Remember me.

When I pass, I want you to remember me as the person who was the new beginning to your life;

the person who made your heart skip-a-beat, when I spoke...

and the one that gave you something to hold on to.

You and I, may have not had that much time together, but I want you to know that... I will always be with you.

In your heart.

At night when you tuck the memories of what is left of me into bed.

When you sleep, and dream of me and all we did together comes to mind and make you smile.

The arguments that crafted our budding love...

and the happiness that you brought me in the final moments of my beings.

That is how, I want you to remember me.

Laughter was something that was regular in the school on Friday's, but today they weren't for something that I brought up, but something a certain strawberry had mentioned to the two women I worked with.

It had only been a few days since Kaien made that deal with Ichigo, about Umi and having her enter the school alone and losing track of her.

I must say now, that having Ichigo around was something that I wasn't going to complain about because, he wasn't that bad. I thought when he was forced into the school, that he was going to be a bother and nothing more, but through the days he had become some of my students hero. Well, mostly the boys.

" Rukia, is that really why you want to teach children?" I groaned at Nemu as she laughed at the me. Ichigo told them that the only reason why I worked with kids, was because I was taller than them. It was false, but got my co-workers to laugh and tease me, what a prick!

" No, I teach children because I love them" I corrected her, when I noticed that Ichigo was smirking at me, I couldn't help but snap something at him. " Wipe that smirk away, Strawberry. Last I re-call, someone was nervous around my students the first day he arrived"

" Haha, awwwe, the big bad berry was nervous around the little-one's" Rangkiu teased with her blue eyes that shimmered in the bright orange of the classroom.

Ichigo scowled at the comment and glared at me " You really get a kick out of making fun of me, eh, Midget" I groaned at the nick-name he had given me over the week. As many times as I argued with him that I was petite, he would smirk and say: What-ever helps you sleep in your hamster-wheel at night.

" Who are you calling a Midget! I'm petite, unlike your giant- ass, who has't to look down at everyone he sees" I didn't mean to use such language in the school, but it slipped and when I caught the mistake I covered my mouth with my hands. " I didn't mean to use that language" I gasped.

" Sure ya' didn't, like how you didn't mean to hit me on the first day" he grumbled and glared at me. I didn't really mind, the fact that he didn't like my violent side, well, it wasn't for him to like in the first place. It just came in handy when men thought they could take advantage of me, because of my petite and delicate appearance. It was rather shocking, how hard I could hit a grown man or a person, in general.

Did I like being violent? No, I preferred being kind and gentle to people, but when I was pissed off, stay the hell away from me and my fist; cause I wasn't afraid to take a swing at you. " You totally deserved that" I commented, when he shot a glare at me, I smiled which was almost like the finger towards him.

Through all these hours that I and Ichigo have spent together, I found myself noticed that the attractive sergeant was nothing but a giant teddy-bear, especially with the students when they cried and wept for nothing, and that he was filled with happiness -behind his scowl that made many run in fear.

I sat there at my desk with my face in my hands and my eyes on the group who were talk to one another, like they knew everyone for years, but really they only knew Ichigo for a few days.

I turned my head and looked out the window to see the students out in the yard laughing and smiling, with Karin, Toushiro, Yuzu and their friend Jinta. It was a short day for the High-schoolers and they all got out early, so they came here for some hours, which was nice for I, Rangiku and Nemu, since we never really had time to ourselves when at the school. Even if we did, I usually heard about Rangiku and Gin's wedding that was going on in the next three months. Honestly, I didn't know that they wanted to do a summer wedding, but is seemed like the busty teacher had her mind made and set, for the summer. The first month were everyone was relaxing and partying. Why was I surprised that Rangiku wanted to get married during that time? She loved to party and get drunk... it was practically her calling in life.

I wonder if I will still be here to go to her wedding? Will I be gone by then? Perhaps, I will be and, what will happen then?

Looking back at this week it seemed like my sympton where getting less. My bruising was becoming less and less, but still appearing in some area's like my arms and shoulders. Eating, was become and thought of the past. I barely ate, I was lucky to even eat a sand-which or something small. It was becoming an issue. My healthy weight that I had once held was decreasing quickly, let's just say that if I crunched my stomach I wouldn't have any wrinkles or rolls, like I used to. Sleep was my daily lover. I slept more than eight hours and got tired in the afternoon -that's when, I would gulp down coffee like it was a drug. I still vomited in the mornings and Sode seemed to be getting the idea of what was wrong with me, even though I never said anything at home nor on the phone with Uryuu -who called more than I thought he would.

A yawn left my lips as I looked down at the desk covered with pictures and work from my students. I smiled at the sight of Astuko's picture that he drew recently, with him and I, in the classroom teaching the letter of the day. He was a sweet little boy, I wish I could say the same about his father.

A soft growl left my lips as I thought of Kaien and what he always tried to tell me, when he dropped off his son. It was getting annoying, it was always ' You should try the treatment' ' There's this new hospital in town, that specializes in leukemia . Why couldn't he just leave me alone, with my want to just let the illness kill me? Easy, he cared for me, too much.

" Ruki-chan, are you feeling okay? You look tired" the voice of Rangiku caused me to look over at her with a smile. I didn't want to worry that busy bride-to-be. She had enough to worry about in her life at the moment, like what to feed her wedding guest and what time she should get her hair done for the wedding day.

" I'm fine, just a little tired" I told her. An intense and worried stare made my skin prick and my heart quicken. I looked at Ichigo as he stared at me with worry, I found that he stared a lot, maybe he found something different in me then others. Or had feelings? He better not.

Finally, when he looked away from me and to the two women in front of him, I found it easy to look down at my flesh at was as white as the snow. Was I getting paler? Yes, I was. Soon I was going to look like a ghost, just peachy.

At night I found myself thinking about, what it was going to be like once I start to truly wither away into nothing, and then die completely. Was it going to be painful? Would I suffer? How long would it take for my heart to beat it's last time? When was the day of my funeral? Who would come and get me from this world and bring me to the heavens? Hisana? My mother? My father? Perhaps, God himself?

" Hey, Rukia. Are you sure you're alright?" the husky voice knocked me out of my wonder, and caused me to look at Ichigo with my violet eyes as he stood in front of my desk.

" Umm... yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I chuckled softly, trying to make it seem like there was nothing wrong -when there was- and that I was perfectly fine, which I wasn't. With a sigh he leaned towards me, making his lips nearly touch mine. " Ichigo?" I choked as his breath tangled in mine.

" Ever since I came here, I haven't seen you eat a lunch or something to keep you content. What's wrong?" I gulped at the closeness that he had with me. I wasn't used to having someone, right in my face like this and I was sure I would never get used to it.

Our eyes poured into each others as we stared, I never thought I would see such a beautiful sight like his amber swirls. In my head there was the battle of lust and knowledge roaring in my ears; I want to kiss him so badly, but then that would mean that I had feelings for him and wanted him more than a co-worker. So, that was a hell no! " I-I just don't really get hungry" I stuttered.

With hand he cupped my cheek and pulled me closer to his lips. No, no, no, no! " You've gotten paler and more tired during the day. I knew that there is definitely something wrong, that you are hiding for the world, Rukia" I knew all this before, I actually heard this from Kaien and his son -which scared the living daylights out of me, since they looked-a-like.

With a hand I pulled his warm one away from my pale cheek and chuckled to myself " Rule 4: Don't quote Kaien, unless you're his son" Ichigo seemed to be puzzled at my words. He didn't really know Kaien or who he was to me, but that wasn't important to me. Kaien was like a brother to me, one who wouldn't shut the hell up from time-to-time and cared too much for me.

He stepped away from me and shoved his hands into his pockets quickly " So, you do have a boyfriend" I nearly choked on air at the statement. What! I didn't have a boyfriend, the only boyfriend I ever really had was a guy name Grimmejow. That relationship went on for two or three years, until I found out he was cheating on me with some women who worked at a bar a mile from here.

I took a drink of my coffee and chuckled at him for his words. Idiot was muttered from my lips causing him to look at me with his passionate; amber orbs that made woman melt. " I don't have a boyfriend, Ichigo" I said coolly. Why was I even trying to be cool? This is Ichigo, the hot-head and bright haired, strawberry who was nervous when around kids. There was no need for me to be cool.

After contemplating myself mentally I looked up at the sergeant, only to meet a daring flame that shined in his eyes " Fine then, Rukia, if you're so single and lacking a boyfriend... then go on a date with me" he smiled when I coughed on my coffee as it slid down my throat.

Did he just ask me out? What the hell! He can't have feelings for me, right? Maybe... okay he could. Curse you, charm and amazing looks!

I laid my head on my desk and sighed angrily at myself. Damn it! " What? Are you annoyed that someone actually wants to treat you?" he snickered. Oh now, he stepped over the line and into dangerous waters.

" No! I just don't want to date!" I snapped. Anger filled my eyes at Ichigo, which only made him smile and roll his orbs. Did he find this as a joke?

" So you're a lesbian" he stated.

SMACK!

My hand stung from his cheek, and his body fell to the floor from the hit. I stared at the red hand print that was on his left cheek and the detail print of my hand, on his flesh. The sound of the slap echoed the school, and seemed to catch the other two woman in their classrooms attention, causing them to return to my orange-paradise of a room. " Baka! Just because I don't date, doesn't mean I'm a lesbian" I yelled.

" Awe, snap! Koursaki-kun pulled out the Lesibehonset card, on the Kuchiki" Nemu snickered with her long locks of black, pale skin that looked like ice and grey eyes similar to thunder clouds -when she was angry.

Ichigo growled as he rubbed his red cheek and looked at me with a fire in his eyes . He was pissed! " Let's see! You're 24-"

" 23 years old, Koursaki" Rangiku corrected from the side.

" 23 years old, don't have a boyfriend and live in a town filled with families. Oh, and you work with children who think of you as a second mother. To me, that seems like a cover for sexual preference !" my jaw dropped at his words. I didn't have anything to hide in my sexual preference. Honestly, I thought lesbian were awesome, but I wasn't one.

Nemu coughed as she looked at the two of us and then smiled at the glares we were giving one another " You forgot she has a cat" she quickly added. Oh hell no! They were not going to label me as a crazy-cat-lady, lesbian (still awesome people).

" I got Sode, when I was cured! So, that doesn't mean a thing!" I snapped at the two woman and then to Ichigo as he rubbed his aching cheek. I really did hit him harder, then I thought I would. Oh well, yet again, he deserved it for saying I was a lesbian.

" Cured? For what? Elfism" a vain popped in my forehead, at the joke about my height. Who the fuck did he think he is?!

" Got out" I growled. I didn't want to waste my time on this bullshit, and become even more exhausted then I already was today.

" What?" he questioned, but he seemed to some-what understand my language.

" I said: Get. Out!" I yelled with anger, when he didn't move I glared at him " Do you not understand my language? Hikidasu!" I spoke in Japanese trying to get him to understand.

" Listen, you need to calm down, Ruki-chan" I heard Rangiku tell me. My chest tightened and my heart raced as I glared at the fruit-head.

" You know what! All of you! OUT OF MY CLASSROOM!" Rangiku and Nemu both flinched at my tone, before they grabbed Ichigo and ran out of the room towards their own. Leaving me all alone in my room.

I stood from my desk and went to the two sliding doors to the room, with my delicate hands I closed the doors before heading to the chalk-board. I didn't want anyone to see me like this, not the students, the helpers, the other teachers and even the parents who came to pick up their children early.

I was a wreck.

I stumbled at the chalk board as my head started to spin, from my anger that caused my heart to quicken in speed. The voice of Kaien and Uryuu were in my ears as I sat down on the chair next to the chalk-board.

" Rukia, you have a chance to fight this. Don't you want to see Byakuya come back?" I remember Uryuu telling me that on the phone. He called me to tell me that there was a hospital outside of town, that specialized with cancer fighters. But, I refused to go. They were all the same from when I was a child, they didn't have the cure and they didn't know what they were doing to their patients. I wasn't going to be a testing-spec-ism, to them. Did I want to see my brother come back with the cure? Of course, he would be a hero and I miss him dearly, but yet again, I didn't want him to see me back in the hospital watching over me as I withered away.

" You have people who care about you, Rukia. They'll be crushed when they find out that you're dead from leukemia. Don't give up" Kaien told me that one. He didn't want to be the one to tell his wife and children that I was going to be teaching in the heavens, with all those kids who didn't see their first day of school, or school in general. I wish he would just let me do as I pleased. I didn't want to fight anymore, it was too tiring, and I've been doing this since; Hisana past. Enough was enough!

" What about all the things you haven't done?" when Kaien asked me that, it made me think of my bucket list and what I wanted to do before death. I was probably never going to be able to do them all. I wasn't going to be able to have hot, steamy and wonderful sex on a roof -damn. Never get married and have kids, that is the worse thing for a women like me to accept. I probably won't go skinny-dipping -it sounded like fun. I could kiss riding a motorcycle goodbye - I want to feel like a rebel and feel the wind whip my hair in freedom. Getting shit-faced was just a dream -since my liver would probably grow and cause me pain. I wanted to go scuba diving and go to Russia, for the hell of it. And the list yet on, and on.

None of them, were going to be completed or achieved.

Yet did I know that when I thought all this was nothing but a teasing mist of a dream, there was something that twisted my faith that day.

The sound of the doors opening was in my ears as I sobbed into my knee's that I tucked to my chest, earlier to get control of myself. My vision was blurry and my mind wasn't thinking straight. I looked over to see Karin and Toushiro with the kids behind them, both teens were looking at me with worry. Great, I was caught crying for such a stupid thing!

" Rukia-sama?" Karin questioned, when she went to come towards me I stopped her with a hand.

" Take the students to Rangiku's class and tell her, that I am not feeling well" it was the excuse that wouldn't make them question me too much, but would awaken their curiosity.

Karin was hesitate when she nodded and looked over at the students as they looked at me. I didn't want anyone to see me like this, especially the students. I thought it would cause them sorrow and pain - and as a teacher I wanted them to be happy and bright, not in my deep and dark hole.

Pushing myself off the wall behind me, I stood and weakly walked to my desk. It was time that I left, and didn't come back. I shoved all my precious belonging into my purse that sat there mocking me.

The tears that stormed my eyes seemed to never-end for me, they clouded my sight and my thoughts in seconds. I took labored breathes that didn't seem to help my breathing situation.

Tightness.

Pain.

Sorrow.

Lose.

Hatred.

They were all in my heart as I stopped shoveling my things into my purse, when I felt like my body was about to give out and I was going to hit the floor, two arms caught me and held me close. " Rukia" I heard in the room, as I drifted into a sleep that would raddled my thoughts and dreams, and make want to live my life to the fullest.

My head throbbed and my skin tingled from the feeling of water on my skin. I snapped my eyes open to see a bright white sky that burned my orbs, causing me to squint and wince in pain " Shit" I whispered as I rubbed my eyes.

Opening my eyes I looked over at the side to see that I was in a blue water that was clear enough to see the bottom, that was empty and bare of life. " What the hell?" I asked myself as I looked at the bottom. When the water began to shake and my body rose from the liquid, I panicked and looked down to see a large pink lily holding me over the water.

Looking over at the ocean I noticed a fog covered in the lily and no-where else, which was weird. I looked to the distance to see two wooden boxes flooding towards me, both I remember from when I and Hisana; where at our parents funeral.

My mother was in a white shinny one, that matched her name of, Snow-white. My fathers casket was the same, because I thought of their love opposite but with the same want for each. Plus, black never did suit my father -well in my eyes it didn't. My sister probably thought black was perfect for him, since he didn't want her to marry the man of her dreams at her age. But, in the end I was the one to decide on his color because I loved my father and my mother to death -and since do.

"Life is a wonderful thing. We stand here today sending these two lovers, spouses, parents, care-givers, friends, son and daughter to the heavens to meet the one who believed they lived long and wonderful lives. Yes, they left two girls on their own, but the Lord sees that they will be well in the future without these two parents"

I closed my eyes and bowed my head at the words, that were spoken when I was at the funeral when I was young. I didn't understand what the priest was talking about back then, because I saw my parents next to me, holding my hands and telling me that they will see me when I pass through the gates.

Did I cry at the funeral? No, my imagination was too strong for me to think they were dead. I still saw them next to me, crying for their death.

In time though, reality came and slapped my imaginary parents away. Leaving me to cry and sob with no one around, I was never one to cry in front of people.

Now, when I heard the words and see the caskets my knowledge for the priest and what he was saying, hit me like a tone of bricks. He was saying goodbye to the two people who made many happy, left marks in peoples lives; even when death came and took them away they left a ripple in the sea of people they impacted.

I saw the two caskets side-by-side disappear into a mist of fog. I waved to them and smiled with sad eyes " Bye, Mom and Dad. I'll see you soon" I called out to them. I didn't except a answer from them, and I didn't get one.

" My love, my only Hisana. Blow in the breeze and bring happiness to the Heavens; as you enter through the gates and kiss everyone there that you lost. Never forget that I and Rukia, will always be here for you even in our dreams. We love you, forever and always"

My sister had a funeral but she wasn't buried, her casket was, next to my parents but her body wasn't. In her will, she stated that she didn't want her body to be in the ground to become soil but in the wind and places where I and Byakuya thought she would love to be, if she were alive.

Those words that were whispered in the air, were spoken by my brother when we traveled to America for my sister. We went to the Grand Canyon and throw her ashes into the breeze like she wanted and wrote in her will.

I cried for my sister because, my imagination wasn't strong enough then. I watched her in the hospital for month on end, and through that time I was seeing her healthy and happy. When it came to say goodbye at the funeral, her image that my mind made disappeared and reality didn't hit me... but punched me in the face.

I looked at the sparkling breeze as it headed towards the caskets of my parents. Hisana was never one to go her own way, she wanted to follow those she loved. That was one of the reason why she followed Byakuya, into marriage when my parents past. She thought that it was the best for I and my brother who made us into a family, after all of our sorrow.

" Goodbye, Nee-san" I whispered as she disappeared with the fog.

There were things that my family all had in common, back then and before they past. They all told me, to live life to the fullest.

My father said that the night before he and my mother got into that car crash. He died immediately since he tried to protect my mother from the crash. Mom was different, she told me when she woke up after the crash, but past an hour after from internal bleeding. Hisana's words were probably the ones that I remember the best.

I and Byakuya were in her room, holding her cold hands, hoping and praying that she would get through this and survive. When she was taking her final breathes, she looked over at me and said " Mom and Dad, wrote to me before they past. They said " Hisana, if you are writing this then you know I and your mother, aren't going to be coming home to you girls ever again. I want you to know, that no matter what happens to I or your mother that we want you two to stay together. I want both my girls to make sure their lives were lived out, so, when you join us in the Heavens that there is no regrets . Rukia-nee, my time is running short and I want you to live and do everything you want in your life. Promise me" . A tear rolled down my cheek as I thought of the moment.

I promised my sister that I would live my life and be happy, do all I wanted to and never regret a second of my life.

What I was doing now, was breaking my sisters dying wish and the promise I made with Hisana in her death bed. " I must keep my promise, Hisana" I whispered as I wiped my tear away.

All was quiet, the only sound was of the rain that tapped on my window. I sighed loudly and turned over onto my side, only to open my eyes and notice that I was in my apartment. How'd I get home? Did I dream all that up? Was that it, just a dream?

I swung my legs to the side of my bed, and pulled the warm covered off of me. When I looked down and noticed that I was still on my clothes, I knew that it wasn't a dream and that I really did faint at the school. But, who brought me home?

I stood from the bed only to have my legs wobble and shake, for some reason. Using the rest of my strength I went to the door, and opened it to hear Sode meowing for food. Someone was in the house, and they were obviously ignoring the poor white-cat.

A groan left my lips causing the cat to go silent and look over at me with her purple eyes. I stared back at her and then to the couch that was coming into my view, slowly. " About time you shut-up" I heard a husky voice say from the couch. My eyes widened when I thought of who it may be, please don't be Kaien or Renji! That would be the end of me.

Last time I was sick and fainted at the school, Rangiku called Renji to come get me and bring me home. When I awakened he was sitting in my room with a chair, reading a manga, before I knew what was going on he was yelling at me, about how stupid I was for going to the school when I was sick.

I loved my red-headed best friend, but he had a big mouth and little brain for my liking. I guess, I saw past the flaws and kept him around so I can see him and Tatsuki fight. Oh well, he was in my life, and I wasn't removing him from it either.

" What are you doing here?" I growled. My eyes glared at the bright orange-haired man as he sat on my couch, drink my water from the fridge How the hell did he even get in here?! I remember locking my door and putting my keys in my purse. Wait-... if he brought me home, he looked in my purse! That bastard!

Ichigo stood and walked over to me quickly " I'm glad your okay" he smiled. I froze at the sight and felt my cheeks heat up as I looked into his eyes... damn, he was certainly effective. When he grabbed me into his arms, and off the floor I was speechless from his smooth movement. " You shouldn't be on your feet. Considering you fainted in your classroom and you were breathing heavily, it is best that you keep a slow heart-beat. I don't need you fainting on me, again" so, he was the one who caught me and brought me home.

" How did you get into my house?" I asked with a narrow eye. The blush on my cheek made him smirk as he walked over to the couch, where he placed me down and told me to eat some crackers, before he made me dinner.

" Ya' know, you better clean out your purse. I'm pretty sure I found an old burger in that thing" I gasped at his words, I knew that was joke because I don't eat fast-food, and burgers was something that I was strictly not allowed to eat.

" Y-You went through my purse!" I snapped as he stumbled in the kitchen, when he wanked his head off the fridge door, I glared and held back my laughter at the sight.

" What did you want me to do? I couldn't treat you in the school around children. Besides, that rules say no sexual touching at school, also you need a place to sleep properly" my eyes widened when I heard, 'no sexual touching at school'. Did he sexual touch me when I was sleeping?! NO!

" You touched me!" I yelled. I felt my head spinning as I looked at him, with a hand I touched my forehead and took deep breaths. I couldn't faint, again.

" Clam down and take deep breathes, Rukia. I didn't want to, but to check your pulse I had to touch your neck, then I had to look for a wound that might had knocked you out" I sighed in relief, he didn't see my breast or any other places that I needed to hide. " I would have never through you're own to wear thongs and lacy bra's, though" my face went red at his words. He did see them all!

" I can't believ-" he walked over to me and touched my forehead, when he placed his hand down at his side, I went to hit him but he blocked quickly.

" Since I saw your, unmentionables, you can make me do you a favor" I seemed to calm down once he told me that. I did need someone to help with somethings and then, when I die they would be okay with my passing, right?

I scooted closer to him and sighed softly, before grabbing his hand " There's only one thing, I need you to help me with" he nodded and seemed interested in what I was going to say.

" What is it?"

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes " Help me finish, my bucket list"

Thank you for the reviews! I loved them all!

This story will be updated every, Monday