Author's Notes: One more chapter to the end of the second arc. :3 I am really looking forward to it and I apologize to have disappeared on the surface of the Earth. :3 A shout-out to one of the readers, I received a PM from renee18 and that contents of the message inspired me to post this Chapter. Thank You. You are like the light to a darkened tunnel and gave me the words that I needed most at the right time. :3 Thank You. :3

reesen555 - I have no idea whether Tsukishima is a one-time thing or will he appear a second time. We will have to see. :3 If you think I am biased towards Ichigo, why did I make him a jerk for the past Chapters? I am hardly biased against him and I am deeply saddened you would think that way. Let's put this way, the reason she is conflicted is because she is developing feelings for Ichigo but has to face his mistakes and habits. Besides, in this arc, Ichigo treats Rukia exceptionally well. You have to know that the island was a precious memory of Rukia's and Ichigo's. It was as if they saw each other for the first time. I can't say anything if you want to read the 2nd arc separately from the 1st, that's your decision. You also must know that Ichigo is confused about his feelings too. Going from hating to having some admiration for a particular person, changing your own mindset is not easy. What I am saying is, I understand his struggles.

First, he had a sex dream which caused him to have some physical attraction. After that, the island which made him open his eyes to Rukia. And, he is confused because he is supposed to hate her, not admire her Naturally, when such a development comes, he is very confused and wants to make life better for Rukia (Because he sees that she is kind). And, through his actions, he has developed feelings for her. I am not saying all will be rainbows and unicorns, there will be some problems afterwards. Rukia never had a boyfriend and technically speaking, Ichigo is her first boyfriend. She's new to Love. It is the first time a man has touched her this way. So, it would be natural for her to act that way.

Guest - Ginjo makes me sick as well. D: Whether they get there in time or not, we would have to see. :3

Disclaimer: I neither own Bleach nor its characters. :3


Though Ginjo's plan had worked thus far, he had overlooked one small detail, underestimating Rukia. Ginjo had left Rukia standing in the middle of the warehouse as if she was some swooning damsel in distress, believing her to be too feeble to escape. Her head might have been ringing and her arms might have been bound but she still had her legs and Ginjo was a fool to think that she wouldn't have used them. Rukia might not have been the most outgoing girl but nevertheless, she still valued her life. Rukia still had many things that she wanted to do and she wasn't letting Ginjo take those away from her. As soon as Ginjo was close enough, Rukia kicked and hit Ginjo right between the legs with the heel of her black pump. His knife clattering to the ground, Ginjo dropped to his knees with an 'Oomph'. Taking the opportunity, Rukia sprinted for the door.


"Get out." Ichigo snapped, ripping the driver side's door of his Lamborghini open. At Ichigo's raised voice, a few pedestrians had turned their heads, wondering what was the ruckus about. "Out. Now." Ichigo snapped once more when Ikkaku hadn't moved. "Leave the keys in." Ikkaku stepping out of the car, Ichigo slid into the driver's seat. If the car was left to Ikkaku, he knew that there would be a lot of red lights and traffic involved and this wasn't the time for that, he needed to get to Rukia's location urgently.

Isshin's assistant had found the address of Ginjo's warehouse and he wasn't about to let anything else stop him from getting there as soon as possible. "Son." Isshin called out, approaching the car window. "You should wait for the police."

"They can follow me." Ichigo shifted into gear. "I don't have anymore time to waste."

If the painting was any indicator, Ginjo had done all this to get back at Ichigo for fucking Setsuna, for ruining his career and for sending the police after him. Ultimately, it was Ichigo's fault that Ginjo had taken Rukia. If he touched her or hurt her, it was because of what he had done and Ichigo simply couldn't allow that. Tires squealing, Ichigo merged onto the busy streets. A symphony of lights and siren fell into line before him, cutting a path through the city. "I'm coming, Rukia..."


It was difficult to run with her arms behind her but she had bolted for the open metal doors of the warehouse as fast as she could. She was already halfway to the door when she heard heavy footsteps approaching behind her fast before a leg kicking her into the ground. Chin hitting the concrete floor with teeth-rattling force and blood filling her mouth, Ginjo spat at the next moment and straddled Rukia's waist. Standing and hauling Rukia to her feet beside him, Ginjo grinned. "You want to play games? I know a game." He pushed Rukia and sent Rukia flying to a nearby crate, the crate splintering under Rukia's weight. Jagged bits of wood cut into Rukia's back, making her hiss. Ginjo was right there, pulling Rukia upright once again. "Ginjo is here, please do not worry." Dragging Rukia to a beam in the center of the space and tying her hands around it, Rukia sagged against the metal pole. "You are braver than I thought, not like Ichigo's regular whores."

Rukia's knees shook and she spat out a mouthful of blood. Assured that Rukia wasn't going anywhere, Ginjo headed for his forgotten knife. "He's going to kill you." Rukia knew Ichigo would. If Ichigo had found Rukia bleeding and bruised, she knew that Ichigo would hunt Ginjo down until the day he died.

Ginjo, in response, only picked up the knife and held it tight in his hands. "Perhaps... But, not before I get what I want."

She could only hope that someone had realized she was gone and that Ichigo was on his way to her, she simply had to hold on for a little longer.


Heart hammering, Ichigo tore through the streets. He had left his escort behind blocks back and could barely hear the sirens now. It was only this morning that he had asked for Ukitake's blessing. He was ready this time, he had known Rukia was everything that he could have ever wanted and more. They had been together for months and he had wasted so much valuable time hating her. Now, he might not even have the chance to tell her that he was wrong and he loved her.


Blood dripping to the floor beneath Rukia, she could feel blackness beginning to take over her vision as the sharp metal of the blade pressed onto her throat. She had a feeling that she wasn't going to last much longer. "I'm going to mark you like you marked me." Ginjo hissed, digging the knife deeper into the tender flesh below her jaw. "But first, we have some unfinished business." She felt the blade move down, carving over her collarbone and down the center of her chest, between her breasts. Ginjo grunted and there was the sound of ripping fabric. Cold night air whispered against her exposed skin and scraps of her bridesmaid dress slithered to the floor. Ginjo gazed upon her, taking in her white lace panties and braless chest, his head tilting to one side. "Not what I imagined Ichigo Kurosaki would settle for but you will do." Ginjo stepped closer and his sour breath fanned across his tear-streaked cheeks as he fumbled with his belt. He dropped his knife, roughly grabbing her breasts in his clammy hands, pinching her nipples. Rukia cried out, exhaustion and blood loss making her limbs weak and heavy. Jamming his leg between her thighs, Ginjo attempted spreading her legs, causing Rukia to use her remaining strength to keep them close. "Don't make me tie your legs too." He hissed. It wasn't that she was afraid to die, she was simply scared of leaving everyone behind her. She knew the pain of losing someone and the hole it left in one's heart and life. She had seen what it had done to Shuuhei, Yumichika, Ichigo and Isshin, she hadn't wanted the pain to be seen on their faces. She hadn't wanted to cause the ones she loved that kind of pain or give Ginjo the gratification that he had hurt them. But, she could see that there wasn't much choice left anymore, she could feel the fight draining from her body. "This could have all been finished if you had just allowed me to take what I wanted in Paris." Ginjo licked up the side of Rukia's neck. "Now, when I'm done with you, I would have to kill you."

"You don't have to." Rukia said as his rough fingers skimmed along the waistband of her panties.

"I do." Ginjo said. "He took everything from me. My love, my work and my life, that's why he has to pay." Ginjo kicked Rukia's leg apart. Dropping like a weight to the concrete floor, she pulled herself into a tight ball. Her shoulders ached as her arms were twisted around the pole, the bindings biting into the already raw skin of her wrists. She might not have much strength left but she would be sure to use the little strength that had remained to make this as difficult for Ginjo as possible. "You bitch."

"I'm sorry, Ichigo... I... Love... You..."


"Masaki..." Isshin whispered, his eyes closing as he did so. "Our son needs you right now."

Isshin wasn't a man who relied on churches for miracles -- Not when Masaki had died, not after the plane crash -- He simply figured now was the time to start. On his knees in the hotel chapel, he could feel a power move through him, a warmth settling in his chest. "Rukia has been taken from us. Ichigo needs you, my love. He's not strong enough to lose her too. Give them... Give us all the strength we need to get through these dark hours. Guide us to the right path and keep her safe. Please, my love, keep Rukia safe. There's nothing more I can do..." It wasn't just Ichigo that Isshin was praying for but also for Rukia's friends and family, inclusive of himself. Rukia was one of the purest and brightest soul Isshin had ever had the chance to encounter. With her gone, Isshin knew the world would be a much darker place. "Please..." Isshin whispered, clasping his hands before him. "Please bring them back safe..."


Ichigo found the warehouse, a long one-storey building along the shore. There was a panel van out in front of it and lights glowed from the inside. Had Ichigo made it on time? Cutting the engine off, Ichigo jumped out of the car as he sprinted for the warehouse doors. The door were instantly flung open, light pouring down into the workyard. He hadn't known what awaited him inside and it hadn't mattered anymore since his time was up. Squinting against the harsh and synthetic light, Ichigo stepped through the warehouse doorway. Ginjo, in blood-flecked clothes and red-stained hands, standing over a body. Below him, limp on the concrete floor, laid Rukia, fuschia silk and crimson blood pooling around her. Was he too late after all? Had Ginjo won this and snatched Rukia from him? A wave of fury washed over Ichigo, his hands curling into fists by his side. This was supposed to be his second chance, he had loved her. Was Fate really this cruel to him, denying him a second chance of attempt at love? He refused to accept it. "GINJO!!!" Ichigo's voice rang through the warehouse.

Still hunched over Rukia, Ginjo faced Ichigo, a sickening smile spreading across his lips. "Ichigo." He smiled. "What a surprise, I think there are some things we must discuss."

Pulling off his suit jacket and letting it fall onto the ground, Ichigo grabbed a crowbar and advanced towards Ginjo. Ichigo knew there was nothing left to discuss since he had destroyed everything Ichigo held dear. Rolling the sleeves of his shirt, Ichigo sneered. "We are finishing this now."


This Chapter stands on its own. :3