~Stay~

The room was of medium-size. Everything was white. With effort, Rukia placed her back to the dismalness of the place she was to occupy, her thoughts in such twisted turmoil upon resting on Stark's inscrutable expression. What are you thinking? she wanted to know, sensing slight disappointment in his slouching posture in the doorway. What was he so upset about that he could not-would not meet her eyes?

"I wish you hadn't done this."

She started, surprised, "excuse me?"

There was a sadness that she didn't understand its cause, reflected in his somber eyes. Stark sighed, running a hand through his hair, "you know what I mean."

"No. I don't. What? You think I can read your mind?!" Rukia snapped. He seemed a little taken aback but then recovered himself quickly, "not at all." Then more quietly, "I don't think you realize what you mean to me."

She opened her mouth to speak--

Then realized, he was gone, the door had shut silently in his place.

Rukia balled her hands into fists, her unseeing gaze tilted downward to the zigzag patterns of the rug beneath her feet; what do you mean?! Tell me...am I something to you? Then she halted those thoughts. Did she want to mean something to an Arrancar?

Even she could not answer that.

~*~

"Stark..."

He glanced and Lilynette leaned over and hugged him from behind. "I'm sorry you're not pleased." she said, her voice muffled against the fabric of his uniform. He was silent for a moment then reached awkwardly behind to pat her shoulder. Lilynette welcomed the pressure of his hand, the connection between them ever strong. Elation. Regret. Sorrow. Pain. Anger. Every single diverse emotion flowed through into her psyche. It was getting harder to separate the distinction of consciousnesses. It was like a sea...and sometimes she felt like she was drowning in it.

"I thought..." Lilynette began quietly, biting her lip. Though he made no move, she knew he was listening. "Nothing and no one could ever take you away from me." He shifted slightly as if meaning to turn around, Lilynette stopped him, " I always thought I was the one to ease our loneliness...but..." she hesitated, his confusion weighted her mind and made it hard to remember what she wanted to say. "I--" her lips trembled and it came out in a rush, "I know how you feel about her. So just say it, Stark! Tell her...how you feel." her voice ended in a whisper, strands of his thick wavy hair tickled her cheek. Lilynette felt something trickle from her eye when she closed it. Oh, Stark...she sensed him smile. I know you love her and it's alright...end our loneliness for the both of us.

~*~

...For the both of us.

Stark moved with a single purpose in his mind.

...you...

He came across none of the others and for that he was glad.

love her.

His hand paused over the white door so like the rest lining the hall. He hesitated, knowing who was on the other side. I love you, I think I do. Many scenarios ran through his head, neither seeming to fit. Would she accept what he was going to say? Or turn away from him in disgust? Stark couldn't bear that. He hated not knowing yet was hesitant to act. Tell her... he remembered Lilynette and pushed the door open.

~*~

Rukia hopped up from the sofa, the moment the door opened. The tray of untouched food still lay near the wall; another Arrancar had brought it. In anticipation of the same, she was surprised yet again to find Stark, silent and stony-faced standing in the doorway, just...staring at her.

"Sta--" she was stunned-ne-shocked when she was abruptly pulled into his arms. "S-Stark?" suddenly it seemed as if her mouth didn't want to work. He was hunched slightly, bending to lessen the height difference between them. Her heart began pounding, she was afraid he might hear it. "Stark...let me go," she tried to sound calm even though she felt anything but.

"No."

Her eyes widened and she started to struggle. "Plea--"

"Shh." he kept her within the circle of his embrace, only sliding his hand forward, curving along her cheek to cup her face. "Rukia..." he stared into her eyes, holding her gaze, "I'm never going to let you go." his hesitation was evident as slowly he closed his eyes and leaned forward, closing the distance between them.

"I love you," he whispered against her lips.

~*~

A moment later, three familiar spirit pressures broke through into Las Noches.

They had come for her.

~To be continued~

AN: happy ending is it? :) okay. I'll try! Thanks for reading--no flames or idiotic spammers! Reviews are always appreciated! :D