-Mentiras of the heart-

Lost in her thoughts, Rukia quite failed to see the movement in the darkness, her hands clenched on the tops of the covers lying at her waist. Confusion had taken a hold of her, she had never felt this way about anyone before, so strange..so fluttery-?

Those days spent at Mount Kofu in the Soul Society, in the company of Kaien Shiba had left her with almost- yet not quite the same feeling. Less intense. More of reddened cheeks and her heart starting at any little compliment he could deign to give out as encouragement. Compared to this..there was almost no resemblance.

It couldn't be..Rukia had always heard that love was blind but had sworn to herself it would never happen to her. If the dream had been a product of her own subconscious feelings that she wasn't aware of, then she didn't want to take revenge on Ulquiorra, because she felt something else...

That thing called Love.

She would be the first to scoff at it. Call it ridiculous-

A sudden sound made her head snap up, her heart began racing with something that wasn't fear. Though it was impossible that he could be there, she whispered it anyway, "Ulquiorra?"

The door opened, light from the brightly-illumined hallway spilled across the Espada's frozen form. Rukia blinked rapidly to rid her sight of the spots that danced before it. In the doorway stood one of the servants, alike in their long-sleeved striped dresses. She recognized this one-though being numerous and nameless, as being one that sometimes brought meals if someone else didn't.

"Rukia-sama, Ichimaru-sama has sent this up in relief to your disturbed night." Balanced on a plain silver tray was a glass of foamy milk.

H-how did- she didn't dare slide her gaze to Ulquiorra.

"La Cuatro," the mechanical tones of the servant were nothing like his she saw now. "Ichimaru-sama has also requested that you leave Rukia-sama's room."

Silence. Rukia stole a tiny peek, glimpsing his face devoid of all emotion, like usual she thought crossly, unable to read his expression as he coolly walked past the automaton-like Arrancar.

Never looking back once.

(*)*)*)*)*)

Ichimaru's way was displeasing to him, walking back up the hall, hands in pockets, the air of apathetic disinterest worn. Like with all things, Ulquiorra perceived the slight, if not subtle reminder in the Shinigami sending the servant.

I know.

The surveillance system of Las Noches undoubtedly was how Ichimaru was watching them. As befitting a man of his disposition whom slunk through the grasses with a poison tongue like a snake. Ulquiorra couldn't approve of such underhanded methods. Whatever he had in store for Kuchiki Rukia wasn't any of his concern.

However that disturbed him, though there was no reason why it should being as true undeniable reality. He saw now that he desired her company, to some extent it was reciprocated yet she still belonged to another.

This had only been a warning-

One that he was meant to heed.

But, his Lord hadn't forbidden it. Ichimaru was an aid to Aizen-sama yet Ulquiorra saw nothing yet of the results Ichimaru had helped bring about.

Ulquiorra resolved then that under no circumstance barring a restrictive command from his Lord, would he sunder Kuchiki Rukia to the hands of the ex Taichou.

(*)*(*(*(*)

The glass of milk was warm yet not scalding. It soothed her throat and left a vague warm mellow feeling in the pit of her stomach, easing the edge off. Rukia wouldn't say thank you, despite the ill-manneredness of it. She was still too angry over the fact that he was spying on her-probably since the beginning.

Rankled, her eyes swept the corners of the room, wondering just where the device was located. It gave her chills to even contemplate the notion that there could be one in the bathroom. Pervert...strange though. She wouldn't have pegged him for such voyeuristic behavior that was more up Urahara's alley.

Yes, the man made her flesh crawl...though lately Rukia was more disturbed by the realization that she kind of...liked it. Rather than the slithering, sinuous sensation be repulsive- but no! She couldn't afford for her feelings to be softening toward the man whom had singled her out for his attentions during her early Shinigami days!

He was repulsive-

-he was...

Confusing.

Shaking her fists in the semi-darkness of the room, Rukia glowered at the Chappy nightlight the Arrancar servant had brought along with the milk.

She hated to admit how touched she was by that gesture. The reassuring glow of the tiny moon over the sleeping bunny, cast vague illumination over the easel in the corner and slanted over the floor.

So, yes...Gin was an enigma.

How could one be so repellent in words yet show so much kindness in deeds?

There was of course the possibility of it being a lie. A way for her to let her guard down and then...what would be the purpose? He already had her as a prisoner, so what more was there-?

But, somehow her gut instinct said it wasn't that. No matter how wary she had been of accepting anything from the silver-tongued Shinigami, she had mostly done it without question.

"What do you want from me?"

"Nothing...'cept of course for you to love me."

Rukia couldn't forget then either, what he had said to her after Kaien's death.

"Don't be so sad! Just think that Shiba-san and his wife are together now! You wouldn't have wanted them to stay separated even if it meant he had lived, now would you?"

She just didn't know what to think of the man.

Then..Ulquiorra. What had he been doing in her room and most importantly...had he heard her? Having no clear answer to anything frustrated her beyond belief. She wanted to receive her punishment from Soul Society for her crime, yet at the same time wholly didn't desire the true death that would most certainly await her within the white city.

If she was executed...then she wouldn't be able to see Ulquiorra ever again. But, that was silly... she wasn't frightened anymore of the thought of her demise, but saddened of not being able to see him again with her own eyes...

(*)*(*(*(*)Living world(*)*(*(*(*)

"Ichigo..."

Surprised yet not unduly put on guard, the orange-haired substitute glanced over his shoulder at Urahara's approach. Yoruichi looked as well, but then went back to her warm-up routine before they commenced the Shunpo session. Being the Goddess of Flash meant that she still had some tricks to teach.

"Yeah? What is it?" Ichigo mopped his forehead with a damp towel, wiping away the hours' worth of sweat. Urahara surveyed him for a time, saying nothing yet lacking the usual easygoing foppery that had so aggravated Rukia. Rukia.. the deep furrow lessened. It was much easier to think of the midget than the one he had failed.

"About..Kuchiki-san."

Now he was surprised. Urahara had picked up on his thoughts. Amber eyes narrowed. "What about her?"

The shopkeeper's gaze intensified, though his tone remained relatively light, "I must ask ..how do you feel toward her?"

-TBC...

AN: thanks for reading :)

I know everybody's been asking how it will end CX and to that I have to say I know how it's going to end. ;p no spoilers! But it will be GinxRukia CX

No flames-haters-stupid comments!

Reviews appreciated and loved! :D