Aside from all my delusions, Bleach and all its characters belong to Tite Kubo, not me. :)

'Bold' Ichigo's Thoughts.

'Bold Italics' Hichigo's Thoughts.

-o-

3 Hours Later.

Hichigo panted heavily as he dropped Zangetsu to the ground.

He was beyond worn out, on the verge of collapsing.

The pale hollow was bleeding badly.

His white uniform was completely ruined; cut, dirty, and stained with his own blood.

He was starting to get dizzy...

Looking around frantically, his yellow eyes fell on the petite soul reaper.

Relief engulfed him as he realized she had finally reverted back and passed out.

He thought to himself that Rukia was an incredible woman in every way imaginable, both her and her hollow.

The woman was injured too, but not nearly as injured as he was…

He smiled tiredly at her before reaching down to scoop her up in his arms, cradling her injured form.

He had to get her to Kisuke Urahara… He had to get her to the scientist so that he could save her.

-o-

Dark Rukia had given him the battle of a lifetime.

It had been difficult…

She was fighting to kill him, while he was fighting to survive and try to stop her from fighting him.

He hadn't wanted to injure her, which was part of the reason he was so badly beat up himself. (The other reason being that she had majorly kicked his ass.)

He didn't want to hurt her, but he couldn't make her submit to him either!

He wasn't alpha hollow around Dark Rukia, she was just too powerful… and stubborn. An indomitable woman. Like Rukia was with Ichigo, only this Rukia was much, much deadlier...

His vision blurred as he stumbled out the underground training facility.

As soon as he found Kisuke Urahara and handed Rukia over to him, he allowed himself to collapse from his wounds.

-o-

Hichigo awoke the next day, surprised that he was back in his temporary bedroom.

The sun was out and shining.

He had slept through the night.

Sitting up in bed, he moaned when his injuries bothered him.

He looked down and saw Ichigo's body bandaged up. All he wore was a pair of black sweat pants. Despite the discomfort he felt, his body wasn't feeling as terrible as he thought it would be.

Once he got himself up on his feet, he made his way to Rukia's room without any hesitation.

-o-

The hollow frowned as night fell.

She was still unconscious.

He was sitting Indian-style on the floor beside her bed, waiting for her to wake up.

He hadn't moved the whole day, not even when Kisuke Urahara offered to watch over her for a while so he could "get some rest". Of course, he had refused.

The King had nearly had a heart attack when he found out what happened to Rukia.

Hichigo could feel the king's heartache inside of their shared inner-world. It wasn't helping his own guilt at all… Even Zangetsu seemed a little worried about the petite soul-reaper.

She was laying down on her futon, her long black uniform jacket covering her body like a blanket. She was bandaged up underneath, but not dressed. Kisuke Urahara had left her like so that he could get access to her bandages easier. (That or he was big pervert…)

When the little woman finally stirred, Hichigo thought his soul was going to jump out of his body from relief.

-o-

With a loud groan, Rukia finally opened her eyes.

"H-Hichigo." She said softly, her throat dry.

The hollow said nothing as he moved to give her water from a spoon. One of his hands held her back of her head so that she could be angled in a position to drink.

He repeated the action several times until she turned her head away as a signal for him to stop.

"I'm so sorry I hurt you." She apologized.

Hichigo shook his head and frowning, "No, It's all my fault, if I hadn't pushed you so far-"

Rukia shook her head, in spite of all the pain in her body, she sat up and hugged him.

She didn't care that in the process, her black jacket fell to her lap and exposed her state of undress to him.

"Please don't feel guilty. It's my fault I lost control. Thank you for stopping me." She said sincerely.

The hollow was stiff for a moment, before he wrapped his arms around her in return.

He was about to say her name when his head began to hurt and his vision went black.

-o-

Rukia felt Hichigo go slack in her hold. The hollow let out a cry of pain.

She felt worried as she pulled away to look at him.

"Hichigo! What's wrong?" she said fearfully, holding him by his forearms.

As she looked up at his eyes, she gasped in surprise when she found herself staring into familiar hazel orbs.

-o-

His transformation was instant, and she found herself being embraced by Ichigo.

He had buried his head into her neck.

Her hands reached up to touch his loud-orange hair, unbelievingly.

"I was so fucking scared, Rukia. Scared I might lose you." He said, holding her petite body close to his.

Rukia shook her head no.

"You fool… You know I'm tougher than that." She said playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

"I swear I won't ever let him near you again-"

Rukia's dark eyebrows scrunched in confusion, "W-what? What are you saying?"

"This is all that hollow's doing! I won't ever let him hurt you again. Fuck my training with Zangetsu-"

Ichigo was surprised when he felt Rukia punch him in the stomach.

She hit an injury, so he quickly doubled over in pain.

"What the hell?" he said angrily.

"You idiot!" she said, her amethyst eyes glaring at him.

"It's not Hichigo's fault I transformed! That was my own doing! If anything he saved me!"

Ichigo looked at her unbelievingly. He was about to scream at her in retaliation when he became suddenly aware her state of dress, err... undress.

He blushed madly at the realization, his eyes scanning over her body.

She was in her underwear.

More specifically, in the sexy matching white bra and panties with little strawberries printed all over them. The ones his inner-hollow had bought for her. She was wearing them.

Rukia followed his gaze and let out a shriek of surprise. She quickly brought her jacket over her body to cover herself up.

Judging by Ichigo's reaction, she guessed he knew from whom she had gotten her undergarments.

"What? They're really cute!" she defended, but it was a pitiful excuse.

She had accepted a gift from Ichigo's inner-hollow for Kami's-sake!

-o-

Ichigo was having a hard time thinking straight.

His head was spinning.

Having Rukia be hurt, knowing she was injured, and seeing her half-naked… It was making his blood rush to all the wrong places…

He thought back what she had said earlier.

"It's not Hichigo's fault I transformed! If anything he saved me!"

His eyes narrowed. She called him Hichigo. And it wasn't the first time either.

She had referred to him like that earlier too.

"Do you honestly trust that hollow?" he asked, the scowl returning to his face.

Rukia still had a light blush on her face as she nodded her head.

"I trust Hichigo the same as I trust you." She said confidently.

Ichigo felt something tug at his heart.

He felt pain to know that Rukia trusted his inner-monster like she trusted him, but at the same time, he felt relief that she was unafraid of him, unafraid of his darkest side.

He sighed heavily.

"Very well, if that's true… I'll go finish my training with Zangetsu… Just, be careful around him, Rukia."

Rukia nodded her head.

Without another word, she watched as he transferred control back to Hichigo.

-o-

"Didn't I tell you there was nothing for ya to worry about, partner?"

"Shut up you creep, I'm not in the mood."

"Does it anger you, King? To think the little soul-reaper might feel something for me?"

"I don't know what you're talking about… Besides, as if Rukia would ever feel something for a monster like you."

Ichigo heard his inner-hollow laugh.

"You forget that I'm you! She accepts me for what I am. And besides, she doesn't see me as a monster… She even gave me name."

"She felt pity for you! That's all!"

"You keep telling yourself that King… Now you stay here and play with Zangetsu, while I go play with the little soul-reaper…"

"You bastard! Stay away from her!"

-o-

Although Rukia lost a day of training because of her injuries, she still completed her training the next two nights.

In the end, she felt stronger and more in control of her power then she had ever felt before.

And she owed it all to Ichigo's hollow, Hichigo.

If she continued to improve and fight the way he had taught her, she had no doubt she would be able to reach bankai soon…

She smiled as she took a long, warm bath to soothe her aching muscles.

After she finished, she would go thank him for training her.

Next, she thought of Ichigo. It had been over two weeks now… The last time she had spoken to him he told her that his training with Zangetsu was almost complete, and that he would be returning soon.

During her bath, her mind wandered back and forth between Hichigo and Ichigo.

Although they were two completely different people, at the core, they were part of the same being. They were two sides of the same coin.

At least, that's how she thought of them...

It was the only way she could justify her feelings for Hichigo.

It almost felt like she was cheating on Ichigo. But that was ridiculous.

Despite the fact she had been in love with him for a long time now... they were still just friends.

Ichigo Kurosaki didn't see her as anything more than his fighting companion…

-o-

She slid the door to Hichigo's room open quietly.

In case he was already asleep, she didn't want to disturb him.

She was surprised to see the outer doors opened wide, illuminating the entire room with moonlight.

Hichigo was kneeled in the center of the room, calmly and unmoving; thinking to himself.

Rukia had never seen the Ichigo's inner hollow look so melancholy before.

It was strange… She pressed her cheek up against the wood of the doorway frame as she silently watched him.

-o-

Of course, he had sensed her presence the moment she arrived, and he knew she had been standing there a while.

But he stayed silent, allowing her to think he hadn't noticed her.

Being in her company, that was enough…

"Hey." He said as he finally turned to look at her.

She was leaning against the doorway, blushing like a child, embarrassed that she had been caught staring at him.

Since he had acknowledged her, she stepped inside the room, sliding the door closed behind her.

"Thank you," she began sheepishly, "-for the training I mean… it really helped."

His serious face disappeared and he smiled at her from ear-to-ear.

He stood to face her and she began to walk towards him.

It seemed his smile was contagious because she smiled back at him.

Then he heard the King's voice.

'It's time for me to take back control.' Ichigo said sternly as he began the change of power.

-o-

Hichigo fell to his knees and held his head tightly.

'No! Just a little while longer!' he found himself pleading internally.

'We had a deal Hichigo. My training is complete.'

For a moment, the hollow thought about fighting him, before letting go.

Hichigo resigned himself as he began to lose control.

Externally he smiled widely, but internally it felt as though his non-existent heart was breaking.

Losing control wouldn't be so hard to take if it wasn't for her.

To think of all the things he could have accomplished if he had just had a bit more time

-o-

"Hichigo! Are you alright?" Rukia asked as she ran to his side and kneeled beside him.

The hollow caught her off guard by grabbing her in his arms and pulling her into a tight embrace.

His smile disappeared as he trembled and held her tighter.

"I'm afraid our time together had come to an end." He whispered sadly.

-o-

'Let her go damn it! Why are you doing this?' Ichigo asked him.

White Ichigo mentally rolled his eyes at the human he shared a mind with.

Was the king really so dense?

'Because I'm you. I'm your rawest instincts. Everything you feel and want in life, I feel and desire it ten times more-"

Ichigo's brown eyes widened in surprise as he realized what his hollow meant before he even finished the statement.

'-And that includes her...'

-o-

Rukia pulled away from his embrace to look up at Hichigo.

She knew what he meant.

Ichigo must have finished his training...

She felt conflicted… She was ecstatic to know that Ichigo was coming back, but a part of her couldn't help but feel sad to know that her companion of two weeks would have to go away because of it. She attempted to hide her sorrow and smiled at him.

Hichigo chuckled lowly at her smile and wiped the stray tear that fell from her big amethyst eyes.

Once the tear was gone, he cupped her chin gently.

"I need something to remember you by-" he whispered huskily, leaning in closer to her.

Rukia's breath hitched in her throat as his free hand crept up to hold the back of her head.

He was holding her so tenderly. As if she was the most precious thing in the world to him…

"-It's the only way I'll be able to pass the time in that side-ways world." He finished before he pulled her face up to crash his lips against his in a scorching kiss.

Their lips fit together perfectly… Like they were made for each other.

Rukia found herself returning the kiss with as much fervor as him, opening her mouth to invite in his blue demon-tongue to dance with hers.

It felt as though he were ravishing her completely with his kiss!

It was incredible!

Her hands reached out to twist her fingers in his white hair, trying to pull him closer to her.

-o-

Hichigo was making the best of his final moments as he felt the last of his control fading.

Ichigo was fighting back for control even harder as he watched his inner hollow kiss Rukia.

Finally, the hollow-man pulled away to stare down at her through his own eyes one last time.

After the stunt he had just pulled, he doubted the king would ever let him out again…

"Rukia-" he said tenderly, speaking her name out-loud for the first time, "-My Queen."

His control slipped away as he finished speaking.

-o-

Rukia resisted the urge to call out Hichigo's name as he made the switch with Ichigo.

Her eyes were full of unshed tears and she was blushing madly.

She looked down at the floor as Ichigo returned.

She was ashamed.

Did Ichigo know she had just done with his inner-hollow?

Did he know she had enjoyed it?

Would he hate her for it?

Were her lips swollen?

Was she blushing?

Would it be written on her forehead that her first kiss had been with the hollow of the man she was love with?

She bit her bottom lip as she heard Ichigo curse loudly.

She wanted to shrink away and hide herself when she saw him punch a hole through the wooden floor angrily.

Was he that repulsed by her?

Hesitantly, she lifted her head to stare at him, mentally preparing herself for his hatred.

She wasn't ready for what she saw.

Oh he was angry all right, but Rukia knew that look. She knew what it meant.

Jealousy.

She hadn't been expecting that!

She felt her heart swell with joy.

That meant Ichigo had feelings for her!

Before she could open her mouth to confess her true feelings for him, Ichigo spoke.

"God damn that Hichigo! I swear I'll kill em' next time I see him!" he said angrily.

Rukia couldn't help the smirk that appeared on her face.

Ichigo's ears were turning red he was so angry!

"That stupid hollow! I was supposed to kiss you first!" he declared.

It was Rukia's turn to become red now, from embarrassment.

She was so flustered; she couldn't defend herself when the hotheaded, orange-haired man pounced on her.

He pinned her beneath him on the cool wooden floor with ease.

Before she could protest, he brought his lips down to hers in a passionate kiss.

Any words she had quickly turned into moans as she melted in his hold. Her mind was reduced to putty as the man she loved kissed her.

When they finally pulled away from each other from lack of oxygen, she was surprised to see him scowling intently at her.

"You're mine goddamnit! You got that you little midget?"

Rukia felt her face turning red again, but this time from anger.

"W-why you arrogant-"

He silenced her with another heated kiss.

"I'm in love with you, Rukia Kuchiki." He declared boldly as he pulled away from her again.

Rukia smiled but rolled her eyes at him.

"Baka!"

-o-

-o-

-o-

-o-

-o-

I know what you're all thinking! Where is the lemon? You lied to us, you crazy b*tch!

Now, before you stone me to death, it's coming! Honest!

I just wanted to dedicate it its own separate chapter is all…

I shall post it tomorrow! Scout's honor! (Never mind that I was never a scout…)

Read, fav., review, and follow!

Hekka! Thank you for your review, and about your question, I don't think Rukia (having grown up the times she did) has much (if any) knowledge about the male anatomy, but I do think she would gawk at a naked man simply out of curiosity and shock. Lol :)

yagami rin, the lemon is coming! And I'm sorry I didn't write the fight scene between Hichigo and Dark Rukia… -_- I just thought it'd be too embarrassing to Hichigo to write about him getting his ass kicked! ;)

RoXas Obivion Oathkeeper, the morning scene was my favorite part too! Haha! I'm sad it's ending myself; I've really enjoyed writing this story. So… there will be one more chapter! :D

Also thank you to all the lovely peoples that sent me messages!

*Also, I'm already working on some new stories!* Including one (IchixRuki) that's almost finished/ready to be posted. I'll have more details in the last chapter!

~Lisa