By Any Other Name

by Laurie Bunter

IchiRuki vignettes. Renji, Urahara, Inoue, Kon, Chad, Ukitake and Byakuya lend their POVs on the couple. Topics include MayDecember relationships, reincarnation, the erotics of looking, unspoken desires, how we name our lovers, innuendos, time, pride etc

11. View from the Floor

11. The View from the Floor

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As Rukia lay in a pool of her blood, only one thought recurred in her head:

I cannot die here alone. I have to give my heart to Ichigo or else I will turn into a Hollow myself.

Due to the shock of her multiple injuries, and in the wake of her declining consciousness, it slipped Rukia's memory that he had already took her heart, a long time ago. He took it the night she lay dying on the pavement and he willingly grabbed the hilt of her sword.

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Author's Note: Thanks for all the great reviews so far! XD