Main pairing: Hitsugaya x Rukia

Main pairing: Hitsugaya x Rukia

Side pairings: Ichigo x Orihime, hint of Rangiku x Gin

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach in any way.

NORMAL POV

Basically everyone...just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to my reviewers! You guys are awesome!

However I need to say something:

It is a gradual love, so if you don't like what you're seeing just stop reading and don't flame me. Also, no offense to any HitsuRuki fans but most HitsuRuki stories I see have hints of HinaAiz and IchiRuki. I hate HinaAiz and though I do like IchiRuki, it's not the BEST COUPLE in the world.

Anywayz this chapter will be mainly IchiRuki friendship because I see them more as friends than lovers.

Also please do not insult Renji either. He rocks so no Renji haters please. Insult Ichigo if you want (cause I don't really care about him) but don't insult Renji!

Lol. Also I do apologise for my paragraphs looking really short. On word it doesn't look like that XD

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Rukia felt numb. Drained completely, she felt red and raw inside. Rukia had cried until she could cry no more, yet she knew there were more tears waiting to fall. As she hugged Renji's lifeless body, she felt two familiar reiatsu's beside her.

"Kuchiki San." Orihime whispered.

Rukia slowly turned around, her eyes red and puffy from crying. A feeling of relief swept through her, that they were there for her. Ichigo stared at her in shock, at the state Rukia was in.

"Inoue..Ichigo" She uttered their names softly as she made a step towards them and then suddenly collapsed in Ichigo's arms.

"Rukia." Ichigo said gently.

Ichigo patted her back awkwardly. He wasn't great at showing his emotions but it surprised him, how broken Rukia was. He had no idea she had cared for Renji this much. Rukia clung to him desperately, as if he was her last lifeline. The tears rolled down her cheeks once more. Inoue silently went over to Renji's body, trying to ignore that feeling of jealousy inside her that Rukia and Ichigo were so close. She touched Renji's hand and shivered at the coldness of his body. She knew that they had been far too late. She hated that Renji had lost his life here, in Huecos Mundos. After he had been her nakama too. She felt the tears slowly roll down her cheeks.

Although she didn't say anything, Ichigo saw the tears and stared at her in shock.

"Inoue what's wrong?" He asked.

Rukia broke from Ichigo's embrace and looked at her in concern. The last thing she wanted to do was make Orihime cry.

"It's just - "Inoue hesitated. "Everyone came to risk their lives and Renji Kun he.."

She looked away ashamed, the tears spilling over once more at the guit that she felt inside. The burden she carried felt heavy. Suddenly, Rukia grabbed Orihime's arm to get her attention. Orihime stared at her in shock but a quick smile appeared on Rukia's face, even though Rukia's own eyes were wet with tears.

"Don't be guilty." Rukia smiled. "We all knew the risks, we wanted to save you. It's not your fault at all. You are strong Orihime, don't forget it."

Orihime wiped her tears away and smiled back. "Arigato Kuchiki San."

"Please call me Rukia . "Rukia said quietly. "Lets not be formal anymore."

"Hai, Rukia Chan." Orihime said softly.

Rukia turned to Ichigo, a determination fixed on her features.

"We need to find a girl called Hinamori, Aizen's former fukutaichou. Aizen is after her."

"Aizen?" Orihime said sharply. "I felt his reiatsu clash with Toshiro Kun's. Maybe following Toshiro Kun's reiatsu might give us a clue.."

Ichigo nodded. "Ok, Inoue you go in front and search for Toshiro Kun's reiatsu. I'll help Rukia carry...Renji."

His voice went wobbly with uncertainty as he said Renji's name. Although he and Renji had argued, Renji was still his nakama and it felt strange that he was gone. Not right some how. Orihime saw the pain in Ichigo's eyes and silently went forward. The moment Orihime walked forward, Ichigo sneaked a glance at Inoue before helping Rukia carry Renji's body. Ichigo mentally slapped himself. This was not the time and place for attraction.

"I saw that." Rukia said quietly. "I saw you look at Orihime."

Ichigo flushed red. "She's my nakama that's all." He muttered.

Rukia gave him a questioning look. "Are you sure about that?"

Ichigo felt himself turn a darker shade of red as he remembered what had taken place between him and Inoue.

FLASHBACK

"Kurosaki Kun." Orihime said quietly. "I am so sorry -

"Inoue please don't apologise with all that pain in your eyes." Ichigo interrupted.

Orihime smiled at him, remembering those were the exact words she said to him when he felt like he had failed.

"I promise I will get stronger from now on. I've been such a burden.." Her voice trailed off with tears in her eyes.

Suddenly, Ichigo grabbed her hand. She blushed at the close contact.

"You are strong Inoue. Don't ever think you are a burden, you never have been." Ichigo grinned at her. "Call me Ichigo, we are nakama after all."

Orihime blushed furiously all the while. "Hai...Ichigo Kun."

END OF FLASHBACK

Ichigo shrugged. Rukia couldn't help herself. After all she had been through, she had lost the man she loved and he was dismissing his feelings for Inoue so casually...it was all too much for her.

"Ichigo listen to me!" She whispered furiously.

Alarmed he turned to her.

"You've got a girl that's beautiful and alive..and you dismiss these feelings!" She felt a tear roll down her cheek. "Renji, I...I loved him and now he's dead. Orihime loves you with all her heart, so you'd better tell her your fucking feelings!"

Ichigo stared at her. She had loved Renji?

Ichigo swallowed. "I…Rukia, I never knew.."

Rukia gave him a bitter smile. "No one did."

Silence descended on the pair once more until Orihime hesitantly broke it.

"Toshiro Kun's just ahead."

Rukia squinted. In the distance, she saw the white haired 10th division captain hugging a still form of a girl. Rukia went cold. No! It's not Hinamori! She's not dead! She felt herself tear up inside again. Not only had she failed to save Renji but she hadn't even managed to save Hinamori.

At that moment Hitsugaya looked up, confused and bewildered. What are they doing here?

"Inoue and Kurosaki." His own words sounded hollow. "What are you doing here?"

He made no mention of Rukia which didn't surprise any of them. Hitsugaya and Rukia didn't know each other well. For the first time in her life, Rukia felt a pang of empathy towards him. It was clear that he loved Hinamori and the look in his eyes showed the emotions she was feeling – pain, regret, sadness and most of all Guilt.

Rukia cleared her throat. "Um Renji was trying to protect Hinamori." Her voice wobbled with effort.

Hitsugaya let out a long sigh. "Abarai." he breathed. "Yes, Hinamori told me."

Ichigo and Rukia silently placed Renji's body next to Hinamori's. For a moment, Hitsugaya and Rukia's eyes met, filled with peace and understanding. Then Rukia was looking at Renji's body, the tears dripping down her cheeks once more. She clenched her fists. Why had she failed to protect him? Why?

"Just come back to me Renji." She murmured softly.

Her voice rose to a scream. "JUST FUCKING COME BACK!"

Suddenly, there was movement. In an instant, Unohana and Isane appeared, along with Rangiku and Byakuga.

"Taichou!" Rangiku's voice was hushed. "What happened -"

Hitsugaya finally looked up, his eyes filled with tears. "She looks beautiful doesn't she? If it wasn't for her, I would be dead."

With an effort, Hitsugaya wiped some of his tears away.

"I love you so much Momo Chan." He begged. "Come back, please."

The pleading in his voice tugged at Rukia's heartstrings. Here they both were, the two ice shinigami's together wanting something they couldn't have. On impulse, she touched his shoulder. Startled, he turned around.

"I'm sorry" She whispered. "I'm so sorry."

As she got up, the heartbreak she felt was unbearable. Suddenly, she felt angry at Unohana and Isane. She hated this, she hated everything that had befalled her and caused her to lose Renji.

She glared at Unohana. "Why?" She hissed. "Why did you let Renji die? You pieces of filth!"

With a scream, she launched herself at Unohana but Byakuga held her back.

"Ni Sama!" She whispered.

"Apologise." He said calmly. "I understand what you are going through but you must control yourself Rukia."

She bit her lip to stop herself screaming. No one understands what I'm going through! No one except -

She turned to see Hitsugaya staring at her, his eyes full of empathy. Slowly, she felt her anger evaporate from her.

"Gomen." She said dully.

"Good." Byakuga said, taking a quick glance around their surroundings. "It's best we be off."

So that was how it ended, in Huecos Mundos where Hinamori and Renji fell. The Arrancars would stay in Huecos Mundos as they were considered weak. It was decided that Ichimaru and Tousen to be placed in a high security prison. All the Espada save the ones that had fallen and Nel Tu would join them. All except one.

Grimmjow Jeagerjaques.

That was the biggest mistake of all.

Ok well I've finally done it! Did you like it? Yes Hitsugaya and Rukia finally met! Satisfied? Ohh apologies if any characters were slightly OC.

PLEASE R & R NICELY!

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