Chapter 13

A/N: I advise anyone reading this chapter to go onto youtube and type "Mass effect love theme" and read this whole chapter while listening to that. It brings out the mood more and I think you might like it more.

"I don't want to love you."

Her knuckles whitened as she gripped her Zanpaktou. The words were harsh. Unexpected but her mind couldn't allow herself to be so vulnerable as it was becoming. She thought she could handle the consequences of being with someone and accepting it but her mind couldn't allow it. You will get hurt, she thought. She looked at Ichigo who wore a rather painful expression. He averted his eyes downward and he too gripped his Zanpaktou in his hand.

"When tomorrow comes. Just go." she whispered. He looked at her. What did she mean?

"What the hell do you mean, just go?" he responded. She quickly unsheathed her katana and struck the ground with it causing it to stand upright.

"I mean, don't fight. Just run as far as you can from here. I don't want to see your face by the morning. Just go live a life somewhere else. Forget about being a shinigami. Forget about fighting the Demi. Forget about me." she said in a tone of utter sorrow.

"Rukia are you an id-" he began.

"Don't call me an idiot!" she said, tears falling heavily down her fair skin, "You have no idea how hard it is for me to say this so shut up! I'm giving you time to leave. You aren't a real shinigami only a substitute and I can at any time relieve you."

"Don't you dare..."

"I, Rukia Kuchiki, as of now..."

"You're making a mistake." said Ichigo.

"Hereby relieve..."

"Rukia. Don't do it."

"Ichigo Kurosaki from..."

"I said don't do it!"

"ALL privileges and responsibilities of a Shi-"

Rukia fell to the ground, her face searing with heat and pain. At first she didn't know what happened. That is until she looked up at Ichigo who stood over her holding his hand in a closed fist. She lifted her hand against her cheek and she could feel blood on her lip.

"Y-you hit me... Ichigo." she said clearly surprised. All he did was stare. His eyes beaming down at her with fury. It was wrong what he had done. Hell, even despicable and at that moment he hated himself for it.

"Get over it. If you take away the only thing I have left to my name... I will kill you." he said. He took his Zanpaktou and held it to her neck, "I could care less if you felt anything for me... but I have everything for you."

She looked up at him. He then continued to say, "Rukia. It's not every damn day you find someone you can trust with your life. I am not the person to do that freely. I made it my goal to protect you but I will not sit around and protect someone who refuses. I don't care if you don't care for me but I want you to know that I DO care for you."

She could only stare.

"Take it anyway you like." he said, he threw his Zanpaktou at her in anger and walked off but not before slamming his fist into a nearby wall sending a plume of plaster into the hall. Rukia was stunned. She could feel his anger and she questioned whether or not it was right to try to protect him. It wasn't her intention to make him upset but all she wanted was for him to realize she didn't want him to get hurt. She stood holding both katana's in her hands. This wasn't how she wanted things to be.

19 hrs 30 mins remaining

Rukia found Ichigo sitting alone in a room, he was slumped over resting his elbows on his knees and his head hung low. She entered feeling the intensity between them. She placed his sword next to him and turned to leave but as she did she felt him grab her arm.

"I'm sorry." he said.

"Don't worry about it." she said. He pulled her closer and planted his lips on hers. She tried to resist as she constantly continued to say in her mind not to allow it but her body thought otherwise. He deepened the kiss and hugged her closer feeling her chest collide with his. Suddenly, her mind took the backseat, she extended her arms around his neck running her fingers through his hair. She wanted to be aggressive, she wanted to take the lead this time. She used her whole body to press him up against the wall feeding into his lips. She felt his hands wander from under her shoulder blades down to the small of her back and even then he went lower. She felt slightly embarrassed that he was touching her ass but it quickly subsided. Ichigo took her hand and lead her outside, he looked around for a moment before running down a hallway and cutting a corner. He stopped a second later after realizing he was in the recovery ward.

"Perfect." Rukia heard him say. He led her over to one of the recovery beds and sat. He watched as she quickly eyed the bed and then him. She smiled and then kissed him feeling a familiar feeling rush over her. Without warning she pushed him back and climbed over him. A desire within her now began to take action. As she sat across his pelvis she leaned forward and just as a cat would caressed his cheek with his. Ichigo was purely amused by the action but didn't dare ask questions in fear he would break the moment. He placed his hands on the side of her face and pulled her into a more passionate kiss. She could feel him opening her lips with his and surely the experience drove her to want him more. She quickly sat up and removed her shirt carelessly tossing it behind her. She loved the look he gave her. She loved his eyes on her. She felt safe, warm and secure. She felt special in his eyes and once she leaned forward to kiss him again she heard the few words that sent her heart on fire. He hugged her close and whispered, "I love you..."

She then felt him began to nibble at her neck and that alone sent ecstasy filled rushes into her chest and between her thighs. More and more she wanted it. More and more she cursed herself for being stupid earlier. She connected eyes with him. She took his hand and laced her fingers between his and used her free hand to gently place it against his cheek. The room was silent and the only sound that could be heard was their heartbeats. Beating in perfect synchronization.

"Ichigo..." she whispered. He smiled as he placed his fingers under her chin. She closed her eyes and felt a bittersweet feeling rush over her. She suddenly felt the harsh sting of what loneliness had felt like. She never wanted this moment to end. Being an orphan, having a brother (who really wasn't in her book) that was so distant and never realizing the wonders of what life really was. Tonight she wouldn't forget. She looked down at him and mouthed, "I love you.."

She leaned forward and kissed him once more before saying, "Don't forget me..."

18 hrs 00 mins Remaining