"Wake up Rukia."

My eyes snapped open in confusion as I looked around the dark shadows of the room around me. I noticed that Hitsugaya Taichou was still asleep, in a bed next to me. Anger and revulsion struck me as I looked at him, lying there on the bed so peacefully.

"Don't you recognise me Rukia?"

I shook my head, trying to figure out who was speaking to me. Who was it that knew my name? Renji? No, it was a woman's voice. So who on earth was speaking to me? I stared around the room blankly.

"Remember me, you spoke my name once..."

Then it became clear to me all at once. I was such a fool. How could I not have recognised from the first moment it spoke.

"Sode no Shirayuki." I whispered.

The air seemed to ripple in response to my whisper.

"Come with me."

I closed my eyes as a burst of light suddenly engulfed the room and I was engulfed with it.

Rubbing my eyes, I bewilderedly looked around my settings. The warm, comforting hotel room had vanished. I was in a grassy field, where the sun was shining brightly. In the middle of the grassy field, was a table where a crystal ball was on top of it. Curious, I advanced towards it and saw Hitsugaya Taichou still sleeping peacefully.

"He still sleeps undisturbed." A soft female voice spoke behind me making me jump.

I turned around and my eyes widened. A dark haired girl not much taller than myself was dressed in silver flowing robes. Were it not for a few minor differences, she was almost the exact replica of me. In other words, I was looking at myself in ten years time.

So this is the true form of Sode no Shirayuki I thought.

I swallowed hard. "Where is this place?"

Shirayuki laughed, a music laugh. "You seem to really have lost your path Rukia. See this?" She gestured around the field.

"Before I summoned you, it was raining hard a moment ago. When you are upset, it normally drizzles. However, there was lightning and thunder, so painful for me that I had to summon you here."

I stared at her in amazement. "I admit I had no idea.." I trailed off.

"Well now you see." Shirayuki continued. "You don't even recognise this place Rukia. The place where you and Kaien Dono walked."

She calmly walked over to the table where the crystal ball sat. "Just watch." She instructed me.

I watched her nervously as she waved a hand over the crystal ball. To my astonishment, the crystal ball shimmered at her touch and grew larger and larger. Suddenly, I saw myself and Kaien Dono walking in the fields. I understood now – I was seeing my own memories.

A/N : Sorry you guys, for this scene which is actually in Bleach. I'm a bit of a KaiRuki fan so it's necessary! XDD

"Kuchiki!"

I giggled to myself at the weird scene where I was spacing out. It was really strange seeing myself with Kaien. Although when I looked at him, I didn't feel the same feelings anymore as I used to, I still loved him.

"Kuchiki!"

With no response, Kaien proceeded to hit me on the dead. I yelped in shock.

Shirayuki and I couldn't help but smile at the memories.

"Wh-Why did you hit me for no reason Kaien Dono?" I complained.

"Because yelling and shaking you wasn't working!" Kaien retorted back.

"What if I'd woken up with a kink in my neck?" I whined.

"Woken up?" Kaien raised an eyebrow. "You were sleep walking?"

I paused, looking at him quizzically.

"Get a grip and stop daydreaming!" Kaien sighed. "We're almost there."

Shirayuki turned to me with a soft smile. "He never realised did he? That you loved him."

I shook my head sadly. "No, I kept it hidden. I never wanted to jeopardise his marriage."

I watched myself daydream and admire the beautiful fields around me. It was quite strange seeing how young and naive I once was.

"I'm going to leave you behind Kuchiki!" Kaien called.

I immediately snapped to attention. "R-Right! Gommenesai!"

Watching myself, hurry and tag along side him, I couldn't help but smile. I was like a little lost puppy wanting his love and approval. He was one of the first people to treat me normally and I loved him for it. My smile faded as I saw my sad expression. I knew I couldn't help but worry about my strength. It had been a constant worry of mine and it still was, but not as important.

I turned to Kaien sadly. "Why am I even here?"

He looked irritated that I was even asking such a question.

"Isn't it obvious?" He asked angrily. "It's so you can fight to protect!"

That's right I thought to myself watching the two of us. I should fight to protect yet I had failed to do even that. So many things I had wanted to do and I had failed. Shirayuki seemed to sense my sadness because she turned to me with a comforting smile.

"Don't worry Rukia." She smiled. "You are strong."

"Arigato." I thanked her.

I looked dumbfounded. "To protect? Protect what?"

He looked confused. "Nani?Well...err a bunch of things."

I sweatdropped. "That answer is too vague! Couldn't you give me a clearer explanation?"

I remember expecting him to yell at me for doubting his words. That was the way I was, always anxious to please. Except for Ni Sami, Renji and Kaien Dono there was really no one else in my life that I cared for.

Kaien looked thoughtful. "A clear answer, huh?"

He stood up. "Kuchiki, have you ever heard our captain's view on life?"

"No..."I replied.

He turned his back to me. "There are two types of battles. One to protect your life and one to protect your pride. That's Ukitake Taichou's opinion."

Remembering those very words of Ukitake Taichou which led me not to save Kaien Dono, I wiped a tear from my eye. Renji didn't think of his life when he fought Aizen. He just went ahead to protect Hinamori.

Kaien continued. "But personally Kuchiki, I think that in the end, you're protecting the exact same thing."

I looked curious. "The same thing...What is it?"

He gave me a cheeky smile. "Your heart."

Heart...

Those words Renji had echoed. I felt angry suddenly that the two most important men in my life had been taken away from me. I'd stopped believing in God long ago, knowing that he must wish me hell if he did such things.

I drooped. "That's so lame."

He glared at me. "Come on! I'm being serious here!"

He straightened up. "Ok Kuchiki, let me ask you. Where do you think your heart is."

I burst out laughing along with Kaien as I watched myself to feel where my heart was on my body. I remembered how I felt when he had approached me then, my heart was pounding, feeling breathless. I had loved him so much.

"When we meet, a bond between us is born for the first time." Kaien explained. "Our hearts aren't inside our bodies. When we think of something, or care about someone, that is where our hearts are born."

"Of course." I whispered, my eyes widening.

"There's nothing to worry about." He smiled gently. "If you wish with all your heart to stay here, then your heart will remain here."

Kaien sat down. "Listen Kuchiki, there's one thing in fights you must never ever do."

He looked at me straight in the eye."Don't die alone."

I smiled gratefully at his words, thinking back to the fight against that horrifying Espada. If it wasn't for Ni Sama and the 4th Squad, I would have been dead.

"We entrust our hearts to our friends." Kaien smiled at me.

"Entrust them to our friends?" I echoed.

"If you entrust it to your friends, it will continue to live inside of them.

" So Kuchiki, don't you dare die alone." He smiled.

"Got it Kuchiki?"

"Kaien Dono." I whispered as the memory faded away into the crystal ball.

Shirayuki quietly waved her hand over the crystal ball as it returned to its normal size. Suddenly, I felt a huge ache in my heart. I just wanted everything to be simple again, to just accept things for what they were, not doubt them. I wanted everything to be alright, everything to be what it was.

I just wanted to have Kaien Dono and Renji back again...

"Remember Rukia." Shirayuki whispered. "Never doubt your heart. Renji and Kaien are still with you, make the most of what you've got. I don't want it to rain in your heart again..."

I smiled, standing up. "Hai, I understand."

Renji.

Kaien Dono.

I will make you both proud!

I will make the most of my life!

I smiled, closing my eyes as the blinding bright light surrounded me.

Remember Kuchiki Rukia...

Opening my eyes again, I found myself looking directly into Hitsugaya Taichou's eyes. For some strange reason, I found them very attractive. A beautiful shade of emerald, he looked so lonely and lost, just like the mirror of my own feelings. For a few brief moments, we were connected but I quickly averted my gaze and turned away from him. He was the one that had made me feel different, I thought angrily. The one who won't admit his own feelings.

I heard Hitsugaya Taichou sigh suddenly. "I'm sorry Rukia."

Rukia....? He called me by first name?

I stayed silent, frozen in position not sure what to think, wondering why the hell he would be on first name status all of a sudden.

"You're angry at me I can tell." He continued smoothly. "You should be-"

"Cut the crap!" I burst out, turning around to face him.

Although I couldn't deny that I was angry with him, I was fed up of the excuses he kept making.

I took a deep breath. "It's my fault ok? It's my stupid fucking fault. I can't stop thinking about him and I shouldn't have questioned you about Hinamori. I'm sorry."

With that, I turned away to brush my hair in the full length mirror. I pulled a face at myself in the mirror. I could tell I had shocked him with my outburst but I really wasn't in the mood.

"Don't blame yourself." Hitsugaya Taichou sighed. "Look we need to talk about this-"

"There's nothing to discuss alright!" I put my brush away.

Suddenly Hitsugaya Taichou grabbed my arm and I found myself staring into those pools of his eyes. Why the hell did I find them so fascinating? What was going on with me? I couldn't understand it at all.

"Don't doubt your heart." He whispered.

Gasping, I wrenched my hand out of his grip. What did he know about me? Why did he keep trying to get closer to me. Dammit, I had to stop asking myself this endless stupid fucking questions. I was getting too worked up over this irritating cold, cute captain. I stopped in my thoughts. Wait did I just think he was cute? I'm definitely losing my sanity now.

"Get away from me." I hissed. "I'm going for a walk."

Before he could protest, I vanished in the blink of an eye. There was one friend that I could always rely on in a time of need. That friend I needed now.

Ichigo.

LOL yesss I'm such a sad person that I would find bleach episode 160 subs (I hate anime dubs with a passion) and find such a KaiRuki scene =D =D. I skipped a bit though – It was well long!

I may HATE Ichigo and wish he didn't exist anymore because he's a waste of space, but I think IchiRuki friendship is just so beautiful! =D =D. Oooo I'm so excited about Bleach Movie 3 noww.

Urgh this IchiRuki fan(naming no names) said this to me on a forum:

Sunset, I skimmed through one of your stories and I gotta say...

I COULD SO BETTER COUGH. AND I SUCK AT WRITING. xD

Don't you think that's implying that I suck at writing? Bitch.

Sorry I forgot to proof read check! :) I'll do it next time k?

Rukia's beautiful =D

Please READ & REVIEWW! XxXx