A/N: So this was previously a one-shot that i could not leave alone, and I had to write out the remaining plot.
The story will be going backwards, as in I started from how it ended and I will finish it with how it all started.
Enjoy the story and a lot will be revealed at later chapters!

The Lost Chance

Chapter 1

x

x

"Rukia." Ichigo's voice cut through the silence and the stillness of the dark room. His voice was barely above the volume of a whisper, but it was clear and curt and he was demanding her attention. Rukia inwardly sighed and the mourned the loss of the wonderfully silent moment. In her head, it was almost as if his voice had shattered through a glass wall that was protecting them from the outside world; and it wasn't see-through. And now, they had to face the harsh reality that was life.

She hummed a small reply, not wanting to talk or do anything for that matter. She tightened her arms around his small waist and buried her face – if possible – further into Ichigo's blanket covered chest. Though the blanket had her scent all over it, she noted happily it had some of his scent – that was the cologne he always wore – permeated into it. She lost herself yet again in his scent, his hand's soothing circular movements on her back making her feel as if his hand was boring right through her back and into her soul; she felt as if he was bringing out her soul one part at a time, per revolution.

And that was why, when his hand ceased its movements, Rukia felt as if her soul was slammed right back into her forcefully; she jerked slightly, her eyes shot open and she stared into the darkness of her room. She could make out her door only because of the crack beneath it allowing light from her hallway to sweep in.

Her windows were open, but there was no light coming from them. Rukia raised her head and stared at what she hoped was Ichigo's face. "I knew that would catch your attention," he whispered softly to her, his breath blowing her bangs that covered half of her face.

"Fine," Rukia shifted slightly to place herself more comfortably on Ichigo, "What?"

Ichigo remained silent, and Rukia knew exactly what was going through his head. Her hand on his chest felt his heart beating; though not fast, but slightly erratic beating. His chest rose and fell, and Rukia – situated on top of him – moved along with him. She was that light weighted.

"I have a few weeks left," Ichigo started, pausing immediately, drawing in a heavy breath.

"A week and 4 days to be exact." Rukia haughtily corrected him, unsettled by sheer proudness she felt by it.

Ichigo was amused. He laughed a little and brought his hand to rest on top of her head, ruffling her hair like a little kid. Rukia inwardly grumbled at the fact that his hand took up her entire head.

"Okay, I have a week and four days left," Ichigo paused again, and Rukia would have thought he did that for dramatic effects. But no, she knew better. He tended to get his words in a jumble whenever he was nervous. Pausing in between sentences gave him the clarity to continue clearly.

Rukia grew more disturbed by the second; disturbed by the fact that she could predict him so easily and knew every one of his quirks, his habits and by far, some of his daily routine. In scant three weeks, she had come to know him so well – she didn't even know Rangiku that well and she had spent a good numbers of years with that woman.

"I'll be leaving this town after that and I might not ever come back," Ichigo slowly continued, building up to what he initially set after to say. "And… I want you to –"

X

Ichigo suddenly stopped mid-speech as soon as he felt Rukia shuffle to detangle herself from him. His hand limply trailed down her bare back as she sat upright beside him. Her hand pushed at his waist, prompting him to move. Ichigo wordlessly shifted over to his side, away from her; the bed creaked slightly as Rukia pushed herself to get off it. Even in the darkness, he traced the slight outline of her, and found her standing at the foot of the bed. A sort of panic took over him – Rukia was upset… suddenly.

Ichigo's mind racked through his memories; his words, his actions… anything he might have done to cause her to abruptly act this way.

"Rukia –" he started, reaching out his hand to grasp her, as she walked around the bed and right beside him. The lamp on her table came on suddenly and dimly lit the room. Rukia was stood before him, her figure towering over him, and her face scrunched to one of her formidable frowns. She stood directly in front of the lamp, wearing his over-sized shirt and absolutely nothing underneath; her hands rested firmly on her hips, and she looked ready to fight a war.

"Ichigo, you are not a kid." Rukia started, with her stern adult voice. "How many times do have to explain to you… NO!"

"But Rukia, we –"

"No!" Rukia cut in, pointing accusingly at him with her finger. "There is – nor there was – any 'we'. There especially won't be after you leave. This, Ichigo," she frantically circled the space between them with her hands, "None of this is real."

Ichigo is unbelievable hurt at her words. Granted, this was not the first time he heard them. He's been hearing them since he brought up the – according to Rukia – the taboo. At first he thought, maybe because no one has ever said them to her. No one had the heart to see the beautiful being that was Rukia. To them, she was just a thing. Ichigo wanted to change that. She was capable of so much – so much more than the sad reality she was living called life. She had gone through a lot, something that even he agreed with her – something that cannot be erased, nor forgotten. But they can be dulled; something much better can make her, even momentarily forget about it.

But… why was she resisting this much? Ichigo estimated it would take a few days of coaxing to make her comply. But it has been almost two weeks. And he was growing anxious.

A dark thought crept in the corners of his mind. He had pushed it back and back until to the point of delusion. He knew what ever existed between them was not an illusion. It wasn't only him. It had been proven time and again… this was real.

But what if she… Ichigo dared not to finish the thought.

X

Storming out was one of ichigo's specialties. First, he would make a face. A face that screamed dominant, angry and indignant. Then, he would stare at you as if he was boring holes into your very soul; judging you, taking you apart one by one, examining you. He would calmly walk about, gathering his things. And equally calmly, open the door and walk out, closing the door behind in a silent, click!

Rukia stood in the middle of the room, clutching the fabric on her, not miffed at Ichigo's actions. She was too used to it. She ran a hand through her hair, ruffling it slightly in the middle and let out a rueful laugh. How odd that they had fights like a couple in love. They would fight, one of them would storm out and the next day they would talk as if nothing happened and be on their merry way.

We are in lo… Rukia stopped herself. It was never good to get indulged in things she couldn't have. She didn't deserve good things, she thought bitterly, she deserved live the way she was now. She didn't want to cause Ichigo any trouble. She would end up spoiling his perfect life. She did obviously have a knack for that.

She clutched the shirt even tighter around her. He had forgotten his shirt… again. Rukia had lost count of how many shirts she had of his. And how many shirts did that boy actually have?!

Yes, to Rukia, Ichigo was a boy. A boy who need to learn to know what's best for him; and she would not, could not, let herself wreak havoc on his perfect life, just so she could indulge herself. She… had fallen too much for that boy to wish that.

But little did Rukia know, she had already wreaked havoc on his perfect life and the boy wanted the havoc named Rukia to last forever.

X

Rukia was naturally up at the crack of dawn. Though she distinctly remembered falling asleep at the crack of dawn; drawing the conclusion, she had slept for not more than an hour. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, stinging from the sun that streaked through her window; although the sun never hurt her eyes, as long as she hadn't bawled her eyes out crying the night before. She turned and shifted beneath her frail blanket, rubbing her eyes into her pillow.

As her consciousness slowly regained itself, she noted that her room smelled… different. Nice, in fact; she immediately shot up on her bed and frantically looked around. Whatever smelled nice would be easy to find since there was nothing in her room, save for a bed and a table. And on that bed, she found the sweetest thing her eyes ever laid upon.

Rukia crawled out of bed, and treaded slowly towards her table. The smell was growing stronger as she approached it and her stomach growled at it. Food! She thought happily.

She peered over the transparent wrap of the small basket; in there lay three different kinds of cupcakes, doughnuts and muffins. And all of them cutely decorated in pink topping. Her cheeks flushed momentarily at the sheer cuteness of it all, but soon the question pooped in her mind. Who is it from?

Then she thought she'd rather be thinking, how it was in her room in the first place. Panic washed over her soul, until she spotted a neatly folded white page beneath the basket. She gingerly brought it out and on opening; she ran her eyes through the text.

She balked at the sight of Rangiku's handwriting.

Rukia, my darling – it began. I wish I could have said goodbye to you face to face, but I guess I will have to settle for this.

"Goodbye…? What…" Rukia stumbled onto her bed, not being able to stand anymore due to shock.

When I tried to come in last night, I found that your room was locked. So I got my key and came in – and what I saw was my precious Rukiruki soundly sleeping and you looked so cute and everything, I didn't want to wake you! Tehe! But I also knew that you had been crying. How I know? Call it a mother's intuition ;) So I let you rest and that made this goodbye a whole lot easier.

Rukia thumbed the still wet patch on the side of the page, where some ink had been smudged in. A tear too rolled down Rukia's cheek, as she was sure Rangiku's had too.

Gin came by last night. And we finally put our plan into motion. It was so sudden; I had to leave EVERYTHING behind! That fox-faced bastard didn't let me take anything. But Rukia… I was so happy! I finally get to get out of this hell hole! Gin said that he and I would be living in a town much MUCH far away from here. So that nobody knows who I am. Isn't that wonderful?

Rukia, I love him so much and I am so happy, that I could die! Just kidding :P

And you. I wish I could take you with me. I am going to miss you so much. But you know what makes me happier?

Ichigo! You and him, you two can finally get away from here! Oh Rukia, he's gonna –

Rukia couldn't bear to read anymore after that. She thought after weeks, her tears might have dried. But clearly, she had more left to bawl out. She clutched the letter to her chest, crumpling it, and sobbed quietly. Rangiku… was gone. She couldn't tell whether she was happy that Rangiku had found her salvation or frightened that, she was finally alone again.

Momentarily, she thought of Ichigo; she allowed herself to be put in Rangiku's position. What if she had… accepted Ichigo?

Momentarily, she felt deliriously happy.

And in the next moment, she burst her own bubble.

She thought about taking a walk today. A stroll through the park, maybe.

Yes, for the next few days she would be off duty and Ichigo-free. She would go on a spending spree like Rangiku did when she had saved enough money.

Even if Ichigo should come knocking at her door, she could just shoo him away.

Oh, if only it were that easy.

Don't forget to review! :)

Next chapter: Rukia reveals her past and the 'whys' and the 'whens' to her life.