Disclaimer: Kubo is still the owner of Bleach.

A/N: I would like to thank you all for reading my story. The timeline of this story is messed up so bear with me. I still hope you would enjoy it. Chill ICHIRUKI

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0

The Past: 17 months ago…

The peace he once had desired the most is now his yet the emptiness inside his heart stays the same. Through the silence of the night he, together with his hound, treaded the familiar path on the beach towards the place he now calls home. It was the same sky he saw, the same breeze he feels everyday of his life. Nothing has changed but something seems to be out of place that evening, his feelings unsettling. He mused his past while taking slow steps on the cool sand under his feet. He hasn't gone much in remembering when his companion hound named Bawabawa decided to bark waking him from his reverie.

He had noticed only now that Bawabawa was not beside him anymore but was barking at something along the shore. He went there to check what was bothering his usually silent dog. On the spot where Bawabawa stood laid a young woman, unconscious and injured.

He was surprised by the sight in front of him but moved nonetheless in alarm to check if the woman was still alive. She was still breathing. Placing a finger on her neck, he felt for her pulse. There was good pulsation. Relief surged over him. He took of his coat and wrapped it on the woman who was soaked in the sea. He lifted her up and decided to bring her in his humble abode. Only then did he notice that the woman was holding something in her hand.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0

" Is dead…is dead…is dead…is dead." A voice echoed in the nothingness. There was a feeling of haziness surrounding the air.

Ichigo was confused of where he was or what he was doing there. A voice kept repeating the same phrase. " Who is dead?" He shouted, hoping to get an answer. He regretted it.

" Son…" Now, it became clear to him. It was his father's voice but he was nowhere in sight. Only his voice echoed everywhere. " Rukia…is dead."

" Ahhhh!" Everything shattered into pieces as he sat up on the bed, finally waking up. He was breathing heavily as cold sweat dripped on his face. " It was a dream…a nightmare, just a nightmare." He chanted hoping to make himself believe. Gasping for some air, he looked around and saw that he was currently inside his room. He looked out of the window and saw the night sky. The digital clock on his night table read 2:00 am. He slapped his face to fully wake his self.

Footsteps were scrambling outside towards his room. His bedroom door slammed opened as the sight of his sisters greeted him. They looked tired and worn out.

" Onni-chan, are you alright?" Yuzu was the first to come in and sit on his bed.

There was an unsettling feeling inside of him but not wanting to worry his sisters, he forced a smile. " Yeah, sorry I woke you up."

Karin stayed by the door. She looked at his brother peculiarly. " Are you sure you're okay?"

Ichigo noticed Karin's doubt on him. " Yeah. Should I be feeling bad or something?" He chuckled a little as he tried to humor with her. However, lowered her head as her face darkened. She was trembling and clenching her fists. Ichigo only heard mumblings from her. " K-Karin, is something wrong?" He asked hesitantly.

The moment Karin raised her head; tears were streaming down on her face. Her eyes were spiteful. " How can you be like this when you've already known that Rukia-nee is already gone?!" She retorted as she walked away. Yuzu began crying as well.

Ichigo froze again, having a hard time to process the information thrown at him that moment. " It wasn't a dream?" He whispered to himself.

Onni-chan!" Yuzu cried harder and hugged her brother. Ichigo was feeling numbed and unresponsive as his life began to shatter.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0

Large amethyst orbs were scanning the totality of the surroundings. It was unfamiliar, everything was foggy in her mind.

" You're awake now, I see." A man with maroon hair came in from the open door of the room. He was holding a tray of warm soup and a glass of water as he came near the bed where a petite woman sat. He placed the tray on the bedside table and sat on the stool near the bed. " How are you feeling?" He asked the woman.

The woman stared at him for a moment. Then her face contorted into that of confusion. " Who are you?" She asked in her low feminine tone.

" I'm Ashido Kano." He introduced himself briefly.

" Ashido." The woman repeated weakly. She was once again wearing a confused look. " I…I'm…" Her face contorted as she tried to think hard. " I…I don't know who I am." She told him.

There was no surprise or alarm etched on Ashido's face. He was already anticipating the event. " I see. Considering the fact that you've concurred several damages on your head, there has already been a possibility of you having amnesia."

" Amnesia?" She asked, confusion still clouding her. Ashido nodded. " Do you know who I am?" Hope was in her voice as she looked at him intently.

Ashido sadly shook his head. " I found you along the shoreline unconscious. You've been out for a whole week." He told her.

Her face was alarmed. " W-would I ever have my memories back?" She was already afraid to ask.

Ashido stood up. " Hopefully. You might recover soon or days or months or possibly years from now. There's no telling it." The girl looked really sad. He went to the bedside drawer and took something out. " You were holding this when I found you. This might help you remember something." He showed her a mobile phone with a rabbit as a phone chain which she immediately took. The woman studied the item carefully. " You don't have to rush yourself to remember anything." He told her.

The woman looked up on him. " Ashido, thank you." She was moved by the care he was showing her despite her being a stranger. She smiled at him to show some gratitude.

Ashido smiled back at her. " It's troublesome that you don't even know your name. We'll have to give you a name first." The woman looked at him expectantly. He thought of some good name to give her, eyeing her once in a while. " Shirayuki. How about that name?"

The woman smiled widely as she repeated the name. " Shirayuki." It went out of her lips smoothly. " It sounds nice."

Ashido looked at her intently. " Your pale skin looks as white as snow. That name suits you best."

Shirayuki blushed in embarrassment. Ashido's honesty makes her feel awkward.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Ichigo found himself inside a car travelling towards where? He doesn't know. His father sat beside him.

" Ichigo, you should take care more of yourself. Your body's about to breakdown." Ishiin told his son. He understands the devastation he is going through. He had shut himself away from the world, refusing to eat or do anything. The luster in the young boy's eyes were now long gone as his face impassive and unresponsive. He looks much older than his real age.

Heaving a sigh, Ishiin stared at his son. " She won't be happy seeing you like that…Rukia, that is." He saw his son twitch a little at the mention of the name. It's the only thing that can prove that he is still alive. The name seems to have been a taboo for a while now. Yuzu and Karin refused to speak of it for reasons Ishiin has no idea. Perhaps, it was to protect their brother from more suffering upon remembering the girl.

The car they were in took a sharp turn and entered the huge gate of a manor. " We're here." Ishiin pulled his son out and into the manor. They sat on the couch in the living room as a servant brought them tea. " Thank you." Ishiin told the servant and looked over at Ichigo who was still staring blankly into nothingness.

" Kurosaki Ichigo." The monotonous voice of Kuchiki Byakuya resounded as the man strode down the grand staircase towards them.

Ichigo's eyes widened as he raised his head. " B-byakuya!" His voice was of disbelief.

Ishiin was relieved after seeing some reaction from his son. This has been the liveliest he ever was after learning of Rukia's incident a month ago.

" Kurosaki Ishiin." Byakuya turned his attention towards the older Kurosaki.

Ishiin goofily smiled and waved a hand. " Sorry for the sudden intrusion Byakuya!" His face then turned into a serious one. " I don't think I still have to tell you about our reason for coming here."

The Kuchiki nodded in understanding as he shifted his eyes at the young boy. " What is your business here Kurosaki Ichigo?" He suddenly asked.

Ichigo was perplexed, only capable of gaping his mouth open and close. He stared at the noble Kuchiki, at a loss for word.

" I guess I'll just wait outside." Ishiin excused himself and left the two alone.

There was pregnant silence between the two for a long time. Ichigo was definitely uncomfortable, wandering his gaze anywhere but Byakuya.

" Cowardice." The mention of the word from Byakuya's mouth made Ichigo look at him. " That is what you are doing now, running away. You have lost yourself and you drag everyone else along with you."

Ichigo clenched his fists as his face showed anger. " What the hell are you talking about?! Rukia's gone! Don't you have any emotion for your sister! She had admired you so much! How can you be so calm about this!" His outburst shook the whole room.

There was a brief silence before Byakuya spoke again. " You have trampled Rukia's pride. She had always been proud of you but now, you render yourself useless and as good as dead. Who of us two had committed a greater crime against Rukia?" His voice was still monotonous but Ichigo can feel the dread he wanted to convey. " Come back to me when you are mature enough, boy. I have no time dealing with such foolish attitude." He then turned his back on Ichigo and disappeared into the room which Ishiin entered earlier.

Ichigo was left alone to reflect on his actions.

…..

" That was a great help! Thanks a lot Byaku-boy." Ishiin happily tapped the Kuchiki's head, treating him like a small child. The cold glare that the stoic man gave him made him stop and take back his hand. He pouted in a childish manner. " You're such a meanie. I was only thanking you."

Kuchiki Byakuya remained unfazed with his antic. " I only spoke my mind. As a noble, it is my duty to guide the young." He stepped towards his working desk and sat on his chair. Pulling some documents, he began doing some paper works.

" You should take some good rest. You look like you haven't had any good sleep lately." Ishiin notice his tired look despite the façade he was showing. Byakuya only kept silent, finding no necessity for any words to be spoken. " How is the search coming along?"

Byakuya paused and looked up on the Kurosaki Head who was now making himself comfortable on the couch. " My people are doing everything they can but the progress isn't good enough." He was gripping on the documents tighter than normal.

Ishiin wandered his eyes around the room. The noble Kuchiki Byakuya is at his weakest at the moment. It would be shameful to be an audience of such a thing that the man had tried so hard to hide. " I've already contacted the navy and have hired people to help with the search." He gave Byakuya one last glance. " Thank you for sparing us some of your time today. My boy needs some kicking and you're the best person for that role at the moment." He turned around to leave.

Ishiin was already halfway towards the door when Byakuya spoke. " Don't come barging here for such trivial things. Tell that to your son." Ishiin grinned widely and exited the room. Upon closing the door, he looked at his son who was still shaken by the encounter and whispered to himself. " I don't believe Rukia-chan would leave us just like that. Nobody believes that."

He slowly walked towards the frozen Ichigo. " Son." He called out. He was not expecting any response like usual but Ichigo turned to him this time, the young Kurosaki's eyes were filled with confusion, disappointment and realizations.

" I'm the worst, aren't I? I can't believe it had to be Byakuya pointing it out." Ichigo looked like he wanted to laugh at himself or cry. He was at the verge of uncertainty of his own self. " Rukia will really kick me hard if she sees me like this." He was trembling again as he fell down on the couch he had occupied earlier. He covered his face with his hands. " This is shameful."

Ishiin's face softened as he sat down beside his son. He ruffled his hair. " Let's go home now…before Byakuya decides to have his guard dogs chasing after us."

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

" It's already been more than a year and half, hasn't it?" Shirayuki asked Ashido. They were currently sitting outside the cabin which Ashido calls home. The night sky looked wonderful as stars twinkled brightly that night. It has become a habit for both of them.

Ashido did not look at Shirayuki but remained his gaze upon the stars. " Time goes by unnoticed to a man who lives his life alone in this inhabited island." turning his head towards Bawabawa who was sleeping soundly beside him, he spoke in amusement. " I'm amazed how you were able to tell that such amount of time has passed."

Stretching her arms a bit, Shirayuki smiled at the sky. " All I can do here is count the days that had passed by, to see the sun rise and set. I've never been outside this island for that long."

This time, Ashido gazed at her. " Well, you come with me to the mainland when I buy supplies, don't you?" He ruffled her hair.

She pouted at him. " That doesn't count you know! I feel a little lonely because we're the only ones on this island. No neighbors for goodness sake! You're such a hermit."

Ashido chuckled at joke. It has been the nth time she had called him that. " What can I do? I have chosen this life." Turning his face into a serious one, he looked at the beachwhich was a little ahead of them. " I can't go back anymore to the life I had once. I… I can't abandon those who have fought for my sake."

Shirayuki had learned of the life he had once and how his friends have fought and died for him, to prove him right. " You sound like an old man despite your age, you know?!" She teased to lighten the mood. Once Ashido reminisces, he sorts of become dramatic.

" But, you know…" Ashido breathed in deeply before finishing his statement with a small smile. " …I'm really thankful that you came here. Atleast, someone aside from me knows about the legacy of Ashido Kano and the nakama who stayed with him till the end."

" Your wrong." Shirayuki told him dramatically. Pointing at Bawabawa, she said. " It's you, me and Bawabawa who knows about it." As if on cue, Bawabawa who had just awoken and heard his name barked in agreement.

Silence prevailed on them for a while before Ashido asked something. " Shirayuki, you haven't regained any of your memories yet?"

Heaving a sigh, Shirayuki answered. " No…but ever since I've woken up that time when I met you I've always had this dream."Her brows furrowed. " It was always the same dream of two people."

" Two people?" Ashido was all ears.

Shirayuki nodded and continued. " Yes, two men. They were really good looking people." She said happily. " One had a black hair. He looked strict and emotionless but I feel like I really look up to him and respect him. I really don't know why I feel that way but… I really can't explain it."

Ashido can note the pride in her voice coming out so naturally. It was as if she had regained a part of her. He felt happy for her. " And the other one?" Shirayuki smiled brightly, blushing as she tried to remember. Ashido raised a brow.

" The other one…I don't know why he's always on my mind. He has a bright orange hair and always scowls."

Ashido laughed. " So he must be a gangster."

The girl scowled. " But I think he looks handsome and cool. And he smiles at me!" She defended.

" Ho…so he's some kind of prince charming? I'm hurt." Ashido playfully feigned hurt. Shirayuki snorted at him. " But kidding aside, those people might be important for you. That's a good thing."

" Yeah." She rested her chin on her knees.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

It was the same dream again about two people. Every night since she had awoken, she was having the same silent dream about two people…two men she can't identify. They looked aching familiar, as if her heard was painfully screaming at her to remember them.

Tonight, it was the same. She was having the same dream, only this time she can hear their voices.

Shirayuki finds herself standing at a huge garden of cherry blossoms. The place feels nostalgic, as if she had seen it so many times before. She didn't find herself out of place.

" Rukia." A monotonous voice spoke.

She didn't know who Rukia was but she felt herself turning at the direction of the voice. A handsome man with a shoulder length raven hair was standing in front of her. His eyes were icy, his face stoic. " Nii-sama." Her voice spoke automatically as her lips curved into a smile. A feeling of admiration surged inside of her. This familiarity towards the man did not feel foreign for her.

Then she felt a pair of strong arms surround her and a hard chest supporting her back. She gasped in alarm but the warmth that the embrace brought her made her feel comfortable and secured. Looking up, she saw intense amber eyes looking at her intently, and an untamed orange man. Heat came to her cheeks, giving her pale skin a taint of white. Her heartbeat became erratic.

" Yoh, midget." The man with orange hair smiled down at her.

" Ichigo." Smiling, the name left her lips smoothly.

Her eyes widened as different memories drowned her.' Ichigo?'

Shirayuki was sweating profusely in her sleep, turning side to side in her bed. The moment she woke up in the middle of the night she was out of breath, gasping for air and bathing in her sweat. " Ichigo." She repeated. " Kurosaki Ichigo!"

Standing up from her bed, she ran out of her room and started pounding on Ashido's bedroom door. " Ashido!" She heard sheets shifting from inside and some grumbling. The man was awake. When she heard footsteps, she distanced herself from the door.

The door opened. " Shirayuki?" Ashido's sleepy voice called out as his eyes were still groogy. The petite woman in front of him looked so out of breath. " What happened?"

" I…I remember who I am! I'm Rukia…Kuchiki Rukia!" Rukia exclaimed happily as she hugged him.

Ashido's eyes widened as he was slowly taking on all the information to register in his newly awoken brain. He hugged her back and smiled. " I'm happy for you."

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Kuchiki Byakuya was sitting in the garden pavilion of his manor, having his tea and completely ingoring his unwanted visitor Kurosaki Ishiin.

The head of the Kurosaki family was making himself comfortable on the chair across the master of the manor. " You're so mean Byakuya. Why do you act like I'm not here?"

" Kurosaki Ishiin…" Byakuya growled in a low tone as he coldly and sharply looked at the older man. " I don't see any reason why your presence is needed here."

" Is it bad to visit a friend? Thanks to you, my son had recovered a little but he is still mopping. It's so boring at home."

Byakuya carefully placed his cup back on the saucer. " And what makes you think I have enough time to listen you your nonsense?"

Ishiin pouted. " But…but…"

" Nii-sama!" A familiar voice dawdled. The two men immediately turned their heads at the door of the manor leading to the garden. With eyes widened, they stood up in disbelief.

At the door stood Rukia, running towards them. " Nii-sama! Ishiin-san!" Tears were welling in her eyes.

" Ru…kia-chan?" Ishiin was so dumbfounded to find a good reaction.

Out of breath, Rukia stopped in front of them to catch some air. " Nii-sama, I'm back."

Byakuya was frozen on his seat. He was truly surprised. He stood up and patted his sister's head. " Welcome back."

His voice was full of relief. Rukia can feel his brother's hand tremble. She smiled at him, tears still dropping one by one.

" Rukia-chan!" Ishiin jumped at her and hugged her tightly after recovering from shock. " I'm so happy to see you come back. I've missed you so much. Ichigo is so pathetic right now that it's so boring." He wailed.

" Ichigo? What happened to Ichigo?" Rukia was worried about him.

Ishiin let go of her and pouted as he looked sideways. " He's become so pathetic. I didn't raise my son like that."

" I have to see him now. Where is he?"

She was about to turn around when Byakuya stopped him. " Rukia, I think we should have you checked right now before you do anything."

Rubbing his chin, Ishiin affirmed Byakuya's decision. " Your brother's right Rukia-chan. You should rest first. You've just come back after 17 months. Your brother must be dying to know what had happened to you."

She was hesitating. She's really worried about Ichigo and she missed him so much.

Seeing her hesitation, Ishiin pushed the notion harder to convince her. " Besides, I'm sure you and my idiot son will take long to catch up. You'll have a lot of time to do that."

Rukia resigned with a sigh. " I understand. I guess he'll have to wait." She smiled again. " I'm glad to be back."

" Welcome home Rukia." Byakuya told her again.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~

The Present:

Ichigo and Rukia stepped on the island where the latter had spent her whole seventeen months.

" So, this Ashido is the one who saved you huh?" Ichigo asked again, looking around for any signs of habitation in the place. " How was your life here?"

" It was peaceful. Everything seems fresh." Rukia pulled him towards a cabin. " That has served as my home in the past seventeen months."

Ichigo wasn't sure of how to react. Hearing Rukia mention about this Ashido guy makes him feel jealous. Now, he was getting uncertain if he really wanted to meet this guy or not. How would she introduce me? What if she had fell in love with the guy who saved her? Such thoughts make his confidence crumble.

Rukia noticed his hesitation. She slid her hand from his arm to entwine it with his hand. Turning around, she faced him, her amethyst eyes glistening beautifully. " Ichigo… I just wanted you to meet Ashido and for me to officially thank him for the help he gave me." She reassured him.

Ichigo shifted his gaze from her, ashamed of his uncertainty. " I know that but…" The pain in his shin made him yelp. " Why did you kick me?!" He frowned at her as he nursed his shin.

Hands on her waist, she looked at him intently. " I want Ashido to meet the proud Kurosaki Ichigo who I fell in love with!" She spoke indignantly. She was blushing and a bit embarrassed of her outburst. " Please don't make me such embarrassing things again." She averted her gaze elsewhere.

Grinning, he straightened himself and pulled her into an embrace. " This is why I love you so much." He felt so content at that moment. The wavering feeling that was clouding him earlier is now completely gone. " I'll never mind the past since it serves us lessons to learn from but I'll cherish this present where the two of us are once again one." He smiled so gently.

She was feeling really touch with his vow that moment. With her eyes reflecting only him she gave her final word. " Then I promise you the future of us together."

" I think that should have been my line." Ichigo noted as he placed a kiss on her lips. Then they tightened the embrace, securing each other.

They stayed like that for a long time, enchanted by the moment and completely forgetting their purpose for coming on that island.