Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Murder My Heart ❯ Trials of the Heart ( Chapter 20 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any Bleach affiliates.

 

(A/N: Big authors note, so here we go:

I want to thank everyone who has reviewed my story, 151 is amazing! I never thought it would go that high! I'm so happy I could die—but I won't because I need to finish this story.

 

Note to RogueAmazonBoo, I love you fic too and was really sad to see it end *pouts* and yeah, I was the one who reviewed under the name of Tituba3, Tituba was taken on ff.net so I had to compromise, and three is a good number.

 

I know that in the past couple of chapters—or really the second half of the story—Ichigo has been OOC, you know, sweeter, kinder, and more considerate. While I tried to keep him the same ole Ichigo I found that this story needed him to be OOC, so I apologize to anyone who thinks his current amount of sweetness is revolting.

 

But I have always firmly believed that once Ichigo knows what he wants he will not give up or give in until he gets it, that's the philosophy I'm going for in this story.

Also, I've been listening to Fall Out Boy and when I heard Thnks fr th Mmrs I just pictured Ichigo singing it. Try it out, I had some good fantasies about that one… hehehe…

 

I apologize to any lawyers or law students or people affiliated with the law who might be reading this fic—although I'm not really sure why you would…—all these terms and procedures I learned from Law and Order. Yes, I am a proud Law and Order junkie, XD.

P.S. THIS IS NOT THE LAST CHAPTER!!! DON'T PANIC

Anyway: PLEASE ENJOY AND REVIEW!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 20

 

Rukia stepped off the decrepit city bus and brushed the dirt from the front of her business skirt. She personally hated the thing but she needed to look presentable when she testified against Aizen. She scooted forward just a bit so the other people getting off the bus behind her stopped bugging her to move.

 

She swallowed and looked up at the courthouse steps. Reporters were buzzing about, assaulting passing attorney's and high profile clients whenever they came out of the building. She could see the bright lights of the camera's as they flashed in someone's face and truthfully hoped that once this was over her face would not be captured by one of them.

 

She gingerly made her way forward, careful to skirt around any group of reporters near the middle of the steps. As the walked she calmly looked to the very top of the concrete stairs, standing directly on the side of the gaping doors was a statue of Lady Justice, one of her arms holding a scale and the other clasping a book tightly to her breast. There was a tight blindfold around her eyes—barring her senses from seeing anything other than the bronzed bandana. Rukia felt an iron hand clutching at her heart and willed herself to continue on. She just needed to get this over with.

 

She still couldn't believe how quickly this case was being processed. Normally, cases dealing with murder took months to prepare, Rukia scowled grimly and just hoped that Toshiro had had adequate time to prepare his arguments, because there was no way in hell that she was going to sit up on that stand in full view of the man who tried to kill her and have him walk for dozens of murders. Hell, if Toshiro didn't get a guilty verdict she sure as hell would give Aizen one anyway, mainly by using her gun and a good hiding spot. She gently fingered the detectives' badge she had put away in her jacket pocket. She took a deep breath. One thing at a time. She needed to hear the verdict before she did anything rash. She just needed to deal with one thing at a time… once this was over… well, she'd deal with other issue.

 

She walked up the rest of the steps quickly and came towards the door. The courthouse was a gaping expanse of marble, oak, and decoratively constitutional wall-hangings. She looked from side to side and ended up glancing inside grand rooms with numerous benches and podiums. Guards stood outside the doors in which trials were being conducted and Rukia briefly wondered what was going on inside of some of them. Were there other murder cases being tried inside of those closed rooms? Or were they just petty things dealing with financial arguments? Larceny? Fraud? Things like that… Rukia felt a vile taste rise in her mouth when she thought about it. She knew that those types of cases were important to some but right now all she could feel was disgust. How could people be arguing over money when a man was being tried for ending the lives of his comrades? Or worse yet, how could people be squabbling over such things while the very words coming out of her mouth could stick a cocktail of needles into Sosuke Aizen's veins? She simply couldn't understand it.

 

Rukia shook her head slightly and began to look at the numbers of the courthouses in earnest. She needed building three A. After a few minutes of wandering around Rukia knew she was lost, she stopped a court officer and asked him to point her towards the correct room. He nodded and gave her simple directions. Within five minutes she was in front of the room where she would give her testimony. She nodded to the guard before she went inside and gazed about the empty courtroom.

 

There was the empty pulpit where Toshiro would stand and make his case. There was the desk where Ulquiorra and Aizen would sit and watch her as she testified against him. There was the raised bureau where the Honorable Judge Yamamoto would sit and swing his tiny gavel, breaking its small sound across the courtroom, asking for silence.

 

Rukia's stomach clenched again and she felt like she might throw up.

 

“Miss Kuchiki?”

 

She turned around and was immediately graced by the tall and lithe figure of the assistant district attorney she had met yesterday. Yoruichi Shihouin—that's was her name was. Rukia nodded weakly at the woman as she came in her direction.

 

Yoruichi smiled at her softly and placed a hand on her shoulder, Rukia had to try hard not to flinch, “Hey, what are you doing here?” She asked in a friendly voice. “You're not supposed to testify for another hour. And where is that orange headed oaf? He was supposed to be your detail today.”

 

Rukia felt her throat go completely dry. “U-Um… he's n-not here, I just came on t-the bus.”

 

Yoruichi lifted and eyebrow, “The bus?” She narrowed her eyes and stared closely at Rukia. “Is there something going on… between the two of you… that I should know about?” She asked skeptically.

 

Rukia shook her head jerkily and tried to shrug her shoulders, the silly little motion, however, did nothing to dissuade the piercing and cat-like stare of Yoruichi. “It's… nothing. Just a little, um, spat, I guess.”

 

Yoruichi was still glaring at her, as if she knew that Rukia was lying through her teeth. “Alright.” She muttered softly, the hand on her shoulder shifted down towards her elbow and gripped it gently. “Come on,” she said, leading Rukia away from the courtroom. “The trial starts in about forty five minutes, we'll need you there almost immediately.”

 

Rukia paled slightly, “But I thought that you had other people who were going to come and give their testimony.” She blanched.

 

Yoruichi gave her a strange look over her shoulder and shook her head grimly, “We've already put the doctor at the hospital on the stand, Dr. Unohana, I think her name was, and that's about all we have in the terms of witnesses. Honestly, you're the only one who can put the bastard away.”

 

Rukia felt a cold stone of guilt drop into her stomach, “It's because I obtained the cocaine and the katana rust illegally.”

 

Yoruichi nodded, “I'm not going to sugar coat it for you, what you did was fucking stupid, if you had suspicions you should have given them to me and I would have approved a search warrant.”

 

“We didn't have sufficient evidence for a warrant.” Rukia muttered.

 

“I could have made it work,” the tan woman shrugged, “It's all in finding the right judge.” She paused before a small door and knocked twice before entering. Rukia came in after her and glanced quickly around the room.

 

To her surprise Toshiro Hitsugaya was not the only one in the room.

 

“Captain,” she murmured, her body rigid as she frowned at her boss, Yoruichi also greeted the man but went straight to Hitsugaya, the two mumbled in quiet voices while Rukia spoke. “What are you doing here?”

 

Zaraki Kenpachi stood up slowly and wrinkled his nose when the tips of his hair hit the fluorescent lights of the room and jingled slightly. The large man offered her his hand and she took it, his grip was powerful as he shook her much smaller appendage up and down twice. “Came here to see the trial.”

 

“Oh,” Rukia said, feeling like a complete idiot for asking such a mundane question.

 

She and Kenpachi stared at each other for a moment before he shoved his hands into his pockets and said in his low and gravelly voice, “Aizen and I were in the academy together and even then I knew the guy had problems. I just want to be there to see the bastard put away. After all,” he smirked and nodded at Rukia, “Anyone who tries to off one of my detectives deserves a lethal injection.”

 

Rukia felt her weak lips curl into a smile and nodded, “Thank you.” She muttered, hoping that he could recognize the true gratitude that was displayed in her voice.

 

After a few more seconds Kenpachi looked towards the door and frowned, “Where's Kurosaki? Is he waiting outside?”

 

The female detective felt a shameful blush creek up her neck and hide itself in her ears. “Um, no,” she said quietly, “He's… not here.”

 

Kenpachi raised an eyebrow, “Then how did you get here?”

 

“She took the bus.” Yoruichi snorted, briefly looking up from the page she and Toshiro were pouring over. She shook her head once and then returned to the page.

 

“The bus?” Kenpachi repeated dully. He looked over at Rukia and frowned, “You've got a man who's head over heels in love with you, who'd lick the bottom of your shoes if you asked him to, and who would definitely drive you to a trial in which you're testifying, and you took the bus?”

 

Rukia felt all the blood drain from her face as her captain scowled and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “You two are such fucking idiots. I can't believe my two best detectives are so stupid.”

 

Rukia's mouth was dry and she was about to respond when someone knocked on the door to the room and poked their heads in, by the looks of things, the man seemed to be a young and hassled law clerk. “Mr. Hitsugaya?” He asked, his voice was wheezing slightly, as if he had just run a mile.

 

Toshiro looked up and nodded, “Yes?”

 

“Ten minutes and Judge Yamamoto expects you in the courtroom.”

 

The white-haired attorney nodded and sighed, closing the gargantuan law book in front of him. “Alright, thank you.”

 

The young man nodded and was gone in an instant. Rukia watched him go and felt a cold sense of dread coat the inside of her stomach. Good god, ten minutes.

 

Yoruichi frowned and looked at her watch, “Thought for sure it was going to be in forty five minutes… my batteries must have died. Damn.”

 

“What time is it now?” Hitsugaya asked, brushing pieces of lint off of his navy coat.

 

The Captain looked at his watch and answered, “Eight fifty.”

 

“Shit,” Toshiro hissed, he looked around to the three people in the room and nodded grimly at them. “Alright. We know what we've got to do?”

 

“Testify.” Rukia answered.

 

“Back your little short ass up.” Yoruichi smirked, Toshiro glared at her.

 

“Shoot Aizen in a fit of temporary insanity if he gets off?” Kenpachi snarled in a low and grating voice.

 

The two lawyers and the one detective in the room turned their heads to Kenpachi—who was busy fixing a bell in his hair—and frowned.

 

“No,” Hitsugaya said firmly after about a minute's contemplation. “But if you did I wouldn't prosecute.”

 

“Good to know.” Kenpachi shrugged, he turned to Rukia and grinned, “And you know I wasn't kidding.”

 

“I know,” Rukia sighed, “Believe me… I know.”

 

Yoruichi turned towards Rukia and pointed towards the door. “We need you in the courtroom. You can sit in the viewing seats while the trial begins and we'll call you up when we need you.”

 

She nodded and opened the door quietly. She exited first and Kenpachi followed with Toshiro and Hitsugaya. The sickening feeling in her stomach was growing worse and she could almost herself getting ready to retch. No one around her noticed though, Yoruichi was busy mumbling with her boss while Kenpachi was scoping out the guards standing in front of the courtroom doors.

 

Rukia swallowed nervously and patted a hand to her stomach, smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles creasing her suit, Christ she hated this… why was she even doing this?

 

To put a murderer away. She reminded herself soothingly, I need to do it.

 

They continued walking slowly to the courtroom. Before she would know it room three A would be looming in the distance. Her footsteps slowed and her insides began to do god knows what with her stomach. She hadn't even eaten anything since lunch the day before. After she had seen the ring everything had just simply spiraled down and she hadn't even remember to eat. Her stomach lurched again and she tightened her left hand into a fist. She could feel the metal bracing itself against her skin, it was warm now and didn't feel nearly as cold as when she had first noticed it.

 

Rukia continued her slow pace to the courtroom and lifted her left hand up a bit, gazing at the strong band of gold once more. How could something so tiny make her want to cry and laugh all at the same time? Something that was intrinsically worthless made her heart want to leap out of her chest and begin running in circles around her head.

 

“I think you should leave now.”

 

Rukia's throat tightened as she remembered what he had said to her just last night. She felt her bottom jaw quiver as she thought of how his face looked. All he wanted was to make sure she was okay… he just wanted to take care of her so he could be with her later. He was the one who rescued her from burning to death and it was he who stayed with her while she was in a stupor. He read to her, he slept beside her, and he was there when she woke up.

 

“You've got a man who's head over heels in love with you…”

 

Rukia hadn't wanted to believe it was true. She hadn't wanted to think that someone like Ichigo could ever love someone like her. She hadn't wanted him to change her life so dramatically—she, the cynical and hard detective who didn't take crap from anyone couldn't afford to fall for a guy who was exactly the same as she.

 

He was loud and rude and obnoxious and scowled far too much… but she loved him. She loved him so much that it hurt to think of waking up alone again each and every day. She wanted to stay with him, to talk to him, to work with him, to make love to him, and to make him smile. But it wasn't simply want that was driving her to these thoughts: she needed him. She needed him the same way she needed oxygen and food.

 

She looked back down at the ring on her finger and thought of what he wanted. He wanted the exact same thing, he loved her and he needed her just as much as she needed and loved him. God, it was all getting so jumbled inside of her head. Everything was just swirling about until she could barely think straight.

 

“I love him.” She murmured soft enough so only she could hear. She just had to say it. To confirm everything that was swimming inside of her mind.

 

“We're here.” Kenpachi's rude voice grumbled and penetrated her thoughts and drew her attention back to the courthouse. She blinked rapidly a few times and nodded her head; the feeling of butterflies in her stomach was quickly replaced by the feeling of dread.

 

Toshiro and Yoruichi looked at her and she pursed her lips, “Are you ready?” Hitsugaya asked as a court guard pulled the door open.

 

Rukia nodded once and entered the courtroom.

 

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-

 

“Rukia?” Ichigo called as he pushed open the door to her apartment. In his hand was the key she had given him ages ago.

 

Rukia pushed the tiny piece of metal into his hand as he shoved her up against the back of the door, devouring her mouth and skimming his hands over every surface of her clothed body.

 

He pulled back slightly when he felt it and blinked quickly to figure out what was going on.

 

Rukia smirked slickly at him and reached behind her to pull the lock on the door. “Just in case you choose to come over and surprise me one day.”

 

Ichigo cocked and eyebrow and began to slide his hands under her shirt, his inquisitive fingers touching and teasing the very base of her breast. She began to breathe a little harder and he bent his head to nip at her neck. “Any suggestions on how I can surprise you?”

 

Rukia's hands tightened on his shoulders and she groaned when his thumb pressed against her nipple, “Well… I really like it when you do that thing with your tongue and just—”

 

Ichigo squeezed her breast and she yelped, his other hand slid down under her panties and began to tease her.

 

“Maybe,” Ichigo murmured softly as he licked a path up her creamy neck, “I can surprise you today.”

 

Rukia's eyes rolled back into her head and she moaned, “I think I'd like that…”

 

Grinning wickedly, Ichigo shoved the key into his back pocket, picked her up, and pulled her towards the bedroom.

 

He looked around her empty apartment and frowned softly. He went into her bedroom and saw a few official-looking outfits lying on top of her bed. His finger's reached out to brush against the material. Her scent was everywhere in this place. He drew in a deep breath and wished she were here. His heart was beating a bit faster with fear but he knew that nothing was wrong… that she was safe.

 

He walked slowly back into her living room and glanced around. Clean and orderly, just as it should be. He sighed fitfully and scanned the room once more. Maybe Kenpachi would know where she was…

 

He was about to leave when his attention was diverted to the phone sitting on her side table. The small red light indicating a message was blinking. Knowing he shouldn't, but not really caring, he pressed the button and listened to the message.

 

“Miss Kuchiki, its Toshiro Hitsugaya. I have some bad news. Aizen's lawyer wants you in court tomorrow. I know it's sudden but I'm pretty sure he wants you to be sandbagged and sandbagged hard. Come to the courthouse tomorrow at nine, we'll need your testimony by at least ten. I'm sure Kurosaki can come pick you up or something like that. Anyway, just come prepared and be ready to put away a murderer.”

 

Ichigo's body froze as he listened to the message. Then he was out of her apartment. He turned and rushed out of the complex, practically tearing out of the building as he rushed towards his car waiting outside.

 

She was going to testify in a matter of minutes. He needed to be there, not to explain things or to get her to listen… he needed to be there because she needed him.

 

Ichigo turned on his police lights and peeled out of his spot.

 

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-

 

Rukia walked up to the stand quietly, a hush settled all around the courtroom as she stepped carefully up to the podium and took a seat in the cold, wooden chair.

 

The entire courtroom stared at her as she crossed her legs and placed her trembling hands on her knees.

 

Judge Yamamoto turned his ancient face towards her and asked in a low, old, voice, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god?”

 

Rukia nodded her head, “I do.”

 

“Please state you name.”

 

“Detective Rukia Kuchiki.”

 

“Counselor,” Judge Yamamoto said sturdily, “Proceed.”

 

Hitsugaya stood up and nodded to the Judge, “Thank you your Honor.” He walked forward slightly and placed his hands behind his back. “How are you today, Ms. Kuchiki?”

 

Rukia narrowed her eyes at him and cocked an eyebrow, “I've been better, Counselor.”

 

He nodded and continued, “Ms. Kuchiki, you recently had someone attempt to murder you, is that correct?”

 

“Objection,” Ulquiorra shot, standing to his feet, “My client has not been convicted of the crime of attempted murder, using the type of rhetoric Counsel if using will further poison the jury against my client.”

 

“Sustained,” the Judge said, “But watch what you say counselor.”

 

Hitsugaya nodded his irritated eyes, “Yes, your honor. Ms. Kuchiki… you recently suffered through a traumatic ordeal in which you almost died, correct?”

 

“Yes,” Rukia said, her eyes staying firmly away from the defendant's table, “I was almost burned alive.” She looked towards the jury as she said this, remembering that it was important to keep eye contact with them whenever possible.

 

“Can you point to the man who perpetrated this crime?”

 

Rukia breathed in deeply and nodded her head; she glanced at the jury once more before pointing to Sosuke Aizen, sitting only ten feet from her. “There, the defendant, Sosuke Aizen.” She paused for a moment and stared at Aizen, who was sitting calmly in his seat, smiling warmly at her. He was dressed in standard prison clothing and his eyes held bags they had not possessed a week ago. But it was his stare was frightening her more than anything. He was looking at her like he looked at her when she came in and asked for a transfer. He was just smiling while occasionally glancing towards the jury just so he could grin charmingly at them as well.

 

Hitsugaya came up to Rukia's seat and rested his hand on the top of the wooden box she was inside. He spaced himself a bit away from the box just so it wouldn't tower over his head.

 

“Can you tell the court about that night?” He asked, his voice was low and quiet but still warm enough to slightly calm her frazzled nerves.

 

She nodded and opened her mouth to begin her testimony when the door to the courtroom opened and a tall man with flaming orange hair came through the door. Head's in the courtroom flickered towards the back of the room and Rukia's eyes widened.

 

His gaze locked onto hers and the minute she felt his warm amber stare a strange tingling sensation of security, fear, and courage washed over her body. She stared at him for what felt like hours. She wanted to capture the feeling that was now coursing through her veins as he looked at her.

 

He came.

 

“Ms. Kuchiki?”

 

Rukia jerked her eyes away from Ichigo's and looked back to Toshiro. “Yes? I'm sorry, yes, I will…”

 

Ichigo sat down in one of the galleries but didn't look away as he seated himself.

 

She pursed her lips and closed her eyes for a moment before looking up and breathing in, “On the night of February 8th I was walking up to my apartment and had just opened the door when a man grabbed me from behind and pressed a cloth against my mouth. The cloth had chloroform on it but before I fell unconscious I kicked out my foot and knocked over my lamp, it cut my foot as it fell.”

 

“And after that you went unconscious?”

 

Rukia nodded, her throat was tight but she still continued. “When I woke up I was strapped to a chair by ropes in a room I didn't recognize. I knew there was someone else in the room and I was… very frightened. I tried to make my captor think I was still unconscious.”

 

“But it didn't work?” Hitsugaya prompted.

 

“No. He knew I was awake.” She swallowed and sighed, “When I woke up fully he began to talk to me. He started to say things about how he was finally going to kill me and how he had enjoyed killing my brother—”

 

“Objection your Honor!” Ulquiorra snapped, “My client is not being tried on these supposed other murders. Ms. Kuchiki's testimony should be limited to the acts only she experienced.”

 

“Your Honor, what Ms. Kuchiki has to say is exactly what she experienced. She is a witness to what the defendant says.”

 

The Judge lapsed into a momentary silence and Rukia took that time to look over at Ichigo. He was staring directly at her. His eyes still possessed the warmth she needed and Rukia willed herself to soak it all up.

 

“Counselor, you're going to have to limit Ms. Kuchiki's testimony to the crime Mr. Aizen is currently being tried for.”

 

Hitsugaya's face darkened considerably. “Yes your Honor.”

 

He paced the room for a few seconds and bit his bottom lip. Rukia glanced at Yoruichi and found her practically snarling where she sat.

 

“Ms. Kuchiki…” Toshiro began again, the tension evident in his voice. “Please describe what the defendant did upon leaving the building.”

 

She nodded, “While we were speaking he had unscrewed a bottle of liquid, which he was pouring onto the floors. He told me that I was on the fifth floor of the building and in the very bottom there were cartons soaked in gasoline.” Her voice wavered and she looked back at Ichigo for strength. “He kept calling me… `little girl.' But he told me not to worry… b-because I'd die from smoke inhalation before I actually burned.”

 

“And then?”

 

“Then… h-he left.” She murmured, staring down at her hands. She was twirling her ring around her finger—it helped to calm her nerves. “He left me to die.”

 

“Thank you.” Toshiro murmured, reaching his hand over the small barrier and patting her lightly on the knee. “Thank you.” Rukia nodded at him and tried to breathe. It was harder than she imagined, testifying, that is. As she recounted every horrific detail her mind kept reverting to that night; she saw each minute replayed as if it were some kind of sick, never-ending, movie. She closed her eyes and tried to block them out.

 

“Your witness.” Toshiro muttered rudely to Ulquiorra, who promptly stood and approached the bench threateningly.

 

“Ms. Kuchiki,” he said, his voice was steady but sounded deadly and even against her will it sent shivers up Rukia's spine. “How did you end up at the building near the docks?”

 

“I believe your client drove me there,” Rukia said softly, she had to pause and think for a moment before answering.

 

Ulquiorra frowned, “Drove you there?” He crossed his arms over his black suit-enclosed chest. “Drove you?”

 

“Yes. He must have, the docks are very far away.” Rukia answered tersely. She looked over towards the jury and said, “That's where we were, the docks.”

 

“Why not just kill you at your apartment?” Ulquiorra said musingly, “I mean, isn't it much more convenient than setting fire to an entire building?”

 

“I suppose.” She said in a low voice, “But when he was talking to me he told me that killing a Kuchiki was a rare treat. The sick bastard was enjoying it.”

 

“Objection, move to strike,” Ulquiorra said immediately, looking up at the Judge.

 

“The jury will disregard the witness's last comment.” Judge Yamamoto said, turning to the jury and then to Rukia, “And Ms. Kuchiki, please refrain from using such language.”

 

“How do you remember all of the details about the night, Ms. Kuchiki? I thought you were drugged and then was subjected to smoke inhalation.” Ulquiorra asked coldly, “Not to mention after that you were in a catatonic state for well over a few days. How is it that you can recall so many small details about that night? I would have thought it to be impossible.”

 

“All of those things did occur but none of them caused any damage to my memory.” Rukia answered.

 

Ulquiorra nodded for a moment and tapped his pointer finger against his chin. “Isn't it true that it was your partner who found you at the building?” The defense attorney asked.

 

“Yes,” Rukia said, her voice much softer than before. “It was Detective Kurosaki.”

 

“He, who climbed five fire escapes and dove into a burning building, just to rescue you?” Ulquiorra's tone was snide and suggestive, Rukia shifted uncomfortably in her seat and saw Ichigo tense with anger in the galleries.

 

“Yes, he did.”

 

“Is it true that you're sleeping with Detective Kurosaki?”

 

The blood drained from Rukia's face the moment those words came out of Ulquiorra Schiffer's mouth. The courtroom began to buzz and Hitsugaya immediately stood and shouted an objection.

 

“Order in the courtroom!” Judge Yamamoto boomed as he smacked his gavel against his desk. “Order!”

 

The court finally began to quiet and when it did Rukia looked over at Ichigo, he was staring at Aizen's attorney with pure loathing in his eyes. Rage was written on his face and his body was tensed hard enough to snap.

 

“Your honor!” Hitsugaya practically screamed, “The witness's sexual history has nothing to do with this case!”

 

“It goes to credibility, your honor, I have a theory that proves Ms. Kuchiki and her lover made up the entire allegation against my client! The jury has a right to know an alternative explanation.” Ulquiorra said smoothly, his voice sounded like the slithering of a snake: sleek and soft but still hideous and disgusting.

 

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes at the Defense and nodded, “I'll allow it…”

 

“Your Honor!” Toshiro snapped.

 

“But,” the judge continued, “You must tread very carefully, Mr. Schiffer.”

 

“Of course your Honor.” He said, taking a few steps towards Rukia's podium, “Also, permission to treat as hostile, I believe the witness will be obdurate in her answers.”

 

“So granted.”

 

“Isn't it true, Ms. Kuchiki that you and Detective Kurosaki, your partner and coworker, have been sleeping together for about two months now?”

 

Rukia's jaw was tight as she nodded her head jerkily. “Y-Yes… that's true.”

 

“Yet when you first came to the thirty first precinct about a year ago you were unhappy with being partnered with Detective Kurosaki?”

 

“I was.”

 

“I guess he just grew on you, huh?” Ulquiorra snickered.

 

“Objection!” Toshiro roared, he stood from his seat and nearly pushed the damn thing over.

 

“Withdrawn,” Ulquiorra said quickly. Yamamoto glared at him in a disgruntled manner and allowed him to continue. “Isn't it true, Ms. Kuchiki, that you were so angry at my client that you coerced Mr. Kurosaki into making up this ridiculous scheme with you?”

 

Rukia's eyes widened in horror and her mouth dropped open, “N-no… I would never…”

 

“Isn't it true that you planned the entire thing so Detective Kurosaki would rescue you at the exact moment when you needed him the most?” Ulquiorra was advancing steadily and menacingly upon Rukia. She was trying to sit solidly in her chair but his terrible presence made her want to shrink back.

 

“No!” She cried, lurching forward in her chair. In the gallery Ichigo sat on the edge of his seat and had his hand wrapped around the bench ledge in front of him.

 

“Isn't it true that it was just your sick and twisted plot to get back at your boss for putting your in a place you didn't want to be… well, that is, until you started getting some from your partner.”

 

“No,” Rukia whispered, her voice dropping against the din of the room. “No—I, never, it's not—it's different.”

 

She didn't dare look over at Ichigo as she said these words.

 

“Different…” Ulquiorra snickered, “Yes, different. I bet you've never framed your former boss with any of your other lovers.”

 

“Objection!” Hitsugaya shouted again.

 

“Withdrawn,” Ulquiorra snorted, giving Rukia a disgusted up-and-down look. “No more questions your Honor.” He walked slowly away from the front of the courtroom and back to his seat. Aizen grinned when he sat down and patted his shoulder warmly, Ulquiorra shook his client off and returned to examining his notes.

 

“Redirect your Honor,” Hitsugaya growled as he stood before the judge even gave his permission. “Ms. Kuchiki,” he said tersely, “You said that this was `different,' how is it different?”

 

Rukia felt something warm and wet run down her cheek and she shakily lifted a hand to wipe it away. Good god, she was crying now. Her breathing was getting harder and her throat was burning slightly.

 

“Ms. Kuchiki?”

 

Rukia lifted her head and felt her bottom lip quiver slightly. The pounding in her heart was so loud… she was almost positive that the entire courtroom could hear it. Rukia swallowed past the lump in her throat and shivered suddenly—she was cold for some strange reason.

 

“It's different…” she began, “It's different b-because… I-I'm in love with him.”

 

Absolute silence fell over the courtroom. Rukia was staring down at her hands, Yoruichi was biting her lip while looking cautiously at the jury, and Hitsugaya was leaning against his desk, his intense eyes resting on Rukia.

 

“He gave me a ring.” She murmured softly, her hands clasped in her lap.

 

“Thank you, Ms. Kuchiki.” Toshiro said quietly, he eyed the jury once more before sitting down. Rukia saw him glance over at Ulquiorra and smirk at the pale man's angry complexion.

 

“You may step down, Ms. Kuchiki.” The judge said calmly.

 

She nodded and stood up slowly, her body was trembling and her legs felt like gelatin as she walked slowly away from her podium. She passed the two tables in the center of the courtroom: one of them held two people who were trying to preserve justice and the other held an evil man who enjoyed killing helpless people. She nodded towards Toshiro and Yoruichi as she passed them but didn't even look towards Aizen. She didn't want to see that warm smiling that hid a cold blooded killer.

 

As she walked between the tables she looked up and immediately felt her eyes threaten to well once again.

 

“Ichigo,” she whispered.

 

She rushed towards the small swinging door and passed through it effortlessly. He was waiting for her as she hurried towards him. The next thing she knew his strong arms were around her shaking body and his warmth was pressing into her.

 

She knew that everyone in the courtroom was looking at them but she didn't care. Her testimony was over, he was here, and she was finally safe.

 

His hand rubbed her back softly and he was murmuring into her hair. Rukia wanted nothing more than to simply revel in the feelings he was creating. She loved him so much.

 

“Come on, Rukia.” Ichigo whispered, “I'm taking you home.”

 

She nodded and slowly detached herself from him. He grasped her hand tightly and led her out of the courtroom. Not a single eye in the room left them alone as they walked to the grand double doors and exited.

 

Rukia looked over at Ichigo and then down to her hand clasped tightly in his. She stroked her thumb against his skin and he looked down at her. She smiled weakly at him, wishing that he would say something.

 

Ichigo's eyes left hers after a moment and he glanced at the ground. “So… you love me?”

 

Rukia felt her cheeks color slightly before she coughed lightly and looked at the ground as well. “Um… yeah. I think so.”

 

Ichigo smirked and turned back towards her, his hands rested on her shoulders and he bent down to kiss her lips gently. “Well that's funny, because I know I love you.”

 

Rukia's bottom lip quivered softly as he cupped her face and pressed more soft kisses to her face. “God you're corny.” She laughed weakly. She knew she was on the verge of crying, she just really didn't want to.

 

Ichigo smiled and ran his thumbs underneath her eyelids. “But you love me.” He muttered softly.

 

Rukia looked up at him and gazed into his soulfully amber eyes. She loved him. He loved her. They loved each other. God, she didn't think she would ever get tired of hearing that silly four letter word.

 

“Yeah,” she murmured, “Yeah, I do love you.”

 

Ichigo's grin widened and he kissed her lips once again. He pulled away quickly and murmured into her ear, “I'm going to take you home, toss you on a bed, and kiss every part of your body until we can't move. We're not leaving your apartment for a week.”

 

Rukia laced her fingers with his and smiled, “Just so long as you cook for me.”

 

He led her towards the exit and grinned, “You bet.”