AN: Warning – this chapter contains lemons... A small lemon… (Who came up with that? How can someone even associate the two? A lemon is equal to sex… uh-huh… "Honey, let's have lemons tonight!" Yeah… He would look at me like I lost my mind…)

Seriously – does anyone know why it's referred to as a lemon? And what's a lime? Darn, now I need to go make some lemonade… Or does that have a double meaning to? I'm so confused…

And I just noticed the rating for this story is a T – Since writing this chapter I changed it to M… Sorry about that. It's a very small lemon, but enough to make it an M…

And Happy Birthday to me! As a flip I'm giving you an extra long chapter...


Chapter 9

"Never. I will never let you go; I will never leave you behind! I love you, Rukia."

She stopped hitting him and looked at him. She was about to tell him if that were true he would have said it sooner but her voice caught. His eyes stopped her. She knew he was serious.

"If you love me then you will leave me here. You have to go back. You can't stay here. What are you supposed to do, live out here in this cave for the rest of your life?"

"We could go back to the Forrest of Menos. Try and find Ashido's hide out. I mean, he was able to live here for over 100 years, right?"

Rukia gave him an odd look. "The exit was blocked off, remember?"

"So we keep going, we'll find other shelter."

"Ichigo…" She said as she looked at him. "We need to go back. We'll find one of them, make them open a Garganta and…"

"And what? Don't even think you're going to send me back without you." He said as he put his arm around her small waist. "We've talked about this before. Even if I were to leave you, how are you going to survive? Alone?" He shook his head.

"Why do you have to be such a stubborn fool!"

"Why do you?" he countered. She looked at him, shocked.

"You have to defeat Aizen. That's what's important."

"I will, but I will do it here," he said more determined than ever. Rukia felt the familiar feeling course though her. He radiated confidence, assurance. Just like when he rescued her. How she admired him. How she loved him. Baka.

" You have to save your family, your friends, everyone you love and care about."

"What about you? I love and care about you," he said.

"I'm not as important as they are."

"The hell you're not!" He said as he shook her slightly. "If the situation was reversed would you leave me?" He knew the answer before she said it. She had already proven that. She had ample opportunity to escape and avoid those experiments, but because of him, she chose to stay. His mind was blown away.

"No," she said without hesitation.

"Then how can you possibly expect me to leave you here?"

"That's different…"

"How?" He demanded.

"You have your father, you have your sisters, you have your friends who love and care about you," she said as she thought of Inoue. "You have a future! You're still a human with a long life to live."

Ichigo shook his head. "My sisters have my father, my friends have each other. They don't need me. Not as much as I need you."

Rukia looked at him. "You can't stay here and I can't go with you," she said sadly. Ichigo pulled her in and tightened his arms around her.

"I'll find a way," he said as he brought his mouth down and covered hers.

"Ichigo…" she gasped between kisses. She slipped her tiny arms around him and tilting her head. Heat coursed through her body from his kiss, she moaned softly.

Ichigo broke the kiss and looked into her violet orbs. One emotion stood out among the rest. Desire. That was all he needed to see as he scooped her up and brought her back inside the cave. He gently laid her down on the floor by the back wall where they slept earlier. He kissed her again. This time it was deeper, more urgent. He felt her tiny hands working the knot on his clothing. His erection grew.

She felt the fire in her belly grow as he kissed her. Her body responded with such urgency it shocked her. She was fumbling with his knot before she knew what she was doing.

He brought his hands up and slipped one through the fabric of the Arrancar uniform and cupped her breast. She moaned at his touch and arched her back. He kissed her then moved his mouth to her breast. She finished with the knot and gave it a tug; his hakama fell to his knees. She looked down and saw that he was at full attention.

Ichigo quickly sat up, pulling her dress with him, leaving her bare and exposed. She looked at him with huge violet eyes. He paused as he saw the extent of her bruises. She was covered from head to toe. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. She pulled on what was left of his tattered kosode. He gave her a soft smile before shrugging it off.

Rukia brought her legs up and wrapped them around his torso as he lay back down on top of her. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him into another kiss. She entwined his hair between her fingers as she traced his lips with her tongue.

Ichigo couldn't stand the strain any more. He settled himself between her thighs and paused at her entrance. He opened his eyes, making sure she was ok. He gasped as she brought her hips up, taking him inside. She cried out as he filled her.

"Are you ok?" He asked, concerned.

"I'm fine! I'm fine," she breathed.

Slowly and gently, he pumped in and out of her, being careful not to hurt her. Her already tight walls clamped down as she let out a moan. Ichigo picked up the pace a bit. He couldn't believe how wonderful this felt. She was beautiful and she was his. He claimed her mouth again as his climax started to build. Rukia gasped and called his name as she was consumed by wave after wave of pleasure. Hearing her call his name was enough to send him over the edge as he spilled his seed into her.

Spent and trying to catch his breath, he rolled over so as not to crush her. He pulled her naked body close. Rukia curled up and snuggled against his warmth. She took comfort in the rhythm of his beating heart. She didn't want to think about the future when she would send him back.

"Ichigo?" she whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you," she said as she closed her eyes.

"Che," he said as he played with her hair. "That's my line."

They lay together each taking comfort in the other as they drifted off to sleep.


"Kurosaki-kun!'

Ichigo opened his eyes. Inoue was standing next to his bed, her soft grey eyes on his.

"Rukia?" He blinked a few times, trying to clear his eyes and his mind. "Inoue," he said when he realized it was her that was staring at him. He was back in his room. He looked out the window. The sun was just starting to set. He remembered his previous dream. His friends, his father…Rukia wasn't alive in this dream. He blinked a few more times before sitting up.

"Kurosaki-kun?" She was instantly by his side, holding his hand. He looked over at Inoue. Was it Inoue? His mind asked him. He felt her arms around him as she threw herself at him.

"I'm so thankful you're awake!" she said.

"Inoue," he said as he gently pried her off of him.

"I w-w-was s-s-o w-w-worried! You k-keep passing out and l-leaving us!" She said. Ichigo eyed the orange haired girl. She looked horrible. She was tired and worn.

"Inoue, how long have you been here?" She blushed.

"Since you defeated Aizen. Your father was kind enough to let me stay here and watch over you. I…um…I brought you something to eat," she said as she picked up a bowl of rice that was sitting on his desk.

"I'm not hungry," he said, turning to looking outside.

"Kurosaki-kun, it's been a really long time since you've eaten. Even when you woke up last time…"

"How long was I out?"

"A few days."

Ichigo closed his eyes. The dream was moving forward in time? He shook his head. Aizen had to be behind this. But that would mean he was back in his lab. That would mean they were caught. He had to find a way out. He wouldn't let them hurt Rukia again.

He turned and swung his legs out of bed.

"Wh-Where are you going?" Inoue said.

"I'm getting up." As he stood, his legs were wobbly. Inoue gently pushed him back onto the bed.

"Please don't do that. You need to gain your strength first. Here," she said as she picked up the bowl again. She used the hashi and brought some rice up to his mouth for him to eat. Ichigo looked at the food before looking at her.

"I told you, I'm not eating." After what happened in the cell, he didn't trust eating anything. Tears welled up in her eyes. He saw the concern in them and looked away. "Where's Aizen?"

Inoue was shocked by the question.

"He-he's in Soul Society. He-he's been locked up since you defeated him." Ichigo looked at her. The same feeling he had of this being "right" returned. He pushed it aside. He needed to see Rukia. Being immune, she would be able to tell him what was going on.

Ichigo watched for what seemed like a long time before he said, "Tell me, what happened after my fight with Nnoitora?"

Inoue sat down in the chair by his bed. She wasn't sure if she should tell him everything, but maybe it would help him remember. Maybe it would help him accept that Rukia was gone and that he could move on. Maybe he would move on with her. Yes, he would grieve for Rukia, but she would be there for him every minute of every day. She would support him and love him and one day, when he was ready, he would move on and leave the memory of Rukia behind. He would move on with her.

"Kenpachi-taicho came and finished the fight. Nel, me and you – "

"No," he said as he cut her off. "I mean, what happened to Rukia?"

Orihime swallowed her jealousy and looked at him. "She was hurt pretty badly after her fight with the Espada. Kuchiki-taicho came and rescued her from the others that were sent to finish her off. Insane-sama healed her. She joined back up with Sado-kun and Abarai-kun and they fought Yammy. That was when you were fighting Ulquiorra.

"Yammy easily defeated Abarai-kun and Sado-kun. You had transformed back from your o-o-other f-form and left me with Ishida. You saved Rukia. Kenpachi-taicho and Kuchiki-taicho took on Yammy as the others showed up. You and Unohana went back to Karakura to defeat Aizen.

After you left, it was decided that the weird taicho with the make-up would stay behind and work on a way to get the rest of us back. We split up into two groups to take care of the rest of Aizen's forces. One group stayed behind and helped to defend our area while the others went out. Rukia went with them while I stayed behind. When they came back months later, they were bloody and bruised. I had to heal them, but Kuchiki-san wasn't with them. I asked what happened and that's when Kuchiki-taicho told me she was gone."

Tears were streaming down her face as she finished her tale. She noticed his body was rigid, his hands fisted. "Months? They were there for months?"

"They endured battle after battle. Kuchiki-san and Abarai-kun went out on a scouting mission. It was then Kuchiki-san was overtaken. Abarai-kun tried to help her, tried to save her, but he was overpowered himself. If they hadn't brought him back when they did, I wouldn't have been able to heal him in time."

"Did they…did they bring…"

Her eyes widened, "No. They said…they said…" Inoue broke down and couldn't say anymore. Ichigo was patient and waited while she composed herself. "Kuchiki-taicho said there were so many of them. If they didn't get Abarai-kun back, they would have lost him. Kuchiki-san was too far into the mass, he couldn't reach her."

Ichigo closed his eyes. A choice was made between Renji and Rukia. Renji was chosen and Rukia was left there to suffer her fate of being torn apart and eaten by hollows. Ichigo was beyond furious. He had to keep reminding himself that this was an illusion or a dream. He was still in the cave, he just finished making love to her, she was still alive, she was still with him. He choked back the anger and intense sadness that was threatening to overtake him. She was alive, she was alive, he chanted in his mind.

"You were so brave to face Aizen. You trained inside your inner world for three months. You and your Zanpaktou-" Inoue said as she tried to shift the focus away from Rukia.

"Why were they there for so long without back up?"

Inoue stopped. "There was no one to send…"

"What were you and Ishida doing while they were cleaning up?" He asked as his eyes narrowed.

"I-I-I wanted to h-help, b-but they wouldn't let me. I had to st-stay with Ishida-kun and heal him."

"Heal him from what?"

"F-From you."

Ichigo jumped back in surprise. "Me?"

"Y-your h-hollow," she said as fresh tears streamed down her face.

In a flash, scenes from his fight with Ulquiorra went through his mind. How he died, how he heard Inoue's scream, how his hollow took over. He shook his head. More images came to him, his meeting with his father, being in his inner world with Zangetsu, his final move that defeated Aizen. He remembered it all.

"No," he whispered, "It's not true!" He said as he shook his head. Aizen! It had to be him! He planted these memories in his mind. He…he… He looked at Inoue.

"Take me to Urahara-san. I want to go to Soul Society." Her grey eyes widened.

"You can't!"

"Why?"

"You lost your Shinigami powers when you defeated Aizen," she said as she started to cry. "Please! You have to remember!"

Ichigo sighed.

"It didn't matter when you guys came with me to rescue Rukia. If you were able to go then, I should be able to go now."

"I'm afraid that's not possible," Urahara said as he came in. "When your friends went with you, they had abilities of their own. You have nothing."

Ichigo's eyes narrowed. "Then find a way!"

Kisuke snapped open his fan and put it in front of his face. "What do you hope to accomplish?"

"I'm going to put an end to these illusions. I'll make them pay for everything they've done to everyone I care about!" He said as he stood back up.

"What illusions?"

"This, here."

Kisuke's eyebrows went up. "You think this is one of Aizen's illusions?" He almost laughed if he didn't think Ichigo really believed it. Inoue gasped.

"I know it is. You might as well bring him out." Ichigo said.

"I can't do that. He's in Soul Society, like I said. You defeated him, like we've said."

"No!" He said as his hands clenched.

"Aizen has been brought in and tried for his crimes before the Central 46. He has been sentenced and is currently serving his punishment. I assure you, he isn't going anywhere." Kisuke said as he father came in and stood behind him. "You've done us all a great service, which is why I am here at your father's request. There were many casualties during the war; unfortunately Kuchiki-san was one of them. However, thanks to you a lot of people, Shinigami and humans, were saved."

Ichigo shook his head. "I was just with her," he whispered. His fingers tingled at the remembrance of her skin beneath his. "This has to be a dream, an illusion…"

"I assure you, it's not," he replied.

Ichigo looked into his father's sad eyes. It felt real, yet… He put his hands to his now hurting head. It felt like it was splitting apart.

"Ichigo…"

He heard a faint voice, it was small and sounded scared. "Did you hear that?" he asked his father. "AAAAGGGGGG!" He screamed as he fell back against the bed.

"Kurosaki-kun!" Inoue yelled.

"Ichigo!"

He opened his eyes. "Ru-Rukia…" he said before his eyes rolled to the back of his head as he passed out.


"I'm worried about Kurosaki-kun," Inoue said, trying to blink back tears that were forming in her grey eyes.

"I know you are," Isshin said as he patted her hand, "We're doing everything we can to figure this out."

"What if he's hurt? What if he never accepts she's gone?" She asked as she lost the battle with her tears.

"He'll be fine," he promised. He looked at his son who seemed to be sleeping peacefully after the odd way he passed out. All of his vitals were normal. He was hooked up to a small IV so that he wouldn't dehydrate.

There was a small knock at the door.

"Ishida-kun!" Inoue said as she ran to him.

"Kurosaki-san, Inoue-san," he said as he gave the appropriate greeting. "I heard our hero woke up?"

"Yeah," Isshin said as he gave a short version of what happened. Isshin looked at the young archer. "When you're done with your visit, I would like to have a word with you before you go." He said quietly as he passed him on the way out of room. Inoue had gone back his Ichigo's bedside and continued her watch, oblivious to Isshin's leaving.

Ishida turned to reply, but the man had already left. He looked at the orange haired woman bent over the man in bed and gave a sad smile. "How are you today, Inoue-san?" He asked gently.

"I-I'm ok. But…"

"But?"

"The way Kurosaki-kun talked about Kuchiki-san, about her still being alive, about him just seeing her…" Tears started to fall again. "What's he going to do once he accepts the truth that she's gone?"

Ishida sighed. "I don't know. As his friends all we can do is be there for him and give him as much support as he'll need."

She nodded in response.

"I'll stop back by tomorrow. You should go home and get some rest."

She nodded again although he knew she wouldn't leave his side. He opened the door and went downstairs to find the elder Kurosaki sitting at the kitchen table. He sat across from him.

"Kisuke has been working on a few theories and is calling a meeting later tonight to go over it. As his friend, I thought you might want to be there."

"Not Inoue-san?"

Isshin smiled sadly, "I don't think I would be able to pry her from his room long enough to go. That might not be a bad thing though depending on what Kisuke has to say."

Ishida nodded.


"Ichigo…"

"Ichigo, please! Wake up!" Rukia said. Ichigo opened his eyes. He breathed a small sigh of relief as he stared into her violet orbs.

"Rukia?"

"Ichigo, thank god you woke up!" She said she sat back. She was dressed and staring at him.

"What happened?"

"I couldn't wake you up. There's some hollow activity in the distance. I don't know how much time we'll have before they're here."

Ichigo sat up and quickly put the rest of his clothes back on. He grabbed his Zanpaktou and headed to the mouth of the cave.

"Ichigo…There's something I need to tell you."

He scanned the never ending darkness and was able to make out a small dust cloud in the distance. Skirmishes…Someone was fighting. He turned and looked at his partner. She was holding her Zanpaktou in an odd fashion. She looked at him with a helpless look in her eye.

"I can't get to my inner word. Sode no Shirayuki doesn't answer when I try calling. I can't… I can't release Shikai."

Ichigo was surprised, "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "When we retrieved our Zanpaktous I thought something felt different. Something was off. I didn't feel connected with her," she indicated to her sword, "It felt empty and soulless. Ichigo, it feels the same as when I transferred my powers to you."

"But you can still do kido?"

"Yes, but the level has been greatly reduced."

"We'll figure it out. We'll go back to the lab and…"

"And what? Ask Granz to put me back to the way I was?" She squeezed her eyes shut. It was one thing to get Ichigo back to his world and be alone, but to be alone and not be able to fight…

Ichigo wracked his overly tired brain. No matter what they did, they would have to go back to Los Noches. He would rather have waited until they were both able to fight at full capacity, but with this new development, he wasn't sure that would happen. He looked at Rukia who was looking at her Zanpaktou. What the hell did they do to her?

"How are you feeling?"

She looked at him. "I'm fine. A little tired, but better." Ichigo looked outside of the cave again. The dust cloud was a little closer.

"We had better head out if we want to avoid whatever that is," he said as he hung Zangetsu on his back. Rukia nodded as she sheathed her sword.

The pair set out in the opposite direction.


"You've had long enough to figure this out. What the hell is going on?" Isshin demanded. They were at Urahara's shop in one of the back rooms. There was a table with a tea set on it. Four cups were poured. Isshin, Ishida, Kisuke and Byakuya were sitting around the table.

"He believes with his entire soul that Rukia is alive," Kisuke said as he tiled his head down, hat covering his eyes. "In a way, he may be right." Byakuya put down the tea cup and stared at the ex-captain.

"It was something I was working on alongside the Hogyoku project. I knew I would never be allowed to test on human souls so I came up with the idea of creating an inter-dimensional split."

"You think Rukia is trapped in another dimension?" Byakuya asked.

"Where Aizen is still running around?" Isshin asked.

"Yes. Ichigo remembers his mission up to a certain point. According to the time line and data gathered from the 12th, this would have put it a while after Rukia ended her fight with the Espada. Now, suppose instead of you and the others getting there in time to save them," he looked at Byakuya, "Rukia was captured and brought in for an experiment. Something happens and a new dimension is created. The current time line proceeds and plays out as we know it. In the other dimension, something else played out entirely. Ichigo said Rukia was being tortured and experimented on so there is no telling what kind of progress they have made with the Hogyoku by now."

"That crazy!" Isshin said.

"The war is still going on over there," Kisuke tried to continue.

"What proof do you have?"

"None, only Ichigo's word and my own notes. For some reason, Ichigo is able to pass through to the other dimension through consciousness."

"So he has a body here and one there?" Ishida asked.

"Something like that."

"When he said he was just with my sister…"

"He really was. Only in another dimension."

"Rukia…" Byakuya said.

"Is there a way to bring her over?" Isshin asked. Kisuke looked at him.

"No. Theoretically, she would need a body here to share a conscious with."

"A gigai?"

"Is not the same. A gigai needs a soul just like a conscience. I can't build her a soul."

"How do we keep Ichigo from jumping between dimensions?"

"There's a spell I've been working on along with a drug that would sever his connection. However, once he's here, he won't be able to go back. The spell would, in fact, destroy the other dimension and everything…and everyone, in it."

The room was quiet.

"No."

All eyes turned to Byakuya.

"I will not let my sister be destroyed a second time."

"With all due respect, you're missing the point," Ishida said. "That dimension wasn't supposed to exist. By some crazy accident, it does. We can't afford to let it continue. If the Aizen over there figures it out, he could find a way of coming over here. It'll be war all over again. We have to destroy it now while we still can."

Byakuya closed his eyes before standing. "I will inform Soul Society of this new development. If Aizen figures this out, there could still be some kind of trouble. We should prepare ourselves. Until I return, you are to do nothing to that dimension." He said with his cold grey eyes fixated on Kisuke.

He nodded in return, "You have my word."

Byakuya opened the gate to Soul Society and left.