Warning: The characters of this story are 'suffering' from Out of Characterness... whatever that is... and it's a bit... uhmmm... just read and find out... then please tell me what you think...XD

Disclaimer: Must I do this all the time? C'mon, do you seriously think I own Bleach? (that's a nice thought though)

He told her to wait.

He promised her he’ll come back.

He swore his eternal love for her before he left…

…And she did…

She waited for him.

She held onto his words.

She believed every single thing he told her…

-o-

Now, after what seemed like forever, she sat beside a hospital bed. Patiently waiting, hoping against hope that the man she had waited for, the man who promised to come back to her, the man who gave his heart to her would open his eyes and see her…

Ever since the war in which she wasn’t allowed to be part of ended, she had been staying at the fourth division’s Intensive Care Unit. Unohana-taichou couldn’t keep her from over-staying there, not even her own brother could keep her out, for crying out loud!

She held onto his hand, as if it was her lifeline. She never did let go nor did she ever left his side, unless needed to…

-o-

Two months. It has been two months and Rukia still follows her routine religiously. She would sleep on the make-shift bed in the ICU provided by her brother for a few hours before talking to the sole patient of the said unit. After a while, she would then leave for a very few hours to do her duties before she would come back again to talk to him.

Everyday, she would tell him how they were rebuilding all that was destroyed, how everyone was helping each other in putting things back together—putting their lives back on track, moving on. At times she would describe the weather outside or tell him stories she’s heard that day and whatever happened in her day. In all those times she told him stories, she always had that cheerful tone in her voice.

‘He wouldn’t want to hear me so sad, nor would he want to see me so weak.’ She always tell herself, then she would smile and face the day, thinking he’d wake up once she goes back to his room to visit him.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect you’d end up like this!” she talked cheerfully to the man who lay silently, unaware of anything around him as she wiped his face with a damp cloth, followed by a dry one.

“You look so pathetic, you know. If you could just see yourself, you wouldn’t believe you’d be seen this weak and vulnerable!” she gave a small chuckle, imagining his reaction if he was awake.

She was lost in her own musing until she felt a hand rest on her shoulder, snapping her back to reality.

“Nii-sama!” Rukia stood and gave a curt bow, surprised that she didn’t even feel her brother’s presence until he touched her.

“Rukia, you need to rest.” Byakuya spoke with small traces of concern not just in his voice, but also in his features.

“I’m ok, Nii-sama… I feel more secured if I’m staying here with him… He needs company.” She smiled at her brother. That forced smile that didn’t reach her dead and teary violet eyes.

Byakuya looked at his sister, understanding the pain and emotional turmoil she was undergoing. It was so familiar to him. It was like during Hisana’s illness… when she was already on her death bed.

Yes, he understood and knows too well that look in his sister’s eyes; those eyes that were once full of life and vitality, now clouded.

“He wouldn’t want to see you like this Rukia…” he started to reason, trying to keep his stoic façade intact.

Rukia, in her silence continued grooming the once mighty and proud Dragon, the man she was to be betrothed to.

“He couldn’t hear you…” Byakuya tried to talk to her again… Wanting his sister to at least pay attention to her own health, not caring if it meant hurting her even a little, if this will help her more in the process… anyway, he was just being a realist.

“No, he could hear me Nii-sama. Just you wait, he’ll wake up soon.” Rukia spoke softly, a pained smile on her lips, while clenching her fists, facing her brother.

“Very well.” Byakuya muttered and left swiftly. He wouldn’t admit it openly, but it pains him seeing his beloved sister in such a state.

Oh how he wanted to blame himself for not being able to help that one person that meant so much her. How he wanted to blame himself for not saving that one man who valiantly fought during the war who even saved him—his beloved’s older brother and only family… No, the reason he ended like this was because he saved him.

Byakuya knew why the young man saved him… because if he died, Rukia would be very, very sad—he was still her brother, by blood or not…

Rukia waited until her brother’s footsteps could no longer be heard before she turned her back to the door and faced her beloved, heavy tears that have been kept too long that always threatened to fall, fell quickly down her haggard face, trailing down on her delicate and creamy skin.

She covered her mouth, trying to stifle whatever sound she had been creating while her free hand traced the strong face of her man.

It had been too long for her. The stress, the agony, fatigue, the turmoil she had been keeping to herself had finally caught up with her. For the first time, in a long time, she Rukia broke down all walls she had carefully put around her.

“Please wake up. Toushiro wake up…” she cried softly, tears falling freely. “I am here now. I kept my promise and waited for you… Now please wake up… I need you.” Rukia whispered; a soft and sad smile graced her lips, her face only inches from his as she studied his face, one hand gently caressing his cheeks, the other his soft white hair.

“I know you’re there… hear me out… I need you… come back Toushiro, come back to me… You always keep your promises… now wake up… please wake up…” Rukia sobbed, begged as she buried her face on the pillow near his ears.

She was broken and she doesn’t care how uncharacteristically she acted in that moment, if that’s what it takes to bring him back from his vegetable-like state… If her begging and weeping and praying would bring him back in her arms, alive, smiling lovingly at her and reassuring her, she wouldn’t think twice of doing it over and over again.

For what seemed like eternity, she cried herself to sleep, only to be awoken by some weak movements. Realizing what was happening, the adrenaline came rushing through out her body. She shot up and stared expectantly at the man lying on the bed.

His fingers started moving, so slowly. His eyes started to flutter, wanting to open and see the world once more.

Rukia stood stock-still, unable to even process a sentence that she could utter. Not like she trusted herself to speak anyways.

After witnessing Toushiro’s coming out from his dead-like state, Rukia was unable to restrain her impulsiveness. She threw her arms around the man that meant the world to her, crying with joy, saying his name over and over like a mantra while thanking God for hearing her plea.

She was so engulfed with her emotion and happiness that she failed to notice how confused the man was.

“A-ano…” Toushiro spoke with a raspy tone; his throat ached and was dry.

Rukia came back to her senses and pulled away, a genuine smile that reached her eyes, one that wasn’t seen for such a long time was on her face as she looked at him.

“T-toushiro…” she stuttered… “Welcome back…. I’m so glad you’re ok now.” She cried, hugging him, yet again.

“Ano…?” Toushiro was totally confused. With the little strength he had, he weakly pulled away from her.

Rukia looked at him curiously, a questioning look on her face as she lovingly studied him.

“I’m so sorry... but where am I? And who are you?” he asked uncertainly, insecure, not knowing anything.

Rukia gave a nervous laugh after a few seconds of uncomfortable silence. She slapped Toushiro’s arm playfully. “Boke! You just woke up after having me all worried and this is how you greet me?!” She said accusingly.

Toushiro looked at her blankly.

Rukia searched his eyes; those beautiful and intoxicating deep emerald orbs that used to bore on her lovingly. Those same eyes that always reassured her are now filled with something she dare not even think of. The eyes that told her how much he loves her are now dull as they stare back at her violet orbs, without any recognition whatsoever.

Slowly, Rukia felt everything collapse. Everything that was given life when he woke up from the coma came crushing down on her. He couldn’t remember her. No recognition, no nothing.

She couldn’t find it in herself to speak… to say anything, anything at all. All she did was give him a distant gaze, until he spoke, bringing her back to the now dreaded reality.

“Are you ok?” He asked. Rukia looked back into his eyes and still found nothing.

She nodded dumbly.

What can she say?

“If you don’t mind, can you tell me who you are and where am I?” He asked, now curious at the girl.

Rukia couldn’t help but swallow the lump in her throat. Everything was starting to be nothing but a blur to her. Her mind racing… repeatedly playing what has been asked…

“Who are you?”

A/N: Wow, my first one-shot... (CrazyOnDisplay, this isn't even the one I was telling you about... heheh)

Hmmm... this is the result of my severe frustration that Toushiro and Rukia still hasn't got something going on between them in my other fic. (EHF) and the result of reading three wonderful HitsuRuki one-shot by -vedette26(thank you pala ha, -vedette26-. You made the plot bunny run after me.. at ito ang naging resulta... I actually like it kaya thank you.;D), in a single seating... Oh, this is also a result of my hyperness that I couldn't use in finishing my next chapter in EHF...

You might think that the title I choose for this has got nothing to do with the story... well... you're right, actually. heheh...

I chose this title because it is the question I would like you, my dear readers to ask after reading this...

"What happens now?"

.. I've been considering whether or not to make this a two-shot thingy... but I ended up deciding not to and just leave it to your imagination in answering the question that is the title of this story...D

hehehe... (no, I'm not evil nor am I a sadist that would keep my readers hanging...XD)

Hope you enjoyed this one (or maybe made you cry or almost cry... hopefully...XD)

Let me know what you think... kindly leave a review. ;)

Yay for the growing HitsuRuki army!

Have a Blessed week!:)