~Lie to me~

Convince her. It was well nigh impossible Stark knew to persuade her to do anything that she didn't want to. She had a mind of her own and sharper instincts than both him and Lilynette combined. Which was saying a lot. He wandered up and down the halls without ever finding a satisfying conclusion to the conundrum he was faced with.

He loved her. Yes.

Would do anything and everything possible to further her happiness and protect her. Of course.

He had never felt this way about anyone before, so he was at a loss on how to act. Passion wasn't a heavy characteristic in his make; the impetuosity belonged more to Lilynette than him. Should he shower her in affection to prove he wouldn't give up so easily to the likes of that fake Shinigami boy? Or would she resent such an obvious show and turn away?

He stopped brooding and realized his feet had taken him to her door.

His hand rose, hesitating.

"Your Fraccion," interrupted a voice.

Stark glanced through narrowed, suspicious eyes at the Cuatro, who stood silently at the opposite end of the hallway. "What about...Lilynette?"

"She was with the captive yesterday."

Stark felt some surprise at this little bit of info, never mind the source. Lilynette hadn't said a word about visiting Rukia. He wondered what they had spoken of. Ulquiorra was still watching him with those damnable bright green eyes. There was a certain curiosity in his normally apathetic look that Stark found peculiar. It was almost as if the Arrancar derived some depraved enjoyment this...

"Is there some reason you're telling me this...Ulquiorra?" Stark kept his tone light, affixing his gaze on the other's near impassive face. Green eyes blinked and the hint of a slight smirk settled across black lips. "Not at all," he swung on his heel, walking away.

Stark stared after him for a moment, then shook his head tiredly and steeled his emotions for entering her presence.

~*~

"How are you?" Good. His voice sounded normal enough. She sat on the sofa, one arm draped lightly across her abdomen. She still wore the same yellow pajamas she had come in; Stark made a mental note to send for fresh clothes for her later. Curious, how Ulquiorra hadn't done it already.

"Fine," she answered shortly. An unpleasant silence of words unspoken hung between them. Rukia sensed it, but seemed loathe to break it. So, he attempted to. "I heard Lilynette came--"

"Who told you?!" she asked, her voice sharp.

Now he was more than ever curious about what they had talked about. "Ulquiorra." he replied, gauging her reaction. It was there. A slight sigh and lift of her chest as if a weight had been eased.

"Stark--"

"Rukia--"

They stared at each other; her brow rose.

"Go on," she began.

"No, you." he insisted.

Rukia frowned a bit, tilting her gaze downward in a way that he knew meant whatever she was going to say was painful to her.

He waited patiently.

"You don't know..." she struggled, "since you don't know what we...spoke about. She--she asked me something and I was forced to reflect on it before I gave my answer..."

"What did...she ask?"

Her eyes screwed shut, "I don't know if I can love you!"

Something wrenched painfully inside, Stark tried to keep his emotions at bay and nearly succeeded in sounding impassive, "is that all?"

She shook her head violently, "I came because I care for you."

He held his breath.

"I--I don't know if it's love or not. Hell..." she smiled shakily, "I don't even know if I'm worth being loved."

"Don't say that." Stark hesitatingly stepped closer. "You're everything to me." Slowly he clasped her chin and lifted her gaze upward. "I love you, Rukia," he said quietly. Her smile grew softer, "you fool. You keep saying that and I think I'm starting to believe you."

He knew he had won some kind of small victory with that admission. Now if only--

She turned her face. He scowled as his lips brushed her cheek, missing their mark."Not yet," Rukia murmured, a pout gracing her mouth. Stark jerked her forward, his expression serious, "why not?"

"Because I--"

He grazed her lips lightly and she started back.

"If you care about me then--"

"But not--" he leaned down in one swift motion, moving aside the tendrils of her hair to get at her throat. She squealed, feeling his tongue dart out and flick over the line of her neck.

"Stark!" she gasped. Gently he pulled away, noting with satisfaction the small flushed patches of skin and blush adorning her cheeks. How cute. Rukia covered the hickeys with her hand, clearly embarrassed, "oh great...now how am I going to explain this?"

"What? You mean to Ulquiorra?" Stark smirked, thinking of the busybody Cuatro. But still...he had one other thing to accomplish. Lying...would be the hardest part.

"Rukia..."

She squealed again as he swung her easily onto his lap.

They had exchanged places almost; he sat while she faced him, her legs on either side of his waist, his hands steadied her and gently eased her forward. "Rukia," he frowned when she looked away. Their faces were nearly touching. He was gratified to feel the rapid flutter of her heart increase with every inch lessened between them.

"Rukia, look at me," he demanded with a touch of coolness to his voice. Slowly, she turned, shaking slightly; in some fear, he realized with dismay. He hadn't wanted her to be afraid of him. "Don't be afraid," he soothed to which she snapped in her usual way of showing bravado. "I'm not! As if I could ever be..." she faltered, confronted with the slight pout of his mouth. Hesitantly, she closed her eyes, pressing her lips together...and kissed him.

~*~

He kept her close, his arms around her, her forehead against his. One hand had carefully stolen up and threaded itself through his wavy hair. She was ashamed of how she was acting, he knew and couldn't help but feel some disappointment that naturally followed this realization.. She wasn't wholly accepting of him nor of her own feelings. That they existed, he was of no doubt. He felt her fingers slide caressingly through his dark locks and rest briefly on his shoulder. He heard her sigh and judged it was time.

"Rukia...?"

"Hm?"

"I have something I need to tell you," he kept his voice low, allowing a tone of grievance to lend color to his words. "Aizen...that bastard..."

She hissed.

This would be only too easy. "He--he wants you to defect from the Shinigami--"

"Never!" she started moving as if to get up, but he didn't allow her to pull away.

"If you refuse...he will punish me." Stark felt her stiffen in his hold as the import of his meaning sunk in. Harm you. He could sense her mind was seething in rage but...not toward him. Towards another more blamable source. Though she didn't know it, she was playing right into his hands.

"So, if I..." her lips trembled.

He felt almost contrite deceiving her in such a way, however..."you don't have to," he said, concealing the smile in his voice. "I understand--"

"No, you don't! I--I don't want you to get hurt because of me and--and Lilynette. What would happen to her if you weren't here?" her outburst faded and her tone grew quiet, calmer, resigned. Stark didn't bother reminding her that he and Lilynette were the same being. If something happened to him, she would disappear as well.

"I..."

Say it.

"Tell Aizen...I will." she sounded defeated.

He held her closer. Good girl. His eyes closed. You've just signed Ichigo Kurosaki's death warrant. Because...I won't let anyone take you away from me.

~To be continued~

AN: one more chapter to go. I wonder if it makes sense? The Arrancars being evolved Hollows, had two sides to them. Stark's more human side would've maybe let her go if he thought she'd be happier. His Hollow side however was the jealousy that drove him to agree and bargain with Aizen to kill Ichi.

Thanks for reading.

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Reviews are always appreciated! :)