A/N: Thanks for the great comments, glad your liking it ! I don't own Bleach, sorry for all the suspense!

Chapter 6

"I'm sorry ms. Kuchiki but it is unlikely that lieutenant Abarai will survive the night" the fourth squad nurse said quietly to Rukia as she lay sobbing at his bedside, she was holding his hand tighty as she begged him to wake up. Her heart continually shattered as she looked as his pale, emotionless face, his body was bandaged and looked so fragile, like he might break at any time, she sobbed harder- he was like this because of her! If she hadn't stormed out then she wouldn't have been attacked and then Renji would still be ok, it was her own fault for letting her stupid emotions rule over her, she wished he wold wake up, she wanted to tell him so badly, she needed him. She leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his cheek,lingering after to whisper in his ear "Please wake up Renji, please, I need you", she stayed with him all night next to his bed, stroking his hair and holding his hand.

Renji could hear her, he could even feel her holding his hand, stroking his hair, and feel the lingering heat of her kisses on his cheek he wanted to wake up but he was lost, he was drowning in a black lake of subconcious, he had lost his resolve, he'd let Rukia get abused and then he'd been beaten to near death in his attempt to protect her, he'd failed her and so it would be better if he faded into the darkness that gradually consumed him, he was ready to die but he didn';t want to leave her, is heart yearned for her, he loved her too much to let her go. Just as he was about to let the black devour is soul he heard her "please wake up Renji, please, I need you" he heard her whisper as she placed her delicate lips upon his bruised cheek once more. At her words something stirred inside of Renji, his heart began to thump loudly and within his dark pit a small light began to shine brightly, he had found his resolve! Rukia needed him and he'd be damned if he wasn't going to be there to protect her, the light got bigger and brighter as it enveloped Renji. He breathed out loudly, gasping for breath as he finally began to open his eyes to her beautiful tear streaked face looking down at him. Her eyes were wide as she studied his face, her hands reached up to stroke his features, checking that he was real and it wasn't her imagination, he smiled and relaxed into her delicate touch as she suddenly burst into a huge grin and swung her arms around him, burying her head into his sore chest.

Rukia hugged him tightly, fresh tears welled in her eyes as she realised she was hurting him, she blushed brightly before stepping away "sorry" she said quietly but her eyes were still full of happiness and relief, she thought she'd lost him forever, her joy was inexplainable. She sat down next to him again and began stroking his soft hair once more, he sighed softly as she did, his breath tickling her ever so slightly, she smiled softly. "I heard what you said" she stiffened and her hand stopped stroking when he told her, a deep blush flooded her usually pale cheeks as she remebered what she'd said to him not long before he'd woken up, "I...I, well I' she stuttered as she tried to explain, but he cut her off by placing his index finger on her lips and shaking his head softly "you saved me, you helped me find my resolve, all I ever want to do is protect you Rukia" he said gently as he tilted her chin with his index and his thumb, staring intently into her eyes. She melted as his touch, she knew that she had to tell him what she'd wanted to tell him all along, now was her only chance, she looked him straight in the eye, her hands fumbled nervously with the hem of her shihakusho as she braced herself, she drew in a large breath "Renji, I-" but once more she was interrupted mid-confession, this time by Renji's soft lips claiming her own sweetly but desperately.

At first her eyes were wide with shock but at the feel of Renji's mouth moving against her own she closed her eyes and glided gracefuilly into he kiss, their lips moved together like a well performed dance, her arms wound round his neck, pulling him closer whilst his hands found thir way to her waist, rubbing her soine soothingly and sending shivers of pleasure throghout her body. His tongue gently burushed her bottom lip, she gasped lightly before she parted her lips to give him acess to her mouth, which he explored deeply before they reluctantly parted, both were flushed and breathing heavily, both wearing the same stupid grins plastered on their faces. "Renji I love you, I have always loved you" Rukia breathed out, her lips still tingling from the kiss they just shared, a dazed look in her wide, doe eyes. He laughed loudly as he studied her , his own eyes were wide and ful wonder as he realsied that the fantasy he had dreamed of all along wasn't actually that impossible, he pulled ehr closer to him, "I love you too Rukia". She grinned before yanking him up into another sweet and pleasureable kiss that lasted much longer than the first and was twice as sweet and twice as passionate.

Once they had parted Renji held Rukia's hand, a look of worry on his face "I don't know how the hell we're going to explain this to your brother" she smiled softly, sqqueezing his hand "we're not" she said playfully before sitting once more by his bedside as she watched him sleep, her heart light and fluttery.

Little did she knwo that Byakuya was standing right outside!

A/N: That's the end, thanks for reading, all comments are appreciated! Hope you liked it xx