Sorry for the late update! I had a lot of schoolwork and I had a huge writer's block.

Also many thanks for the reviews!! If you want to give me any ideas you can PM me, it would really help.

Also many thanks again to narcotic-lullaby for supporting me!!

Merry (late) Christmas and Happy New year!!

*Wh-Where am I?* I thought as my body floated in mid-air and my eyes were half-closed.

*It's so...dark...* I looked around trying to find a single hint of light. I turned myself around as I placed my feet on the ground *It's so cold too...*

"Hello?" I called, but my voice only echoed into the darkness.

"Hello?!" I called again, though louder this time.

I clenched my fist and ignored the cold atmosphere. I inhaled preparing to scream a loud "Hello".

"Hel-" I was cut off by a tiny firefly appearing in front of me, flying past me.

*What?* I thought. *Where did this come from?*

I followed the tiny spark of light, but it was flying fast.

"W-Wait!" I breathed, running now.

Then all of a sudden I was transported into a beautiful meadow. In front of me was a single tree and the rest just tall grass, moving as the wind passes by. I looked around and saw the bright sun and felt the warmth flow through me, despite the cold atmosphere that I was in.

*Okay, where the hell am I now?*

I felt someone tap me on the shoulder I quickly turned around. My eyes automatically widened as I saw Ichigo in front of me.

"Hey" he grinned.

Tears welled up in my eyes. He looked different, he wasn't in his ghostly glowing complexion...he looked… well, real. It felt like everything was back to normal, and I hoped everything would be fine again.

I hoped.

"Ichi…go?" I asked, sobbing now.

He smiled widely and said, "The one and only"

Tears were now rolling down my cheeks uncontrollably. I reached out my hand to touch his face. I gasped. It was…real. His skin was so warm and soft. He placed his hand on mine and I flinched a little, it was so warm and firm.

"Haha, what's with that face?" he asked.

"Y-You're alive?" I wondered, happily.

"Of course I am" he said "Aren't I here in front of you right now?"

I dropped my hand from his grip and wiped my tears.

"I-I'm so happy!" I said, wiping my tears all over again.

I stopped and looked at him taking in every single detail of his face. He was here, in front of me, he's here…alive. He was still smiling as I opened my arms to him. I smiled widely, but as I was about to embrace him he disappeared instantly. I looked around desperately, looking for him.

"Ichigo?" I whispered.

I stood up and started running looking for him. The scenery was still the same, the tall grass, and the big trees. I collapsed on my knees and grasped my head, frustrated.

"Haha…." I choked out, tears slowly falling down, "I-I knew it, I knew this wasn't real. Ichigo…please come back."

I know those words weren't going to do anything. Then all of a sudden everything turned gray. I could hear voices everywhere:

"Poor girl."

"She must be lonely."

"Haha, you want me to comfort you?"

"You must be really lonely now that he's gone"

I screamed as loud as I can.

*Stop! Stop it! Please…* I thought as I cradled my head, fearfully.

A figure appeared in front of me. I can't really see the face and the body features, but I can see the lips forming an evil smirk.

"It's your turn to die. Why don't we just end your misery?" it said, darkly.

*Ichigo…save me*

I opened my eyes full of tears and I was breathing hard.

"Was it a dream?" I thought out loud.

I looked around, I was in my room. I sighed in relief and looked at the clock.

*Oh, shit* I thought * It's 7:40, I forgot we had a field trip today.*

I quickly got up and dressed. As I came down, I saw my brother.

"Byakuya-nii-sama, why didn't you wake me up?" I said, putting my shoes on.

He yawned, he had a white t-shirt on, shorts, and his long hair loosed around his shoulders.

"Sorry, I just woke up too." he sounded tired.

"Oh, well, see you later!" I called out, leaving.

I ran as fast as I can, finally I saw my classmates going inside the bus.

"Kuchiki, we were about to leave you" she scolded as she appeared behind one of the students. I came up to her out of breath.

"I'm…sorry…" I managed to choke out.

"You too, Schiffer" she continued.

I looked behind me and saw Ulquiorra holding a jacket and dressed up in his casual clothes, a black shirt and jeans.

"Haha, you're late" I joked.

He looked at me. "You're the one to talk, Rabbit girl" he said, walking past me.

* Rabbit girl?* I thought.

I looked down at my shirt. I was wearing my favorite brand of pajamas, Chappy. I quickly got inside the bus and sat down at my assigned seat.

"Okay, everyone" she said, "I want you guys to be on your best behavior!"

"Yes!" everyone chorused.

I thought of my dream, shivering from the thought that someone wants me dead. Mostly, I feared if Ichigo disappearing again. I felt something inside of me clench. The ride to the Shigura shrine was like a blur and I didn't even notice that we were there. Everyone got off the bus. The first thing I noticed was the trees surrounding it, it was like the one in my dream. I quickly turned my gaze away and head inside.

"Okay, first things first, we look around with the tour guide and you guys have two hours of free time. Even though it's only supposed to be one…" she said.

Everyone cheered as one of the student said,

"We love you, sensei!"

"That's disgusting, who wants to be loved by you?" she said, jokingly and everybody laughed.

For the past few hours I listened to the tour guide, who looked like a foreigner with blonde hair and brown eyes. Listening to this lady actually helped me distract myself from my dream. She mostly talked about when and why this shrine was built. I noticed that most of the boys were looking at her.

*Ha…they look like puppies, fighting for their mother's attention*

The tour finally ended and our last stop was the gift shop.

"Feel free to look" she said, softly and then left.

Then all of a sudden all the boys crowded the stand trying to fight over something.

"I'll buy this for her!" one guy bragged.

"I'll buy this!" another said.

*Oh…this looks interesting*

I saw Ulquiorra looking at the god-like key chain.

"You gonna buy that?" I asked, looking at it.

"Interested?" he said, turning it.

Instantly, I was pissed. He looked at me and smiled a little.

"I'm joking" he said, "I just like seeing your reactions"

"Huh, since when did Ulqui-kun learn how to joke?" I countered, trying to piss him off.

He was about to say something when a kid bumped into him and fell backwards.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry" he stuttered, grasping his nose and then looking up.

Ulquiorra glared at him and instantly the boy started crying.

"Hey! Stop that!" I said as I walked to him.

He kept crying, making loud sobs and sniffles.

"H-Hey, It's all right, he's just an idiot with a scary face, well, it's his natural face, so don't worry about it." I soothed.

He finally looked at me and he started laughing. He looks so cute, his brown eyes finally softening and matching his shaggy hair. I smiled and helped him up.

"C-Can you guys help m-me?" he asked shyly.

"Sure" I said as I grab hold of Ulquiorra's shirt.

"What?" he said.

"Where are you going?"

"Are you deaf or something? The teacher said we have two hours of free time and I'm not spending it with you." he said coldly.

* Who would want to?* I thought and out loud I said, coldly, tightening my grip on his shirt,

"Huh?! It was your fault he started crying. Either you help or die"

He chuckled thinking my threat was funny. He looked at me then at the little boy and he started walking away.

"I'd rather die" he said.

"W-Wait!, you have to help him." I hissed, trying to pull him back.

I was preparing to launch my fist at his back, but the he stopped and I stumbled a little. He sighed,

"Fine, what do you want, brat?"

He only looked at me, scared that Ulquiorra might attack him any minute.

"I'm lost and I-I can't find my mom." he said, getting all teary again.

Ulquiorra walked up to him and smacked him on the head, making a soft thud noise.

"H-Hey!" I narrowed my eyes.

"Stop crying, it's not going to do anything." he said, coldly.

The little boy looked up and he was trying to hold his tears in, but they were falling freely down his cheeks. I felt a sudden feeling of sympathy, wanting to hug him, but I stopped myself.

* You didn't have to smack him* I thought as I pushed Ulquiorra away.

"Smacking him won't help either. Now tell us what's your name." I said.

"I-I'm Kai, 6 years old, and I really love animals." he said as he wiped his tears.

*Ah-ha, the animal part wasn't really necessary though*

"My name is Rukia and this guy here is Ulquiorra, Nice to meet you" I said, shaking his tiny hand.

I looked at Ulquiorra and he looked like he was in more despair.

"C'mon, you too" I hissed.

"Are you telling me what to do?" he asked, darkly as I felt Kai flinch a little.

"N-Never mind then" I forced a smile, "Let's start searching."

We walked around the shrine asking people for information. I asked Kai if he remembers where he was before but unfortunately he doesn't. We walked and walked, until we passed the two god statues five times. I looked around desperately, but all I saw was the same strangers.

"Kai, are you sure you weren't here before?" I asked.

"Yes…" he said, looking around.

Ulquiorra looked at me and said,

"Let's try again then."

I smiled and thought,

*He's nice again!*

"Stop smiling" he said, walking away, "It creeps me out"

*Bastard, I take it back!*

I heard Kai laugh next to me, and I narrowed my eyes at him. He stopped and began to walk again. We started searching again and ended up where my classmates were.

"Nee-chan," he said all of a sudden.

"Hmm?"

"Are you guys on a field trip?" he asked, shyly.

"You're asking me that now?"

Then all of a sudden he got energetic and asked,

"Really? From what elementary school?"

I stopped and so did Ulquiorra. I felt a sudden wind pass by. I looked at him for a moment, slowly absorbing on what he just asked.

"What?" I asked, feeling myself boil inside.

"What elementary school are you guys from?" he repeated, smiling widely.

"Pfft…!"

I turned and saw Ulquiorra trying to hold his laughter. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Hey! That's not funny!"

He looked at me and laughed even harder. He walked up to Kai and patted his head.

"W-What?" he asked, suddenly scared.

"I'm not an elementary student!" I exclaimed.

"Eh? Nee-chan, you know lying is bad and your also wearing Chappy the Rabbit t-shirt!" he pointed out.

*Wah! I forgot I was wearing this shirt.*

"T-That doesn't mean I'm an elementary student!" I shouted as I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

"Sorry, then are you in middle school?" he asked, annoyingly.

Ulquiorra chuckled and patted his head even more and said,

"I beginning to like you, Kai"

*You little…* I thought and out loud I said,

"I'm in high school! Can't you tell?! I'm with him!"

"Eh? But he looks like a student teacher, and plus your height…"

"Don't even go there! I'll kill you!" I hissed.

Then all of a sudden we heard someone calling out,

"Kai! Kai! Where are you?!"

I turned around and saw the tour guide lady coming towards us.

*That's your mother?!?*

"Mom!" Kai said, happily as the boys in our class looked.

"Mom?" one guy said.

"She's married?!" another said.

"Man, I wasted my money! And she has a child too"

The mom smiled and quickly rushed to hug Kai, while the girls are laughing at the boys.

"That's what you get!"

"Idiots…"

Everyone else started walking away disappointed and amused.

"Thank god, you're okay!" she said, "Where have you been?! Do you know how much I was worried?!"

"M-Mom!" Kai sobbed as he hugged his mother back.

I looked at them smiling. Feeling happy that Kai finally found his mom.

"You could be a great mom someday." I heard Ulquiorra say behind me.

I turned around and looked at him in the eye, thinking it was one of his rude remarks I just said,

"Whatever"

"Thank you very much" she said, patting Kai gently, " This kid is really a handful"

"No, it was nothing, it was actually kinda fun hanging out with Kai, right Ulquiorra?" I asked, looking at him.

"Yeah." he said.

"Nee-chan, Ulquiorra-nii, thank you!" he said, smiling and walking away, "Let's have fun again!"

I smiled and Ulquiorra said,

"He left…"

I felt a sudden pain in my chest arose. Then all of a sudden memories started slowing in my head. Most of them were about Ichigo. Feeling the sadness that he's going to leave again.

"Y-Yeah…he left" I stuttered, shakily.

Kai looked back, smiled, and shouted,

"Goodbye!"

Tears started falling; I quickly wiped it before Ulquiorra could see them. I waved back to Kai.

*That's weird, I didn't know the word "Goodbye" could trigger tears. I wonder how many goodbyes are there…?*

I was crying hard now. I can't stop my tears, why wouldn't it stop…? I'm so frustrated! More importantly I don't want Ichigo to disappear and leave me again. I want him to stay here, smiling. It felt like someone was blocking me, so I looked up and saw Ulquiorra. His face looked so calm, he's so lucky I wish I could maintain that expression too. He reached out his hand and gently placed it on top of my head. His hand stayed there for a long time, like it's telling me everything will be all right…