A/N: Hey so sorry for the long wait, lots to do, hope you enjoy. I don't own Bleach sorry bout any suspense.

Chapter 2

It tormented Kensei to see her looking so broken, all through the night he had heard her sobbing and then today she was pale, her green hair was tangled and scraggy, her usually bubbly hazel orbs that glowed with life were now dull and surrounded by large purple bags, her entire face looked haggard and tired- she was a shadow of the Mashiro he had grown to love, and it terrified him. She wouldn't look at him as she scanned the room for edible food and when she sat down to eat she chose the seat farthest away from him, inside he was angry and heartbroken, he wondered if he would ever get her back or whether he would ever get the chance to tell her how he felt. He looked down at his own food to spare her the embarrassment of being constantly stared at. Too annoyed at his own self loathing and guilt Kensei stood up quickly making the rest of the table jump, he slammed his fist down loudly on the wooden table and locked his eyes with her lifeless ones before he turned away sharply and stormed out much to the amazement and concern of the rest of the Vizoreds.

Mashiro's heart stormed inside her chest as Kensei punched the table, his face looked so angry and yet his eyes portrayed such sadness when she stared into them, for a moment she was considering forgetting all her fear and just jumping into his large arms, but she knew that she wasn't ready yet, in time though. She knew it was her that was causing him to be so angry and sad all the time, she knew that she should pick herself up and learn to get on with it like the rest but every time she looked at him she was instantly transported back to that dreadful night. Not being able to take the guilt and depression Mashiro stood up and ran as fast as she could back to her room, not wanting the others to see the steady flow of tears that streamed freely from her face. For now she just wanted to be alone.

From his room Kensei could hear the soft pad of quick footsteps as they made their way along the corridor, he knew it Mashiro, who else would be sobbing at this time in the morning, he should have left her alone to cool off but Kensei was sick of leaving her alone, he wanted to be close to her again like old times, he wanted to take her in his arms and tell her how everything was going to be ok, he wanted to put the life back into her beautiful face. The urge inside of Kensei was just too great and despite his brain screaming in protest he made his way slowly out of his room and down the corridor until he reached her large, heavily polished wooden door. He could hear her sobbing loudly from inside the room, his heart sank- he hated when Mashiro cried it was a sign that things were bad, she was the happiest person he knew. Ever so slowly and quietly he inched the heavy door open to reveal the small woman sat in the middle of the floor, her head in her hands whilst she sobbed, Kensei carried on past the door until he had finally reached her, his heart pounded nervously, this was the closest they had been in weeks. "Mashiro" he whispered gently as he crouched down to her eye level, he saw her body tense up at her name and her hands slowly moved to reveal her tear streaked face, "Kensei?" she asked disbelievingly as she looked at him with wide eyes but made no objections to him being there, slowly he reached out to wipe a stray tear from her cheek- as his calloused hands touched her flesh she tensed again and flinched away, a look of fear and pain on her face. His heart shattered but a look of saddened curiosity remained on his face as he leaned towards her "Mashiro did you.. Just..flinch away from me?" he asked quietly to the slightly trembling girl, her face became saddened as she looked up at his face "I'm sorry Kensei" she said before turning her back on him and returned back to her sobbing.