Again! I do not own the characters of Bleach, and I also do NOT own this story. This story is the property of another author. I just loved this story so much that I put it up, hoping that the author would come claim it and also upload the sequel.

It's already evening; the sky was crimson from the sunset. Ichigo sat eating some noodles, replaying Rukia's embrace over and over again in his mind. Light knocking came on the door.

"Hey Renji" Ichigo greeted his friend, who strolled in with a bag of DVD's and lots of junk food.

"Rukia's gone already?" the red head asked taking the contents out of the bag. "Yeah she had to go back" Ichigo replied sipping on the soup. For some reason he felt edgy around Renji, probably because of his intimate embrace with Rukia and tried to avoid his best friends gaze.

"I've heard the Vizards got involved" Ichigo began trying to avoid the subject concerning Rukia "I've met Shinji once, cool guy-"

"You like her don't you?" Renji asked looking closely at his friend who avoided his look, by stuffing his face with noodles

"Shinji? Nah man, I know I hit my head pretty hard but I still like girls-"

"I'm talking about Rukia you douche bag!" Renji snapped at his ridiculousness, or avoidance.

Ichigo thought for a moment and looked back at the sunset.

"What makes you think that?"

"Please, a blind man could see you're in love with her" Renji snickered

"Oh yeah? Then if you knew I loved her why did you ask her out?" Ichigo snapped. Renji guilty played with the DVD box.

"You've always beat me in everything" Renji confessed, referring to long, ongoing rivalry the two of them had "with fighting, with girls, with business, with everything. It's just that…I thought if I went out with her, I would have something that you don't. I've been stupid; I know I shouldn't have used her like that. It's just for the first time I've had something that doesn't belong to you and was unreachable to you-"

"Something?" Ichigo flared

"I-I meant someone, listen I'm sorry Ichigo, I just couldn't help it, I've been a jealous prick. But I've realized that I didn't win in the end, she fancies you like mad"

Before both of them could continue their conversation there was a slight bang and fast footsteps echoing down the hall leading away from the room. Confused, Renji and Ichigo tried to figure out who was running furiously down the hospital hall

"Oi Rukia-chan what's wrong, w-where are you going?" Isshin surprised voice echoed down the hall.

"Oh shit!" two voices said in unison.

I ran as fast as my feet could carry me, I heard Renji, Isshin and Kurosaki call after me and ran even faster. I ran and ran until I felt my lungs on fire. Tears were pouring down my face, I didn't know which hurt more, my feet my lungs or my heart. I ran until I realized where I was. I was at the old, abandoned playground in which I spent my childhood. Miserably I made my way towards the rusty swing and sat down.

The conversation replayed in my mind. I felt like the dumbest, most low-self esteemed girl in the entire cosmos. Great, here I am wallowing in self-pity in the middle of nowhere and it's getting pretty dark.

I didn't know what to think, I remember I was making my way to the hospital room and froze when I heard Kurosaki raise his voice and stopped in my tracks. And the next thing I knew I heard the most painful words come out of Renji's mouth. But I'm not heart-broken. I'm just miserable, but deep inside I think I was expecting this. Things with Renji were too perfect. And if a relationship is perfect- then it's not a relationship.

I heard a car screech, the headlights blinded me for a moment. The car engine died and a figure stepped out of the car.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't a little mouse hiding in a dump" a disgusting voice slithered through the darkness. I haven't realized the sun already set, and immediately stood up looking at my watch. I took big steps away from the figure, I knew who it was, and it was the last person I wanted and expected to see.

"Rukia, don't shy away, let's have a little chat"

"Leave me alone, Nnoitora" I spat trying to walk away. He violently grabbed my wrist and jerked me to turn around.

"Not so fast mafia princess, you took away my girlfriend" he said without a single sadness in his voice, he was sadistically amused and I was going to hurl.

"I didn't take anything away from you, let me go!" I tried yanking back my hand. He shoved me against the fence. "Feisty. I like that" he growled leaning in and pinning me harshly against the metal trellis.

He leaned in; I turned away from his face without hiding my absolute disgust. "Imagine how notorious my name will be if I harmed the sister of Don Kuchiki, or better yet imagine the face of Abarai and Kurosaki when they find out I took your virginity" he said in his screeching voice sending a suggestive look at my breasts. Goose bumps from fear ran down my spine and I began to thrash away violently, the metal fence bounded and clicked from jerks.

"Stop it, leave me alone!" I screamed as his hand fiddled with my buttons. I took a deep breath and yelled out Kurosaki's voice at the top of my lungs. Nothing happened. My voice just disappeared into the night, dissolved into a meaningless echo. I tried to fight back, punch him, knee him down there, anything, but he was just too huge and brawny. My meager attempts amused him further. I sudden force made my body jerk back and next thing I know Nnoitora is thrown onto the ground with a powerful force.

My eyes widened in happiness. "Kurosaki" I whispered, but paralyzed from fear slid down the cool metal and watched Kurosaki beating him to pulp

"Fuck, you dirty fuck, you piece of shit" Kurosaki yelled throwing the hardest punches. Nnoitora didn't have time to react between the punches. New fear took gripped me. Kurosaki's anger management took over him, his anger was controlling him. His eyes held blood thirst; I've never seen him so angry.

I ran up to him trying to push him away "Kurosaki, stop! Stop it! You're going to kill him!" I shrieked trying to pry him off.

"Good" Kurosaki barked ignoring me. Nnoitora managed to grab his zanpaktou but Kurosaki didn't falter and blocked the attack with his own zanpaktou. Suddenly I heard an eerie laugh from Kurosaki. It didn't sound like him, and the reiatsu was suffocating me. It was a reiatsu of an Arrancar. With one slash Nnoitora's blood gushed onto the concrete. Nnoitora was badly injured and half of Kurosaki's face was covered in a mask. A mask of a hollow.

I didn't know what was going on. This is was a bad, terrifying nightmare, it must be and it was surreal, unreal- petrifying

"Ichigo, please stop!" I begged clutching onto his shirt trying to pull him away. He turned around with a sinister grin on his face

"Ichigo? Oh you mean the pussy who can't even confess to you? Hahaha! Oi Ichigo! Let me show you how this is done" yelled whatever this person was; his voice was almost supernatural, like an electronic echo. His grin widened as he approached me "Hey, you're not a bad catch, King you better be watching this"

I was guessing he was talking to Kurosaki. What was this? The reiatsu was reeking of Hollow. Maybe this was his alter ego? A monster born from his pent up anger? A demon? I didn't have time to evaluate, he grabbed my shoulders, the black and golden eyes were incisive and frightening "I ain't Ichigo, but I'll leave a little present" he said and locked his lips with my neck. His hot mouth sucked on my skin, his teeth lightly grazed it.

"Get off! GET OFF!" I screamed pushing the monster away. "Ichigo please!"

He stepped away suddenly, and was clutching his face. The eerie screech was blasting though the playground until the mask shattered. Kurosaki lay down on the concrete, panting, his chest heaving up and down "fucking bastards, isn't there a limit to fucktards per evening?" he asked catching he breath and frowning at the sky.

I cautiously crawled to his side "I-Ichigo?" I whispered, inspecting. I could see his exhausted face under the moonlight. He looked at me and stretched out his hand. I slightly flinched, he immediately pulled away, I wasn't sure if it was him or not. I could see his eyes glistening, he choked and swallowed. Was he crying? I jumped as he slammed his fist onto the ground and sat up holding his head in his hands

"Shit, shit, shit" he began to almost chant the word. "Rukia, I'm so sorry" he finally said breathing unsteadily.

"What was that?" I asked my throat dry and raspy from so much screaming and crying. He shook his head and gave a bleak shrug. He turned around to meet my eyes, his looked slightly red.

"Are you okay?" he asked, I gave a curt nod. I touched my neck and felt the unevenness on the skin, it was a small hickey. "Can I see?" he murmured stretching out his hand. I pulled my hair to the other and tilted my head. He stretched out his hand and traced the skin down my neck

He then laced his fingers around the back of my neck and pulled me in. I stopped breathing

"I-Ichigo?" I piped as his face leaned into my neck. It felt like bolts of electricity shot through me as his lips connected to my hickey. I think I'm going to faint. His breath tickled my neck and I wanted to squeal from delight. It was ticklish and it felt nice

"I'm sorry Rukia, that night Tousen said something about Hollowfication-…never mind…just as long as your okay, it doesn't matter" he muttered in a regrettable voice. He sighed and pulled away laying back on the ground. I hugged my knees and we both looked up to the sky. The moon was glowing on the indigo sky. There weren't many stars and no clouds. It was beautiful.

"You know…I haven't heard you call me by my first time since…like forever" he said with a smile tugging on his lips. I rolled my eyes

"Don't get used to it, Kurosaki". He pretended to pout and looked back at the moon.

"Does this place bring any memories?" I asked beaming and looking down at him. He smiled back

"Plenty"

"I still remember how you threw me into Toushiro" I frowned. He laughed at the memory.

"You know what I remember?" he questioned propping himself up on his elbows. I quirked my eyebrow, waiting for his recollection. He grinned "the time I kissed you"

It was my turn to laugh, yeah I remembered. We were six. I think I cried when he did. "You stole my first kiss" I reproached. He grinned in satisfaction, "Hey I was born to be Casanova"

"You were born to be an asshole"

"Ouch"

"What are we going to do with Nnoitora? He's going to bleed to death" I said. Though I didn't mind really.

"Let him" Kurosaki snapped. Well, at least we agreed on something. I felt his cool hand trace over my hand. I looked at him

"Are you okay, about Renji?" he asked holding my hand. I sighed and lay back on the rough surface of the concrete next to him

"I think I was kind of expecting that. I'm just…I knew it was too good to be true. I've been dumped beautifully"

"Sarcasm isn't a desirable trait in a lady, Rukia" Kurosaki commented.

"Pssh, it's not like I'm desirable in the first place". Kurosaki sat up, his face was half shadowed from the moon's beam. The wind slightly ruffled his hair.

"You have no idea how desirable you are" he stated. I looked away blushing muttering a 'yeah right' under my breath. "Besides, it's my fault this happened. I shouldn't have arranged that date, and I should have been a better friend to Renji…and you"

I wiped away a tear.

"Rukia, how much of the conversation did you hear?" he asked. I recalled the past event.

"I came when Renji began listing things, I think it was girls, fighting, and business and then he went on about how he used me to beat you in whatever it was, then I left when he said that I fancy you like mad. Which I don't" I answered a bit too rushed at the end.

"I see…" he said more to himself, laying back down and looking at the sky. "You didn't hear anything before that?" he rechecked. I shook my head.

Few cars cruised onto the parking lot. It was the Kuchiki's luxury rides, the powerful engine could be heard miles away. I saw Youruichi and Urahara come out of the first car, Matsumoto and Shunshui from the other car. Chad and other security guards came out of the third one.

"My, my, we leave you kids for a day unsupervised and you managed to make a mess. God, teenagers and their hormones" Urahara grumbled walked past us and having a look at Nnoitora.

For a moment I was irritated, irritated that our moment of peace was interrupted because it looked like Kurosaki wanted to say something, but decided not to when Uncle Sandals interrupted

After so much that's happened, going back to high school was ubber weird. I came out of the car and bid Chad farewell. I was instantly glomped by my friends. Inoue's melons crushed my skull, soon Tatsuki joined our hug. I didn't really hug Keigo or Ishida, just greeted them.

The populars were laughing at the entrance, kicking a beer can between them. Kurosaki looked like he was in a heated debate with Toushiro, with Senna clutching to his arm, while Grmmjow and Renji kicked the can between them. I regretted even looking in that direction because as soon as I did, Renji caught my eyes.

I turned away and walked on.

"Rukia! Rukia wait!" he yelled behind me. Tatsuki grabbed all of my friends and pushed them forwards.

"Don't run away from your problems" she barked at me leading them away. I let out a defeated sigh and turned around. I could see from my peripheral vision the populars sent curious glances towards our way. Heck, most people crowded around for the mini soap opera that's about to occur.

"You…didn't answer my calls" he said referring to the 27 missed calls.

"Sorry, my phone was on silent" I replied monotonously. He sighed in defeat and looked torn; he didn't know what to say or how to begin explaining anything.

"Look, Rukia, I am so sorry, I was going to tell you…I just, look I've been a total asshole for doing that but this weekend felt so empty without you, I think initially I planned on going out with you for the sake of beating Ichigo, but I think I've fallen for you…do you think we could start again?"

"Are you serious?" I snapped and kicked his shin; he howled and clutched his leg. Grimmjow yowled with laughter. Renji sent him a glare and the glorious middle finger. I looked at him and it suddenly hit me.

I haven't exactly been the fair one here either. At least Renji admitted his faults, though I doubt if I haven't eavesdropped I'd still be going out with him like a moron. But on the other hand, my thoughts were preoccupied with someone else. I was about to kiss that someone while I was going out with Renji, I'm not exactly being fair here am I?

"Okay, I deserved that, I'm sure I deserved a lot worse and I thank you for not aiming at my balls, but Rukia please, I never wanted to hurt you" he explained regaining his composure. I nodded; he looked surprised when I comprehended his words.

"I guess it wasn't meant to be, Renji" I said keeping my voice level "I'm sure you didn't want to hurt me, but you did". He flinched at my honesty.

"Can't you give me another chance?" he asked hopefully. I shook my head. "Why not?"

"Because" I began, my heart slightly drumming from Kurosaki's stare, I allowed myself a small smile "I think I'm in love with someone else. And I think I always have been, it just took time for me to realize, and you helped me realize it"

He sighed in defeat and looked hurt for a moment, a wound for a wound I guess. Then he looked up smiling "well I'm glad you realized it"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh come on, it was so obvious you two dig each other when you went out with me" he sneered. I began to splutter

"W-What? You don't even know who I'm talking about, I mean, it could be anyone-"

"Yeah yeah whatever" he said chuckling, I frowned and punched his arm "can I have the honor of at least being friends with you?" he asked rubbing the side of his arm. I stuck my nose up in the air

"I'll consider it"

Like every high school, there is a social food chain. Obviously the populars are the royals; they are the top of the top. Then there are the plastics, it would have been Neliel but now Halibel and her bitches took over. Then the food chain goes down to different cliques, skaters (Ganju and his weird friends on skateboards which have stickers warthogs, Ganju has a name for his skateboard…its Bonnie-chan…please don't ask), down to emos, goths, nerds and even when you think you climbed down the ladder of the social food chain to find misfits like me and my friends, guess what, there are even lower groups. There would be losers, then psychos, there would even be teachers.

Let's ponder, what on earth could go lower than teachers? There is the freakin' janitor, there is even canteen food and then we get to the bottom of the food chain- its one and only Hanatarou Yamada.

He is standing in front of me, shaking as if I'm going to eat him any moment.

"A-ano R-R-Rukia-san?" he spluttered looking at the ground. I gave an encouraging smile waiting for the last 5 minutes which felt like decades for him to say something.

"W-Would y-you be my date f-for prom, I mean a-as f-f-friends?" he squawked. I could swear he was going to faint any moment now. I looked down the hall, Ichigo was leaning against the lockers and a girl was confessing to him. His look was indifferent. I gulped at the thought of confessing to him, not that I would probably want to, when he has that gorgeous girlfriend of his, Senna. The girl ran away in tears as she dropped her love letter. Just like me, Senna observed the scene from far away, and in a feline way swaying her hips, pleased with what she was seeing, made her way towards him.

"That would be nice" I replied gently, incase he seizes with a heart attack. He let out a long sigh of relief and gave a quick bow

"T-Thank you, Rukia-san!" he said running off to his next lesson. Closing my locker, I hugged my books into my chest and made my way to my next lesson.

Oh crap, I was going to be late. I didn't even have time to gather speed in my pace when I collided with someone. I lost my balance but someone's hand firmly supported around my waist and the crash of the books ricocheted through the empty hall.

"Watch where you're going, midget" Kurosaki's voice scolded

"You bumped into me, carrot top" I snapped pushing him away, but his grip around my waist tightened. His eyes narrowed

"Are you going to prom with Renji?" he asked the proximity of our bodies made me blush.

"I don't think its any of your business with whom I go with" I replied coolly while my heart was going insane. "But no, I'm not going with Renji. Am I right in guessing your going with Senna?"

He looked away releasing me from his grip "W-Well yeah I guess, she is my…girlfriend" he said the words with sourness. I felt a light stab but decided to brush it off, he helped me pick up my books and I continued my way towards to class room.

"Who are you going with?"

"Hanatarou Yamada" I composedly replied before entering the classroom

"WHAT?" he exploded outraged.