A/N: Again, missing something? Like to have something added? Something unclear or not explained well enough? Then please, feel free to leave me some constructive criticism. If you snap or fame, I won't even acknowledge you. I am, however, looking for someone to give me some useful ideas/criticism to help me improve this. Please R&R and lemme know what you think.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters.

Immediately upon entering the world of the living a cold, disturbing chill ran down Emiko's spine. Something was indeed different this time, something was going to go terribly wrong.

Tightening her jaw, Emiko forced herself to ignore her instincts and focus on finding the hollow. It didn't take her long and soon enough she lit off after it.

Emiko found the hollow she was looking for in a cluttered spot in the woods. Unlike the last one she fought however, this one seemed to be waiting for her.

It was a huge snake-like creature and was laid curled around itself on the ground. With all it's coils, Emiko was sure that if it rose to it's full length, she wouldn't have been able to see the top of it.

Emiko halted in surprise as the creature rose it's head when she came within a few meters of it. As she starred it down she couldn't help but acknowledge the sickening feeling building in her stomach.

"Ah. Finally, you arrived." It said in a calm, smooth voice. Emiko starred at it.

"You knew I was coming?" She asked a little uneasily. The hollow smiled.

"Of course. I'm not quite like the other hollows. But then, you'll soon find that out for yourself."

Emiko's hand shot to her zanpachtou and the hollow openly laughed.

"Have no fear soul reaper. I have no intention of fighting you."

Emiko glared at it.

"Right. And I'm not really a soul reaper, I'm the tooth fairy in disguise."

The hollow smiled again.

"Feisty aren't we? Well, do as you wish, but I still say I won't fight you."

Emiko's grip on her sword loosened but she didn't remove her hand.

"Then what do you want?... What are you planning to do?"

"I don't need to fight you. All I have to do is wait."

This caught Emiko a little off guard.

"Wait?" She questioned in confusion. "Wait for what?"

Again the hollow smiled.

"Why, wait for your companions of course."

Emiko straightened and tightened her grip on her sword again.

"I have no companions. I was sent here alone and I'm going to be alone. There's no one else coming so you might as well fight me and get it over with, cause I'm all you're gonna get."

Something gleamed in the hollow's eye and it lowered it's head to the ground again.

"There's always someone." It said calmly. "Someone will come. They always do. Whether because they're worried about you and want to check on you, because they want to help, because they want to protect you, because you've been gone to long. Whatever. But someone always comes."

Emiko growled angrily as she thought of something.

"You fought Captain Kenpachi didn't you?!"

The hollow raised it's giant head from the ground again and starred at her curiously.

"Kenpachi?" It questioned, sounding as if it was searching it's mind to remember. "Ah yes. That must be the big brute I encountered earlier. Yes... his soul smelled delicious. Too bad he got away before I could taste it. Though, it seems I left him with a few things to remember me by. I do hate to leave my food in such a state. He should have just given up and let me put him out of his misery."

Emiko growled savagely and finally drew her sword. But before she could speak or make another move, the hollow raised it's head a little higher.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

It's voice remained calm and cool, but it's eyes flashed dangerously.

"I told you I have no intention of fighting you, because I don't want to. But that doesn't mean I won't. And believe me child, you will not win. Just think of your Captain. Do you honestly think you could persevere where he failed?"

Emiko scowled at the hollow in disgust but made no move. The creature again lowered it's head to the ground. This sent her blood boiling. The creature was positively maddening. It was arrogant and cocky and it was driving her mad. It wasn't worried about her in the least and seemed completely unbothered by her presence. It even went as far as to mock her by not taking up any defenses, and by nearly ignoring her presence completely. As far as she could see, this hollow was nothing like the one from the previous night. This one seemed intelligent and obviously strong and skilled if it could force her Captain to retreat. What hope did she honestly have against this thing if Captain Kenpachi of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads couldn't beat it.

Emiko clenched her free fist and tightened her jaw. This was all a mistake, a terrible mistake. Both her and Hitsugaya knew that her coming here was a bad idea and neither of them had wanted her to go. She knew deep down that this hollow was different and wouldn't be so easy to beat. And for once in her life, that thought scared her.

Eventually Emiko looked up at the hollow again and narrowed her eyes in furry.

"Are you still waiting?" She asked venomously. The hollow smiled, an entirely evil smile that sent shivers of dread coursing all over Emiko's body.

"No." It said, lifting it's head again.

Before Emiko could say or do anything, it's snake-like tail uncoiled from it's body and shot out like a bolt of lightning. Emiko lifted her sword to cut it but instead of striking, it shot past her and into the bushes behind her. Emiko's head followed the tail in confusion, then snapped back to follow it as it pulled back towards it's body. Her eyes and mouth opened wide in horror at what she saw.

"What did I tell you? Someone always comes." The hollow hissed tauntingly.

Emiko's breath caught in her throat as she starred at the scene before her. Suspended high in the air with the snake's tail wrapped tightly around his throat was none other than Captain Hitsugaya himself.

"Captain!" Emiko screamed.

Hitsugaya's hands tugged at the tail around his neck, trying in vain to loosen it's grip on him while his legs kicked frantically below him.

"Emiko.." He choked breathlessly.

Emiko made to run at the hollow, but it's head snapped towards her and gave her the most frightening glare imaginable.

"Stay where you are Soul Reaper! Move one inch and I'll crush him lifeless!"

Emiko's jaw clenched again as she starred helplessly, unsure of what she should do. The hollow laughed.

"You see Emiko? I told you I didn't need to fight, I can get my meals without violence."

Emiko glared at the hollow.

"How is this helping you?" She hissed dangerously.

"Because you're going to give yourself to me."

Emiko's grip tightened on her sword and she tensed.

"I'm what? Are you crazy?! You're not as smart as I thought you were if that's what you're thinking!!"

The hollow smiled calmly.

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong. You see, if you don't give yourself up, I'll kill your Captain here. And of course, you wouldn't want that on your hands would you? Imagine what the other Soul Reapers would say if they knew you gave up the life of one of their officers to save your own. Imagine what would happen to you. Just think about it; if you give your life for his, you'll be considered a hero, a saint. You'll be hailed among the greatest for your selflessness."

"Don't listen to it Emiko!" Hitsugaya choked. "No one expects you to give up your life for me! You know he won't let me go so there's no point in both of us dying! Just run!!"

"Hush you!" The hollow said, though it sounded greatly amused. "Bait shouldn't talk."

The tip of the hollow's tail moved then until it covered Hitsugaya's mouth, effectively silencing him. It then turned back to Emiko.

"So, what will it be? Him? Or you?"

Emiko starred at Hitsugaya and the hollow. Hitsugaya's eyes were cold and hard, and she knew he wouldn't hold anything against her if she just ran. But she also knew that no matter how hard she tried, she just wouldn't be able to do that.

"How do I know you'll let him go?" She asked, her voice cracking slightly. The hollow smiled convincingly.

"Because I always keep my word. Come to me and I'll let him go."

Emiko thought about this for long time until eventually it seemed like the hollow's grip on Hitsugaya was getting tighter as the Captain seemed to be struggling for air and could no longer breathe.

"OK!" Emiko screamed desperately. "Alright! You win, you've got me! Just let him go!"

The hollow starred at Emiko for a few moments, then smirked and gave her a slight nod.

"Very well. A deals a deal."

And with that it threw Hitsugaya, causing him to hit a tree hard and fall to the base of it unconscious.

"NO! Hitsugaya!!" Emiko screamed, making to run to him. But before she got the chance, something wrapped around her waist and pulled her roughly backwards. When she stopped, she was starring into the face of the deathly white mask of the hollow.

"A deal's a deal." It hissed again.

Emiko swallowed hard and took a look over her shoulder at Hitsugaya. Her heart lurched as she saw him laying on the ground, a pool of blood gathered around his head as he lay motionless. Emiko turned back to the hollow then and simply starred at it. She knew there was no escape, considering she couldn't move, and with the only help possible unconscious, she knew there was no hope. Emiko closed her eyes before the tears welling up in them could escape.

"I'm sorry Hitsugaya..." She whispered softly.

Emiko relaxed in submission as she waited for her death. But that which she waited for never came. Emiko's eyes shot open when she heard a war-like cry and a scream of pain. She felt herself falling from the death grip wrapped around her only to be caught in another embrace. When she'd finally gotten a hold of her bearings, Emiko looked around and noted the dead hollow on the ground. Starring down at her was Hitsugaya, who was holding her tight in his arms with a deep, unreadable expression on his face.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly. Emiko nodded dumbly.

Hitsugaya gave a single nod and gently placed Emiko on the ground.

"You we're very brave Emiko." He said softly still. "The Soul Society will honor you greatly for this."

Emiko frowned.

"Why did you come? This was my battle, if I died fighting it then it was meant to be to be."

Hitsugaya frowned too, his much deeper then hers.

"I came because I never wanted you to come in the first place. I came because I couldn't bear the thought of hearing the news of your death, knowing I could have stopped you."

Emiko swallowed hard as Hitsugaya's arms wrapped tightly around her waist and he lowered his face down to hers.

"Do I really need to explain myself to you?" He whispered softly. "I should think my feelings were obvious."

Emiko choked.

"F-Feelings?" She stuttered in shock. Hitsugaya nodded.

"Emiko, I didn't want you to come here in the first place. I would have gladly taken this fight for you."

Emiko felt her heartbeat increase and thought it was going to strangle her. Could the handsome Captain of Squad Ten really be saying what she thought he was saying? And strangest of all; could she really be happy that he was?

"H-Hitsugaya...?"

"Call me Toshiro."

Hitsugaya leaned down and rested his forehead against hers, turquoise eyes starring deep into her icy blue ones.

"I love you Emiko."

Emiko's eyes widened in shock but her gasp was caught in her throat when his lips pressed firmly against hers.

Emiko starred ahead of her through her wide eyes, as Hitsugaya's starred back at her half-mast. His lips were still pressed to hers and his arms snaked around her, pulling her tighter to him. She wasn't sure what she should do. This was a Captain holding her and kissing her. No matter how much she wanted to, should she really kiss him back?

It took a long time, but Emiko's mind was finally made up when Hitsugaya sighed softly, causing a small vibration to pass between them and send shivers down her spine. Emiko's eyes slid shut and her arms reached up to wrap tightly around his neck. She felt Hitsugaya smile into the kiss and that sent her heart doing back flips.

Hitsugaya held and kissed Emiko for a long time, and Emiko couldn't will herself to pull away. However, the longer she stayed in his arms, the more she got the feeling that something wasn't quite right. Hitsugaya was holding her and kissing her, but there wasn't much feeling behind the motion. She knew he had felt something when he'd told her he loved her, but she felt nothing from him now. But worst of all, the young Captain was cold; something she had brushed off at first to be due to his icy nature and cold being; but now she knew it wasn't right.

It was just as she thought this that Emiko noticed something else. She gasped again as Hitsugaya again tightened his grip on her, but this time it was more due to a lack of air to breathe than shock. Emiko pulled away from the handsome man and placed two hands on his chest in attempt to loosen his grip.

"Toshiro, you're... You're hurting me..."

Hitsugaya gave a small laugh, one that sounded strangely alien to her ears.

"Am I? I'm sorry, there usually isn't any pain when I do this. I guess you're a lot smarter then my previous meals."

Emiko's brows furrowed and she stopped struggling to look up into Hitsugaya's face. Her heart stopped when she saw that his beautiful, strong features had been replaced with that of the snake-like hollow.

"You.... You're not dead!" She choked out.

"Obviously not." The creature smirked. "Too bad you realized the fact however, usually my prey doesn't realize it until it's too late."

"Why?" Emiko whispered. "Why didn't you just kill me when you had the chance?"

"Because you wouldn't have tasted nearly as good of course! A happy soul is much tastier than a sorrow-filled soul! But I suppose I'll just have to make due."

Emiko's scream was caught in her throat as the hollow's grip tightened to a white-hot pain around her. She felt her consciousness slipping away from her and held on as long as she could. The pain was searing and she knew she wouldn't be able to stay awake much longer. The part that bothered her was that she also knew that if she closed her eyes, she'd never open them again. She knew that there was nothing she could do now and she was going to die.

A tear slipped down Emiko's cheek as one thing came to mind.

"You said you'd always be there for me..." She strangled out. "I know you meant it.. however you meant it. Please don't blame yourself for this..."

With that thought out of her mind, Emiko's vision finally fled and the darkness finally claimed her.