It had been almost eleven hours. She still hadn't woken up.

Flashback

"Rukia! Watch out!" shouted Ichigo. He saw as the hollow slashed Rukia's chest. Red liquid flowed out from the wide gash incessantly, covering Rukia's entire torso. Losing consciousness, she fell from the sky into Ichigo's arms.

"What now, shinigami*? Your girlfriend is dead. I killed her." The hollow let out an evil laugh. "Isn't your heart filled with vengeance? Come on shinigami, at least show me your bankai." provoked the hollow.

But this hollow was unlike any other. It was unusually intelligent, able to evade Rukia's attacks easily. It was always one step ahead of her,eluding her grasp whenever she almost caught him.

"Rukia isn't dead! She can't be. I can still feel her reiatsu**." Ichigo cried. "Oh but she will be, in about ten minutes." The hollow teased him, egging him on.

"You won't get away with this." said Ichigo furiously, his expression as dark as the night which was surrounding them. He didn't say anything further but three simple words:

"Bankai. Tensa Zangetsu" With one slash of his sword, Ichigo killed the hollow. He watched as the hollow dissolved into thousands of particles fading away into the air. He sprinted to Rukia's side hoping desperately she was alive and ready to provide any aid she was in need of. But when he saw her condition a loud gasp escaped his lips.

"Rukia!" He shouted, his voice seethed in agony. "Hang on! I'll get you to Urahara-san's place as soon as possible."

Saying that Ichigo lost no time to get to Urahara shop. With Tensa Zangetsu's speed, it was a matter of seconds. He burst in through the doors, damn all etiquettes to hell. Within a minute the whole household was awake and Tessai Tsukabishi, former captain of the Kido corps was trying his best to heal her.

After what seemed like a lifetime, Tessai addressed a highly anxious Ichigo who was waiting for the verdict of his best friend and partner. "It was a deep cut, I did everything in my power. The rest depends on her will to live. You may take her to your home" Tessai explained.

Carefully lifting Rukia, he carried her all the way to his house, never stopping once. He placed her on his bed and pulled the covers over her and he sat there, waiting.

Flashback end

And so now the shinigami daiko sat waiting at the edge of his bed, staring at a certain raven haired shinigami. His eyes were filled with concern and worry for Rukia. He had no idea when and if she would wake up.

Suddenly Rukia stirred. Her eyelids flickered and she looked ready to wake up. Soon Ichigo's chestnut eyes were staring into a pair of beautiful violet orbs, a little disoriented and dazed at first but then they soon regained their composure.

"Rukia. You're awake." Ichigo said, a sigh escaping from his lips. Relief washed through his entire body as he prepared to throw a bunch of questions at her. "How are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere? Are you able to -"

Rukia cut him off. "I'm fine, Ichigo. You really think I would die due to a timid wound from a measly hollow like that?" she lightly joked.

"You're right." Ichigo chuckled, quietly admitting defeat. "But don't do that again." He lightly chided her. "Why? Were you worried about me?" Rukia teased Ichigo. Ichigo blushed.

"That's not it! I wasn't worried in the lea-" Ichigo stopped then. Something snapped inside him, he didn't know what. All he knew is that he was lying, to himself and to the woman in front of him. Delivering lies that neither of them deserve. It was high time now, he had to get his feeling across.

"I was worried, you know. I was very worried. Worried that you would leave me again. Worried that I wasn't able to protect you. Worried that I would lose you, forever." Ichigo said, seriousness etched on his face, all hints of his playful teasing gone. The corners of Rukia's mouth turned down too.

"You would never lose me. You would always protect me. And I can say this with utmost certainty. Because YOU are the one protecting me, I trust you with all my heart and I know you would never let anything happen to me" Rukia tried to comfort him, but she meant all that she said. She had placed her complete faith in Ichigo and she was sure that he would live up to her expectations.

"Just promise me that wherever you are, be it soul society or the real world, you won't die. You will live, for me, for Byakuya, for Renji, for everyone, but you will live. Just promise me." Ichigo said, his eyes silently begging Rukia to fulfill his wishes and telling her how serious he is.

"I promise. I promise I won't die and I promise to come see you as often as I can. But mind you, I won't be able to come very often now, I am a lieutenant." She bragged, her aura sparkling while she showed off her lieutenant badge on her arm.

"That's enough, because I can't live without you." Ichigo replied. But then, something clicked. Both of them just knew that it was the right moment. The moment couldn't be delayed nor could it be stopped. They brought their faces closer, their noses touching. Each could perfectly hear the other's ragged breathing. They closed their eyes and then Ichigo crashed his lips to Rukia's. It was a moment in seventh heaven for both of them. The feeling of finally being with the one you love was amazing. They moved slowly, savouring each second their lips were together. Rukia's hand moved towards Ichigo's waist and she set herself on his lap. Ichigo wound his hands through Rukia's hair to bring them even closer. No level of proximity seemed enough for them and they just moved closer and closer until-

"Good Moooorning Ichigoooooooo!"

••—END—••

*Shinigami- soul reaper (shinigami daiko- shinigami substitute)

**reiatsu- spiritual pressure

How was it? Reviews would be very well appreciated. Please be lenient. It is my first fanfic.