Leaving Town Chapter 9: Still Frame, a bleach fanfic

A/N: I'm updating relatively quick compared to other chaps. But yeah, here's the next one. I love every single one of my reviewers. Thanks so much. Is my writing really that emotional? I don't know. People are saying they are being brought to tears, which is what I was going for, but didn't expect good results! That's always a plus. Well, a pretty interesting flashback in the beginning. I hope you're not getting annoyed by them. I like to show how they are getting images of things they forgot. Plus they show how their feelings for each other grew to what they became at the beginning of my story. Anyway, I have to stop my rambling. This was named after the song, "Still Frame," by Trapt. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Bleach ≠ me, sadly.

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Chapter 9: Still Frame

She stirred in her sleep until finally her eyes fluttered open. She took in her surroundings. She kept looking around, not being able to identify where she was exactly. Then, it suddenly hit her. She was Ichigo's room. And to her left, sitting in a chair with his head slightly tilted back from the weight of his head, was Ichigo.

She then looked down only to see their hands holding each other with their fingers intertwined. This brought a smile to her face before remembering what had happened last night. She had to begun to remember her past. That past that was painful and beautiful at the same time.

She quickly reached down to feel her side, right above her hip that came into the front of her body. Well, at least it did. "I can see Orihime hasn't lost her touch," she said softly, feeling her bare skin and admiring the fact that there weren't any scars left from the gash.

Her attention was brought back to Ichigo as his grip on her hand grew tighter. He wasn't awake, but it seemed he knew she was there subconsciously. Then, Rukia's mind went somewhere else.

-Flashback-

She was lying on the cold floor. Everything was silent. She couldn't see anything, in fact she couldn't feel anything either. Her mind was flooded from what was happening. She was dying, or maybe even dead already. She had killed that damn arrancar, but it altogether got the better of her. It deceived her mind and her heart. 'How could that have possibly been Kaien? I should have known better than that,' she thought; the only thing she could do.

'It seems I've let you down, Orihime. After everything you did for me, I guess I can't repay you. I'm,' she paused her thinking but then finished, 'sorry.'

Then, the thought of one person came to mind. After all the times he had told her to be careful, or try to stop her from doing anything remotely dangerous, it had come down to this. 'I guess you were right. I do need your protection,' her thinking paused yet again. 'I do need you.'

If she could feel anything right now, she knew she would be crying. She knew that for a fact and even thought she felt a tear run down her cheek, but how could she? She was…

At that same moment Rukia was captured in that loss memory, so was Ichigo. Only he thought it to be only a dream.

"Damn it! Where the hell are you?! You better be alright," he yelled running with Nell on his back. He had fought Ulquiorra and was in terrible condition, but thanks to Nell, she healed up most of his wounds, but that wasn't enough. He wouldn't let her heal him fully. There wasn't enough time for that. Her reiatsu was so low that he could barely feel it. He needed to find her, and nothing was getting in his way.

He was sprinting and grunting from a major wound on his abdomen that he told Nell to forget about. He was approaching an area that seemed to lack sunlight inside and once he reached the shadows he lost his balance from the wound that wouldn't give up. He fell to the ground with his knees and palms placed on the ground.

"Ichigo! You need help!" Nell shouted in concern.

"No! I'm fine. I don't need it!" he yelled back staggering to get back up. When he finally did, Nell could feel his breathing pick up and the twitching of his muscles as he tried to hold himself together.

"Ichigo…" she said softly, but he didn't react to it. He kept moving, that is, until he saw a figure lying on the floor. He could barely see anything in the lighting of this place, but he could make out a figure of some sort. This made him run again, forgetting about his pain. That was nothing compared to what he would feel if…

He stopped. "Ichigo?" Nell questioned until she saw what he was looking at. Her body was lying their on her back. There was a pool of blood that stretched out to at least five four feet around her body. Nell jumped down as Ichigo stutter stepped towards her and then froze again.

"No," he whispered so softly that Nell could barely hear it. He then found that he was now bent down next to her in a matter of seconds. "Rukia! Rukia!" he said loudly at her, as the shock started to wear off. "Rukia!" he yelled even louder. His hands were placed on each one of her shoulders as he was leaning over her and shaking her petite form. He saw that she was breathing.

"You can't do this! Not now! I won't let you! Nell! Please, she needs help!"

Nell ran over and let her saliva drop onto Rukia's stomach. She kept doing this, but both she and Ichigo weren't seeing a reaction. Nell then looked at Ichigo and shook her head, signifying it wasn't working.

Ichigo then looked back down to Rukia's body, "Come on! Don't you dare do this! You can't! I'm supposed to always be here!" his voice was starting to break as his words were trembling.

He then spoke softly, "I'm supposed to always protect you." He leaned back from towering over her. Then, he lifted her up slightly to rest her upper body sideways on his lap. It was hard for him to swallow.

"I'm supposed to always protect you, no matter what you say. I-I…" he couldn't finish his statement. He was now, for the first time since his mother had died those many years ago, feeling his eyes water up. He then pulled her upper body up and pressed it tightly to his chest. Her head was tilted back due to the weight of her head, which exposed her neck. Ichigo then leaned his head down, making it collide with her neck. He held his eyes closed tightly, "Please," he begged softly.

He leaned his head back up and stared down at her emotionless face. He stared into what he knew concealed those violet eyes that always made him find peace. "Rukia, I-I," he blinked. Only once. And from that one blink, fell one tear, which landed on her cheek and slid down as if it were her own. He bowed his head even lower to take his eyes off the one thing that made him cry in so many years. The one thing that turned his life into something worthwhile. The one thing that he lo-

They were both still lost in each others thoughts. One was deep in a dream, while the other was deep in thought. Their memories had combined now, as if they were each reliving it – together.

From that one tear that she believed was her own, but wasn't, she felt warmth enveloping her. She felt air flowing into her nose and move through her chest, along with the thumping of her now moving heart. The darkness was fading as her eyes were allowed to be opened.

She looked straight ahead, as her mind was still acknowledging what was happening. The first thing she saw was an image of orange. Her vision started to become clear. She saw the top of his head bowing down as she felt his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into him.

She hesitated, but reached up with her arm and grabbed a portion of his shinigami robe around his chest. His head snapped up. His eyes went wide, and there was visible water in his eyes. She forced a smile since she was still too delirious to say words. All he could do was softly say her name, "Rukia…"

-End Flashback-

Ichigo's eyes fluttered open. He brought his hands up and rubbed his face up and down. "That was some intense dream," he said out loud to himself. He then opened his eyes fully and looked at the empty bed in front of him.

"Why am I sitting in my chair?" he asked himself looking down at where he was.

"Well, I guess it was dream," he said out loud thinking about the events of last night. He then lifted his fingers to his lips. 'Those lips felt so real though,' he thought before he saw that the window was open. He walked over and shut it, wondering why it was open in the first place. He huffed out a breath and went to the bathroom to take a shower.

She didn't know why exactly she left. She just needed to. Her mind was working by itself as memories seemed to flood through her.

Rukia was now sitting on the same bench she was sitting on when Ichigo tripped in front of her. Her upper body bent down so that she could hold her face in her hands, which were propped up by her elbows.

She couldn't believe how she was talking to him and going out with him, while they secretly already had a past together. Rukia found it amazing how all of what they went through was nonexistent at that time. But she was remembering now, Ichigo wasn't.

"What is he thinking right now? He had no idea what was going on last night. Even after I gave him some of my power," she said out loud. She then smiled at her last remark. "At least he was nice enough not to take it all this time."

She then shook her head to get her thoughts back on track. "How am I going to explain this to him?" She paused, thinking and then spoke again, "Can I even explain this to him? Would he believe me?" She drove her face into her hands again, "I don't know what to do."

"Hey Ichigo. You're here early. You don't start for another hour," Orihime said seeing him walk in, in his work clothes.

"Yeah, I didn't have anything to do today so I thought I'd just come in and open the bar early," he replied walking away from her to the bar.

"Okay," she said confused. 'Why didn't he ask about what happened last night? Maybe Rukia explained it to him already. But still, wouldn't he of brought it up?' she thought watching him walk away.

"I'll go talk to him," Ishida said, seeing the confused and questioning look on Orihime's face.

He walked over and took a seat at a bar stool. "So, how's your day going?" he asked trying to start the conversation.

Ichigo was dealing with bottles and such behind the counter and looked up at Ichida and raised an eyebrow to his question. "Good," he said with an obvious hint of the thought 'that was a weird question,' in his voice. It was a weird question though, coming from Ishida. He wasn't big for small talk.

"So, how was your night last night?" Ishida asked, not looking at Ichigo and waving at an incoming customer.

"Good," he said again in the same tone. He looked at him for a second and then replied, "Are you okay, man?"

"What? Is it bad to ask one of your best friends how they're doing?" Ishida said sarcastically.

"Umm, no, but you don't usually do that kinda thing," Ichigo said in return.

"Well now I am. Deal with it, Kurosaki."

"Alright, alright," Ichigo said blowing it off. "It's weird actually. I had a dream with you in it," Ichigo said remembering how is night really was.

Ishida raised an eyebrow and pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose. "Maybe it's best you don't tell me how your night was…" he said starting to stand.

"No, you sick bastard! It wasn't that kinda dream!" Ichigo growled at him. Ishida sat back down as Ichigo continued. "Everyone was in it actually, even Rukia and her business partners."

Ishida's eyes grew, but then he relaxed so that he wouldn't be too obvious. "Oh yeah? What was it about?" he asked staying calm.

"Well, I'm not really sure," Ichigo chuckled scratching the back of his neck. "It was really confusing. Some weird sword fighting and you, Orihime and Chad had some crazy powers. It was some intense shit, let me tell ya…" Ichigo said wiping down the counter.

"That does sound like a pretty intense dream…" Ishida said trying to make sure he was correct about his assumption.

"Yeah. It seemed so real though. In a way, I kinda wish it was." Ichigo kept wiping down the counter as Ishida sat there thinking. "Hey man, you should probably get back to the front desk. People look like they're looking for you," Ichigo said snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Oh, right," Ishida said rising out of his stool. He turned around thinking one more try at his memory would do, "Oh, I wanted to tell you that Rukia was there last night. She saw our show."

"She did?" Ichigo questioned with obvious joy.

"Yeah, I think she's staying for another day or two so you'll probably see her," he said trying to recover from what he thought would have triggered something, but obviously didn't.

"Well, I'll talk to you later," he said walking to the front. His walking was interfered by a certain woman who had been watching from a distance the whole time.

"So what's going on?" Orihime asked interested.

"He thinks it's all a dream," Ishida said looking around the restaurant.

"A dream? Are you serious?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm surprised I gave him too much credit…" Ishida said watching Keigo trip and break some empty plates. He shook his head.

Orihime ignored the distraction. "Well, I don't know how we are going to deal with this, but I have to get back in the kitchen."

"Yeah, I have to go too," Ishida said. They started to walk away in different directions. Orihime looked over at Ichigo who was wiping some empty glasses. "Why are you so oblivious Ichigo?" she said to herself before entering the kitchen.

"Yamamoto ordered us to remain in the living world for another day to deal with any hollows that may come tonight. Then we need to go back to Soul Society to discuss in more detail the events of last night with Aizen," Yoruichi said in a stern voice with her arms crossed over her chest.

Rukia was leaning against the far wall while the rest were sitting on either a couch or chair. She tilted her head up and down against the wall. She heard everything that was being said, but she hadn't seen Ichigo since this morning and she felt bad about just leaving. Okay, now she wasn't listening to a word they were saying…

"We plan on going to see what exactly is going on with the whole Kurosaki business, plus discuss some things with the rest of our long lost friends. Ishida has already been told the basics and has passed it on to everyone," Urahara said. "Correct Rukia?"

She tilted her head down on the wall to look at Urahara, "Umm, yeah. Correct. Wait, what?"

He smiled back at her. "We're going to see Kurosaki to see what's going on in that head of his."

"So, basically that's your job while we go drink and eat," Shuuhei said in response.

"Wait! Why is it my job?!" Rukia said leaning off the wall.

"Hello? If he remembers you, then he remembers everything else," Momo said in a 'duh!' tone.

"Why wouldn't he remember after that passionate kiss you two had last night?" Rangiku added with a smirk and eyebrow raised.

"Excuse me?" Byakuya asked looking at Rukia.

She stepped back a little. "Well, it was the only thing I could think of at the time to stop him from turning into a hollow," she said in defense.

"Our goal is to not make him remember, Rukia. Even though you want him to, he shouldn't. I know I can't stop you from trying, but don't do anything that will jeopardize our mission," he said in a surprisingly understanding voice.

She just nodded and said, "Yes, brother. I won't do anything stupid. Plus I can't just tell him about everything. He'll probably think I'm crazy. He has to remember everything on his own," she said sounding sadder by the end of her reply.

"Come on. Let's go," Renji said walking towards the door with the rest following.

"You would lead us there, wouldn't you?" Shuuhei said, causing Renji to elbow him from in front of him.

Rukia walked with a stern face on.

"Hey, you're quiet," Rangiku said walking next to her, while they were the last to leave the house.

"I'm thinking," Rukia replied coldly, not looking at her.

"What's wrong?" Rangiku asked due to the way Rukia responded.

"Well you didn't have to tell my brother that. He's never liked the idea of us being together anyway. I knew it even before I started to know I liked Ichigo," she said in an agitated tone.

"Geesh, sorry. Well, since you obviously are head over heels for him, Byakuya's gonna have to deal with it sooner or later," Rangiku said to justify her actions.

"I prefer later."

Rangiku chuckled a little and then went serious, "That's not the main thing bothering you though…"

"I don't know how I'm going to talk to Ichigo, Rangiku. I left before he got up this morning. And no, before you ask, nothing happened. I almost frigen died last night!"

Rangiku put her hands up to show no offense, "Hey, it's still possible! You were just resting; Orihime healed your injuries. Plus that's the point – you did almost die. Why not celebrate?" she said in defense.

Rukia gave her a glare and continued. "I have no idea what to say. I have no idea what to do. What if he does remember? What if he doesn't? I'm just – gah! I'm a mess!" Rukia said as they slowly approached the car that everyone was already in.

"Hey," Rangiku said grabbing her arm to get her attention. "If he does then he'll hold you tight and never let you go. And if he doesn't remember, he will and then he'll hold you tight and never let you go. Once you see him, you'll figure out what to do. Now come on, they're waiting," Rangiku said pulling the arm that she grabbed. Rukia felt better after her friend's reassurance and just allowed her friend to drag her along to the car.

The group walked in and every one of the employers that knew them looked at the now remembered friends. The band was now on stage.

"I never thought he would end up singing so damn much after that one time I forced him to," Rukia said out loud to herself, but a select few of her companions heard her. "I guess I'll have to wait to talk to him. Damn."

The group sat down at a stage side table. Orihime came up. "Umm, hey everyone," she said as chipper as possible.

They either said a "hello" in return or gave a slight wave.

"Well, we kinda discovered something," she said trying to avoid giving the main information about Ichigo.

"Like what?" Renji questioned.

"Well," she laughed in discomfort, "Ichigo kinda thinks that, well," she paused again.

"Orihime?" Momo asked, trying to push her to get to the point.

"He thinks everything that happened last night was a dream!" she said with a fake smile on her face.

"What?!" Rukia said loudly, standing up with her palms slammed against the table.

Everyone looked at her with wide eyes, sitting back to get as far away from what looked to be a very upset Rukia.

"Yeah, I don't know. He's being very loose about this. I don't understand either," Orihime said sadly.

"Why is he such an oblivious ass?!" Rukia shouted, losing her temper.

The said oblivious ass was now heard speaking into the microphone. "Our last song for tonight is a newer one. It's harder and faster than the other ones. Here we go."

He began to sing with the blasting bass and guitar, right after Tatsuki slammed on the drums for a few beats.

Please help me 'cause I'm breaking down, this pictures frozen and I cant get out
Please help me 'cause I'm breaking down, this pictures frozen and I cant get out of here
Believe me, I'm just as lost as you

The music calmed for the next verse.

And every time I think I've finally made it
I learn I'm farther away than I have ever been before
I see the clock and its ticking away, and the hourglass empty
What the fuck do I have to say?

The last line was said with ruggedness evident in his voice and the music went harder for the chorus.

Please help me 'cause I'm breaking down, this picture's frozen and I cant get out
Please help me 'cause I'm breaking down, this picture's frozen and I cant get out of here
Release me, I'm just as lost as you
Believe me, I'm just as lost as you

Again the music went calmer for the next verse, but Ichigo's energy was pumping.

The bridge was sang and played softer than the rest of the song.

So lost, I'm just as lost as you
Oh well what am I going to do
I'm afraid I'm falling farther away (from where I want to be

They blasted it out for the last portion of the song.

The strings were left to vibrate after the song was finished, giving it the effect the song needed.

It was weird how much everyone that knew him understood that song. Ichigo was confused, and he damn well should be.

The band was tidying up on stage and Ichigo was seen making his way back to the bar.

"That's your queue, Rukia," Shuuhei said sarcastically, as everyone watching the orange haired man walk to the bar.

"Shut up, Shuuhei," Rukia replied bitterly.

"It'll be fine," Rangiku said pushing Rukia's back in the right direction.

'Okay, breathe. In your nose, out your mouth. This is going to be fine. Why the hell am I so nervous? Oh because the last time I really talked to him it was five years ago and I told him how much I felt.' That last thought made her heart pick up the pace.

'But he doesn't remember, so I shouldn't be nervous,' she thought after finally decided to look at her destination. Her heart sank at the thought.

She took a deep breath as she was about five feet away from the bar, and put up a smile to hide her real feelings. He looked up and met her eyes, causing a goofy smile to grow on his face.

'Why don't you remember, you damn summertime fruit?!' she screamed in her head, still displaying the smile on her face.

"Hey! I heard you saw the show last night…" Ichigo said leaning his elbows on the counter as she took a seat in a stool.

"Yes, I did," she said, picturing the exact moment and time she realized that he was singing her words. "That was a beautiful song, Ichigo. Thank you," she said giving him a tender smile and placing a hand on his forearm.

He rubbed the back of his neck with his free arm, "Well, yeah, thanks. I, uh, wasn't sure you would hear it 'cause you said you were leaving and all."

"I promised you I'd be there. I don't break promises, Ichigo," she said calmly, looking him square in the eye.

-Flashback-

"Hey," she said, giving a weak smile.

Ichigo looked down to her stomach to see that blood wasn't seeping through her clothes anymore. He looked back up into her eyes with a serious stare.

She could read the emotions running through him. His eyes were like polished windows to his heart at that moment, which was rare.

He was relieved, but fear and concern were still working their way out of his system.

They immediately felt guilty for all those emotions she could see in him. If they all hadn't split up and gone a separate way, she wouldn't have gotten herself in this situation. She wouldn't have put so much of those unwanted emotions into the man holding her now.

She closed her eyes, furrowing her eyebrows. "I'm sorry," she said weakly. His eyes went wide.

"I said I could take care of myself. I told you, you didn't have to protect me. I promised you I'd be alright," her voice was starting to crack.

"I broke my promise. I'm sorry," she said as tears flowed freely down her face. She turned her head to hide her face from him.

He was speechless. 'She's feeling guilty about that?' Ichigo thought in confusion. He lifted a hand off her waist and used it to move her face back towards him.

She was surprised by his action. His hand felt surprisingly warm against her cheek and her body was relaxing just by his touch.

Her skin was soft against his hand and he couldn't help but move his thumb up and down her cheek. "Don't," he said in a gentle voice. "This isn't your fault. Nothing is your fault. Don't apologize. I don't care about what you promised."

"I almost- If you didn't come I'd be-" she was cut off by Ichigo's stronger voice.

"But I did. I promised you, I'd always protect you. If this is anybody's fault it's mine," he said with a gloomy face from his last statement.

They both then noticed how close they were to each other. Their faces were a foot away. Rukia then looked down and then back into his eyes with a shy smile. "Thank you, Ichigo, for always being there for me."

It was now hard for him to swallow, and he didn't even realize that he was leaning in slowly toward the woman in front of him. "I thought you didn't like it that I did that?" he said, staring back and forth between her approaching lips and eyes.

She was staring at his lips now as well, not moving away from Ichigo's action. When, their lips were only an inch apart, she replied. "I lied."

And before they met, they heard a voice call from afar making them shoot backwards.

"Rukia! Are you okay? Are you alright?" a man yelled being followed by a much thinner man.

She was in shock from their appearance. "Hey, Renji. I'm fine," she said in disappointment of their interference.

"Seems Kurosaki had everything covered after all, Renji," Ishida said pushing his glasses up further on his nose.

"Uh, yeah. Well, Nell is the real one who healed her and all," Ichigo said standing up, as Rukia turned on the ground to the little arrancar.

Rukia pulled Nell into her arms and hugged her tightly. "Thank you," she said as the wide eyed Nell, began to hug back.

They pulled away and Ichigo and Rukia's eyes locked. He held his hand down to her and she smiled up at him, grabbing his hand to be pulled up.

-End Flashback-

Her eyes were wide from the flashback that came.

"Hey, you okay?" Ichigo said waving a hand in front of her face.

"Umm, yeah," she replied, following with a smile to cover up her action. "Did you say something?" 'I feel way too vulnerable after these damn memories come out of nowhere. Why do they have to come when I'm right in front of him?' she thought.

'Because he's triggering them, you idiot!' her subconscious yelled back at her.

"Uhh, yeah. I asked if you wanted to go for a walk or something. I'm off work in about five minutes," he said hoping she would agree.

"Yeah, definitely," she responded simply.

"In fact," he through a rag on the counter and took a man's mug of beer and dumped it in a sink not visible from the other side of the counter.

"Hey! I wasn't-" the old man yelled.

"You've had enough old man. Go home," Ichigo said taking his apron off. He went through the door of the bar and held his arm out to her, "Shall we?"

She cocked her head slightly, "Won't you're friends get-" she started.

"I won't tell if you won't," he cut her off with a cocky smile on his face.

She grabbed his arm as they rushed out of the restaurant to avoid anyone seeing them run off together.

They went to the park. It was huge, and as far as Ichigo knew, Rukia had seen it all yet, so why not go there? It was a nice atmosphere anyway, even at night.

They ended up buying some milkshakes and Ichigo popped in a straw and began drinking. He then looked over seeing how Rukia was struggling to get the straw through the top.

"What the hell is wrong with this cup?" she said irritated and her mind fully focused on the straw not breaking through the top.

Ichigo put his hands around hers, causing her to look up at him. "Here," he took the straw out of her hand and pushed it through the top. He laughed and let go of her hand holding the cup. "I've never seen anybody have trouble with a straw before," he said sipping his milkshake.

"It was frozen shut or something!" she yelled in defense causing him to laugh more.

She smiled and looked down at the ground, thinking about his statement. 'You have seen someone have trouble before,' she thought, thinking about the time she couldn't figure out how to drink a juice box and he helped her.

She looked up at him as he looked around at the scenery. 'Everything you do, Ichigo, brings back memories. It hurts so much that you don't remember anything. Please remember soon. I don't know how much pain I can take…'

They came to a bench that overlooked a small pond, that even in the night sky, sparkled from the light of the moon and stars. There were still birds swimming on it, along with frogs croaking.

They sat down in silence as they continued to stare at the glittering water.

Ichigo finally spoke. "So, you're leaving soon?" he asked sadly.

"Uh, yeah, tomorrow. New customers, new campaigns. We're always moving around," she said, hoping that made sense. She had no idea about anything that had to do with advertising.

"Ah," he said, not knowing how to reply. Silence came again, until he broke it again. "Umm, about the other night. I didn't mean to, well, you know. I just-"

She placed her hand gently on his upper arm. "Don't. You didn't do anything wrong."

"Are you sure? You just kinda ran out of there fast, so I figured…" he said breaking his gaze on her.

"I was just- confused. I'm sorry. Plus I had an important call to take. So please, don't worry about it," she said trying to make him comfortable.

"I did want to ask you about that song though. Whoever wrote that letter for you must have really cared about you," she attempted on trying to trigger his mind.

He smiled and sighed. "Yeah. I just wish I could remember them."

"Well, maybe if you try really hard, you can. Here," she said grabbing his hands. She pulled them up and placed his palms against the sides of his head, with her hands over his. "Okay, now close your eyes and think really hard," she said, getting desperate. Anything was worth a try.

He did as she said, and after about thirty seconds she saw a smile form on his face.

"What?" she asked curiously.

"I can't concentrate when I feel you breathing on me. You're making me nervous," he said opening his eyes.

She raised an eyebrow. "Do I always have that effect on you?"

"Would you like to always have that effect on me?" he asked with a curious smile.

"I don't know," she replied not being able to hide a smile.

"Well, I do know one thing," he said looking at the pond again.

"If I was the one who wrote that song for someone," he turned back to the woman sitting next to him, whose violet eyes were sparkling in the moon light.

"I would never let them go," he said lifting his hand to her cheek.

She closed her eyes from his touch. The familiar warmth made her body numb. She opened her eyes, not being able to take it any longer. She moved quickly into him, placing her hands on the sides of his head as she claimed his lips.

He was surprised, but didn't decline her invitation. He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.

As she kissed him, she had images of him flash before her eyes. One's when he was angry, one's when he was annoyed, and one's when he was sad, hurt, worried and happy. Each image represented a moment that was etched into her heart. Each image she wouldn't give up for anything. Each image she wished she could share with the man holding her now. But she couldn't.

A tear moved down her cheek involuntarily. Ichigo felt the drop of water against his skin and pulled away gently. He wiped away what was left of the tear on her cheek with his thumb. "Why are you crying?" he asked gently.

'Because you don't know how much you mean to me,' she answered in her mind. 'It's not the same if you don't remember everything we've went through. I need you to remember. It hurts too much.' She turned her head away and closed her eyes, trying to push away the pain in her heart.

He pulled her face back towards him, with his hand against her cheek. She looked back sadly into his eyes. "I'm here for you, Rukia."

Her eyes widened from his familiar statement, and then she smiled sadly. "I know," she said grabbing his hand on her cheek and pulling it down. 'I know all too well.' "I have to go," she said beginning to stand up and beginning to walk away.

Ichigo frowned and stood up as well. "Why do you keep doing this?"

She turned back towards him, "Doing what?"

"You lead me on like you're feeling something and then you back up and say it was a mistake," he said irritated.

She was shocked by his outburst. "Excuse me?"

"Stop playing around with my feelings here, Rukia. I'm not big on letting people in," he said raising his voice.

"Playing around with your feelings?! You should talk!" she said yelling back.

"What?" he asked confused.

She then bit her tongue. Her thoughts were being said out loud. She opened her mouth to say something but was stopped by the beeping of her phone. 'Hollow.'

"I'm sorry. I have to go," she said turning to sprint away.

He leaped forward and grabbed her arm. "Stop running away," he said with hurt in his eyes.

She stared into his amber windows and knew she was giving him the same look in return. "Then run with me."

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So, basically there are some emotional problems here. This seemed to be mostly about Rukia, probably because I can do more symbolism and meaning with her because she's the only one of the two that remembers. Again, please tell me what you think. Later