OH MY GOD! I'M SO SORRY FOR THE VERY LATE UPDATE!

I hope some are still interested in this story. I want to cry! My writing's getting rusty and I'm pretty sure so many of you have already forgotten this fic!

Anyways, for those still interested enough to read this, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Dark Abyss

Chapter II

Rukia's eyelids fluttered open. Heavy-lidded eyes gazed upon the surroundings with lingering haziness. Blinking the stupor away, the petite princess propped her body with one arm while scratching her raven mop of hair in the process. The white sheets fell from her body in an unceremonious heap, exposing her naked body underneath.

Rukia's brows scrunched together when she caught sight of something—or rather, someone. Immediately, her whole body involuntarily shivered and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

Why is he looking at me that way?

Is he hungry… again?

The princess studied his face. He was watching her with great scrutiny under glowing red irises. Had he not been satisfied last night? To say he had been rough was an understatement. It felt like her whole body ached just by looking at him. Glancing downwards, she cringed internally on the damage the beast had done.

On her arms and legs were hand imprints that left blue bruises on her previously unblemished white skin. Her thighs were covered in fingernail scratches and bite marks. Her abdominals looked like something had squeezed the life out of it. Her lips were red and puffy. Her neck was covered in hickies. Even her nether regions throbbed in pain.

He was marking her. Again.

Rukia shifted under his heavy gaze and pulled the sheets to cover her body. Most—and she meant her brother and the elders at that—only saw her as nothing but a self-conceited bitch. But she was thoughtful enough to bring Ichigo clean clothes and bed spreads whenever she was free to sneak in the laundry chambers. She had also brought some curtains to cover the mundane brick walls that did not even have a single window attached to it. There were withered flowers from the garden—not Sakura, her brother would surely notice if something was amiss with them—on his antique desk, old novels from various writers, and a long-forgotten calligraphy set she had stolen from the library.

Rukia looked at him again. The way his muscles clench and stiffen underneath his sinewy skin made her mouth water. His flaming orange hair was unruly as ever, giving him a boyish yet dangerous look. His hands, calloused and big, could easily fit around the flare of her hips. The fabric of his hakama hung low on his waist, tips of his undoubtedly erotic hair peeking from underneath.

She knew so little about him, and yet she was so drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

Rukia gulped. This was not good. Not good at all. This man—this monster—could feel her heat. She'd rather be left unsatisfied than have to deal with more marks and bruises to cover up with from her maids. She already had enough of them. Unconsciously, her fingertips reached for the newest bite mark he had garnished her neck. She was pretty sure this one wouldn't come off easily.

"I think you should return. I can already smell the sun from here. Sunrise will be very soon." Ichigo's voice jolted her out of her reverie.

Really, how could someone have a voice as husky as that?

Well, Ichigo's true nature did defy any human physics anyways. His incredible sense of smell was also astonishing. She was secretly thankful that his hearing wasn't as sharp, or else he would have already caught whiff of the impending marriage her brother and the elders were forcing her unto.

Rukia nodded dumbly in response, unable to speak any words. An audible sound escaped from her when she tried to clear the lump in her throat. In front of her, Ichigo was watching her calmly, one of his eyebrows rose in interest.

And yet, his eyes were still glowing red.

He was walking towards her slowly, his strides long and graceful. "Soon, your maids will come searching for you." One of his hands touched the center of her chest. Rukia's heart skipped a bit at the contact.

"I-I…"

Ichigo then lavished the base of her throat with little licks and kisses. One side of the rusty bed dug deeper when his bent left knee made contact with it. Settling himself further, his right hand began to caress the gentle swell of her bare breast.

"Uhn…"

Ichigo slowly made his way to her face, leaving burning marks with his lips and tongue as he went. When he reached her delectable lips, he bit her bottom lip until blood pooled from the tender skin. He looked at her intently, his eyes glowing an intense shade of crimson as his insatiable hunger rumbled deep inside him once again. He could feel the tiny princess clenching the sheets so hard, that he couldn't help but lick her cheek long and hard just to elicit sounds of ecstasy from her lips.

She moaned, "Ichigo! I-"

She couldn't even finish her sentence for the monster had already claimed possession of her lips.

Rukia groaned deep in her throat. He was just so… so… so undeniably delicious. Everything about him was just so deliciously tempting.

Dancing with their mouths together like this was worth it; worth the trouble if her maids find out she's missing, worth the trouble if her brother finds out she's no longer pure and virgin, and worth all the more when her future husband finds out she's now a slave to another entity not even a human being.

Rukia Kuchiki, born royalty and a princess, now a slave to a monster.

A vampire.

Ichigo Kurosaki, a dangerous creature she had accidentally woken up from a thousand years of deep sleep, was a vampire.

Was his awakening really an accident?

Or were they really destined to meet?

Rukia felt herself being pushed on her back, the silk sheets falling from her clutch. The powerful monster hovered above her menacingly. She opened her violet eyes once more, taking in the enigma that was Ichigo Kurosaki.

Knowing him more seemed like a far-fetched dream.

Her heart thudded loudly inside her chest. Heat pooled in her belly. Her nipples hardened as Ichigo dipped his head and bathed them with his skillful tongue. Her hands held his head in place as she arched her back to give him more access. Just when she thought she could not take it any longer, the seductive vampire gave both of her peaks one final and sensual lick before pulling away.

"Come now, my princess. As much as I want to make you scream my name in ecstasy all day, I cannot possibly leave you dehydrated from blood loss. I wouldn't want my tiny princess to die now, would I? Rest for now, and we shall meet each other once again."

"O-Of course." Rukia's throat was suddenly dry. She gathered the sheets on her body and stood up with shaking legs. Ichigo helped her re-adjust her dress, and while doing so, sneaked another love bite on her neck. After fixing herself, Rukia looked at her reflection on the damaged mirror and contemplated if she should say anything. Mustering up the courage, she began to speak,

"Ichigo I need to tell you something."

The vampire tilted his head to the side, his eyes now a gentle shade of honey-brown. He was just about finished tying up his hakama when his little princess had spoken. Tightening the knot of the sash, he gave her a look out of sheer curiosity.

C'mon, Rukia! Say it! Say that you're getting married!

Not exactly. It's only 'probably'. But the King highly favors the ruler of the Murasaki Kingdom. Soon enough, I'm pretty sure brother's going to pick him as my betrothed.

Rukia looked away. "Ah. I just want to, um, make sure you are not getting bored here. You have always been here the whole two months. I'm not saying you can go outside, that can jeopardize our situation, but if ever you wish of something that can at least make your stay here a little more bearable, and if I can provide it, tell me and I shall bring it to you once I deem the time fit."

Like a flash of lightning, Ichigo was beside her in an instant. She still couldn't get used to his inhumane speed for he rarely used it.

"Fret shall not, my princess. Your company alone is enough to satisfy me. If you wish to make me happier, then come back as soon as you can. Until then, I will be waiting," he breathed hotly against her ear. His honey-amber eyes were so sincere that Rukia could not find the courage to turn away.

She couldn't tell him after all.

I'm sorry if there's no lemon. Soon though, if I receive enough reviews. Lol. But I still tried to put some sensuality in here, and I hope you guys appreciated it.

I'm now a board passer and a certified professional. I'll be busy, but I'm putting 'Dark Abyss' as my priority fic so I will try to write whenever I can.

Please leave a review. It would mean a lot to me.

Thanks!