A/N: Okay, haha, scratches the back of her head in discomfort I didn't realize how many people were ready to kill in order for this story to continue. Many PM's and reviews to prove it. Well, I just want to say that that decision I made a few days ago was solely based on the fact of me having an emotional breakdown, which is sad to admit. So I apologize for my lack of self-esteem at that time. So because of the many comments, demands, and yes, even threats that I have gotten, I will continue. Because I'm an ass who forgot the purpose of me writing this damn thing I like writing. And well I think that's it for my lame speech. Again, I apologize and thank you for your intense support. So here is the beginning of more chaps to come. Enjoy.

Well, this is more of a romance chapter, but then gets into a conflict. Again, enjoy.

Disclaimer: Why would I?

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Chapter 13: Your Guardian Angel

Rukia's eyes were bulging out of their sockets. He was actually there; in front of her with his hand now against her cheek.

When I see your smile
Tears run down my face I can't replace
And now that I'm stronger I've figured out
How this world turns cold and breaks through my soul
And I know I'll find deep inside me I can be the one

"Why did you- How did you- I don't underst-" were the words she was able to utter out of her mouth before they were muffled by the contact of his lips against hers.

He pulled her closer with one hand against her cheek, while the other was planted on her waist. She was still sitting on the floor as he was kneeling down next to her.

I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven

The kiss broke with Ichigo finally speaking. "I didn't want to let you stay here alone tonight," he said innocently, with amber eyes burning through her core.

"Ichigo, you can't be here. If someone sees you I don't know wha-" she was cut off by his pointer finger pressed gently against her lips.

"I don't care," he said simply.

"But they'll-" she began again.

"Don't care."

"But-"

"Every time I try to do something nice, you always tell me not to do it! Can you just be quiet and accept the fact that I'm not leaving?!" he said in a voice slightly irritated.

It's ok. It's ok. It's ok.
Seasons are changing
And waves are crashing
And stars are falling all for us
Days grow longer and nights grow shorter
I can show you I'll be the one

She sighed and looked down to the floor. "Even when you didn't remember, you still came to save me," she said quietly.

"Of course," he said confidently.

She looked up and stared into his eyes questionably, "Why?"

He smirked, not his usual sarcastic smirk, but a gentler one. "Because I ended up falling in love with you all over again."

I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven

And with that said, she threw her arms around his neck and planted her lips on his. He in return, deepened the kiss as he leaned into her, making her lie down farther onto the floor.

At this point, time stopped. Seconds felt like minutes, and minutes felt like hours.

Her hands traveled up his chest and entangled with his hair, while his hands moved down her sides, feeling her every curve.

Cus you're my, you're my, my true love, my whole heart
Please don't throw that away
Cus I'm here for you
Please don't walk away,
Please tell me you'll stay, stay

They were flesh against flesh now as their robes were dropped to the side. Nothing was going to be thought of at that moment; nothing except each other. They had no idea what their future held for them, but at that instant they were going to show each other exactly how they felt; for that was the only thing that mattered.

They could feel each other's heart beat against their own body, soon allowing their hearts to beat as one. Each of their fingers lingered on the other's skin as they grazed their hands across every inch of each other's body. Passion and love was apparent.


Use me as you will
Pull my strings just for a thrill
And I know I'll be ok
Though my skies are turning gray

As he continued to shower her with passionate kisses, the scent of her hair consumed his brain. That lavender scent that always gave him shivers down his spine only increased his longing for her. He acted as if every breath he took was his last.

His coarse finger pads traced her skin from her thighs up to her slender neck. Each slide of his digits sent an electric current all throughout her body.

The nighttime chirps of crickets and the soft whistle of the breeze outside resembled nothing of the feelings they had within. They felt alive and ready to act. Needing to act as they continued to yearn for the others touch.

Nothing was going to stop them from reaching the peak of their desire. The crest they worked together to attain was something accomplished not through strain, but through the steady beating of their combined hearts.

I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven

They laid on the ground with Rukia's head on Ichigo's chest and her hand placed gently on his abdomen. He had his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

As they began to wake, a smile slowly draped over each of their faces. Rukia started to softly move her index finger over his muscular abdomen in circular motions with just enough force so that it wouldn't tickle him.

He leaned up slightly and kissed the top of her head, "I love ya," he said softly into her hair.

She smiled to herself as she continued to move her finger over his skin. "I know," she said with a giggle.

He laughed, "You know? You know?!" he said starting to tickle her sides making her jump around frantically to avoid his torture.

"No! Don't! Stop!" she begged through her laughter.

"Nuh-uh. Not until I hear what I want to hear!" he said in return, continuing to tickle her.

"You already know!" she yelled still in a fit of laughter.

He suddenly stopped and held her still while he was leaning on top of her. He smirked, "But is it so wrong to like the sound of your voice when you say it?"

He began to start to tickle her again, but she immediately yelled when she felt his touch continue to torment her. "I love you! Stop! Stop!"

He laughed, but continued to tickle her, "What? I can't hear you! You're laughing too much!"

"I love you! I love you! I love you! Stop it, you jerk!" she said laughing to the point of tears.

Laughing, he finally stopped. "No need to call me names now."

She glared at him and slugged him in the arm.

"Ah! Damn!" he yelled holding his arm. "I see you haven't lost that amazingly strong hit of yours. I still don't get how such a small person can deliver so much pain!"

She flew another punch at his other arm. "I'm glad you remember, but that just means you should know not to mess with my height!"

He frowned at her, now rubbing his other arm as he watched her start to put on her clothes. He quickly put on his briefs and began to walk over to her.

"Jerk," she said softly again, then feeling the warmth of his arms wrapping around her torso and pulling her back into his body.

His warm breath floated into her ear as he spoke softly, "But you love this jerk."

She closed her eyes as it brought shivers down her spine. All she could do was simply say, "Yes."

He began to kiss her neck from behind and she was getting lost in another world again. She turned her body around to face him and went straight for his lips. They were locked for some time, before she pushed away with her hands against his chest.

"You have to go. What if someone finds you here?"

"Geez, I see how it is. Use me for the night and then you want to get rid of me? If that's how it is I don't think I ever got my payment," he said with a cocky grin and holding his hand out for the fee.

She glared and punched him in the arm again. "You're such an idiot."

"What is up with you hitting me today!?" he asked rubbing his arm again.

She stood there staring at him with her arms crossed over her chest and her foot taping on the floor.

He sighed, "Alright, alright. I'll go, but it's not because I give a damn. It's because you do."

She smiled, "Thank you."

He finished putting on his clothes as he talked. "You're supposed to be 'executed' today," he said using air quotes, "so you won't have to stay in here much longer."

She sighed and looked to the ground. He walked up to her and tilted her head up to look at him. "I know how much you hate in here and all the memories it brings back, but just deal with it for a little longer. These damn shinigami should know what the hell they're doing, otherwise I'll go ape shit on their asses."

She chuckled, "How romantic…"

"You know it," he said before kissing her one last time. He walked to the window, "Don't worry. I'll get ya out of here." And then he jumped.

She ran to the window to look for him, but he was gone. She sighed and sat down against the wall; left to her own thoughts, which brought a smile to her face due to them being only of a certain orange haired man, who had finally made her whole again.

"Yamamoto. So far everything is going according to plan. I just alerted Kurosaki using my reiatsu, so I believe he'll be here a minute now. What is it that you wanted him for?" Byakuya said standing straight up in front of his higher up.

"As I'm sure you've known for quite some time, Kuchiki, your sister and Kurosaki have been very close. I'm sure you know where I'm getting at, Captain Kuchiki."

Byakuya gave a short nod. He furrowed his eyebrows. "I hope you know how cruel that was to send her back there in order to get the attention of 'him' and now stripping her from that happiness again." He began to walk away shaking his head.

"It's the law. And we both know you can't have Rukia marry to someone of that standing. It will bring great dishonor to the Kuchiki name."

Byakuya froze with his back to the older man. "Honor. All my life I've been trying to keep this principle a definition of the Kuchiki family. I've risked so much to just hold this one thing as a title. I have even risked my sister's life for it." He turned his head to look back at the older man listening intently.

"But tell me, sir. If risking your family's life gives you honor, what exactly is 'honor'? Because to me, it hardly seems worth having anymore." He began to walk off again.

"She cannot be with him, Kuchiki, whether we agree with it or not." Yamamoto said causing Kuchiki to stop and listen.

Yamamoto continued, "We can't have a shinigami living a double life. And I know, whether you would admit it or not, you couldn't bare to see her stay in the living world. Not to mention excommunicating one's self is a crime in itself."

Byakuya stood there again with his back to him. He heard every word clear as day, but decided to stay silent. There was nothing to say. So he continued to walk off without hearing another word from the older officer.

He turned the corner, exiting the hall when Ichigo came using shunpo. He halted once he saw Byakuya.

"Hey," Ichigo said casually, slightly out of breath.

Byakuya gave him one of the most intense glares Ichigo had ever witnessed from him, or anyone for that matter. Most would take this look as a threat and more of an intimidation, like Ichigo did. But Byakuya's meaning behind it was different. It was sympathetic.

Byakuya then began walking away again, without saying anything to the orange haired man displaying a confused look on his face. He stopped, but without turning around said, "Go inside and talk to Yamamoto," and he continued his walk without another word.

Ichigo shook his head lightly to get his attention off of the walking man who seemed to have something on his mind, but refused to speak it. He walked into the building towards the man who he was directed to see.

"Do you understand Rukia?" he asked putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Why- why is life so cruel? I- I just-" she couldn't talk anymore. Her tears flowed freely down her face and she buried her face into her older brother's chest as you could hear her muffled sobs.

Byakuya's eyebrows furrowed as he stroked the back of Rukia's head. "I don't know. I just… don't know."

They sat there for many minutes until Byakuya spoke up. He couldn't delay it anymore. "We have to get going now," he said leaning away from Rukia. Her eyes were red from tears. "We have to do our job now," he said wiping away a stray tear.

She nodded slightly as she took a big swallow. Byakuya made the gate and led her through. They were on their way to the living world to do their job; to save the lives of the innocent.

He bowed slightly to the older man, feeling awkward not to. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes, I did," he said not looking at Ichigo, but instead dealing with paperwork on his desk. He sat down his pen and folded his hands together over the papers he was writing on.

"I can see you're having trouble dealing with this strategy we've come up with, Kurosaki."

Ichigo was completely bewildered. "Umm, why would you think that, sir?"

"Due to the fact that you spent the evening outside of your designated residence," he said staring into Ichigo's shocked eyes.

"I- well- you see-" Ichigo began trying to find his excuse.

Yamamoto cut him off. "Leave Rukia Kuchiki be, Kurosaki. When we finish dealing with Aizen, you will be staying in the living world indefinitely, and Kuchiki will be staying here. Cut your ties now or have them be ripped later. The choice is yours. But keep in mind, later isn't in the too distant future."

Ichigo smirked and began to laugh a little. "Okay, okay. So what did you really want me in here for, old man?"

The said old man raised an eyebrow to Ichigo's inquiry. "Laughing at such a serious moment is not something I would recommend when in my presence, Kurosaki. Show some proper respect."

Ichigo's face dropped. "Excuse me, sir. I don't think I understand the situation right."

"That's evident, Kurosaki. My words were perfectly clear though. Perhaps you just need a moment to process them."

Ichigo furrowed. He walked two steps closer to the older man and was now in no mood to show the 'proper respect' that was supposed to be given. "Wait. Hold on a second. Are you trying to tell me that I'm done as a shinigami after Aizen is dead?"

Yamamoto nodded. "Yes. And so is your connection with Soul Society. There will be no need for you after that point."

Ichigo was standing in front of his desk now. He slammed his fist on it causing the desk to shake, but the man sitting at it remained emotionless. "Like hell I'm gonna let the same thing happen twice! You can't just do this to people! You can't use them for your own dirty work and then throw them away like they're trash!"

"Well you don't really have a choice, now do you Kurosaki?" he said with his voice as calm as before.

"Like hell I don't-"

"You don't!" he said, finally raising his voice over Ichigo's, causing him to flinch slightly.

The younger man stood back, taking his hand off the desk. His face fell from the anger that showed before, and was now struck with grief. He looked to the ground. "Tell me then," he began with a soft voice, "why?"

"Do you want the whole truth?"

Ichigo looked up with surprised eyes. "You'd actually tell me everything? Not some half-assed reasoning that you people would usually give?"

Yamamoto glared slightly at Ichigo's explanation of the shinigami's usual behavior, but then he remained cold.

"Five years ago the shinigami left the living world," the older man began with Ichigo staring intensely.

"The reasoning we told you was that the hollows had been decreasing to the point where they barely came once a month. That was not entirely true. Urahara came up with a device that allowed shinigami to move around undetected. They were stationed throughout Karakura Town and took care of any hollows that appeared before you could even get a reading. During the past five years shinigami have been executing hollows. You just didn't know it."

Ichigo was listening to every word Yamamoto delivered, as if his life depended on it. "Why would you do all that?"

"We needed you to believe that the shinigami were leaving because of the decline in hollows. Only a select few knew of this plan. The shinigami that met with you and told you of their departure had no idea, aside from Urahara, Yoruichi and Hitsugaya. We only became aware of Aizen's reappearance a month before we sent a group of shinigami to the living world. We knew you were the only one that had enough power to take him down. The goal of this group was to reawaken your power and jog your memory. The odd part was that your hollow side was awakened first, which caused some slight difficulty. We knew that the only person that could bring you back from your amnesia, if you will, was Rukia Kuchiki. Byakuya Kuchiki, Hitsugaya, Yoruichi and Urahara were the only ones to know the true goal. The others did not find out until the night Kuchiki took you to exterminate a hollow."

Ichigo's face told Yamamoto exactly what he was thinking, which was another 'Why.'

"It was quite obvious to everyone, besides the two of you, how strongly you felt about each other."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow. This conversation took a strange turn in the eyes of Ichigo Kurosaki. "Excuse me?"

"We were well aware of this when you came to save Kuchiki from her execution for transferring her powers to you. We knew nothing would evolve for some time though, so we took no immediate action because we needed your power to aid us. We might have waited too long, but it needed to be done."

"Why did it need to be done?" Ichigo said with anger beginning in his voice.

"There were two reasons. First of all, it is a law. A shinigami cannot be with a human in an intimate way. They live in two separate worlds. A human cannot live in Soul Society and a shinigami cannot live in the living world, for that in itself, is another law. Shinigami are bound by duty to protect the souls of the dearly departed. That is their purpose. To live in the living world would be going against the forces of nature."

Yamamoto looked at Ichigo expecting a comment, but only found a blank stare.

Ichigo held up his pointer finger, "That was one reason. What's your other?" he said irritated.

"Your feelings for each other were growing extremely strong. It got to the point where you would dismiss an entire mission in order to go after the other; a mission that was not supposed to be put on hold."

"What mission would that be?" Ichigo asked with more irritation in his voice.

"Hueco Mundo. You could have continued to go straight for Aizen, but went to Kuchiki. You could have saved several shinigami's lives if you hadn't taken your mind off the mission."

Ichigo was dumbfounded. "Are you serious?" He chuckled slightly in disbelief. "I went to save one of your own comrades! One of your warriors that actually made a difference in that damn war! You would have rather me go straight for the enemy and save a few shinigami that probably wouldn't have made it much longer out there, had I gone for Aizen?!"

"Lower your voice, Kurosaki."

"No! You would have rather me left her to die!"

"Kurosaki!"

"I would have died if I went to face Aizen right away! I almost did die and that was after going to save her!"

"Calm yourself!"

"I didn't even bring Aizen down! She did! She came and saved me! She healed me and saved me! That's the person you wanted me to let die! That's the person who ended up ending that time of war!"

"This was the kind of emotion we wanted to avoid by separating you two!" Yamamoto yelled to interrupt Ichigo's rant. "You have too much passion for each other! That kind of passion can end up getting us all killed! Someone as powerful as you cannot be easily distracted when the fate of the world is in your hands!"

"I've had enough!" Ichigo yelled slamming his hands down on the desk with his eyes blazing into Yamamoto's. His voice died down as his eyes lost their fire and were replaced with a slight coat of water.

"Don't you see?" he said weakly. "I wouldn't be here, standing in front of you, if it weren't for her. I wouldn't be this strong if it wasn't for her stumbling into my room all those years ago. Your world and mine wouldn't be here now and neither would any of us, if it weren't for her." He leaned off the desk and took a step backwards.

Anger was gone. All his face showed now was the begging of sympathy, "Everything I am now is because of her." His chest moved up and down as his breathing was heavy. "If she is taken away from me again, there will be nothing left of me."

He closed his eyes tightly to hold back a tear he knew was going to fall. He opened his eyes with his eyebrows furrowed. "If I won't be allowed to be with her, then I won't help you."

Yamamoto was surprised by the emotions he saw flood over the young man standing in front of him. "You would refuse to save your home town in order to prove a point?" he asked in disbelief.

Ichigo's stomach fell. He was stuck in a situation that would tear him apart with either choice he made. Let his family and friends die in order to prove a point and perhaps stay with Rukia or save his home and let go of the only person he would ever love with his whole heart? Life was cruel.

"What makes you think I won't take Rukia and run once Aizen is dead?"

"We'll find you, Kurosaki. And once we do, she will be executed."

His heart flinched at those words. He closed his eyes and bowed his head towards the floor.

It seemed inevitable. It was getting clearer now. He wouldn't be able to be with her. He could try to run, but how long would that last? How long could they really run? All it would end up doing is getting her killed. If he let her go, she would be alive and safe. He would rather let her go with all the memories he has now than with the new memory of her dying because he tried to prolong their time together.

His heart was heavy. His mind was made. He knew what he needed to do. She would be safe; he knew that.

"You know what has to be done, Kurosaki."

Ichigo swallowed. He finally lifted his head and opened his eyes. Yamamoto was shocked. He never expected him to look so fallen apart. He had ended this young man's life without meaning to.

His eyes were so close to letting the dam that was constructed to break, yet if you really looked into his eyes behind the said dam, you would find a soul so hollow that the sound of soft raindrops would echo throughout.

"Aizen has been detected in Karakura Town. Everyone has already been sent ahead to defend. Renji is waiting with a gate open for you to use. They're waiting for you to end this. All of this."

Ichigo nodded in understanding. He turned around. He spoke with his back facing the older man. "Soon it will all be over. Everything. Like-" he hesitated. "Like none of this ever existed. Any of it."

And with that said and done, Ichigo shunpoed out of the building.

Use me as you will
Pull my strings just for a thrill
And I know I'll be ok
Though my skies are turning gray…

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So tell me what you think. I used the bridge of the song again at the end, only in a different perspective. It shows that Rukia and Ichigo are being used by the shinigami and such. Yeah, so this is pretty messed up, huh? Well, I'm happy to be in the wanting to write mode, so I hope you guys liked this. I want to know if this was explained clear enough. It was a lot to take in I think. Well, it took me awhile to explain it in the right way. Later