Brief: As the title hints at, this is a collection of Ichiruki short stories that I'll be doing from time to time. Characters and backgrounds are subject to variation.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Ichiruki Drabbles Collection

Number 2: Prompt – Nightmare

Rukia Kuchiki wasn't the sort to show weakness. She rarely showed her true feelings to anyone, regardless of who or what they wanted. She pretended to be the innocent schoolgirl when she met Ichigo, she pretended that she hated him when she was taken to the Soul Society and even in battle she pretended to be alright despite her injuries.

Yet here she was, hidden in his closet, clutching the sheets tightly as the smoky tendrils of a nightmare snaked around her and poisoned her dreams for the toxic, infected alternate. Her eyes clenched tightly as it repeated again.

Rukia's dream (Rukia's POV)

I watched in terror as my blade plunged into Kaien's chest and pierced his heart. The hollow within him screamed as it was ejected to Hueco Mundo once more. Kaien's dark eyes raised slowly to mine and dulled further.

"Rukia, why?" he rasped. "Why did you kill me?"

"Kaien!" I cry out. "I'm sorry, I never meant to-"

"It's too late for that. Remember, Rukia Kuchiki, that you are the one who killed me."

And then he died, bleeding in my arms. I shout to the heavens, when suddenly he rears up again, the hollow inhabiting his body not dead and now fully in control. He roared at me as he took my zanpakuto from his chest and plunged the bloodied blade into me. I choke and fall as death takes me.

And then it repeats itself, over and over. I know these images aren't real, but still I cannot wake. I want to scream but my throat won't respond. I want to run from here but my legs don't move. I feel completely helpless.

And then it happened.

Kaien's green eyes darkened to brown and his black hair shone like flames. It was undeniable who it was, but it was too late to stop as my blade pierced his chest, blood pouring from both wounds in his chest and back. His breathing became rasping and shallow as I stared wide-eyed at him.

"Ichi...go?" I manage. He looks up and smiles with dulling eyes.

"Ru...kia." he says with barely enough life-force left to do so. "Th... Thank you, Rukia. Be...because of y-you, I ca-can finally rest."

And then his eyes glazed over as his spirit detached from it's body. I sat there, his limp body pressed onto mine. I couldn't move or speak, just sit there as the realisation struck me. I finally moved, gripping his cold body tightly, tears leaking from my closed eyes.

"Please, Ichigo." I blurt out, feeling the will to breakdown building up inside. "Don't leave me. I don't want to be alone. ICHIGO!"

End POV

Rukia sat bolt-upright, her heart racing, her breathing erratic. Without thinking or even a second's hesitation, she ripped the door open and swung her legs out of the dank closet and sweat-soaked sheets. Her eyes fell on his bed and she heard the soft breathing of her room mate, the Substitute Soul Reaper himself, asleep in the mass of sheets. She sighed and smiled gratefully.

"It was just a dream." she muttered. She turned to move back inside, when a male voice made her jump.

"What's with all the screaming and shouting?" he asked from his bed, sitting up and turning on his desk light.

Rukia, startled by the sudden noise of his voice, tumbled out of the closet and fell heavily on her back, eyes scrunched up in minor pain. When she opened them, she was gazing into his chocolate-coloured orbs as he scooped her up and sat on his bed, the petite Soul Reaper perched on his lap.

"Come on, tell me what happened." he said in a firm yet gentle voice. Still, she tried to be defiant and ignorant about it.

"I don't know what you mean." she said. "Now let go of me."

"Rukia, I didn't just meet you yesterday, for God's sakes, that won't work with me. Now tell me, what happened. You were screaming in there."

Rukia's pale cheeks flushed with embarrassment and she sighed, explaining the horrible images in her mind, leaving out the end part. She couldn't bear to tell him that, but her eyes gave her away.

"And then it just kept going on and on." she finished, refusing to look him in the eyes.

"Do you really think I'm five years old, Rukia?" he asked softly. She frowned at him. "You know that Kaien's death wasn't your fault and everyone else does too. That aside, though, You're not telling me something."

"I should really get back to bed." Rukia stood and began walking away, but her hand was caught in Ichigo's larger grip.

"Rukia, I'm not letting you out of my sight until you tell me the whole thing."

"Ichigo, please, I don't want to."

"Rukia, I can't help if you won't let me. Now sit back down."

Reluctantly, Rukia sat next to him and regaled him with the last of the story. Considering that he'd just heard that Rukia, his Soul Reaper partner, had killed him in her dreams and was now telling him about it. Her eyes teared up as she finished, and Ichigo knew out of instinct what to do. He took hold of her far shoulder with his right arm and pulled her into a comforting embrace as he tears ran free of her amethyst eyes.

"Hey, it's ok, Rukes, come here." he whispered into her ear.

"Ichigo!" the girl sobbed into his chest.

"Sh, I'm here, Rukes, I'm never gonna leave you alone. Feel this?" He gripped her hand in a comforting squeeze. "I'm never letting go. Wherever you lead me, I will follow you, Rukia Kuchiki."

They sat there for an age, not saying anything to one another, just inhaling their scents and holding each other close. Eventually, Rukia's tears ran dry and she looked up at him, smiling weakly.

"Thank you, Ichigo." she said, before standing and turning to the damp, dark closet, but once again her arm was snagged by something, and again it was Ichigo holding her.

"You don't really think I'm gonna let you go back in there a possibly have another visit from those damned nightmare while I'm asleep, do you?" he asked her. "You're staying right here where I can protect you, got it?"

"I don't want to be a burden." she replied lamely.

"Rukes, you couldn't be one even if you tried."

And with that, the two snuggled down in the bed, locked in each others embrace, a smile on their lips. And no one, not even Rukia's nightmares, which had long since disappeared, could wake them.

The End

Ok, another one done.

Please review and tell me a prompt, I'll be very grateful.

Arigato and Sayonara!