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Falling Together
Chapter Thirteen- Tormented Hearts
Author's Note: This story isn't THAT interesting…but yeah. It has some mild ICHIXRUKI. MILD. Or maybe…some small…Ichigo and Rukia…yeah.
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Aizen sighed rather lazily as he ran his fat fingers across his hazel mane. Ichigo had completely distorted his plans of the Kuukaku downfall, and he was rather upset with it. "…You can stop it." He murmured a little tiredly as he found the masked figure struggling to keep his blade in his sheath. Fortunately he obeyed. "…Kuukaku-san…? I thought you were going to finish Kurosaki-kun?" He had a polite smile and faced the woman who was suffering serious injuries.
"BASTARD!" The woman hissed and immediately fell down on the dirt, seething in pain. Hanatarou had just arrived from faraway and quickly started tending to her. "You, you were playing with me all along weren't you?" She mustered under her breath and pushed the healer aside. Hanatarou gazed at Kuukaku who seemed to be just fine now. She was pissed though. Really pissed.
"Now, now…don't get so angry, Shiba-sama." Aizen continued to smile and walked towards her. She did not budge from her position.
Ichigo at the meantime fell on the floor. The screams of the masked figure echoed through the atmosphere, and everyone's attention turned towards him. Aizen was the only calm being at that time. "Kurosaki-kun…good job." He replied as the white mask crumbled to pieces. Rukia was leaning against a tree watching her husband scream in terror and she knew she could do nothing. And maybe…if she could…she wouldn't do anything at all.
Aizen turned his attention back towards Kuukaku who seemed to be ready to die. His sword was gently placed between his fingers, and she knew she would die. "Gomen…Ganju." She murmured in regret. She couldn't save him. She couldn't save her only blood relative…and she felt it best to die before him.
"Good. Good. You shall meet your brother soon." Aizen managed to whisper. She gazed at him with anger and sadness, but she could do nothing. Too injured, too broken. "Then…we shall begin." The man quickly disappeared and she found him right in front of her, ready to strike her down.
Staring up, Kuukaku looked in horror. Was she ready to die yet? She did not know. His blade came quicker every second, and her heart rate rose every time it grew near. Suddenly a flash of blue filled the air. And the blade was penetrated with the huge force.
"Gomen, I was a bit busy." A voice announced from high above. Ishida stood on a tree's branch handling his quiver with extreme care. "Ne, Kurosaki, I think you owe me -" He quickly averted his eyes toward a limped figure in the middle of the flames. His eyes widened as he found Ichigo bloodied and bruised, and in intense pain. "KUROSAKI!" The noble archer shouted with concern and he quickly vanished.
Rukia stared at Ishida and was relieved that he had saved Ichigo. Though she knew she would hate it. Her mission failed, and she could never be acknowledged by her brother. I'm sorry…brother. She murmured to herself and got up. She stumbled but a strong hand took her carefully by the arm. "Rukia-san? Are you alright?" A voice questioned. Her vision was blurry, but if she was correct. A woman with long orange hair and great innocent eyes shone above her. Quickly she found herself unconscious.
Aizen sighed in disappointment and walked towards his blade. Broken, but not unfixable. He pushed the rim of his glasses and made a hand signal. "Start, Ichimaru." He replied in an upset tone. A blade from far away entered the scene and it immediately pierced through Kuukaku's right arm. The feeling was horrid, as she felt her flesh being torn without regret. A laugh chimed and she fell down staring at the sky. Voices that belonged to her men, and Hanatarou screamed at her. She closed her eyes, and forgave them.
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Ichigo woke up and found her staring at him. "O-Orihime?" He whispered in disbelief and got up. The woman shook her head and gently pushed him back down. He lay on the silken bed, staring at her lovingly. "I thought I'd never see you again." He murmured as he caressed her tinted cheeks. But, as always…like before, she rejected his affectionate touch and sighed back at him.
"Please, Kurosaki-kun…I'm married already. And you are too." She replied in a mature way. Ichigo looked away from her, hating the idea that they were split apart. "Besides. You love Rukia more than me…I know it." She smiled cheerfully, but it did not give him happiness. Not like it used to.
"You think I really love her?" He asked a little frustrated. Orihime gazed at him with sympathy, but she could not support him when it came to his love problems. Even if she was the main source. "Orihime. How many times do I have to tell you?" He got up once more, but this time she didn't force him to lay back down. "I loved you…and I still do." He announced with emotion. Tears were easily visible as she gazed at him with such mixture of feelings. She hated him for loving her, but she still loved him as a friend.
"Kurosaki-kun…know your place." She pleaded wiping those tears. Ichigo grunted and turned away. She bit her lower lip and hung her head down. "I don't know what to do with you, honestly." She replied and stared at the marble floor.
"You know…I turned to him because of you." Ichigo whispered. Her heart began to sink as he said those words. "I changed to that creature, just to save you. And you know it!" He angrily hissed and she continued to apologize. "I don't get it…" He replied meekly. Orihime's eyes deepened as she stared at him. "I saved your life…so that we can be together. But it's like this." He murmured in confusion. "It's all your fault." He accused her, but she did not say anything.
"Ichigo! I'm sorry…" She sniffed embracing him gently, so that he would not be in pain. He scoffed at her, and forced her to break free from her hold.
"Just shut up and leave me alone." He whispered, and she left.
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Yoruichi cursed as she cleaned her wounds. When she blocked Ichimaru's blade slightly to lighten Kuukaku's injury, she did not know she would face such a grave wound. "Damn it." She whispered to herself, licking the blood that seeped through the cuts on her arm. Two arms then embraced her and she turned around finding Urahara with a small grin. "What do you want?" She asked a little childishly, as she gazed at him with a smirk.
"Just seeing how my darling's doing." Urahara replied smoothly and she rolled her eyes. "By the way…Aizen and Ichimaru left. I've sent a few squads to spy on them, they'll be coming back with information soon." He responded and she nodded.
"Thank you."
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Rukia glared at the ceiling with anger. Why? Why was she still alive? She clenched her teeth and continued to ask herself that question. She was a traitor, so why didn't they kill her? Her heart slowed down as she sensed someone coming in. The door opened a Renji entered with wraps allover his arms. "Renji?" She asked as he sat down next to her bedside. "Why are you here?" She whispered and he leaned against the chair he sat in.
"Just wanted to know if you were alright." He replied a little coolly. She let out a small fake smile. He could tell it was fake as well, but he didn't bother to ask what was bugging her. "Anyways…Ichigo's fine." He grumbled a little angrily. No matter how much he detested Ichigo, he knew Rukia would be relieved. A pause of silence entered the room and he found Rukia staring away from him. "What's the matter?" He finally asked, grabbing her by the arm. She gazed at him with such sadness.
"I…I don't know what to do, Renji." She stammered and the story began.
He rubbed his chin and gazed at the puzzled woman before him. "Well, you put yourself in deep shit, that's for sure." He replied playing with his black robes. Rukia glared at him and crossed her arms. "But hey. It's all up to you, I can't make your decision." He replied apologetically. Rukia let out a small defeated sigh and thanked him. "Yeah, well gotta go and get Unohana-san to check up on me." He muttered and stepped outside.
Upon closing her door he stared at the floor beneath his feet. He knew that she was in love with Ichigo, and they were married…but…there was a person in him that wanted to literally shout to her that he was the one who was capable of loving her, and that he was the one that she could always rely on. "I should have told her to kill him." He muttered bitterly and left to go to Unohana's office.
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She opened his door and found him lying down, aching all over. At first she told herself to stay away from him…but…she knew she had to tell him everything. Rukia stepped in, and yet he still did not bother to look at her. Something told her that he was disgusted of her appearance as his eyebrows twitched when she walked in. "…I-Ichigo?" She whispered timidly. He looked away. He did not want to speak to her…that was evident.
Sitting down on the same seat Orihime occupied, Rukia gazed at him. He was battered and torn, yet still his energy was amazingly powerful. Her eyes saddened as she found some cuts that were left untended to. Or either that, he did not want them to be tended. "Ichigo…can I speak to you?" Rukia asked feeling giddy, and embarrassed. He stared at her for at least five seconds and looked away once more.
"Yeah, sure…whatever." He angrily replied. She felt shocked at his statement, but it didn't hurt at all. She was used to him being so crabby. "Just spit it out." He yawned, and turned away from her. Rukia bit her lower lip. She thought she knew she could tell him. She wanted to tell him how she wanted to kill him…but she loved him as hell to do that. "…N-Never mind." She grumbled and stood up hastily. The way they were now, she felt it impossible. "Sorry to bother you." She replied and stepped outside closing his door.
Tears streamed down. It was a horrible feeling. She couldn't understand why she was in such a state when she saw him. And why she felt isolated from him when he looked away. God…why did her life suck so badly? She slid down and gently fell on the floor. Pulling her knees to herself she buried her head between her legs and continued to cry.
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Orihime was in the corner, as she found Rukia sobbing. She felt regret and turned away. Upon turning around she faced Ishida who seemed quite concerned as well. "They'll be alright." He whispered, soothing her. Orihime nodded and they both left the upper floor.
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Hitsugaya was injured. Terribly injured. Ukitake and Kyouraku were completely free from wounds, and seemed a bit giddy.
"HAHAHAHA! I can't believe you actually fell in that trap?" Kyouraku managed to spit out as he drank the sake. Hitsugaya glared at him, and crossed his arms. "Right Ukitake? I mean…what kind of HIC person are you to fall in such a stupid thing!" The man sung with amusement, making the boy feel a little more embarrassed.
"SHUT UP, ALREADY!" Hitsugaya growled and flung the cup from Kyouraku's fingertips. Ukitake was ignoring the two bickering and stared upstairs. He was concerned over Rukia.
He remembered that heart-terrifying scene. They found her leaning against the tree, sobbing, and gasping for air. The flames were getting to her, and she was experiencing much pain. Ichigo was the only thing she said or mentioned. And he was sure that she was still upstairs crying her heart out. "Kuchiki…"He murmured.
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Byakuya was back in his castle. Matsumoto was furious. They were too late, and he had decided already to flee before being questioned why he was there when he had clearly stated he was not going to be involved in the battle. "Calm down…" He replied sighing, and closing his eyes for relaxation. Matsumoto huffed at him and gritted her teeth. Was it the perfect chance to kill him? There was no one here. She quickly slid her blade from her sheath.