Disclaimer: If I ever own Bleach or Naruto, Rukia and Ichigo will be together and Orihime wouldn't even exist LOL :D And, Aizen would be the matchmaker of Rukia and Ichigo and Naruto would have been together with Sasuke. *Shrugs*

Warning: OOC-ness, angst, mystery, slight romance

A/N: This is the thirty-four chapter of 'Healing One's Heart' and this chapter includes Ishida's episode of crying (Who thinks that it's total OOC? XD), Sora's question to Rukia, Rukia's confrontation to Inoue and Ichigo, and Rukia fainting due to unknown reasons.

Replying To Reviews In Progress:

kyurikochan: That's the good points of a FanFiction actually. XD

Reaching a finger for her eyes, Rukia winced. After the little episode at the classroom, she had cried for the entire period, not being able to stop. Walking back to her office, Rukia sighed, looking at the plan once more that was ruined because of her tears. Looks like I have to redo it. Meh, since what Kurosaki did have some mistakes in it anyway. Opening the office doors, she sat in front of her table and looked at Kaien's picture. Smiling softly and using her fingers, she traced the picture and was shocked out of her life to hear a voice calling her. "Rukia."

Rukia literally jumped. "Sora, are you trying to grant me an early death? Why are you here anyway?"

Sora chuckled. "I just came up to check on you, blame yourself for the fact that you weren't noticing your surroundings."

Rukia pouted at Sora's words. "Right. blame me for everything." When Sora didn't reply, which he had no need to anyway, a comfortable silence occured and it only broke when Rukia spoke. "Ne, Sora." Sora glanced at Rukia. "Do you have any wishes unfulfilled in this world?"

Sora pondered Rukia's question for a moment. "Now that I think about it, not particularly, my wishes are almost fulfilled."

Rukia raised an eyebrow at Sora's answer. "Almost fulfilled? What do you mean?"

"Hm..." Sora pondered the question. "It doesn't mean anything in particular, I guess..."

You guess, huh...? That's a very vague explanation, Sora. Rukia mentally sweatdropped at hearing Sora's answer and turned back to her plans, determined to redo it. "I was just wondering, Sora..." Taking a brand new piece of paper, she began redoing. "If you have nothing to make yourself linger in this world, why don't you accept the Soul Burial?"

Sora looked at Rukia since Rukia's back was facing him and wrapped both of his arms around her to give her warmth. Creepy, in a way, but, warmness was felt in Rukia's heart and she smiled. "Maybe a person keeps me from leaving this world."

"A person? What do you mean?" Rukia asked, confused by Sora's answer.

Instead of explaining, Sora maintained his smile, freeing his arms from Rukia. "Even if you don't get it now, you will get it someday." Turning to glance at Sora, Rukia tilted her head. "Well, how about this? The day you fulfill my wish is the day I leave this world."

"Fulfill... Your wish...?" Rukia pointed a finger at herself. "Me...?"

Sora smiled. "Yes, you." Rukia kept her confused gaze at Sora. "Say, Rukia, have you ever imagined you marrying anybody at all?"

Rukia glanced at Sora, smiling and nodding her head. "Yes, I have. Since a very long time ago, since the first time I met him, I already had."

Curiosity getting the better of him, Sora asked. "Who is it?"

Before Rukia was able to reply Sora, a knock was heard at her office door. "Rukia, can I come in?"

Glancing at the door and not noticing Sora narrowing his eyes at the caller who called Rukia without a 'Sensei', Rukia immediately knew who it was. "Ah, Ishida?" Not bothering to wait for an answer, Rukia's fingers took hold of the picture in front of her table and opened one of her drawers, putting the picture inside and closed her eyes, wiping every other trace of her tears indicating that she cried before and eyes that reminded her of Kaien, opening her eyes moments after, smiling. "Come in, Ishida."

The door was piushed open, and, as expected, Ishida walked in the room. But, as Rukia glanced at Ishida, she found something unexpected. The redness of Ishida's eyes, even with glasses, seemed so much more obvioius. Had he been crying? But... What for...? And, what the fuck...? Ishida uryuu cries...? "I'm sorry to disturb Rukia-sensei at such a time."

Rukia shook her head. "No, it's fine, I'm your homeroom teacher after all." Glancing at Ishida who seemed to have forced a smile out of himself, Rukia grew concerned. "What's wrong, Ishida? Is something bothering you?" Ishida looked at Rukia and took his glasses off, which Rukia was certainly surprised but didn't show it. "It's rare for you to take off your glasses, you know that?"

Ishida smiled a brief smile. "I know." Even the tone of his is so obvious that he had been crying. "Rukia-sensei, have you ever thought of..." Ishida paused and glanced at Rukia before continuing his question, sincerely hoping that Rukia didn't mind his question at all. "Giving up before...?"

"Giving up?" Rukia stood up before getting two cups and pouring water inside it before handing it to Ishida. "Why would you think that?" Sitting back on her chair, Rukia asked further before Ishida could give any explanations. "Are you thinking of giving up, right here and now?"

Ishida spent a few moments looking at Rukia, as if contemplating whether he should tell his homeroom teacher the truth or not, before he took a deep breath and spoke. "Yes, I'm thinking about giving up... Right here... And now..." Rukia was about to speak when Ishida spoke, halting any attempts for Rukia to speak. "If you are thinking about academically, it isn't that." That particular statement caught Rukia off guard and she stayed silent. I'm amazed he knows what I'm thinking. "It's about... Another matter altogether."

Remaining silent for a few moments, Rukia finally spoke up. "Can I make an assumption, Ishida?" Seeing Ishida nod his head, she spoke her mind. "It's about Inoue-san, isn't it...?" Ishida nodded his head once again and Rukia sighed. Things seems to be getting more chaotic than ever.

"I'm saying this not because I want Rukia-sensei to pity me..." Rukia glanced at Ishida in surprise. Even if you wanted me to, I wouldn't. "I just felt like... I originally... Had no chance at all." Ishida tried his best to explain so that Rukia could understand.

Rukia knew that Ishida was referring to the rooftop scene that Ichigo and Inoue had, but, she just couldn't find any words to proper advice Ishida on dealing with these situations. Heaving a sigh, Rukia glanced at Ishida. "To be hoenst, Ishida, I don't know..."

"I originally thought..." Ishida's interruption made Rukia glance at him. "I originally thought that my feelings for Orihime..." Rukia raised an eyebrow. "... Will be returned eventually. I really thought that... My feelings will get through to her someday..." Rukia mentally winced at the words she had spoken to Ishida that day. Glancing at the Chappy plushie, she shifted her gaze back to Ishida. "But, I stood no chance at all..."

Rukia closed her eyes. "Say, Ishida..." Ishida glanced up at Rukia. "If this was your academical results, what would you do...?"

Ishida was confused. What had academical results have to do at this moment of time? "Huh...?"

"If this was your academical results and you failed so many times that you found it irritating and just once, you found out that, it's tiring to continue any longer." Staring at Ishida, Rukia asked. "Would you give up schooling just because of that factor alone?"

Being the number-one student in all academical areas, the question Rukia pointed out seemed to be an insult to Ishida as he defended himself. "Of course not!" Rukia continued staring at him. "I will never do that!"

Rukia raised an eyebrow at the defensive Ishida right in front of her. I should bear that in mind for blackmail material. "You can say you would never do that, but, the question is, Ishida, what will you do?"

"I will fight for my results!" Rukia smiled as Ishida continued. "I will fight until I get the number one results once more!" Ishida pointed a fist at his chest and had a confident look on his chest. That's the Ishida we all miss.

Rukia stood up. "You answered your own question, Ishida."

Ishida was confused once more. "Huh...?"

"What I asked just now might not make any sense to you, Ishida, but, if you think a little deeper, it will." Rukia glanced at Ishida before smiling. "I just worded the question you asked me in a different way and diverted it to an acamedical question." Realization dawned on Ishida. "If, in academical terms, you are willing to fight to get the number one position, why is it so hard to fight for Inoue-san?"

Ishida glanced at Rukia and looked down once again. "It's not the problem whether or not to fight for Orihime, Rukia..." Rukia glanced at Ishida once more. "It's the way that bothers me..."

"So, you mean... You are willing to fight for Inoue-san but you just don't know any way for her to notice you instead of Kurosaki?" Ishida nodded and Rukia smiled. "When taught a new subject, we are all new to the subject. Yet..." Walking over to the Chappy plushie, she took it in her hands. "All we can do is to gain understanding of the subject and tackle it, right...?"

Ishida glanced at Rukia. "You mean..."

"You understood the subject pretty well, Ishida. You really did..." Rukia walked over to Ishida and gave him the plushie. "You just need to tackle it the right way."

Ishida began to protest, but, he took the plushie in his hands, nevertheless. "But..."

Rukia smiled and took Ishida's hands in hers. "Come on." With that, she opened her office door and went in search for Inoue. "If you wanted to let your feelings get through to her, the plushie... Shouldn't be given to me." Ishida remained silent as Rukia smiled, attempting to cheer him up.

As they turned the corner of a hallway, Rukia loosened the hold on Ishida and stared straight ahead. As Ishida glanced at Rukia, he grabbed Rukia's hand tighter, looking away at the scene in front of him. On the other hand, Rukia widened her eyes at the scene. Ichigo and Inoue were holding hands hands and talking happily, as if they were a... Couple. No matter how Rukia hated the word 'Couple' on them, she had to admit... They looked like a couple. Clenching her fists at the Chappy plushie, she closed her eyes and smiled. "Kurosaki."

Ichigo glanced in front of him and pretended to look shock. "Rukia-sensei!"

Rukia smiled. It was weird how she could say those words to Ishida, but, never to herself. Opening her eyes after a few second, she composed herself and took the Chappy plushie.

Ichigo was having more of a headache nowadays... To dense teachers who doesn't know what he's feeling to clingy classmate who had a crush on him since who-knows-when. Sighing deeply, footsteps seemed to echo and Ishida's protests seemed to come out of his mouth. "But..."

In a panicking state, Ichigo spotted Inoue who was just nearby him, and, without a moment of hesitation, grabbed Inoue's hand. Having a faint blush on her cheeks, Inoue was confused. "Kurosaki-kun...?"

Placing a finger on Inoue's lips, Ichigo whispered in a low tone. "Ssh..."

"Kurosaki." Rukia smiled. "Can we borrow Inoue-san for a while?"

I have to play along. With this thought in mind, Ichigo pulled inoue closer to himself as he set a glare on ishida who he noticed, was frowning. "What do you need her for, Rukia-sensei, Ishida?"

"Kurosaki." Ichigo faced Rukia. "What I said... Wasn't a question or request... It's an order."

Ichigo scowled. "If that is so, Rukia-sensei... Why should I listen to you?"

Rukia clenched her fists in silent anger, accidentally letting the plushie squeak out and Rukia sighed. She was about to speak when Inoue spoke, interrupting her. "Uryuu-kun?" Ishida looked up and couldn't bear to see the scene of Inoue and Ichigo holding hands together and was about to look back down when Inoue asked. "Have you been crying, Uryuu-kun?"

Hearing this question, Ishida made the first move by walking away, but, Rukia stood her ground. "Ishida, you made it so far, don't make the mistake of backing off. " Walking to Inoue, she felt herself getting lightheaded but showed no weakness as she took out the plushie.

Inoue stared wide-eyed at Rukia while Ichigo made a disgusted face and Rukia turned to glare at Ichigo before turning to Inoue. "This is my..." Inoue muttered in disbelief. "Is this for me, Rukia-sensei...?"

Rukia only smiled and nodded at the same time. "It's a present, but, it isn't from me, it's from Ishida."

Inoue glanced over at Ishida. "Uryuu-kun...?" Ishida kept his head hung down, and, for this reason alone, Inoue was angered. Why did Rukia-sensei give me this instead of Uryuu-kun? Have we distanced ourselves, Uryuu-kun...? "I don't get it, Rukia-sensei."

Wearing a confused face on, Rukia asked. "What don't you get?"

"If this was something Uryuu-kun bought for me, why couldn't he had given me directly?" Inoue was pointing at Rukia now. "Why must it be Rukia-sensei who gave it to me?"

Hearing this, ishida glared at Inoue for the first time in his life and was about to step up to defend Rukia as Ichigo scowled, noticing the exchange, but, Rukia pushed Ishida's hand down. "He was planning to, Inoue-san."

"Uryuu-kun...?" Inoue glanced at Ishida.

"He was planning to, Inoue-san." Rukia couldn't deny that her vision ached so much that it hurts, but, she insisted on getting the point to Inoue. "He was planning to, Inoue-san... If his feelings got returned."

Inoue widened her eyes. "What...?"

"You heard me, Inoue-san." Rukia stared at Inoue. "Ishida was planning to give you the plushie, but, he backed off." Inoue was silent as Rukia asked Inoue. "Do you wish to know why, Inoue-san?"

Inoue looked at Ichigo for support. "Kurosaki-kun...?"

"Yes, Inoue-san, that's the name Ishida and I both wanted to hear." Ishida looked down and Rukia simply smiled. "I... I wasn't..."

Rukia smiled once more and took Inoue's hand, putting the plushie within it. "That present, I successfully delivered, the rest is up to you, Inoue-san."

"Rukia-sensei..." Inoue was bout to call out and looked at the plushie in her hand.

Turning around and about to walk away, Rukia placed a hand on her forehead, feeling giddy all of a sudden, but, insisted on continuing with Inoue about the plushie. "Ishida wanted his own feelings to get through to you, Inoue-san." Inoue looked up at Rukia. "Because he couldn't..." Rukia glanced at Ishida only to find her feet stumbling a little.

Sensing her health, Ishida spoke. "Forget it, Rukia."

Looking at Ishida, Rukia widened her eyes. "What...?" Walking over, Ishida grabbed her hand and began to walk away, but, Rukia stood her ground. "W..." Her head spun but she maintained her position. "What... Are you saying...?"

"Come on, let's go."

As Rukia allowed herself to be pulled away, she cast a last glance at Ichigo who was frowning a little and found out that her own vision blurred. Stumbling as Ishida pulled her away, they turned a corner and Rukia lost sight of Ichigo but was shocked as Ishida suddenly hugged her. "Ishida...?" Her vision was blurring even more.

"I have seen you in this state before, it was heartbreaking... Please... Please don't let me see it again..." Ishida half-begged.

"W-What are you talking...?" A sudden pain came from Rukia and it engulfed her, consuming her. Closing her eyes tightly, she tried to ignore the blood dripping out from the corner of her lips. As she tried her best to maintain awake, slowly but surely, she began to close her eyes and her hands began falling to the side.

Slowly but surely, she was in a world of blackness as it consumed her. "Rukia!"

A/N: O.O Things are getting interesting. :D So, who wants to make a guess of what's happening? There are many possibilities, though. XD