A/N: before I start the chapter.. I'd love to thank all my reviewers.. especially galilab whose review helped this Fics Review count surpass that of my highest one. Thank you all once more.

Title: A New Kind of Hero

Rukia's eyes glared at him with determination, a bead of sweat falling gracelessly down her forehead. She smiled cockily, knowing that victory would soon be hers. She grasped it firmly in her hands, making sure it wouldn't escape her grasp. Ichigo stared at her, raw determination not to crack under the pressure she had placed upon him. She ran her fingers over it delicately, causing Ichigo to shudder slightly, but much to her dismay, his face stayed the same. She pouted, he never played fair at this game. He was to stubborn to let her win. She pressed her fingers against it, warming up for the real game. He glared at her but nonetheless he did not crack. He couldn't then she would win the pre-game and he couldn't allow her dominance. She bit her lip seeming how none of it seemed to get any sort of reaction out of him. Though the game had not yet begun the battle was already taking place.

"You won't win this time, Kuchiki." He stated, sweat pouring down his forehead as her hands began to press harder and faster.

"Don't doubt my abilities, Kurosaki, I've been doing this for a long time." Rukia stated, smiling mischieviously.

Ichigo frowned. "You know I've always been much better at this than you."

She smirked. "Only because you are faster with your hands, but I take the time and care to be precise with my moves."

Ichigo growled. "Still moving slow will get you nowhere. If you were ever to put your skill to my skill level... you would fail without a doubt."

She was now frustrated beyond reason, she new what she was doing so it did not require her utmost attention at the time. She had memorized every part of this routine, she would not fail due to distractions caused by the carrot top.

"For your information, Strawberry, I've been practicing, I know what buttons to push at what time.. I won't fail.. of that you can be sure." She grinned at him, though he kept his pace even with hers, and his face remained unaffected by her challenging words.

As the two neared the end of their struggling game Ichigo tried something new, something different. He moved it upwards. She looked at him shocked, forgetting her purpose. Urahara had never taught her that trick when she went to his shop for after school practice. Ichigo turned his vision towards her, a cocky grin on his face.

"Bet you weren't expecting that." He stated, an evil smile.

Rukia twitched. "NO FAIR!"

"How is it not fair, you said earlier this battle was based on skill and talent.. and whoever lost would pay the price. You, my friend.. lost." Ichigo stated, smiling.

Rukia glared at him. She tossed her guitar aside and ran at him. He dropped his guitar in surprise as the small girl ran towards him. She rammed into him knocking him to the ground, breathless, and out. She smiled as she got up and surveyed her work. She then brushed off her hands on her clothes and looked to the screen. Even through all her distractions and her constant bickering, even the tackling.. she still manged to loose to her hero. Her new kind of hero... her... Guitar Hero. She kicked his foot, causing him pain. Even if she couldn't beat him in a game.. she always had her girlish looks to distract him long enough to get beaten to a pulp.. and for that.. she truly loved Ichigo Kurosaki, now if only she could get him to let her win. Thus a plan was formulated in her mind, it would be a dirty plan.. and it was a cheap shot at that, but it would work undoubtedly.

---the next day---

"Rematch." were the first words to leave her mouth as Ichigo awoke with a killer headache.

"Wow, and I thought you'd realize my skill and just leave me be.. you are a persistent one.. aren't you midget." He stated, getting out of bed. She thrust the guitar into his hand and then walked to his TV and turned it on. As she bent over to place the disc in his PS3 (Because the PS system PWNs.. and no one should lower their standards to things like an X-Box) he couldn't help but notice her attire. She wore a pair of Yuzu's pink short shorts, one of her own tight spaghetti strapped whit tanks, and a pair of furry pink slippers. She stood up and turned to him, her face serious. As the game loaded she glared at him. She picked of her guitar and took her spot right next to him.

"Game on." She stated.

Ichigo silently cursed as she stood next to him in such revealing and fitting clothes.

"Ready to loose?" She asked, staring intently at the screen.

"What are we playing?" He asked.

"Three battles, whomever gets 2 out of three is the winner and must suffer the most severe of consequences." she stated in a very military like fashion.

He nodded, not looking at the screen but rather at her smooth legs. Damn her. The first song began to play and Ichigo began to sweat as his fingers played over the guitar keys and his eyes played over her body. He felt like a pervert, but a happy pervert nonetheless. His hand slipped on a key and he missed a note, Rukia smirked, her plan was working out. As his eyes traveled up her smooth ans silk looking legs they met the pink shorts. Pink looked good on her small frame. It only made her look more feminine and fragile. He missed another note and Rukia made another smirk. His eyes traveled further, and he turned slightly red to be staring at her slim figure. She really was quite beautiful. Then his eyes fell on the profile view of her face. The black hair brushed it gently and her eyes were set and determined. And upon her lips he detected not only shimmery Chappy the bunny lip gloss but a triumphant smirk. He inwardly growled. She was playing dirty tricks to win.

The song ended and Rukia jumped with joy. "Pishaw eat that carrot top I totally beat you!"

Two can play at this game.

Ichigo sighed. "That is true."

Rukia smirked, she would win this next battle and claim victory over the puny mortal known as Ichigo.

Well maybe he wasn't so puny.

He wiped the sweat from his brown and sighed. "It's really hot in here." He stated.

"I couldn't tell." Rukia stated, smirking. Not only was her attire alluring.. it was also cool in this hot summer weather.

Ichigo pulled off his shirt revealing his chest and a few scars that he had gotten in battle. Rukia turned red but then visibly sorrowed at his scars.

Ichigo smirked. He would let her have a taste of her own medicine.

The game started up, and Ichigo, now having had his fill of taking in the beauty was free of distraction. Rukia however played dully as her eyes followed his scarred chest.

Her eyes fell on the scar that her brother had left that night when the rain had drown out both his dreams and hers. She bit her lip, her fingers playing less and less to the steady beat in the song she had become so accustomed to. Her eyes landed on another one caused by Kenpachi during his time he had taken to rescue her from death. She held back tears and tried to focus on the screen. Ichigo, without looking smirked at the fact she was missed beats. He had no idea however that his little trick was beating her up inside. Her eyes skimmed his chest to see small cuts cause by the Scatter technique. She held back tears and continued to play, her heart no longer in the game. When it ended Ichigo shouted.

"I won!" He shouted,. "Beat that midget! Now let us see who is best, last game!"

Rukia placed her guitar down and smiled at him forcedly. "I'd rather not."

Ichigo looked at her with slight concern. "Why not, Rukia you love Guitar hero."

She bit her lip and looked into his deep amber eyes. He saw the pain in her violet eyes and pulled her into an out of charcter hug. "What's wrong.. Rukia?"

She let tears spill down his chest. "I'm sorry Ichigo, that I hurt you."

Ichigo looked confused.

"Because I walked into your life.. all I have brought upon you is pain and suffering." Rukia sobbed.

Ichigo wrapped his arms tighter around her with uncertainty. She buried her head further into his chest.

"Rukia ever since you walked into my life.. I've lived more than anyone could ever dream. "Hell I even died once.. i can't imagine my life without you in it..."

She blushed slightly. She wasn't expecting much of a reaction. In fact she was only acting. Sure it was wrong to toy with his emotions. But all is fair in love and war. She reached behind him and grabbed his guitar, carefully removing the batteries from the device. She pulled back once the job was done and wiped her eyes. "Thank you Ichigo.."

He for once it seemed, smiled at her.. and meant it. "I meant what I said Rukia, I can't imagine my life without you."

Rukia suddenly felt guilty.

"How about that last round?" He asked, handing over her guitar. She looked uneasy for a moment. She smiled.

"Only if we switch guitars." She stated, with a smile. He rolled his eyes and handed his guitar over.

Rukia Kuchiki stood there, pretending to play the guitar as memories of all the times he had, without thinking, had saved her. On that day she let her (more than) Guitar hero win. She didn't really care.

"Ha Midget, taught you a lesson." He smirked.

Until then.

"SHUT UP CARROT TOP!! REMATCH REMATCH REMATCH!!!"