Author's Note : Hi my lovely Readers, I'm here with Chapter 12! I miss you guys! Sorry for the delay but this is the hardest chapter to write. But it could also be because of my smexy Renji wallpaper that I recently put up, which I spent too much time just gazing and drooling at, LOL! *shot* No, seriously, so much is happening here in this chapter that I got overwhelmed! I hope you guys won't get confused, because there are lots of separate fight scenes happening at the same time. And I'm really, really bad at writing fight scenes so I hope this chapter won't disappoint you guys. I re-check and re-write things but I'm not feeling so good about it. *cries*

Anyway, I would like to thank the reviewers for Chapter 11 : Dark Vizard447, glon morski, Blitch, beachbabe03, zodious, CuteC (thank you for telling me that my story make you feel better! XD) Fostersb (I hope this chapter won't make you sad...), AvioNN, MrsMoshae, Ever Angel 27, miss dramatikk, mariquyta, Miss L, cheerleader40404, Bleached Hearts, Alatarial Elf, and finally killer joker who reviewed Chapter 1. You guys are AMAZING!! Thank you so, so much! =)

For those who reviewed It's Only Words, thanks a lot! I was surprised at the amount of reviews for that story because I didn't expect people to like that story! I'm sorry I couldn't reply you guys though, because of my demanding and hectic life.

And I'm changing my pen name as well, to a name that I had always wished to use should I ever publish any books in the future! (If only that would happen…)

I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter as much as you did the other chapters, though it might not be as good as some past chapters… *cries* Have a good day, everyone! And… review, please? XD

Warning : Violence, cursing, and grammatical errors… ('cause this chapter is the longest I ever write so I'm pretty sure I made a few mistakes in it, sorry), OOC-ness (especially Keigo & maybe Ichigo).

Disclaimer : I don't own Bleach. If I write Bleach, I wouldn't drag the FKT fight this long. & I included lyrics from Paramore's The Only Exception in this chapter.


Maybe I know, somewhere

Deep in my soul

That love never lasts

And we've got to find other ways

To make it alone

Or keep a straight face

And I've always lived like this

Keeping a comfortable, distance

And up until now

I had sworn to myself that I'm content

With loneliness

Because none of it was ever worth the risk

:

:

:

:

:

Rough, calloused fingers caressed her face.

She flinched.

The man flashed another evil smirk, letting his hand lingered on her smooth skin for a few seconds. Then, he walked away, grabbed a chair and sat across from her, legs spread wide, intense gaze boring into her.

"I'm feeling very chatty today. So, why don't we talk?"

She said nothing.

"Let's talk about your rich fiancé."

"No!"

"Why not? You love him, don't you? Women like to talk about the men they love."

"I won't tell you anything!"

He sighed, got up, and walked to her side. He fished for something in his jeans' pocket. When he held up a small knife in front of her, she gasped.

"You are beautiful. It's understandable why Ulquiorra chose you to be his mate. But will he stay with you if your face is horribly scarred?"

She knew what he wanted her to do. He would do anything to make her give in, and it scared her to death, but she refused to cry. Not this time. I have to be strong, she told herself, for Ulquiorra-kun.

He licked the sharp blade and smirked in satisfaction when he saw her eyes widened in fear. If the bitch wanted to play this cat-and-mouse chase, he would gladly comply, and in the end he would make her surrender to him.

"Looks like it's pretty sharp, right? But I've never actually tested it," he taunted her, dangling the shiny knife in front of her again.

Then, slowly, he brought it down, pressing it lightly into her left cheek, that hateful grin never leaving his face. She winced when she felt the sharp, cold blade on her skin.

"Not so brave now, are we?" he asked, noting her slightly trembling body.

But she kept her mouth shut, fighting the fear growing in her heart. If he were to press harder, he could easily hurt her. Even if she never cared much about cosmetics and looking pretty, she would hate to have her face scarred.

"Now, if you be a good girl and give me what I want, I might not hurt you…"

Ulquiorra's kind face flashed inside her mind. He'd done so much for her. She must not give in to her fear. "No!"

"What?" His grin was no longer visible now.

"I said, no! I won't help you!"

"Bitch…" he hissed, and pressed the small knife harder.

Pain shot up through her. The evil smirk returned to his face, and he was about to increase the pressure in his hand when the basement door swung open.

"Grimmjow!"

* * * *

A FEW HOURS EARLIER…

"Nii-sama?"

"Rukia."

She stared up the tall, handsome man who was once her brother-in-law. He adopted her into his family when her sister, Hisana had died, and offered to let her stay with him even if her sister was already gone. But she refused, left his clan and followed Ichigo's, because her heart belonged with her friends.

"Keep our family's name," those were the words Byakuya said to her when she was about to leave the Kuchiki Manor. "Once a Kuchiki, you will always be a Kuchiki."

"Thank you, Nii-sama…" she answered, and bid her adopted family goodbye.

She hadn't seen him ever since. How many years had it been? A hundred? Two hundreds? Maybe more... They exchanged letters in the past, but that was all. But now, he was standing right in front of her.

"How are you, Nii-sama?"

"I'm fine," he smiled, and she realized how much she missed that smile. "You?"

"I'm doing great!"

"Good…"

They fell into an awkward silence. Millions of thoughts crossed her mind.

Should I hug him? No, he would be too surprised.

Should I shake his hands instead? No, idiot! It would be way too formal!

"Rukia…"

Should I~

"Rukia."

"E-eh?"

"You've grown up to be a beautiful woman, just like your sister."

She blushed at his proud remark. "T-thank you, Nii-sama."

"Oh, Rukia-chan? What a pleasant surprise to see you here!"

At the sound of the cheery familiar voice, she turned around to find herself gazing into the eyes of a man with long, wavy brown hair, his bangs framing the left side of his smiling face. Rukia eyes went wide when she took in the striking, flowered pink kimono he draped across his shoulders and the straw hat he placed neatly on the top of his head.

"Kyouraku-san!"

"Nice to see you've blossomed into a beautiful woman, Rukia-chan!"

He made a move, attempting to hug Rukia but she avoided instinctively. Kyouraku Shunsui was about to make another attempt when someone grabbed his shoulder.

"That is no way to treat a lady. You're scaring her."

"Captain Ukitake!"

Rukia's face lit up immediately when she saw the man who used to be her teacher. The man who guided her into embracing her animal nature. He was by her side when she first transformed. He was always around when she needed someone to talk to. He gave her directions whenever she got lost. He was her Captain.

Ukitake Juushirou smiled kindly at her, his long, white hair flowed softly behind his back.

"It's been a while, Rukia."

"Captain, I'm so happy to see you here!"

She then proceeded to give him an awkward hug. Kyouraku eyed them enviously, muttering, "I wish my Nanao-chan would hug me like that."

Ukitake laughed while Byakuya kept his mouth shut. Ukitake patted Rukia's head lightly, "And I'm so happy to see you're doing great."

"Yama-jii said hi, by the way."

"Really?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, everyone misses you a lot, Rukia-chan."

"Please send my regards to them, Kyouraku-san, Captain Ukitake."

They both nodded, smiling tenderly at the petite woman.

"I'm sorry to interrupt this wonderful reunion, but Rukia, I'm afraid we should take our leave now."

"Nii-sama?"

"We're here for a meeting with Aizen."

Meeting with Aizen? This is strange. Although they were of the same breed, both packs never see eye to eye. What is going on here?

"We'll see you again after the meeting, Rukia." Ukitake said, giving her another hug.

"Okay..." she replied quietly and watched as the three men walked further away from her.

What is going on here? The thought repeated itself inside her head.

"Rukia!"

She turned to see her best friend, sweating and out-of-breath, his hands resting on his knees, his body bent.

"Ichigo?"

Still gasping for breath, he couldn't answer her.

"Ichigo. Nii-sama is here. Do you know~"

"Forget Byakuya. I need your help!"

"Eh?"

* * * * *

The teal-haired man glared at his subordinates. "What?"

"That punk Kurosaki is here, along with his friends."

"Damn it!! What is that bastard doing here anyway?"

"What do you want us to do, Grimmjow?"

He glanced across the room at their eager faces. Slowly, his trademark evil smile returned to his face. "Shawlong, Edrad, Yylfordt, Di Roy, Nakeem!"

"Yes!!" they answered simultaneously.

"Secure the area! And kill every single one of them!"

"Yes, Grimmjow!!"

* * * * *

"What are we doing here, Uryuu?"

She eyed the large, abandoned house located deep in the forest. Things were eerily quiet and she didn't like it one bit. Ishida had practically dragged her here. At first when they reached the forest, she was intrigued, thinking he had planned a secret rendezvous for them, but as they went deeper into the forest, fear grew inside her heart.

"We're rescuing Inoue-san."

"What? How do you know where she is?"

"I..." he paused, seeming to consider something. "It's my instinct."

"I don't believe in instincts."

"Just trust me on this one, okay?"

She wanted to disagree. She was a woman who took pride in her independence. She never let anyone make any decisions for her. But… there's always a first to everything, right?

"Okay, I~"

The bush rattled. Alerted, Ishida immediately stepped forward, shielding Tatsuki with his body.

"Uryuu?"

"Oh? What an interesting sight we have here! A gentleman all set to protect his girlfriend!"

Up on a tree, a man was staring down at them, his feet appeared to be glued to the branch, his long braided hair flapped against his back.

"Cease your useless intimidation, intruder! Tell me where Inoue-san is!"

"It was wrong of me to call you a gentleman, seeing how you spoke so harshly. I don't know any Inoue-san. And my name is Shawlong Kufang, remember that," he stated calmly. "Moreover, I think you are the one intruding this place."

"Then I was right, wasn't I? Inoue-san must be here. Why should you worry about this abandoned place being intruded? Unless you're keeping something or someone valuable in here."

Shawlong let out an amused laugh. "You're pretty smart."

He jumped, and landed on all four in front of them. "Then, why don't you figure out what I am with that bright head of yours?" he snarled.

"I've known what kind of animal you are ever since I saw you."

"Uryuu, what is going on here? Who is this man? Is Orihime here?" Tatsuki asked, completely at lost.

"Yes, and we will save her," he answered, turned around and delivered a blow expertly on her neck, making sure he hit the right spot to knock her unconscious.

"I'm sorry, Tatsuki," he whispered as he caught her falling body.

* * * * *

"If Grimmjow is the one who did it, he would be too stupid to leave this place unguarded," Mizuiro spoke as soon they neared the abandoned house.

"Mizuiro is right," Keigo agreed. "He must have had this whole place secured."

"Keigo and I will cover the area from right and left. You guys go on ahead."

Ichigo nodded. "Thanks, guys! Be careful."

Mizuiro and Keigo disappeared around the corners. Ichigo, Rukia, and Chad proceeded to the front door.

Rukia pondered on the situation as they moved. Who is this person that Ichigo wants to rescue so badly? Why was she kidnapped? Why Grimmjow is the one doing the deed? And… does Nii-sama have anything to do with it?

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize Ichigo and Chad had stopped in their tracks. She ran against Chad's back and winced in pain at the contact.

"Ow! What the hell are you guys stopping so suddenly for?"

"They knew we're coming."

"What?"

"It's Edrad."

A large man stood facing them, his arms crossed. "Hello," he said calmly.

Rukia grabbed Ichigo's collar, pulling him down to face her.

"Ichigo! I'll handle him. You and Chad go save her."

"Are you crazy? I can't leave you alone here!"

"Look, you know I can take Edrad. Besides, we came here to save that friend of yours, so you shouldn't waste time arguing with me out here."

Ichigo fell silent for a moment, deliberating his options before he reluctantly agreed with her. "Okay..."

"Now go!"

Chad bowed slightly at her and began running towards the entrance. Edrad made no effort to stop the two men, knowing Grimmjow was waiting eagerly inside.

"Rukia!"

Their eyes locked. She hated the worried look in Ichigo's amber gaze.

"Be careful, okay? Don't overdo it!"

"Idiot! You should know better than worry about me!"

Ichigo gave her an assuring grin and followed Chad into the house, screaming silently.

Wait for me, Inoue! I'm coming to save you!

:

:

:

:

:

But you are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception

You are the only exception…

:

:

:

:

:

"That punk had always gave me a hard time!"

She stared at her captor. He was obviously mad about something.

"I don't know why he's here! But it's okay, I'm just going to kill him this time!"

Who is he talking about? Was it Ulquiorra-kun? Please, God, don't let him come here!

"I'm going to make sure you'll enjoy the show, woman."

"What are you talking about? Is it Ulquiorra-kun? Please, don't hurt him! He's a good man~"

"Shut up, bitch!"

He slapped her hard.

She could taste blood in her mouth, and the burning sensation on her skin where his palm had landed grew stronger.

She prayed silently, hoping that it wasn't Ulquiorra who'd come to save her. She was still praying when the man coming to save her opened the basement door and jumped down.

She looked at him in horror.

Oh, no! Not Kurosaki-kun!

* * * * *

"Do you know how long I've waited for this, brother?"

Mizuiro stared silently at his opponent. "I never knew you've held a grudge against me for a very long time."

Yylfordt laughed. "You and your damn friends annoyed me. You felt like you were invincible just because you're close with that brat Aizen called his nephew!"

"Then I guess this will be a great opportunity for you to lash out at me."

"Bring it on, brother!"

They leaped at each other, transforming while they're midair. Mizuiro lashed out at Yylfordt's furry throat as soon as they landed, sinking his sharp teeth into the other wolf's flesh.

Yylfordt yanked himself away from Mizuiro. Snarling, he lurched forward at Mizuiro, successfully knocking him down with his slightly larger form, and proceeded to bite into his opponent's neck.

Mizuiro let out a sharp yelp of pain when he felt Yylfordt's teeth tore into his flesh. With all his might, using his strong hind legs, he tried to kick Yylfordt's body away from him.

He failed. Yylfordt was pinning him to the ground. He kicked again, and this time his legs managed to hit Yylfordt's stomach, causing him to roll away in pain, whimpering.

* * * * *

Keigo hated to fight. He disliked getting injured and having blood and dirt all over his body. He hated it so he had always looked for a way to escape whenever he was caught in a fight.

But this time, there was absolutely no chance to escape.

I have to do this, he thought, as he stared at the huge black wolf in front of him, twice his size. They were snarling at each other, pacing around back at forth, waiting for the right moment to launch their attacks.

Keigo felt the thudding pain in his left hind leg, where Nakeem had bit a few seconds ago. The pain grew worse every time he made his movement.

He strategized in his mind, weighing the options he had, and trying to figure out the best way to knock down his opponent. He had to win, meaning he had to defeat an opponent who had an advantage of having a much larger form than he was.

The only advantage he had was his speed. Nakeem might be incredulously large, but his massive size made him much slower than Keigo.

Ichigo better be grateful, Keigo thought, and lurched forward.

* * * * *

They were both limping. Rukia's blood was dripping to the ground, her thick fur now covered with blood. Her stomach was badly wounded, but she had managed to bite into Edrad's throat and she could see he was weakening as well.

Her last chance at winning was to successfully tear his artery.

I have to do this, or he'll kill me, she thought, and sprung toward him, aiming straight for his throat.

She sunk her teeth into his large neck. He thrashed around, trying to free himself, but she held on, ignoring the pain he induced every time he kicked her wounded middle section.

With a loud growl, she yanked her teeth away from him, successfully tearing his pulsing vein. Blood spurted through his wounds. They both collapsed on the ground.

As she watched his body convulsed violently, she felt her body weakened and cursed at the first spasm cursing through her. Why is it they always have to revert to their human form whenever they're injured?

Her fur disappeared under her skin and her claws began to shorten as her whole body changed and she became the petite woman that she was.

She curled up her naked, trembling body, trying not to touch the open wound in her stomach.

Am I going to die here?

Then she remembered Keigo and Mizuiro. They will come for her once they finished their opponents, if, they weren't badly injured as she was.

She let out a frustrated laugh at the possibility but winced when she felt the unbearable pain in her middle.

She tried to crawl away towards the shady tree when she heard someone laughed.

"Ah… Rukia-san! How cruel it is for Edrad to leave you dying like this! Perhaps I can help finish the deed so you can feel much better?"

Shit! It's Di Roy! How can she not sense his presence during the fight just now? Oh, shit!

Baring his oddly shaped teeth, Di Roy lifted up his hand, and her heart sank when she saw the large scissors he was carrying.

There was nothing else she could do. She was too weak to even move. She couldn't fight him.

She closed her eyes, waiting for the fatal blow to be delivered, waiting for the blades to sink deep into her already wounded body.

But it never came.

Instead…

She heard the sound of a kick, Di Roy's screaming and the sound of the scissors falling on the ground, right next to her.

"Trying to attack a lady who's barely able to move is a pretty cowardly act, don't you think?"

She opened her eyes.

"Renji…?"

* * * * *

Renji removed his jacket and covered Rukia's naked, shivering body carefully.

"Watch where your eyes are looking," she warned him and he laughed.

"Don't worry," he assured her. "I've always secretly wanted to see you naked, but not like this."

Despite her pain, she laughed. She wish she was not lying there half-dead so she could smack his head.

"What's a human doing in the middle of the battle between beasts?" the blond, grinning man asked as he watched their interactions.

"I don't know about beasts. But we human will not just stand and watch someone hurt an injured lady."

Di Roy spat. "A lady? She's not even human! That thing lying there is an animal like me! Don't you see what she'd done to my friend?"

Rukia covered her ears. Renji's going to think that I'm a monster.

Renji glanced briefly at Edrad's dead body. "She might not be a normal human like I am, but I know she did that to help a friend. And that was a very humanly thing to do."

Tears started forming in her eyes. She always knew that Renji was a nice man, but to hear those sweet words from him…

"You humans are fool!" Di Roy snarled and began to change.

Rukia's eyes widened in horror as she witnessed the fur growing on Di Roy's body, his claws lengthening. "Renji, watch out!"

Di Roy leaped, successfully knocking Renji down and pinning him to the ground. Renji grabbed the wolf's jaw, keeping him from sinking its' long teeth into any part of his body. Drops of saliva fell on Renji's face and he fought a crazy urge to wipe them off.

Then, he saw the scissors Di Roy had dropped earlier, its sharp blades glinted under the sun. Keeping his right hand firmly on Di Roy's mouth, he grabbed the knife.

With a grunt, Renji drove the scissors into Di Roy's stomach. The wolf struggled to back away, but he kept his grip firm, holding the whimpering animal in its' spot, and wrapped his strong legs around the thrashing wolf.

Using his left hand, he brought the sharp scissors up, tearing open Di Roy's flesh. He stopped when he reached the beast's chest, and at the spot he figured where Di Roy's heart was, he rammed the blades deeper.

Di Roy let out his final whimper. Renji released his grip and pushed the dying animal away from him. He got up and watched Di Roy's body began reverting to his human form.

He wiped away the blood and sweat on his forehead as he walked over to Rukia.

He crouched next to the petite woman. "That was pretty easy."

"Don't get so full of yourself. Di Roy was the weakest."

He laughed. "I like to think it was the result of my hard training."

Carefully, he placed his right hand under her neck, and his left hand under her legs. He lifted her up easily and began moving away from the abandoned house.

"Wait, where are we going?"

"You're injured. I must get you treated."

"But, my friend…"

"They're all fine. I watched all your fights while I'm up on a tree."

"I see…"

She closed her eyes, inhaling his masculine scent. She always thought of herself as a warrior, a fighter, but… It felt nice to be saved by someone once in a while.

Especially by someone like Renji…

"Renji…"

"Hm?"

"How did you find us?"

"Perhaps I've been stalking you." She pinched his chest, and he screamed in pain. "Ow! Don't do that! I followed that orange-head friend of yours. I was shocked to see you with him. What are you guys doing here anyway?"

"I don't know. Ichigo said he needed our help to save someone."

Save someone? Could it be... Orihime? His heart began to accelerate at the thought of his lovely sister captured and kept inside that abandoned house. But, Rukia is badly injured... I have to ensure her safety first, then I'll come back here. I just have to trust that carrot-top...

"Now that you know I'm not a human, will you still be my friend?" she asked, jolting him out of his thoughts.

Renji turned his gaze to her. "I wouldn't save you if I don't want to be your friend anymore," he answered, smirking.

She buried her face into his broad chest. "Thank you, Renji…"

* * * * *

Mizuiro handed over a clean pair of t-shirt and jeans to Keigo, who waited under a tree.

"Put these on quickly. We've got to help the others."

Keigo followed Mizuiro's instructions obediently.

"How's your leg?"

"It's fine. I can't run, but I'll live."

"Glad to hear that."

"Mizuiro…"

"Yeah?"

"Do you know what is going on here? Why did Grimmjow and his gang capture Ichigo's friend?"

"I don't know." Staring at the house, he added, "Let's go in to find out."

* * * * *

Tatsuki opened her eyes to a warm tongue licking her face.

Screaming in surprise, she scrambled away from the animal looming above her. Her eyes scanned the area for Ishida, but he was nowhere to be seen, and so was the man who'd sneaked up on them earlier.

The only living creature in the vicinity was an injured Dalmatian, barking at her.

She moved slowly toward the dog and began rubbing its head slowly. "Poor boy… Were you hurt because of me?"

The dog growled softly in response.

"Come with me. I'll take care of your wounds."

Tatsuki began her exit, the dog limping slowly behind her.

* * * * *

Orihime could only watch as the men fought before her.

She watched in horror when Ichigo ran to her earlier, but Grimmjow kicked him in the stomach and he was sent sprawling against the wall.

Then Grimmjow began his change, it was nothing new to her, since she'd witnessed Ulquiorra's transformation. But when the large, dark man coming with Ichigo had ripped off his clothing, her eyes widened in fear. She started trembling when she saw his muscles rippling and growing larger. When the large man let out a loud roar, she wanted to cover her ears, because his voice was so loud. So loud that it started to hurt her ears.

It's almost like watching a man changing into Incredible Hulk, she thought.

She watched, as Grimmjow and Ichigo's friend whose form had enlarged thrice his original size, began their fight.

:

:

:

:

:

And I'm on my way to believing

Oh, and I'm on my way to believing…


I wanted to have Orihime rescued by the end of this chapter but I was afraid it would be too long. Besides, there were already too much fight scenes in this chapter that I decided to write Grimmjow's fight in the next chapter. Sorry!

*goes off to drown myself in Renji's sexy gaze*

Review, please?