A/N: Here it is, everyone! I was so happy seeing all the visitors and views to this story and the lovely that left a review! I really worked hard on this chapter and churned out 4k of action to the climax! I hope several things were explained and you will understand!

There's one more chapter left after this, so please leave a review after reading this!

Disclaimer: Bleach is by Kubo Tite. Title is of a Gackt song. Rated Teen for the violence in the chapter also!

Enjoy, everyone!


Chapter nine: Farewell

"Are you leaving already, Ichigo? Why must you leave so early, did you not like being with your friends?!" Ichigo sighed as Keigo began bawling on his sleeve.

"No, I just have to get going now. Get back home before the Old Man yells at me or something." Ichigo said, ignoring Keigo's loud sobbing.

"Stop making excuses, we won't get mad, Kurosaki." Tatsuki joked.

"What?! I'll definitely get mad, how could you not want to hang out, Ichigo? It's almost the end of summer break, too!" Keigo yelled.

"Whatever… See you guys later." Ichigo called as he walked away.

"Later, Ichigo." Chad waved.

He walked quickly down the street after turning a corner, out of sight from his friends.

Almost two whole days he had not seen, or talked to her.

He wasn't even sure where the angel was, but he had a very good idea where.

He didn't know why it hurt him so much the first moment he found her missing in his room, missing. The feeling didn't settle at all that day, even his closest friends noticed he was quieter. As much as he wanted to tell them he couldn't come with them to their whole get-together, he couldn't tell them he had to go find a fallen angel to make sure she was safe and bring her back with him.

But he didn't realize they would keep him from doing what he really wanted for almost two days.

He started running at the thought of Rukia.

He knew Rukia able to take care of herself, but after his first encounter with that demon, he didn't want her to go out alone, especially in the night. He never said that to her out loud but she probably knew since she didn't go out without his knowledge after that.

He was close to the street with the Shouten when something came over him. He broke out into a run as he could feel the presence become stronger, being familiar with it for only a short time.

Rukia.

But it was the second, alien presence that overwhelmed both the presence Rukia and even Ichigo as he drew nearer. His eyes widened as he sprinted down the pavement, knowing what it had to be.

Demon.

---

"Hello, little angel. My, aren't you a cute one." The voice whispered heavily in her ear. She glared at the man, who stared back with lidded eyes. She saw his pink hair shadowing his face, but his orange irises shined without light.

"To think I came here just for some women somewhere on the street at night, and find the best gift for any man…" She glared vehemently as she felt his hand hovering over her body, with the other hand over her mouth.

She finally was able to speak as his hand grabbed hold around her waist, pulling her arms back.

"For a demon." She spat, correcting him. He only smiled and held her tighter as his other hand stopped its roaming and came up to hold her chin.

"My, my, aren't you rather fierce for a little angel. So naïve." His voice sounded like he was talking to a child who knew nothing of reality. "Do you believe those old teachings of angels? That humans and souls live without sin unless controlled by demons? The angels are in denial that they can sin easily like any soul, and not all souls that commit a sin are possessed." He gave a chuckle as a he held her chin between his thumb and index finger as it stroked her cheek.

"Why would I believe a demon?!" Rukia snapped back. She turned her head out of defiance. The hand grabbed her neck and she gasped, finding it somewhat hard to breathe.

"Now now, I know it would be hard to accept something you were taught for the hundreds of years as an angel from someone like me, but now you should listen to something different." He loosened his grip on her throat but held tighter around her waist as he continued. "In a perfect world, rules would not have to be set. People would not break them in the perfect world without being told..."

"But a perfect world does not exist." She finished. She knew this, as that was what the angels told her.

"Correct. So angels try to make a perfect world set in guidance by their rules. There are the laws set on angels on how to be an angel, and you are not to break any law. Living souls live by other laws. Even though the real list of rules is not in the living world as it was never brought by the angels. The closest to those rules are-"

"The seven deadly sins." She finished once again.

"Very good," he purred into her ear, sending fearful shivers up her spine as he continued saying, "Pride, Gluttony, Sloth, Wrath, Greed, Envy, and Lust. They sum up all the deeds a living soul must not do. "

"I already know all of this." She said through gritted teeth.

"Then you do know that souls will commit a sin or break a rule."

"No." She denied.

"But yes, they do my little fallen angel." He crooned. She stiffened and he chuckled. "You think I'd be too stupid to not know what an angel with broken wings has done? You must have been suspect of a serious crime for broken wings and exiled to the living world with none of your graces or powers."

The demon turned her around and forced her to the ground as he held a tight grip on her wrists over her head. She could only look at his face as he hovered over her with a smirk.

"Most likely you did commit a sin, though. It's terribly another one caught you, my little angel. But now that I have you..." His smiled widened and he showed his teeth as he leered down at her.

"I did not commit any sin, break any law!" She spat.

"You have, whether you accept it yourself or not. If by chance you really didn't, it doesn't matter now. Now that I have you, I'll be sure you'll feel the sin go through your small body." She looked as his free hand took out a knife from his pocket.

"It'll be a wonderful sight, seeing you writhing and panting." He whispered in sadistic glee. Rukia began twisting and turning as much as she can, trying to fight back. If she could make his grip on her hands loosen, she could-

"Stop moving, pretty thing!" He exclaimed, and Rukia froze when she felt a sharp sensation in her side, the feeling of blood spilling from the small wound. Her body suddenly convulsed as every muscle tensed so tightly. A pained yell escape her lips as she struggled, wanting to do anything to ignore the feelings overcoming her.

"That's it; can you feel your sin now?" The demon whispered. "You know, that's just the sin of feelings you've just locked inside yourself for so long." He smirked as he watched her struggling underneath him. "Now denial is not an option."

She could only pant in exhaustion, glaring with her greatest disgust at him as he laughed. She hissed when she felt the blade make contact with her body again and traveled over her small curves.

"Now, let's send you to Purgatory!" She heard him cackle as she tried even more desperately to escape his grasp, get the knife away from them-anything. The thought echoed in her head as she fought to escape from the grasp of the demon.

Purgatory…

It was then she felt his presence.

"Rukia!"

She and the demon turned toward the source of the voice when a foot appeared, making contact with his face. The demon rolled off Rukia, stopping a few meters away. The sudden swish of air brushed against Rukia's skin and made her hiss as she clamped a hand to her open wound.

It's still running through my veins.

"Rukia! Rukia, are you alright?" Ichigo hurried to her side and held her arm. He flinched as she jumped from his touch.

Her skin wasn't cold. In fact, he was colder than her.

"Ichigo…" Rukia replied, panting. He could see her eyes looked hazy as her chest heaved up and down.

Ichigo looked at her blood-covered hand and finally understood.

"Did you not know? A demon's powers also work on angels. All we do is bring suppressed feelings up front and intensify it only by a little. Angels carry sin, so of course she'd be in a heap of moaning and panting. Seems the little caged birdie had some secret desires of her own." Ichigo twisted to see the smirking man.

"Bastard…" Ichigo snarled.

"Are you unhappy to see the little birdie like this? That supposed innocent angel is really thinking of doing naughty things every night?" He mocked.

"Shut the fuck up, demon." Ichigo gritted out, not being fooled by anything the demon was saying.

But he couldn't take it.

"So, you've taken to the manners of an angel? How rude." He scoffed, dusting himself off. "We demons do have a name."

"What about the person you possessed?!" Ichigo bit out.

"Possessed? I do not possess any living soul." Ichigo's eyes widened, and gaped at the demon. "The more powerful demons can come to the living world manifesting with our own bodies. No need to waste a human soul for a temporary shell every time, am I right?" He shrugged.

"I-It can't be…" Ichigo stuttered, "You have to be lying."

"What would I gain from lying about that?" He asked.

"Dammit…" Ichigo muttered, unconsciously squeezing Rukia's arm.

"Ichigo…!" Rukia moaned-was she in pain or was it something different? Nevertheless, Ichigo released his grip on her and she held her arm close to her.

"The reminded me, I didn't tell you my name yet since I had to teach you some manners. You can just call me Szayel, no need to say anything else. You'll hear it after I send you down with me, my full name in fearful whispers of others." He introduced himself, bowing slightly.

"Like hell you will!" Ichigo barked.

"My, my, you also have the manners of a regular living soul. So quick to risk your life so foolishly." Szayel sighed. Ichigo stood up from where Rukia still was trying to console herself, and rushed toward the still calm demon.

Ichigo aimed a punch at his face, but the demon disappeared. Off guard, Ichigo caught himself from falling before a punch went to his jaw, knocking him to the side.

"I'll humor you for a little while, since living souls are never always armed to protect themselves." Szayel gave his smirk as Ichigo steadied himself back on his feet.

"You fucking bastard-" Ichigo kept trying touch him with a fist or kick, but he managed to dodge easily.

'Shit, it wasn't like before with that other demon…'

He's faster than him…

He's stronger than him…

He's much more powerful than Ichigo would have expected.

"Very few living souls can stop a possessed soul because demons are more powerful than any living soul can be. If they do stand a chance, they'd only die in the process." Rukia's voice echoed in his mind, reminding him of how stupid he was thinking he could take the demon on at all.

Ichigo glanced quickly over to where Rukia was still lying, looking like she was calming down and she had stopped bleeding.

The glance gave Szayel enough time to cast another blow into Ichigo's abdomen, forcing the breath out of him.

"Pay attention now, I'm getting quite bored with this." He scolded, now frowning.

"Then get on with it." Ichigo challenged.

"Oh? You want to die sooner?" Szayel grinned. Ichigo didn't say anything, but Rukia's voice called out.

"Stop it, now! Ichigo run away, you really won't be able to save yourself from him!" Rukia screamed. She was on her stomach, her arms lying to support her upper body. She looked better now, her face being paler than it ever was before.

"Rukia…" Ichigo muttered in surprise, but he jumped back when he felt the cold blade cut his arm. "YAMERO!" Rukia's yelling didn't help drown out the demon's voice.

"This is getting very dreary, and it seems the little birdie is trying to stop the fun completely." He sighed, playing with the knife in his hand. Ichigo grunted and held the small but effective cut.

Dark thoughts were rushing through his head now, many he remembered waking up from in the middle of nights.

"The little birdie over there might have had some desires that would be surprising, but living souls are so full of sins like lust- tell me, do you think of her every night? Are all those thoughts innocent?" Szayel asked, smiling at the hesitating boy.

"Damn you…" Ichigo growled.

"So it is of her? My, my, you do know how much trouble you two can get into? The little birdie over there would have to go to purgatory. In fact, it seems she's already been disciplined about playing with humans and emotions." He smirked.

"Shut up already!" Ichigo yelled and charged at him again. He grabbed hold of Szayel's wrist holding the knife, and punched him square in the jaw. He thought he finally had landed a good hit when the demon brought his head back down and stared at Ichigo with a grin.

"Pathetic, you should take the little birdie's advice and save your life." Ichigo gasped when he felt the blade drive into his arm, along with another punch to the stomach, releasing the demon. He fell back and clenched his arm as his blood began boiling once again.

Rukia bit back a curse as she stood up, trying to think of what to do.

She could only think of one option.

"Demon!" She yelled, gaining both of their attention.

"Yes, little birdie?" He called in a sing-song voice, but Rukia was not amused. She stood up as straight as she could in her condition and stared at the demon.

"I'll willingly follow you if you don't touch him again." She offered. Both pairs of eyes widened at the bargain as Ichigo was the first one to respond.

"Rukia, no!" He yelled. The two's eyes met, and he was silenced by her look. He could hear what she was saying to him.

I can't let you lose your life.

"Really now?" Szayel smiled, bring his hand to his chin.

"Yes." She affirmed.

"Well, that really is a good deal, how could I not take it? I'm willing to bargain with a little birdie" Szayel smiled. He glanced down at Ichigo before turning away. "There's no reason to spend any more time playing with you now, so I'll just leave you to your own pleasures." He called out as he walked away from Ichigo.

"Rukia…" Ichigo muttered as he watched the demon move closer to her. He couldn't let this happen, he had to get up and stop the demon-

"If the living boy stands up to intervene, I'll be sure to kill him in front of your eyes, little birdie." Szayel said, looking at Rukia. She stared back defiantly until she broke their stare to look back at Ichigo. "Stop it, Ichigo! Don't be a hero this time…" She commanded. Ichigo hesitantly obeyed.

"So, you will follow me?" He spoke in a low voice, only inches away from her.

"Yes." Rukia said, standing her ground while he towered over her, even more than Ichigo did.

"Then you will come with me to purgatory?" He asked. She remained silent, not answering. "Then you will also go all the way to Hell." He said, taking hold to her wrist. She gave a small gasp, but said nothing, not struggling against him.

Szayel's smile faltered for a second before continuing.

"To come with me through purgatory to Hell, you must admit that you, an angel, can and have commit sin." He said. She kept her mouth closed, not saying anything.

"…Say it." Szayel demanded his smile fading.

"No." Rukia said. Szayel placed his knife in a small pocket and muttered a 'tsk tsk' before apprehending her other wrist and bringing it with the other so he could hold both of her small wrists in one hand. He had his knife back in hand.

"Now little birdie, you made a deal to willingly follow, so I should not have to force you to admit the obvious." He scolded her. She remained silent, staring back at him.

"Admit it." He demanded. Rukia felt the cold knife's edge running down her skin once again and looked to see blood dripping from the shallow cut on her arm. Her hands clenched as her face contorted.

"N-no." She refused between pants. "I don't have to do such a thing to go into purgatory and Hell."

"Yes you do. Why do you still deny such a thing? Is it so you still have some proof you were a heavenly angel for some superiority over demons? Don't make me laugh." Rukia bit back a scream when he cut her again, this time across a breast. She tried to take a step back but his grip on both her wrists tightened, not letting her take one step.

"Demon… I won't do such a thing…" She muttered when she felt a unbearable pain, giving a shuddering cough, tasting blood coming into her mouth. She looked down with darkening eyes to see the knife's handle sticking out of her stomach.

"Rukia!" Ichigo yelled as Szayel dropped her to the ground. She tried to tighten herself into a ball still panting in agony. Ignoring his yells, Szayel took hold of a wing, spreading it out so he could line each individual feather.

"In fact, you would be looked down upon by everyone. I'd have to be sure none of them would try to turn you into filth if you are to be my own. The only option I have so you don't get in trouble and fly off somewhere is to clip your wings, my little birdie." He explained. He turned to look at Ichigo as he stood helpless. "Say farewell to what was once your caged bird, living boy. Sadly, I cannot take you with me to Hell this time, so if you would really like to follow I can give you some tips." He smirked at Ichigo.

"No, Rukia!" Ichigo screamed, breaking into a run.

"Oh dear, it seems I will have to kill you if you keep interrupting." Szayel commented, looking at Ichigo.

"I DID IT!" Her voice called out, making Ichigo stop. Szayel, surprised, looked down at the angel as she tried to sit up.

"Oh?"

"I have done it."

"You have done what?" He asked, smirking.

"I… broke the laws set for angels…" She muttered, panting heavily.

"Really, which law did you break?" He asked, humor creeping into his tone.

"Angels… Angels must not share feelings with a living soul." She stated. Ichigo could only stare as Rukia turned her head to see above her at the demon, who was greatly satisfied. "I committed a sin that will punish me greatly, now don't touch-" The words died in her mouth as she froze. Szayel gave a curious look when she shuddered and coughed up more blood, then suddenly collapsing back to the earth.

"It seems the little birdie lost so much blood she fell unconscious. At least she has finally confessed the truth; soon some angels will come to punish her. I can help by showing them their problem will be taken care of since she will end up in purgatory then Hell either way. Now it's time for you to be go-" Szayel began saying, turning his focus on Ichigo when he disappeared from Ichigo's sight. It wasn't a second later did he hear an ear-shattering bang travel to his ears when he looked all around for the pink-haired demon, catching sight of him several meters away.

"W-what?" Szayel muttered on the ground stunned. Ichigo twisted to the direction from where the bullet came from to see a shadowed figure walking closer.

"My, my, good thing we got here just in time. It would not have been a very pretty scene if I was a second too slow." A familiar voice chirped. The shadow came out as Ichigo noticed the green hat and wooden sandals the man he met before wore.

"I-It's you again!" Ichigo stuttered in complete surprise.

"Hello again Kurosaki-san. It seems I just about saved you, didn't I? I think I deserve gratitude from this terrible creature, if I were a second too late it would not have been pretty..." The man began rambling as he walked over to the paralyzed demon. He brought up the gun he was holding and pulled the trigger, another bullet sending into Szayel. The demon let out a scream but soon turned still and quiet.

"Y-you…" Ichigo stuttered, the scene replaying back in his mind.

"Yoruichi, hurry hurry! She's not in good condition!" The man called. Ichigo remembered Rukia and dropped to the ground next to her; bringing her on her back despite the wings.

"Rukia, Rukia! Are you alright?! Answer me!" He yelled, shaking her petite frame. Her hands were clenching her torn dress, the hole in her stomach still bleeding. There was blood down from the corner of her mouth, spilling onto her pale face.

"Kurosaki-san, it is best not touching her. She's in a very fragile condition." The man said. Ichigo then looked up in shock.

"Y-you can see her?!" He asked, remembering when they first met- he had only saw Ichigo was hunching his back when he was carrying Rukia... What was the man's name again? He couldn't remember.

"If I couldn't, I couldn't have been able to save you from the demon, Kurosaki-san." He answered, looking down at him. He looked over to the body of the demon as Ichigo followed his gaze. "That's was a nasty one, wasn't it? I almost thought he needed a third shot." He commented.

"But what about Rukia?!" Ichigo yelled. The man sighed as he focused back on the angel.

"It's best to take her now before real angels come and destroy whatever is left." A woman's voice called out. Ichigo looked over his shoulder to see another shadow figure walking over. The woman stood out in a crowd with the dark skin- she probably would stand out in any country with the long, purple hair.

"Who… are you?" He asked guarded. He instinctively closed a hand over Rukia's own. Both noticed and exchanged glances.

"Shihouin Yoruichi, now release Kuchiki." She ordered. He hesitated still shell shocked, but Ichigo released her hand as he stood up to look at the two properly.

"And you also remember me, Kurosaki-san, no need for introductions again! Now if you don't mind…" He gave him a friendly smile as he looked back at the woman, who nodded. She bent down and gingerly picked up Rukia's body.

"What are you doing with her?!" Ichigo stepped forward in alarm when he felt a hand grip his shoulder, holding him back. He scowled to see the man holding him in place, but stopped struggling we he noticed a serious look was on his face now.

"I'm sorry Kurosaki-san, but this is farewell." He said.

"What?!" Ichigo yelled.

"It's best you live on and not give a thought to Kuchiki-san. She has admitted to a sin, breaking the rules. To best protect you after this would be to forget about her, and everything you have learned about angels, unless you want to stay and let some angels come and wipe your entire memory of it." He explained.

"I-I wouldn't…" Ichigo stuttered, completely shocked and his mind going crazy from all that he just said.

Forget Rukia…

Forget all the time she's been here…

Almost two months would be wiped…

Everything she told me…

"I can't! I can't just forget about her! And how can you say that?! T-that demon said all souls can commit sin!" He demanded..

"…I'm sorry Kurosaki-san, but the it is forbidden to commit sin. The best I can do is let you go on with those memories of her, but if another angel hunts you down or meets you, I cannot help you." He apologized. The woman carrying Rukia's limp body had already left and he turned to hurry and catch up with her before stopping and turning back to the wreck Ichigo was in.

"Also! Please come by Urahara Shouten sometime, we keep all our items in stock for any citizen walking by in need!" With that, he twirled back forward and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ichigo alone. He hadn't been listening.

The feeling in his gut made him feel wretched, like he was going to be sick.

The feelings of being alone again.

---


A/N: If you loved this chapter, hated it, or anything- please leave a review! Hopefully the final chapter will come soon enough, but it really helps when someone, anonymous or not, leaves a review commenting on the chapter!

Thank you, everyone! I'm so excited for the final chapter in finishing this story!

Notes: 'Yamero' means "stop it" I just wanted to go full flown phrases because they sound so much better than in English, but I stopped myself.