D: I know this chapter is kinda short, along with my previous two. They'll start to get longer, I promise…!!
But guys, if you're gonna read, review please n__n I'd love to hear your feedback.
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The cool air sifted through Rum's hair gently, twisting the almost-violet strands with the breeze carelessly. She tilted her head around the corner of another squad member's quarters, sighing and reminding herself this was the fourth time she had passed this house. Her eyes had finally been allowed to open, darting around at her surroundings. They were like tiny pools of blood, resting around her pupils; just like his were. She muttered a few bitter curse words under her breath, craning her neck to look over at a tiny, lifeless building not too far away.
Her quarters were right next to Izuru Kira's; Rum couldn't stand it. She left all the lights on before swiftly sneaking out, then simply wandering the Third Divison, and even straying to the Fourth or Second Divison on occasion. Two hours and all she had managed to get done was memorize where to turn when she came to the end of the small porch around whoever the hell's quarters these were. The warmth of her bed seemed tempting at the moment, although she knew that wouldn't be the only thing "welcoming" her. Everywhere she went, he found a way in, too. Despite her doubts, Rum figured this time may be different. The Seretei was a difficult place to breach, even when you are sneaky as hell. With a hesitant sigh, Rum allowed her eyes to flutter back shut into their usual position, pushing off the ground to flash step to her quarters.
She landed on the porch of the house, stumbling slightly before freezing instantly in the fear that she caused a commotion. Rum sucked in a deep breath before taking a careful step forward, only to be stopped by a familiar voice.
"What on earth are you doing?"
Rum jumped instantly, falling backwards and landing on her bum for the second time that day. Embarrassed and guilty, Rum replied, "Y-Yes?" Unfortunately, her back was turned to the voice, keeping her from seeing the expression on the man's face; although she had a feeling he wasn't too happy.
"Kira told me you said you were going to stick around here for tonight. Why are you out?" Toushirou Hitsugaya quirked an irritated eyebrow as he stood at the bottom of the short stairs leading up to the porch.
Rum was already getting annoyed with his nosy attitude, and opened her mouth to growl a response, but decided it was probably best to get back on this particular Captain's good side, shutting her mouth once more to think of a more appropriate answer to his question. She could only think of one, "I was getting fresh air, Captain. I'm sure you know how much stressful it is to be tossed into a new Division, let alone one you're half-way in charge of."
"I'd hardly call it half-way," Hitsugaya muttered back, walking up the steps slowly to stand in front of her, "I saw you flash step here. Where were you, Yukirum?"
"I went to get fresh air. I went on a walk. They're these things where you—"
"I know what they are!" The Captain barked back, "And how dare you treat a Captain so disrespectfully."
That was it. "I know how to treat a Captain, sir. And I also know that a Captain has no right to treat a Vice-Captain, let alone the Vice-Captain of another division with such disrespect. I've said no more than a sentence to you since you attacked me and before that, yet you insist on figuring me out, or whatever it is you're attempting to accomplish. Well here's a newsflash for you, Cap'n," Rum courageously leaned her face closer to his, "I ain't the bad guy. I'm not who you think I am, and I mean that in the good way. I like you Cap'n, but you have no reason to suspect me besides my appearance. I know what you're thinking, and you're wrong. I got nothing to do with that disgusting traitor, and if I did I'd have let myself die before facing that kind of shame. So stop worrying, and let Izuru Kira, my Captain, handle what needs to be handled. Besides, how would he feel about you trying to control his new Vice-Captain? That's awful mean; makin' him look bad as a new Cap'n. I may not know much about this place but I have a feeling that if one Captain is orderin' 'round another's Lieutenant, there's bound to be some dishonor involved in that."
Toushirou was dumfounded; he was beyond words. Had he just been lectured by a lower rank? While his mouth was hanging ajar and his eyes were slightly wide, Rum lifted a hand to pat his head before turning to enter her quarters, "G'night, Captain. And just so ya know, I think I'll pretend we never met before tomorrow. I'm good at acting like I don't know people."
Just as the Captain managed to choke out a word, the door slammed, and he was left out in the cold, night air.
As Rum strode into her quarters she felt proud. Guilty, but proud. Her head was held high as she tossed her frail body onto the comfortable bed, snuggling into a pillow with that usual smile. Rum inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of the fabric; it smelled like sanctuary. For once, Rum could relax and gather her thoughts without having to deal with a stern, demanding, and taunting voice speaking to her. As Rum felt the incredible weight that was once thrown on to her begin to lift, it was slammed back down on her heart, crushing it.
"I remember this place."
Her body went stiff, and her voice wouldn't come out. Rum carefully pushed herself up from the bed, coiling around to snap, "Get out of here!"
"Why? I'm just coming to visit…"
"No," the Lieutenant snarled, "How did you get in here in the first place? You couldn't have just sneaked past the guards, they're top notch…" Suddenly, her eyes widened with realization, "N-No… You didn't."
"Ah, but I did."
"You killed them?!" Rum jumped to her feet, gripping on to the visitor's shirt, raising a fist, "How dare you? I came here to escape from your company, your games… and… and… You! Now get out, before I kill you myself!"
Delicate hands wrapped around Yukirum's wrists, prying them from the fabric in the gentlest way possible. The vistor's words came out like a hiss, "You couldn't kill me. Rum, I'm not the one playing games now, you are."
"Wha… Y-You're crazy," Rum spat with disgust, wriggling to get away from the visitor's grip, "How am I playing games? You're the one following me around, and… and paying visits to someone that hates your guts! You're being stupid and irrational… and you're going to get killed."
"Oh, hate me do you? And you expect me to believe that? I have been visiting you since the moment you claimed to hate me, and you have not yet drawn one drop of my blood. You couldn't kill me if it meant saving your life because you're just too pure. You claim to hate me, but the truth is, you still feel the same way about me when we were little."
Rum's voice couldn't hide her true emotions; now, her words were ridden with bitter tears, "I-I don't know what you're talking about. I don't even know who you are anymore. Now get out."
"I don't want to leave you yet, Rum."
"You already did," she whispered lowly, a small growl rumbling from the back of her throat. Her eyes were closed to hide the stinging tears that were filling her maroon eyes, so Rum didn't see the visitor leave; all she felt was the hands on her wrists slip off, and a smooth kiss on the forehead before the rustling of leaves out her window.
"Don't come back." She whispered out into the night, her voice ringing with cruelty and bitterness.
There was no answer. No sanctuary.