This is my first ever EVER upload! It's based on Kelly Clarkson's BE STILL, which I absolutely love. Hope y'all enjoy it!!

Headlights flashed through the dark expanse, then settled on the trail as the truck lifted slightly, then settled back down on the trail. The road was a bumpy and one, and the truck's occupants had been jolted and tossed in their seats for the past hour. But the purpose of the journey was special and the reward would be worth it.

The reward? The endless stretch of black above, the massive sea of lights that twinkled down at them; clusters of bright blue, sprinkles of crimson red….an ocean of stars.

The headlights finally dimmed and the driver's door swung open with a mild squeak. The man hopped out with a soft grunt and immediately made his way to the other side of the vehicle.

No need.

The other door swung open as well and a firm, but kind voice floated from the vehicle. "You don't have to open the door for me you know. I have hands."

"Rukia," The man said, a hint of irritation in his voice as he reached the open door. "It's not that simple…"

"Opening a door?" The woman teased. "I dare say it is." And she hopped down anyway.

The soft sloshing sound was a clearly audible in the quiet night.

"Ichigo, I'm in mud!"

"Exactly! I told you it wasn't that simple. You never listen to me."

"Get me out and stop complaining."

"Hold still, I'll carry you…"

He lifted her into his strong arms and she held on to him, her frail pale arms around his neck. She could feel his chest rising and falling with each breath that floated gently unto her head, tickling her slightly.

"You smell nice." She finally said meekly as he carried her to the crest of the hill. He smiled at how small her voice sounded.

"Thank you." He replied. "You don't smell so bad yourself." The scent of apples and cinnamon rose from her petite body and Ichigo wanted to bury his face in her and breathe her into his senses. But he restrained himself. Anyway, she would punch him off with those painful tiny fists of hers.

They eventually reached the top and Ichigo reluctantly set the girl down unto the soft, grassy ground.

"Sit down." Ichigo ordered gently and he unclasped the flask of water attached to his belt, going down on his knees.

Rukia watched in mild shock and humility as he pulled her sandals off and commenced to wash her muddy feet. The water was cold to the skin and Rukia shuddered slightly as he allowed a steady stream to fall with one hand and rubbed the mud off gently with the other.

"Thank you." Rukia mumbled, embarrassed by the show of affection. Would she ever get used to this 'boyfriend' thing? Three months and she was still a bit unused to the idea.

"I take it you've never heard the proverb, 'look before you leap' —OW!" Ichigo said as Rukia punched him on the shoulder.

They moved away from the wet patch and laid themselves over the flat of the hill, melting into each other's arms like they had been created for that very purpose. Ichigo's arms pulled her small frame from behind closer into the spooning position, and she lay there, her tiny digits clasping unto his stronger fingers, feeling a bit awkward but happier than she had ever thought possible.

"Comfortable?" Ichigo asked.

Rukia only nodded.

Time seemed to slow to a still, as they gazed up the star-flooded heavens, thinking private thoughts about each other…most bordering on happiness, satisfaction and small traces of uncertainty.

"What d'you think?" Ichigo finally whispered, snapping Rukia out of her musings.

"Hm?"

"The stars…" He said quietly. "They make a person feel small don't they?"

Again, Rukia only nodded.

Ichigo was quiet for a while, and then he asked "What are you thinking about?"

Rukia hesitated. Then she said softly, "Just wondering about this."

"Hm?"

"This—us." She clarified, her tone reluctant and regretful. "You know this can't last forever. We belong to different worlds. You belong to this one, I do not. Do you ever think about what will happen when I have to return to mine?"

Ichigo said nothing. Then he muttered, "You worry too much."

"You worry too little." She replied stubbornly.

He turned her around so that she was facing him and he could stare past her raven colored hair into her eyes.

"I don't want to worry about 'this' ending." He told her gently. "Not yet."

"Despite its inevitability?"

"Despite its inevitability."

Rukia's eyes searched his in wonder. "I don't understand."

Ichigo just gave her a small smile. "Let it go, Rukia."

Rukia swallowed, and then said very, very softly. "You're an idiot Kurosaki Ichigo."

"Maybe." He smirked. "But: better a happy idiot than a miserable one right? I just want to be with you. Can't you meet me half-way on this?"

Rukia stared at this boy with a mess of orange hair and wondered what exactly he saw in this relationship...or in her. Who was this wonderful creature that wanted to be with her so badly that he would gladly delude himself for her sake?

Rukia pursed her lips for a moment. Then she leaned in and kissed him so tenderly Ichigo could barely feel her lips against his. Then she leaned in some more, and her hands traveled up to his neck, kissing a little deeper…breathing hard on his face.

Ichigo grunted in surprise when she gently shoved him unto his back and climbed on, exploring his mouth with hers, slowly but strongly. Suddenly she pulled away, and planted a kiss on his jaw line, trailing down to his neck. Her hands slipped beneath his thin cotton shirt and very carefully, very hesitantly ran her fingers up….and then down the well defined muscles of his stomach. Finally, she fused her lips with his one last time, letting through a lengthy longing sigh, caressing Ichigo's lips with her breath…

Then she stopped and looked him in the eye, panting just slightly, a little embarrassed by her temporary loss of control.

Ichigo was dazed, but he managed a tiny smile and a breathless whisper. "Slow down, would you? I'm not going anywhere."

And Rukia badly wanted to believe this. But she knew she shouldn't. It would be irresponsible of her to even think she could have this blessing. She didn't belong here…she didn't belong to this world…

But…

Perhaps she could pretend?

Silently, she laid her head on his chest and felt the rise and fall, tiny fingers clutching to his shirt…as though she was clutching to this moment, willing it not to end. Not yet.

Perhaps she could pretend just for this evening that he really was hers. And that the people back home would not appear some day with their swords and rules and laws, to come for her.

She could pretend.

Moments crawled past. Minutes, hours, eternities… Rukia soon lost her sense of time and eventually, the rhythmic movement of Ichigo's body slowed considerably.

Was he asleep?

Rukia swallowed hard and fought the tears that welled up at the corners of her eyes. She just kept silent and listened to the sound of his breathing.

Ichigo was right. This was what she wanted, all that mattered right now. She didn't want to think about tomorrow, she didn't want to think about inevitability. All she wanted was this impossibly perfect moment by his side.

All she wanted was to be still.

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So what d'you think? Please review on your way out. If you're nice, I'll upload some more *wink* LOL.