xX Present Xx

"I need to know if you are going to continue living alongside Kurosaki Ichigo. Why do you return to him Rukia?" his voice was stern.

Rukia, shocked beyond belief, took a deep breath. "I…" she said. "Nii-sama, I do this because I…."

Rukia couldn't bring herself to say those three words.

Byakuya waited. He needed a plausible answer to satisfy his hunger for knowledge.

Rukia swallowed the lump in her throat. "Nii-sama, you knew one day I would find myself a suitable husband, correct?"

Byakuya didn't like where this was going. He knew what was about to come out of her mouth, and he didn't want to hear those words.

"I…Nii-sama…I…love him…"

Byakuya was silent.

"I really love him. With my whole heart. He risked his life many times for me. I believe in him. He is always there for me when I need someone the most. I wish…I wish to go back to the real world. I don't want to stay parted from him…"

She gripped her fists tighter. They would starts bleeding if she gripped any harder.

She bent her head down, afraid of being hit at any point.

Byakuya stood up. He didn't approve of her words.

"I do not except this realationship Rukia. It's not acceptable. He is a criminal here in the Soul Society." He said sternly, showing no expression in his voice.

"He only did it because he loved me!!" she blurted.

Immediately, she covered her mouth with her hands and braced for impact again.

It never came.

Rukia opened an eye and looked at Byakuya. He was standing in front of her, no expression as usual. But there was a certain glitter in his eyes for some reason.

"Do you remember the story I told of you about Hisana Kuchiki, on the day you were rescued?" he asked.

Rukia slowly nodded. "H-how could I ever forget who my sister was?" she said shakily.

"She had given me another request to only mention when the time came. I believe the time has come to tell you her request." He said slowly.

Rukia looked up at her brother, and waited for his response.

He sat in front of her and took a deep breath.

"She had requested, that I not treat you fully as a noble. Nobles have strict rules as you are aware of. She asked if I ever did find you, to give you some freedoms. She believed love was one of the most important things in the world. She wanted me to allow you to marry whomever you would please or live with, whichever suited you. I will only grant this because of Hisana's words. Nothing more. I myself do not approve, but I will respect her death wish." He said, his normal tone easing a little at the thought of his wife whom he loved.

Rukia's eyes began to sparkle, and shine with hope and happiness. "Are you speaking the truth…Byakuya-nii?" she asked dumbfounded.

"I shant repeat myself Rukia." He said, his normal voice returning.

Rukia bowed excitedly and ran to the door.

"Thank you, so very much Byakuya-nii." And she ran out the door in an extremely happy mood.

Byakuya coughed and looked at the open door.

I have done as you asked me to Hisana, and your sister is quite happy. I believe she will respect your decision. I will most likely never see her this happy again, and I'm happy that you may be smiling down on your sister from wherever you are.

Byakuya got up and returned to the sanctuary of his chai tea, and took another sip.

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

Rukia jumped into her room and immediately started writing a letter of resignation. She didn't care who would be captain, she didn't care for anything but reaching Ichigo again.

She stopped and realized she has become an entirely different person ever since earlier this morning. She didn't act how she used to. She smiled at the thought of changing herself.

"Who would've thought, that Ichigo could be the sunshine that makes you bloom into a wonderful blossom." said a voice.

She looked at her door to see Renji leaning against the frame smiling.

"You really have changed because of that man." He said, smirking.

"Not entirely." She said as she threw a piece of crumpled paper at his head.

"Hey, easy there Rukia." He said as he blocked the flying paper aiming at his head.

"Hey, by the way, since when were you so deep about stuff like love? That line earlier sounds something like Ukitake would say. Maybe Nii-sama…"

"…No to Byakuya." Said Renji.

"Yes, the latter is almost impossible. But, um, Renji…"

The red-headed man looked at Rukia.

"I'm leaving again, you know this right?"

"Yeah."

"I might not come back for a while."

"You're leaving for a good reason."

"I am?"

Renji snickered, "Yeah, you're in love. That's reason enough."

"Yes, thanks Renji." She said, smiling.

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

Rukia walked through the gate at the spot where she had left Ichigo. The same spot where she had showed her undenying love for him…the spot where she promised to never forget him.

She looked up the hill nearby to see Ichigo. He was sitting under the tree, the plum tree that Rukia liked to watch sometimes. They would go there every now and again to watch the sunset or sunrise. Depending when and where the hollow was when they went off to fight.

Rukia began to run toward Ichigo. The wind slowly moved his hair back and forth, like a dance.

"Ichigo!"

Ichigo heard the all-so-familiar voice and turned around from where he was seated.

Rukia was waving at him, in a dress that was white with light pink polka dots going down her side.

"R-Rukia?!" he said shocked.

Rukia ran up to him and stood next to him for a moment, gasping for air.

"Rukia?! What're you doing back here already?! It's only been two days!"

"I…missed you…I…couldn't….stay captain…I…was…too heart…broken…" she gasped in between breaths.

"What?" he said, still in awe that Rukia was standing before him again.

"You didn't hear me…Kurosaki?" she gasped again.

"I-I did, but I'm just amazed you're here right now…" he said softly.

"Well, I'm here." She said, standing up.

"I'm glad." He said.

"As am I." she answered.

"I missed you….too much." He said, hugging her.

"Why do you think I came back? I missed you too much too." She repeated, hugging him back.

"What do you want to do today? We can go do something as a celebration your back."

"Even though it was only two days?"

"Even though it was two days Rukia."

Rukia pondered what they could do for a moment.

Ichigo smiled and let go of her.

Rukia let go as well, still thinking.

"I think I know the first thing we can do as a celebration."

Rukia looked at him in curiosity. "What did you have in mind?" she asked.

Ichigo smiled again. "I thought you already knew?"

"I don't unfortunately so you better spit it out." She said, getting a little annoyed.

"I don't need to, cuz I can't talk for what I'm gonna do to you in a moment."

"Huh?" she mumbled as her mouth was covered with Ichigos.

Rukia was shocked, by kissed him back with passion. She never wanted to leave him again. Ichigo never wanted to let her leave again.

And so a fleeting love,

As quiet as a dove,

Returns to those who never had a chance,

But only a mere glance,

And a look at each other's eye,

Was enough to make them fly.

Do not cry,

I won't let you die,

I'll be here,

You're my dear,

And if I hold you,

You will hold me too.

May your lives be as strong and peaceful as your love, Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki.

The End.