A/N: thank you, enjoy.

The entire week went by smoothly with one exception.

Ichigo avoided her like the plague.

'What? Do I have measles, or something?' she thought wryly as he brushed by her in the hallway, averting his face as he did so. She glanced back at his retreating form, shoulders set in obvious defiance, 'I really must speak to him to figure out what his problem is…'

Rukia followed him upstairs.

It seemed that he was now oblivious to her presence since at the landing, she rounded the corner and the next second she swore he'd just been there and all she saw was his bedroom door swinging shut. Speaking of…superhuman speed. Rukia paused and cast a quick glance down to the foyer where she knew Toshiro was waiting to take her out on a drive. She knew he'd wait for her, after all this should only take a minute or two.

Resolutely, she squared her shoulders and went up to his door and—the lock clicked on the other side.

Bastard.

As if he sensed her intentions, another click and Gackt began blaring.

Never one to give up, Rukia pounded on the door, "Ichigo! It's me, open up!"

If possible, the music got louder.

"Damn you," she hissed and applied a smart kick to the door panel—wearing Western style cowgirl boots did help get her point across. For when the next kick hit, the door came unlatched and Rukia walked in haughtily. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the bed where Ichigo lay on his back staring up at the ceiling; the offending CD player sat inconspicuously on his antique dresser. Apparently, Uncle Sosuke was fond of old things since most of the furnishings in the house were 'antiques.'

"Ichigo," she started to say then paused; that damn music just had to go.

She turned her back to him and began fiddling with the tiny buttons on the top of the player, abruptly the playback stopped. Satisfied, Rukia opened her mouth to speak and then Namie Amuro's haunting voice filled the room.

(Moshi ima kanashimi)---~ English: (If you are filled with sadness)

Afureru nara, watashi ni motarete…naite ii kara)---~ English: (you can lean on me)

I get, I get, I get, get the feeling

I get, I get, I get, get the dreaming

(Tada kono mama)---~ English: (Just like the way it was)

Come my way

(Kono yami no hotari)---~ English: (Alone in this darkness)

Come close to me

(Ima akari tomoshi)---~ English: (Now I'll shine some light)

I'll be with you; I'll be with you

(Tada koko ni iru kara)---~ English: (I'll stay beside you)

So come my way.

……………………………………….XII

Rukia couldn't believe her luck.

The guy actually liked a girly emo song.

What was it called--?

"Come," Ichigo murmured to the ceiling.

She swore he heard her thoughts.

"What…are you?" she found herself asking in a low voice.

The music wasn't any lower in volume but he could hear her just fine.

"Are you sure you really want to know?"

…………………………………..….XII

Rukia jumped a foot in the air.

His voice…he'd just whispered in her ear and yet…the bed was empty.

He stood behind her, slowly he placed his hands on her sweater-clad shoulders and turned her completely around to face him. His expression uncertain and careful as he cupped her face gently and tilted it up, "I asked you a question," his tone was slightly teasing yet at the same time he sounded deadly serious, "do you really want to know 'what' I am?"

She stared straight into his amber honey eyes and caught a brief glimpse of the sorrow that lay just beneath the surface; his abrasive tough guy act was just that…an act. Suddenly she had a surge of pity for this…creature, an unloved thing. To never know the real warmth of another living Human… "How sad you are," Rukia whispered. Her violet eyes were tearing up, Ichigo raised a finger and wiped one away; he studied it curiously as if he'd never seen tears before, "you're crying for me?"

The song played on in the background.

Come my way

(Mou hitomi tojite)---~ English: (Close your eyes)

Come close to me

It seemed almost ridiculous.

Had no one ever cried for him?

(Mou nemurebaii)---~ English: (And sleep)

"You shouldn't. You know," his expression closed up suddenly, "I don't deserve any tears shed for me."

She looked at him startled, "what are you—"

I'll be with you; I'll be with you.

He ran a hand through his unruly orange locks, "I thought you wanted to know my reasons for avoiding you. "

"Yes—but I-"

(Tada koko ni iru kara)---~ English: (I'll stay beside you)

" If you have nothing to say to me. Then get out. Leave."

So come my way

Unpredictably his mood had changed and Rukia was unsure of how to handle it.

The only bad thing was with each sharp glare he sent her way as he moved back toward the bed, her temper worsened. Get on her bad side and there would be Hell to pay, too bad Ichigo didn't know that.

"You…self-absorbed, ungrateful, pumpkin-headed bastard!"

He whirled around, "what did you just say?!"

That touched a nerve, she smirked, "exactly what you heard, Baka."

"Midget!"

………………………………………XII

Back and forth they exchanged insults.

It was sort of like violent flirting.

Actually it 'was' a little silly, but she didn't care until…

"You're a real cold-hearted bastard, you know that?"

He went livid.

She could tell because of the way his jaw tightened.

"You…have no idea…how true that statement is."

"What?"

In two strides he forcefully pushed her against the nearest wall and placed her hand on his chest.

"Tell me…what do you feel?"

His shirt was warm but nothing accompanied that warmth like the missing beating of a…heart.

She had difficulty forming a coherent sentence, "ho-w?"

"Shouldn't you ask why, *'sweet Juliet'?"

………………………………..XII

Rukia could only stare up at him in horror.

There was no heartbeat.

Only 'dead' people have no need for their hearts to beat.

What the Hell was he?!

Observing her horrified expression, he laughed mirthlessly, "Now do you understand a little more, Miss Rukia Kuchiki? Or do I have to explain it in simpler terms? No…why don't I just show you!"

Without even she seeing him move an inch, he had her immobile and pinned by the back of the hair, her face conveniently tilted up. "Mmm, just the way I like it," he muttered, his hot breath on her throat. She couldn't help but squeal when his moist mouth landed at the base of her neck and slowly he made his way up to her parted lips.

The kiss was painful.

He made it quite obvious that he liked to kiss with teeth.

And also liked the taste of blood.

…………………………………XII

"How dare you!"

It was pure outrage that gave her the strength to shove him away.

He only took one step back, watching amusedly while she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, a slick stain of blood and his saliva came off. "You…you bastard!" Rukia started shaking, her small fists balled up and she flew at him enraged. Chuckling, he caught her hands and held them high, "why so upset? Ulquiorra's probably done MORE than kiss that mouth of yours."

"He'd do no such thing!" Quickly she defended him and added, "He's not 'like' 'you'."

"He's not like 'me'?" Ichigo shook his head, "that's where you're mistaken, Miss Rukia Kuchiki. Ulquiorra 'is' exactly like me. On every level, in every way."

Suddenly she swung her foot out and kneed him in the groin—well male anatomy wasn't her best subject.

It seemed to do the trick for he cursed loudly and let her go.

Darting past him she reached the door and turned the handle; LM.Ct began to play.

Step by step (kimi to deatte toki wo wasurete odoriakashita /hoshi ni yadoru sadame/ wo shirazuni)---~ English: (I forgot the times we met by chance and danced /'til dawn/Without knowing the fate that dwells in the stars…)

"Wait…Rukia! I'm so—"

She paused, her back to him, the handle motionless in her hand.

/I can't stop falling in love/

She didn't know why she said it later…but the words…cruel…hurt more than she'd meant them to.

"I despise you."

……………………………………XII

To be continued.

A/N: please review.