I don't own anything! Put away your lawyers, please!

Summary:
"When you lose someone, you usually go through the five stages of grief… denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. …I think I may be stuck on the fourth one." He helped her gain back the hope she had long-since lost. IchiRuki; AU

Rating: M (For safety and possible situations)
Genre: Romance/ Hurt/Comfort/Drama

Some quotes are from random books. More are from songs. Others I made up completely.

Inspiration: Inori~ You Raise Me Up by Lena Park, Because of You by Kelly Clarkson, and Saving Zoë by Alyson Noël, plus a lot of other stuff.

I think you can tell which Taylor Swift song this is to. Don't own that, either!

Chapter six:
Oh My, My, My… (Rukia's song)

She said, I was seven and you were nine
I looked at you like the stars that shined
In the sky, like pretty lights
And our daddies used to joke about the two of us
Growing up and falling in love and our mamas smiled
And rolled their eyes and said oh my, my, my

Mary's Song

-----------

Byakuya: I walked, almost sluggishly, through the snow. It was nearly five in the morning, and I always liked to get to work early. To avoid traffic, people, that secretary of mine that always ogles me when I pass by.

I could see my Benz clearly now, and sighed happily at the thought of the heater.

I never noticed the other person walking, until I collided with them. Whoever it was promptly fell on the ground, and let out a small cry of pain. I staggered backward a bit, but managed to look down and help the young girl I'd knocked over up.

She was about seventeen… maybe eighteen. She had dark, ebony hair and hazel eyes… they promptly widened when she saw me. I recognized her as one of Rukia's friends… Dawn, I think. "B-Byakuya!" She yelped, surprised, and I almost smiled.

"You're Dawn, right? What're you doing out here so early?"

A light pink dusted her cheeks. "Yeah. And, um… Oh, you know. This and that. I wanted to take a walk…"

"A walk?" In this weather? At this time?

"Y-yeah. M-my name's Dawn, i-isn't it?" She joked halfheartedly. She kept stuttering. I could tell she was really embarrassed. Either that or she was really cold. "A-and you? What're you doing out?"

"Heading to work."

Now she really looked astonished. "It's only five fifteen, really? I thought Rukia was the only person who woke up at this ungodly hour." She grinned, and I blinked. "Oh, so… how is she?" The girl, Dawn, smiled a little, like she had a secret she didn't want to tell.

"She… she's okay. As a matter of fact, better than okay. She's perfect. I think she's finally getting over…" She stopped, and those inexperienced, childish, big hazel orbs looked up at me, almost asking for permission to say what she wanted to say.

I really didn't know what to say, so I hoped my own eyes conveyed my thoughts. She looked back down quickly, and didn't speak of it after that. I wouldn't have gotten mad whether or not she said Hisana's name… it actually comforted me to hear people say it, strangely.

"N-never mind."

I blinked. "It's fine, okay?" I said in a voice I had hoped sounded somewhat comforting, instead of the half-assed caring mood I was usually in, in these situations. She nodded to herself, and smiled gently. "Thanks. Uh, goodbye, Mr. Kuchiki," She bowed politely, and scurried off, to God-knows-where.

I blinked.

What just happened?

--------

Rukia: I've got to be truthful. My life's actually slightly better than hell, and that's a good thing, you know.

…What? It's true, it really is. Okay, so you know what happened today? I read Hisana's diary, again, right? Okay, so yeah, I figured something out about her. Something that's totally not her, so not like Hisana! It's just so out of character, I'm wondering if Asuna or Yoruichi stole her journal and wrote it instead.

But, get this. And no, it's not about the drinking, we all knew about that DUI ticket she got when she was sixteen, even though she claimed she never drank at all. It's not about the sex, either. I know all about her nights with Byakuya. Thin walls. Very, very thin walls.

But it's about her boyfriend before Byakuya. A guy named Fuyu Yamoto. I didn't even know about him, that's how secret he was! Ugh, and from what she wrote, he was a real jerk. I didn't even know him, but I wanted to kick him in the place no man would ever want.

I skip around an awful lot when I read her entries, and this was one of her first.

Here are her exact words:

'I broke up with Fuyu (GO ME!) and damn, do I feel good about it. I don't know how long I could've lasted him picking me up for our dates, smelling like cheap perfume and a lip gloss smear across his cheek he thought he'd gotten off.

Oh, and I found the slut he'd been fucking. It was that whore, Akiyo Fujiwara from homeroom. You know, the bitch that always wears the booty shorts and tank tops and super tight skinny jeans? Her, right. Okay, so I called Yoru and told her about it all the night after the breakup, right?

And the next day, I walk into class, Akiyo wide-eyed, and Yoruichi just cussing her out. I was so proud! So, okay, right, now the entire school knows Fuyu as a cheating man-whore and Akiyo as a pettily stupid, jealous, wannabe.

I hate her, I really do.'

I honestly didn't know Hisana knew that type of language.

------------

Ichigo: I hated Mondays, but then again, doesn't everybody?

Ms. Ochi was droning on and on about something involving Shakespeare, and even though I loved his sonnets (Yeah, I'm manly enough to admit it), I couldn't help but think about the girl behind me. The girl who was, without a doubt, the cause of my failing English grade. The girl who seemed happy and sunshine-y one minute, then cold and aloof the next.

Rukia.

I allowed myself to look over my shoulder, and then I turned my head, pretending to scan the room uncaringly. Nobody seemed to notice. "Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it is morrow," Ms. Ochi read loud and clear, "Does anyone know what that line is from? Kurosaki?"

I may have been off in la la land, but I knew English. "William Shakespeare, "Romeo and Juliet", Act II, scene two."

"Good," She said tersely, smiling. "And that's tonight's homework, alright you maggots? I want you to read the tragic love of Romeo and Juliet, and be able to answer every question that's on the pop quiz tomorrow." Half the class groaned, while others smirked.

Not really a 'pop quiz' if she was telling us about it, but whatever.

I let my focus drift behind me, towards Rukia.

She was smirking.

-------------

Rukia: I was in the library.

"'When Hope is not enough, Savannah learns' blah, blah, blah." I bit my lip, "Mimi Kane," I read the authors name aloud, looking over the book cover.

It had a picture of a ghostly-looking girl, clad in a white gown, her pale blonde hair contrasting deeply with her dark eyes. She was playing the piano, a dark sky above her head, streams of light pouring through, and the blue sea as her backdrop. She was smiling almost hopefully, her head towards the sky.

Its title, Need, glared at me through its ghostly lettering.

"It's about a girl," I turned quickly, blinking wildly at Orihime, who had a peaceful, friendly smile on. "It's about a girl who feels like her world's falling apart after her mom leaves her dad," She had a wistful look on her face. "She falls in love with some guy, and he helps her."

"Sounds typical," I snorted, looking at the 'from the book' paragraph on the back.

"And I know I'm not a normal girl, with a normal lifestyle, or a normal family or anything. I live in Malibu. Sounds fancy, but not at all. I don't have any siblings, barely a family to call my own. Just my dad and an unnamed mother. A blind grandmother and a couple cousins. I never thought someone who lived without normality, who lived without love practically her whole life, could fall for someone like Stephen Ronnie, who might as well be a demon. Good looking, devilish personality, but with the insane desire to love. And I think that's what drew me to him."

I read it aloud, and then looked at Orihime. She had a blank look on her face, save for the wistful light in her gray-blue eyes. I knew what she was thinking, I think. No… I know. It was like she said it out loud, for everyone to hear, but she hadn't.

It's her life.

I blinked. I didn't have a family, not really. And I grew up without any love, almost. But I had a sister, just not anymore.

I sighed, walking past my friend, towards Barnes and Nobles front check-out.

I held the book tight.

--------

Ichigo: I couldn't believe it. Nobody could make me believe. As if Dawn couldn't get any crazier. But, then again, she never ceases to amaze me.

She has a psychic! His name's Zangetsu. Normally I'd have to be very, very drunk to put my faith and money into the hands of some guy who was hired by one of my only friends who needed therapy.

He wasn't very old, maybe thirty. His eyes were a dark brown color, and his eyes matched. "Zangetsu, please meet my dumbass friend, Ichigo," now, normally, I would've yelled at her for calling me that, but she gave me this look that told me to shut up or else.

"Nice to meet you, Ichigo," He smiled half politely, half condescendingly, and pulled out a deck of Tarot cards. I raised an eyebrow. "Pick a card from the top deck," He smirked, and my skin crawled. I did as he said, and he took it from me, turning it over.

"The sun," he said, his fingers brushing the card.

Dawn looked at me, a small smile on her face.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing," She looked away, still smiling. Zangetsu sighed, "You're about to find the light…" He trailed off. Looked up, smiling slightly. "You'll step into a darkness, but find your way out because of someone," He flipped another card.

'Strength' is what it read. "…Someone, with courage. Bravery. Someone who overcomes any challenge thrown their way." He threw down the third, the last card. "The moon," he smiled softly. "Hope. You'll find… hope."

"Okay, that was something I already have. I have hope, okay? And I know a lot of people who are brave, that doesn't mean anything!" Dawn 'tsked'. "Shut up, mm'kay? I'm doing you a favor, here. Isn't there anyone who you… oh, I don't know, who's brave, that jumps out at you? Like pop!" She jumped towards me, her eyes quizzical.

"No." I said bluntly, trying to turn away, but she grabbed my shoulder. "Just… just give it some thought. Can you do that, at the very least?" She seemed desperate to make me listen. "Fine," I finally said. "Okay, alright. I'll give it some thought."

Because in my mind, there was one girl who resembled exactly that; bravery, temperance, and the very image of the moon, of the night, of purity.

Rukia.

And as I looked at Dawn, as I looked at Zangetsu, who was smirking knowingly at me, one thought plagued my mind.

Ichigo Kurosaki… what are you thinking?

---

Rukia:

My eyes narrowed as he approached. "Hey," Stephen drawled lazily, and I snorted. "Hi, loser." I said, and for a second, it was a year ago. When our lives seemed so normal. Harmony, Mary, and I… we were just seventeen year old best friends, counting on forever.

"Rukia!"

My head jerked up, and I smiled softly at Tatsuki, who was grinning like a maniac. "What'cha reading?" She asked in a sing-song-y type of voice, and I laughed softly.

"It's called "Chasing Hope" by Mimi Kane. Do you know it?"

"I've read it once," She said, sitting down next to me. We were in my living room. I'm assuming dad let her in. "It's okay, but I happen to think Stephen was kind of pessimistic, and Vince was a little coldhearted." She shrugged. "Why aren't you reading Romeo and Juliet?"

I waved her off. "I've read it a gazillion times, don't need to do it again. I'm pretty sure I'll get a passing grade tomorrow."

"I'm sure you will, too. Your memory's a steel trap."

"Thank you," I grinned. "So… what're you doing here?"

She paused, like she was contemplating on something. She seemed to solve her worries quickly, though, because the next second, she was grinning again, and told me, "Oh, just wondering if we could study together, but since you're already done…"

I rolled my eyes. We both knew very well that wasn't the reason she was here, but I didn't question it. "Nah, it's okay. I was about to go crazy with all the quiet, anyway. I needed someone to bug."

Tatsuki snorted; "You need to get a dog, seriously."

"I've been thinking about it," I said half-truthfully. I did need an at-home companion, even if it was a fur ball named Scruffy. My father was at home too little enough to care, just so long as he came home to a stable house and no dead animals.

"Let's go somewhere," Tatsuki suggested suddenly, and I snorted. "What? On a school night? Won't Mikuru get upset?" Mikuru was Tatsuki's stepmother's name. Most of the time, like when it didn't involve curfew, Mikuru was just like Tatsuki's hip older sister.

Usually.

"Nah, she and ol' dad are going out tonight."

"Aren't you kind of creeped out that your forty-four year old dad is sexing up a twenty-three year old?" I asked. I would literally throw a book at my father if he tried it. Tatsuki shook her head, "No, not really. They really like each other, and Mikuru doesn't seem to have any ulterior motives."

I rolled my eyes, "Okay, whatevs. Where are we going?"

"To Dawn's."

"Why Dawn? And is Orihime gonna be there as a witness? More importantly, am I coming back?" We stood up, Tatsuki picking up her cardigan, me walking to the coat closet, pulling out my favorite blue jacket.

Tatsuki feigned hurt. "Oh my god, Rukia. I can't believe you don't trust us! And no, Orihime's not coming. Just one of Dawn's friends and her little brother. You remember Austin, don't you?"

I shuddered, "Yeah, I do. And he's the reason I never come to her house anymore. Don't think I forgot that little incident with the lizard and the goldfish."

Tatsuki shook her head, "What's your excuse for the rest of us? And that was funny."

"Not for me it wasn't." I said with a low growl. I blinked, recalling something. "Which one of Dawn's friends are we talking about? He doesn't happen to have a shiny red nose and make up, right?" She knew I hated clowns.

Tatsuki laughed. "Nah, it's not Fitzo, so calm down." She recalled my little 'moment' at her birthday party, when her clown, Fitzo, sprayed me with some water. I was five, and I hated clowns, so naturally I was crying like a baby.

"Her name's Shirayuki."

That was such a familiar name, but I couldn't remember why. I blinked, searching the back of my mind, but could find nothing. Then, it hit me…

"You're bringing me to her psychic?!"

--

Tatsuki flinched. "Aura reader, really."

"Same difference!" I whined as we got to Dawn's house. It wasn't a fancy-schmancy mansion like Orihime's, or a normal abode like Tatsuki or my house. It was something in-between, big, and not fancily rich big, but kind of an old, mysterious, family heirloom big.

Dawn opened the door not a second after we'd knocked.

"Hey!"

--

Dawn: Okay, Strawberry down, one to go.

I was so happy Zangetsu and Shirayuki decided to help me out, even though I just knew they would. They both know Ich and Ru's personalities from moi, and think that they'd be cute together.

After all, Zangetsu's so much like Ichi! Stubborn, cocky, rude, makes a woman want to punch and hug him all at the same time… yep. Classic idiot.

And Shirayuki and Rukia… they're just… wow! I think they may be related in one way or another. They're both stubborn, and a little dark, but pretty quiet, too. They can also hold their own and aren't needy, either.

I huffed, and nodded to Shirayuki, who was currently sitting on my couch. "Austin," I said to the little twerp sitting beside her, his warped mind tuning onto the video game in his hands.

"What?" He whined.

I glared. He was almost twelve, shouldn't he know better? "Put Pikachu away for a minute, would you?" Stupid Pokémon obsessed little brother. "And go upstairs. Mom wanted you in bed by nine." It was barely seven, but he didn't need to know that.

"You can't tell me what to do." He said simply, and went back to ignoring me.

So far, I had three options looking at me.

Number one, I could force him to go upstairs, but the 'little angel' would just rat me out saying I punched him (Which I probably would) and I'd be grounded.

Number two, I could just take the stupid game away. I mean, it's not like I would break the damn toy… maybe.

And then, number three. Bribing. I shrugged. What the hell did I have to lose?

"Austin, hon," I sat down next to him, "If you go upstairs and at least pretend to be asleep, you've got," I pulled out the cash, "Ten dollars comin' your way." He looked dryly at me. "Make it twenty."

I glared. "Five."

"Fifteen."

I paused. Then, sighed impatiently when I heard a knock at the door. "I'll give you thirty if you promise not to say a word." He nodded and quickly took the money, running upstairs. I huffed. Well, there went my allowance for the next six weeks.

"You could have just taken the game away," Shirayuki said with a smile. I wasn't humored. "Don't push me, Shirayuki." I warned, getting the door. I quickly put on a happy façade, swinging the door open. "Hey you guys!"

Tatsuki gave me a look that plainly said, 'You better know what you're doing'.

I had hoped so.

-------

Okay, so we went over the same deal with Rukia as we did with Ichigo. Just a little idea about the other, so maybe they could find each other on their own. Truth be told, Zangetsu and Shirayuki aren't real psychics.

Zangetsu's a science teacher at Kakura U, and Shirayuki's a dance instructor. But I had the Tarot cards, and they were willing to help out. When Tatsuki and Rukia left a little past nine, Shirayuki sighed, intertwining her hands with her husband's. Zangetsu tossed me a knowing look.

"So… what's your next plan?"

I sighed, a worried frown gracing my features. "I have absolutely no clue."

------

I think Dawn's in the story too much, but I don't know. Will major IchiRuki events in the next chapter make up for it? So, anyways, for those of you who haven't noticed, I put up a new poll for my pairings. So far, Dawn/Byakuya, Orihime/Uryu, and Renji/Tatsuki are winning. But there's still time for it to change, so HURRY UP AND VOTE!!

-TMU