And now, a word from our sponsors: Hi, this is Mizu-chan, here to tell you that Kubo Tite-san rocks! And that I don't own Bleach, 'cause of I did, Rukia and Ichigo would've had a very hot make-out session in one of the Kuchiki manor's many rooms!!

Wow, this took me a while!! This story is almost coming to an end, so I thank everybody who has supported my story!! I really appretiate it!!!! Specially to andraq and missfitress!!! Thanx a lot!!!!!

Witches Showdown

Ichigo and Rukia walked into the castle, the light still hovering around the small princess. The doors had opened by themselves when the light had reached them, so they walked in, cautiously. There was nothing but darkness and silence all around. If it weren't for Rukia's light, they wouldn't have been able to see the walls and the carpet-covered floor.

They reached a flag of stairs and proceeded to go upstairs until suddenly, Rukia's light started quivering, casting shadows all around.

"Rukia, are you ok?"-

"I'm fine, it's the soul's force, it's not letting me use my power"-Rukia answered heavily, clutching her chest again. She felt as if there was something holding her neck and pressing her lungs, making it hard for her to breathe. Ichigo held her hand and helped her continue going up the stairs, the light dimmer than before.

As they reached the second floor, the light surrounding them turned off, leaving them in complete darkness. Their eyes widened in surprise and Rukia was able to breathe better.

"What happened?"-Ichigo whispered as he gripped Rukia's hand tighter

"There is a power field here, that's why mine faded. I think it's the pure soul's doing"-

With a whooshing sound, several torches lit up along the long corridor in front of them. The couple looked at each other and started walking, slowly. At the end, there was a big oak door, and inside they heard a woman's voice, apparently conjuring something.

"Oh dear, I think I misplaced the crocodile's eye again. Ok, so I'll put a splash of bat guano and some mountain water, which should do the trick"-

Ichigo and Rukia looked at each other, having second thoughts as to whether they should go in or not. They took a deep breath and gently opened the door.

A very warm breeze hit there faces. The floor was of a shiny black and the walls were moving. Moving?... It was lava! Ichigo's mouth was hanging open as Rukia felt the soul closer, though it was very different from the others.

"Ahhh, but what do we have here, intruders or visitors?"-The witch turned to face them. She had long, black hair and her nails were of a blood red. She wore a black dress that had a very long train, which seemed ripped in the back.

"Visitors, definitely visitors"-Ichigo answered right away –"My name is Kurosaki Ichigo and she is Kuchiki Rukia-hime"-

The witch narrowed her eyes at the mention of Rukia's name.

"Kuchiki? As in the Kuchiki Kingdom?"-

"Yes"-Rukia answered

"Hmmm, interesting. May I ask what the princess of the Kuchiki Kingdom is doing in my kingdom? I don't think you're here for business"-she replied, emphasizing in the word 'my'

"We are here looking for a pure soul"-Rukia simply answered

"Oh, a pure soul? Well, I am very sorry to disappoint you but there is no pure soul here. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to continue with what I was doing"-she turned her back to them and waved her hand. Rukia took a step forward

"I think there is a pure soul here. As a matter of fact, I think the pure soul is you"-

The witch slowly turned to look at the small princess. She then smiled slightly and tilted her head to the side

"You know, for many years have I heard the legend of the Kuchiki women. I have heard about their strong intuition and their fearlessness, but above all, their power. However, from what I can sense from you, I'd say you just figured yours out, though your intuition is very developed. What if I told you that you were right, that I am a pure soul"- She crossed her arms in front of her chest and raised an eyebrow.

"I would ask you to please give me your soul sphere"-

"Just like that?"-

"Yes"

The witch let out a high-pitched laugh. She then picked up her dress and swung it back, while she walked towards Rukia.

"I adore your perseverance. Your strength is in your skin and so is your power. Unfortunately, I have no idea what you are talking about, so I advise you and your friend over there to leave this castle, for I am not in the mood for visitors today."- She jerked her head towards Ichigo, who was standing at the door. The witch's eyes had turned menacing and she had an evil smile, her dress floating behind her.

"I'm very sorry but we cannot leave until you give us what we are looking for"-Rukia was standing her ground. All her life she has had someone do everything for her. She always was told to sit quietly and let the others do the dirty work, but not today. Today she was going to fight.

The witch raised an eyebrow. "You're not leaving you say? Ok no problem, I'll take you out myself. Sicco"- The witch waved her hand as to dismiss a fly. A torrent of wind hit against Ichigo and Rukia, sending them flying against a wall. As they fell to the floor with a loud thud, Ichigo saw the small figure of the princess lay next to him, unconscious. He tried to grab her hand when he noticed the rustle of fabric against the floor.

"Hmmm, you two are very interesting. Kuchiki's are very perseverant, like she was, but you, you I'll keep"-

He felt his eyes close against his will and his mind went black.

Rukia opened her eyes and found herself at the mountain top, where her and Ichigo where before they were taken by the kids. The sky was of a dark purple and the wind was howling fiercely.

"Ichigo, Ichigo…Where are you?"-she called out, only to be answered by her own eco.

She wrapped her arms around her and started walking through the small road towards the village, stumbling and staggering. From where she was, the village looked empty, but as she approached it, she noticed the small cattle and the small houses.

Rukia stood at the entrance and almost fell on her knees. The wind was so strong against her body and she could barely stand. Suddenly she felt something warm surround her; she looked up and saw the re-headed man standing next to his two children.

"Tsuki? Hana?"-

"It's the warm lady. Daddy, help her please"-the small girl clutched her father's pants and was tugging them.

"Can you stand?"-he asked. Rukia tried to straighten up, but the wind wouldn't allow her, and the fact that she felt extremely weak. The tattoo-bearing man held her up in his arms and they went into a small house. All the windows seemed covered in wood and the light came from the many candles spread around the rooms.

The two kids sat in a couch and watched as their father placed the small woman in a chair. Her hair plastered on her face and her eyes were wary and tired her skin pale against the candle light.

"What happened warm lady? Did the witch make you sad?"-the small girl walked up to Rukia, causing her to lift her gaze.

"No, I'm fine. How did I get here?"- The kids looked at their father.

"We brought you here. You came from the mountaintop. I'm not sure if you remember me, Abarai Renji"-

Rukia looked at him. Her mind was a mess, her thoughts were confused and she was forgetting stuff easily. What the hell has that witch done to her?

"I'm sorry, Abarai-kun, but my mind doesn't seem to be right."- She suddenly became alert and her eyes were wide. She stood up and looked around frantically

"What is it Rukia-sama?"-The small boy walked up to the frantic princess

"Ichigo, where is he?"-

"He didn't come with you, you came alone"-Renji explained

Rukia turned to him, panic in her eyes. Did he stay at the castle? Or did the witch send him somewhere else? She had to find him. She bolted towards the door and before she could turn the handle, Renji held the door.

"I don't think that's a good idea. Look outside"- he pointed to the window and Rukia noticed that the sky had turned black again and the ashes flew around the sky.

"But I thought the sky was back to normal"-Rukia whispered into the window. She had some memory about the ocean and the purple sky, but her mind was racing and she was getting a killer headache. She placed both hands on her temples and pressed hard, trying to remember and increasing the pain. A hand was placed and her shoulder and stirred her away form the window, taking her to the couch.

"You should rest now. We can search for your friend tomorrow morning"-Renji covered the small princess with a quilt and watched her close her eyes. The two kids watched her with curiosity, tilting their heads to the side.

"Dad, is something wrong with her?"-the small boy asked, scratching the back of his head

"She's sad. The witch infected her with her sadness"-the little blonde girl clutched her father's pants again, sticking her thumb in her mouth

"C'mon kids, let her sleep"-he pushed his kids gently into their rooms and put tucked them in. Tsuki fell asleep right away but the Hana had a worried look in her face

"Daddy, I think that the witch did something to Rukia-sama. I think she put something on her"-her voice was drowsy and her eyes were closing as sleep claimed her. Renji placed a hand on her forehead and smiled. Hana was always very perceptive of her surroundings, just like her mother. He sighed and turned his head, watching the small woman sleeping in his couch. The witch probably did do something to her…

Where am I?

She lay awake on her back. Her eyes were wide against the darkness and her hands clasped on her stomach. She looked around and started recognizing her surroundings, remembering that she was in the house of the two kids and their father. She rubbed the back of her head and noticed little specs of dry blood on her hair. No wonder she was all dazed and confused, that witch had thrown them against a wall.

Rukia sat up and stretched. Her bones were aching and her head was still hurting, but not as hard as before. She looked out of the window again and stared at the small ashes flying about, everything surrounded by pitch-black obscurity. She sighed.

"Ichigo, where are you?"-

The moon pendant started to glow and silver light shot out, pointing towards the direction, it had pointed before, when a red beam had glowed. She had a feeling in her chest, telling her that she needed to follow it. Rukia opened the door and stepped out, the darkness involving her every step.

"Thank you"- she whispered at the house. She started walking towards the direction of the light. Suddenly she remembered about the creatures, so she held her pendant in her hands and closed her eyes.

Please, take me where I need to go. Take me to him.

She opened her eyes and the salty wind greeted her by playing with her hair. She turned around and noticed she was in the balcony of a room, and under her, the ocean was pelting against the rocks.

"The ocean, but how?"-she asked herself as she leaned over the balcony.

Rukia turned and went into the bedroom, taking everything in and cautiously turning every corner. She opened the door and found the hallway, which led to the witch's door. She took a deep breath and tiptoed her way towards the oak door, until something caught her attention.

A door to her right was slightly open, and she could here some voices whispering from within the room.

"Well, apparently the witch has caught a very young one this time"-said a shrilly voice

"Yeah, but isn't weird that she has let him live this long?"-said a second voice less high-pitched

"Hmm, it could be that she wants to keep him. And what is with the orange hair?"-

Rukia gasped. They were definitely talking about Ichigo, and from the sound of it, they were going to get rid of him.

In her attempt to get more information, Rukia walked into the room, causing a small girl and an older woman to look at her with surprise.

Ok, if I'm really a witch, I should be able to do this

"Who the hell are you?"-the small girl asked

Rukia clasped her hands together and then placed them over the women's forehead, causing their eyes to glaze and their mouth to open slightly. Rukia sighed.

"I need you to tell me where Ichigo is?"-

The women didn't answer. They probably didn't know Ichigo's name, so she tried a different question.

"Where is the witch's prisoner, the one with orange hair?"-

The small girl raised her head and smiled slightly

"The witch has him as her prisoner. She is going to consume him"-

Rukia's eyes widened. Consume him?

"Explain yourself. What do you mean consume him?"- This time the older woman spoke

"In order for the witch to conserve her youthful beauty, she needs to consume the souls of those who are young at heart. The boy with orange hair possessed great youth and a great power, so she kept him"- Rukia's eyes widened as understanding dawned on her

"Did…did the witch consume her own daughter?"-

The woman's head fell limply on her chest, her eyes closing slightly. Rukia backed away from the two women and headed out of the room, running towards the oak door. She had to save Ichigo, no matter what.

The oak door, to her surprise, was wide open. There were no guards around, so she decided to walk right in. She walked further into the room until she felt an arm around her waist and a cold dagger on her neck.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here. If it isn't little, miss Kuchiki-hime. Took you long enough to get here. Why don't you say hello to my new pet?"-the witch had materialized in front of Rukia and was pointing to the person holding her. The dagger left her neck and she turned, slowly, to face it.

"I…Ichigo"-

Ichigo was standing in front of her, in a black suit, his eyes blank. His scowl was still there but he also had a very evil smile spread across his face.

"You see, your friend here is lending me his services. Ichigo, why don't you show our guest here some hospitality"-the witch turned her back and let out a laugh. Rukia's eyes widened as Ichigo pulled out his sword and charged against her. She dodged it by throwing herself on the floor. She felt a burning sensation on her arm and saw that he had cut her, though it wasn't deep.

He stood before her, looking down, the crazed smile still in his face. He positioned his sword as to attack once again.

"You see Kuchiki-hime, you think you know someone, but then they happen to be someone completely different. Did you know that this is how this boy really is? Did you know that he is a ruthless killer and he has taken many lives to get those precious treasures he hunts? I'm sure you knew, you being a witch and all"-the witch let out another laugh, which resonated through the room. Ichigo charged once again towards the small princess and Rukia closed her eyes.

Please, please stop. Ichigo, please, I know this isn't you. I need this to stop, so we can find the truth…Ichigo…

She slowly opened her eyes and saw Ichigo's sword on midair. Everything was moving very slowly, so Rukia carefully stood up and walked to him, placing a hand on his cheek.

"Ichigo, you need to snap out of this. She's controlling you and I know that you don't like to be controlled. Please, Ichigo, you need to…"-

A violent gust of wind that knocked her off her feet interrupted her anguished plea. Panting, she pushed her upper body up with her arms, looking behind her.

The witch was standing next to the slow-motioned Ichigo. She narrowed her eyes once again, and looked at the orange-haired boy, who no longer had the crazed smile in his face.

"Hmm…it seems you have worked your magic, haven't you? Let's see then what else can you do?"-

She waved her hand again, sending electric waves crashing to the ground. Rukia tried to dodge as much as possible, but she still received cuts in her left leg and on her right cheek.

The witch continued to attack her, and Rukia kept dodging, trying to buy her some time for whatever is it she was planning to do. After what seemed like hours of running and dodging and running some more, Rukia stood in front of the witch, holding her arm and panting heavily. Her hair was drenched in sweat and the blood from her cut was sliding steadily down her cheek.

"What, tired already? What are you waiting for, why don't you attack me?"-the witch flew towards the small princess, pelting her against a wall. Nausea and pain took over Rukia's body and mind as every bone in her small frame ached.

She was losing, and she knew it. There was no way she was going to win this, and with her body in the state it was…but she had too. She had to win, no matter what.

While dodging the witch, Rukia had noticed some sort of inconsistency in her power. It seemed to fluctuate in an uncontrollable matter. Uncontrollable…control…maybe…

"Oh but what's this? Do you still have some in you?"-the witch cackled as she saw Rukia stand up slowly from the ground. She wasn't sure of what she was doing, but she had to give it a shot.

"You know, I must say I am extremely rude, I haven't even introduced myself to you. My name is Hinohana, and I will be the one to take that scrumptious youth of yours, along with all your power"-

She raised her hand once again, and in a split second, as she lowered her eyes, Rukia was in front of the witch, her eyes narrowed with resolution.

"You're not taking anything from me, not like you did to your own daughter"-she whispered.

Rukia yanked the necklace from her neck and placed the pendant on the witch's forehead. A light shot out from the charm as the witch's eyes widened in shock. Hinohana fell on her knees and whimpered slightly

"Wha…what are you doing to me?"-she gasped

"Ever since I came near your castle I noticed something different. I was sure that your power had already released itself, but when you denied being a pure soul or having one, I was thrown off. Then I came to the obvious conclusion that you were lying, why? Why would you lie about having a sphere?"- The witch smiled softly

"Why? Hmm, so you don't know. I was trying to collect them all myself, since there is a legend that says 'whoever finds the sacred spheres will be the bearer of great power and truth'. Little did I know that a Kuchiki witch was going to come here looking for the same thing"-she laughed quietly

"I am not after power. Your strength is overboard and that's why your life shortens itself. But I will take care of it."-

The symbol appeared under the two women, engulfing them in light.

Ichigo woke up from his reverie and fell forward, to find the ball of light in front of him

"Rukia?"-

The light died down and he saw the witch lying on the floor, her black hair strewn across her face. He turned around looking for the small figure of the princess, when he felt a small hand on his shoulder

"What's wrong Ichigo? Lost something?"-

"Rukia"-he grabbed her by the waist and spun her around

"I thought that you…"-

"Had died? Of course not. Are you OK?"-

"Yeah, I'm fine. I have no idea what the hell was going on but it doesn't matter. What happened to her?"-he pointed at the fainted witch

"I controlled her power. Unlike the other pure souls, her power was already released, but because she had no control over it, she was aging quicker, so that's why she would capture young people, to take their youth"-

"Take their youth? So that's what she was going to do to me?"-Ichigo asked startled.

Rukia chuckled and kissed him lightly on the lips. At that moment, a red sphere made its way to them and landed on Rukia's palm.

"Is that the sphere of fire?-Ichigo asked

"Yes, it's the Hibeni. Ichigo, I think we already collected the 4 pure souls"-Rukia held out the 4 spheres in her hands, all of them glowing slightly

They looked at each other as the symbol appeared under their feet once again, silver light revolving around them

"What do you think is going to happen now?"-Rukia asked quietly

"I don't know, but whatever it is, we'll get through it together"-

Rukia smiled and held Ichigo's hands, the spheres between them. They didn't know what was coming next, but they were sure that the end was near, very near…

Long, wasn't it!!! Well I had to get over with it already! This chapter was sitting in my computer for a while and it was kinda hard to write but...oh well...Please review!!! I thought it was fun to put Renji as a father, just because he doesn't look like one!!!

Hinohana: Flower of fire

Hibeni: Crimson fire

Spicco: Latin for 'out'

And now...reader-writer interaction:

(Movie voice guy) Kuchiki Rukia and Kurosaki Ichigo have been best friends for many years, but Rukia has a secret. Will they remain friends after the secret is out? Coming to a FFN near you!!!!

Just something I'm working on now...though I also have other projects ahead as well...jijiji