Hello! I know I haven't updated for a while, so sorry!! I had a huge writer's block, but I hope you like this chapter.

Thank you to narcotic-lullaby for the support!

Many thanks to the reviews!


*This. Cannot. Be. Happening.* I thought.

I looked down at my English test again, not believing on what I'm seeing. It had a big, fat 15 on it.

*Man, I hate this, this is the only class that I'm freaking failing!* I thought desperately.

I quickly turned my test around and looked at other people's test. 50...75...67... I turned and looked at Ulquiorra's paper. As expected, he got a high score of 95, but I still can't help being shocked.

"Okay," the teacher said getting everyone's attention, " To those who failed the English test, there will be a re-take test next Monday. This grade is important, it'll decide if you pass this class or not, so if I were you, I would get help."

She specifically looked at me as I squirmed down my seat, not wanting to make eye contact with other people. The bell rang and my classmates shuffled out the door. I started to pack my stuff as an idea popped into my head.

*Maybe I should ask Ulquiorra for help…* I wondered looking at Ulquiorra, who seemed to be on his own world, watching something outside the window.

Then, all of a sudden, memories from the field trip flooded me. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment as I remembered that I had cried in front of him that day. I quickly packed my stuff into the bag when his voice stopped me,

"What?" he asked, not looking at me.

"What do you mean 'What?'?" I asked dumbly.

He looked at me, his emerald eyes glistening from the sun, and said, "You've been staring at me for the last 10 minutes…"

"U-Uh…well…um…" I stuttered, fidgeting at the strap of my bag.

He rested his chin on top of his hand and stared at me. I looked around trying to find a way to stall out of this situation. He sighed and asked,

"You want me to help you?"

This made me turn my head to him and blink at him. Then I raised my brows and thought,

*What's the catch?*

"Don't give me that look" he said, "Here I am giving you an opportunity to help you pass this class, you might as well take advantage of it, woman."

I crossed my arms across my chest and rolled my eyes.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, trying to sound confident, but my voice ended up being weak.

"You know exactly what I what I'm talking about, Ms. 15/100, your face says it all."

"F-Fine, if you insist so much then I guess I'll just have to take your offer" I said, looking away, trying to hide away the embarrassment.

"See? You'll accept it anyway, you stubborn woman." he said as he got up, heading out towards the door.

"Wha-?" I began, but I got cut off.

"I'll meet you in the library after school."

The classroom was so quiet. I looked out the window and I could see the sun setting in the horizon. For some weird reason, I smiled, a real sincere smile. I don't know what's really causing me to smile like this, but all I know is that I haven't smiled like that in a long time. Maybe I was happy that I wasn't lonely anymore… Happy that I finally have someone by my side.

*Next day: After school*

"Hey! Watch it!"

I looked back and said 'Sorry'. I ran as fast as I could towards the library.

"Shit" I muttered under my breath, almost colliding with another student.

"Hey!"

*Ulquiorra's going to kill me!* I thought, ignoring the person.

As I was about to turn right in the near corner, I crashed into someone and fell on my butt. The impact was so big, that my nose started throbbing.

"O-Ow…" I said, clutching my nose, afraid that blood might burst out any minute.

I looked up to see Orihime rubbing her chin, painfully. She narrowed her eyes at me, but then she saw it was just me, her face quickly softened. Yet, again, her eyes kept on deceiving me, it was full of anger and hatred. I quickly got up, dusting the dirt off my skirt. I bowed my head.

"Inoue, I'm really sorry, but I was in a rush and…" I trailed off as I saw the time.

*Oh no…* I thought. *I'm 20 minutes late already?!*

"N-No, it's all right! Kuchiki-san…?" She said as she looked at my paled face.

"U-Um, sorry, but I really have to go!" I yelled, running again.

Finally I reached the door of the library and came inside. I looked around trying to find Ulquiorra. There he was, sitting down, a book covering his face. I came up to him and whispered, "Ulquiorra?"

He didn't budge. I reached out to try to take the book off his face, but I got startled as he slowly reached for it and take it off himself. I quickly regained my composure as he looked at me with a blank expression.

"You're-" he started.

I quickly bowed my head.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!, I know I'm late." I apologized desperately.

"Is being late one of your favorite hobbies?" he asked sarcastically.

I just stared down at my shoes and shook my head.

"Well, whatever, just sit down so we could get started" he continued with his monotone voice.

I quickly sat down and opened up my official Chappy notebook.

"Okay," he began, "Basically, the test was all about proper nouns, adjectives, and verbs. I have no idea why you failed such an easy test."

I nodded, ignoring the remark, and wrote down the words.

"Now," he continued, "I'll give you a word and all you have to do is tell me if it's a proper noun, adjective, or a verb. Let's start…"

He pointed to word which looked like gibberish.

"Say the word first then tell me the correct answer." he ordered.

"Ca…Ca…" I began, " Ca…ri….Carifolia?"

I looked up and he looked angry.

"California" he said fluently, "Now what is it?"

"Um, an…adjective?" I guessed raising an eye brow.

He sighed,

"It's a proper noun, you idiot."

"I-I know that! I was just testing you!"

He ignored me and pointed to another word.

*Oh, I know this one.* I thought.

"Run," I said knowingly, "And it's an adjective."

"Are you just playing around or are just really retarded?" he said flatly as he looked at me with his blank eyes.

"W-What?" I asked, "Did I get it wrong or something?"

He stabbed the word on the paper and said, "It's a verb, you dumb midget."

*Oh, no…* I thought.

"You did not just that…" I said darkly as I slammed both of my hands on the table, earning a look from the librarian.

I regained myself as I breath in and out, trying to calm myself. I glared at him and I could see a faint smirk on his face.

"At least…At least I'm not a nerd!" I countered lamely.

"Amazing…that is one nice comeback."

I crossed my arms and looked away.

"Geeze, you're so freaking rude! No wonder you don't have a girlfriend." I joked.

Then something unexpected happened, but I don't know why, as I turned around, a soft smile appeared on his face, softening his expression. A smile that only he knows… For some reason the way he smiled reminded me of him…I leaned closer and said,

"You know, you look much better when you smile."

Then all of a sudden his smile disappeared his expression turning into anger as he looked away.

"Ohh, what's this? Is Mr. I'm-too-good-for-you embarrassed?" I teased, grinning.

"Yeah, sure, I'm embarrassed" he scoffed, "At least after this little tutoring, I'll be able to graduate high school."

I clenched my fist and glared at him.

"At least….At least…" I trailed off, not able to make a comeback.

He raised an eyebrow. I was about to say something when the librarian approached us and said,

"Um, excuse me, the library is about to close."

I looked around realizing that I and Ulquiorra were the only people left.

"Oh, it's this late already?" I asked myself.

Ulquiorra started packing his stuff as the librarian walked away.

"C'mon, I'll walk you home." he offered.

"Okay…,wait, I just have to get something from my gym locker." I said, walking away.

"All right"

I ran through the empty hallways, it looked weird without students crowding and going wherever. I passed a classroom, running towards the gym, when suddenly I heard footsteps. I stopped for a second.

*Is someone still here?* I thought.

"Oh, well." I muttered to myself as I started to run and shrugged the feeling off.

I opened the gym doors and it was completely dark. All I can see was the dim light coming out of the widows above. Then I heard a CLACK!.

*Woah, what was that?* I thought as I tried to focus my eyes.

Then I heard another CLACK! and it felt closer this time.

"Who the hell is in here?!" my voice echoed in the darkness.

No one answered. I clenched my fist preparing on what's about to come. Then all of a sudden a figure appeared in front of me in a flash. The figure quickly punched me in the gut. I fell backwards, clutching my stomach, trying to ease the pain away. I started coughing really hard, I looked up trying to see who my culprit was. Then that's when I saw it, a hint of expression I've seen before. I tried to focus my eyes, but tears welled up my eyes. I tried to scream for help, but I couldn't breathe. That's when I lost consciousness….


"Hey!" I heard Ulquiorra's voice, hurting my ears.

"Rukia!" he yelled loud and clear, getting closer.

*It hurts…why do I feel so numb?*

"Hey midget! Wake up!" I heard a familiar voice say desperately.

I felt Ulquiorra hands around my shoulder as he slowly eased me up. I slowly opened my eyes and I saw him staring down at me with narrowed eyes. Then I turned my head and saw Ichigo with a worried expression.

"Ichigo…help…me…" I gasped.

"Ichigo?" I heard Ulquiorra ask.