~Darkening Violet~

"You soul reapers…you thought you could trick me?!" Grimmjow's eyes blazed with fury as he stepped inside the room. He stopped for a moment when his eyes met Rukia's. "Tch…I didn't think you were even still alive, let alone standing. It doesn't change a thing though." His lips curled upward, baring his feline teeth. "You're all going to die! Starting with the brat!"

Rukia pushed Ichigo behind her, his small arms tight around her. Chappy, spun her knives for a moment. "I don't think so." She lunged at the blue haired espada, making sure to keep him distracted from her mistress and Ichigo. Urahara was eyeing Ulquiorra with a curious expression on his face. He tipped his hat downward a bit and looked up. "You aren't impulsive at all are you, my green eyed friend? Unlike your partner over there, you're more cautious and reserved, am I right?"

"He is not my partner." The espada's normally emotionless voice held a slightly disdainful tone. "But your skills of observation are above average."

The shopkeeper chuckled. "Oh, I'm not sure I'd say that. Just lucky guesses." He raised his head so one eye shone with an almost mischievous sparkle. "Shall we begin?"

Rukia watched as the others fought, her mind racing to find a way out. The medicine Urahara had given to her would only buy her time- time she needed to use to get Ichigo out of there. He was her priority. It wouldn't be easy. The only way out that she could see was through the fighting. "Rukia?" Ichigo looked up at her questioningly. "Why can't I make the medicine work? I want to get big so I can protect you." Amber eyes shimmered with tears as his small fingers lightly brushed against the wound in her chest. "Please don't die. I'll be sad. Please?" Rukia felt her heart brim with emotion as she held him close. "I swear I won't. But we have to get out of here. So be brave and trust me, okay? It's not your fault the medicine isn't working yet. Don't worry. It will." He nodded and held her hand. The raven haired soul reaper bit her lip, praying she was imagining the burning in her chest starting to return.

A sudden scream tore through the air as a blue blur headed straight for Rukia. She grabbed a chain and blocked the blow from Grimmjow's sword, the blade inches from her face. Glancing behind him, the petite soul reaper saw chappy on the ground, coughing and struggling to get back up. "I told you soul reaper. You are going to die!" He pressed harder with each word, the sword close enough to scratch her cheek. Ichigo jumped forward, his small hands holding a rock as he threw it at the espada's face. With a yelp, he caught it full in the mouth. Rukia took advantage of his distraction and flash stepped with Ichigo toward the destroyed wall. She could hear Grimmjow's howls of rage as he ran toward them. She turned, seeing him about to strike and shoving Ichigo out of the way. Sharp pain flashed through her as the petite soul reaper was slammed against the wall. Her vision was blurred and unfocused but she could see Ichigo, staring horrified at her as Grimmjow extended his right hand toward him. Explosion of light in her head kept her from moving. The burning in Rukia's chest returned with a vengeance as she knelt on the ground, coughing up more blood. The medicine…I think it's wearing off. Damn it! Rasping with each breath, she looked up, her violet eyes flashing with anger as the red ball of energy began to form in Grimmjow's hand. Ichigo was trapped. Grimmjow was only a few feet in front of him. On his left, Urahara was exchanging blows with Ulquiorra. Behind the espada, Chappy was struggling to stand up, using the wall of support. To his right, Rukia was kneeling on all fours, struggling to just breath. There was nowhere to run. Amber eyes reflected red as the cero moved closer to his face. "DIE ICHIGO!" Grimmjow laughed, releasing his cero.

"NO!" Rukia wasn't sure where the sudden energy came from and didn't care. Blood dripping down her chin, Rukia flashstepped between Ichigo and the cero. Unable to do anything but shield the child form of her beloved from the murderous red energy. Time seem to slow down. The petite soul reaper could feel the heat of the cero starting to simmer over her back as she wrapped her arms around Ichigo, protecting him with her body. The broken ribs in her chest seemed to dig into her lungs more and more with each labored breath. The only thought that passed through her mind was that she would die protecting the one man she loved more than anyone else in this world. Ichigo seemed to slip from her grasp as Rukia closed her eyes, bracing for the full impact…

Nothing. There was no pain. The burning sensation on her back was gone. Rukia's eyes still shut. Darkness. Was she dead? Was this what it felt like to reenter the cycle of life? To be born again into another human? Ichigo. She still remembered him. Funny, I thought our memories were supposed to be erased before a rebirth. Am…am I not dead? Slowly. Cautiously. Almost fearfully, Rukia opened her eyes. There was almost no difference. All she could see was black until Rukia realized she was pressed against a shihaksho. How? Who's.. Just as slowly, the raven haired soul reaper moved her gaze upward, seeing a rippling torso, slowly following the line of flesh until she saw it. Her eyes widened as she gazed, almost unbelieving upward. Amber met violet. It was taking all her strength to hold her head up but she didn't break contact. Ichigo was looking DOWN at her. His amber eyes reflecting in her violet ones, emotion brimming from them with such intensity. He was happy. He had missed her. He was sad. He was hurt. He was angry. He was a million different emotions all at once, each perfectly reflected in his deep amber eyes as he looked down at her. No words need to be said to express his heart. Rukia blinked, her own eyes shimmering with tears as she tried to blink them away. "Yo." His deep voice spoke volumes with a single word.

"Baka." Her own voice cracked, Rukia's breath hitching at the effort as all the pain in her body returned tenfold. Any trace of Urahara's medicine evaporated from her body, causing her legs to shake with the effort of keeping her upright. A flash of red light caught her eye as another cero came right for the couple. Frowning deeper, Ichigo sliced through the cero, deflecting the energy harmlessly to the walls on either side. Rukia's eyes took in the slim black sword, realizing that Ichigo was already in his Bankai state. "Ichigo." She inhaled about to speak when another fit of coughing over took her. My lungs…they must be filling up with blood…I won't be able to inhale at all soon. Damn it. I just got him back. The red liquid streamed down her open mouth, slowly staining her shredded clothing. Violet eyes darkened as Rukia struggled to remain conscious. She could barely make out the deep frown on Ichigo's face or the way his amber eyes shone with concern. He gently set her down on the ground, helping her to lie down. "Just stay here. I won't let anything past me. I'll get you home so we can heal you." Her eyes now closed, Rukia felt his soft lips against hers for a brief instant. "Don't die on me, Rukia. You promised." He whispered against her skin before standing upright, fire burning in his eyes now as he glared at both espada before him. Urahara was standing beside Chappy, both staring hopeful at Ichigo. "Which one of you…" Ichigo's voice seethed with anger as he raised his sword to point at Grimmjow and Ulquiorra. "Which one of you hurt Rukia? Was it both of you? My bets on this asshole." He kept his sword pointed at the blue haired espada's chest. "Answer me!"

"So what if it was me?" Grimmjow snarled. "I don't give a shit what happens to your girlfriend!"

"I see. That's all I needed." Ichigo raised his hand, holding it over his eye as a white mask began to form. "This will be over in 3 minutes." His voice changed, a deep harsher tone mixed in with his normal sound. The whites of his eyes were black now as he charged straight for Grimmjow, disappearing from his view and reappearing behind him. The espada howled in pain as Ichigo sliced his skin, turning so Ichigo missed his throat and only cut his chest. "Yes! Let's go at it again Ichigo! This time, I WILL WIN!" The feline espada's reistsu shot up, blowing the debris around him while Ulquiorra stepped back. Ichigo's reistsu also increased, a wave of spiritual pressure pushing back any debris around him and causing the walls to tremble. The orange haired soul reaper made sure to stay between himself and Rukia. Her chest was barely rising and falling, a harsh gurgling sound escaping her lips erractically. Damn it! She won't last much longer! "ICHIGO!" Urahara called out to him, moving Chappy in front of him as the entire building shook. Grimmjow charged forward just then, both swords colliding in a display of sparks as hatred for the other was reflected in each zanpakto. "Ichigo! The building won't last against this reistsu! We have to get out of here!"

Cursing, Ichigo pulled back, seeing a piece of the ceiling falling right on top of Rukia. "Getsuga Tensho!" The young soul reaper swung his sword, obliterating the debris before it could touch her. Urahara and Chappy were already running toward the exit, the replacement soul glancing worriedly back at her mistress. Ichigo picked Rukia up, shielding her against his chest. He turned back toward the espada, fire in his eyes as he glared through the falling rubble. "Don't think this is over Grimmjow. I won't forget what you've done to Rukia. I will kill you. I just have something more important right now. This is your only warning, espada. Stay away from Rukia. I won't hold back." With that, Ichigo flash-stepped out of the room, running fast to catch up to the others.

Grimmjow stayed still in his spot, his lips slowly curling up as he laughed. His cackle echoed against the trembling building as he held his injured chest. "Ichigo Kurosaki. This is only the beginning. I can't wait to see you again!"

Urahara had already opened the door way to the Dangai. "Let's move!" The shopkeeper pushed Chappy through as Ichigo jumped, right behind her. Sealing the doorway, Urahara moved to the front of the group, leading them back to the world of the living. Ichigo ran as fast as he could, using his reistsu to push his flash step faster as he clutched Rukia in his arms. He could feel her body weakening as tightened his grip, blood still dripping down her chin as her heart beat erratically. "Rukia." Amber eyes glanced down at her pale face, worry etched into their deep orbs. "Please. Stay with me." He whispered, heading straight for the white light of the World of the Living.