Chapter 21

by: WhiteGloves

"... If fate is a millstone, then we are the grist. There is nothing we can do. So I wish for strength. If I cannot protect them from the wheel, then give me a strong blade, and enough strength... to shatter fate."- Ichigo Kurosaki-

*DeathBerry*

Rukia breathed heavily as she hid among the trees while supporting a scratched shoulder.

It was dark and damp and she was in the middle of fighting a hollow. This was the ninth hollow they had encountered since their clearing operation started and as she had expected it was not very easy. For one thing—out of her five seated members, three were down already; the fourth was missing from their last fight. So the only people remaining were herself and her last support, whom she had lost somewhere around the trees.

She sure hopes he survives.

Rukia stealthily looked from left to right after feeling that she wasn't alone. The trees were whispering around her, the dark surrounding was giving an ominous feeling that she was being watched by a number of eyes.

She gritted her teeth and gripped to her zanpakuto. Whatever was around her was a smart one. The hollow has some level of intellect, otherwise it would have been slaughtered so easily like the eight others before it and otherwise she wouldn't have lost three of her men to it.

A movement from behind her caught Rukia and she immediately turned around to defend but she found nobody. Frowning to herself, she narrowed her eyes at the trees. She could swear she saw figures of people around the trees… but that's odd…there shouldn't be any souls around except her and her team… were there other hollows around the area aside from the one she was tracking?

Suddenly, there was another movement behind her. She turned quickly—only to find herself face to face with her last comrade.

"Taicho," the seventh seated officer whispered to her as he made himself apparent in front of her eyes, "I found Kumisawa's body… he's already down."

Rukia felt a jolt of something like anger and guilt grip her heart.

"I see," she whispered with a sweat sliding down her right cheek and her eyebrows furrowed so closely together, "be careful you… we cannot let this one out or it'll have more victims. We cannot let that happen."

"Hai," the seventh seated officer said and the two of them searched on with Rukia more determined than ever. She would take this hollow down, she thought to herself; she would, even if she had to die trying!

A flash of Ichigo's face made Rukia stop all of a sudden.

Ichigo… he was waiting for her…

"Taicho!"

Rukia was caught off guard as she heard the voice. She spun around and saw a soul reaper standing behind her with his shoulders sagging in an odd way. Rukia frowned a little and tried to identify the man. Then her eyes rounded.

"You… Kumisawa…?"

The man looked her in the eye—she saw his eyes bulging out with its white color. His skin was also awfully pale that made him look very dry under the moonlight.

And the soul reaper grinned at her as if it won over something.

"Taicho!" shouted Rukia's last comrade who suddenly appeared on her right side and running toward her, "that's not Kumisawa anymore! Be careful!"

Rukia looked at the being in front of her and gasped as she saw it attack with its bare teeth laughing at her.

"Kuchiki-taicho!"

"Come on, people, move it!" Kiyone was shouting around as she headed the cleaning operation inside the 13th Division. "If Kuchiki-taicho comes back here and saw this dump she'd definitely throw a fit so move your butts and keep this division clean!"

"Hai!" and every new member continued running here and there carrying rugs, basin, mops, and more cleaning materials. One of the running men suddenly slipped on the wet floor and dropped down heavily on the floor with a clatter. Other men behind him followed suit and once the falling was over there was quite a mess on the room once again.

Kiyone sighed at what she saw and shook her head in exasperation.

"Geez, you guys need more training in housework! Move it! Why did I end up leading this anyway while Sentaro gets all the fun in the fighting hall? This is really unfair… I'll tell Rukia-taicho about this, he'll see!"

"Is Rukia back?"

Kiyone turned and gasped as she found her lieutenant standing behind her with dark circles under his eyes.

"Lieutenant!" she cried in surprise as she gave him a good look, "What happened to you?"

Ichigo blinked without really seeing, and then gave a stretch and a yawn. He was already wearing a soul reaper uniform and a badge of a lieutenant on his left shoulder. His hair, which has been dyed once more of orange color from the Soul Society Purchase Company (or probably Uruhara in short) made him stand out again.

He had just woken up from his short slumber when he heard commotion outside his office and decided to come out.

"Any news from her team?" he asked again as her stood straight and composed with that meaningful look on his eyes. It was already the sixth day since Rukia and her team had gone away for the mission.

"We've received none, Lieutenant," Kiyone reported abruptly, "Taicho's team remained untraceable and incommunicable according to 12th Division itself… though they said they were trying hard…Kurotsuchi-taicho says he'll be sending you his best regards in the form of his lieutenant if you don't stop bugging him."

"That guy…" he muttered sounding irritated, "any other reports then? What's this ruckus going on here?"

Kiyone stood up straight and with enthusiasm.

"We are preparing for something huge, lieutenant! We'll inform you about it once everything has been settled!"

"Eh?"

"By the way, 11th Division's vice captain sent a messenger inviting you to attend their practice session this afternoon! It said that Zaraki-taicho's been waiting for you for days! They said you should show up and they'll wreck havoc our division!"

Ichigo stared at Kiyone.

"Don't you mean 'or'?"

"Nope—it clearly stated like that, lieutenant!"

"Geez, those guys…"

"The 10th Division wants to make it clear that they have not yet received any wedding invitation."

"Heck—I wasn't even the one sending it out! Who does that?"

"Kuchiki-taicho."

Ichigo stared. Then he rubbed his head again and shook his head.

"What a pain…" Ichigo scratched his head, "Like handling one division isn't enough already— what else is there?"

"Abarai-taicho said he'll want to speak with you this afternoon."

"Why?"

Kiyone shrugged her shoulders.

"Fine. And?"

"Unohana-taicho wishes you a happy day."

Ichigo blinked.

"And she'll be sending Yamada-san over to look after the new members who fell sick after four days of training. She also wants to point out the unreasonable number of sick people from our division. It rarely happens before, she said."

At this, Ichigo couldn't help but took in some air and sigh.

"I don't believe it… it's like all division has something against me and I'm not even the captain! Do they really have plenty of time in their hands?"

Kiyone snickered and gave Ichigo a knowing look.

"But you were just sleeping in the taicho's office awhile ago."

"Yeah—like waiting is not hard for anyone," he muttered impatiently. Kiyone gave him a sympathetic look which made him feel awful so in the end he looked away. "I don't have time playing around here…do you other news?"

Kiyone looked thoughtful for awhile, and then suddenly burst out—

"Oh huh—I have a message for you from your nee-sama!"

At this, Ichigo suddenly shot Kiyone an odd look.

"Who?"

"YOU DARE FORGET YOUR FAMILY YOU GOOD FOR-NOTHING-BASTARD!"

Kukaku Shiba shouted on Ichigo's ear as he appeared in front of her an hour later inside her house. She was seated on her favourite seat while Ichigo knelt in front of her.

"I didn't forget you, alright?" he said back, looking outraged himself, "There were plenty of things happening around! I've got my hands full!"

"That doesn't justify your negligence," Ikkaku has an impatient look in her eyes, "I've received a lot of news about you ever since you left the house hold with Kuchiki! That's right—Kuchiki! Why didn't you tell me you were getting married to Rukia? Do you know how clueless I was when I had the head of the Kuchiki clan visit me here the last time? You ought to be ashamed of yourself!"

Ichigo blinked at Kukaku's words and couldn't help picturing Byakuya Kuchiki walking leisurely toward and waiting outside the Shiba household to be invited inside and have tea over with the Shiba head.

"He's really up to it," he muttered at the corner of his mouth with a sweat drop at the side of his head.

"Oi! What are you mumbling about?"

Ichigo looked back at her with impatient eyes.

"Look—I'm already planning to marry Rukia from the very beginning. You should know that already when I brought her here to you, right? It's just that Byakuya beat me on telling you… geez, that guy…I didn't think he'd really go here and tell you about it!"

"That's what we call here 'manners'!" Kukaku spat, exactly as Ganju came in carrying a tray of tea.

"Who wants some?" he asked as he came in. He settled himself on the right side of the two. When he looked up, he was surprised to see the two of them looking at each other with daggers.

"Eh… what's up?"

The two ignored him. Ichigo sighed and scratched his head.

"It's not like I can help it either! Byakuya's really excited about it if you ask me so he had to tell you. I'm pretty busy with my division so I couldn't really come out and tell you, alright?"

"Which brings up another thing," Kukaku's eyes flashed, "Why didn't you tell me that you became the lieutenant of the 13th Division as well? The Shiba's have long severed its ties with the Gotei 13! What got you deciding something like that, boy!"

It was Ichigo's turn to answer heatedly.

"I'm a substitute shinigami… I was destined to be a shinigami."

Kukaku gritted her teeth and snarled at Ichigo after a period of silence.

"I didn't think you'd be this stupid. And I thought all this time you already know how Sereitei's Law is working! Genryuusai will just use you like his dog! There's no reasoning to that man—open your eyes, fool!"

Ichigo couldn't feel but bitter at her words so he just stared at her as she spoke. Quite frankly, he himself does not agree with everything… there was something uncomfortable with Rukia leaving…

"You don't understand…" he muttered after a moment, "He's the Captain Commander… he knows the capabilities of his subordinates. Rukia's now the captain and it'll be a slap on her face if I stop every decision she makes… It's called our pride… It's something your brother knows too… and I think Kaien knows that too…I think he'd be more than happy if you remained in Sereitei…"

Ganju and Kukaku shot Ichigo a look.

"Bringing up Kaien's pride, huh?" Kukaku murmured as she looked away. Ichigo knew it was a very sensitive topic to open up, but he knew he had to… otherwise she won't listen… he knows she wouldn't…

"I'm sorry…" Ichigo whispered as he looked down the floor and tried to concentrate on the tea in front of him.

Ganju looked over from Ichigo to Kukaku over the silence. After a moment, he forced a smile and said quite unconvincingly, "The weather's pretty bad outside, huh?"

"Ganju, shut it." Kukaku snapped with her eyes away from either man, "Seemed like this newly appointed Shinigami here thought he knew Kaien best…"

Ichigo didn't look up from his tea.

"I didn't mean that…" he whispered again, "I just thought… Kaien died with pride…"

"Damn right," Kukaku agreed that made Ichigo looked up at her in surprise. Kukaku had her flickering eyes staring out of nowhere as she spoke gently about her late brother. "It's really something he would do… to die with honor and pride… something we all take pride for… nonetheless, Kaien knows that something is more important than just pride. It's the heart."

Ichigo gave Kukaku a long look, then whispered, "What do you mean?"

"Kaien didn't just die for his pride as a Soul Reaper!" Kukaku's voice suddenly got stronger as she said this, her hands in tight balls, "He died because his reason for living disappeared… he loved Miyako very much and her death meant a lot to him… that's why he embraced death even before it came to him… he knew he was going to die… but not without bringing the creature responsible for her death with him… I was told by Ukitake about that night… he knew Kaien's plan, and he let him… because Kaien's duty for Miyako is far stronger than his duty as a Soul Reaper!"

Ganju's eyes were silent and meaningful as he listened to his sister. Ichigo could barely react, not even when Kukaku looked up at him with flashing eyes.

"Pride and honor doesn't matter when it comes to saving the person you value the most… if Kaien knew that Miyako's mission was very dangerous, even if it was the Captain Commander's command, I'm sure he would have done something to aid her! Defending them is pride itself! Scratch that law society crap—I thought you knew that? You don't fight for the law! You fight for the people you want to protect and those are what make the law! That is why I think Kaien is happy wherever he is right now… because he didn't have to face a morning without her… do you get what I'm saying, boy?"

Ichigo merely stared at her.

"My brother's just a lover," Ganju smirked quietly to Ichigo, "can't help it. The man's a slave to Miyako-neesan after all."

Ichigo just stared at the Shibas quietly with his mind on Kaien's choices once again.

"Where's Rukia?" Kukaku suddenly asked him unkindly, "I thought you said you love her? Then what are you doing hanging around here while she risks her life out there?"

"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" Ichigo suddenly found himself almost rising from where he was seated, "It's something she wanted to do… It's something she takes pride to do! I can't just barge in to something like that once she has decided…"

"And if she dies?"

Ichigo's eyes rounded as he froze to where he was seated. Kukaku's eyes didn't leave Ichigo's face.

"Are you prepared, Ichigo…?"

Ichigo was not able to speak. Ganju looked from his sister, to Ichigo with a sweat drop at the side of his face.

"Now, now, nee-chan…" he said, trying to lighten the atmosphere with his hands up, "Let's have a little faith to Rukia…"

"Kaien has faith to Miyako and look at where they are now," Kukaku said bluntly with eyes flashing, "all I'm saying is that once you let faith and fate work together without moving your ass then you're done for… destiny bounds to change only—and only if—people try hard to do something about it. Don't let fate do all the work for you… don't let history repeat itself… Standing around and letting things occur without doing anything is the same as letting another kid grab your candy that was right under your nose."

"I don't think that's the closest comparison…" Ganju muttered.

"Shut up! What would you know about it? You always let things happen on their own accord and then in the end all you do is complain! "

"That's not true! Complaining is one way to change the course of one's fate! It makes people take you seriously and change their mind!"

"Don't give me crappy beliefs like that! If you don't want your sorry fate to rest on my hands you'll go and grab me some sake right now!"

"Hai!"

Ganju strode out of the room, leaving Ichigo staring at Kukaku for a long time. Kukaku smirked at him and then shook her head.

"I don't mean to burst your bubble, Ichigo," she said after awhile, "but you know what your problem is?"

Ichigo stared. Kukaku's eyes flashed.

"You listen too much to Rukia."

Ichigo's eyes widened.

"If you continue doing that then I'm telling you," she continued with her elbow leaning on her knee and with a very serious expression, "You're gonna get that candy of your sucked away into somewhere you'll never reach again. Ever."

Ichigo could only remain silent. If it was from before… that time when he was saving her… did he ever listen to a word she said to him? No, he didn't! Then what made the past different from now?

After a moment, Ichigo smiled.

"Thank you... Kukaku... for making me remember..."

Kukaku smiled down at him too.

"I just thought you need someone to remind you."

Ganju came back to the room after a few minutes, carrying another tray with a large bottle on it. When he looked around, he was surprised to see only his sister still seated comfortably on her chair.

"Eh? Where's Ichigo?"

Kukaku smirked.

"Gone to get his candy back."

Ganju placed the tray in front of Kukaku who seemed lost in thought for awhile. She didn't look at him, let alone touch the bottle he offered her for a whole minute.

Moments passed with Ganju only staring at his sister.

Then after awhile, she spoke quietly.

"Kaien would have gone after her, right Ganju?"

Ganju gave her sister a look, and then sighed.

"Of course he would… remember how he kept chasing her when he was still just courting her? He never lets her out of his sight… he was always behind her… ready to protect and support…"

"Yeah… he was a total shame back then… I don't even know why Miyako chose a noisy guy like him…"

Kukaku gave a long sigh and she placed her chin on the top of her right hand with her eyes staring blankly into the air.

"They could have had a happy life until now if only they stayed away from Sereitei…"

Ganju bit his tongue, but then decided to say what was on his mind.

"But that's not like Kaien and Miyako-neesan at all… they take pride on being Soul Reapers… you know that too, right?"

Kukaku didn't answer. Ganju shook his head.

"They wanted to save a lot of people so they decided to continue supporting each other as Soul Reapers… I don't think they had any regrets dying while on duty at all… I think they both knew that… they were ready to the fate set upon them because of their own choices."

Kukaku clicked her tongue and gave Ganju a smart look.

"You speak like a wise guy; it's not like you at all."

Ganju smirked.

"You don't need to be a total genius to know something as common as this."

"Yeah right," Kukaku agreed as she finally removed her right hand from her chin, "Indeed, it was their choice… but that was their choice together. I'm not really discouraging Ichigo but a kid like him doesn't have to go through that this early. I mean—he only got his girl back and they decided accordingly to her wish. If something were to happen to her now then that's just tragic… They don't have to go through it yet without their own resolves… not when they are not ready of the reality of being real Soul Reapers like Kaien and Miyako…And I don't think this was just fate working alone… I smell some fish behind this business…a fish swimming around his long and silver moustache…"

Ganju blinked.

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Ichigo Kurosaki is being tested by the Captain Commander right at this moment." Byakuya Kuchiki boldly stated to Ukitake Jyuushiro who was inside his resting chamber in his own house. The 6th Division captain purposely went there that afternoon and what he told the former 13th Division Captain didn't surprise him at all.

"Ah… yes… I knew something like this was up…" Ukitake whispered sadly as the two sat over a tea cup. "I realized it the moment he asked the 13th Division to handle the mission on Rukongai just when I was about to make Rukia my replacement… it's all about Kurosaki Ichigo after all…"

They heard a footstep outside the room they were in but neither looked up to see. Instead, Ukitake looked Byakuya straight in the eye who spoke without blinking,

"Yes. That boy's powers are not something to be underestimated… we have seen evidence of what he can do if threatened… that is why Soul Society kept a close tab on him when he was still alive…"

"I see," Jyuushiro whispered, "the Commander is torn between what to do with the boy, huh? Because if Kurosaki turned out to be a threat to Soul Society then the commander will not have any choice but to eliminate him… If Maggot's Nest was still operating now then there is where he would be placed… but then wasting such power is also weighing the Commander down… and not to mention, Kurosaki-kun has always been there to help Sereitei… with one wrong move, the boy may snap and choose that path of darkness, and with that kind of power, who knows…"

"I don't care about what he does with the boy," Byakuya admitted quietly, making Ukitake smile suddenly.

"Of course, your main concern is your sister… but knowing that he and Rukia had something going on, I don't think you meant what you just said, Byakuya. But I do know that you do not like how Rukia got involved with this. She is the reason why Kurosaki got wind of Soul Society in the first place and now they're engage. Making her his bait to see if Kurosaki can practice our Law and at the same time make him realize that being a Soul Reaper is not just for title is something over board. I think the Commander has really done it this time—I mean what if something really happens to her?"

"I have already told him my view the moment he sent me his message," Byakuya said icily, "He posed a threat to my clan… I do not think there is any reason to forgive him at all. I do not have any intention of keeping my silent regarding this matter anymore…"

"But you did," Ukitake said with a small smile, "which makes me very curious… exactly what made you so patient, Byakuya? Knowing you, of all people…"

For a moment, Byakuya briefly looked at the corner of his eyes to the shadow that was standing just outside the shoji door.

"I am also waiting for his decision." He said quietly with eyes glinting seriously, "The Commander may seem harsh, but his point is something I can view. It is not at all unreasonable. But the fact that it has to be my sister irks me…I've been patient up to this point because I believe in Kurosaki Ichigo's decision… that is why I waited this long… I cannot always be there for her… and I cannot always be the one to change her fate… Rukia is a proud Soul Reaper…if I always interfere then she would grow so dependent upon me…if someone should interfere now, it is that brat… the moment I consented their marriage is also the moment I gave her destiny to his hands… if he does not realize that then I shall cut him to pieces."

"And so you have waited," Ukitake said, "what of now?"

Byakuya and Ukitake stared at each other.

Suddenly, there were sound of running footsteps away from the shoji door and away from the room they were in. The two old Soul Reapers gave a moment to look and listen to the running footsteps, before looking at each other again quietly.

"You knew he was there," Ukitake said knowingly, "And just when you said you wouldn't interfere, you suddenly went on and said what you expect him to do in the end."

"I do not know what you are talking about," Byakuya muttered, but there was a change in his eyes that Ukitake can tell. The 6th Division captain finally reached down and took his cup of tea. "He is a grown man with his own decisions."

"Really… you…" Ukitake shook his head, "but Byakuya, have you ever considered that fact that it may be too late?"

Silence followed his words as Byakuya lowered his cup of tea.

"About that…"

Ichigo is next seen running around the white walls of Sereitei.

Damn that Byakuya! He thought angrily to himself, why didn't he just tell me it was something like this?

He ran as fast as he could without stopping for anyone, his mind was racing. What he heard from the two captains was driving him nuts. His plan was only to tell the former 13th Division Captain that he was going after Rukia whether he likes to or not, but what he heard was more than he bargained for.

"That DAMN Yamamoto!" he hissed with gritted teeth, "I'll deal with you… you'll see…!"

But before that, he first and foremost needs to make sure that she was safe…because everything will be for nothing if he lost her again…

He had already made up his mind. He'd been waiting all this while because he knew Rukia wants it like that… he knew her pride as a Soul Reaper was very important for her… but for him, his own pride was also important… and what was his pride?

Probably the same as Byakuya's… he thought strongly as he ran faster, to not let her die.

"I will not let you die!" he said determinedly as he went ahead without stopping, "Rukia!"

Yamamoto Genryuusai stood lone and quiet on the balcony of his division with eyes set upon the falling sun.

A messenger appeared behind him.

"Commander, this has just been confirmed. Kurosaki Ichigo has left the premises of Sereitei."

Yamamoto did not look at the messenger but remained still.

And then he muttered, "What a fool."

The moon shone clearly up the dark sky.

Ichigo stopped into a halt.

It was already night time when he reached the location of Rukia's team according to the data that he received from before. Surprisingly, he could not feel any reiatsu around. Not even hers.

This made Ichigo grit his teeth but continue searching nonetheless and forcefully pressed the idea that something might have happened to her at the back of his mind.

The night continued to give an unpleasantly cold aura.

Just as the wind starts to pick up, and just as dark clouds start .to whirl around and block the light of the moon, Ichigo suddenly felt he was being watched.

He jumped from one branch to another, until finally he saw something below the ground that caught his eye. He immediately went down to inspect the shinigami cloth that was lying on the grass.

"This isn't hers…" he affirmed to himself with relieved eyes. Just then, he looked on his left and saw a body. His eyes widened. Without stopping, he ran to it and found out it was a male soul reaper wearing something usually worn by messengers from Sereitei.

"What's going on…" he muttered to himself.

Then he heard scratches from the other side of the trees that made him turn his attention and disappear on the spot. He appeared a meter away from the noise in a blink of an eye. That was when he saw her.

Ichigo saw her in the middle of the tall, dark trees with her back on him.

The air was chilly.

"Rukia!" he shouted in relief as he jumped down behind her, "thank god I found you…"

To his surprise, Rukia didn't turn at once back at him. Instead, she remained still as if she didn't hear anything. This made Ichigo apprehensive, so grabbing her shoulder, he pulled her to turn and face him—

"Hey!" he called urgently but what he saw behind her eyes made him take steps backward in despair for Rukia's eyes were empty shell, pure black and frightening.

"Rukia?" he barely uttered as he felt like a cold stone was thrown on his stomach, "No…"

The woman ogled at him as if she suddenly spotted an interesting object. Ichigo couldn't let his eyes off Rukia's profile. The way she was acting… the way she was behaving… was it possible…?

"Hey… Rukia… you're joking, right?" he asked, trying to sound braver than he felt as he stood there without taking any more steps away from her, "Snap out of it… Rukia!"

Rukia suddenly grinned. A menacing grin that made Ichigo lost his heart.

"Tell me you're joking…" he croaked, "neh…?"

He tried to look deep in her eyes but couldn't find any sign of recognition. It was like she wasn't there anymore. Ichigo gritted his teeth.

He wanted to tell himself that it wasn't happening. He wanted to plead to anyone that could hear him to wake him up from that bad dream… because what he is seeing right now in front of him was something he could not bear… something he does not have the heart to face…

And then she attacked with bare hand ready to grab his throat. He didn't know what to do.

The next thing he knew, he was thrown backwards and hit a nearby tree. He tried to open his eyes as he felt her coming again. He didn't even raise his sword as he saw her come. Without a sword, what can she do? And what more… he wouldn't fight her… no… he couldn't fight her… not like this…

"Come here," he whispered as he let go of his sword, "I'm sorry you had to go through this…"

Rukia came with her face contorted like a monster and was ready to grab his throat—he was also ready. There's no way he'd let his girl suffer alone.

"ICHIGO!"

Ichigo's eyes widened as flashes of light suddenly hit the woman in front of him, immobilizing her. He recognized it to be a kido. Who casted it, however, was a big mystery to him until he slowly looked around and saw a black haired shinigami fall from the sky before him and slice the immobilized Rukia.

The possessed Rukia gave a scream, before it disappeared into nothingness.

But Ichigo wasn't looking at it anymore for his eyes were focused on the real Rukia Kuchiki, who had just finished her last hollow for that evening.

"You…" Ichigo whispered with eyes round and wide.

Rukia turned to him and looked back at his eyes.

"Ichigo…" she whispered as she slowly walked toward him, "you came…"

Ichigo opened his mouth to speak—still not able to grasp what was happening.

She was okay. It wasn't her after all…

He raised his arms to reach her. And she answered him with a loving kick on the face.

"BAKERO!"

"ACK!"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?" she berated the moment she could get hold of his attention again, "AND THE HELL'S THE MATTER WITH YOU LETTING THAT SMALL FRY HOLLOW KICK YOUR ASS! DO YOU ALWAYS GET YOUR ASS GIVEN TO YOU WHEN I'M NOT AROUND? YOU'RE SO PATHETIC! ARE YOU A WIMP OR WHAT?"

Ichigo massaged his face and looked at her.

"It wasn't you…" he mumbled as if saying it was very important. He didn't need any more evidence—she had already given him one.

A knot of angry vein exploded on Rukia's head.

"Of course it wasn't me, do you think I'd fall that easily? Show more faith in me, fool! And I'm the one asking questions here! What are you doing here? We're almost done here anyway, this was the last of those little ones I'm after… get up, already!"

For Ichigo was still down the ground and watching her with fixed eyes.

It irritated Rukia even more.

"I said GET UP!" she shouted, grabbing her by the collar and setting him—only to find her lips sealed with his as he grab her back and pulled her close to him.

And he ended up embracing her closer.

Rukia got all flustered.

"H-hey, what are you doing all of a sudden?" she muttered, feeling his arms around her. She also noticed how his body felt tense and nervous, but as time flew by, he slowly started to relax and breathe properly on her ears. "Ichigo…"

"I had to come…" he said quietly with arms still around her, "I had to… you know that…I don't give any crap about your fate... I'm gonna take you away from it no matter how many times...I'm not giving you up easily... "

Rukia couldn't help but blush a little on his shoulder.

"F-fool… you didn't have to worry like this at all if you showed more faith in me…"

"I know that… but I just had to make sure you're coming back…"

Rukia sighed. To Ichigo's surprise, she pushed his face away with her right hand and gave him a narrowed look.

"How many times do I have to tell you don't worry about me?" she asked and pinched his right cheek.

"O-ouch!" he gasped.

"Don't worry about me too much, I can take care of myself!" she berated with a dignified look in her eyes.

"Stop it already!" Ichigo pulled his face away from her as she crossed her arms, "I can't help worrying, alright? And how many times must I tell you that you say too many things for me to remember? Quit it already—I'm not listening! I'll save you when I want to and there's nothing you can do about it! You're stuck with me like that! Got it?"

Rukia looked at him heatedly for awhile, but then gave up and sighed.

"What's gotten you all fired up again?" she muttered as she stared at him, "Really…"

"I just want you to understand I'm not giving you up!" Ichigo said strongly and determinedly, "Not to any people, not to the laws, not to anything! So you better get used to the idea that I'll always butt in whenever you're in danger, got that? Because that's the reason I'm here for—to fight and protect you!"

Rukia was too thunderstruck to give any comeback.

"That's a pretty stupid idea…" she whispered after awhile. Ichigo looked at her incredulously, but then stopped himself when he saw her smile and continued, "but I guess that's just you being 'you', huh?"

Ichigo blinked at her, and then smiled too.

"You got that right," he said with a smirk, "Now that that's clear… who're these guys?"

Rukia and Ichiog looked around as shadows appeared all around them. People wearing black tights showed themselves from the trees and Ichigo remembered the clothes he found on the ground when he arrived there.

"Ah… them…" Rukia muttered with a sigh, "They were sent here to aid me from the very beginning."

"Really?" Ichigo blinked. So that was why he felt like a lot of eyes were watching them. "Who sent them?"

"Well, they won't say anything," Rukia said as she watch her last seated officer come out of the trees while being supported by one of the aids, "But I have a pretty good idea who it was…"

Ichigo suddenly had a flash of Byakuya's back. This made him make a face.

"Geez… that guy…" he muttered in disbelief, "not gonna interfere… my butt…"

"What are you muttering?" Rukia asked as she turned to him with raised eyebrows, "Really, there's no helping you guys… both you and my brother…"

Ichigo looked at Rukia.

"It's not that I don't believe in you…" he started, knowing full well he had stepped on some line, "I just don't want to take my chances with fate…"

Rukia looked him in the eye with a very meaningful look. After awhile, she sighed.

"I guess there's no point blaming you, you won't listen to me anyway. You never listen."

"Got that one right."

"Both you and my brother are the same. I guess there's really no helping it..."

Ichigo was suddenly reminded of something.

"Oh yeah," he muttered as he rummage from inside his robe pocket, "I've been meaning to give you this."

He opened his palm in front of her where a small golden ring was sitting. Rukia looked at it without reacting. The whole pack of Soul Reaper aid sent by Byakuya around also looked at the ring quietly.

"What…" she started uncertainly.

"It's a ring." Ichigo said simply in a voice as if explaining that one plus one makes two. "let's get married."

Rukia looked up at Ichigo with a sweat drop at the side of her head.

"You—you really…"

"Stop spacing out," he said and put the ring on her ring finger, "and get married!"

Rukia clenched her fist and knocked him on the head.

"Ow!"

"Idiot! Even this thing has its rite! Don't you even know that?"

"Huh? You mean I need to come down to my knees? Oh right—fine, here, lemme have it again,"

"What are you—! FORGET IT!"

"Ow!"

"I'm not marrying you!"

"Wha—hey!"

"Who'd marry an idiot like you—I must be out of my mind!"

"Wait—Rukia!"

"FORGET IT!"

The full moon shone above them. It was a rather peaceful night. All's well that ends well.

*EPILOGUE*

Hanatarou is seen running around and carrying a bunch of flowers.

"This seemed a very hectic day…" he was muttering as he ran, "I've been told the wedding ceremony was soon, but I didn't think it was this fast… Ichigo-kun must be very impatient…"

He stopped for awhile in front of the Kuchiki manor where the tall doors were wide open and inviting everyone to come in. There were already a number of people inside all wearing their traditional and formal clothes.

"There are already a lot of people," he whispered as he walked toward the door and get inside, "All Captains seemed here already… I think the whole Gotei 13's invited… Rukia-san must be very happy…"

Right at that moment, Rukia was fuming.

"What do you mean he disappeared?" she was saying to Hinamori who was inside the bride's room together with Kiyone and Isane to help her prepare, "That idiot's gone off somewhere at this time?"

"Well, that's what Shiro and Renji told me…" Hinamori said with a confused expression, "he just disappeared all of a sudden…"

Rukia looked stricken for awhile, until Byakuya came into view.

"Nee-sama!"

Byakuya opened his eyes and looked at Rukia. She was wearing a long, white, elegant yukata with a lace of cool blue strings designed like flowers around it. The sleeves were long and the hanobi wrapped around her waist complemented the color of her expressive violet eyes. Strings of white designs were etched on it, and on her back was a string design of cool blue butterfly. She has a sakura designed kanzashi neatly placed on her black her and this above everything made her stand out for the kanzashi was glowing pink. The whole dress was perfectly made for her and whoever has the privilege to see her in that dress would not doubt that she is of a noble clan.

If Byakuya was pleased, he did not express it much, but the piercing stare he gave her was enough to show that he was satisfied. Like his sister, he was wearing an equally white elegant suit with his Haori and keiseken on. But if he has pride to appearance, he would gladly accept defeat from his sister.

"What is this commotion about?" he asked quietly and his eyes travelled to all the girl around the room who all suddenly turned bright red at his arrival.

"The groom is missing, Kuchiki-taicho!"

Byakuya's eyes flashed.

Right at that moment, Ichigo is seen running around the empty road of Sereitei toward the house of the Kuchikis.

"Damn, I didn't think talking to that old Yamma would take me this long!" he was saying as he ran, "Byakuya'll kill me if I'm late!"

"Oi! Ichigo!"

Ichigo was force into a halt as he heard the familiar voice call him back. Looking around him, he saw Ikkaku and Yumichika walking toward him wearing formal clothes.

"Ikkaku, Yumichika…" Ichigo whispered, and then blinked, "I'm sorry but I'm in a hurry— "

"What are you still doing here?" Yumichika asked quietly. "Isn't your wedding today?"

"What are you guys still doing here then?" Ichigo asked back, "Anyway—I'm more than in a hurry!"

"EH?" Ikkaku frowned, "but I just found you!"

"Ikkaku… it's his wedding," Yumichika rolled his eyes.

"You can talk to me after the ceremony!" Ichigo started to run again.

"Hey! And when will that be? Oh, come on, are you serious about getting married now?"

That made Ichigo stop again.

"What?" he said as he turned to the 11th Division officers. "What are you talking about?"

Ikkaku smirked and then stood in front of Ichigo.

"Eh… what's this? Touchy, are we now? I didn't think falling in love would make you this soft!"

"Ikkaku," Yumichika sighed. The bald head ignore him.

Ichigo really frowned at what he heard.

"Do you have any problem with that?" he asked heatedly.

Ikkaku raised an eyebrow, and then suddenly hit Ichigo with his hand on the head.

"Ack!" Ichigo shouted as he rubbed his head, "What's that about?"

"Quit being so hot headed dammit!" Ikkaku said in outrage with his mouth spitting all over him, "If you're going on the battle field with nothing but hot steam on your head then you might as well die!"

"Who told you I'm going in the battlefield! You're the one saying so many things that got me angry dammit!"

"Eh? What's with the sudden change of attitude?" Ikkaku muttered as he placed his sword on his shoulder again, "This is the only time I saw after so long… not only me but even my taicho, he's been looking forward to fight with you again."

"I know," Ichigo muttered as he made a face, "but I don't have time! We can do that when I return!"

"Yeah, right!" Ikkaku snorted, "you can barely get out of your division, and now you're getting married, idiot. Like I care, but Renji's told us many things… We've heard some news since your return but hell you don't come out! Not even when it's just practice session! You damn don't even say hi! Like I care!"

Ichigo blinked at Ikkaku.

"You seem not to care at all with all the craps you've blab." He pointed out.

"Shut up!" the 11th seated officer snarled all of a sudden, "The next thing we knew—you're gonna get married to Rukia Kuchiki! Aren't you a bit fast with that?"

"What do you mean fast?" Ichigo frowned, "I've waited for so long—like hell I'm gonna wait again!"

Ikkaku stared at Ichigo like he couldn't believe his eyes. Ichigo stared back at him in confusion until the bald head sighed and shook his head.

"You weirdo… it's too early to settle down, you know? Why don't you stop for awhile and live like we men do! Live a free life, eh, Ichigo? What do you say to that?"

"You mean live like total war freaks with nothing but a bunch of smelly men around me?"

Ichigo's face was indescribable. Yumichika laughed. Ikkaku couldn't help but give him an ugly look.

"You didn't get what I just said, didn't you?"

"I get your point… but I really can't wait any longer…"

Ikkaku stared at Ichigo's determined eyes, who continued to answer,

"Believe me, Ikkaku, I get what you're trying to say… but Rukia is not someone I can let go… I love her."

Ikkaku and Yumichika stared hard at Ichigo.

"So fighting is not your priority anymore?"

"Wha—? It's never to begin with!"

There was a brief silence.

"Sheesh," the bald seated officer sighed in exasperation, "you're no use anymore if that's the case. Go marry for all I care. As long as you don't forget to fight battles with my taicho then it's fine."

"Like hell I'll fight that guy again," Ichigo muttered with a sweatdrop on the side of his head, "anyway—I should really be going now, see you, Ikkaku, Yumichika!"

And he went off.

"He's really grown," Yumichika said with a small smile.

"Stop saying crappy stuff like that." Ikkaku murmured, "He's just pathetic…"

"Falling in love isn't."

"Shut up." They started walking again.

"Maybe you should try falling in love… you remember that girl back at the human world? She seemed very interested with you."

"I said SHUT UP! I've got my eyes set on one goal."

"Uhuh. You mean our spiky haired captain. I feel so sorry for you!"

"You wanna die now?"

Ichigo was already breathless by the time he reached the house hold. To his great astonishment, there were a number of people from different divisions already. He could see so many familiar faces… all were there for his most awaited day…

"What are you doing spacing out of here?"

Somebody grabbed him by the collar and started pulling him toward the altar where an old man, whom he recognized as the oldest Kuchiki was waiting. Looking at his offender, Ichigo recognized the red headed guy.

"Renji!" he said sounding thunderstruck.

Renji looked at him and gave him a smirk.

"You're really an idiot… suddenly disappearing and letting us worry… although it wouldn't be a problem to me if you didn't show up. I can always help and stand beside her in the altar after all."

"H-Hey!" Ichigo blustered, "Like hell I'll let you—"

"Shut up and make her happy."

Renji prodded him to the stone steps toward the altar.

"Renji…" Ichigo muttered as he looked back at his friend. Renji was smiling at him.

"Never let her go now… or I'll catch her again."

Ichigo gave a smile.

"Right. Thank you for looking after her all this while… Renji."

Renji shrugged and went off toward the front rows where the best man was seated. Ichigo gave a sigh and took the steps toward the altar an away from the last wall that was keeping him from all the eyes.

Everyone seemed to notice Ichigo finally and they all started murmuring.

"You dare be late on your wedding, you idiot!" he could hear Kukaku shouting.

He could see more faces on the crowd. Silver hairs, spiky hairs, even bald… everyone was there…

The other voices were stopped as Ichigo saw Byakuya. There was something in his aura that was making Ichigo nervous.

"I-I'm sorry," he mumbled as he stood in front of him, "I just had to deal with a little something…"

Byakuya closed his eyes. Everyone suddenly became quiet. The sakura petals then started falling from the trees and filled the whole ground with its beauty.

The door behind finally opened. Ichigo's eyes rounded.

She just glided her way into their sight, that Kuchiki Princess.

Ichigo felt squirming from where he was standing all of a sudden. For a moment, he thought there was only her on his sight. There were only the two of them in the world. She was so beautiful.

And then Rukia started walking toward him…

This was that moment he had been waiting for… ever since he knew he loved her more than life itself... he had imagined it before… it was transpiring now… after so many things that happened… finally, they were able to make something impossible become reality…

At the last step, Rukia looked at him with her deep, violet eyes. Ichigo gave her an encouraging smile. He then held his hand in front of her.

"Let's take the last step," he whispered.

Rukia looked at his hand, and then she too smiled.

"You idiot, where have you been?" she whispered and then took his hand and stepped beside him.

"It doesn't matter much," he said as he held her close, "I'm not gonna miss this day."

The pink sakura petals continued to fall on everybody and circulate around the household as if rejoicing for the finale of the two.

The last step has been taken. Their lips have been sealed.

These were the Steps to Deathberry Field.

~THE END~

"It has finally come to an END! I'm glad I was able to finish it!

I cannot express my gratitude enough for all the people who stuck with us till the end!

Thank you for reading! This started like other stories- the 'What If' of Deathberry!

So in the end I can truly say I was successful in conveying what was on my mind!

It has been a wonderful trip!

I hope everyone find satisfaction with this work!

I hope I gave justice to the incomparable relationship of our characters!

Thank you once again!

This is a Good bye! Another story finished!

(Byakuya will rise from the ashes haha!)

From yours, truly,"

~WhiteGloves~

Now wait a sec...as credits continue to roll... our characters are still up to some serious action!

Byakuya quietly wrote on his paper inside his room that night. Rukia's room was already empty.

Then suddenly, a messenger came.

"Kuchiki-sama… a letter from Kisuke Uruhara came… he's been protesting for not being invited on the wedding ceremony."

Byakuya was silent for awhile.

"Ignore him. I've given instruction that if he wants to attend then he may as long as he speaks with me. I have not quite forgotten what he did decades ago… there is something we need to settle first once and for all about that implantation of the hougyoku on Rukia's body… he is still not forgiven…"

The messenger gulped.

"This guy…"

Yamamoto sighed inside his quarters with Ichigo's voice ringing on his ear.

"If you want to settle something with me why not tell it to me directly? I'm not an unreasonable brat that you think I am! If you want to make me realize something then say it! It's not gonna hurt you so stop manipulating people around… don't take your Soul Reapers lightly because we know what is important and what is not…haven't you heard of talking solves everything?

"You constantly give orders and we know it's for the Society… but we still have choices and I chose to protect. Protecting doesn't lie on orders. It lies on the heart."

"Kids these days…" he muttered with sharp eyes, "pride and the heart… how foolish… What I was trying to teach you was to stand with your choices, fool."

"I don't understand why Kuchiki-taicho refuses to look at me," Matsumoto was saying as she and her captain were inside his office. "I mean- I did help his sister! The least he could do was thank me!"

"I don't care if he's mad at you, you deserve that for interfering..." Hitsugaya muttered with narrowed eyes, "but that aside... what are you doing in my office?"

"Oh, come on, taicho! Aren't you even planning to comfort me in my misery?"

"When you say misery...that's because...?"

"Because it felt uncomfortable being ignored by someone you admire!"

"You admire Kuchiki now?"

"Well, he's always been popular in the Women Association!"

"..."

"What?"

"Just get out of here," he sighed.

"Why- are you jealous? Oh, taicho, you don't need to be! You're also popular in our association!"

"Please, don't say anything anymore. Go get some drink and shut up."

"Alright~!"

"Hey, Mr. Handsome," Kyouraku said with a light smile on his face as he appeared on the house of Ukitake Jyuushiro.

"Shunsui," Ukitake said as his friend sat with him on the porch of his house.

"How're you feelin'?"

"Much better... I just need a little more rest before I get going..."

Silence filled the two friends. Then Kyouraku sighed and looked at his friend from the corner of his eyes.

"Nobody knows of course... that you are being promoted to the Royal Guard House..."

Ukitake smiled.

"Of course they do... most of the Captains do... although I told Rukia I don't have time and she seemed to think I'm dying... anyway, you're to follow suit so don't sound too depress about it, my friend."

"Who said I was depressed," Shunsui smiled and looked up the moonlight too, "Life rolls... and after we finish here, there's still that... seemed like there are really too many things to do for people like us."

"Is it because we're old?"

"Nah... We never get old enough."

"I wish to stay here longer... but seemed like our time is already over here... there are new kids growing up to replace us... they grow so fast."

"That's the thing about this modern era..."

"Indeed... so then, I shall wait for you there. Don't take long. I tend to get bored."

"Speak for yourself. I'll get there in no time."

Ukitake raised his tea cup for the last time that day.

"To new life."

Kyouraku closed his eyes.

Kon looked at himself on the mirror back at the human world. He was staying with Uruhara Kisuke now after Ichigo passed away. He has been there for a long time and was thinking of new things to change his life.

"I need to change my life. Time to finally follow my nee-san to the world of the souls!" he said determinedly.

Kisuke Uruhara suddenly walked by and noticed him.

"Oh, Kon. Your still up?"

The doll didn't even look at him. This made Uruhara blink.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

"Uruhara-san," Kon said as he turned to him with a very serious face, "It's time that I go on with my life... I cannot live here anymore... I can't take it not being near my nee-san... so I have decided to change my fate. It's time I cross the border and follow my nee-san to where she is waiting for me. Please let me go to Soul Society.

Uruhara gave the doll a startling look, and then blinked.

"Sure, that's no problem but... I don't think Ichigo and Rukia would be pleased to see you just yet."

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Well, they are on their honeymoon see... so they would probably rather spent it with themselves right now."

Kon blinked. "Honey moon?"

Uruhara nodded.

"They got married."

"W-what?"

"Unfortunately, I wasn't invited to their wedding because the organizer didn't seem to happy with me- although I may complain that the event he wished to speak with me about what happened decades ago, I could advice that he let go of that already- think about how painful that is, to be not invited on Kurosaki's wedding-!"

Kon kicked Uruhara out of the picture as the lion (TOY) roar in outrage.

"ORAAAAA!WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS? WHAT THE HELL'S WITH THAT! THEY GOT MARRIED WITHOUT ME THERE? NO WAIT- WHY WASN'T I INFORMED OF THIS? AM I NOT AN IMPORTANT NAKAMA? WHAT'S THAT BASTARD ICHIGO THINKING! THIS IS NOT RIGHT! WHAT ABOUT MY FATE WITH MY NEE-SAN! BASTARDS!"

And we close the curtain on this poor cute stuffed animal's outrage. Some fate never change.

Thank You.