At the Soul Society shortly after Ichigo's death

Rukia stared out the window in her office, not thinking, or hearing. She didn't notice when one of her subordinates came in. All she cared about was Ichigo and if he was okay.

"Lieutenant?" The subordinate asked.

"What?" Rukia said coming out of her trance. "Oh yes sorry. What is it?"

"I just came here to comfort you. Captain Kurosaki will be just fine. He's very strong and he has Renji with him."

"You're right I just can't help but wo— " Rukia was interrupted by another subordinate bursting through the doors.

"Lieutenant, I have some bad news regarding Captain Kurosaki."

Back down to Earth

Ichigo lay on his back trying to catch his breath but to no avail. Renji stood above him his Zabimaru, blocking the wave's attack.

"Renji." Ichigo let out. "How, how did you?" Renji just smiled.

"You should see your face."

Ichigo's eyes widened. The wave caught Renji off guard and pushed him back but held onto his sword. Renji flew back and landed hard against the concrete ground. The wave gave the boys an evil grin and gripped the sword's end. He slashed out the sword. Renji jumped out of the way and Ichigo, on the rebound, rolled away just in time. He got to his feet just in time for the next swing. He moved out of the way of a vital attack but the sword did land hard on his shoulder. The wave pulled the end of the sword, slowly out his shoulder. Ichigo winced and growled in pain. He fell to his knees and placed his hand in his bloody shoulder.

"Ichigo, look out!" Renji called as the wave attacked again.

Even with Renji's warning, Ichigo couldn't move out of the way in time. Renji's zanpakuto hit his chest with full force. Ichigo looked at the sword as it emerged on the other side of his body. Blood oozed out then came out in a river. Ichigo fell to the ground. His eyes stared at the blood and then went blank. The wave smiled then turned to Renji.

"Ichigo!" Renji yelled. He didn't notice the wave at all.

The wave pulled the sword from Ichigo's body and then flung it at Renji. Renji dodged the attack and that was all he could do. The wave kept attacking and Renji kept dodging. Just when the wave finally got Renji cornered they heard a voice.

"All things in the universe turn to ash!" The wave then went up in flames and evaporated. As the last of the wave disappeared, Renji saw Captain Yamamoto standing a few feet away.

He had his captain cloak off and flames were around him.

"Captain Yamamoto." Renji said in disbelief and relief. Standing behind him was Hitsugaya and the other soul reapers that were on this mission.

Back at the Soul Society

Ichigo lay on the ground in front of Rukia. Even if they had gotten him here sooner, the blood loss would have been too great to save him. A tear started to trickle down her cheek as she stared into his pale dead eyes. It was just yesterday, it seemed like only yesterday that they had made all their plans for the future. Their wedding was made in the summer and now it will never be. They were going to spend today just spending time with each other. Before their child arrived. That day would be coming shortly.

"Ichigo! I hate you! Why did you have to die? Ichigo!" Rukia screamed. Then cried in his chest.

After she calmed herself down, Rukia sat up and wiped her tears away.

"So everything you said we'd do, was a lie. You promised me so much and you couldn't keep one of them."She sighed.

Rukia sat where she was even after some soul reapers from the fourth division had come and taken Ichigo away. Renji sat beside her for comfort. They didn't talk and he didn't try to comfort her. All she needed was silence. After hours she looked up at Renji and sad;

"He's really dead isn't he." He only nodded. Rukia tried to hold back her tears but couldn't anymore. She lay her head on Renji's shoulder and let the tears flow.