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 had taken a few days off, telling him she wasn't feeling well. But in truth she needed to get her head straight. Being in his presence was torture yet she knew she needed to do it, for the money. Now after spending the few days at home, she realized that she didn't want to stay there anymore. Increasingly Byakuya felt like he was suffocating her, she wanted and needed her freedom.

Besides that, Rangiku had been coming over to get her ready for the dance on Friday. It's not like she really cared about it as much as she did. But she was her friend, so it was nice to spend some time together. And besides after what Ichimaru had said about Ran being worried about her all the time, she had felt awful. She hadn't really thought that was how she really felt.

Finally, it was Friday, and school was out. Rukia decided to forget about everything for tonight and just have some fun with Ran and Gin. She would not think about Ichigo, or her brother or any of her other problems, she would just enjoy the night.

And so that's how she ended up, riding in the backseat of Gin's car, dressed like a 'princess' or so Hisana had called her, nervous as heck to meet her mystery date. She glanced at the two lovebirds in the front seat if anything the dress Ran had picked out made her stand out more than usual. It was her that was the princess.

"Don't be too nervous Rukia, it'll be fun, maybe take your mind off a certain someone." Ran had said as they got ready, but Ichigo hadn't been on her mind. She was actually looking forward to meeting Gin's friend. If he was anything like Ichimaru he might be a decent catch.

When they finally pulled up it felt like she was walking the red carpet, they had really outdone themselves in the decorations department. She followed Ran and Gin to the auditorium.

She was super nervous, not because of how she looked because tonight she could honestly say she looked gorgeous. Rangiku had worked some kind of magic on her like a fairy godmother and she felt beautiful.

"You girls want some punch?" Gin asked looking over at the refreshment station.

Both girls nodded and watched as he made his way through the dancing bodies of the students. Rukia watched him grab the punch then stopped as if he recognized someone. She followed his eyeline frowning.

"What's wrong Rukia?" Rangiku noticed the way her friend stiffened.

"It's Ichigo, what's he doing here?" she muttered.

Ran stared in the direction Gin had gone, he was laughing with a shorter guy, "that's Ichigo?"

"Please don't tell me..." she stopped as they made their way to them.

"Rukia, this Is Ichigo, Ichigo this is Rukia…" He paused at the look on their faces, "you guys know each other?"

Rukia frowned of all the guys that could be his friend, why was it this one?

Rangiku glanced at the younger guy, "so you're the one Rukia's been going on and on about. I can see why."

"I'm right here Moto-San," Gin sulked.

"Don't be jealous, just making an observation. Besides, you know I only have eyes for you." She patted him reassuringly, "I guess she should of just asked you to the dance, like I suggested." Ran sent her a pointed look. "I'm just saying." She turned to Ichigo, "I don't know if you noticed but she's pretty much head over heels for you." Ran giggled cutely, "even though she might not want to admit it, but.."

Rukia nudged her in the side, "stop it…" She was sure her face was red, she hated the way Rangiku could just so openly talk like that.

"Maybe so." He gazed at Rukia, his eyes roaming over her figure liberally. The little peek of cleavage and the way the dress hugged her hips, made his mouth water. "If I had known I would be treated to such a beautiful sight, of course I would have said yes."

She did not like the way he was looking at her, like he could see beyond the makeup and dress, and she was back to laying bare under his gaze.

"Well then I guess since introductions are complete, see ya guys, me and Moto are gonna dance," Gin said taking her hand and dragging her away.

Matsumoto glanced back to give her a thumbs up and followed Gin to the dance floor.

"So, umm."

"You know if you had asked, I would have come." He stepped closer to her lifting her face to look at him. Since the moment she had seen him, she had diverted her eyes looking everywhere but at him.

"It would have been awkward," she said still focusing on a spot across the room. "Besides lately it seems like you just tolerate me, so why would I ask you?" she pulled away from him, his touch sending shivers through her, drudging up memories that she really should forget.

That stung a bit, "it's not like that at all Rukia."

"Then what is it like? You used me then dumped me like yesterday's trash. I really don't know why I was…" she sighed, took in a deep breath calming herself down, "forget it. You don't have to stay. I'll be fine with my friends." She went to walk away.

He grabbed her arm, "You're being childish Rukia."

Childish? She wanted to scream at him, "why did you come here, looking for another vulnerable young girl to fool around with?" That had made her just as mad, he didn't know it was her, but he showed up for a blind date, so he really held no feelings for her.

His grip loosened on her arm letting her go, "of course not, I knew it was you. I don't make it a habit of going out with highschoolers."

"I'm an adult." She frowned, this was going nowhere, she didn't want to argue. She just wanted to drink punch and sway to the music and then go home. "Fine if you say so. I'm going to dance; you do whatever you want to." She walked away feeling just a bit better that he admitted he came because it was her.

He caught up to her, " lets dance then Rukia, and I'll get you as much punch as you want."

Rukia sighed she wasn't going to argue she was going to have fun, even if it was with a jerk like him. "Ok fine." They walked onto the dance floor just as a slower song started to play. He pulled her closer to him, and she laid her head on his chest. Why did it feel so right? Yet she knew she shouldn't get comfortable, it was just for tonight.

They swayed along to the music, her body melded to his, she could feel the heat through the thin fabric and it reminded her of that night. She wished that it had never happened. They wouldn't be at odds all the time and she could still have hope for something between them.

After a few dances she pulled away, "I need a break Ichigo, these shoes are killing me." She wasn't used to wearing high heels, and now her feet were aching. As much as she wanted to stick to him some more, she needed to sit down.

"You really went all out for this blind date, didn't you?" He escorted her off the dance floor to a couple of tables that were set up.

She pursed her lips, "Not really, I didn't want to come, Ran kind of forced me too."

He stared down at her, the tops of her breast teasing him, "You never dressed up for me like this."

She blushed, glancing away from him, why was he saying this? Was he jealous? "Don't…say things like that Ichigo. You'll mess around and give me some hope." She flung his words back at him, she felt bitter but hated that he seemed to forget what he had said.

"I see." He turned away from her, "so if it wasn't me that showed up tonight you would have been happy with some other guy?"

"It's not like my feelings really mattered to you Ichigo, so I don't see why you are so concerned about them now." Yea she was bitter but the look on his face made her want to take the words back.

"There you are." Ran butted in, "I need to go to the bathroom Rukia."

"Ok, coming." She and Ran excused themselves to the bathroom. She was feeling a bit lightheaded. She glanced at herself in the mirror reapplying her lipstick. "Why did you tell Ichigo that?"

"Why not, you've been moping for the last couple of days about him, I was trying to feel him out." She shrugged, "I think he actually likes you too."

Rukia stared at her, "are you drunk Ran? I already told you he said in no uncertain terms he could never love me."

"I'm not drunk, it's just regular punch Rukia. I think he might be afraid of hurting you," she hesitated, "or you hurting him. I can't figure out which one yet."

Rukia wanted to laugh at her, where was she making up this stuff from, " Maybe someone slipped you something Ran, I definitely think you aren't in your right mind."

"I was watching you two, there is no way he's not already in love with you. The way he was looking at you, holding you. There has to be something there."

She did laugh now; her friend had lost her mind somewhere along the way. " Thanks for trying to cheer me up Ran, but I already know how he feels." She gave her a reassuring smile, "I've accepted it already."

Ran shook her head, "you're pretty stubborn Rukia. If you don't want to listen to me that's fine, but you need to open your eyes."

"Wait a minute, a few days ago you were telling me not to go back to his house and now you're doing a whole 180."

"True, but opinions change, and besides, I was only going by what you said. Come on, I'm sure they are wondering if we fell in or something."

Rukia nodded, following her. Ran had to be imagining it. There was no way Ichigo had any kind of feelings for her. She was just trying to make her feel better, right?

"Finally, I thought you guys fell in or something." Gin pouted immediately going to Rangiku's side and pulling her close to him, "don't make me worry so much Moto." He planted a kiss on her forehead, and she let out an exaggerated sigh.

"That wasn't even five minutes. You really need a hobby." She giggled, he leaned in and whispered something to her, her face flushed.

Rukia turned away from them, they were so love-dovey it was almost sickening. "You guys need a room."

"No need to be jealous Rukia." Ichigo whispered in her ear, how did he do that, always sneaking up on her.

"I'm, I'm not." He was entirely too close to her.

His arm snaked around her hips pulling her close to him, " If you want me to be like that, all you gotta do is ask." Again, his breath sent shivers down her spine, awakening feelings she knew she shouldn't be having.

What did he mean by that, she turned to ask him but frowned at the overtly slick smirk he held, "stop messing around Ichigo."

"I'm not."

She pulled away from him then, she wasn't going to fall back into his trap. "I'm going to get some more punch." She scurried away, no matter what, she couldn't let herself buy into anything that he said.

Rukia sipped her punch, watching them. Even across the room she knew he was watching her, and it made her self conscious. Maybe she should just call Hisana and ask for a ride home. She was no longer enjoying herself. She needed to get away from him, she glanced back to the spot where they had been their eyes meeting.

She wanted to turn away from the look of lust that was illuminated there. But she couldn't his eyes kept her captivated.

"Excuse me, want to dance?"

Rukia glanced at the guy giving him an apologetic smile then shook her head, "No thanks."

"Ok." He shuffled off into the crowd and she glanced back trying to find her friends.

"They left."

"You have to stop doing that Ichigo, you are going to give me a heart attack one of these days."

He chuckled, "why are you so on edge Rukia?"

"I'm not, just…wait they were my ride." She fished out her cellphone out of her clutch.

"I told them I'll take you home."

She nodded; she really shouldn't accept it. Not after the way he was looking at her earlier. Maybe she should just decline. She wanted to kick herself, was she really going to get worked up by a simple ride alone with him. "Ok, thanks…I guess then we should head out, it's getting late."

He nodded taking her hand in his and walking out into the chilly night air. A few moments later his car pulled up and they got in. She sat as far from him as she could, it was different being in such an enclosed space with him. It's like she was being engulfed by him. He stretched out taking off his suit jacket.

"That was actually pretty fun, I don't think I've ever danced that much."

Rukia nodded in agreement, "I'm glad I came too. It was fun." Why did this feel so forced?

Suddenly he moved taking the seat next to her, "Listen Rukia, I'm sorry for being such a dick. I've been really thinking about it the last couple of days and realized that I really fucked up."

She sat rigid next to him, "its fine, I already got over it Ichigo." She muttered staring at her fingers in her lap.

"Its not." He lifted her up and settled her down in his lap.

She didn't bother to try and move, "I already know, what you did was wrong, but you can't help teasing the virgin." She shrugged dejectedly already over his apologies; she wouldn't let him get to her again.

"That's not it Rukia. I wanna fuck you …"

"Wow tell me how you really feel," she rolled her eyes, She was over this.

He sighed, "I should never have told you to forget what happened. Even though I said I regretted it, I don't. You don't know how fucking long I've wanted to kiss you, to touch you. I was more annoyed at myself for doing it so carelessly."

She frowned, she had known he wanted her body, it didn't take a rocked scientist to see that, but that's not what she wanted. She couldn't give herself to someone that had no feelings for her.

"And now I hate the awkwardness between us. It's like you're always on guard and I can't stand that. I need to know what I have to do for us to go back to before the cabin."

She finally looked up at him, "why did you bring me there Ichigo, tell me the truth."

His usual cocky smirk returned, "it was the perfect setting for us to fuck. Private, romantic, that's what you girls like right? I figured it would be the ideal place to take our relationship to the next level. Then my dad showed up and kinda ruined it."

She searched his face, the word relationship was not lost on her, "so basically you thought you would get lucky, and we aren't in a relationship Ichigo." She frowned now, feeling disgusted with him, and herself.

"No, I knew I would, but I wanted it to be special for you."

She let out a mirthless laugh, "Your pretty arrogant Ichigo. I would ne…"

"If I hadn't stopped when we were at the lake, would you have stopped me? Be completely honest Rukia."

"No, I can't say that I would have." She felt ashamed to say it, but it was the truth, the blissful way she felt then she had wanted him to keep going.

"Like I said, taking your virginity in a clearing in the woods wasn't what I wanted, but when I got back to the cabin, I felt like I had fucked up. So instead of doing what a normal person would do and talk to you about it, I figured it would be better to just let you go."

She looked at him, "Ichigo you're not really making much sense right now."

"Sorry I don't think I'm thinking straight." He let out a heavy sigh and pulled her closer to him and just let the feel of her body envelop him.

"Ichigo?"

"Yea?" his voice was soft and unsure, "what do I have to do for you to forgive me? I miss the old you. I miss your smiles." He hesitated, uncertain of the right words to say "I'll do anything to go back to how it was before. I can't promise I won't ever touch you again because that's impossible. I want you so badly I can't even function properly. Even right now I wish my cock was buried in you. I want to hear you calling out my name as you cum."

Rukia blushed listening to his words, searching his face, his eyes were closed but she knew what she would see in them. She wouldn't deny that she wanted him to. But she couldn't give into it, "It's not as easy as that Ichigo, any time I am around you I feel like I have to force myself to speak to you normally. I…"

"So, is this you breaking up with me then?"

She pulled away from him, "breaking up with you? What are you talking about Ichigo?"

"Forget it, Rukia. Just think about forgiving me at least."

"Ichigo what did…" the door opened, and she stopped, they were already at her house. "Ichigo?"

"Goodnight Rukia."

She stepped out of the car, her mind a jumbled mess. What was he talking about? Why was he saying all this now, when just a few days ago he told her he didn't love her? Was he trying to toy with her? She went inside and to her room. Tomorrow, she would ask him about it. She needed answers.

~~~~Next day~~~

She finally arrived at his house, her sister had taken her out to celebrate her graduation with an impromptu shopping trip and dinner. She appreciated it but her mind had been preoccupied with Ichigo's words.

"Hey Rukia."

"Hey." She said nervously as she entered his house. How was she supposed to bring it up, now being in his presence made her anxious as hell.

He got into the bed and pulled the covers up, "You can start whenever Rukia."

Had she imagined all of last night? He was acting like nothing had happened again. So, he had been messing with her, "Ichigo last night…"

He frowned at her, "I don't know if I did something wrong to you Rukia, but I am going to apologize, I guess I was umm a little tipsy."

"You were drunk?"

"Thanks to Ichimaru. So sorry I don't really remember too much."

That explained it. She sighed of course, "Its fine, nothing happened. So back to the story I guess…"

~~~~X.X.X~~~~

"Your father…" what a fool she was, she had revealed her plans to the enemy. "Why would you help me then?"

Nnoitra chuckled, "how could I say no to a damsel in distress?"

"How do I know once the deed is done, you'll keep up your end of the bargain?"

"You'll have to just take a chance. Do you say no, and I kill you or say yes and I help you get close enough to the King for you to take your vengeance."

Nel sat there scrutinizing him, could she take the risk that he wouldn't betray her and finally after three long years she would be able to complete her goal. "Ok then, give me a few days to prepare…"

"Give me your answer now Princess, I don't like to be kept waiting."

She shook her head, feeling as if she might just be making a deal with the devil, "I need to make sure you aren't going to betray me. Take me to meet the king."

"You aren't in any position to negotiate Princess."

"Then I decline." She would find another way. She needed to keep an upper hand somehow.

"Suit yourself," he smirked grabbing her, and yanking her towards him. "I'll just take what I want and when I'm done using your body, have you killed." Before she knew it the flimsy top, she had on was discarded to the side, her pants and underwear joined them moments later.

She tried to cover her naked body, "nooo!" she screamed not like this. All her hard work would have been for nothing. "Just kill me, don't…"

The door to his chambers burst open. "Master? We heard a commotion…" a short portly man stopped mid-sentence glancing from his master to the human, taking in her and his undressed state.

"Sorry , if you'll excuse me I think I have other duties to attend to." He hurried out of the room.

Nnoitra glared at the spot he had stood his mood diminished, "three days princess that is all you have. As for now this will be your room. If you try and escape, I'll fucking kill you."

Nel visibly sighed in relief, she was not ready for this at all. She was grateful for that sudden intrusion. She grabbed the discarded shirt and covered her breast, "that's not sufficient enough time…I..."

"You came all this way without an actual plan? Are you an idiot? Did you think he would be an easy target or maybe you were going to seduce him and then kill him." He openly mocked her.

He was correct she hadn't really thought of a solid strategy. Her whole focus had been to kill him but how would she have done that? She hadn't thought of his guards or any other hurdles that might have been in her way. But that's not what she was worried about honestly.

"Don't worry Princess. I'll make it easy for you, as long as you submit yourself wholly to me."

"I already said I would, do you have to keep bringing it up? In three days, I will lay here and let you take what you want from my body, but after that what will you do to me? Will I be able to leave?"

Nnoitra stared at her naked body, even now he wondered why he was playing around with her. He could just fuck her and get it out of his system. He didn't need a ruse to do it, but the way hope shone in her eyes made him hard as hell, he knew that fucking her once wasn't going to do it. "We'll see Princess. If you do a well enough job, I might think about letting you go."

Nel glanced down, unsure of what he meant by well enough, she had no experience in this. She had men that wanted her, but no one had ever been stupid enough to try her. She was normally a force to be reckoned with. But now she was really going to give herself up just for a chance at retribution, to a man she didn't know, and felt nothing for. "When will I be able to see him?"

"Tomorrow, I'll make sure to introduce you at breakfast. No matter what is said you do not talk to him."

She was finally going to see the face of the man that had ruined her once idyllic life. She knew it would not bring her parents or her kingdom back but watching him die would finally bring her a modicum of peace.

"Ok," now she needed to come up with a plan, even if he was going to get her close enough to do it, what method would be suitable? How could she do it to inflict as much pain as she had been going through? "Will my clothes be returned to me? I do not think I could be in the presence of a 'King' in these." She motioned to the ripped cloth that she held over her body.

"You sure do want a lot Princess. Maybe I should be more selfish and demand a few more things from you as well." The way he smirked at her gave her the impression what he was thinking was nowhere in the realm of decency.

"Forget it Prince Nnoitra I'll make do with these. I do not want to be obligated to you for anything else."

~~~next day~~~

Nel sat next to him at the big table. He had sent a servant to fetch her. Even though he had complained last night, she had been brought new clothes. Looking through them even she had to admire them. They were well crafted and indeed fit for someone of royalty. She glanced at Nnoitra, he had a lazy grin on his face, as he watched the door. She wanted to ask what he was thinking when the door swung open and in walked three guards followed by a tall, regal looking fair-haired man.

Nnoitra stood next her, and she followed suite, he bowed, and she did so also.

He sat down and then they took their seat, "is that him?" she whispered.

He nodded, "King Tesra."

She stared at him; he looked no older than her. How was this the merciless man that took her parents away from her? He didn't look as she had imagined. She had thought he would be a big older menacing looking guy, she never imagined he could look so unassuming. "Are you sure? You don't look like him and isn't he too young to be your father?" she couldn't stop staring at him, was Nnoitra playing her for a fool?

He sighed in annoyance, "We are not human, so we do not age as you do. The current king has been in power for over two hundred years."

That could not be possible, she had never heard of anything like them before, but then again she had seen quite a bit of bizarre creatures yesterday, "I see…"

He grinned down at her, "Now do you see how futile it would be without my help princess?"

Nel nodded, staring down at her food. This would have been impossible for her to do alone. She would have to rely on him to keep his word.

The servants cleared away the food, but the king made no move to leave, he stared at her suspiciously. And she averted her eyes, he hadn't been concerned about her through-out breakfast. Why now was he looking in her direction.? "A new addition to my kingdom Prince Nnoitra?"

Nnoitra glanced at his father, "No father, just a runaway Princess, looking to hide out for a while."

Nel kept her head down. Why did he say that? He was just going to make him even more suspicious.

"From what kingdom? She looks familiar."

Nnoitra watched her squirm next to him, enjoying the anxious expression on her beautiful features, "She refuses to say. I've agreed to give her sanctuary." He shrugged.

"I refuse." Tesra said standing now, "I do not take in vagabonds. My castle is not a place for beggars, kill her."

Nel gasped jumping out of her seat, "You can't..."

Nnoitra stopped her, "I will not." He grabbed her by the hand and walked her out of the dining hall.

She followed behind him clutching onto his arm, suddenly afraid that at any moment a guard would assault her. The king was heartless, he didn't even know her yet he wanted her to be kill. Even after his own son said he was going to give her a place to stay, "Will you get in trouble refusing him?"

"There is none as powerful as me, but my father, and he doesn't like to get his hands dirty." He shrugged as if that clarified everything.

She still could not figure out why he had so readily agreed to help her, but now she could see why he wanted to kill him, but he really didn't need her. More and more she was realizing that she needed his assistance "why are you helping me, why don't you just kill him?"

"Princesses should be seen and not heard; have you never been told that?" he growled out. The way she was clinging onto him, he could feel the fullness of her breasts against his arm and each touch was driving him crazy.

Never from her mother and father but plenty of times from her teachers. Trying to make her a perfect princess that any prince would want to claim as his own. Sit up straight, always be polite, smile be graceful but most importantly don't ask questions and keep your mouth close. She sighed, even now looking back on that she would give anything to still be told that, still be reprimanded because that meant her parents would still be alive.

They stopped outside her bedroom and she let go of his arm, "will I be ok alone? Your father isn't going to send guards to kill me in my sleep is he?" She glanced around her room nervously, she didn't want to be alone, especially without a weapon.

"Afraid princess? What happened to the woman from yesterday? The one who drew my own sword on me? Ready to kill me?" Nnoitra chuckled but in truth he was enjoying this way more than he should. Who knew toying with your prey could be this entertaining? "I will stay if you beg me too."

She would never, she had more pride than that. "I'll manage alone." Nel turned her back to him, not at all liking how he had said those words, or the unfamiliar tingle that sparked through her at the way he looked at her then.

~~~later~~~

Nel had been couped up all day, she still had yet to produce a decent plan and even more worrying she still had been unable to shake the feeling that she was being watched. She knew there were guards outside the door, she had tried to leave after he had left only to be barred from exiting.

She had bathed and changed, getting ready for dinner, but time seemed to be going slower than normal. Lunch had been brought to her so maybe dinner would be the same? Was he trying to hide her away from his father? Or now that she had seen him would he keep her away until she had given him what he wanted?

Nel wanted to yell out into the room, she needed something to do. Sitting here just gave her time to contemplate what she had not accomplished in her life. Her quest for revenge had fully taken over the last three years. She hadn't done anything a young lady should have. She had never kissed a man or fallen in love. And now she was going to give away herself without experiencing any of those things.

She didn't want to think about what would happen afterwards. He said he might let her go, why wouldn't he though. He didn't need her, what would she do afterwards. Her whole adult life had been dedicated to finding and killing the King, with that out of the way she really didn't have much to go back to.

A knock at the door brought her out of her thoughts. In walked Nnoitra along with her dinner.

She picked at the meal, her nerves getting the best of her. He had sat on one of the settees and just been observing her the whole time. She wished he would just leave. "Do I have to be locked in this room all day? I've nearly died of boredom."

He didn't say anything, just continued to watch her.

"I'm not going to run away if that is what you are worried about. There is no way I would ever jeopardize the only shot I have at killing him." She set her fork down. "At least let me explore the castle."

He stood then, moving the cart from in front of her, he lifted her to her feet, then kissed her. She stiffened trying to pull away, this was too soon he had said three days so why was he doing this now. "Nnoitra...you" her words were cut off by his lips, his hands grabbed her buttocks pulling her against his hardness, as his tongue invaded her mouth.

The sensation was thrilling, her body felt hot and instinctively she tried to meld her body to his. The way he was kissing her was sending her brain into orbit. The strange feeling pooling in the pit of her stomach, she knew she should pull away, but she couldn't, it felt too good. The way his hands were kneading her backside sent little electric shocks through her. He pulled away and she was finally able to catch her breath.

Her breath was haggard and her head was swimming, she glanced up at him, his grin was devious but his lips looked so inviting, she leaned up to kiss him again but he pulled away, "That's enough for tonight, Princess."

She moaned out in disappointment, wasn't she the one thinking she wouldn't be ready for this, yet she was feeling bereft out of his arms, " why…why did you, kiss me so suddenly? You said I had three days."

He licked his lips, his eyes focused on the plumpness of her bottom lip, "I also said I would make this easier for you correct?"

"What were you trying to accomplish there?"

He smirked, "Goodnight princess."

She watched him as he left her room, all her nerves on high attention.