Is he coming? I looked at my communicator. February 10. 7:58. He should be here by know. What if he doesn't come? I have to leave tonight. Back to Soul Society. I won't be able to come back for a long time. And I feel like if I don't tell him today, I won't be able to tell him ever.

I looked at the river. The moon's reflection looks so beautiful.

How did I end up like this? I mean, realizing that I had feeling for him. I never thought I did or would. But here I am, waiting for him. What made me realize it? Was it his bravery? Was it because he saved me from my execution? No, I realized this much after that. So what was it?

"Hey, Kuchiki-san, could I ask you something?" Tatsuki asked.

I nodded.

"You and Ichigo," she began. "Are you two dating or something?"

"What?"

"Well, you see, you two are always together. You guys look… close."

Chizuru popped out of nowhere. "Oh, come on!" Chizuru interrupted. "Kuchiki-san, we can all see the way Ichigo looks at you! I bet you've seen it too! Don't tell me you're that clueless!"

I just looked at her. "Looks… at me?" I asked, shocked.

"Yeah, he's always staring at you. And why else would he always protect you from Keigo?" Chizuru said.

"He… likes me?" I was shocked. But then I just brushed it off. I let myself laugh a little. "No. He doesn't. Me and him, we're just friends. He would never feel those kinds of feelings towards me."

"Kuchiki-san, come with me," Tatsuki said, pulling me away from Chizuru.

She looked me in the eye. What's going on?

She sighed. "Orihime wanted me to ask you that."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because she… likes Ichigo."

My eyes widened. "What? Then, she thinks that we're together?"

"Yeah," she said.

"Well, tell her that she has nothing to worry about."

"I wish I could."

"What are you talking about?"

"Even if what you saying is true, it isn't for Ichigo."

"What?"

"I asked him the same question. He told me that he does have feeling for you. He said that he was going to tell you on Valentine's Day."

I guess it was that. I feel so much guilt for wanting to tell him. Orihime liked him longer that I have. But, I have to.

Why did he want to wait until Valentine's Day? I have to leave tonight, four days before that day.

"Rukia," Ichigo called out. I looked to my right. He was running towards me. He was smiling. "Why did you want to meet?"

"I, um, have to tell you something. It's really important that I tell you today."

"Hm? Why?"

"Because… I have to leave tonight."

He stiffened. I looked at him. His smile disappeared and was replaced by a frown. He looked mad.

"You're leaving again?" His voice was almost ominous. It sent chills down my spine.

"Yes, I have to go back to Soul Society. But, that's not important. What I have to tell you is. Ichigo I-"

He turned around and started to leave.

"Ichigo! I have to tell you something!"

He stopped walking and turned around. "What?!" he yelled.

"I, um… I-"

He scoffed and turned to leave again.

"Wait!"

He didn't. What am I going to do?

"Ichigo, I… I love you!" I yelled out.

He stopped. He turned to look at me. A single tear fell from his eye.

"Liar, you're a liar!" he yelled. "If you truly did, you wouldn't be leaving me again! Rukia, I love you too. I've wanted to tell you for so long! I was going to tell you when I saved you, but I got scared so, I didn't! I was going to tell you when you came back, but Renji was here! Then, finally, it was just you here! I was going to tell you soon, but now you're leaving me again! Rukia, you're always leaving me alone! I want to be with you so badly! But there's always something else that's more important than me! And now you're here, telling me that you love me?"

I was speechless. He ran.

"Ichigo!"

"Just leave! Just leave again! I don't need you anymore!"

I watch him leaving. My vision was getting blurry. Why? I felt something warm running down my cheek. I touched it. Was it… a tear? I'm crying.

Suddenly, I felt a terrible pain in my chest. It's right where my heart is. Why does it hurt so much? I collapsed to my knees and hugged myself. I struggled to keep the tears in. I couldn't and I felt millions of tears falling down my face. I chocked back my sobs but I also couldn't. I was alone. I was crying. I was broken.

I finally let all the tears and sobs out. As I cried, I felt my surroundings start to get cold. I looked up. I tried to see through my blinded eyes. There was blue reishi gathering around me. What is this?

I felt the pain in my chest again and forgot about the reishi. I covered my face with my hands and cried. I cried and cried.

Suddenly, I heard a strange sound. I looked around me. My eyes widened. The river was frozen. There was frost covering the trees. I felt something on my hand. I looked at it. Is that… snow? I looked up. It was snowing! But, it's February. All the snow had already melted.

"Oh, my," said a voice.

I turned around. It was Kisuke.

"Kuchiki-san, what happened?" he asked.

"I… I don't know."

"We should leave. Come on."

I got up and we headed to the store. When we got there, he tried asking what had happened. I didn't tell him anything. He soon gave up.

"Kuchiki-san, are you feeling well?"

I shrugged.

He sighed. "You can stay the night if you would like," he offered.

"No, I have to go back to Soul Society tonight."

He nodded.

Then, Ururu stepped into the room and handed Kisuke a sealed, yellow envelope. What's inside?

"Kuchiki-san, could you do me a favor?" he asked.

"What is it?"

"Give this to your captain," he said, handing me the envelope.

"All right," I said. I took the envelope. I want to open it. I want to see what's inside. But I shouldn't. I have no right to do that.

I guess I have to leave now. I want to say good bye to Ichigo, but I know he doesn't want to see me right now. Probably ever.

Ichigo, I love you.