Lemony: *drum roll*…HI-YA READERS!

Wicked: Did you miss us?

Awesome: Because we missed you.

Lemony: Ok! I'm updating this because I was reading it last night and thought, "Why don't give em a new chapter?" So here it is! Btw this chapter was written in a hurry so I know there are probably tons of mistakes. Please ignore them. Enjoy!

Triplicity

Chapter 9: There is Hope!

Rukia silently gathered the paperwork in her arms and left Squad 13's barracks. Her stomach flopped when she thought about being alone with him. She didn't want a repeat of the last time when they got into a screaming match. Rukia sighed. For that whole week Gin had become a shadow of his former self. He was no longer teasing people or making small talk. No, he was very distant, aloof, and almost untouchable.

It's as if Gin morphed into a silver-haired Byakuya! He was so cold and reserved…it unnerved Rukia. Feeling as if she had nowhere to turn, Rukia maneuvered the stack of paperwork in her hands. With her free hand she reached into her robes pockets and fished out her Soul Pager. She flipped it open and dialed one number.

"Hello?" Came the cheerful voice of Akira on the other line,

"Akira…" Rukia breathed, her voice gloomy.

"Rukia? What's the matter?" The blonde captain asked catching on to the misery in her voice, Rukia sighed.

"I…I have to go to Squad 3…"

Akira said quickly, "Do you want me to come with you?"

"No…" Rukia sighed, "It's just that…I dunno about seeing him again…"

"Rukia," Akira said with false-friendliness, "Everything will be ok. I promise and if anything should happen you can be certain I'll be there in a heartbeat…"

Rukia smiled and nodded to herself. "I know…thank you Akira…for everything…"

"Anything for you Rukia…" He purred deeply, "Don't forget, you owe me that date tonight…"

"I…I haven't forgotten. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye."

With that Rukia heard the distinct click and she knew he'd hung up. She snapped her Soul Pager shut and took a deep breath. Talking to Akira made her feel a little better about this whole thing. Although he laid it on thick with the flirting, he was proving to be a very good friend. He was always ready to lend a helping hand her way, or tell a funny joke when she was sad, and generally be a ray of blonde sunshine. He listened to her talk about Gin, providing a shoulder to cry on, and telling her that everything was going to be ok. He just showed her kindness. And kindness was something she desperately needed recently.

Rukia took a deep breath and exhaled.

Well, she had papers to deliver, the sooner she went the sooner she could leave…

Rukia walked around the half-empty barracks of Squad 3. She was thankful that there weren't a lot of people around. That meant she didn't have to feel self-conscience around the mean-spirited members of Squad 3. In no time at all, she made it Gin's office. Here she hesitated…

Here it was, the moment of truth.

Rukia took a moment and steeled herself. The younger Kuchiki raised her hand and knocked lightly.

"Come in," Gin's voice called, his voice was empty and raspy. It wasn't the same sugary-coated hum Rukia had grown to love. No this was different. His voice was so cold it actually made her shiver. Silently she slid the door open and stood there.

Gin, who was sitting behind his desk, looked up. When he saw Rukia standing there he locked eyes with her. The moment was electric. Rukia felt Gin's eyes clash with hers and a flood of emotion was threatening to spill out of her. Being alone with him like this reminded Rukia of the times they had before the strife, when she would come into his office with one thing on her mind: having Gin. She remembered the late nights with him here early in their relationship when their passion was hot enough to burn down the building.

Now it was just cold.

When Rukia took a step inside the office it felt like she'd jumped into a pool of freezing water. Her thoughts went back to the argument they had here and about how angry she was with him. Now she was just devastated. She missed Gin greatly and wanted nothing more than to crawl into his arms and stay there.

"Rukia." Gin said stiffly, "What can I do for you?"

Silently the raven-haired girl held up the stack of paperwork, took it over to his desk, and then sat it down. Gin glanced at the papers then up at Rukia. She looked distinctly uncomfortable. He sighed inwardly. Gin believed that Rukia didn't want to be within ten feet of him. Oh well, he'd make it easy for her…

"Thank you," He said, there was no emotion in his tone at all. "You can go now if you like."

Rukia made a motion of turning but then stopped. She examined her ex-lover closely; Gin was looking thinner than usual. Much thinner…almost sickly.

"I miss you…"

Those three little words made time screech to a halt! Gin froze and stared at Rukia as if he'd never seen her before! He couldn't believe he'd just heard those words! It was like a jolt that brought him back to life!

"Rukia…" Gin said softly, his heart fluttering, "I miss you too…"

Rukia swallowed a lump that formed in her throat. "You look like you haven't been eating much…that's not healthy you know…"

"No of course not," Gin said quickly, he was elated that Rukia was even speaking to him! Her voice was like a breath of fresh air and he was like a man who couldn't breathe! He needed to hear her! Rukia was talking to Gin like a person and not screaming at him like the monster he'd convinced himself he was! And honestly, Gin hadn't been eating much lately. He had a sudden loss of appetite after Rukia left. Gin would take a bite here and there of his food but he hadn't finished a meal in the past week.

"You should eat something…" Rukia said quietly, "Maybe if you're not doing anything later you and I can…"

Rukia didn't even need to finish that sentence. Gin stood up and took her hand and stared deeply into her eyes.

"I would do anything to go with Rukia," Gin told her, his words true.

For a moment they stood there, staring at each other. Rukia's heart quickened when she felt Gin's warm hand clasped around hers. It was almost unbelievable that they'd went so long without touching each other and this little bit of contact was making sparks fly between them. It was unreal. Rukia closed her hand around Gin's and gave his palm a small squeeze. This was not just some fucked dream. Rukia could touch Gin without feeling scared or angry anymore. She'd missed him…she missed his touch…

"What…what time should we…?" Rukia said shyly, Gin thought for a moment.

"How about eight?" Gin said suddenly, he would have said they should leave right now, but the silver-haired captain didn't want to push Rukia. This was a dream come true! Not only had she spoken to him, she let him grab her hand and then suggest that she get something to eat together. It's as if the clouds parted and sunlight was raining down on Gin, expelling all of the darkness in his life.

"Eight is fine…" Rukia said, she felt her face flush. Gin saw bright pink creep across her face, but little did he know, he was having the same reaction.

"So I'll see you at eight then?" He said hopefully, Rukia nodded.

"Eight." Rukia responded.

They both stood there, hand in hand, for moment completely unsure of what else to say. Gin looked visible relieved by this sincere gesture Rukia was making. The massive weight he'd been carrying lifted from his shoulders and vanished. As badly as he didn't want to, Gin let go of Rukia's hand. They looked at each other longingly for a second. Gin wanted so kiss Rukia but he didn't want to risk making her feel uncomfortable. Rukia then turned to leave his office, she gave one last glance before sliding the door shut.

Now alone, Gin stood behind his desk with a smile on his face. This wasn't his usual mischievous smirk, no, this was a genuine smile.

Tonight at eight, he had a chance to win his beloved little rabbit back!

Rukia walked from Squad 3 with a pep in her step. Finally, she was going to be able to reconnect with Gin. For the first time since this whole thing began Rukia was looking forward to seeing her ex-lover.

"Oh wait until I tell Akira, he'll be so happy for me," She thought cheerfully, then Rukia stopped. "Oh no! I forgot I scheduled a date with him tonight!"

Rukia quickly took out her Soul Pager and dialed his number. It rang exactly three times before the Captain of Squad 9 answered.

"Hello?"

"Akira?"

"Oh hey Rukia," The blonde said, "How'd things go at Squad 3?"

"That's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about…" Rukia said sheepishly, "I…I have to cancel our date tonight…"

"Why?" Akira snapped on the other line, "Is it because of Ichimaru?"

"Yes," Rukia told him truthfully, "We made plans to get together tonight…"

There was a long silence on the other line. Rukia thought for a moment that Akira had hung up on her.

"Akira?" She said,

"I'm still here…" The blonde said, if one had been standing there they would know that Akira had said that through gritted teeth.

"Are you alright?" Rukia then hoping she hadn't disappointed him. Akira had been very friendly to her throughout this whole thing, she felt a little guilty for just blowing him off to be with Gin. But Akira was nice guy, he'd understand…wouldn't he?

"Yes," Akira sighed, "I'm a-ok. But it's you I'm worried about, what Gin goes crazy again?"

"I don't he's gonna try anything, Akira," Rukia said thinking back to the way he'd responded to her in the office. "I don't think he wants to upset me again. I think he's finally ready to open to me…"

Akira listen on the other line rolling his eyes so hard he nearly knocked himself out!

"Women and their fucking lovey-dovey bullshit!" He thought angrily, instead his mouth formed these words:

"If you say so, and I totally understand, Rukia. Do what makes you happy."

Rukia smiled, "Thanks Akira, I knew you would. You're such a nice guy."

With that she snapped her Soul Pager shut and continued on her way.

Akira was mad as hell! Who the fuck did Rukia think she was? Was she serious? Now he was back to square one! Akira was especially livid because he'd put up with her crying and moaning about how much she missed Gin! And now she was going to cancel their date because she'd spent less than five minutes with him!

"Urrgh!" Akira growled, he'd never worked this hard for pussy in his life!

This was getting to be frustrating…what could he do now? Akira knew he was out of options for now. He'd just have to sit, wait, and hope their date went horribly.

One thing was for certain, there was hope for Gin and Rukia after all...

To Be Continued…

Lemony: Don't cha just wanna hug me? Yeah, yeah I'm teasing again! Friday night at eight! She will be his date! And it will be great! Great! Great! Great! XD

Wicked: Idiot. And what else is new? You're always teasing someone. *rolls eyes*

Lemony: Don't be jealous of my boogie. Anywho, this isn't my official return to Fanfiction I just thought you readers would like this.

Awesome: Wow, Akira needs to be slapped! Somebody needs to take his ass out! Get a mafia contract on him! But I'm glad Gin and Rukia are trying to get back together and whatnot.

Lemony: Welp, that's it for now!...REVIEW!