Ultimate

He started to think of ways to get her back as he walked from Rukia's 'house' to his apartment.

Court her, ask her on a date or even a hangout event with their friends, and let his every move be a sign that he really loves her (no exceptions) that would never cease to amaze her…

Even if he had to do it all over again.

And lastly, talk to the siblings.

Nonetheless, that last idea was probably the only way to really get her back. He knew that it was the siblings' doing on making her like that; they almost hid her from all of them.

To him, especially.

He wasn't sure when Rukia met them but just by their intentions; he knew well that they were a hindrance to their relationship. Sure, they may need Rukia but they don't have to huggle her to themselves, right?

Hopefully, there would be a way to end this peacefully without hurting those who are involved.

"Yeah, I'll just talk to them." He said proudly to himself.

Little did he know that he won't happen, a chuckling thought that came from a figure behind him. The said figure took the moment to grab his arm and instantly took a Swiss knife from his side pocket. Ichigo grunted at the sudden action but used his brute strength to resist; however, with a weapon in the man's hand, he purposely let him believe that he can't let go anymore.

A low laugh came out from the man's lips, "Say your prayers 'cause you'll never be with that woman again!"

As the knife moved towards his gut, Ichigo wasted no time to dodge and took advantage of his karate skills to defeat him. Seriously, just thinking those sparring days with his childhood friend, Tatsuki is something he had been grateful about. He twisted his arm, letting the said weapon fall from his clutch and heard him whined in pain as he slam him flatly on the ground. "You bastard! Who sent you!"

His eyes averted away from his and stuttered, "I-I don't know what y-you're talking ab-bout–"

He furrowed his brows deeper, "Cut the crap or I'll rub your face off!"

"Tch. Go ahead, do it! If you let me die, you're just going to lose your opportunity to know!"

"Okay, if you say so–"

"W-W-Wait! You're really going to kill me?" he asked in shock, understanding that he'll really do it.

"I can always find it myself without wasting my time on making you confess." He said half-heartedly; he knew this man's the only key but judging his trembling appearance, he knows he'll give up.

On which, he did.

"H-Hey, don't kill me! I was just joking! I-I'll tell you the truth, okay? J-just –"

He let go of his hold but he made sure that he's not getting away or will be the one who's going to be killed. "Alright, spill it."

"T-Two of them. A girl with a yellow hair and a tall, pale man. They told me to dispose you, fast."

Ichigo took a moment to realize that the man was talking about Homura and Shizuku. He asked him again, "What else do you know?"

He was wheezing because of his tight hold, "T-They're also behind of the fire that happened two years ago…" He pulled his phone and dialed three numbers.

While it was ringing, he heard him say something, "C-can you let go of me now?"

"No, I won't. After what you've done, I can't simply pass this off as nothing. You caused me a lot of suffering…"

The man cursed under his breath in defeat and he simply smirked victoriously.

"He's not texting or calling either." Shizuku told Homura who was busy packing all various necessities in a big bag.

"That only means that he might have been captured. There's only one thing we could do now: we must take Rukia as a hostage."

Shizuku almost jumped from where he was sitting at, "What? Are you insane? Nee-san?"

"We're going to be okay Shizuku. Leave this to your sister. I have thought of the plan. Rukia…Rukia will choose us over him. All you have to do is to do what I told you just now."

Shizuku knew his sister is few minutes away from being a complete psychopath. Kidnapping Rukia as a last resort to this whole thing is completely out of the question. He doesn't want this for her and he doesn't want this to let this happen to all of them.

Still, he was as desperate as she was.

"We will be together forever." He muffled as he took a deep breath and headed downstairs to let their plan commence.

Rukia quickly ran towards their house and at the same time, fixing herself. From what happened, her hair was all messed up because of Ichigo's hand weaving itself to hers and her clothes were on the same for lying down with Ichigo on the floor for hours.

She smelled herself, her perfume had somewhat been pulled out of her skin.

Now, she smells like she hasn't been somewhere. At least she can always give the excuse about air pollution and all, she snorted. When she arrived at the doorstep, she instantly grabbed the knob and entered inside.

Silence welcomed her; she felt relieved but there was something else.

"Homura? Shizuku? Where –"

Her mouth was closed by a cloth that smelled peculiar. Her surroundings became all blurry and she felt dizzy. She tried to struggle but the drug had taken effect, causing for her to pass out, completely. The said cloth was removed from her face and there she was, lying limply on the floor. Shizuku soothe her hair and carried her bridal style inside a rented van with her sister on the driver side and drove off.

We're sorry, Rukia...

After Ichigo took the man who had tried to kill him, he felt awfully weak. Something isn't right. Rukia's image formed immediately in his mind.

"Rukia.."

He went back to his car and drove quickly to her house. As he arrived, he yelled her name, hoping that his name would be heard in return. Unfortunately, nothing but air occupied the house.

He was sure that she's here, there's no way she would go somewhere else.

Just then, a cellphone rang. He answered without any hesitation, "hello?"

"I knew you're there." said with a high-toned voice.

He can tell who she was. "Homura. Where's Rukia?"

"Why are you looking for her? She left you."

"No, she didn't!" he exploded.

"Ah, Temper. All I can say is this: you won't take her away from us. Rukia doesn't need you and neither do you!"

Beep.

He pondered as he gripped the phone hard and headed back to his car: He needed her; without her, he would be lost. He even wondered back then as to why his world continues to revolve when he thought she died two years ago. His happiness was her and forever it will be.

"I'll get you back, Rukia!"

She's feeling woozy but she's slowly getting back to her senses, thankfully.

How long was she passed out? What just happened?

Events came back to her mind a few moments ago. She was captured as she went inside the house. But who would do such a thing? Their house is quite far from the busy streets of Karakura town and even if she was a Kuchiki, a couple of few knew she was alive – at least, for the current time being.

She opened her eyes with exhaustion. Surprise came over her when Shizuku and Homura were there. They were in an abandoned shelter somewhere near a water form as she faintly hears the crashing waves of the sea. She was about to move but was restricted with ropes tied around her hands and feet attached to the chair she was sitting on. She grunted as she forced herself to get out in any possible way she can.

"Rukia," Shizuku called in a gentle, deep voice, "It's impossible to escape. It'll be alright, we'll untie you after this."

"Wha-what?" she abruptly asked, "What are you doing? Homura, Shizuku, please let me go!"

Homura approached her struggling form and hugged her in a way she can, "Shizuku's right. It's all okay. After we end this, we can be together forever, finally."

"End? Who?"

An image of an orange-haired man flashed in her mind instantly, "You're not talking about Ichigo right? What are you going to do with him?"

The woman released her clutch and faced her back onto hers; fists coiled and replied, "That man is already occupying your mind and heart too much. I wished you didn't remember anything in the first place."

Rukia could only express sadness, anger and a mix of deep worry for the person she knew would recklessly come to get her.

A/N: Hello! Yeah, I'm a promise breaker. *bows down* I really am sorry! Indolence got the better of me and things got busy and a lot of things distracted me from typing. I update my Moments of Love fanfic every now and then and yet I didn't update this. Again, sorry. :|

The next chapter will be the conclusion of this story! I would like to thank everyone who read and reviewed; thanks for the support!

BUT... I am forming a scheme in connection with this story since I find this fic short on chapters. I feel like something is missing. Let's see.

see you~

FTB