Author's Note: Next chapter will be the epilogue.

Argh, Okay, sorry but I just had to put this in. I know my writing isn't amazing, and my grammar and spelling needs work, and I know I'm not amazing so you don't have to tell me that. I'm fine with constructive criticism but people PM'ing me just to tell me how horrible my story is? That is a little far T.T

And don't hate me for this, as this chapter doesn't have a cliché happy ending, but the real ending next chapter is not so bad, so bare with me.

As always, please read and review and tell me what you think ^-^

From the time he had spent in total, slaughtering blood-thirsty hollows, to the time he watched the birth of his son and daughters, to the time he had watched his one true die because of his inability to protect her, Isshin Kurosaki assumed he had 'felt' almost every human emotion. All but one still managed to elude him.

Fear.

Sure, he had been concerned, distraught and even heartbroken when his wife passed away, but he had never been outright scared. Fear was one emotion he always presumed he was immune to. Until now.

He had willingly, sent his third daughter out, god-knows where, to find his punk of a son, so that maybe, just maybe they could have the happy ending that they damn well deserved.

That had been over 4 hours ago. 2 since he last felt her reitsu flicker.

He was downright terrified.

There were so many things that could have gone wrong. So many reasons why he should go find her. And yet, he couldn't. It wasn't his duty, but his son's. He was the only one who could help her. He always managed to, didn't he? So why did it feel so…different this time? Why was there a gut-wrenching feeling tugging at his heart? Why…why was he so scared?

Another loud crash of thunder as white lightning illuminating the kitchen brought the eldest Kurosaki out of his stupor. He rubbed at his eyes drowsily, blinking at the flashing red numbers of the clock to his right. 2:32am. It had been pouring outside for over 20 minutes now. He sighed heavily, simply exhausted as he rubbed his temples. The rain never failed to do this to him. Too many gruesome memories and traumatizing sights to be simply washed clean by the frigid downpour.

Yet another realization made the doctor slump even further in his seat, out of a combination of anxiety, worry and fear.

Ichigo wasn't home either.

Neither was Rukia.

What had happened?

He could see the looks the youngest Kurosaki male threw his third daughter all throughout the winter war, and he could see it reflected equally in her liquid pools of bright amethyst. There came the million dollar question. What had changed? Not once did his son ever seem to pay any extra attention to his buxom- auburn haired friend any more than Ishida or Chad for that matter. So what the hell happened?

Unfortunately, all his attempts at subtly interrogating his third daughter for answers were not as unsuccessful as they were disheartening. He quickly came to the conclusion that she didn't know either. It was heartbreaking really, especially to one who considered himself the father to both the children in question. To watch her gaze at him a little too long, with those devastatingly sad eyes, while he took no notice and continued talking with his girlfriend. Though the whole 'girlfriend' concept would seem like the cause of the distress to both parties involved, Isshin could see a faint crack in his son's outward exterior. He wasn't sure what he was seeing, but he just knew that something had happened. Happened before he accepted Inoue as his girlfriend.

Something had changed on the last day of the Winter war. He had no idea what. And neither did she. That was probably the most tragic part.

Harsh slapping sounds of expensive shoes cracking against concrete echoed in the small room, as the owner shuffled awkwardly, stumbling and fumbling with the lock of the front door.

And the rain continued to pour.

It was stupid really. Really, really stupid. It was his engagement party! And here he was, stumbling home awkwardly at 2 in the freakin' morning. Why did he drink so much anyway? His memory grew fuzzy after the high-pitched squeal of 'YES' from Inou-.. No, he shouldn't call her that should he? She was his girlfriend now, and had been for eight months. He almost choked on air when he realized that after tonight, he would either call her Kurosaki-san, or Orihime. His blurry mind briefly wondered why Kurosaki Orihime sounded so….wrong. Not meaning any disrespect to Ino- his girlfri- his freakin' wife to be, but it just sounded so out of place. Like there was something that was missing.

He sighed once more, trekking towards the front door of the clinic; the rain has already throughout drenched his clothes, so the soaking fabric clung to his body, leaving him shivering almost violently underneath. Kurosaki Ichigo sounded right. Kurosaki Ruk- Shut the fuck up brain! He mentally screamed at himself, the alcohol allowing thoughts of her to progress further than they had since the winter war. That was dangerous territory, and he refused for his thoughts to be consumed by her, even in his alcohol induced stupor. Inside of his head, an amused voice snickered cruelly, as it remarked that denial was the first step towards acceptance.

Why the hell did he drink again? Oh yeah, that's right. He had stayed sober all night, not touching a drop of alcohol, but as 2am rolled around, Ino- his girlfriend had practically shoved it down his throat. Well, not literally, but it was…rare to see a usually placid, calm Inoue seem so…forceful and frantic. He didn't count on that after the first glass, every time she offered him another, his will to decline eroded away.

Little did he know, that as the alcohol spread throughout his system, allowing him only to focus of the bright lights and bodies grinding together on the dance floor, he failed to feel a distant, achingly familiar reitsu fluxuate wildly on the other side of the town.

As if it needed help. As if it was struggling. As if it was dying.

He was a goner after the first glass. After that, he continued to down anything, anyone offered him, savoring the taste of the diverse flavors he found himself sampling. But most of all, he savored the pleasant haze that dulled his senses, his thoughts, and most of all, his feelings.

He almost yelled when deafening clap of the thunder, reverberated throughout the empty neighborhood, as a bolt of lightning stuck and the empty streets were briefly illuminated in pale light, before dimming once more pitch black. Ichigo fumbled with his keys, his fingers numb from the freezing rain, combined with the effects of the alcohol, making the once simply task of putting the key in the lock and turning it, much more complicated.

Once he managed to slide the key in the lock (on the 4th attempt because of the severity of his shaking limbs) he maneuvered the keys so he twisted them with his palm, not the tips of his fingers that were shaking too badly to hold still long enough to turn the damn lock. As he heard it click, the door swung open to reveal none other than his father, sending a frightful glare his way.

He could tell a half, dazed, half amused grin was sitting on his lips, thanks to the amount he had to drink. To his utter surprise and bewilderment, his father's eyes dropped down to his left hand, when a simple golden ring adorned his ring-finger, before his eyes practically light up in excitement….what? Wasn't there meant to be a lecture about him getting home at 2 in the morning, piss drunk, with an engagement ring? Surely normal father's would be yelling their heads off by now! Oh wait, he remembered his own father is not the perfect description of 'normal'.

"I can't believe everything worked out. I was so worried.." he appeared to sigh in relief, Ichigo supposed more to himself that to anyone else. But the combination of his relaxed brow, exhausted posture and forehead smoothed of any type of wrinkles was just too much to not ask. It was the first time since the end of the winter war his father looked…at peace, and it was because he came home at two in the morning, drunk, and engaged? The hell?

"W-what do you mean?" The orange haired teen spluttered slightly in response, his voice hoarse from lack of use as well as his sentence stuttering slightly, still trying to appear slightly sober.

"By the way, where is she- your bride to be?" The eldest Kurosaki questioned, with a strange mix of perverseness and pride glinting in his eyes, the younger was left dumbfounded, not only by that, but his father's question itself. He hadn't been particularly….welcoming, to Inoue. Not that he was cold or rude or anything, it was more the fact that he was…polite, not running at her in an attempt to tackle in the form of a hug / punch to the face, like he did to the rest of the family. He treated her with respect, and like the lady that she was, not attempting to peek under her skirt like he did with the twins and his self proclaimed 'third daughter'.

"She went home to her apartment…" Ichigo replied with an eyebrow raised, as he almost forgot to reply to his father's question.

"She bought an apartment?" He almost screamed, eyes wide, arms flailing about the place with a flabbergasted look crossing his face.

"Yeah, she's owned one for as long as I can remember." The orange haired teen replied, increasingly curious at where his father thought Inou- his fiancé lived.

"Really? My third daughter never told me anything about owning an apartment" The eldest proclaimed loudly, puffing out his chest while his voice rose at least ten decibels. Of course, this was all irrelevant to Ichigo, as he was still put off by his father's words. Since when had he started calling Inoue his 'third daughter'? Didn't that spot belong to…

"I didn't think you two had ever had a real conversation?" Ichigo replied, as a half statement, half question. Truthfully, he wasn't even sure if the two had ever talked face to face before. Where was all this coming from?

"Of course we have my son!" He bellowed, grinning widely while getting ready to pounce on the younger. " We've talked about everything from how you two are going to deal with Soul Society, to the birds and bees, to the 28 grandchildren you're going to give me!"

He finished his rant, now directly behind his son, ready to tackle him to the floor.

"What does Soul Society have to do with us, dad?" Ichigo asked, trying- but failing- to ignore the bright red that spread across his face at the mention of grandchildren…wait, did he say 28!

"Well, they definitely wouldn't want to lose her as a squad member. Though she isn't ranked, she's quite an important part of the 13th squad." Isshin concluded, all thoughts of ambushing his son temporarily banished. If Rukia-chan and Ichigo hadn't talked about how their relationship was going to work, then he would have to explain some key things they needed to know, especially with Soul Society's involvement.

"Inoue joined the 13th squad?" Ichigo practically yelled, as his jaw fell to the ground. Ichigo watched in fascination as all the color appeared to drain out of his father's face. The eldest's eyes were wide, his mouth also hanging open in a combination of shock and terror.

Did he just say, Inoue?

"…I-Inoue?" The eldest croaked, his voice suddenly hoarse and tired. This…this couldn't be right. He was silently begging his son to correct him, telling him he was talking about Rukia-chan…

"Yeah? My girlfriend, turned fiancé, soon to be wife! What about her and the 13th squad?" Ichigo snapped irritably, hopelessly confused about his father's antics, what Inoue was apparently doing in the thirteenth squad, as well as why his father looked like he was a child who just had been told Christmas was not coming.

"Y-you proposed to her tonight?" Isshin whispered, in a voice so quiet it was barely audible over the pouring rain. Ichigo observed how his father's eyes darkened in what looked like…guilt? What did old goat-face have to be guilty about?

"Yeah, of course I did! Who else would I propose to?" Ichigo replied, his voice sarcastic and cold.

"Oh god no…..Rukia!" The eldest whispered brokenly, guilt, shame and terror reflected off his dark, murky eyes. Just what the hell was going on? And what did it have to do with her…

"R-rukia? What the hell does she have to do with-" Ichigo choked, even saying her name after all this time… it was difficult.

"Ichigo! Please tell me you've seen her?"His father stood, grabbing the edge of his collar, bringing him to eyelevel, so younger could clearly see the pure desperation painted in every one of his father's movements.

"No, not today at all. I was busy getting ready to propose, remember?" He tried to bite back a sarcastic retort- anything to quash the horrible feeling in his gut when he said her name- anything to cover the horrible, high-pitched laughter that rang in the back of his mind.

"D-did you at least feel her reitsu?" His father questioned, eyes blazing as Ichigo slithered out of the death-hold he had on his shirt.

"I, thought I did for a split second, why?" Ichigo answered honestly, recalling the split moment he was on his knees, proposing to the girl he… he was meant to love. This was too much. Ichigo didn't want to talk about her… He wanted to escape.

"Shit…. She's probably out doing something stupid… you have to go find her- I-Ichigo, where are you going?" His father roared after him, as he began to trudge up the stairs, back turned, face expressionless.

"I'm going to bed, it's late!" he called over the clattering of pots as they fell to the floor, as his father desperately tried to reach him.

He had reached the 15 sign on his door, as he attempted to ignore his father's obnoxious yelling. He ripped open the door, the 15 sign almost flying off the nail, as he prepared to slam it shut when the sentence he had been dreading the most reached his ears.

"Her LIFE is in danger!"

In two seconds flat, he was out of his shivering body, and soaking clothes, instead dressed in the black robes of a shinigami. It took him another 5 seconds to jump out of the window, searching desperately for her reitsu like it was his lifeline.

Bring her home Ichigo. Please.

And the rain continued to pour.

Kurosaki Ichigo was trembling. Not because of the insane speed he used in Flash-step, easily capable of topping the Goddess of Flash-Step herself. Not because the rain had now soaked through all his robes, leaving them clinging to his icy skin, chilling him to the bone.

No it was the horrific scene before him that left the man who single-handedly brought down Aizen, trembling in his boots. It looked… it looked like a fucking massacre. The whole street was painted with crimson, small shards of bone were scattered across the pavement. Because of the rain's constant pounding on the stains, it looked like a literal bloodbath.

Sure, it smelt putrid and looked absolutely sickening, but the orange haired teen's attention was focus solely on the bundle of black robes in the centre of the street.

Denial rang through his head, blocking out any sane thought. That couldn't be her. She was safe! He made sure she was safe! The raven hair, matted with blood that splayed out on the concrete, didn't belong to.. It had to be a dream! It was a fucking dream! He would just open his eyes, and everything would be fine…because right now she… she is.. sh-

She's dead.

As that horrible high-pitched dragged him out of his fantasy, he was forced to swallow that the person, lying before him, gutted like a fish, was…was the one he wante- no needed to protect.

The realization struck him hard, as he immediately sprinted towards her figure, ignoring the sharp pain the movement caused.

"R-RUKIA! What the fuck have you done to yourself?" He practically screamed, dropping to his knees, while attempting to gather her small, small body into his arms. Was she always this tiny?...this fragile?

Forcing the bile that began to crawl up his throat back down at the sight of her shredded stomach, he carefully placed his hand over her neck, desperate to feel her pulse. He tried hopelessly to ignore the sight of her stomach, once pale and unmarked, now torn open as he tried to cover and pull it together using her shinigami robes. After almost 10 seconds for absolutely no movement from the person he was cradling in his arms, as the adrenalin that pumped his body only moments beforehand drained leaving an overwhelming despair in its wake, he felt it. Her heart thumped weakly. Only once. But it was enough.

Cradling her body carefully, he began to slowly lift the rest of her into his lap, ignoring how her blood was seeping through his robes. He watched, holding her tighter as her eyes slowly swung open, her face immediately twisting into a pained grimace. Slowly, but surely, the grimace fell away leaving bitter acceptance, before to his utter surprise, a ghost of a smile twisted on her lips.

"Psh- I- I killed the hollow- at least." She gloated- well at least tried to. Her breath was heavy, as she needed to pause more than once, to simply get a sentence out. Her eyes felt heavy again, as they began to droop. Was this what dying felt like? She wondered, as she heard what sounded like a choking sound come from above her.

"Come on now, we'll get you to Inoue, you'll be fine!" Ichigo tried to gain her attention, speaking reassuringly into her ear, while still trying to gather the rest of her body so he could at least carry her. He honestly wasn't sure who he was trying to convince. Was he reassuring her, or himself?

Rukia smiled weakly, somehow managing to drag her hand to the front of his robes, tugging softly on the soaked fabric to get his attention. She already knew she wasn't going to survive this. Even so…she had to get it off her chest. Better late than never, right?

"Ichigo… I just wanted to say one last thi-"

"SHUT UP!" He roared in desperation, stubbornly refusing to comprehend the meaning behind her words. Because if he did, if he listened to her final words, then she would…she would- " You're going to be fine! You are….you… you have to be." He chanted despairingly, to the both of them, wishing, hoping, praying that it would be true.

"Thanks to you, I can leave my heart here.." She rasped, her grip slackening as her beautiful violet eyes began haze over.

"Idiot…shut up. Just shut up. You're not going to die. Because I…because I"

The grip she held on his robes weakened, until it fell away as her eyelids began to slip closed.

"I LOVE YOU!"

Her eyes sprung open, wide, surprised, fearful violet irises staring right back into his own smoldering amber orbs. His- full of sacrifice and guilt, hers- clouded with pain and confusion.

"I always did… I was just a coward. I was scared- scared of admitting how I felt.. I finally had the courage to, then…" he swallowed as guilt and self loathing filled his body.

"Then my hollow…he- he admitted what he wanted with you…to do to you..

I was terrified that I -the one who was meant to protect you, would..would hurt you….so I… so I tried to stop feeling that way. I tried to use Inoue to get over you…to forget you…to protect you- even from myself. That day on the roof… it killed me to know what I did, and the worst part was, I still managed to hurt you..." his voice cracked near the end, filled with raw emotion, pain and sacrifice. Everything he did was for her…to protect her, and he still managed to fuck it up.

"I- I'm so sorry…" He confessed, unable to stop the tear that rolled down his cheek.

"I-idiot. N-not once during that time did I stop loving you, you can't get rid of me that easily..fool." she rasped in response, her breaths growing weaker by the second. At her admission, he only held her tighter in an attempt to stop stubborn tears that refused to stop spilling from his eyes.

" Don't forget me, Ichigo…" she whispered weakly, finding it more difficult by the second to force out words. His neck snapped up at the realization of what she was really saying. She was dying….and there was nothing he could do about it.

"N-no! Don't you DARE die! You hear me? STOP IT" He pleaded with her, urgently, his voice containing a level of desperation that she had never heard before.

"Death isn't the end…. I promise, we'll meet again."

Her once bright amethyst eyes, were now dull grey as her eyelids began to slip closed.

"No! DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES! Stop!"

"Say-"

"Don't say it!.. Don't you dare say it!"

"Sayonara…."

"RUKIA!"

And the rain continued to pour.