Chapter One

Rukia

"Rukia!"

I felt my muscles tighten. I looked up at Byakuya. His eyes had widened. I looked down and saw that Gin had stabbed me through the chest. I felt the pain the flashed through my body with a sudden rush of terror.

I knew what Byakuya thoughts were, I failed, and it didn't seem that he would move either. He must be frozen in unbelief and extent.

I looked up at Gin. He smiled at me as if he just saved the world from a giant monster. "Did I hurt you?" he whispered in my ear as he stuck his sword deeper in my body. I had gasped in pain.

"You basterd!" I heard a familiar voice. Ichigo quickly ran to my side. Gin pulled the sword out and let me fall into Ichigo's arms. Renji wasn't too far behind him.

"Rukia…" his eyes soften. I saw that he had a sudden urge to cry but he forced anger out instead. Gin that had left was now probably telling Azien how well he did and tried to kill me.

"Don't die on me Rukia!" Ichigo yelled. Although he yelled right in my ear, that I'll later kill for, he seemed he was in tunnel and I could not hear him as well. "Renji get squads' 4 and 7!"

"But….what about Rukia?" his eyes never left me.

"I'll…be fine…just…go!"

Renji only heisted for a spilt second but he was soon gone. I would have said that he used flash-step but I didn't see it. I couldn't really see anything at all.

"Stay with us" he laid me on his lap and called for Byakuya. He shook himself from the terror he just witness and flash-stepped toward us. He picked me up from Ichigo and hugged me.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, Rukia"

"It's….fine…Byakuya…I'm alright…"

I could feel myself growing weaker. I needed to be stronger. I needed to be the one who didn't have to worry anyone. I just wanted to make people happy and still fight Hallows like always. I want to be with my friends.

Renji…Ichigo…Orihime…Chad…Uryu…and Byakuya. The people that I hold so dear to me. The people I am willing to risk my life for. The people I am willing to die and love for the rest of my life.

"Rukia!" I couldn't turn my head. But I knew that small voice anywhere…Orihime…

"Orihime! Can you heal Rukia?" Ichigo forced me out of Byuakyua's arms. I gasped in pain. "Sorry, Rukia"

"Of course"

They place me on the ground a both Byakuya and Ichigo took a few steps back. I felt a sudden relief. My pain started to slowly disappear. I closed my eyes and started to rest.

I sighed. I didn't know what to call this feeling. What ever it was I liked it. Although it's a disgrace to have to healed by a human and I got stabbed in the first blow. I disgrace myself more then my friends would ever know about me.

After what seemed like only minutes the feeling I felt was gone. I wanted that feeling that I was perfect again, but never the less it was gone. Orihime fell to one leg.

"Orihime!" we all yelled. We all went rushing to her aid, everyone but Byakuya.

"Are you alright?" I yelled at her.

"Yeah, fine. Ever since I came back from Heuco Mundo I've been a little weaker the usual" she smiled like she always did the smile I knew too well. She wasn't fine. Her powers were disappearing the more she uses them but no one wanted to argue with her they knew that she was going to win.

Heuco Mundo was where they had imprisoned her. I looked at Renji who seemed pissed because I was already healed.

After he told squad 4 to leave he brought squad 7 to Ichigo and me.

"I need you to track down Gin. Can you do that for me?" Ichigo asked.

One of the member's responded.

"No, Ichigo Kurosaki, these orders have to come either from a Captain or Lieutenant"

"I am telling you to do so. Now go" Byakuya had said. He didn't look at Ichigo's soft face.

"Y-Yes C-Captain Kuchiki" the squad left. They spread out throughout the town. I looked at Ichigo.

"Thanks Orihime" I said shifting my gaze. She smiled at me then her eyes widened.

"No! It was nothing! Really!" she blushed at the complement.

I smiled at her.

"Don't worry about me anymore" I told her. She looked at me shocked. "I want you to focus on getting better" she smiled.

"I will!"

Something was going on that I didn't like. Something about Gin's sudden appearance that freaked me out. Why did he decided to come after me instead of Byakuya?

*** (Flashback)

No way. Byakuya actually wanted to come to the land of the living with me. I guess I should be happy the he cares so much for me. We were walking down one of the many streets.

Hallow! I single word had come to mind. Byakuya notice the sudden spiritual energy that could only be a Hallow. He looked at me and nodded. I stood up and ran to the entrance to the land of the living.

We entered the portal and there it was. The Hallow was huge. Riograde… was the first thought that entered my mind. We rushed to it. I kill the Hallow with one blow to the face. Byakuya watched me.

"That was too easy" he said turning his head. Something else was coming toward us. I wasn't sure what it was but the spiritual energy was familiar. Not something I would remember by heart, but I have felt it before.

"Gin…" the one word that escaped my mouth before I could stay quiet. Byakuya nodded. "But…what is he doing here?"

"Rukia!"

*** (End of Flashback)

I looked at Orihime. She looked so gentle and happy all the time. I am glad to have friends like Orihime to help me when I need them most. Orihime the most. She was never mean nor rude to me. She was always there for me. And for that I was grateful for.

Hope you enjoy this. It was my first story, even before I signed up for this site. So sorry if it isn't good enough. ^^