Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters

So this is chapter 10, the final chapter. I hope you like the ending.
A/N: Thanks for being so patient. Sorry for the wait.

"Ano...excuse me? what do you mean you've got me figured out?" Rukia asked bewilderedly, her confusion winning over her nervousness.

The white-haired man opposite her simply looked at her, a small smile on his flawless face. Rukia could see by the set of his jaw that he was just as stubborn as she was, and he would not explain his statement until he was ready to do so.

"So, Rukia-san, what field are you studying?"

Rukia was taken aback by this sudden change in topic but answered automatically, nonetheless.

"Medicine, but i haven't decided exactly which area i wish to specialize in yet."

"Ah well, no matter, you still have time. Besides, the elders of your family have informed me that after marriage, they see no need for you to pursue a career."

Rukia's knuckles turned white as she clenched her fists tightly and struggled to control her temper.

"Oh? And is that your opinion too Hitsugaya-san? Must a woman lose all independence and give up her dreams after marriage?" she asked, just barely managing to keep her temper in check.

Rukia looked up in shock when she heard the male chuckle softly.

"Of course not Rukia-san! I am a firm believer in gender equality, but your family seems to think that women's sole purpose is to be charming trophy wives, who are versed in etiquette and flower arranging"

Rukia grimaced at his statement , drawing another chuckle from her white-haired date.

"those old geezers!" she said emphatically "they're still stuck in the middle ages!! I must inform you Hitsugaya-san that i fully intend to pursue a medical career and i'm afraid i'd be a horrible 'trophy wife'!"

Hitsugaya Toushiro laughed, and Rukia mused that his laugh was quite pleasant but not the one she longed to hear, before she scolded herself for her wayward thoughts.

"I do not intend to marry a 'trophy wife' Rukia-san. I want to marry someone who i can have intellectual conversations with, and who shares common interests with me. Someone who's not afraid to argue with me about matters she firmly believes in" Aqua eyes stared at her with such intensity that she was forced to look away.

"In fact Rukia-san, you are exactly the type of woman that i could see myself falling in love with" his tone was soft, yet confident.

Rukia gasped softly as she experienced a sinking feeling. She knew she should feel a sense of accomplishment, she had done what she had set out to do. She would bring pride to her family. But all she felt was a dreadful sense of loss as she realized that she would soon become Hitsugaya Rukia...

Hitsugaya Toushiro stared at the beautiful woman sitting across from him. He watched as dozens of emotions played on her face, each one confirming what he had suspected when he first met her.

"Unfortunately Rukia-san" he spoke, his voice cutting through Rukia's inner turmoil. "I don't fancy the idea of marrying a woman whose heart belongs to someone else."

Rukia gasped and looked up in shock. She was so shocked that she didn't even bother to deny his observation.

"Do you mind telling me who the lucky man is?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about Hitsugaya-san" she managed to compose herself enough to answer.

Hitsugaya smiled slightly at the defiant look on her face. She was a fiery one alright.

"Come now, Rukia-san. Please don't insult my intelligence."

Rukia stared at him in shock, as she began to feel the telltale prickling at the corners of her eyes.

Oh no. Here come the waterworks. She thought wryly.

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[At the Kurosaki clinic, Karakura Town]

- ding dong –

Kurosaki Yuzu stuck her head out of the kitchen. "Is any one going to get that? I'm a little busy here!!" she yelled out, sleeves rolled to her elbows, her hands covered in batter.

Then she remembered that only she and Ichigo were home, and answering the door would require Ichigo to leave his room, something he hadn't done since he had arrived. She sighed as she wiped her hands hurriedly on her apron.

- ding dong ding dong ding dong –

The person at the door seemed to have lost patience waiting and was now repeatedly pressing the doorbell. Yuzu sighed again before half running to the front door and flinging it open.

"Yes! May I help you?" she asked impatiently, as she didn't recognize the red-haired man standing in front of her. The tall red-head glared at her furiously, causing her to involuntarily take a step backwards.

"Where is he?!" the stranger asked loudly, his tone betraying his apparent anger. Yuzu just stared at him, confusion written all over her face.

"I'm sorry, i think you have the wrong house. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave before i call –"

The red-haired man cut her off with another furious glare before saying impatiently. "I'm here to see Kurosaki Ichigo. Where. Is. He?"

Yuzu cowered as the man leaned in with every word. She swallowed, wondering if she should tell this fierce looking man where her brother was. But then again maybe he could get Ichigo out of the half-dead daze he had been in for the past few days.

"U-u-upstairs" she stuttered out before the man strided past her into the house. She shook her head and closed the door.

Just go back to your cooking Yuzu. It'll calm you and you can just forget any of this happened.

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Renji ran up the stairs, two at a time until he reached the door etched with the words Kurosaki Ichigo. He grabbed the doorknob and flung the door open. The first thing he saw was the orange-haired idiot, lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling. The bastard didn't even look up when the door opened!

"Ichigo! Get your ass up! We need to talk!!"

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Never in a thousand years did Rukia think that she would sit in an arranged marriage meeting, spilling her guts to the man she was supposed to be agreeing to marry, about her one true love. But that's exactly what was happening. She couldn't help herself. Hitsugaya Toushiro had just been so understanding, she felt as if she had known him for years.

She dried her eyes, as the white-haired man opposite her surveyed her, his chin propped on his interlaced hands. He had very long fingers, she observed idly.

She had just revealed everything about hers and Ichigo's short but dramatic interactions. All her feelings, thoughts, fears. Things she had never told anyone, hadn't even admitted to herself up till now. She sat with her eyes downcast, unwilling to face the man opposite her, ashamed of being so vulnerable a few moments before.

Hitsugaya Toushiro continued to simply observe her as she fidgeted under his intense stare. At long last he spoke, his voice calm and soft.

"People say things they don't mean Rukia-san" was all he said, before falling silent once more, his gaze fixed on her face.

But that one sentence was all Rukia needed. Those words cleared her mind and everything seemed to hit her at once.

Of course. Ichigo had only acted indifferent after he had seen her and Renji together. He had though they were having an intimate moment. Oh. My. Gosh. He thought she was in love with Renji!! He only wanted her to be happy, so he feigned indifference, thinking that she would move on with renji! The idiot!!

She sprang up from her seat. "I have to find him!" she declared, a determined glint in her eyes.

Hitsugaya smiled indulgently. "Of course you do Rukia-san. I bid you good luck." He said gravely. She nodded once before she almost sprinted out of the restaurant.

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Kurosaki Ichigo stared at Renji in bewilderment for a moment. He suddenly sprang from his bed, a look of fury on his face.

"How dare you?! You can't just come bursting into my house!"

Renji cut him off with a fierce glare of his own.

"Just shut up and listen Kurosaki!" he almost shouted.

Ichigo stared at him as he began to relate the entire story, stressing how idiotic it was of Ichigo to make stupid assumptions and not wait to hear the whole story. By the end, most of Renji's anger had dissipated and he looked at his friend who was wide-eyed with disbelief.

"You really hurt her you know." Renji said softly. "Your acting skills were so good, she really believed that it was all just a game for you."

Ichigo groaned, his head dropping into his palms. "I am such a huge idiot! I misunderstood so badly! And now she thinks that I don't care about her! Gods what a mess I've made. She probably hates me!" he said in a low voice as he started tugging fistfuls of his orange hair.

"She doesn't hate you. She can't. She loves you Ichigo." Renji replied. "But you have to go to her now. Clear up this misunderstanding as soon as possible. The both of you are hurting too much for this to go on any longer."

Ichigo looked up, a determined look in his eyes as he nodded. He sprang out of bed and grabbed his car keys. "How am I gonna find her?" he asked Renji.

The red-head seemed to think for a moment before smiling slightly as he spoke two words.

"Matsumoto Rangiku."

Ichigo grinned and without another word he rushed from the room.

As he got into the driver's seat of his car, he flipped out his cell-phone and scrolled down until he found Matsumoto.

"Matsumoto. I need to talk to Rukia. Now." He said as he pulled out of the driveway.

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Matsumoto's laughter was cut short by the sound of her cell-phone ringing. Still chuckling slightly, she pulled it out of her purse and said to Hisagi.

"Could you give me a minute please?"

He smiled at her and nodded as she answered the call. "Yes, hello?"

"Matsumoto. I need to talk to Rukia. Now." A familiar voice spoke on the other end.

"Ichigo?!" Rangiku asked in shock, her voice rising a few decibels.

"Where's Rukia? I need to see her now!" his voice was becoming more impatient by the second. Rangiku scowled as she remembered just who she was talking to. And she also realized that Hisagi was watching her curiously. Taking a deep breath, she attempted to suppress her growing anger, and when she spoke again, it was at a more normal volume.

"I really don't think that's wise. In fact, it's best if you stay away from her."

Rangiku heard Ichigo's sharp intake of breath and the line went silent for a few moments. When he spoke again, there was no trace of impatience in his voice. There was only pain, regret, and an emotion so deep that Rangiku herself gasped at his tone.

"You don't understand Rangiku. I love her." This was all he said, but more words weren't necessary. Rangiku instantly believed him. That tone of voice didn't lie.

"Okay Ichigo. But you need to come quickly. We're at the new French restaurant on Main street. Ichigo. she's in the middle of an arranged marriage meeting."

"What?!"

Rangiku winced and held the phone away from her ear.

"Exactly. You need to hurry up Ichigo." the acceleration of the car was all she heard before the call was ended.

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Ichigo scowled as he stopped before another traffic light that had turned red just as he approached. It seemed like fate was against him today. But no, he couldn't think like that. He was going to find the woman he loved, and tell her just how much he loved her, and nothing was going to stop him.

His eyes hardened with determination and he glanced out of his window. His amber orbs widened with shock at what he saw. He caught a glimpse of jet black hair, bordering on blue, behind a group of kids. And as they walked away, he saw Kuchiki Rukia standing on the street corner, looking thoroughly (but adorably) dejected.

He only had time to drink in her beauty for a second before she began walking off in the opposite direction to which he was driving. In his distraction, he failed to realize that the light had changed to green, but the numerous car horns soon snapped him back to reality. Screw the law he thought fiercely before swiftly executing a dangerous u-turn.

He pulled into a parking space on the curb and got out of the car, all the while keeping his eyes on the splash of jet black, barely visible through the throngs of people on the streets. And then, Rukia walked into the park, her head hung, eyes downcast. Ichigo quickened his pace. He practically ran through the gate of the park, spotting Rukia almost instantly.

She was sitting on the lush grass under a cherry blossom tree, her back against its trunk. Her face was lifted slightly and Ichigo could see the tear tracks on her cheeks. He walked quietly over to her, stopping a few feet away.

"Rukia..." he said softly.

Rukia's head sprang up and her eyes widened in shock as she stared at the man in front of her. She rose as if she was in a trance and began to walk toward him. she seemed to come to her senses and stopped about a foot away from him.

"Ichigo?" she asked in a whisper, her voice holding a kind of wonder.

Ichigo stared into those violet eyes he loved so much and felt his knees go weak. He could see so much reflected in her glassy orbs. Her love for him, his love for her, and what a marvellous future they could have together. And as if something had finally released his tongue, he spoke, pouring out his feelings to her.

"Rukia. I'm so sorry, I misunderstood. I was stupid, but I just wanted you to be happy. And I thought you were happy with him so I....." Ichigo trailed off and then spoke again.

"It was never a game to me Rukia. I always felt something more for you. But it wasn't till that night at the ball that I realized how much I loved you. How deeply you were entangled into my life, my happiness. How much it would hurt to be without you. I don't think I've ever felt this much pain before."

He smiled softly down at her, her expression still one of shock.

"I didn't know what love was before I met you. I love you Rukia." He said firmly, his voice filled with unspoken emotion. But it didn't need to be spoken. She could see it all clearly in his amber orbs, as clearly as if he had written it down for her.

There was nothing left to say, but one thing.

Rukia stared deeply into his eyes, trying to convey all of her emotions to him.

"I love you more you idiot." She smiled through her tears.

Ichigo stared at her, his love, wonder and happiness shining through. And then he was coming closer to her, and Rukia stopped breathing. His fingertips trailed down her cheek softly, wiping away the moisture from her tears and Rukia leaned into his touch, still staring into his eyes. He cupped her cheek gently, moving his face so close to hers that Rukia could feel his warm breath on her face.

Her eyes fluttered closed as he placed a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth. And then he was kissing her, like they had never kissed before. She felt complete, delirious, like if she finally got something that she had been missing all her life. Their kiss was filled with all their love for each other and she felt her knees go weak. If Ichigo's hand didn't sweep around her waist, she swore she would have fallen.

But then again, she had already fallen. Fallen madly and deeply in love with this hot-tempered, insane, perfect man.

Her eyes remained closed as he broke the kiss, but she made a soft sound of protest. She heard Ichigo chuckle slightly before she felt his lips brush her eyelids. She slowly opened her eyes and drew in a sharp breath at the intense emotion in his eyes.

"Don't worry. We have forever." He said huskily, an amused smile on his face at her disappointment of him ending the kiss.

And Rukia smiled back, agreeing with him wordlessly. They did indeed have forever, and her heart felt as if it would burst with happiness at that fact.

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I feel like crying :( . 'I want more' is complete. Well I hope you all enjoyed it! I sure had a blast!
I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed and read! It's greatly appreciated. You guys are the reason that this story was completed. If it wasn't for you, I'd have given up a long time ago!

So this is the last chapter of the story, but I might post a short epilogue later this week.

Tell me what you think one last time please!!