xX One Hour earlier Xx

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"Oi, you have it yet Urahara?" asked Ichigo. He was wearing a black hoodie and green cammo pants.

Urahara looked up and saw Ichigo standing in his doorway. "Ah, Kurosaki. You're in time. I just got the shipment a few minutes ago. Boy you have a good sense of time."

"Yeah yeah, can I get it?" he said impatiently.

Urahara looked to the back where Ururu was sweeping. "Ururu? Can you get Mr. Kurosaki's order?"

Ururu nodded and came back with something wrapped up in a cloth a few moments later.

"Here you are Mr. Kurosaki." She said formally.

"Thanks Ururu. See you Urahara." Ichigo said, and he left.

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Urahara, Inoue, Chad, and Ishida were standing next to each other, waving goodbye to their friend. Sure, it was 6 A.M, and it was early, but they were willing to get up that early so they could say goodbye to their friend.

Ichigo was standing on the other side of her, his hands in his jean pockets. He felt a lump in his throat. What now? Moments away form Rukia opening the gate to the soul society and leaving forever, what should he do?

Yes, he had a gift for her, but was that enough? He wondered if she would ever know how he felt. He didn't want her to go, but he was the one who encouraged her to go in the first place, so it would seem stupid to ask her not to go.

Rukia received a gift from everyone. From Urahara, a gift coupon for his shop. How thoughtful. Inoue gave her a beret with rabbits on them for her to pin her hair back with. Ishida, he gave her a new dress hand made by him in case she ever came back. Odd, he only gave her one other dress, and that was because Inoue wanted him to make one for her. Maybe she convinced him again. Chad, he had a hug for her. That's it. Nothing really to remember by.

Ichigo waited as everyone said their goodbyes to Rukia and left. She said goodbye back and turned to face Ichigo. Ichigo just stared at her violet eyes.

He looked at them and saw sadness, and something he couldn't place. It seemed on the end of his tongue, but never could figure it out.

Rukia turned away from him. "Well." She said. "Are you going to say anything?" she asked, waiting for an answer.

Ichigo stood, not knowing what to say. The others were gone, and he was alone. He felt as though he was waiting to be executed, like Rukia had to go through before.

"Um…" he started off. Not a good start, but a start. "I, I know you'll be back in the soul society in a little while, after you go through the gates. But I don't want you to forget us. Any of us. And remember we're all your friends and we're here for you if you need us."

Rukia turned her head to catch a glimpse of Ichigo. She saw his eyes. She could read them like a book.

Sadness, loneliness, failure; that's what was in his eyes. But she wondered why. He had always boasted that he couldn't wait for the day she left, but this was much different than she imagined.

Things had definitely taken a turn for the worse in each of their hearts, wanting to reach out and hold each others burdens, wanting to hold each other in their arms, and wanting to belong in one another's soul. But they would have to settle for being apart, and hopefully wait for one another's right time.

"We'll always be here. Forever." He said slowly, listening to what he was saying.

Rukia looked at him, and turned to face him. "Will you Ichigo? Are you honestly going to be here? Just for me? Why would you do that for me?" she said, confused about his choice of words.

Ichigo was taken aback at hearing this. He didn't know what to say, for about the thousandth time today.

He reached his hand out of his pocket, holding something in a cloth, and held it out for Rukia. "

"Take this first." He said.

Rukia wanted his answer more than the gift, but she took it slowly, with precaution. She opened it and gasped.

It was the new deluxe model of Chappi the Rabbit Gikongan Dispenser. She hadn't even seen it in stores yet. It was updated with new everything. Even the Chappi bunny had a bit of a different look.

"H-how? How'd you get this?!" she said, in shock.

"Credit. I'm gonna owe Urahara until the end of time. I got it, I didn't know if you had it yet. I heard that it wasn't even on shelves yet. I thought it was just a rumor. So I got this hoping you didn't have it. I guess I was right based on your reaction." He said quietly.

Rukia chewed on her lower lip. How could she repay Ichigo for what he had given her? This was by far, the best gift she had received, and it made it even more special, since the daylily shinigami had given it to her.

"Uhm...uh...thank you…Ichigo." She whispered, stuttering her words.

Ichigo gave a small smile. "It's nothing. I wanted you to have something to remember me by." He responded.

Rukia looked up at him. "Hey, you still haven't answered my question." She said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Oh…uh…yeah." He said. He didn't want to answer the question, and didn't want the answer beaten out of him.

Rukia tapped her foot, waiting for him to respond.

"I will always be here for you. I said that didn't I? Are you worried I won't be here when you get back?" he sneered.

Rukia looked at him angrily. "No, that's not what I asked. I had asked you, why you were going to do that for me." She said impatiently.

"I…" he still didn't want to answer.

"What if I told you it was a secret? That you might not like?" he said quietly.

"I'd say spit it out strawberry."

"Even if you might not like what you hear?"

"Even so, then I'd just kick your ass."

The gate to the Soul Society slowly appeared.

No...I just need more time…time. Just a little more time…please…

Rukia waited. She looked into Ichigos eyes, he turned away. His eyes were filled with confusion, and sadness. There was something else there. It looked…something she couldn't describe. She had never seen it in his eyes before.

Ichigo looked at her again. Her eyes. They filled him with happiness. He didn't want to stop being around her. He wanted to look into her eyes every day and be filled with the happiness he's always wanted. Never to forget her smile. She could be stubborn, mean, rude, and bossy…but she had a natural elegance that seemed to mesmerize him.

He grabbed her wrist.

Don't go…

He pulled her close to him.

Don't leave me…

He held her hand.

Don't ever leave my side…

He pulled her hand up to his mouth and kissed it gently.

I want to be in your life…

The gate began to slowly open.

Don't forget me…

Ichigo moved the hair in her face behind her ear.

Love me…like I love you…

Ichigo closed his eyes and bent down to touch her warm round lips with his. Rukia was shocked at this action she had taken upon herself. She tried to shove him off, Ichigo let go of her.

"I see…" he said. His eyes filled with a sadness that Rukia had never wanted to see.

"Ichigo…Why did you do that? Just now?" she asked, confused.

Ichigo looked away in sadness. "Isn't it obvious? Why else would I?"

Suddenly, it dawned on Rukia.

"You…too?" she asked quietly.

Ichigo looked at her surprised. "What?" he asked, confused.

Rukia smiled. She smiled that smile that made Ichigos' heart want to jump out of his chest and soar.

Rukia walked back up to him and grabbed his face, on her tip-toes. "Isn't it obvious? I do too."

She kissed his lips. She relished the feeling that she always wanted. She had always known something was there, and Ichigo did as well.

Ichigo wrapped his arms around Rukia's waist and lifted her up so their faces would be even. Rukia wrapped her arms around Ichigos;' neck and kissed him further. She wanted to pour all her emotions into him, wanted to feel how much she loved this man, ever since they had first met.

Ichigo did so as well. He wanted her to know how he had always loved the way she smiled, how he actually didn't mind her bossiness, and loved it when her eyes glowed when she was happy.

They parted their kiss and rested each others forehead against the others.

Rukia opened her eyes, as did Ichigo. They stared at the glitter and shine each others eyes had.

"Thank you…Ichigo. I will keep you in my heart…forever."

"And I'll keep you in my heart too. Never forget me. Don't look for someone else. Wait for me, always."

"I will, Kurosaki Ichigo…"

Ichigo placed her back on the ground and waved as he saw Rukia walk through the gate, waving goodbye as well, a tear falling down her cheek. It was a tear of joy, not sadness. She was relieved that she never again had to hide her feelings.

But as she walked through the portal…she wondered what her family, what her friends would think of her loving a human. She began to have second thoughts about what had happened. She decided, during her entire time in the soul society, she would act as though she didn't love him, to protect Ichigo and herself.

She entered a door and found herself in the 13 court guard company rooms.

Kiyone, Sentarou, and Ukitake were waiting, and greeted her with a, "Welcome back!" Ukitake, who was lying down due to illness, smiled.

"Good to see you Kuchiki." He said, coughing afterward.

Rukia bowed in respect. "It is good to be back, Ukitake." She said softly.

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Okay, I feel bad for you guys that it would end right here, so I am going to have one last chapter afterward. Nothing really going on, but it continues from where the prologue started, and then there will be an epilogue. Alrighty! Until then my readers!

Reviews all around please!