A/N: Chapter 12 of Black and White!

It's short because I'm saving all the good stuff for lucky number 13. XD

Read, Enjoy and post a review

Also, thank you all for your honesty, some people will tell me flat out that they don't like the chapter, and that helps me develop into a better writer.

(Oh, the two songs that inspired the next few chapters were "My Last Breath" By Evanessence, and "Listen to your heart" by DHT.)

Christmas Eve, 3 years ago: (Rukia and Ichigo are 17)

Rukia helped Yuzu take the Christmas cookies out from the oven. They had some dude on them with a white beard and funny hat. When Rukia first saw them she asked if that was supposed to be Yamoto, the captain of all the squads. The headman in soul society, Ichigo laughed when she said that and told her it was Santa. Ichigo tried to explain this whole Christmas thing but Rukia still couldn't understand why an old man would break into peoples' houses and leave toys for children. She had even suggested that Santa was lost spirit and that Ichigo should flash step to the North Pole, perform a soul burial before he turns into a hollow.

Ichigo just chuckled and told her not to think about it. After 2 years of this Christmas stuff, Rukia understood it and loved celebrating it with Ichigos' family. Only this Christmas was just a tad different…

"Ichigo! Door!" Isshin yelled while hanging the ornaments onto the large spruce in the corner of their living room.

"I got it…" Ichigo grumbled, Rukia heard the door open and Ichigo growl something she couldn't hear.

"Ichigo? Who is it?" Rukia asked, walking down the hall and seeing who was standing in the doorway.

"Nii-sama!" Rukia gasped, Ichigo had stepped to the side but kept his hand on the door to hold it open or maybe shut it in Bakugayas face.

"Rukia, you are needed in soul society, the captain of the thirteenth squad, Ukitake wishes to speak with you. We leave now." He said, with no emotion and a cold expression on his face.

"No." Rukia answered, causing Bakugyayas' eyes to widen with surprise.

"Excuse me? This could be a life changing meeting Rukia." Her Nii-sama answered, but Rukia stood her ground and placed her hands on her hips.

"I don't want to change my life, Ukitake will have to postpone the meeting." Rukia retorted before turning on her heel and storming back off into the kitchen. Standing up to her brother, could easily make her end up on the streets and next time when Rukia wishes to come back to the living world he might not want her to. She heard the door shut and Ichigo walk into the kitchen with a smug smile on his face,

"I'm glad you're staying." Was all he said and needed to say, Rukia gave him a crooked smile.

"Me too."

The Christmas that followed, Rukia was in Soul society and Ichigo was visiting his family, but it seemed that every five minutes, Ichigos' head would turn to the door expecting Rukia to walk in.

The Christmas after that, Ichigo didn't come and visit, he said he had too much work and needed to study but Rukia did show up. She helped make cookies and exchanged presents, but her eyes would always trail to the doorway waiting for Ichigo to walk in and yell "I'm home."

.-.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.-.-.--.-

Urahara sighed, Ishida and Orihime had already arrived, Kenpachi and Yaruichi had left this morning to report to soul society, Matsumoto and Hitsugaya were going over the plan on what to tell Ichigo and Chad didn't answer his phone; The more we have, the more chances that Rukia won't die. Urahara noted as his wife, Yoruichi walked into the room.

"Orihime, you understand that we can't tell Kurosaki of the plan. Rukia doesn't want him to know." Ishida explained for Orihime who was still asking to have Kurosaki know the plan so he could help.

"But…" Orihime protested, Ishida shook his head and she sighed in defeat, her gray eyes looking downwards.

-. -. -. -. -. -. --. -. -. -. -. -. -.

Rukia waited for Ichigo, lost within her own thoughts. There is a chance, that Leon won't kill me. There is a chance that the others will arrive without being detected and be able to arrest him. On the other hand, there is a chance that I will die, for even shinigami can die. Kaien did…his wife…her squad…not even shinigami are immortal.

Rukia felt a handclasp onto her shoulder, "Let's go." Ichigo said looking at the petite woman who did not meet his eyes, she nodded and led the way to Uraharas' shop.

As they walked, Rukia could feel his worried eyes burning into her back. There is a chance that the others will not make it in time and Leon will get away. I was his superior, I know more about him then anyone else, I know the three forms of his zanpaktou. I know his weakness and his strengths but I can't tell the others. They will underestimate him, believe that they know everything now and risk their lives.

If I live, I want amber eyes to be the last thing I see.

-.-.--.-.-.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Welcome Rukia, welcome Ichigo. You're just in time." Urahara said as they walked into the store, taking their seats at the table.

"So, what's the plan?" Ichigo asked crossing his arms. Urahara looked at Hitsugaya who nodded, his eyes scanning across everyone's face.

Rukia…her eyes are burning with remorse.

Ishida…he looks doubtful.

Orihime…she looks sad but is forcing a smile.

Matsumoto…she isn't even looking at me, she's focusing on the table.

Ichigo…he looks like he's ready to rip the guys' throat out. What is it with human emotions?

"Here's the plan…Ichigo will go out shopping with Rukia. It'll look normal, but you guys have to split up. Ichigo will meet up with Ishida, Tatsuki and Orihime at the flower shop on the corner while Rukia takes the back way to get to the café where she will meet up with Urahara and Yoruichi. Matsumoto, Renji and I will be on the city top roofs, in shinigami form of course, keeping a birds eye view on everything." Hitsugaya announced the plan and got a mummer of responses.

"Sounds good." Ishida replied and Orihime nodded her head with the fake smile on her face.

Ichigo gave a glance to Rukia, "How will this get Leon?" he asked before looking back at Hitsugaya. The white-haired man just shook his head, "We have news from a source that Leon will be at the cigar shop a few blocks from the flower shop and just one block away from the café." Hitsugaya answered and everyone nodded. Rukia smiled at Orihime who gave her friend a genuine 'It'll be OK' smile.

"Speaking of Renji…where the hell is he?" Rukia asked looking around and right on cue,

Renji and Tatsuki walked in, everyone's head turned. "Way to be late." Ichigo said with a smirk.

"Shut up, Tatsuki had a tournament at her dojo." Renji retorted, before sitting down with the others. Hitsugaya sighed, "Okay Renji, this is the plan…"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-..-.-.-.-.-.-..-.-.-.-

(Later that night at the Urahara shop)

Rukia stood outside, staring up at the black blanket in the sky with diamonds scattered across it, the moon stood bright in the darkness."Rukia…did you tell him? Do you tell him that you loved him?" Tatsuki asked from behind the small shinigami.

"No."

"Oh…is it true? Urahara pulled Renji and I away and told us that…you might die." Tatsuki asked strolling up the stand next to Rukia with her hands in her pockets of her jeans.

"Yes Tatsuki, it's true. That's why Ichigo can't know what really will happen because he'd rather die then loose me." Rukia answered, Ichigo and I are truly alike…I would of died for Kaien rather than loose him. Now, the same rule applies, I'd rather die then loose Ichigo. I'm quite selfish aren't I?

"yeah, sounds like him…Rukia, you and Renji are like best friends right?" Tatsuki asked, changing the subject. Rukia nodded and turned her head halfway to look at Tatsuki,

"Why do you ask?" Rukia questioned with a raised brow.

"He's cool…I was just wondering if it was possible for a shinigami and a human…to…well…never mind." Tatsuki looked at the ground, the blush starting to form on her cheeks.

"Its possible…only thing is, Shinigami don't age as fast as humans do." Rukia said looking back up at the sky.

"Could I become a shinigami?" Tatsuki asked shuffling her feet in the dirt, Rukia smiled,

"You must like Renji a lot." Rukia said and Tatsuki quickly went back to her tough-tom boy side.

"I do not!" Tatsuki yelled with her fist raised and nerve pulsing on her forehead, "He's not even a thought on my mind! It was just a curious question!" Rukia shook her head in disbelief.

"Whatever you say." Rukia muttered watching as Tatsuki stormed off, pretending to be angry.

-..--.--.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.-..-.--.-.-.

Isshin was helping clean Ichigos' room, "What a mess! He sleeps in here for one day! Masaki would be so ashamed!" Isshin began to sob uncontrollably. Yuzu laughed nervously and continued to clean out Ichigos' dresser.

"Hey dad, I found a note…it's from Rukia-Chan." Yuzu said holding out the piece of paper, Isshin suddenly stopped crying and took the paper from Yuzus' hand.

"This is 2 years old, why did Ichigo keep…oh…" Isshin began before he fully read the letter. "That explains why he was so upset."

June 31st

Dear Ichigo,

School is over…you are probably wondering why I left the graduation party early. Ichigo…I got a call from soul society, I have to go back. I'd much rather stay here with you and your family…just know that…Ichigo…I love you. I understand if you don't feel the same way…and even if you loved me too, I want you to live a normal life.

No hollows.

No shinigami.

No Rukia.

It's over Ichigo and it was fun. I'll keep the memories locked in my heart, but you're place is in the living world and mine is in soul society. Those two worlds should never mix and we were foolish to try.

Goodbye, Rukia

Isshin smoothed the folded letter and handed to Yuzu, who didn't understand the whole Hollow, soul society, shinigami thing but she got the message. Yuzu began to tear up,

"Why dad? Why did Rukia have to return to this soul society place?" Yuzus' tears fell from her brown eyes and Isshin hugged his daughter.

"Fate can be cruel Yuzu-Chan." He said softly,

"But…Ichi-Nii loved her so…so…he…loved her too!" Yuzu cried, "I know it…I….I know it."

Isshin smoothed out her hair, "How did you know?"

"The…way he looked…he looked…at Rukia-Chan…it was the same way…you…you…looked at mommy!" Yuzu cried harder onto her fathers' shoulder. Isshins' eyes became soft and he hushed Yuzu, she hadn't cried since Ichigo left for college. She promised Ichigo while he boarded the plane that she would never ever cry again. Isshin looked at the letter and frowned, why did soul society need Rukia back? They had plenty of shinigami, this wasn't right…something was missing.

Rukia had come back though. A month after Ichigo left for college in August, she had visited his family, got herself an apartment and visited at least every week. Then she disappeared again, and didn't return until last years Christmas. She visited whenever she got the chance and told Isshin that she was busy running back and forth from Soul Society to the living world. Question is, why was she going back and forth? She was the shinigami stationed here, none of any of this made sense.

Was someone forcing Rukia to go back?

Was she looking for someone or something?

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-..-.--.-.-..--.-.-..-.-.-.--.

Rukia climbed into one of the beds next to Orihime and Matsumoto. Tatsuki was on her far left, Urahara with much pestering of his wife, gave all the guys one room and all the girls one room. Matsumoto clicked off the light and wished all the girls in the room a good night before climbing into her own bed. Rukia could hear Orihimes' slow soft breathing, Tatsuki was muttering in her sleep and Matsumoto had her hands behind her head, staring up at the ceiling.

"You're gonna go through with this?" She whispered to Rukia.

"Yes."

"Can I ask something?"

"….sure…"

"Why is he after you?"

"Because, I was the only one...he didn't get a chance to kill."

"What?" Matsumoto asked, a slight edge in her voice.

"He kills women he finds attractive, I was someone he found attractive and yet every time he tried to kill me physically or break me down mentally, he never could. He would catch me alone and try to seduce me, or use his zanpaktou to threaten me…it never worked…" Rukia said, closing her eyes slowly.

"It worked one time." Matsumoto murmured, causing Rukias' eyes to open with surprise, the raven-haired girl turned her head to look at the strawberry blonde woman next to her.

"I saw you, walking back to the 13th squad…I saw him attack you and shove you up against a wall, his hand covered your mouth. Immediately I ran towards you, he said something about love and I could see the tears in your eyes. He raised up his sword but…"

"You were the one who yelled…and he ran off…" Rukia finished and she could see Matsumoto nod in the darkness.

"You ran off too…I decided not to follow you but for my curiosity…what did he say?" Matsumoto said before yawning.

"He told me that Ichigo didn't love me. That happened last month…I think." Rukia then rolled on her side, her back to Matsumoto.

"Ah…well…goodnight Rukia-san." Matsumoto said before closing her eyes. So Leon wants to kill Rukia because she got away and he knows her weakness, Ichigo. That's why Ichigo can't be in the plan…because Leon will use Ichigo against her or vise versa. Rukia…Why must fate be so cruel to you?

A/N: What did you guys think?

Reviews are love. Hopefully this wasn't too confusing (I was confused writing it) XD.

Poor Yuzu she's so emotional. I hope you guys enjoyed it!!