Chapter 11

In Division Four…

Rukia locked her gaze to the only source of light illuminating the whole room. She wrapped her hands around her legs, pulled it close to her body. Rukia let her stare fell on the moon outside her window. Trace of sadness was evident in her eyes as she reminisce the dream she had earlier. Slowly she made a conclusion…death seemed to favour her throughout her entire life. The death of her friends, her sister Hisana and Kaien dono added with countless incidents that almost drive Byakuya, Renji, Ichigo and recently Hitsugaya to the brink of their death, had made Rukia shivered at the thought of the shadow that chased her could probably the death himself. Rukia closed her eyes and a tear ran freely on her smooth porcelain cheek.

"Why am I alive?" she whispered slowly.

"Because you have to live…Because you are meant to live," said a firm voice.

Rukia turned quickly, surprised to see Hitsugaya leaning against the door while folding his arms close to his chest. His spiky white hair glisten in the dark and Rukia eyes grew bigger when he moved forward to her with knitted brow. She sensed that Hitsugaya had blocked the entire room from receiving and transferring reiatsu with high spirit energy. It registered to her that he wanted them not to be disturb.

"Tou-Toushiro! What…what are you doing here?" Rukia asked. She recognized the look of concerned from his eyes as he approached her bed slowly.

"Are you alright Rukia? Why did you asked that kind of thing?" replied Hitsugaya, ignoring her first question.

Her eyes dropped suddenly. Her face contorted with pain and he knew instantly that her memories of previous and recent incidents had caused her to be in this state. With a sudden, Rukia took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She tilted her head to gaze at the moon. Hitsugaya shifted and as he sat in front of Rukia on her bed, she seems lost in thoughts and her eyes portrayed as if she was mourning for the dead.

"Talk to me, Rukia. Learn how to trust me. I will never let you down…please," Hitsugaya said in his deep voice. He almost whispered, as he needed her to feel comfortable and confide him everything that went through her mind.

"Ne…Toushiro…I had a dream last night…I saw a death and blood everywhere when suddenly I was chased like an animal. In that moment I found out, I was alone. No one came and wanted to save me…It was then I realized that I am a burden not only to Ichigo, but Renji, Byakuya nii sama and now…you. I caused death Toushiro…a sin that I could never forgive myself. I thought by being strong I could shoved my guilt away but I was wrong...dead wrong," Rukia said solemnly.

Rukia's eyes never blinked even for a second when she spoke. As Hitsugaya watched her closely, he knew that her resolve almost shattered by now. He understood the emotion well. She was betrayed when everyone left, forcing her to face everything alone. Fate was pulling its string harshly when the death game played around her. Abandoned, betrayed…the very same feeling he faced not long ago.

Hitsugaya did a drastic move when he suddenly grabbed Rukia's shoulder and pulled her close, burying her left cheek in his chest. Rukia was dumbfounded and his act almost made her straddled on his lap. His hands wrapped around her tightly, never wanting to let her go. In that instant moment, Rukia breathe in his scent and felt his hard chest fitted her nicely. His chin rested on her forehead and Hitsugaya's right hand ran his fingers in her hair softly.

"Rukia…you were never the cause of everything that happened to you. Yes, fate has been unfair, twisted in its way…but it happens not only to you but also to me. Abandoned and betrayed by people we trusted most is not going to be the end of everything," Hitsugaya said. His voice rang close to her ear and reached her thoroughly.

"Abandoned…betrayed…how-how did you know?" asked Rukia. Her right hand began to grip on his obi.

"I've been there when it happened to me Rukia…but as I said…it's not the end. Just remember all the memories you had with them. Your friends and their friendship, Shiba Kaien and his gratitude that you had saved him and the love of your sister Hisana. Others and their efforts that helped you would be in vain if they saw your condition right now, Rukia," replied Hitsugaya.

"Perhaps you had forgotten that you saved a lot of lives….including me. You had saved me and I owe you my life and my soul. You can't leave me now, I'm forever attached to you…" whispered Hitsugaya.

"Toushiro?" Rukia was shocked to hear the last words from him. She was touched by his every word but never in her mind that he…cared for her deeply.

"Shhh…let me finish. I need you Rukia…I will always need you. Be with me…be my guide and I'll be yours. I will be lost without you…," he said softly.

Rukia broke his embrace to stare into his green eyes. She clasped her mouth and her body shook violently. Hitsugaya quickly held her close. He was surprised to see her condition but he was glad at the same time as he was there to comfort her.

"You-you said the exact words…when you caught me as I fell off the cliff…," she said.

Hitsugaya instantly caught her words referring to her dream and he held her tightly than ever. He wanted to tell her that she is safe with him and that he will always be there for her. His thoughts somehow reached her. She hugged him and slowly released herself from his embrace. Emerald met amethyst and they stared at each other what it seems like ages before she broke the silence.

"I wanted to be strong. Stronger than before. I will not loose in any fight nor let everyone else worried about me…ever. Arigatou Toushiro…you made me realize that I need to live to prove my worth. Gomen….gomendasai that you are the one caught me in this mood. But, I'm glad that it was you. Arigatou Toushiro…" Rukia said.

Her eyes glowed in the dark and for the first time after they came back from Seireitei, he saw her true smile. Hitsugaya grinned listening to her words. He nodded, as he knew she was back to her normal self. Her determination shone in her eyes.

Suddenly, Hitsugaya stared deeply into her eyes and his previous grin replaced with a serious expression. Rukia watched him in surprised as he brought his fingers slowly to her face. As he ran his fingers on her left cheek, Rukia's eyes grew larger of his bold action, but instead of pulled away…she stayed with him. Hitsugaya then cupped her chin and brought her face closer to him. He leaned forward and tilted his head slightly. Rukia felt as if she was in trance and trapped in Hitsugaya gentleness. When their face was close, too close that Rukia almost closed her eyes to accept the kiss, a voice rang loudly throughout the division four.

"RUKIA!!!"


My Note: I should have write this along time ago but at first I just wanted to concentrate on writing the story without wanting to know who will read it or who will not. But as I progress and I received review from you guys in my email, I felt overwhelmed. Perhaps I'm not that good in keeping in touch but one thing for sure, I'm grateful for all the review you send me. To Sweet Sacrifice and to others that gave me support and love to read this story, I thank you... Trust me, I always look forward to read your review as it is the first thing I did when I'm the lab every morning and with all the support and critics I received, it made me wanted to do this better. But one thing about me, I am Kuchiki Rukia fan. I preferred something extra ordinary. Thank you guys. Thanks a lot for everything : )