Hello people, this is part one of two of the last chapter! Haha, I decided to split the chapters so you wouldn't need to wait.

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Chapter eight

"You look sharp" Rukia encouraged her brother as he came out of his room. He wore a black tuxedo with a dark blue shirt and a white scarf loosely wrapped around his neck.
"Rukia, it's a simple suit, don't make it a big deal" He said, still fixing his cuffs.
"You make ordinary clothing look cool" She insisted.
"You look beautiful your self" He smiled, taking her small hand before she tripped over the table.
"Thank you, I almost fell" she laughed as she straightened herself up
"are you nervous?" he questioned casually as he saw how his little sister searched the pockets of her jacket thoroughly
"Why would I be? Nah, I'm just clumsy and don't watch where I'm going" Rukia scratched the back of her head, looking at the floor "but did you by any chance happen to see a long small box" she scanned the room, hoping it would be in her room if not here.
"You mean this one?" Byakuya reached down to pick up the described box from the couch
"Ah! Yes that one" Rukia hugged her brother, she always wrapped her arms around his stomach with him being too tall and all. Every one was taller than her; Ichigo's sisters were even surpassing her.
"It's a gift I can't afford to loose" she added, looking up to her brother as he handed her the blue box.
"A gift to Captain Hitsugaya I presume" he sighed as she went in cold shock "Rukia, your nightly... encounters may be far away from both your barracks but it's close to the sixth squad barracks" he explained, all the while noticing the different facial expressions Rukia made, sad realization being the most prominent.
"t-then if you knew that, how come you didn't say anything" she demanded silently, she thought Byakuya wouldn't like the idea of her talking to a captain, so him not having mentioning it took her by surprise entirely.
"I can't deprive you of everything I put my greedy mind on, you want to do things, and if those things make you happy how can I take them away from you" Byakuya responded softly, pulling up the scarf as if wanting to cover his face with it.
"Greedy?" Rukia was able to word.
"Greedy because it wants you completely safe though that is not always possible" he clarified. to him, saying this felt out of place for him, never had he wanted to admit so much of anything, but Rukia was the only one that knew this side of him, the one that was willing to share emotions and talk of anything that came to mind. And if he didn't, he still always found himself vulnerable to Rukia's open heart that was willing to listen, just like Hisana. But Hisana was different; he ended completely trapped by her calm and sweetened eyes. Rukia possessed a more fighting spirit, more adventurous and curious eyes though still soft.
"Thank you brother, for everything" Rukia pronounced full heartedly, the words came fluent for they were the only ones she thought of in that second.
"You seem to have forgotten I almost let them execute you two years ago" He informed shamefully
"I don't remember that" Rukia grinned. It was far crueler to remind him of that occasion, Rukia thought. And if he ever did do anything bad, he long since redeemed himself. Taking Byakuya by the elbow, Rukia rushed them out the door. "Let's jump on the roof tops to get there!" she urged, tugging his sleeve lightly
"the party is only two streets down. Can't we go walking for once" Byakuya suggested at the overly energized girl, already having a good start from his long strides.
"Forgot we were that close" Rukia laughed apologetically, jumping back to his side.
"Captain Byakuya, Rukia!" Renji hollered from behind, tagging Ichigo along
"Hey Rukia, Byakuya" Ichigo greeted when they had caught up
"It's Captain Kuchiki" Byakuya corrected, a look of annoyance passing his face. Rukia chuckled having noticed it.
"Formalities even in parties, you people really are uptight" Ichigo complained lazily.
"Leave my brother alone" Rukia protested, waving her free hand in their direction.
"How come she can call you brother then? She's still a subordinate" Ichigo grunted, he was mad about something and was only looking for a fight now
"it is formal, we have a relation and the relation is being siblings" Byakuya countered smoothly. Renji snickered at the fuming Ichigo that used all his might not to punch the captain. He decided to let it go though. Rukia, on the other hand, punched him on the arm.
"What the hell was that for?" he demanded, rubbing down the pain.
"You should lighten up, it's time for enjoyment isn't it" She explained, knowing full well that Ichigo was bothered. He sighed, giving a small grin to the petite girl. He couldn't stay mad, with her asking him in her usual tomboyish self. Rukia stretched her hand out in front of her, letting the falling snow drop on her glove covered hand. She followed down to where the big building stood only inches away. She pouted silently, that meant that there would be no more snow for her to enjoy, but at least someone was in that huge structure she looked forward to seeing. The building looked amazing at night; light sparkled from the lights hanging high in the ceiling and the miniature trees that were at the center of each table. The party had begun an hour ago but was already busy with different conversations and music.
"A silver, gold or white table?" Rukia asked her brother, using the color of the trees as reference. He shrugged, looking over to the less crowded area. He didn't care as long as it was away from the loud crowd that surrounded the DJ.
"So loud and their not even drunk yet" She added, being led now by her brother. In her field of vision she spotted a short white haired figure that leaned against the wall. Her heart skipped a beat. She wanted to run, in her thoughts she called out to him. She started to get a small sense of depression when his silhouette got smaller and smaller. She turned to see her brother who at that moment looked back. He knew just by looking at her face she wanted to be somewhere else. He stopped and gave a firm tug, pulling her close.

"I don't stop you. Don't worry, I won't be lonely" He whispered into her ear. She was given a reassuring smile and she was free. She uttered the word thanks, it was inaudible to him as he turned to talk to some people that had come up to him, but she wanted to say it, it was a word she could keep saying and not get tired of. She impatiently searched for him, and found him. He was walking out. Where to? She would have to wait, another figure was in the way and wanted to talk to her

"Rukia, can I please talk to you?" His voice was serious and needing. She nodded, many other things could wait, but it worried her when Ichigo acted so temperamental.

"Did you get a present for Renji?" He asked timidly, he obviously thought it was a very strange question for such a serious face

"No, I forgot" She admitted, blushing at his cute expression, like a child's.

"Oh, I thought that much" He said for the sake of not letting it become an awkward silence. Not that it would really be quiet, but when they talked everything faded in the background. Rukia sometimes even wondered how good they would be together, but the only image that would pop up was of him being her trouble making friend.

"Rukia, a-all I ask is that you be happy. And I don't want anyone to play on your sympathy or your guilt so that you…what I'm trying to say…" He was getting frustrated as he searched for words and in the end found none. He pulled her into a tight embrace, placing his cheek on her head

"Ichigo?" Rukia questioned hesitantly.

"I care a lot about you…and because of that…I realized I lost and should back down. But I don't want to realize I lost to Renji. I would rather want to say I lost to Toshiro" He said slowly. Rukia was getting confused, loose, loose what?

"I just need you to confirm to me it's not Renji" Ichigo finally said. It was not his pride that wanted this answer; it was the fact that he knew something about Renji that was not all that great. Ichigo knew the selfish and prideful side of Renji. Rukia understood what it meant now, what he felt for her. She instinctively felt uncomfortable now that she hugged him like this. But she couldn't push away, she instead gave one last tight squeeze then let go

"It's not Renji. You are such an amazing person; you've proven it to me time and time again. I know there will be someone" She got cut off by Ichigo's heavy sigh

"Don't tell me that silly cliché crap, there won't be another, but I'm completely fine with that. Now for you, I know there is someone" He grinned, her cheeks no longer the creamy pale on the rest of her skin.

"I stopped you from getting to him right?" He laughed as her expression became angry

"You knew?" She asked with growing fury. His laugh didn't cease even if he got hit in the back of the head

"Seeing you mad is funny" he said, clearing away the tears that had formed on the edge of his eyes from the hard laughing.

"I forgive you though" She ran out, that was going to be the last person that stopped her she thought now more confidently than before. Two people had acknowledged her feelings to be the best ones to follow. But one huge and unavoidable question remained.

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Damn, I lied. I said this would be the chapter I was looking forward to write but it's going to be the next one, where it gets intense…? Is that the right word? Maybe dramatic? Or maybe meaningful? How 'bout all of them. Thanks for those that stayed and reviewed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My true nature is going to come out in my next stories.

"Misery Enchant Me"

"Shattering Reasons"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAaaa…*sigh*