CHAPTER 14 PART 2: Amends & Resolutions

Thanks to all those who reviewed!

This is my comfort food after episode 47… Anyway, it seems as though Ichigo x Rukia is the way to go according to most of the reviews, sorry to the Rukia x Renji fans. xD They are quite minor in this fic. Also, please forgive any mistake made as I haven't re-read it, and also it's Australian English so some words may be spelt differently then in America.

Zanjutsu: A combat using zanpakuto

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Bleach, manga or anime.


AMENDS & RESOLUTIONS


"Mou, how come they are not doing anything! It's such a romantic atmosphere" cried out Hinamori in frustration at the couple below. "Ichigo and Rukia are quite dense." Hitsugaya sighed again.

"I can't see them properly! Why won't this thing stop moving! The view I just had was perfect." She complained as she leaned further to the side. Just a little closer. She thought.

"Ahhh!"

Hitsugaya panicked and quickly pulled Hinamori back from the edge.

She turned to him, eyes wide with tears brimming at the bottom.

"That was scary, Shiro-chan!" she wailed childishly.

"Baka Hinamori, I told you that was dangerous." Hitsugaya retorted as he crossed his arms once more.

Hinamori shuddered at the memory then snuggled closer to Hitsugaya.

"I can't wait till the fireworks, the last time I saw them was your birthday."

"We see them every year." He commented in an indifferent manner.

"We used to watch them together – just the four of us." Hinamori answered distantly, "You and Matsumoto, me and Aizen-taichou."

Hitsugaya scoffed, causing Hinamori to snap out of her reverie. The coupling did not go down well with him.

"What was that for?" asked Hinamori, genuinely baffled. Hitsugaya grunted in response but she persisted.

"Hmm?"

Hitsugaya looked at her. Is it really that embedded into her? She doesn't even realise she couples herself with Aizen autonomously.

"I think you are in this cart with the wrong person." Hitsugaya snapped back.

"Huh?" Hinamori turned to face him fully now but Hitsugaya remained sitting with his arms crossed with only his head turned in her direction.

"According to what you just said, I should be in a cart with Matsumoto and you should be in a cart with Aizen." Hinamori stared at him in confusion and disbelief for a moment, then her eyes unexpectedly narrowed.

"I was grouping captains with their vices, Hitsugaya."

"Oh." Hitsugaya shuffled in his seat uncomfortably. "That's okay then." He was met with an exasperated sigh.

"It is not okay. We need to talk about this."

"Now?" He asked then shook his head slightly. "Maybe later." In a million years time.

"Yes, right now." She looked at him sternly, he looked away and sighed.

"What Aizen said was not true."

"Was it not?" he couldn't help but ask.

"I loved Aizen as if he were my own father." Hinamori answered him truthfully. "I admired him tremendously and looked up to him for many things."

Hitsugaya looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to continue.

"And if he wasn't evil and didn't betray soul society, I would still love him and admire him. But all children grow up and become independent of their fathers or mothers or whatever sooner or later. Aizen's betrayal just forced me to grow up and become independent sooner." She paused to see if he was following what she was saying.

"If Aizen was still here, I would still be dependent on him in a he-feels-like-my-father sort of way. This means that if he never left, if the whole Aizen thing didn't occur then we probably wouldn't be together right now as a couple because I would still be like a child growing up in her father's care."

Hitsugaya nodded slightly at her and looked away.

"But even if the whole Aizen thing never occurred, I wouldn't have given it much time before we were a couple anyway." She added. Now this caught his attention.

"Huh?" He was facing her fully now although his hands were still crossed at his chest. Hinamori became slightly pink as she continued.

"I had the biggest crush on you but you seemed happy in your ignorance." She said with a small smile. Hitsugaya's eyes widened.

"You liked me? Before the whole Aizen thing happened?"

"Yes." She replied. Hitsugaya's heart skipped a beat and when it continued again it was remarkably lighter. A smug grin formed on his face.

"I wasn't ignorant - I just had completely no idea." Now it was Hinamori's turn to have a smug grin.

"So the genius does miss a few things huh?" She remarked teasingly then laughed. Hitsugaya tried to glare back but found that he couldn't stop smiling. She laughed harder at his expression.


.

"And see, over there is the stall where we bought the fruit lollies from!" Rukia exclaimed, still not quite getting over the effects of the Ferris wheel. Ichigo sighed and looked over to where she was pointing at and promptly smacked her on the head.

"That's not where it is, baka." He pointed to the opposite direction. "It's there, see, near the bunny store." Her sense of direction can almost compete with Yachiru's. He thought grimly.

"No need to hit me, you moron!" she retorted, rubbing the back of her head soothingly. Luckily for Ichigo, Rukia's eyes caught something else of interest and she was once more immersed in it.

Ichigo watched her with an odd expression. What a weirdo. He thought. A moment later he sighed, Oh well, Rukia's always been different – in more ways than one.


Hinamori and Hitsugaya stood on the deck waiting for Ichigo and Rukia to get off.

"So, how did you two enjoy the ride?" Hinamori asked the latter 'couple'. Rukia grinned widely while Ichigo looked bored.

"It was great!"

Hitsugaya observed Ichigo's expression while Rukia rattled on about what she saw from above to Hinamori. The boy seemed somewhat distracted.

"Ah, the fireworks are starting!" exclaimed Hinamori.

They found a deserted grassy hilltop and sat down. During the fireworks, Hinamori stole glances at Ichigo and Rukia who, to her growing frustration, were not doing much.

Her eyes wondered to the other side and she got an idea.

"Ano, Rukia-chan, Ichigo-kun, Hitsugaya and I are just going to go to that hill top over there, okay?" Hinamori told them sweetly.

"What?" Ichigo started. Hinamori smiled then dragged a confused Hitsugaya towards the other hill before either could say another word.

"They sure like to spend a lot of time alone together." Commented Rukia, I wonder if you become like that when you have a boyfriend. But then again, Ichigo and I spend a lot of time together and we aren't going out.

"I think" Ichigo started slowly "that they are trying to set us up."

"What do you mean "set us up"? asked Rukia, confused. Ichigo let out an exasperated sigh.

"It's nothing."

"Tell me, Ichigo." Rukia demanded, giving him a stern look. Ichigo let out another sigh.

"I think they are trying to get us to be a couple." Explained Ichigo. He was grateful to the night that concealed the pink on his face.

"Wh…What?" stuttered Rukia, her face also tinting pink.

The two both turned to look at the other couple. Hinamori was snuggling up to Hitsugaya with her head resting on his shoulder. Ichigo and Rukia snapped their head back and stiffened, an uncomfortable atmosphere clouding them for a moment.

"The fireworks are so pretty." Commented Rukia somewhat lamely.

"Yeah." Replied Ichigo.


"Mou, why aren't they doing anything?" sighed Hinamori in exasperation.

"Maybe you should make it rain, or snow." She suggested, a new image coming into her head. She squealed.

"Then she would get a cold, and then Ichigo would have to look after her!" She clapped her hands at the brilliance of it all.

"Baka Hinamori, Byakuya would be after me if I did that." He replied, Hinamori sulked, Hitsugaya sighed. His sword started to glow. A moment later, snow flakes were falling on the whole of Seireitai.

He took his captain's jacket off and placed it around her.


"What the?" Ichigo remarked as he felt the soft and icy snowflakes on his skin. Rukia looked around in shock and awe.

"It's beautiful." She stated breathlessly. She put a hand out to catch some in the palm of her hand, observing them as they melted.

"It's been such a long time since it has snowed in Soul Society." She commented.

The snow began to fall more rapidly by the second until it came down like rain. Ichigo and Rukia ran under a large tree to shield themselves from the gathering snow. A moment later, the snow subsided. A squeal ran out from the other hill.

Rukia looked at Ichigo then went out from under the tree to see what the squeal was about. Ichigo followed her.

On the other hill, Hitsugaya was dodging Hinamori's snowballs. While she bent down to retrieve another ball, Hitsugaya hastily made one and threw it towards her. Hinamori squealed and moved just in time then retaliated with her own snowball.

"Oi Rukia" Ichigo started, turning his head towards her.

BANG. A snowball, no doubt hurled by a now smug Rukia, hit him firmly on the face and splattered.

"Hehe" she grinned triumphantly at him.

"Teme…" His scowl turned into a mischievous grin as he bent down and made a snowball of his own.

Rukia's smile disappeared as she watched Ichigo make a snowball. She quickly bent down again to make one but it was too late.

"Oi Rukia!" Ichigo called, holding a relatively large snowball in his hand, a smug grin covering his face. He was in the position of a pitcher.

The ball was thrown and Rukia quickly dodged to the left.

SPLAT!

"I knew you were going to dodge left." Said Ichigo, his smile even haughtier then before.

SPLAT! The ball hit him right in the middle of his smug face.

"I knew you would be too caught up in your arrogance to move." She retorted superiorly.

Ichigo glared at her, Rukia glared back, snowballs at the ready.

It was war.


"Ah, look Shiro-chan, they're throwing snowballs at each other. Yoshi!" she muttered triumphantly, "a step towards my goal."

Hitsugaya looked at her weirdly and sighed.

Hinamori sneezed and placed her backhand on her forehead.

"I don't feel so well Shiro-chan" she said as she hugged herself. Hitsugaya panicked and examined her.

"What's wrong? Does your head hurt? Are you too cold? Wah! We need to get you to the fourth division immediately!" He rambled, alarmed. He quickly but gently positioned her on his back and rushed off towards the health division.


.

"What is this?" asked Byakuya demandingly when Rukia and Ichigo returned to the Kuchiki mansion. Rukia had come home drenched and shivering.

The servants quickly moved to wrap the princess with a warm towel.

"Draw Rukia a bath and warm up her room." He ordered. The servants complied and lead Rukia away. Byakuya turned to face Ichigo.

"What were you doing?" He inquired.

"We were watching the fireworks, then it started snowing so we had a snowball fight." Ichigo answered easily, though at Byakuya's gaze he shifted.

"Don't look at me like that, Rukia started it." Ichigo retorted defensively. Byakuya raised an eyebrow ever so slightly.

"Oh?"

"Yeah" he answered firmly, "It's kinda late so I'm going home now. Tell Rukia I said bye." With that he turned around and started walking out.

"Stop." Byakuya commanded, causing Ichigo to turn around.

"Is there something else Byakuya?" He asked. Byakuya's eyes narrowed at the lack of formal address.

"There is." He replied smoothly nonetheless. He motioned towards the guest receiving room. Ichigo looked weirdly at him but followed his gesture.

Once the two were seated and tea was brought to them, Ichigo came forth and initiated the conversation – seeing as how Byakuya didn't seem like he was going to start anytime soon from the way he was sitting there quietly sipping his tea.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" He asked straightforwardly.

"Rukia." Was the simple reply. Ichigo sighed exasperatedly.

"Look, I already told you what happened and I'm glad that you're being the doting older brother that you should be…" gushed Ichigo. He really was tired and wanted desperately to go back to his room and sleep.

"What is your position in relation to my sister?" Byakuya interrupted. The question caught Ichigo off guard, causing him to stop mid sentence.

"Huh? What do you mean? We are just friends."

"Oh?" Byakuya just continued drinking his tea.

Ichigo's eyebrows twitched.

"In fifty years time, you will be nearing your death from old age yet Rukia would be the equivalent of a few years older then she is now in your time. If you two are just friends, once you return to your world, you shall never see each other again."

Ichigo scoffed. "You can't do that." He argued.

"I do not wish for Rukia to waste her time on something that would cause her inevitable sadness in the future. In the living world, you will age and die eventually – this is not something I wish her to endure."

Ichigo let out yet another scoff. "So what are you suggesting, that I remain here in soul society in my shinigami form and let Kon take over my earthly body?" he replied sarcastically.

Byakuya remained silent and took another sip of his tea. Ichigo's eyes went wide.

"That's what you meant, wasn't it?" He asked demandingly. He crossed his arms.

"Pfft! Why should I do that? It should be Rukia who comes to the living world, Urahara can make another gigai can't he?" He suggested stubbornly.

"Hm" He finished the remaining tea in his cup and set it down. "You say you two are just friends and yet you are unwilling to let her go." He pondered out loud, purposely. "Interesting." With that he got up and headed towards the room.

"You may go now." He told Ichigo offhandedly as he walked out, leaving a stunned Ichigo behind, gaping.


.

"Hanatarou, what wrong with her?" Asked Hitsugaya anxiously. Hanatarou observed the usually calm captain for a moment before replying.

"Ano, Hinamori-fukutaichou has caught a cold." He took out a medium sized bottle. "She needs to take a sip of this after every meal until she gets better. Other then that, she'll be fine."

"Thanks Hanatarou."

The fourth division shinigami looked sheepishly down at the floor, rubbing his head subconsciously.

"Not at all." He replied shyly. He gave Hinamori a small smile then exited the room, leaving the couple alone in the recuperation centre, again.

Hitsugaya turned to face Hinamori, who was now sitting up on the bed with her hands clasped above the blanket.

"I wonder what Ichigo and Rukia are up to now." She pondered out loud.

"Worry about yourself!" Hitsugaya snapped. Hinamori was unaffected by it and continued in her reverie.

"Oi, baka Hinamori, snap out of it." He called to her as he sat facing her on the bed. Hinamori glared at him.

"That 'baka' is not necessary" she scolded.

"How else would you describe a person whose plan backfires on themselves?" He asked.

"It's your entire fault, Shiro-chan. Who told you to make it snow?"

"What! You did!"

"You didn't have to make it so cold." She argued. Hitsugaya's eyebrow twitched. A moment later he sighed.

"Hai, hai. It was all my fault. Now take a sip of this and go to sleep." He said as he uncapped the medicine bottle and held it to her. She took it and took a sip of it then gave it back to him.

Hitsugaya helped her lie back down then tucked her in and kissed her forehead.

"Go back to your room and sleep, Toshiro." She murmured as she verged on the brink of sleep.

"I know, I know. Goodnight, bed wetter Momo."

"Goodnight Shiro-chan."


.

Ichigo laid looking up at the ceiling, his head resting on the palm of his hands. "You say you two are just friends and yet you are unwilling to let her go." What was he talking about? Ichigo scoffed inwardly. He had let her go before, that time he had rescued her and she had decided that she wanted to stay in Soul Society. Sure he wasn't too happy about it but he hadn't objected to it either, seeing as how it was what she really wanted. He shifted to his side.

But living his life normally without her made him feel…empty, like it was missing something. He turned to lie on his back again and scoffed. Kurosaki Ichigo, what the hell is wrong with you?


.

"A western styled ball?" asked Hinamori as she sat up in the hospital bed. Rukia nodded proudly.

"Wow, Rukia-chan is so busy. I didn't know you were organising the celebration ball as well. How does a western styled ball go?" she asked curiously. Rukia became serious and deep in thought.

"I'm not too sure." She started. Hinamori paled, a sweat drop escaped.

"But it can't be that hard to plan. The women wear really nice gowns and the men wear penguin suits called a 'tux'." She continued in a thoughtful manner.

"Penguin suit?" An image of Hitsugaya's head on a penguin's body appeared in her head, causing her to laugh out loud. Rukia looked at her weirdly for a moment then proceeded to pull out a thin booklet out of her uniform. She handed it over to Hinamori.

Hinamori stared in awe of the pictures in the magazines.

"Wow" she gasped, "the women's gowns are so beautiful. And the men look good in the penguin suit." Rukia nodded in profuse agreement.

"Ano, Rukia-san, why are all the gowns in white?" she asked, looking from Rukia to Ichigo and Hitsugaya who had just come in. Ichigo took a glance at what Hinamori was reading.

"Err, Hinamori-san, why are you looking through a bridal magazine?"

THUMP. Ichigo turned towards the noise.

"Err, Hitsugaya-san, what are you doing on the floor?" He asked, genuinely confused.

"Nothing, nothing at all." Hitsugaya replied sheepishly as he got up.

"Bridal magazine? Rukia-chan said this was ball gowns."

"Ball gowns?" Ichigo asked, his expression turned into a scowl as he looked at Rukia. "Only an idiot would mistake a wedding gown for a ball gown." He directed at her. Rukia took the magazine out of Hinamori's hand, rolled it up and whacked Ichigo on the head with it. Then it dawned on her.

"What am I going to do! The tailors have already finished making hundreds, each of different design."

"This is what you get when you put a moron in charge with too much money to spend." Ichigo commented with a frown. He casually moved slightly forward to dodge Rukia's attack.

His skin crawled as he felt the heat of Rukia's anger touch his back and moved his eyes sidewards to see a Rukia in flames. Ichigo jumped and faced her.

"Wh…what!" He stuttered.

"It's all your fault, Kurosaki Ichigo." Rukia seethed in a low tone.

"WHAT? How is your stupidity my fault?" He argued defensively. Hinamori and Hitsugaya eyed the two anxiously.

"Ano, I don't think you should push it further, Ichigo-san." Hinamori suggested.

"Yeah, you shouldn't. Trust me, I know." Advised Hitsugaya, freezing when he felt Hinamori's gaze settle on him.

Ichigo froze when Rukia started advancing on him.

"You told me to just get any magazine, remember. 'Hurry up and pick any one. They're pretty much all the same anyway.'" She mocked.

Hinamori quickly got up and calmed her friend down. Ichigo shuddered at the encounter.

"I'm sure it's okay, Rukia-chan. The dresses are quite similar anyway." She comforted.

"Hinamori! Are you sure you should be out of your bed?" Hitsugaya asked her, concerned.

"I'm sure, Hitsugaya-kun. Don't worry so much." She gave him a sweet smile.

Hitsugaya grunted in reply.


.

"Matsumoto-fukutaichou!" The orange-haired looked at the guards in a serious manner.

"I have permission to see Ichimaru Gin." She told them as she handed over a signed note by Yamamoto and Hitsugaya. The guards took the folded note and read it. They nodded at her then opened the door for her.

"Call us when you are done, Matsumoto-fukutaichou." She nodded then entered the shrine of penitence. She looked up the tower-like cell and spotted Gin sitting against the wall next to one of the narrow windows.

He remained silent as she approached him.

"What are you doing here, Rangiku. This is no place for you." he said without looking at her.

"So wasn't where we came from" she replied as she sat down next to him.

"Ne Gin, why did you have to follow Aizen?" Matsumoto asked after a moment. Ichimaru smiled.

"Because I don't like being in the dark, and Aizen was on top of things." He replied.

"hmpf" she looked away from him and hugged her knees.

"Aren't you in the dark now?" She asked. Gin wrapped his arms loosely around his legs and looked around his cell.

"Yes but in a way it's better here."

"So, you regret it then?"

"Regret what?"

"Siding with Aizen."

"No." She stared at him in disbelief. He continued.

"No, the only thing I regret was not telling you that I love you." Matsumoto gasped, they stared at each other for a minute then he kissed her. A tear escaped her eye as she kissed him back, holding him tightly.

A moment later they broke apart. She placed her head on his shoulder and he put his arm around her.

"You know, they're probably going to execute you." She told him sadly.

"I know."

"We'll meet again someday." She assured him. He smiled at her, a real smile and she marvelled in the mixture of sadness and happiness in his eyes.

"We'll see."


.

Three days later…

Hinamori stood in front of the full length mirror and stared at herself. She had chosen a strapless satin gown with a chapel length train and had it adjusted to fit her petite form – the puffy bit got annoying to her after a while.

I never knew Rangiku could do hair so well she thought to herself as she examined her hair once more. It was elaborately done up at the back, her usual bangs at the front were now positioned in a side fringe.

There was a knock at the door.

"Oi Hinamori! Are you ready?" Hitsugaya shouted through the door. He was going to barge in as usual but thought twice as she might still be changing.

"Come in" a voice called out. He slid open the door and went in to find her.

He caught his breath when he saw her. She looked absolutely stunning.

Hinamori laughed when she saw Hitsugaya standing there and gaping at her. Her laugh snapped him out of it and he quickly cleared his throat.

"You look…good." He managed to say. She blushed at his compliment.

"So do you." She responded, admiring him in his white suit. Hitsugaya shifted uncomfortably.

"Shall we go?" Hinamori smiled and took his arm.


"Nanao-chan! Lovely, lovely Nanao-chan!" screamed Shunsui adoringly at his vice-captain, who was now storming quickly across the room away from him. Shunsui followed her happily.

"Poor Ise-san" commented Hisagi Shuuhei as he shook his head in pity.

"Good evening, Shuuhei-san." Greeted Kurotsuchi Nemu.

"Ah, Nemu-san! You look fabulous." He complimented, causing Nemu to blush and look away.

"Thank you." She replied shyly as she looked at the floor.

"Yo, Kurosaki!" greeted Hisagi as Ichigo ran passed them.

"Yo!" he called back as he ran. Finally he arrived at his destination and placed a hand on each of his unexpecting friend's shoulder. Orihime and Ishida jumped.

"Kurosaki-kun" exclaimed Inoue happily.

"Ichigo." Greeted Ishida calmly as he pushed his glasses up.

"Yo." Hailed Chad. Inoue looked around.

"Where's Rukia-san?" asked Inoue.

"Oh, she's coming with Byakuya." He replied, "she should be here soon." Chad lifted his hand and pointed in the direction behind Ichigo.

"Huh?" Ichigo turned around to see Rukia come in with Byakuya.

"She looks so beautiful!" exclaimed Inoue, clasping her hands together.

Ichigo stared. Not bad he thought, who would have thought that Rukia could look this good. I guess miracles could happen huh.

Rukia spotted him in the crowd and made her way past the dancing couples over to him. When she reached him, she looked eagerly at the dancing couples and pulled him towards the dance floor.

"Let's dance." It was a command, not a request. Nonetheless Ichigo protested.

"No way!"

"Why not? Look" She pointed at a couple on the dance floor, "even Hitsugaya-taichou is dancing with Hinamori." She pointed out.

"That's because Hitsugaya is hopeless when it comes to Hinamori-san." He argued. "And besides, they're going out." He folded his arms stubbornly.

Rukia glared at him, Ichigo glared back, both unwilling to falter and both just as stubborn as each other.

After a long moment, Rukia sighed in frustration.

"Fine! I'll go find Renji!" She threw at him before storming off.

"Go find Renji then, see if I care!" Ichigo shouted back at her.

That moron! Rukia thought angrily as she stormed through the crowd in search of Renji.


"Sorry" Hitsugaya apologised again for the nth time for stepping on Hinamori's foot.

"It's okay." She replied. A few moments later he stepped on her foot again.

"Ugh! I can't do this." He stated in a frustrated manner as he gave up. Hinamori laughed quietly.

"You're doing fine, you just need to relax more."

"It's so complex." He argued, causing Hinamori to laugh.

"What's so funny?" He demanded.

"It's just, you're a captain and you don't have any trouble with zanjutsu but you have a problem with dancing. Hmm, think of it as a type of training, Hitsugaya."

"Training?" Hitsugaya thought for a while, that I can do.


Damn Rukia, how long is she going to dance with Renji for! His eyes followed wherever they went, twitching at times when they moved too close or laughed too intimately.

"Exactly how long do you plan on staring at my sister for?" asked a smooth voice behind him. Ichigo jumped a little and turned quickly to see Byakuya looking at him.

"I wasn't staring at Rukia. I was just watching people dance in general."

"Oh? Is that so?" He asked with an incriminating undertone. With that he strode past him into the crowd.

Ichigo glared at Byakuya's back until he disappeared, then he returned his attention of Rukia and Renji. He let out a frustrated sigh and stomped over to them.

Renji felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see a discontented Ichigo.

"My turn now." He told him. Renji looked shocked for a moment then smiled and retreated. Rukia smirked at him.

"I thought you said that there was no way you would dance."

"I got bored." He offered lamely.

After a while they retreated to the balcony.

"So, you're leaving tomorrow." Rukia said sadly, a hand resting on the balcony rail. Ichigo looked up at the full moon and replied.

"Yeah. You should come visit more often when I do."

"Nii-sama wouldn't allow me to. He says we are from different worlds and that there is no point in doing so."

"Yeah, he told me that too."

A moment of silence passed between them.

"But sooner or later you'll get into trouble again and then I'll have to come save you." Rukia glared at him.

"There's no need. Or perhaps next time a family member of yours would get into trouble again and I would have to help you save them resulting in more trouble for me." She fired back. Her eyes softened a little.

"Or maybe there won't be a next time" she added sadly.

Ichigo didn't like the idea of not seeing her again. He watched her as she sighed and leaned against the railing, looking up at the moon. An irresistible urge to hold her suddenly overwhelmed him and he did so impulsively.

Rukia's eyes widened as she felt Ichigo embrace her from the back. He felt her stiffen and quickly pulled back. A dark pink shaded his face.

"Maa, I don't know what came over me" he said self-consciously as he scratched his head.

"Ichigo." She muttered.

They stared at each other for a long time, both engulfed in confusion and mixed feelings. Ichigo took a deep breath then walked closer to her and slowly leaned down, bringing his face closer to hers. Rukia watched him for a moment before closing her eyes. The lips skimmed each other's briefly at first. They looked at each other again then closed their eyes for the second kiss.


A few metres away, Hinamori squeaked and clapped her hands. "Did you see, Shiro-chan, did you see?" She asked him excitedly, spinning around at a speed that nearly knocked him off his feet.

"Yes, Momo, it was kinda hard to miss."

Hinamori was ecstatic. "This is great, now Ichigo can stay here and be with Rukia-chan."

"Rukia and Ichigo, hey, I always knew that it was more then friendship." Came an amused voice behind them.

"Shuuhei-kun" Hinamori exclaimed, dragging the vice-captain out and towards the couple. "Look at them!"

"My, my, Rukia has certainly grown up." Commented Ukitake as he observed the two.

"Ukitake-taichou." The others greeted. Shunsui and Nanao followed closely behind him.

"We should follow their example, my sweet Nanao-chan." Shunsui suggested, plucking his lips together for a kiss.

WHACK! Nanao hit him with a fan and adjusted her glasses. Sending a glare to her deflated captain.

Ichigo and Rukia broke apart and looked at each other, both red in their faces. Then Rukia glanced away and froze. Ichigo followed her line of sight.

"Ahh!" they looked frantically at their vast audience and both slopped to the floor like red jelly.


.

"Today was such an eventful day" Hinamori sighed happily. After they had left the ball and changed into normal clothes, the couple had decided to retreat to their favourite spot on the roof to watch the last fireworks.

"It was." Hitsugaya agreed. They looked at the fireworks in silence.

"It's beautiful" Hinamori commented.

"It is." Agreed Hitsugaya. Hinamori looked at him with a smile.

"So few words, Hitsugaya."

"Yeah." He replied. She smiled then returned her gaze to the fireworks.

"I thought you…looked very beautiful today." He managed to say, his cheeks tinting pink. A large smile broke out on Hinamori's face.

"Only today?" She teased. Hitsugaya crossed his arms.

"Stop it." He ordered, a tint of embarrassment in his voice. Hinamori laughed.


END OF CHAPTER FOURTEEN


Yay! Finally finished chapter 14. Sorry it was a bit long but I didn't really want to break it up more. The characters may seem a little OOC but what the hey. Hope you people enjoyed that.

Next: Epilogue

Yes, the next chapter is the last chapter.

Please Review. Thanks to those who do, you people rock!