A/N: This is a Rukia x Ichigo NelX NNor fic . Also, OOC and A/U warning, first time writing Nel x NNoi so...yea.

A/N: As always please read and review, flames are welcome, critiques greatly appreciated!

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, or the series

Rukia stood yawning; he was finally asleep. She stared at him, why was she doing this to herself? She should just forget about this. The money wasn't worth the pain she was putting her heart through. Even hearing him say he couldn't love her, didn't harden her heart and push away those troublesome feelings she had. She sighed leaving. *

"So now that you're a free woman Rukia lets go to the mall today. I need to pick out a dress for the last dance."

Rukia glanced at her, "I'm sure you have about fifty already that would be more than suitable, Ran."

"I need a new one," she pouted, "besides since you've been grounded, we haven't been able to hang out or chitchat."

"I already told you nothing happened Ran."

"Mmm-hmm," she threw her an 'I don't believe a word that you're saying look'. "I find it hard to believe Rukia. You and a totally hot guy alone for two days in his cozy cabin by the lake. I don't care if you're a nun something happened. And the fact that you're keeping all the spicy details to yourself really hurts me." She put on her most exaggeratedly sad face and Rukia couldn't help but laugh.

"I told you it's nothing like that, you need to keep your perverted fantasies to yourself. I'll text Hisana and let her know I don't need her to pick me up."

"Ok, you're going to pick out something too, right?"

"I wasn't planning on going actually." Rukia shrugged; she didn't feel like being a third wheel again.

"You have too. It's the last dance of our high school careers, besides, you already promised me you would so you can't back out now."

Rukia wracked her brain trying to think of when she could have possibly done that, "I don't…"

"I will not take no for an answer." She stood, "don't you dare leave either, we are going as soon as the bell rings. Ok?"

Rukia chuckled, "I got it. See ya later Ran." ~

"That looks beautiful on you Rukia!" they were in the midst of trying on dresses. She hadn't really wanted to, but Ran had insisted. She never really felt like this was her thing but Ran loved shopping. She gazed at herself in the mirror, the deep purple did bring out the color of her eyes. And she did like the way she looked in it.

"Get that it's perfect for you."

"I do like it, but I'm really not going Ran. It's not like I am going to miss anything. It's just a dance and besides, anytime I'm with you guys I kind of feel like I'm intruding." She sighed, taking off the dress and slipping back into her normal clothes.

"Why don't you just ask Ichigo to come if you feel that way."

"It's not that simple Ran."

"Ok then fill me in on what is missing. You used to tell me everything. I don't like how you're keeping secrets from me now." She stared at her their eyes meeting and Rukia looked away.

It was true, Ran was her best friend, but somehow, she felt inferior to her. "He said he could never love me."

Matsumoto immediately went to her hugging her, "what happened Rukia?"

She hugged her back, finding a little bit of comfort in her arms, "we messed around at the cabin…and then the next day…he...he…" She broke down into sobs, the pain of his rejection finally coming to the surface. She sniffled trying to stop the tears, "he just dropped me …like it… it was nothing. When I asked him about it, he just said he played around too much and he could never love me…"

"Oh wow…" Ran sighed hugging her tighter. She had thought he wasn't such a bad guy because Rukia had fallen for him, but she had been stupid not to be worried about her. It was her first relationship and she had been happy when they talked about it, because Rukia had been happy. "Why didn't you tell me Rukia?"

"Because I didn't want you to try and talk me out of…"

"Don't tell me you're still going to his house Rukia."

Rukia tried to dry her tears, there was no use in crying over it at all. "I still need to finish the job, I still need the money so..."

Rangiku let her go to look at her clearly, "Rukia-"

"This is exactly why I didn't say anything Ran. I don't need a lecture. I already know what I'm doing is stupid and putting myself close to him is just going to hurt but I don't care, It's a job. And that's exactly how I am going to treat it from now on. I no longer have to worry about if he likes me or not. I already know he doesn't so I can get over him."

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation, "Ya'll ok in there, I'm getting bored…"

"We are almost done Gin, stop bothering us."

"But Moto you've been in there for two hours already, I'm sure you've found the perfect dress already." He whined; he was used to it though shopping with her was always like this. She could be so indecisive. In the end he usually ended up carrying piles of shopping bags.

"Fine. We're coming out now."

Rangiku hugged her once more, "you know how I feel Rukia, but since you want to do this, I can't stop you, but I am always here to talk if you want to."

"Thank you Ran, you're the best."

~~later~~~

They sat in the food court waiting for Gin to bring their order.

"Sometimes I wish Gin had a brother or a cousin or something Ran. You two are just so perfect together."

Rangiku giggled as she watched him walking through the crowded space, no matter what she could always find him, "Me too, I've always dreamed of having a double date with you Rukia. We could go to an amusement park and take plenty of couple pictures or go to the beach in the summer together or have a couple's vacation to the mountains in a cabin…" Ran sighed deep in her fantasy.

"Whatcha planning Moto?" Gin set down their food a grin on his face, "I knew my nose was itching."

"It's nothing like that." She rolled her eyes, "just was thinking how nice it would be if you had a cousin or someone that wanted a girlfriend or even just a dance partner."

Rukia frowned, "I told you I'm not going Ran. I already came shopping with you, that's enough right?"

"Why don't I set you up with someone then? I have someone in mind. He works with me, he's around my age but not quite as gorgeous though. Ah he's pretty well off too." He flashed her a smile, "I mean it's for the dance Friday right? That's a perfect setting for a blind date."

"As fun as that that sounds, I'm going to have to decline Ichimaru. Although I appreciate you thinking about me."

"You're welcome. But truthfully Rukia, I hate to see my Moto-San worried, and as her friend she's constantly worried about you. If I find a good guy to take care of you, I get my happy Moto, so it's kinda me being a little selfish." He chuckled.

Even she had to laugh, "I see, but I told Ran already I'm fine, you guys don't have to worry about me."

"Rukia can't you just say yes once? You are really being so difficult for what reason?" Matsumoto sighed.

"Ok fine, I guess so." ~

~~later~~~~

"Hey."

"Hey," would the awkwardness ever go away? "Hope I'm not too late, had to do a few errands before coming today."

"It's no problem at all, I'm already done with work so we can just start."

She nodded following him, she didn't like this anymore. The cold impersonal way he spoke to her. Was feeling like this worth the money? Now as she sat on the edge of the bed looking at him, she was thinking it was not. She wanted something more than he was able to give. But could she really give up?

"Ah, I almost forgot, I won't be able to come on Friday, I have something to do."

Ichigo just nodded, "fine."

Did she really expect him to be curious as to why? "Just so you don't stay up waiting for me or anything." There was silence for a few minutes and she sighed to herself. Whatever had been happening between them was obviously over and she felt like an idiot still thinking about it. "So, let's start then." ~

"I'm not doing it. I'm tired of you and your ridiculous schemes Orihime."

Orihime pouted giving her her best puppy dog look, "This is the last one I swear Nel, I already invited them and I'm sure Ishida wouldn't of came if it was just me."

"How are we even friends?" She sighed sipping her glass of wine, "so when is this supposed to happen?"

"Umm…they are already here." She glanced behind her at the two guys that had just walked into the restaurant.

Nel sighed why her? ~

"Wait a minute, Rukia."

She glanced up at him, "You know I hate when you interrupt Ichigo." Right when she was getting into the groove of it too. "What is it?"

"I'm curious as to when I'm finally going to know what's going on. I know there's some kind of curse but I wanna know why."

"So, you want their origin story is that it? Hmm." She frowned, she hadn't really thought much about it actually, it had been a good way to transition the stories, but she hadn't figured out all the little details yet.

"Yea."

"Ok I got it. Prepare for such amazing story telling you almost certainly won't be able to sleep, you'll be so engrossed in it."

"Yea yea yea, just get on with it." He said pulling the covers up. ~

"I'll kill him if it's the last thing I do, I don't care if it's with my dying breath but before I die ill rip out his heart."

Nelliel remembered that day as if it were yesterday. The smell of smoke in the air, the heat of the flames around her, the screams that echoed through the night. She could never forget the look of anguish on her mother's face as she slowly passed away or the destruction that was left in his wake. After all that was said and done, her castle had been destroyed, she had lost both her parents and many of her friends. She had often wondered how she had survived.

Now three years later she still hadn't completed her goal, Nel had left behind her destroyed kingdom with one purpose in mind. She had trained and trained until she felt she was strong enough. No matter what she had faced she had been triumphant.

She rolled over in her bed staring out the window. She had made a decent life for herself collecting bounties and slaying dragons, but that was only to further her own cause. With money came power and now even as a female she commanded respect, but that wasn't what she desired. She wanted his head over her hearth.

Nel rolled out of bed, no use trying to get back to sleep. She had finally gotten a lead as to where he might be and she didn't want to waste any more time. It would be best to get an early start after all, it was a three-day journey from there, and the daylight hours would be precious.

She dressed slowly, sheathing her sword at her hip, and tying up her long hair. She really should get it cut, it was quite bothersome in the heat of the day and during battles, but she wouldn't. Her mother had praised it, complimenting the color and texture and comparing it to fine silk.

Nel sighed, no more reminiscing, she would have plenty of time to do that after she killed him. ~

It was evening when Nel finally entered the forest. She should make camp for the night and get up early, but she wouldn't. She could almost see the finish line. She made her way through the peculiarly quiet forest; it was as if its darkness was blacker than black. She held up her lantern stopping her horse. Maybe she should camp. It would do her no good to get lost or fall into a pitfall in this darkness.

She tied her horse to a nearby tree and set out some water for him. She started a small fire and sat next to it. There was something wrong here. The usual chirps and squeaks of insects or the slight noises of a forest were nonexistent. She knew wouldn't sleep that night. *

Nel awoke with a massive headache, her body aching on a hard cold floor. Where was she? The room was dark and chilly. She sighed how had she been so stupid to fall asleep? She got up slowly walking to the only source of light, a little window in the door.

She peered out to see a whole hallway with the same dreary dark colored doors.

Nel knew she had been caught but by whom? Her hand immediately went to her side, her sword was gone along with most of her armor. She groaned she'd gotten out of worse predicaments. She just had to find an opening and she would be able to get out of this one too.

She took a seat trying to think of something. It wasn't too long before she heard heavy footsteps and keys jangling.

The door swung open, and she stared at the faceless blob that stepped in. Its head twisted from right to left and made a grotesque squelching sound as it moved. Tentacle like appendages came out of its body, grabbing her roughly and pulling her across the damp floor. It yanked her up its head gaping at her. Its tentacles tightened around her as it sloshed its way down the long hallway.

Nel didn't bother to struggle, no matter how much she moved it seemed as if she sank into its body. The door at the end of the corridor was pushed open and the bright light of the day blinded her.

She glanced around when her eyes finally adjusted to the light. It was a castle, a big gloomy castle, he carried her to the courtyard, where there were other people lined up. Well, she couldn't really call them people. Demons more like it.

He set her down and before she could even think of running, two tentacle-like things came out of the ground holding her in place. Nel struggled futilely, finally she gave up and just took in her surroundings. Before her parents had been killed, she had traveled to many different nations, and she never seen a castle so forbidding before.

Where was this? If only she had her sword, she could get out of this. She glanced around for anything that might be used as a weapon when she noticed him.

At the end of the line scrutinizing each person as he passed. He had a sword. All she had to do was snatch it when he passed by.

Nel watched him as he slowly made his way down the line up, saying something to the guy behind him. Finally, he was close now and she stared at him. He was just a man. What was he doing with these monsters? She hung her head as he got closer. Now she could hear what he had been saying. As he passed each one, he was telling the guy behind him their fate, kill, put them to work, back to the cell. Finally, he got to the 'thing' next to her, and it groaned out at his 'kill' decision.

She stared down at the ground, wondering what her judgement would be. She steadied her nerves reading herself to snatch the weapon at his side.

"Where did this one come from?" He stared down at her bright hair. He was surprised because humans rarely ventured into his forest.

Her head was roughly pulled up till she stared into his eyes. His eyes skimmed her face, his long finger ran against her cheek, then over the plumpness of her lips. He turned her face from side to side. Nel was mesmerized. His face was handsome. His eyes piecing ,his lips thin, set in a smirk. His hair was long and the black strands looked soft. Instead of reaching for his sword her fingers tangled in the silky strands.

"Take this one to my room." He said to his attendant.

Her eyes held his, a blush slowly spreading across her cheeks. He made no move to stop her and that's when she took the opening, deftly she snatched his sword. Cutting away her bindings and took off running as fast as she could. She hadn't thought beyond the point of getting his sword. The first door she came across she went in, closing it as quietly as she could behind her.

She hid behind the door and listened to the rush of footsteps and guards shouting. She glanced around the room. Spotting a big chest, she hurriedly hid the sword and then got in. The sounds around her were muffled but she could still hear the commotion.

Nel moved slightly she didn't know how long she had been in there at some point she must have fallen asleep. She opened the chest slowly and stared out, it was dark. Perfect, she could escape under the cover of night. She made her way to the big window and glanced out, then stepped back, it was too high up for her to jump.

She would have to sneak out another way. She grabbed the sword she had stashed if need be she would have to use it. She made her way to the door as quietly as possible but before she could reach for the handle the door swung in and he stood there. She was momentarily stuck in place until realization hit her, and she tried to run but he caught her easily.

"So, this is where you ran off too." Even in the dark of the night Nel could see the malicious grin on his lips. He dragged her into the middle of the room, closing the door behind him.

She held up the sword between them, "I don't want to have to hurt you, but I will. Just act as if you never saw me and I'll be on my way."

He chuckled and held out his hand, and she could feel the pull as the sword left her own fingers and went to his. "Now then, hurt me."

His smirk irked her to no end, she was proficient enough in hand to hand, but something told her that wouldn't matter, he was unlike anyone she had been up against before. What was she supposed to do? She couldn't just give up though, she still had to get her revenge. She had to get out of this mess one way or another. Nel lunged at him aiming for his face, and he caught her again effortlessly. Picking her up "let's hope you keep up that fighting spirit."

She struggled against his grip desperately trying to get out of his hold. "Let me go!"

He carried her to the bed throwing her on it, He stared down at her removing his clothes.

Oh, hell no, Nel scrambled trying to get out of the bed but he caught her, his grip painful on her leg. She frantically tried to pull away from him, knowing exactly what was coming next. She had to do something, had to get away. She was smart but why couldn't she think of something? "Please stop, I surrender." She held up her hands and gazed at him.

He studied her, her labored breathing the redness of her cheeks, her hair splayed across his sheets. He licked his lips at the sight, "giving up already? Here I was looking forward to hearing you scream."

She backed away from him, "I just want to go home, I can give you gold anything you want just don't…"

"Bribing the executioner, how presumptuous. Tell me woman why are you here in this forest."

"I'm searching for someone."

"Who exactly, this place is dangerous, or haven't you heard?" his ominous grin intimidated her, but Nel wasn't afraid, she couldn't be. No matter what she had to do she would survive this and find the man that killed her parents.

"The demon king. I know he is in this forbidden forest; I was just stupid and got caught."

He chuckled, "did you come to offer yourself in exchange for your village or some nonsense like that?"

"No, I'm… I'm." she paused, "I'm going to kill him."

"You?" he couldn't hide his mirth, "you're going to kill this Demon King as you call him. Did you happen to bring an invisible army?"

"No…I can…" even as Nel said those words, she felt her hopes being dashed. She had been no match for this guy. No matter who he was to the king he had strength she had never seen. How could she possibly think she could go against the king?

"I suppose I should just let you go right on your merry way and forget that you trespassed on my king's land. There are consequences for that."

Nel sighed, "have me killed? It's the least of my worries, it's not like he hasn't already taken everything precious to me. He killed the king and queen of Odarian, my parents. I have no family no kingdom, nothing to go back to so if it's the end of my life I will kill him or die trying."

He snickered this was a fascinating turn of events, "ok then Princess, why don't I help you kill this 'Demon King.'"

"It's Nelliel, I told you there's no kingdom anymore, so even if you help, I won't be able to give you a title or anything of value, just the gold."

"There's something else I want more than those worthless piece of gold, Princess, offer yourself to me."

Nel gazed up at him, was this a jest? Even though he was powerful he might be able to help but could she really give herself up to him? "Why should I trust you?"

"I'm his right-hand man, Prince Nnoitra Gilga." His smirk reached his ears, but his eyes held hers, "he's, my father."