A/N: Ok guys, this idea came into mind and I just started writing it. I know I shouldn't start a new story yet I still have, 'What Happens in Vegas' and 'Another Chance' to update but I wanted to cleanse my palate so to speak. Anyways on with the story.

A/N: As always please read and review, flames are welcome, critiques greatly appreciated!

Disclaimer: The characters of Bleach do not belong to me. This story is just for my enjoyment, and hopefully others also!

"Here Moto-san," she turned to see his smiling face, and a delicious looking sugar bun in his outstretched hand. "The lady at tha bread shop said I could have it if I take out the trash."

Matsumoto took it, and broke it into two. She handed him the bigger piece.

"You can have that one Moto, I ate already." He smiled and sat next to her and watched as she nibbled at the bread, the look of pleasure spreading across her small face.

"Thanks Gin-sama. It's really yummy." She smiled at him.

He said nothing else as they sat under the huge tree watching as people walked by. They did this every day, sit there and people watch. They must look funny two little kids sitting under a tree for hours on end.

"Moto-san lets go."

She stood slowly, not wanting to leave the little sanctuary they had created. "It's not even dark yet Gin I don't wanna go…" she pulled her hand out of his.

He sighed "Moto, you have to…it will be ok I promise. I'll pick you up in the morning again and we can walk to school together ok?"

She nodded feeling a little better knowing he would be there for her, she took his hand and walked quietly next to him, dreading each step towards the small shack that was her home.

"Just take a bath and go to your room ok Moto-san, if he says anything to ya, ignore him ok?"

Matsumoto nodded, "Good bye Gin-sama" a bittersweet smile on his face as she turned to and opened the door.

"What the fuck did I tell you about staying out so late?"

Matsumoto stood there her head bent, "the teacher held me to redo my work, I'm sorry…"

She stood there bracing for the hit, she could smell the odor of alcohol all around, she yelped as his hand struck her and she stepped back, "I'm…I'm sorry...I ...won …"

"Shut up and go to your room I don't want to see your face again."

Matsumoto nodded, sulking away she crawled into bed, pulling the sheet above her head she hated him, she wished she could run away, just get away from him, but she knew it wasn't possible. She fought back the tears as she stared out the single window. The stars were out bright and she shook her head.

She couldn't leave, if she ever did she wouldn't see Gin again. He was the only one that made this torment tolerable. His smiling face, how kind he was to her. He was her only friend her only light in this dark world that was her life.

She could hear her parents arguing, her poor mother, stood up for her the best she could but she was petite and weak. She couldn't withstand the abuse her body was to frail, she could at least endure it, if her mother wasn't on the receiving end.

"You …can't…hit…"

A loud whack made her jump, then the sounds of her mother's cries echoed through the small house. She wanted to save her, she wanted protect her but what could a ten year old do against a full grown man? She would just have to live with it till she was older, she would get a good job, buy a big house and whisk her mother away from this hell-hole. She sighed hoping that one day her dream would come true.

"Gin-sama!" Matsumoto called out excitedly, running over to him.

He beamed down at her, handing her a little bag. "Eat this for lunch today ok?"

She nodded, putting it into her torn up backpack.

"What ya wanna do after school today? We can only hang out for a little while though I have to do something later."

Matsumoto frowned, "I can help if you want me to Gin-sama I won't have homework today."

He paused for a second thinking, "Ok Moto-san. I'll come get you ok?"

She nodded her smile returning.

"Moto?"

"Yes Gin?"

"Promise me that no matta what happens you will always keep that smile."

She stared at him questionably expecting him to elaborate but when he didn't she nodded, "Ok, Gin, I promise."

For now seeing her bright face, could distract him from what was going to happen tomorrow. Just seeing that smile, filled his heart with joy.

~~~~later~~~~

Matsumoto pulled out the small bag Gin had given her. It was finally lunch time and she was sure he made her something good. She pulled the items from the bag and smiled. Despite the size it had been stuffed with all kinds of goodies. She nibbled happily at the sandwich debating which one of the treats she would eat next.

She sighed in pleasure, Gin was always so nice to her. Even though he was older and he probably had other things he could do he always spent time with her. He would always come to walk her home and if he had anything it was hers. She picked up a brightly wrapped piece, she had never seen a candy like this before. She gently unwrapped it, revealing a chocolate heart. She smiled she hadn't had chocolate in forever. Her mother refused because it was expensive. She would have to thank him for it, he must have saved up for months to get it.

She took a bite of it, her eyes landing on a small white paper. She picked it up scanning the writing on it.

-Moto-san,

I'm sorry I got you in trouble last night. I just wanted to spend a little more time with you.

No matter what, always know that I am here for you and I love you.

Ichimaru Gin.

For some reason it felt as if her face was on fire. Just reading that little note had made it worth it. If Gin was by her side she could handle her abusive dad, she could be happy, she could take care of her mom. She could smile.

~~~~~later~~~~~~~

Matsumoto stood shyly next to Gin as he introduced her to his parents. He was an exact replica of his father. His mother was beautiful and she reminded her of her own mother, she had an aura of kindness circling her.

"So you are the young lady Gin has always been talking about." His mother smiled at her.

"Ummm…"

"Darling, don't say such things, you're going to make her shy." His father joked.

"Its. It's ok." She smiled reassuringly at the two.

"Would you like to join us for dinner tonight, it's almost ready."

Matsumoto nodded, "Thanks I would like that Mrs. Gin."

Gin took her by her hand, "she'll call when it's ready, I wanna show ya something Moto."

She nodded following after him. Even though his home was small, it felt so much more welcoming than her own. It was sparsely decorated but it felt warm and inviting.

He brought her to a small room, "This is my room Moto." As with the others it was empty, just a small bed in the corner and a nightstand. Piles of boxes sat in the corner and she looked at him but he said nothing. He went to the closet and pulled out a box.

"I want ya to take it home with ya but don't open it until tomorrow night at eight exactly, ok Moto?"

She hesitantly nodded, unsure why he wanted her to wait. It wasn't that heavy but she could tell there were items in it.

"Dinners ready!"

Gin carried the box down stairs followed by her, he seated it next to the door.

~~~~~later~~~~

She had never eaten so much at one time and all the food had been so delicious. She yawned as she helped Gin do the dishes. "Are ya tired Moto?"

"Nope just full. I think I'm going to burst. "She giggled.

He smiled at her, and she stopped, it wasn't his usual ear to ear grin, even as young as she was she could see the underlying sadness "Gin, its ok…" she stopped drying her hands on her shirt and threw her arms around him hugging him tightly. "I don't care if my father beats me for staying out late, I want to spend more time with Gin-sama too." She pressed her head against his back, tears starting, "I can smile, I can be happy because Gin... is always… with me." She sobbed out quietly.

He turned holding her small body against him, he hated what her father did to her, he wish he could save her…he held her tight as she cried, "Moto- san I love you, don't forget that ok?"

"I...I won't I love you too Gin-sama…"

"No more crying ok? Everything will be ok." He kissed her softly on forehead. And she nodded a small smile appearing, "always smile for me ok Moto?"

She nodded again, feeling a lot better.

Ten minutes later they stood in front of her home. "I'll come see you in the morning Moto."

She nodded picking up the box. "Good night Gin-sama!"

~~~~~Next Morning~~~~

Matsumoto sat on her porch. Her father had left for work and her mother was busy cleaning. She watched the road waiting for him to come. After what seemed like forever a car pulled up next to her. She stood uncertain of who it was. The window rolled down and Gin's parents waved at her.

Gin got out seconds later. He was quiet and she stepped back, his usual cheery face grim.

"Gin…?" His name escaped her lips lighter than a whisper.

"Moto-san, I…we…we are moving away…"

She stared into his face, hoping he was joking, hoping it wasn't true, but he was solemn. His eyes misted over, "You're…your leaving me Gin…" saying that brought tears to her eyes and she fell to her knees.

"I don't want to Moto, but we have to my dad got a new job I really wish I could stay and be with you but I can't…" he kneeled next to her wrapping his arms around her, trying to comfort her. He hated that he had to leave her, he wanted to protect her, he wanted to make her happy, see her smile.

She sobbed, tears continued to steam down her face unable to say anything, " I…thought…I though you loved me…you…liar you big fat liar I hate you." Her tiny fist, beat half-heartily against his chest as emotion racked her body.

"I do love you Moto-san, I promise you will be the only girl I ever love, and when I am older I will come back and make you my wife Moto, I will take you away from this place and we will be happy together. Please believe me Moto."

She glanced up at him, he was crying, his face a mask of anguish this was the first time she had ever seen him cry and he seemed more beautiful than ever to her. She held out her pinky to him, "Pinky promise you won't forget me, and I'll be your bride Gin-sama."

Their pinky's entwined and she sighed, "I will never forgive you if you forget Gin."

A small smile came to his face, and she mirrored it. "I won't."

~~~Later~~~~

Matsumoto laid in bed staring at the clock. She hadn't left her room the whole day. She went through bouts of crying then remembering the good times she had with Gin. She already missed him a lot and seemed as if each minute was an eternity in itself.

The clock blinked eight and she grabbed the box. She faltered as her fingers removed the tape. She opened the box glancing at the items inside it. There was more of the brightly wrapped candy from lunch and a small stuffed animal. A cute little stuffed fox, with the same colored hair as Gins. She set it gently on her nightstand. Underneath the toy there was a picture, it was of them. She didn't remember when it was taken though. On the back he had written his new address, with the words 'write me'.

There were also small notes littering the bottom of the box. Tears weld up in her eyes as she read each one. All memories they had shared together in the five years they had known each other. She didn't remember all of them, she had been pretty young when they had first met but he had.

She sighed wiping the tears from her face, and put everything back in the box, she closed it up and hid it under her bed. She would cherish it until the day he came back, and fulfilled his promise.

A/N: Well I hope you guys enjoyed my beta pointed out, Ichimaru's last name is Gin, but I am having her call him that, I've always use that name for him and to me it seems weird calling him by his first name, also I don't suspect his parents will be in here a lot so there shouldn't be a lot of confusing hopefully.