I would stare out the window everyday as a child,

And watch the roses bloom and sway in the breeze.

The red would linger in my thoughts like the knights who came back on the wagons;

piled on one another and lifeless.

A rose is like our existence.

We grow slowly.

Revealing our colors that show our personalities.

Then we blossom with elegance that captivates the world,

And can make many come to a knee wishing for your hand.

We die with elegance,

slowly stripped to the bone and losing hope gradually,

it is not long until we are bare to the stem,

no petals for our cold death we experience in the winter.

Something as beautiful as a rose is dangerous,

with thrones that prick the skin like a sword used in battle.

What is my sword?

My weapon is my power which runs through my veins,

I can love for so long but never know when someone is able to handle such a weapon.

Are you content with the weapon I hide under my sleeve?

Thunder rumbled the skies as I walked next to the bright headed blacksmith. I can barely see him in this light, the sky is dark as night and soulless like my fathers eyes. Never in my wildest imagination did I think the sky could be so dark.

A flash of lightning lite the forest giving me a second to see Ichigo's full body and features, this excited me strangely.

I barely know the man, yet I feel comfortable and driven by his presence, its a new experience of emotions. From the lack of men that I was allowed to be in contact with growing up, I never really experienced the gender much.

Deep down I wanted more than a glance from knights, males bowing at my feet and trying to make me happy, I wanted something that is raw and passionate.

" I hate the rain ", I heard Ichigo snarl from the side.

From the sound of his voice I looked over to him, when I did I could imagine his naked body causing blush to cover my cheeks. " Why is that?", I crooked.

He tore his attention away from the clouds and the droplets that started to fall, and making him stop. " Even as a child I hated the rain ", he answered as he fiddled in the pouch on the side of Zangustu's saddle. " How about you Rukia?"

I shrugged my shoulders, never allowed to feel the rain before. " I have never really been allowed to touch the rain ", he tensed as I looked up to the sky as droplets fall onto my skin. " My father was always afraid that rain would wash away my beauty, and that if I were to grow ill that I could die ", I explained.

Ichigo pulled out to large cloaks from the pouch, his eyes stared at the fabric and then to me like he is thinking about something. When he put the cloaks back I tilted my head to the side in curiosity. " I cannot believe I am going to do this..." I heard his thoughts growl.

" What are you going to do?" I questioned.

" You know your capability to know what I am thinking is creepy ", he told me as we walked into a clearing.

As the forest broke I looked out to see the rain pouring down, and the sky in its dark state.

Such a sight is new for me instantly takes my breath away. " This is... so... mesmerizing", I struggled to say.

Ichigo's eyes watched me as I reached my hands out into the rain, tiny droplets of water danced on my palms as I smiled up to the sky. They playfully ran through my fingers and to the ground.

I couldn't help but feel like a child as I giggled for the droplets on my flesh. For years I wondered what it would be like to feel the rain, now that I have the chance I am a little afraid. I didn't want to walk into the rain, but stay in the tree's with the shelter of the branches.

Suddenly a hand covered my wet one, I looked up to meet the blacksmith's bright sun eyes, as they began to drag me into a whirling state where everything is nothing but a dream. His eyes the sun, and the field nothing but a cloud.

He pulled me into the field quickly. The cold droplet's covered me as we walked through the tall grass, our hands never released from each others until we were in the middle of the field.

I looked up to the rain letting the water cover my face, soon my lips curved upwards with a smile as I laughed at the tiny kisses the skies tears were giving me.

Even though my gaze is on the sky, I can feel Ichigo's eyes on me. His thoughts racing through my head as I looked up to the clouds; inside he's mind he is rambling on about the rain and how wet it is, but soon his thoughts went blank.

He touched my wrist softly making me look towards him, even with my orbs on him he continued to slid his hand down my flesh and to my hand. Curiosity thickened in my soul as he brought my hand up, and forced my palm flat. When he continued the same with my other hand I stared at his face. The light blush brushing his cheeks, strong jaw locked in place, and doe eyes on my hands. He never looked so innocent.

Our clothing are becoming drenched as I stared at the blacksmith.

There is something about him that I can't get out of my mind, I wanted to know more about him and see what he has seen throughout his life. Something about him is drawing me closer to him, and I have no intentions on stopping this.

" I wish to know more about you ", I whispered making the air fog with my breath.

He locked eyes with mine, slowly dragging me into a trance. The way his caramel orbs swirled with such elegance, but painful beauty, and the hidden story which is reflecting in his mesmerizing gaze.

" You will be placed in harm's way ", he tried to tell me. " I am not a good person, Rukia. People will kill you if they see you with-"

" Ichigo we seem to have something in common then ", I interrupted him. For a moment he seemed confused but soon realized where I am coming from. " Do not try to paint me a false image of yourself. I can see your tattered soul and all the smears on it, but I know you are still pure to the touch ", looking into his eyes you can see that he is nothing but an innocent man whom has done things that are forbidden.

He tried to avoid my eyes and looked over to the wet grass.

" Let's make some good memories in the rain ", I smiled.

" How are we going to do that? "

A laugh bubbled from my throat as I began to dance around the field. I can recall seeing children in the village doing this when I was young, and watching out the window of the castle. They seemed to enjoy the rain which made me envious.

Spinning around with my arms in the air I felt the rushing freedom cake my body as I grew wetter. I swirled around happily and hugged my body.

" I feel free ", I thought as I looked down to the ground. " Finally free to feel everything that the world has to offer...it's like a dream ".

I looked up to the sky waiting for something to happen, perhaps awaken from this wonder dream with freedom. Everything is as I dreamt as a child, this hast to be nothing but a dream.

Ichigo, and this overwhelming feeling that sits in my heart. The new experiences I was drained of, and the adventure I have embarked on.

I want to remember this, everything about this day.

Closing my eyes I thought of all the new emotions, experiences and privileges that I have had since traveling with Ichigo. I looked over to the blacksmith who is staring directly at me, and grinned gently. All of this is because of him really.

If I hadn't met Ichigo the day of my engagement ball, I would have never had the courage to run like I had.

Not to mention my bold move of stealing his horse, and getting us both deep into trouble.

Everything would be different if the blacksmith didn't speak with me that one day.

I found myself running back to him, my hair whisking in the rain as I rushed over to him. There is something that I want to do again, I wish to feel his body against mine like it had been in my room, I wanted to dance with him again.

As I reached him I grabbed one of his hands. " Dance with me again ", I pleaded with my eyes as I looked up.

He seemed hesitate at the suggestion but soon he relaxed with the idea, maybe my eyes caused his mind-frame to change so suddenly.

I allowed him to place a hand on my waist, and then pull me closer to his chest. My heart raced as I felt his heated flesh on my breast.

My hand fit perfectly on his shoulder as we looked into each others eyes.

If I were to close my eyes I could picture us in my room once again, with the muffled music from the ball in the walls as we confessed our lack of experience with dancing.

" I still cannot dance ", I blushed as he looked down towards me.

He cracked a smile, and shook his wet locked. " I do not mind, Milady ".

Slowly he began to lead me around the field as he did in my room. My sense's were driven to his touch, just the warm of his palms on my wet side and how it traveled to my back slowly. Each finger tip on my body sent a buzz through my body as though awaken something different from before; what is this feeling?

Unlike before my hands didn't shine or shimmer from my embarrassment, they wandered his structure, trying to feel everyone inch of his body in my hands. I felt as though I am building a wonderous sculpture for the gods.

Even as our hands wandered each others bodies, our eyes never left, the only vision in my eyes is Ichigo and his eyes.

As his touch caressed my skin his eyes brightened making his swirls spin, it is like a spell that a witch would cast.

Then I noticed his hold tighten around my waist, and the wet clothing bunched together as he tilted my body back. Leaning back I held my breath as he came closer to my face, our lips nearly brushing as my delicate neck is exposed to the stormy weather.

Rain trickled down my neck and into the shirt clinging to my body, lashes soaked in water and skin glowing.

Ichigo froze when he noticed the beauty I held in the rain, when a blush slowly appeared on his cheeks I blushed myself. I felt exposed, just as I had in my room, naked to the world around me.

These clothes are gone and there is nothing but my flesh. On my arms is my heart, beating quickly in excitement and anxiety. My life is on my sleeves.

How does he do this to me?

He brings me back to my feet, and slowly spun me out to the side whipping the rain off my body. I felt magical when the droplets flew through the air with my hair.

When I was pulled back to him I stumbled in the mud causing me to fall forward. I expected for him to let go of me since I would only take him down, but he held on leading me to fall into his chest.

I blushed as I felt the raise and fall of his chest on my cheeks. The splash of the mud echoed slightly in the background but my rapidly beating heart is louder.

Fear crept in as I thought about what Ichigo may be thinking, his mind is silent.

Two of his strong arms wrapped around my body, keeping me against him and our warmth enveloping one another. In his arms I felt... safe.

My cheeks flustered when he tightened his hold dragging me into an invisible battle with my feelings. Just then he started to shake lightly, as though he is laughing at all of this.

A burst of laughter came from his mouth, I looked up to see the bright smile on his lips, one that I hadn't seen before since we met. His laugh is sweet as sugar, and reminded me of a child who laughed at the world. Such a laughter is enchanting.

" My apologies Rukia. It is that the face you made while falling..." he trailed off deeper into amusement.

" Are you making a fool of me ?" I realized.

He laughed louder, the roaring thunder is nothing to his laugh. Even though he is laughing at me, I didn't feel embarrassed but captivated by his happiness.

" His laughter is the most wondrous sound I have ever heard. I wish he would never stop ", I tensed at my sudden thought and felt flustered once again.

I held my breath in embarrassment for my thoughts, thankfully he can't hear them, if he could it would be the end of me. Forget the knights and the kingdom that are out looking for me, even Renji and Aizen, my embarrassment is enough to hang a man for his own guilty pleasure.

Slowly his laughter died down, and he grew quiet but the smile on his lips didn't fade.

" ...Ichigo..." I muttered into his chest while staring up towards him.

His eyes are covered by his long hair, and a shadow hide them from me at this angle. " Thank you ", I barely heard.

" Why are you thanking me?", there isn't anything that I did to cause him to be grateful.

" I haven't laughed nor smiled like that in a... long time ", the grim pause made me uneasy.

I buried myself into his chest, and inhaled his sweet scent to take the slight discomfort. " Fool..." I whispered into his clad shirt. "... You are such a fool ".

A grin covered his lips as his hold tightened around me. " You shall never change, Rukia ".

" Perhaps I have changed, but you have not noticed " I snapped back.

" No, no, I know you have not changed. You are still the same girl who embarked on this journey with me not long ago ", as he finished I noticed that the smile on his lips had vanished and been replaced with a grim look.

" You sound as though you have known me for longer than a few days ", I remarked.

" Maybe we have-"

" Do not be absurd ", I interrupted. He loosened his hold on me and grew silent. " If we had known each other before, I believe I would remember you... how can I forget someone like you ".

A hand rested on my hair as he looked up to the sky, like he knew something that I didn't, as though there is a secret to everything that I have known is but a lie. " Fate can have some cruel twist's and turn's ", I heard him mutter.

Curious I glanced up to see the cloudy look in his eyes. " Is there something that you know which I do not?"

He shook his head quickly, " No. But I feel as though we have met before, perhaps that is why I trust you easily ".

Could this be?

Maybe Ichigo is the boy who my mother used to talk about, the one that I would play with as child and loved since a toddler. Perhaps this is the knight that I've been waiting for, the one who is going to right all the wrong that is in the Kuchiki Kingdom.

Even if he is... how can I know without having my mother tell me.

There is no way for me to know, she is gone and there is no one to tell me whether he is the one or not.

I might as well lose hope in finding this mystery boy, and enjoy what I have at the moment.

Everything went silent, the air is still covered in rain but the silence is comfortable. It seemed natural for us to lay like this: I, in his arms and listening to his strong heart while the rain pours down on our bodies. Greedy for this moment I didn't want it to end.

But it came to an end when the sound of the bushes rustling wakened from the sides of us.

I looked over to see shadows of people, something that is odd for me, but I have heard stories of demons in the woods or bandits.

Upon seeing the shadows, and hearing the staggered breaths I shook Ichigo. " Ichigo..." I said in a slight panic. " There are people ", I told him.

He shot up and looked around as the lightning flashed. " Bandits ", he told me as he tried to get up but I clinged onto him. " Ruk-"

" They have an archer in the tree behind you ", I whispered in his ear. From the man's thoughts I could tell they had no intention of letting us live, they were going to kill Ichigo first and then do as they please with me, before leaving my body in the woods for the creatures of the night. " Bite my neck ", I ordered softly.

" W-What are you-" he stuttered like a nervous dwarf. " I-I... I can-"

" Just do it ", I ordered. We have no weapons and they are all armed, my blood is the only we have left.

He is a little hesitate but gradually moved closer to my neck, heat grew on my cheeks as I looked out to the woods, the men are getting anxious. They thought that we are careless lovers, who are lost in this brisk love which is making us forget reality.

I gasps softly when he licked my tender skin and sucked the flesh. The gesture is unusual for me and sent me into a bliss frenzy of lust, where desire seems to drive me more than common knowledge.

My breath hitched in my throat as he ravished my skin like an animal " Ichi...go..." I muttered.

He groaned slightly before swiping his tongue over my neck and finally biting down on my flesh. I covered my mouth as pain went through my nerves, he bit harder until he broke my skin and my blood came pouring out of the wound.

Ichigo pulled away gasping a little, the sight of him astonished me. The line of my blood on the side of his mouth, and the dusty want in his orbs.

I pulled the rest of my composer out of my soul and touched the dripping blood. The red liquid floods my palms, before the glow grew on them. " Wait... for my word ", I whispered in his ear as I leaned forward.

My eyes rested on the archer in the tree, he looked into my eyes deeply looking himself in the icy scene playing in the violet.

A smirk covered my lips as my palm glowed brighter and my blood turned to tiny ice fragments. I blew the cold fragments towards the archer deep in my trance.

The fragments swirled as they came closer to him, making the air colder than ice. Rain drops froze in seconds when touched my the pieces as they traveled down the field to the dazed man.

Finally as they reached, they swirled around him making his lips blue and skin crystal. A soft breeze blew by him causing the frozen body to fall from the tree and to the ground where it shattered.

" Now ", I told Ichigo as my abilities created a large sword for him to wield.

We parted, I tossed the sword to him as men ran out from the woods towards up. I looked over to Ichigo who nods and starts to swing the blade at the men.

I raised my hands in the air backing the rain to crystal, and the ground to freeze. The grass turned into sharp edges that cut the feet of the men charging towards me. Many fell to the ground in pain, and became victims to the sharp ice.

Blood covered the beautiful dagger as men dropped one by one. Those who haven't died from the daggers stabbing as they fell, then the freezing temperature that covered the ground.

Bodies froze to pure ice as they laid there dying, some shattered to dust.

I glanced over to Ichigo who is slaying bandits right and left. My eyes locked on the blade as he cut into one of the men, the cut is shallow but freezes him from the inside out. " Guh!", the bandit cried as his body turned to complete ice.

The blacksmith stared at the blade in shock and looked over to me, forgetting the enemy. We locked eyes but I dragged mine away when I noticed a man going for the kill.

Before I knew what I was doing, I was in front of the blade as it came down towards Ichigo.

" Agh..." I cried as the blade sliced my shoulder.

Blood came bursting from my body as the man looked into my eyes. I placed a hand on his skull and instantly he shattered to pieces.

Ichigo looked over to him, eyes wide as I fell to the ground. " R-Rukia!" he screamed.

The grass is wet on my skin as my body fall, blood painted the green grass as I coughed sharply. " You fool!", Ichigo yelled ignoring the men surrounding us.

I shivered as I looked over the field.

We're trapped.

He kneeled down before me and looked into my eyes " What are you thinking...?" I growled as he looked at me.

" You will die if I do not-"

" I heal on my own ", I stopped him and then looked around the field.

Noticing the numbers of the bandits increasing I touched his cheeks with my blood covered palm. " Do not die on me ", he covered my hand with his.

" You need to get off this field ", I told him as my eyes grew to ice. He watched them gently before closing his eyes. " I have no intention on killing you ", I whispered before my abilities made him vanish.

In the distance I could see the confused blacksmith watching as everyone got closer to me.

A smile covered my bloody lips as they grinned evilly. " Just you and us, girl " one of them chuckled.

I looked down to my red blood seeping into the soil and becoming one with the earth. When the ground mixed with my blood it began to glow like it had in the garden the night I ran from my kingdom.

The men panicked when the ice stuck to their feet. " You fools ", I chuckled under my breath.

I looked up to the sky to see the lightning starting to rumble brighter than before. The ground thickened as my body slowly disappeared from the spot.

Crunching of ice is heard as the field turned into a large pillar of solid ice, freezing the men.

I huffed as my body appeared in front of Ichigo falling once again, he grabbed me before hitting the ground and held me up. My eyes went to the field as the ice glowed in a gorgeous hue from the lightning striking it.

When a thick crack broke the pillar everything shattered to shards. Soon the only evidence of the bandits is the thick icy fog coating the field, there were one or two corpses in the bush gradually turning to ice.

" Tsk...", came from my lips as I began to grow weaker by the second. Ichigo drew his eyes from the field to my body in his arms.

He looked at the deep wound coming from my left shoulder, across my chest and to my abdomen. " Damn it ", he cursed while the blood grew thicker. I winced in pain as he pressed his hand on the blood trail.

I touched the blood weakly,looking at the cells I noticed the sparkling shimmer of the ice that is slowly forming. " I'll be fine ..", I coughed as the blood on my fingers became ice. " I heal quickly ", I tried to tell him but he didn't seem to believe me.

" Not with these wounds ", he growled before adjusting me in his arms.

I chuckled weakly before closing my eyes to calm myself. " Fool ", I cracked as he began to walk through the field of fog.

Ichigo looked around while his boots crunched the ice on the ground, the horses followed behind him, since Sode is leading and will follow me anywhere. " Why did you put-"

" Do not make it seem as though you knew of that bandit behind you, I know you had no recollection of him ", I interrupted.

He pressed his lips firmly together and kept his eyes on the woods ahead of us. " You were all too surprised about that blade, Blacksmith..", I trailed off as I recalled the expression that played on his face. " You should know that you are to never let down your guard during a battle".

" How did you do that... I mean, make the blade do such a thing " he tried to ask.

My abilities are truly amazing, there hasn't been many times that I have been able to use them. Father never wanted me to use such a power, he claimed it is unholy and bewitched. He was always ashamed of the power running through my veins.

Mother never thought of my powers as a sin, she knew it was going to make me a better leader. Every royal in her blood line had such abilities, but none were like mine.

From the combination of pure blood nobles, and the pure royal together, it made more than the weak power my father held. The king could only use a few moves, his blood prevented going farther in his strength. Mom was known for her strength in the magic's, she had reached the highest level in her abilities, around the land she held the highest rank until I was born.

When my abilities came to light, my mothers status would have been knocked out of the water. But fathers disapproval made me hit them from the world, no one really knows about my powers. Only my parents and a few maids, now Ichigo.

It's only natural for Ichigo to be shocked about the blades ability. To be honest, I haven't used that side of my abilities in a long time. The only time I used it was during my childhood, when mother and I would spare with our abilities. She would go all out just to come close to landing a hit, but never did I allow her.

" Rukia?", he questioned.

Thinking about my mother and all things we'd do together gave me some comfort. Slowly the comfortable feelings lead to drifting to sleep.

~~~~Cherry Blossoms~~~~~

Everything is peaceful, birds singing in the garden as the Koyi fish swam in the pond happily.

The breeze blew the cherry petals around the silent air, sending them towards the wooden dojo on the palace grounds.

Such a building is used to train the military forces, make them stronger for war. The King would use the building from time-to-time.

" Come on Rukia! I thought I gave birth to a stronger warrior than that!", a sweet but aggressive woman yelled.

Her body covered in sweat as she stared towards the ten-year-old. The wood blade in her hand shook as she awaited her daughter to attack.

Hisana gasped for air while her black bangs swept her forehead. " Come on! ", she screamed, hitting the ground with her blade in the process to spook the child.

The little girl looked at her mother with elegance, grace that is held from having energy. She hadn't broken a sweat during the intense battle, never did she grow hot as her mother attacked her. In her mind she is calm, and posed as her father told her. But she is rather bored.

" Mother, I'm bored of this nonsense! Can we please just go and play in the garden?", she asked the woman. For some reason her mother obsessed with battling her, like she is trying to prove something or beat her in a simple battle.

" No! ", Hisana shouted.

Rukia growled at her mothers detest. " I am bored of this bantering!", she whined before dropping her wooden sword to the ground.

The queen smirked while watching her daughter walk towards the door in annoyance. " Fine! Let us use something that will make this harder for you, more interesting for the both of us", she throw her blade to the ground.

Rukia stopped and looked over her shoulder for the proposal. " What is it you speak of ?"

'Clever thinking Kuchiki, clever. She's just like her father', Hisana thought but Rukia smirked widely. " I am nothing like father. He is displeased easily, I, on the other hand want a decent fight ", her mother stood shocked.

" How did you-" she tried.

" You have known since I was a child that I can hear those thoughts, that is why you told Momo to have a clear mind when serving me", Rukia snored. " Mom, are you that forgetful?"

Hisana sighed before whipping her brow " So that is how you know every move I make?"

" Perhaps", Rukia shrugged. " That and you are too predictable ".

" What did you just say?", slightly aggravated Hisana glared to her daughter. " Must I punish you for being disrespectful?"

" By punishment, do you mean another pitiful fight?" the young girl whined. " Then I would rather lick the floor of the stables".

Laughter bursted from the queen before the doors of the dojo slammed shut from the power of the wind.

Rukia turned completely when the wind swirled around her mother and herself, she knew the woman was controlling the element, the bright purple glow from her hands told her this.

" Element against element. Winner must do as the loser says ", Hisana smiled.

A bright smile covered Rukia's lips as she looked at her mother; a cold breeze after the princesses thrill. She raised her hand towards her mother making a bright swirl of ice shot from the palm.

Hisana growled at the sight and rolled out-of-the-way. " I shall take that as an agreement ", she thrusted her palm into the air making the walls shake as wind picked up. Quickly, the mother shot the air towards her daughter who was picked up from her light-weight and tossed to the side of the dojo.

" Ahh!", Rukia cried as her tiny body slammed into the wall from the wind. She growled in pain when she fall to the ground, and the slowly approaching shadow of her mother came into view.

" Still enable to defeat your mother at the arts ", Hisana chuckled as wind quickly whipped a wooden blade into her hands to end the battle.

Rukia smirked before looking up to her mother with an evil eye. " Are you forgetting what happens when I shred blood mother ", she giggled.

Hisana caught the sight of the growing red blood on the ground and gasped. " Damn!", she shouted before noticing the ice forming at her feet.

Rukia laughed loudly as her mother used wind to break the ice, and ran out of the dojo.

The queen gasped for air as she throw herself into the grass, eyes on the dojo as the large ice pillar shot up into the air. ' How did she get cut?! There wasn't anything that is sharp in there!', she thought as she struggled to her feet.

A crack in the pillar made it shatter and the doors of the dojo shot out as the ice vanished, leading a cold fog outside and covering the grass, freezing the green ground to white ice. The pond next to the queen froze along with everything in it, the tree's snapped from the instant freeze which traveled over the fencing.

" You have gotten strong, daughter!" she shouted as the little figure emerged from the foggy dojo.

Rukia smiled as she pushed off the frozen walls. " Indeed ", she answered.

Hisana froze in shock when she noticed the long line of blood coming from her daughters arm, then the ice blade in her hands. " What in the-"

" Why do you not show me your true power mother? Or is that all you have for the woman whom hold such a high status in abilities," Rukia mocked.

" Very well then ", Hisana muttered as she drew a sign in the air. " Doragon-fu! No! Uroko!", she shouted.

Rukia chuckled when the iced grass moved with the invisible dragon that was flying towards her. She readied her blade and raised her hand to the sharp edge, slowly cutting her palm, the blood dripped from the sword.

Hisana smiled as she watched the air made dragon open his jaws to swallow her daughter. ' This is the last thing I have... it better work', she thought in exhaustion.

Rukia closed her eyes as she channelled her strength, making her mother anxious. When she opened them her once violet orbs are an iced blue.

She locked eyes with the dragon as it's jaws swallowed her from the ground, placing her invisible to her mothers eyes.

A smile covered her lips as she claimed her victory. " Yes! Final-"

" Hisana, do not think your daughter is finished ", she blinked at the sound of her mother's voice from the gate. Hisana looked over to meet the calm smile.

Her short raven locks swirled in the cold breeze, and kimono whipped as the dragon swirled near the pound. " Mother, what are you speaking of? "

She looked to her daughter than noticed the iced blade slicing the side of the dragon straight to the mouth. " Oh my-"

Rukia twirled through the air as she looked down at the solid iced dragon laid on the pond. Landing gracefully she looked up to her mother who is terrified. ' How did she...'.

" Oh mother, did you miss me ?" Rukia questioned with a creepy look in her eyes. " That was not very nice mommy ", she pouted as she came closer to her mother. Hisana stumbled to the ground and looked up to her daughter. " Having your big dragon eat me up... now is that nice mommy?", she smiled.

The shadow of the petite girl stood over the woman as she looked up horrified for her daughters nature. The pericing ice blue eyes, blood covered form and blade in hand, made her seem demonically beautiful.

Rukia grinned as she raised her blade " I will say mom, you did entertain me ". The blade cut the air but then a petal stopped her madness.

" RUKIA!", the stern voice frightened them both.

Hisana looked over to husband with wide eyes " Byakuya, she...I made her fight me!" she yelled to him knowing he would punish her. Then she noticed the petals against her daughters blade fall to the ground.

Rukia looked down at the petal blankly as they fall " Pathetic ", she whispered at the frozen petals.

Her mother looked at shocked " Do not fight your father.." she pleaded. " If you do... just do not!" she shouted.

Rukia sighed before she looked over to her father " You think your petals are good enough?"

The king looked at his daughter shocked, then noticed the iced gaze of her eyes. " Hisana what did you do?" he exclaimed with fear. Noticing the long pause his wife is taking he looked into is daughters eyes. " Rukia, calm down " he tried.

" Byakuya, there is no persuading her " Hisana's mother told him. " She is just like her mother", the elder chuckled.

His eyes widened at the news, he can still remember the way his wife and he fought before, until blood shed. Once blood had gotten into her view there was no stopping her until she was fully-satisified.

" But.." laughed the woman, " There is a difference between your daughter and mine".

The noble looked from the two beauties in the garden. " What may that be?"

She smiled to the little girl about to take her last move, " Your's is much stronger ".

He looked over to the fight and noticed his daughter going for the kill, as the blade sliced throw the air he went to run but she held him back. " You fought my daughter and barely came out came out alive. Rukia will kill you", she told him.

Hisana looked up at the blade that was coming down before grabbing the wooden one beside her, she forced the cutting wind around the blade waiting. Just as her daughter was about to touch her skin, she hit the blade with the wind and pulled Rukia to the ground.

The ice in Rukia's eyes shattered as her mother straddled her and the wind came to her neck. She gasped at the sudden move, and used the forced of the winter breeze in her palms to push her mother back, making her fly through the air like a bird.

" I am no fool, mother " she whispered as Hisana body hit the wall. " I told you time and time again, this fight is over!" the little one yelled as she grabbed the ice blade from the ground and pointed from the dojo to the other side of the garden wall.

Hisana lifted her head just in time to see the partials of air freezing and creating a sheet of ice to separate the two of them.

" Good fight, Rukia " she smiled as the wall finished and Rukia dropped the sword.

~~~~Cherry Blossom~~~~~~~~

When I and my mother fought one-on-one, I became something my father feared, something that can kill him in battle. Once he noticed this, he had the dojo guarded by knights and maids keeping me away from fighting. He never wanted me to fight again, especially against my mother.

Mom always wanted to fight me, she would tell me time and time again: I want to make you strong, make you into something that I can never be.

She never got her goal, her life ended after that.

Just then I felt a slight chill cover my body, as if I am naked.

I stirred awake with blurred vision, then noticed night had fallen by now. Did Ichigo carry me for this long?

Crackling from the fire grew as my vison became clear, there isn't a sign of Ichigo near the fire but I can see the horses grazing in a field far from where we had battled the bandits.

Weak from my injuries I didn't move, I looked over my body to see that the shirt (which I took from Ichigo) is gone. In place there are bandages wrapped around my shoulder, torso and abdomen. A wool blanket wrapped around my naked form, but the two strong arms that held me close to Ichigo's body caused my cheeks to flush.

I felt my breath hitched in my throat as my eyes followed the strong arms wrapped around me, until the vision of Ichigo's sleeping face is in my eyes. His head is rested on the tree behind us while he cradled me in his arms, I noticed that his shirt is off and he is holding me close to his skin.

What is this gesture?

His orange hair drapped over his eyes as they rest their sun's, but the peaceful expression on his lips is mesmerizing to me. He is breath-taking in his slumber.

Then I noticed on a branch, the red shirt which hid my body hanging to dry, next to it is his shirt dripping into the bush.

A bucket of water is next to Ichigo as he sleeps, it is swirling with blood and cloth that must have been used to clean my wounds. I noticed that his hand are slightly red from cleaning the blood from my flesh, but the wrinkles on his palms told me that he had cleaned me for several hours, keeping his hands damp.

I leaned into his body, letting his warmth cover me without discomfort. There is a comfort in his presence, usually I wouldn't allow many to touch me, let alone hold me like this. But with Ichigo it felt... right.

Closing my eyes slightly I felt him stir awake from his slumber, I released a faint sigh as he blinked awake and looked around the area, trying to recall everything that had happened.

" R-Rukia.." he whispered as he looked but then felt my breathing on his chest. I could tell he is relieved to feel me against him, the way he sighed after he looked down at my raven locks gave me the hint, but mostly, when he touched my hair and leaned down closer I knew he is grateful for my presence. " I will take care of you ", he whispered into my hair before kissing it tenderly.

Blush caked my cheeks at the gesture, and looked up to the blacksmith causing him to move back quickly. " Thank you ", I whispered as he looked away with a blush.

My eyes stared at his embarrassed expression then dripped towards his chest, he really is something extraordinary. Flustered by his handsome sculpture I looked down to the wool blanket, it is brightly coloured and hand-made. Perhaps his mother or sister made it, I don't want to think that a lover made it for him.

" How are you feeling ?" he asked, trying to get the aura comfortable.

" Much better now. I felt so weak before I fell asleep ", I rubbed my head gently and sighed before looking out to the horses. " Did anything happen when I went to sleep?"

He pulled the blanket higher up on my body, before looking to the fire, trying to avoid making eye contact with me. " I panicked once you dozed off, but you were still breathing, so I continued walking until sunset. When I found this little area in the bush near an opened area, I made camp to bandage your wounds ", his eyes dripped down to me and locked with him. " Once I got all the blood from you, I noticed your abilities were starting to heal you but it started to take a toll on your body heat ".

" You became so cold Rukia, like ice " he seemed worried as he though about what had happened. " I could not help but strip and attempt to give you my heat, this is why I am like this. I feared you would die from the cold. I... I was scared to ... lose you ", he managed.

I watched as sorrowed came to his eyes, he seemed rather disturbed by experience.

My body reacted without hesitation, I didn't think about what to do or how to react, it just happened.

Arms wrapped around his torso, chest to chest, and head buried into his shoulder. " Thank you... Thank you so much ", I repeated faintly. " I-I...I'm sorry ", I hiccupped as tears stung my eyes.

Never has someone cared for me like Ichigo had, usually people would rely on my abilities to heal me, never did they bandage me nor hold me when I became cold. Being cared for by someone brightened my cold heart, and gave me a sensation in my stomach, something which I have never felt before.

Ichigo seemed a little stunned by the embrace, but slowly his arms wrapped around my frame and held me closer to his chest. He buried his face deep into my hair, and he inhaled my scent. " I'm just thankful... that I did not lose someone like you ", I heard from his thoughts.

I sniffed away my sadness and looked over to Ichigo who followed my actions. His face came close to mine. Even though my eyes dripped of tears, they became dull with emotions that I hadn't felt before as I looked closer into the blacksmith's eyes.

His eyes seemed to look into my soul just with a single glance from those bright swirls of amber. They can see my deepest fears and desires, secrets which I hid from everyone. Ichigo can see the real me with one glance.

Our face inches apart allowed his breath to dance on my skin like the breeze, it felt sweet and pure on my lips as I looked into his eyes.

Such closeness to a man, made my heart race and pulse quicken.

He caressed my face softly, with his hands on both my cheeks, fingers tracing my jaw and playing with my lips as he moved closer to them. Our breathes mixed as we gradually closed the space between us.

A new burning desire bursted in my stomach as I came closer, ready to touch his lips. I wanted to kiss him.

My eyes fluttered shut as our lips touched. They are soft like feathers, and rough as bark, I wanted more than a slight touch.

From the slightly touch I felt myself lose all composer, and I lunged forward capturing his lips in a single movement.

His grip on my face tightened slightly as he held me closer, while our lips moved together in a single movement, it reminded me of the dance we shared. We moved as one.

The taste of his lips is sweet, sweeter than deserts that were served to me at the castle. Lips: rough but smooth as silk, and his touch drove me wild as he kissed my virgin lips and claimed them as his.

Deep down I could feel a bright fire burning in my soul, something that has waited for centuries to come to life, and gasp for its first breath.

As the kiss became heated in pleasure, a burst of light covered the air making us both part and look up to the sky. There in the black night, fireworks brightened the stars signaling a village only a hill away.

Someone's getting all kissy!

Well, how was that, since I've was gone all summer long? Was it worth the wait? I hope so, well I was gone it seemed that all my idea;s were for Sakura Ai, and nothing else. I had some hard times writing the Bucket List.

Tell me what you think in the reviews! I would love to hear your thoughts and questions.

Love ya' lots, Bleachlover2346

Re-edited. The Japanese in the title means: Swords and Kiss.

I apologize for the poor editing job before, but I have fixed them, so I hope its easier to read now.