A/N: The long awaited chapter 14. I know I've been evil with cliffhangers but guys and girls there will only be a few more chapters until this story is over.

So sad! I don't want it to end…but all good things must come to an end.

Previously…

I love you Ichigo. Always have, always will…

Blood splattered on the dirty floor of the building.

Rukia opened her eyes at some point she must of shut them and the pain that she expected was not there. Instead a young man with light brown hair was standing in front of her shaking form.

"EDWARD!" a girls' voice screamed as a nearby wall was destroyed, the said girl was wearing a bright red dress and Rukia could see the tears in her eyes. Behind the girl, who Rukia had just noticed was the spirit girl, was Ichigo who was running towards her.

"What a lovely reunion…damnit strawberry…must you ruin my fun?" Leon said as he drew back his sword, the young man known as Edward fell into the arms of the girl.

"Ed…ward…Edward…don't…" The girl cried as Edwards' head rested in her lap, Rukia could see the dark crimson stain on his white shirt, she was aware of Ichigo who was hugging her but her violet eyes could not tear away from the spirit girl and her friend.

"Rukia…Rukia?" Ichigo said in a concerned voice, he lightly shook the petite girl.

"Who…is that?" Rukia asked not moving, not blinking just staring.

"That's Rai…the guardian angel spirit we always run into. She led me here…" Ichigo answered her question and Rukia could feel needles of ice pinning into her heart.

That is why I was so ready for death…to give up my life for my friends…it was because somewhere deep within my heart…I knew someone would save me but why did it have to be this innocent man? Someone I've never met was willing to throw himself in front of a sword to save my life. I'm a horrible person…Rukia thought; she finally looked away and looked up at Ichigo whose eyes were soft.

"Rai…" Edward said reaching up and stroking the girls face with his fingertips. "I love you." He whispered and Rai cried harder. The whole room froze, everything turned black and white and Edward could only see Rai, Rai could only see Edward.

"Don't say that! You're not going to die! I won't let you!" Rai screamed through her tears, Edward seemed to have chuckled "You could have just said I love you too." He said with a smile in his voice.

"Why Edward? Why?" Rai said as he wiped her tears with his thumb. Rai took his hand and pressed his palm up against her cheek as she closed her brown eyes to lean into his caress.

"I'd do anything…anything…to make you happy Rai. Making sure Ichigo and Rukia have their happy ending without you selling your soul would have made you happy right?" He said closing his eyes.

"No! It wouldn't have! You risking yourself for me is the stupidest idea in the whole planet! Edward…a life without you in it is worse then one-thousand deaths." Rai said the tears falling on to Edwards pale face.

"If I become a hollow…can I devour your soul?" Edward asked opening one eye, Rai laughed softly, her voice already horse from crying.

"Edward…" Rai whispered bowing her head, "I love you too…" Edward seemed to have smiled and his eyes closed once more. "I'll lend you my strength…" He said softly and Rai nodded wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

Edward was glowing his body floated away into thousands of blue petals and they surrounded Rai. The petals landed on her soft brown hair, arms, legs and red dress before melting into her body, the young girl was smiling as she stood up. All the color faded back into the building and the world became unfrozen.

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"Ready to kick some ass, Ichigo?" Rai said turning to face the couple that hadn't moved, Rukias' eyes were wide as Ichigo broke away from her. Ichigo nodded and Rai raised her palm, the blue cherry blossoms spun around Ichigo and he was suddenly in shinigami form. Ichigo placed his hand on the hilt of Zangetsu, the metal was comforting to have and Zangetsu seemed happy to be fighting once more.

"Rukia…this is for your own good." Rai said with a scowl, she crouched down and with her finger drew a complex design that looked like kanji and algebra combined. Rukia gasped, she couldn't move! She tried but it seemed that some type of binding kidou had been placed upon her but it was way more powerful then she imagined. She tried to build up her spiritual energy to break it but was frozen solid and her violet orbs could only watch as Ichigo walked towards Leon. Don't die Ichigo…please…

Rai stood next to Rukia and the young girls' spiritual energy had created a barrier around the two. "Don't worry Rukia-Chan…he won't die." Rai said with a smile as Ichigo unwrapped Zangetsu.

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(November, 3 years ago)

Rukia was visiting Byakuya although it wasn't much of a visit since he was locked up in his office. Rukia sighed looking out the mansions balcony, this place was more a temporary home she enjoyed living and being with Ichigo. Everything was so perfect, the fool had even managed to kiss her she was surprised that it had suddenly become a common thing. Rukia blushed Ichigo had the guts to kiss her quickly before she left for soul society. Rukia touched her lips softly, kissing was such a strange thing. It brought out emotions Rukia didn't even know she had.

"Is this love?…" Rukia wondered aloud as she stared at the large estates garden.

"Kuchiki-san! Byakuya would like to see you now!" A maid said as she rushed to Rukias' side.

"Oh…thank you" Rukia said as the maid bowed and Rukia walked along the hallway to her brothers' office.

She opened the door halfway, "You wanted to see me Nii-sama?" she asked,

"Yes, come in Rukia." Byakuya said signing a paper on his desk. Rukia opened the door fully and stepped into the room. Byakuya looked up as Rukia took a seat, he set down his pen and narrowed his eyes.

"Rukia…I have gotten reports of you and Ichigo being together a lot in the human world. Is there anything going on?" Byakuya asked with an intimating tone.

"No…I am the official shinigami of Ichigos' town and I often run into him." Rukia answered with a distant voice, it was more detached then her voice when she spoke with anyone else. Renji joked and called it her Byakuya voice.

"Ah…I see…" Byakuya said closing his eyes for a brief moment. Rukia waited and she could have sworn she saw Byakuya smile for a half a second.

"Rukia…I will give you this advice. Love is a dangerous thing, when I fell in love with Hisana I broke my clans' rules but in the five years Hisana and myself had together…I could of never been happier." Byakuya said and Rukia nodded slowly.

"Sickness took Hisana away from me…what you do in your personal life is none of my business but Rukia be careful…loving someone is dangerous because they can be taken from you in a blink of an eye." Byakuya said standing up, his intimidating air was suddenly gone and Rukia had to blink several times before she realized that Byakuya was smiling.

"Thank you Nii-sama" Rukia said with a bow as she stood, Byakuya reached out and patted Rukia on the head.

"Hisana would be proud." He said before walking off, Rukia lowered her eyes and smiled slightly.

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Rukia felt Rais' arm go around her shoulders, "give him strength Rukia-Chan!" Rai said with a smile although her eyes were red from crying and her cheeks still tear-stained. Rukia closed her eyes, You can do it Ichigo…she thought pouring her heart into her words.

A/N: Not really a cliffhanger right? Well the long awaited battle of Leon and Ichigo will be in the next chapter and I was sad writing this. I really didn't want to hurt anyone but I had to do it for the story to keep moving. Poor Rai and Edward, my little characters.

So, you all know what to do to make my smile. :) hit that review button!