Chapter 6: Revelations

A/N: Takes place directly after Rukia's battle in Las Noches.

Rukia lay on the floor, drenched in her own blood and too weak to do much other than blink. She had never been in so such pain, it felt like her guts had been wrenched out. She coughed up blood and willed herself not to cry. She wasn't about to give that bastard the satisfaction. It didn't matter that he was dead, she wouldn't let that impostor affect her so much. Also, she had promised long ago that she wouldn't ever cry over Kaien again.

Had it really been 40 years since he'd died? Could it have been so long? In plenty of ways her life had begun by his side. So it made sense that seeing him again after so many years would rip her to pieces. Kaien had been so kind to her, he was so funny, and such a good leader. He was everything she had ever wanted to be, and in that time she had truly loved him. Just like she truly loved Ichigo now.

And where was he? And how was he fearing against his opponents? Rukia shuttered as she wiped the blood from her face. She couldn't bare to loose him, she simply wouldn't stand for it. Though at this moment she should really be more focused on her own life (or own death), if she continued bleeding out at this rate she would probably die before anyone found her.

Not that it really matters. I've been such an idiot... I was completely thrown off by the fact it was Kaien. If it had been someone else then this wouldn't have happened! Rukia felt hot tears stream out of her eyes and she cursed. Am I really just going to lie here sobbing? I refuse to be that pathetic!

She tried to wipe the tears from her face but that caused another harsh tremor of pain to go through her body. This is it, I'm probably going to die here. She thought back miserably to all the things she hand't yet accomplished. She didn't have a Bankai, and wasn't a seat in her squad, she had never made Byakuya proud, or told Renji what a good friend he was. And then there was a mountain of regret regarding Ichigo.

If she could have one more moment with him, what would she say? Their last few conversations had been so impersonal, they had acted as if they had all the time in the world, as if there was no chance that one of them might die here. They hadn't said anything about their night together, or his disappearance. They both too worried about Orihime for that. The mission came first. If I saw him, just one more time I would make sure he knew that he's the love of my life.

Rukia felt tears down her face again but was too exhausted to be ashamed of them. Her vision was draining and she could not longer fight to keep conscious. Slowly she closed her eyes certain she would never open them up again.

oOo

"What are you starring at me for?"

"Oh, nothing!" said Rukia quickly averting her eyes.

Kaien laughed and put a hand on her hair. "You look cute when you blush."

Instantly Rukia turned bright red. Had he really just said that? She couldn't think of anything to answer - he was so close to her, and he looked so handsome! But that thought only paralyzed her more. What was she supposed to say? He was married! And even if he wasn't he probably wouldn't have been interested. But he had just called her cute... "Thanks..." she whispered.

"You know I see you looking at me sometimes-" Rukia's eyes shot up. "And I wonder what you could mean by it."

"I - I just think you're a great teacher."

"Well you're my favored student."

She smiled, and he moved his hand through her hair. Rukia could feel her heart beating in her chest, she was brimming with excitement. Was this really happening? "But why? I'm just average."

"No," his hands were moving to her shoulder and he was leaning down to shorten their huge height gap. "You're not, you're very special to me Rukia."

Rukia's mind was swirling, and she found herself edging closer to him in her tiptoes. Did he really think she was something? Did he secretly care for her in the same way she did him. The suspense was killing her, they were just inches away now. Kaien was rooted on the spot, his naturally affectionate eyes on her. She just couldn't think what to do, she wanted so badly to be close to him but then there were so many things between them. His wife for one.

She was turning red again, and even as her mind repeated a mantra of don't do it rukia, don't be an idiot she found herself leaning further towards him till finally their lips touched. She had never kissed anyone before. It felt so strange and invasive that after a moment she pulled back from him, throughly ashamed of herself. But then his hand touched her check and he said: "You have no idea how much I wanted you to do that."

"Miss Kuchiki," said a soft voice.

"Kaien..." whispered Rukia weakly. All she could see was darkness, but she wasn't in a pain anymore. Had someone saved her? Or was she truly dead.

"She's awake," said the voice again.

Rukia opened her eyes to see Isane Kotetsu, the Lieutenant of Squad 4 leaning over her. She blinked, the bright light was hurting her eyes, and she was disoriented. She had been dreaming about Kaien. "What are you doing here?"

She smiled. "Rescue mission, don't worry all your friend are being taken care of."

With difficulty, Rukia sat up. She could see Byakuya in the distance. "Brother? Are you alright?" There was blood in the ground around him.

"Don't worry about me," he answered in his usual, expressionless voice.

"How are you feeling?" said Isane quietly.

"Not too bad."

Isane seemed concerned about something, she turned her head over her shoulder to stare at Byakuya and then said very quietly. "I'm pleased to tell you Miss Kuchiki that the triton didn't harm it."

"Harm what?"

Isane's eyes widened, and a light blush appeared on her checks. "It, Miss Kuchiki."

"I don't know what you're talking about Lieutenant."

The lilac haired woman leaned in even closer, her mouth practically to Rukia's ear. "Your baby."

A/N: Well an embarrassingly long time has passed but the chapter did indeed come, and the ff will indeed be finished. Thank you so much for all your reviews and I hope in future it won't take me such a bloody long time to update this story.