Sorry, I got lazy…heh heh. I got carried away reading other fics. It's just that I don't seem to be getting any feedback, and I don't feel like it's necessary to hurry (I suck, don't I). I try to ignore it, but…it's kinda hard. And there's the fact of the new bleach stuff, like the new episodes and other fics.

I am done with excuses now. On with the story!

Chapter 3

"Toushirou? What's he doing here?"

"Keep it down, Ichigo-kun. Taichou's asleep," came a tired and half-joking voice. Ichigo and Rukia jumped and Hanatarou positively flew into the air and the sudden voice. They squinted into the corner, where two dark shapes were shifting slightly. As his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting of the room, he saw that it was Matsumoto and Momo. Both had been sitting in a corner, so they hadn't noticed them.

"Ah! Matsumoto-fukutaichou, Hinamori-fukutaichou! What are you doing here?" Hanatarou said, trying to still his nervousness.

"We got special permission from Unohana-taichou. We've sort of been pestering her to let as see Taichou ever since we were officially released from the fourth. She said we can stay for a bit," Matsumoto said, grinning mischievously. Momo nodded silently. She was curled up in a chair, arms around her legs, and staring intently at Toushirou's still face. She had faint circles under her eyes that spoke of lack of sleep.

"Yeah, that's all nice. But will someone please explain what's going on?" Ichigo said, impatient as usual. "How's Toushirou doing, and what's up with the reiatsu? And why aren't some people not allowed here?"

"Well, it's really just basic concepts of reiatsu, really," Hanatarou said. "Hitsugaya-taichou is in a coma right now. His wounds are serious, and we're still not sure whether he will live or not," Hanatarou's eyes flickered to Momo when he said that. She'd clenched her hakama tighter and looked as if she was fighting back tears when he spoke those words.

"Anyways, when Hitsugaya-taichou 'awakened' as the Heavenly Guardian, his reiatsu grew enormously, or it's just his real reiatsu unsealed. Either way, he seemed unable to suppress it all, especially being in a coma and being weaker than usual right now. It's sort of as if his body is unable to keep it all in. Because it's leaking so much, I had to put a special kidou seal on the door to seal it mostly in here, otherwise, it affects weaker shinigami rather badly, as you saw."

Ichigo and Rukia exchanged stunned looks. "You mean, all that reiatsu, that's just Toushirou?" Ichigo asked. Hanatarou nodded.

"But aren't people's reiatsus supposed to be weaker when they're heavily injured, and close to death?" Rukia asked, confused.

"Yes. This reiatsu is only the leaking weak reiatsu. He did suppress most of it. We don't know whether it's so strong because he's just much stronger than before, or if it has something to do with the fact that his control was always worse when unconscious," Hanatarou said, now pulling out chairs for the rest of them. "The thing is, it's powerful, and we've noticed that all under 10th seat level seem to be paralyzed when coming in close contact, and the unseated officers even develop frostbite, hypothermia, or things like that. 9th and 8th seat officers are better off, but they don't seem to be able to move or function as well. The only ones that are still able to function normally are those 7th seat and above, even though it does get rather uncomfortable after a bit."

Ichigo and Rukia nodded, understanding, as they sat down near the other lieutenants in the corner. Hanatarou settled himself as well, saying, "Unohana-taichou's doing all she can to help him heal, but his condition is so unstable that we need to constantly have someone monitor him. That's what I'm doing right now."

They were all silent after Hanatarou's explanation. Ichigo shifted uncomfortably, shivering ever so slightly. The room was quite chilly, and the temperature wouldn't stay constant. It kept shifting, colder, then a bit warmer, and then cold again. The air was heavy, just like when he'd first faced a captain in battle back when he was still a novice shinigami. For Rukia, the air was just as heavy, if not a tad more, but she felt more comfortable in this temperature than the others, because she had an ice zanpakutou as well.

Time passed, and there weren't many words exchanged. Matsumoto tried to break the silence by telling them how Gin had offered to take her out to drink later, and how she felt guilty about ditching the mountain of the customary tenth division paperwork ("Why the hell would the Soutaichou be sending paperwork to taichou when he's in a coma!" she said).

Rukia laughed and told them that she was planning to take Orihime out for a stroll around Seireitei later, with Uryu in toll. They had also been released from the fourth, and had wanted to walk around for a bit.

Ichigo wondered out loud when Byakuya would be getting out of fourth division, and what sort of horror he might bestow upon him when he was able and he was unable to keep his promise.

Momo stayed silent through all the feeble conversation. She knew that they were all trying to lighten the mood, and was grateful. But whether it was due to the heaviness of the air, or her own heart, she could not be lightened.

She kept her eyes focused on her childhood friend. Her heart clenched as she looked at all his bandages and the machines around him that kept him alive. She's waited so long to see him, hoping that it would help give her hope for his recovery, but seeing him had the opposite effect. He was in much worse condition than she'd thought. Seeing how close to death he was made everything worse. And it was partly my fault…again…

Her vision of him blurred, until all she could see was a faint smudge of white through a film of water. Before she could stop herself, she began to sob. She didn't care anymore that there were people all around her. She squeezed her eyes shut as the tears that she'd been swallowing all day erupted from her.

Her companions looked at her, startled. Ichigo's eyes widened, unsure of what to do. He looked desperately at Rukia. Rukia took action, just as Matsumoto did. They each put an arm around the trembling girl, though Rukia was a little more tentative, since she didn't know the lieutenant quite as well. "Hinamori-fukutaichou? What's wrong?"

"It's just…just that I don't know how long I can take this. He's always getting hurt like this. He wasn't that badly wounded when he fought Aizen the first time, but then he had to jump in between that espada and me. Now he's fatally wounded. I know you might say that he was already injured, and he strained his body even more, but it still feels like it's my fault," Momo's voice was barely a whisper. All eyes were on her, but she had her eyes on Toushirou's face again, staring hard at his firmly shut eyes. "I…I don't want to lose him. I'm scared; I'm terrified that he'll die. I…I don't want to lose him like I almost did in the battle. I can't."

She broke down again, sobbing into her knees. She wished she could stop. She wished that she was strong enough to control her emotions, but she had never been good at it. Everyone could always see how she felt, and she was always emotional. It was always Toushirou who was good at controlling his emotions. No matter how hurt, he always had that icy mask over his face.

Matsumoto and Rukia patted her on the arm, while Hanatarou stuttered in the background, unsure of what to do. Ichigo was even more clueless. He just sat there, gaping at the girl. He thought that he should say something, but he really didn't know the girl that well. The only things that he knew about her was that she had been tricked by Aizen earlier into attacking Toushirou, and that she'd also been seriously injured by the same man. He also gathered that she had a strangely close bond with the tenth division captain.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be fine," he said at last, in a rather lame attempt to comfort the lieutenant. "Toushirou's strong, and stubborn. He's not the type to give up so easily. Remember how close to death he was before? And he still managed to come back," he added.

It seemed to work. The girl hiccupped into silence, contemplating his words. Rukia said tentatively, "Ichigo's right, Hinamori-fukutaichou. Hitsugaya-taichou has always been good at recovering from injuries. I'm sure he'll be fine."

"Yeah, and taichou never keeps you waiting. He always does whatever he can to help, so I doubt he'll just ditch you," Matsumoto added.

Momo was silent for a moment. "But what if he doesn't forgive me, even if he does wake up? What if he actually hates me from before?" she said, so softly they wondered if it was meant for them to hear.

Before a word could be said, Momo shook her head and wiped her tears away. "Thank you, Kurosaki-san, Kuchiki-san, Rangiku-san. Thank you for comforting me. I'll try to be stronger. I'll concentrate on hoping he'll get better." She smiled slightly.

"You're welcome, Hinamori-fukutaichou," Rukia said politely.

Momo looked at her, and then smiled again. "Please, Kuchiki-san, just call me Momo. I don't like formalities quite as much as Hitsugaya-kun does."

"Sure, and call me Rukia. Kuchiki-san's…stiff. It makes me feel like some stuck-up noble," Rukia grinned.

"But you are a noble-ouch! Okay, okay!" Ichigo said, but broke off as Rukia's fist met with his cheek. Rubbing his now bruising cheek (it was the one that Rukia didn't punch before), he said to Momo, "Yeah, same for me. Ichigo's fine. Kurosaki-san is like…well…I'm just not used to it."

"Okay, Rukia-chan, Ichigo-kun," Momo said. Matsumoto just grinned and settled back into her chair for warmth (the room had dropped temperatures again). The all retreated to just staring at the still captain again.

While they were talking, Unohana had opened the door and closed it quietly. She was smiling at the scene. It made her happy to think of new bonds forming, and just by sharing one another's feelings.

And they were all here to visit Hitsugaya Toushirou.

You may not know it, Hitsugaya-taichou, but there are many people out there who care greatly about you.

That's why you must return to us.

"Excuse me," she said, her soft voice cutting into the silence. The five shinigami all jumped. Hanatarou leapt to his feet, exclaiming, "Unohana-taichou!"

Rukia also leapt to her feet immediately, bowing her head and saying, "Forgive us, Unohana-taichou. We know we weren't supposed to be here…" she gestured at her and Ichigo.

"It is all right, Rukia-san. I understand why you'd want to be here. The only reason I wouldn't allow lower shinigami to enter is because they suffer from the reiatsu. You are at a lieutenant level, as you have been for quite a while. I think you should be fine. However, I do need to check up on him, and run some tests, so I think it best if you all left now." Her eyes flickered to Matsumoto and Momo. "It is not good to stay too long in this atmosphere. You need to rest, Matsumoto-fukutaichou, Hinamori-fukutaichou."

The said lieutenants nodded and got up. Ichigo and Rukia got up as well. Hanatarou looked unsure of what to do.

Unohana smiled at him. "I'll need your help, Yamada. You have done very well. I think we'll need to promote you soon."

Hanatarou looked stunned and stuttered his thanks. The shinigami laughed slightly, but their happy moment was cut short as one of the machines suddenly began to beep wildly. At the same time, the temperature began fluctuating drastically, and the reiatsu began to get out of control.

All the eyes snapped to the young captain. His breathing was labored, and his muscles were tense. Sweat was beading on his forehead, and his face looked devoid of blood, and was contorted in pain. But what was worse was that his bandages, robes, and sheets were rapidly becoming a deep crimson, the stain spreading larger and larger.

Momo gasped with horror, and Matsumoto looked startled. But Unohana remained calm, though her smile had vanished. She hurried up to the captain, calling Hanatarou to get more bandages and robes, and to go get Isane. To the shinigami, she only said, "It's all right. I have it under control. His wounds just opened up again. It happens quite a bit, actually." She sounded calm, but there was a crease of stress on her forehead. She began to mutter a healing kidou, and moved her glowing hands along the open wound. The shinigami thought it best to take their leave.

As they left, Momo took one last look at Toushirou's face. It had lost the strained look, but still looked rather bloodless. She trembled. That wasn't going to help her keep her calm and hopes up, if Toushirou was really this unstable.

"It's just his reiatsu. It's quite strong, and strains his body too much…" Hanatarou said as he hurried by. He seemed to realize that it didn't help matters, and just hurried away to get the bandages and find Isane as Unohana had instructed.

"It'll be fine, Hina-chan!" Matsumoto said with fake cheerfulness. It was clear that she had just been very shaken up by that scene just now as well.

Momo nodded numbly, not really hearing her. She was deep in thought.

You're going to come back to us, right, Hitsugaya-kun? You promised when we were younger that we'll always be together. That's not going to change, right, Shirou-chan?

*

The sun had set now, and it had been hours since the incident. They had gotten a report from Unohana that Toushirou was all right, and stable again. They had done all the things that they had planned to do (which meant that Matsumoto had decided to ditch paperwork and go out with Gin, feeling that it would help calm her nerves), and now, they were relaxing. Or at least, Ichigo had planned on relaxing. But somehow, he felt that he wasn't going to get any rest. The reason was that he'd somehow unconsciously (and quite unfortunately) wandered to the eleventh division barracks, and bumped into Ikkaku and Yumichika, both of which were staring at him with a rather startled expression on their faces. Actually, Ikkaku was goggling, and Ichigo didn't have the faintest idea why he had a shovel over his shoulder.

"Uh, hey, what's your problem, Ikkaku?" he asked, when Ikkaku continued to stare at him as though he was a ghost (how does that work, if they're shinigami and all that?).

"Woah, You're still alive, Ichigo!"

"What the hell are you talking about? Of-course I'm still alive! Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, not many can escape the wrath of Kuchiki Byakuya in one piece," Yumichika said matter-of-factly.

"What made you think that I was testing his wrath?" Ichigo asked, though he had to agree.

Yumichika didn't answer, because at that moment, there came a rather creepy, and hair-raising voice. "Ichigo! You're still alive, huh?"

Ichigo turned to look at Zaraki Kenpachi. He was grinning sinisterly and fingering the hilt of his zanpakutou. Though he should have been scared, he was annoyed. "Of-course I am! I'm standing right here, though since this is Soul Society, I guess it doesn't count for much."

"Hee hee," Yachiru said, popping up out of nowhere onto Zaraki's shoulder. "Byakkun didn't kill Ichi after all! Yay! I'm so happy!"

"Why does every think that he was going to kill me?" Ichigo said, though his mind couldn't help but wander back to Byakuya's threat.

"Who knows, nobles are crazy and might do anything. You must be tough to escape Kuchiki, and since you're not dead…"

His hands gripped his zanpakutou's hilt, and a mad glint entered his eyes just as Ichigo realized what was happening and made a break for it.

"…I'll fight you…huh?"

"Ken-chan, he's running away again!"

"Damn, he and Abarai are both cowards. Oh well, I'll just get him like I got Abarai!"

As the mad captain dashed after the rapidly speeding away and fading from sight shinigami, Ikkaku and Yumichika looked at each other and sighed. They both wondered if Ichigo would meet the same fate as Renji…who was in fourth division. Again.

*

Another week had passed. Seireitei was almost fully recovered. Most had completely healed, thanks to the fourth division, and Unohana's hard work and skill, and many were returning to their regular routines again.

Rukia was standing at the senkaimon, seeing Orihime, Chad, and Uryu off.

"You have to visit again soon! Soul Society is very grateful to you and you're now welcomed visitors," Rukia informed them.

Orihime laughed self-consciously and waved her hands around, saying that it was nothing. "I hope you see you soon as well, Kuchiki-san! I'm just glad that the Soutaichou doesn't think I'm a traitor anymore!"

"Yeah, well, the soutaichou's just stupid that way," Ichigo shrugged, prompting Rukia to smack him over the head.

"Yes well, why aren't you coming, Kurosaki?" Uryu asked, frowning.

Ichigo looked uncomfortable. "Um, I just wanted to spend some more time with the people here and all…" he said, scratching his head.

Rukia covered for him instantly. "Well, I hope you have a smooth journey back! You have escorts this time, and I doubt that Ulquiorra's going to show up in the tunnel to abduct you this time," she said.

Orihime laughed. "Actually, he hasn't shown up yet at all, has he? Do you think he will?"

"Oh, I'm sure he will," Rukia said absently. She took Orihime's hand and to her surprise began to drag her away. "more importantly, good luck!"

"Uh…with what, Kuchiki-san?"

"You know exactly what," Rukia said mischievously, glancing pointedly at Uryu, who was having another argument with Ichigo, or at least, he was talking calml.y Ichigo was doing the arguing.

Orihime flushed a bright red. "Ummm…" she blushed more as Rukia smirked at her, and quickly in retaliation shot at her, "Well, how long will it be until you get your act together with Kurosaki-kun?"

This time it was Rukia's turn to blush. "We're not going to get together!" she said heatedly, trying to rid her face of the burning. Orihime just grinned at her. "Good luck to both of us then!"

"Oi, Rukia! Are you done all your girly chit-chatting?" Came Ichigo's sudden voice. "We need to see them off and then visit Ukitake-san! HE said to drop by!"

"Very funny, you're just trying to avoid Zaraki-taichou," Rukia shot back.

"Am not!" Ichigo insisted. He turned back to Uryu. "Well, see you later, Ishida. Do me a favor and check that Kon's still in one piece."

"Hmp," was all Uryu said to that. "Goodbye Kurosaki. Don't dawdle too long." He turned away and to their surprise, took Orihime's hand and began dragging her toward the senkaimon. Orihime looked surprised, but delighted, though that turned to embarrassment when she saw Rukia's smirk. "Uh, bye Kurosaki-kun! Kuchiki-san!"

"Yeah, bye," Ichigo said. Rukia just nodded and yelled, "Stop with the politeness! It's Rukia!"

Orihime waved as she disappeared within the light of the senkaimon. Chad turned to Ichigo and said his goodbyes as well. Soon he too was gone.

Rukia stood, just smiling contently. She was sure that they were going to see each other again soon.

"So what were you and Orihime talking about," Ichigo asked, scratching his head. Rukia felt her face heat up again slightly, but managed to push it down. "Nothing," she retorted, a little too quickly. Ichigo looked at her suspiciously. "Really?"

"Yes really! And you, why aren't you going yet?"

"Uh," Ichigo looked uncomfortable. "I just want to make sure everything's okay here first."

"They never needed your help for that," Rukia said, frowning.

"Yeah well…hey, is that Byakuya over there?"

Rukia looked at him skeptically. She thought that it was likely a ruse to take her attention away from the subject. She looked over the tall cliff of the Soukyoku. To her surprise, when she squinted, she did see what looked like Byakuya's silk scarf on a figure walking. (Note: I have no idea the layout of Seireitei exactly, so lets just say they saw him for the sake of the story.) "That's odd, what's Nii-sama doing? He's heading toward fourth division. I've never known him to go there when he wasn't injured."

*

Byakuya was walking swiftly, making his way along the quiet halls of the fourth division. He was slightly irritated that Ichigo was still here, even though he knew that Ichigo probably just wanted to spend some time here with his shinigami friends.

Most of the shinigami were happy and enjoying the peace that has finally come after all the turmoil caused by Aizen's betrayal. Even though there were still mounds of (horrid) paperwork, doing them was a relief compared to fighting on the battlefield, knowing you may die at any given moment. However, there was still a faint cloud of depression that seemed to hang over Seireitei like the grey clouds before rain, particularly around squad ten.

The squad seemed much less lively than usual, talking only when spoken to. Everyone knew that they were desperately worried about their captain, who was still in a coma. They didn't want to loose another captain. Even Matsumoto had taken a break from drinking, saying that it only made things worse when the effects wore off.

Unohana had said that Toushirou was making steady recovery. His physical wounds were healing well, but there was still doubt that he'd wake up, and always the danger that his wounds would reopen again before they healed, though that has been occurring much less frequently. He was now allowed visitors, though a few could stay for long without feeling faint or chilled to the bone. Still, there were quite a few that braved the freezing room even if for minutes, most of them from the tenth division.

But it wasn't just the tenth division, Byakuya reflected as he pushed the door to the young captain's room open quietly. There he found, once again without fail, Hinamori Momo. She was sitting by Toushirou's bed, as she had began to do recently, staring intently at his face, as though it would help him wake up.

She started as she heard the door open, and whipped her head around in surprise at seeing Byakuya standing in the doorway. "Kuchiki-taichou? Why are you here?"

"I though it would be obvious," Byakuya said, shutting the door behind him to spare the outside any unnecessary cold reiatsu. "I am here to visit Hitsugaya-taichou."

Momo's cheeks flushed. "I…I know. It's just that…umm…why…" she trailed off, unsure of whether to voice her thoughts.

"Why would I do so?" Byakuya asked, narrowing his eyes. Momo nodded, cheeks red with embarrassment, hoping that she hadn't angered the captain.

Byakuya scrutinized her for a moment, and then his expression softened. He strode over to the bed, and looked down at the still boy. "Everyone has the right to visit someone else, so it isn't really something to be questioned." Byakuya said. Momo nodded again. "Forgive me. Kuchiki-taichou."

Byakuya said nothing. His eyes shifted to the girl beside him. He realized for once that the lieutenant was the same age as Rukia, and must be suffering through a lot, just as he remember Rukia doing whenever Ichigo injured himself. Sure enough, Momo had this rather haunted look in her eyes, and her face lacked any of cheerfulness that she is known for, at least, she was known for before Aizen' betrayal. Perhaps it was because she was Rukia's age, or he pitied her situation, because he suddenly felt himself warming toward the girl (which was odd, because he never warms up to anyone).

"You know, Hinamori-fukutaichou. He really cares for you."

Momo jumped and stared in surprise, especially at having Byakuya of all people comforting her, or knowing anything about Toushirou.

He gave her a look, the corners of his lips twitching slightly. "Did you know that he and I are friends?'

Momo shook her head, numb with shock. Byakuya looked back down at the unconscious captain, a slight crease upon his forehead. "It seems odd. We are known as the two coldest people in Soul Society. But for some odd reason, one night, I met with him while still in recovery from Aizen's first attack on Soul Society, after the ryoka invasion. On that night, we somehow created a bond. They say that disaster brings unlikely people together."

Flashback (not going to be in italics to save your eyes):

Byakuya gritted his teeth imperceptibly, though there was no one about to notice anyways. His chest was hurting again, right where Gin had stabbed him. He knew that Unohana would be upset, but something made him reckless, reckless enough to be acting so out of character that he sneaked out of his room to walk alone.

H allowed the cool night air to wash over him, remembering unwillingly all the times in which he'd sat on his porch in his own gardens, feeling the night like tonight, and Hisana would creep beside him, offer him a cup of tea silently, and sit with him until sleep claimed her.

He shook his head. Hisana…he thought to himself. Then, Rukia…My promise to Hisana, to protect her sister, I have broken it to the highest degree. Would she ever forgive me if she knew? I am…a terrible person. A terrible brother…I have failed in the last promise I made to her…

He knew something was out of place as soon as he stepped into the moonlit garden. That shock of silver-white hair and small, almost child-like figure did not belong in the quiet gardens of fourth division, but in a hospital room, like himself. Yet he too seemed to have escaped the confines of his room in favor of a rock under a peach tree, upon which hung a few large peaches.

The young captain turned his head slightly, his turquoise eyes narrowing slightly before giving the older captain a nod of acknowledgement.

Byakuya couldn't help but think back, as preoccupied as he had been, of the time when he'd first met the young prodigy. He hadn't given him much thought. Later, the boy's doings intrigued him, just enough to read the old records of the Heavenly Guardian. He had be quite intrigued by it all, though he didn't give much through to the boy's character.

When he had heard that the young genius, only a couple years out of the academy, and barely even a teenager might be joining the ranks of captain, he'd felt deeply uneasy. Such a child could only be arrogant and loud, or if not, completely immature and unable to handle the responsibility of captain. However, when he had glimpsed the boy during his exam, and later when he was officially declared captain, he was surprised. The boy hardly spoke, and carried himself with an air of maturity that surpassed even some of the older captains (namely, a certain drunken eighth division captain). He was cold, and calculating, emotions hidden behind a stoic face, slightly marred by a scowl. Not much different from Byakuya himself.

And that night in the garden, Byakuya found him all the more similar.

Byakuya had stopped a few paces away, looking away. The other allowed him his silence, and the only sounds were the quiet wind whispering through the delicate flowers and leaves of a graceful willow nearby. Then, "Kuchiki-taichou. You should go back to your room."

"And you shouldn't?"

"I wished to think. There's too much to think about, too many questions unanswered." The captain looked up at the night sky. His eyes narrowed as they trailed to the peaches, a frustrated glare in them. Byakuya knew at once what he was thinking of.

"But there's one thing that I've decided. I should not let all that weigh me down."

Byakuya said nothing for a moment. Toushirou wasn't being very specific, and Byakuya didn't feel inclined to say anything. Both captains were known for putting up extremely thick walls around themselves.

But he was stunned, though his face didn't show it. It seemed that the words had been for Byakuya as much as it himself. Toushirou now turned to Byakuya. "Kuchiki-taichou, did you ever loose someone precious to you?"

Byakuya didn't answer, slightly startled by the sudden question, and boldness in asking it. He masked it, and asked, "Why do you ask?"

"You're giving of this feeling of frustration, and grief associated with loss. You're reiatsu is slightly uncontrolled," the boy answered without looking away from him.

Byakuya narrowed his eyes. He was rather impressed at the prodigy's sharp senses, as if his reiatsu was uncontrolled, it had to be by minute proportions. "You may be right," he answered, giving nothing else away.

Toushirou looked away again. "People have always told me to tell others my problems, but I never listen. It's too much to trust someone else with your secrets. I know that you know exactly what I mean. But sometimes, it is easier to tell someone else your problems, because it helps lift the weight."

Byakuya scrutinized the boy. He had never known him to be philosophical. Did he suddenly expect Byakuya to listen to his own problems, or Byakuya to share his problems with him?

"I won't pry, but I have heard rumors fly around about you," Byakuya flinched at the words. No doubt that it was that gossiping lieutenant of the young boy's who told him. Toushirou continued, "I'll only say this. I understand exactly how you feel about not being able to help a loved one. And though this my sound rude, you need to stop blaming yourself, or at least, that's what Matsumoto suggested."

The boy shrugged. Byakuya just stared. It was then that he realized how alike they both were tonight, with the pain of loosing Hisana burning freshly again after having to relive the memory again. Toushirou was in danger of loosing someone just as precious to him.

Toushirou clenched his fists and looked up at the peaches in the tree one more time. "I won't give up," he hissed, so softly that it was like wind in the branches of the tree. "I won't give up until I've made Aizen pay for all that he's done."

Byakuya wasn't sure if he was suppose to hear that, but he too felt the burning desire to make Aizen and the other traitors pay, pay for causing all this damage to Soul Society, and pay for making him break his promise to Hisana.

Abruptly, Toushirou stood. Without a faltering step, he strode past the other captain. "You should return before Unohana-taichou finds out that we've left our rooms. Good night, Kuchiki-taichou. Thank you."

"For what?" Byakuya asked, startled.

"For your silence. Just for listening."

With that, the younger captain walked past Byakuya, and, his eyes lingering for a second of a window of the room where Byakuya new that Hinamori Momo was in, he slipped away.

End flashback

"Of course, after that, I became more aware of him, and realized that he was going through a similar process of torture. I followed his advice. Somehow, I even found myself exchanging words with him. And after that…reiatsu incident (Final Battles ch 3)…I consoled him, and I think that we even became friends. To me, he is someone that I can trust and fight alongside. Though we obviously had little contact, I think a bond was formed." Byakuya confessed.

Momo just stared, a little shocked, trying to convince herself that this wasn't a dream. Had Kuchiki Byakuya, the stoic captain and head of the Kuchiki clan really just shared all of this with her?

"You're promise…to Hisana-san…it was to protect Rukia-chan?"

Byakuya frowned slightly at the intimate way she addressed Rukia and gathered that the two had become friends. "Yes. And that night, I swore that if I can help it, I will not let Aizen take anyone else that I cared about away." He looked at her, eyes hard. "Nothing said will be repeated outside this room, however. Am I clear?"

Momo nodded, still stunned that the sixth division captain was acting so out of character, though she doubted that he would act this way much longer. But now she finally understood. She finally knew why he had been so angry when he saw Toushirou wounded when he arrived at the battle, and why he had been so bent on saving him when he was falling. She stared again at the still captain. He had been removed of some of the machines that were used to help him with basic functions to keep him alive. He still lay completely still, however, his expression serene while his reiatsu rose and fell in the room like cool waves.

After awhile of silence, Byakuya excused himself, needing to do some work. Momo nodded, knowing that she should leave soon to do some work as well.

But she didn't leave, at least, not yet. She sat in silence for a while longer. Absently, she reached out and brushed away a stray lock of white hair from Toushirou's face. His skin was ice cold as ever. Her hand trembled slightly.

"Ne, Hitsugaya-kun," she whispered. "It's funny isn't it? We've switched places now. Last time it was me lying here. I guess I finally know how you felt back then, wondering whether I would wake up or live. I know it's wrong of me, especially since I took so long, but please, can you please just wake up soon? I want you back here with us. I need to know that you'll be all right. Even if you're angry with me for taking so long myself, and putting you through everything." She buried her face in her arms, her tears flowing again. She didn't know how he could here her, but she was determined to try. "Please…so I can apologize to you and make things right."

Byakuya was just striding out of the hall where Toushirou's room was when he bumped into Unohana.

"Unohana-taichou," he greeted.

"Kuchiki-taichou," she returned. "It's good to see that you are fully recovered. Most have made very good recoveries. There are just some others…"

Byakuya narrowed his eyes slightly at the undercurrent of sadness in her voice. He knew that in fact, there was only one person who was not making a recovery. "He is healing quickly as well," he pointed out.

"Yes but…we really can't be sure that everything is all right until he wakes up. That reiatsu of his, who knows what it can do when he is too weak to even wake from a coma. It is always a danger to him."

"Do you think he will survive?" Byakuya asked, trying to keep his voice, as though it was just a simple question about the weather.

"As long as he keeps fighting. His reiatsu is as strong as ever. It is obvious that he's fighting his wounds with every ounce of his strength. But with each passing day…" Unohana shook her head. "I must go ask Hinamori-fukutaichou to leave. It isn't good for her to stay for so long there."

She nodded to Byakuya, and strode past him. Byakuya was motionless for a moment. Then he too walked away and out of the fourth division compound.

Bleh! That was…less than satisfactory. I hope that it wasn't too boring, and no one minded the ishihime, or all the depressing stuff. And I know I suck at updating, but…I will try my best to update soon…

Please review! It encourages me to do more, and gives me confidence. But please don't flame!