a good sign at all. Renji opened his mouth to speak but instead of words, he coughed out blood.

"Who did this to you?" Rukia whispered.

Renji finally managed to form one word. "Aizen." He choked.

Rukia felt a chill go down her spine. Aizen Sosuke. The man that had betrayed Soul Society. Why did he do this to Renji?

"He's after Hinamori." Renji finally managed to speak, answering the unanswered question in Rukia's eyes.

Renji took a deep breath and gripped Rukia's hand tightly.

"Listen, Hinamori went after Aizen because she doesn't believe he was capable of such a thing. She found out where he was and managed to get in to Huecos Mundos. I was trying to stop Aizen getting to her."

Rukia's mind was spinning. She recalled what little she knew of the 5th division vice captain under Aizen Sosuke. Kind, sweet girl who adored and admired her captain to the very end. She remembered that Hinamori was the first to find Aizen's "body". She had been devastated. She forced to herself to think about to the present. She vainly tried not to think about what would happen to Hinamori if Aizen found her. Either death or a life time of slavery.

"Rukia" Renji whispered. "I want you to carry my body and try and find Hinamori kun as quickly as possible? Do you hear me? I want her to be safe."

Rukia stared at him in shock. Body? That couldn't mean...

"Yes" Renji smiled sadly. "I am dying."

Thud. Rukia fell on her knees and gasped as her knees hit the cold hard stone floor. Dying? Her shoulders shook as she desperately clutched her chest. Tears filled her eyes and a couple spilled over.

"Baka!" She scolded. "You're not dying, don't say things like that."

"I-"

"Come on Inoue San is coming right? She'll heal you. Right?" Her voice increased in pitch, as she tried in vain to ignore the inevitable outcome.

"Rukia!" Renji's voice startled her. "Look at me."

Rukia forced herself to look at Renji. Her eyes widened at the sight of the blood, he had suffered immense damage. His bones were broken, he could barely move as it was. He won't be able to survive much longer. Then it hit her. He really was going to die and she was helpless to prevent it. Just like with Kaien. The sobs wracked her body, they streamed down her face and she couldn't stop herself. She knew Inoue was too far away, too far away to heal Renji.

"I can't lose you!" Rukia whispered. "I just can't!"

"You'll never lose me Rukia." Renji said weakly. "As long as you keep me in your heart then you'll never lose me."

Rukia stared in spite of herself. The very words of Kaien dono...

"I need to ask you something." Renji looked into her eyes and she found that she couldn't look away. "Do you love Ichigo?"

Rukia's jaw dropped open.

"Nani?"

"You love him don't you?" Renji said sadly. "I knew you always -"

Renji was interrupted by a giggle emitting from Rukia's throat.

"What the hell?" She laughed. "I don't love him, I -"

She suddenly looked nervous. "I-I l-love you."

Crap now I've said it. Well done Rukia. She closed her eyes waiting for rejection. Instead she felt his lips on her, her eyes widened in shock but she enjoyed the feeling and kissed him back.

"I never knew" Renji breathed. "All this time, I've loved you and never said..."

"Why didn't you say so before idiot?" Rukia said with tears in her eyes.

Renji looked down, sheepishly. "I was going to but you were adopted by the Kuchiki Clan so I never found the courage ever since.."

There was a pause as Rukia hugged him, feeling a sense of happiness. Everything was going to be alright. Everything except..

Renji turned to her and smiled. "Arigato Rukia. Now I can finally move on.."

Rukia stared at him and realisation struck her. He has no more time left in this world.

"Renji don't leave me." She whispered. "Please don't."

"I'll never leave you Rukia." He muttered back, holding his hand in hers. "Don't forget that."

She kissed him, with tears in her eyes as his eyes closed. Moments later, his heart stopped beating, he stopped breathing and his body went cold.

Only one scream filled the air.

"RENJI!"

I was crying at this :( Yeahh sorry I have to kill him off. Don't worry, Hitsugaya & Rukia are definitely getting together! I just have to do some character introduction first.

PLEASE R & R!The other thing is, I won't update regulary as I have school. NO FLAMERSS!