A/N: I am so happy that midterms are over! Yay! Ready to learn more about butterflies? Ready for some more Ichigo x Rukia action? What will happen in this epic story! No one knows! (Except me.)

Orihime was furiously typing with Uryu reading her the report, years ago a reporter had protested against Aizen's rule and now had disappeared. "Finished!" She announced and Uryu gave her a smile, it made her stomach twist in unusual ways.

"Orihime…if they catch us…" Uryu began and Orihime turned to face him, her gray eyes sad.

"Don't talk like that Uryu…" She said feeling her eyes suddenly start to fill with tears. "We've got to do something! Even if they catch us…we have to be making some difference right?" Orihime said dropping her head and causing her bangs to cover her eyes.

"Orihime…" Uryu reached over and placed his hand over hers.

"We should move though, it won't be long till they find us…" Uryu said inching closer, his cheeks a bright red. Orihime looked up and felt her cheeks flush, she'd never been this close to Uryu before.

"If they find us, I won't betray you." Orihime said as Uryu took her face in his hands. She stared into his dark blue eyes, almost black with the lack of light down in the basement. The only illumination was from the small desk lamp, cascading a small circle of the room in a golden glow.

"I would never betray you." Uryu said before Orihime moved forward and awkwardly placed her lips against his.

That's when everything fell apart.

The door to the basement fell down with a loud crash, the two quickly split apart and stared as the smoke cleared. "Move and you die!" A rough voice yelled.

Orihime leaned back and hit her elbow on the 'Enter' key. The file was sent to their publisher, another rebel of Aizen, who printed and distributed the newspaper. Uryu reached back and clicked off the light, Orihime hit the 'X' key and the computer shut down.

Shots were fired but the young maid and the cook, dodged and hid behind cardboard boxes that were stacked in the basement. They moved through the darkness together, hoping to reach the other exit, the backdoor would be their freedom. Uryu clutched Orihime's hand tightly, he could hear her crying quietly and trying to stifle her sobs.

"I said, DON'T MOVE!" The voice said before a flash bomb was thrown. Uryu closed his eyes tightly as the blaring light burned his eyes. Then he felt Orihime's hand be pried from his. "Orihime!"

"Uryu! Ur-" Her voice was cut off and a large hand clamped over Uryu's mouth. He scrambled in the inky blackness of the basement in vain hopes to get away from his attacker, a sharp prick entered his neck and the last thing he saw was a flashlight in his eyes.

&3&3&3&3&3

Ichigo and Rukia had finished their tour of Butterfly's Haven and now sat at the Temple. It was a large stone building with flowers crawling up the sides and a flame burning in a top tower. The room they sat in was circular with ancient scripts plastered on the wall, maroon pillows surrounded a small circular table with incense burning. The room was mainly made of reds, burgundies, and dark browns. Terra had mentioned that this was the 'Fire' room. The energy was very warm and welcoming, 'Like home' Ichigo thought while watching Rukia stare at the scripts on the walls.

Terra had left to speak with Shirayuki and Zangetsu alone, leaving the Butterfly and her Guardian in this room. Rukia found contentment here though, Ichigo was restless. "You should sleep, I'm sure they have an Inn here…" Rukia suggested when she saw the dark purple under his amber eyes.

"I'm fine." Ichigo said gruffly, which wasn't the least bit true.

He was exhausted, hungry, and really needed to know what was going on with his family. Terra returned into the room carrying a tray of rice, fish, and hot tea. "Sit, eat, and be merry." Terra said with a bright smile.

Rukia appreciated the young girls' enthusiasm. "How old are you?" Rukia asked sipping the tea, letting the warmth fill her tired bones.

"Butterflies without guardians do not age, I am 200 years old." Terra explained sitting down on one of the maroon pillows. "We don't age, but we are not immortal. I can die just as any other human can die…just not from old age." Terra giggled and watched as Ichigo picked at his food.

"You're worried about your family." A whispery voice said from the curtain leading into the room. Ichigo's head jerked upwards and he gave a glance to Rukia, who looked just about as surprised as he did.

A woman with very-light, almost white, hair walked in. She was dressed in dark blue robes that shimmered into light blue and then white, always changing. "This is Sky, she's an Air Butterfly. A healer and the most common Butterfly." Terra explained seeing the two's confused faces.

"I'm also very good at reading emotions…You, my dear, you're worried about your family. The chosen one can feel your pain. Did you not know how connected you were? But she is strong…She worries not of her own family, but she worries for you and the rest of our fates." Sky said, her voice very quiet and Rukia had to strain herself to hear. The woman was gorgeous, her eyes a brighter blue than Shirayuki's. Her skin was pale even in the bright light of the room.

Rukia swallowed and looked at Terra, "Can I ask you something…in private?" She asked and Terra nodded, eager to speak with the Chosen Butterfly alone.

With that, the two left the room. Ichigo watched her leave and felt the strangest thing, it was like a part of him was missing. When did these feelings show up? He knew he cared for Rukia, she was his butterfly, but he had no idea his feelings were stronger than that.

"You love her." Sky said flatly but still able to place that magical music in her voice.

"WHAT?!" Ichigo fell over, rice flying into the air and chopsticks falling to the ground. His face had turned a shade of red and he refused to meet eye contact with the Air Butterfly.

"You deny the way your heart tugs when you see her injured? You deny the way your heart races when you touch her, her hand, her shoulder and her cheek? A stubborn fool, but your heart does not lie." Sky was reading him, into his very soul, without meeting his eyes. He was an open book for her.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Ichigo said crossing his arms and staring at the wall.

"Your bond is so strong…I'm jealous of it. My guardian died 10 years ago…I know everything you're going through." Sky confided in the young boy, hoping her story would touch his heart and maybe open his eyes.

"Rukia isn't going to die. Neither am I. We are fighters, we protect each other." Ichigo stated strongly, finally meeting her bright eyes with his burning ambers.

"I see." Sky said before turning around just as Rukia returned with Terra.

Rukia looked at Ichigo and he looked away, attempting to hide his face, 'Damn that Sky-woman, I don't need to face my feelings right now. I have a job to do. I need to focus on protecting Rukia.'

&3&3&3&3&3

Renji awoke with his head in a blur, he lifted his hand to see that it was bandaged. "What the-?" Renji sat up and his head spun. Did he get drunk or something? Noriko was standing a few feet away with her dark hair down. "Where are we?" He called out to her, carefully standing.

"Warehouse. Door is locked from the outside. There's a passage way on the floor here, but I can't seem to open it. How's your hand?" Noriko asked not turning to face him.

Renji looked at the bandage, neatly wrapped and cleaned. The memories of last night rushed back towards him in a wave. Noriko had woken him up, speaking quietly about the attack, then there was fire. Smoke everywhere. Renji remembered breaking a window with his hand and helping Noriko out. Then Shirayuki was there, she said she'd bring them somewhere safe and they would find their friends soon.

"This is the safe place Shirayuki was talking about?" Renji said looking around at the wide but empty warehouse.

Renji walked towards Noriko and saw that she was trying to call someone…Hisagi…with her cell phone. "You okay?" Renji asked placing a hand on her shoulder.

Noriko wanted to melt right then and there, it was foolish to suddenly assume that he cared about her or even had feelings for her. Noriko had liked Renji since she saw him at the Butterfly Banquet when Rukia and Ichigo had been joined. He carried an air of confidence and strength that was one word: Sexy. They had met several times before that, but at the time, Noriko had been too busy focusing on other things. She wasn't the type of girl who had time for love.

"I'm alright…Shuhei isn't answering his phone." Noriko feeling her small body shudder with the thought that her brother could be dead.

"Ha! He's fine. That guy wouldn't die, he's like a lot of us. Too stubborn." Renji said with a grin, hoping to cheer her up.

Noriko turned her head and smiled slightly, the lower lids of her eyes were pink. 'She's been crying…' Renji thought with an strange coil in his stomach.

(10 years ago)

"Rukia?" Renji stared at Rukia, the young eight year old girl was staring at a broken flower.

"Oh…hey Renji." Rukia said looking up, her eyes were red from crying. "I found this flower, but I got into a fight on my way home…and…it's really stupid huh?" Rukia shook her head and dropped the flower onto the ground.

"That's not stupid at all! Who got into a fight with you? I'll beat them up!" Renji said holding a fist up. "Actually Renji…I think…I just need a hug."

(End)

Noriko gasped when Renji suddenly hugged her. "Cheer up." Renji said flatly as he felt her arms wrap around him tightly. Noriko pressed the side of her face against his chest and breathed in his scent, he was so warm. "Thank you." Noriko whispered and Renji felt himself smile and for the first time in the chaos, everything was peaceful. If only for a moment.

&3&3&3&3

Hisagi drove down the road at an illegal speed with Matsumoto in the passenger seat. He was drained from the recent death of his friend, lack of sleep, and energy wasted fighting. Matsumoto was quiet beside him and he welcomed that. 'Noriko is probably worried…but I can't tell anyone where we are going…'

"Hisagi…What if he isn't alive?" Matsumoto said looking over the files she had managed to grab, her beautiful strawberry blonde hair was still dusted with soot from the fire. Hisagi reached over and brushed some of it off, she was too pretty to look dirty.

"He's alive. Even if your papers say he isn't." Hisagi said whipping around a corner. This car wasn't his, or Matsumoto's, they stole it. They had to if they wanted to escape.

Matsumoto looked over the records again, Grimmjow was an enemy of Aizen and therefore an ally of the Death Gods. He was exiled from the city, something Grimmjow actually welcomed. Hisagi kept in touch with the blue-haired demon as some called him. Believe it or not, Grimmjow had a family. It never went on record but Hisagi met Grimmjow's son on several occasions. He wasn't married because that would put his family in danger. It would show the world that he was still alive.

"I would rather the people think I'm dead." Grimmjow said with a chuckle as he took a long drag on his cigarette, staring out into the open yard in front of his house. "That way, my kid won't be held for hostage, my girl wouldn't get attacked. If I'm dead…they are protected."

Hisagi was worried that Grimmjow wouldn't join them. Grimmjow had a set of 6 men that were loyal to him, and maybe Grimmjow would hand them over. Hisagi and Matsumoto knew that relying on Rukia was too much of a risk and burden for the girl.

Matsumoto reached over and placed her hand on top of Hisagi's, the hand that was on the shift stick. He smiled and focused on the road, Matsumoto blushed slightly and looked out the window. Her eyes were tired of staring at the papers. 'The road will be a long one…won't it?'

&3&3&3&3&3

Hitsugaya was staring out the window, Hinamori had managed to get the house next to the Kurosaki's. It had been for sale, but they couldn't get the cash to buy it. Hinamori took a big risk and went to the bank, handing over Aizen's code and accessing his account. She stole money from someone she once regarded as her 'hero' and idol.

Hinamori was stretched out on the couch, The Death Berry on her stomach, and her eyes were watching Hitsugaya. "Toshiro…" Hinamori spoke quietly as the boy turned to face her.

"There's someone at the door." Just after her words were spoken, a sharp knock was heard. Hitsugaya, out of habit, grabbed his pistol before walking to the door.

"Who's there?" He demanded.

"Angel of Ice will guide us through darkness."

'That's the password…Urahara only told it to myself, Momo, and Ichigo.' Hitsugaya slowly opened the door to be met with a bright red head. The hair was in pools and waves resting on her shoulder. She was taller than he, Hitsugaya looked up to meet her eyes. They were red with hints of yellow around the iris.

"My name is Rosa the Crimson. Please call me Crimson, I regard it as my codename. May I?" She spoke quietly but firmly. Hitsugaya moved out of the way, Hinamori had sat up on the couch to see who had entered.

"Rukia asked me to come for added protection for the Kurosaki's." Crimson said crossing her arms. She was dressed all in black, black pants, black long sleeved shirt and black boots. Her skin was tan but not as dark as Yoruichi's.

"Are you a butterfly?"Hinamori asked feeling intimidated by the strong woman who held so much energy and confidence even with her relaxed pose.

"Yes, a fire butterfly. I am the second rarest butterfly of our kind and also the strongest when it comes to offense." Crimson answered, her words as warm as her eyes.

&3&3&3&3

"You did what?!" Ichigo stared at Rukia in awe as she admired the paintings that the children of the Haven sent to her.

"You heard me." Rukia said with a soft smile, "I knew before Sky said something that you were worried about your family. Don't get me wrong, Hitsugaya and Hinamori are good…but Terra told me that Fire butterflies are the fighters…"

"You didn't have to do that." Ichigo mumbled as he turned his head away from her. Shirayuki had stopped in to tell them that there was a room in the temple where they could rest but she was very busy getting ready for training plans and creating barriers to ensure the safety of the Haven. Terra had brought them extra blankets and delivered the paintings.

Rukia was sitting on the bed with the paintings spread out and Ichigo was standing on the other side of the room. This time they got two beds, so it was less awkward. Rukia picked up a paper and out of nowhere, a wind came in and flew the paper to the floor near Ichigo's feet. "Oh I got it-" "No, it's.." Rukia had hurried over to grab the paper but Ichigo had already picked it up.

'I haven't teased her in while…' Ichigo thought with a smile as he held the paper up over his head.

"Ichigo!" Rukia put her hands on her hips and glared. There was no way she was going to jump for it. She still had her pride.

"What? Can't reach it?" Ichigo teased waving the paper in the air.

"Ichigo! Just hand it over before I hurt you." Rukia said with a slight menace in her voice.

"You? Hurt me? I don't think so." Ichigo chuckled and stared down at Rukia. She rolled her eyes and went for a surprise attack. Zangetsu had trained Ichigo well, he saw it coming. Ichigo grabbed the hand that was about to be shoved into his stomach.

"Surprised?" Ichigo asked raising his eyebrows. Rukia grinned and slapped him upside his head with the palm of her free hand.

"Ow! Damnit midget! That's cheating!" Ichigo said and that's when he saw a curious glint in Rukia's violet eyes. He didn't know when he got so good at reading her eyes, but to him, they really were windows to her soul. Even if it sounded horribly cliché.

"No Ichigo…this would be cheating." Rukia said placing her hand on the nape of his neck and leaning forward on her tiptoes. Ichigo leaned his head down. She wasn't going to kiss him was she? Holy shit her lips were too close to his.

Her breath was cold against his lips. 'Come on Ichigo! Focus!' His grip around her hand was slipping and the paper he held above his head didn't even matter anymore. Rukia was having a field day, her stomach was jumping and her heart was racing. He would drop the paper any second now.

"Ichi…go?" Rukia asked quietly, surprised at how sensual his name suddenly sounded in this position.

"Y…yes?" Ichigo managed to croak out, his throat was too dry and he resisted the urge to lick his lips. His mind was suddenly on high gear, his face was too warm and her lips shouldn't be this close…

"Thanks." Rukia said her hand suddenly slipping from the back of his neck and Ichigo felt something slide out of his fingers. He hadn't realized that his arm had dropped and his grip around her hand was weak. Rukia grinned at her victory as she walked back to her bed and gathered the rest of the pictures.

"You little devil!" Ichigo spat quickly, hoping to save his pride.

"You just suck at loosing." Rukia said rolling her eyes again and tucking the paintings away, hiding her flushed face from Ichigo's view. She didn't know what she was thinking, at first she just wanted her paper back, but then when they got that close. Rukia actually wanted him to lean forward and kiss her. What an insane thought! They had no time to worry about emotions…

Ichigo was her guardian…how was she supposed to feel about him? She felt admiration, she cared for him, but could that evolve into something more? Rukia shook her head, she just didn't know.

A/N: Mysterious gust of wind was provided by Sky.

Yay for Air butterflies and their mysterious ways!!! I don't know if Rukia was a little OC in this one? I just wanted them to fight and tease each other. I miss that "I care about you but I'm gonna show it like I'm in kindergarten and pulling your pigtails." thing they got going on.

Review and I will love you! More chapters on the way!