Hello again, everyone. I have nothing more to say here, so let's get to the story, shall we?

Disclaimer: Yeah, I own Bleach. *Lawyers suddenly appear out of nowhere* What the? I thought you guys leave already?! Arg, stay away from me. I just kidding, just kidding. I don't own Bleach! MOM, GET THE LAWYERS OUT OF MY ROOM!

Chapter 3: Decision

It had been 3 years since he started having that dream, the dream about the land of ice. He didn't know what was going on, or why he had that dream so sudden. Not to mention he dreamt that dream every night from the first time.

He finally saw the owner of the ruby red eyes. It was a dragon, a massive dragon made of ice. But he still couldn't hear what the dragon was trying to tell him. The wind in that place was too strong.

He didn't tell anyone about that, not even Haruka. Haruka knew something was bothering him, and she was worried. Toshiro felt guilty for hiding something like that from his only friend, but he didn't want to worry her any further. He promised to himself though, that once he got the answer of what with the dream, he would tell Haruka.

And he would tell her today. Because he had made the decision.

x

His grandmother looked paler and thinner these days. Toshiro didn't know what caused her sickness, and he was worried. Momo's visits became lesser. Then, her visit stopped once day. Toshiro wondered if his sister ever came to visit them again.

He was buying amanatto, for him and his grandmother. He rarely went to town, because people kept giving him that look. He tried to ignored it, and he kind of got used to it by now. But it still hurt though.

They treat him like he was a freak. Just like the shop owner, who told him to go home as soon as he finished shopping. Toshiro just silently collected the money, then turned around and prepared to leave.

And that was when his life changed forever.

x

That night, the strawberry blond woman showed up at his house. She told him to stop leaking out his reiatsu, then told him he should become a Shinigami.

She told him, that the voice in his dream was his power calling out to him. Toshiro was happy because of this. He knew that he wasn't going insane.

But, should he became a Shinigami? Should he leave his grandmother? He didn't want to, but he knew he had to. If not, he would accidentally killed his grandmother once day.

So he decided. He decided to join the academy, to protect his beloved grandmother.

x

"Toshiro?" it was Haruka's voice.

"Haruka," he nodded at her.

She sat down next to him, hugging her knees to her chest, "What is it that you are thinking so hard about?"

Toshiro sighed, swept his hand through his hair.

"Haruka, I decided to join the academy."

Haruka blinked, "Well, I have nothing against that. But why so sudden?"

"I… had this dream," he explained, "About the land of ice. There was a huge dragon made of ice there, trying to tell me something that I couldn't hear. And then, I met this woman, who was a Shinigami. She told me to become a Shinigami, because apparently, I have more than enough reiatsu. If I do not learn to control my power, I will just end up hurting obaachan."

Haruka smiled, "Nice decision. You will become a great Shinigami, I'm sure."

Toshiro just sighed again, but didn't say anything else.

"What now?" Haruka tilted her head to one side.

"I will miss you, Haruka," Toshiro whispered, "You are my first friend. And my best. I just hope that you could join the academy, so we could be together."

Haruka just shook her head with a faint smile.

"I don't have reiatsu," she said, "I can't join the academy."

"I know," Toshiro nodded.

They both went silent once again.

"It's not the only thing that bother you, is it?" Haruka spoke.

"No," Toshiro admitted, "I'm worry for obaachan."

"Why?"

"She will be alone, after I leave. Who will take care of her then, when both her grandchildren are away?"

Silence. The only sound could be heard was the sound of water, the sound of birds chirping and the sound of wind blowing through the trees. Suddenly, Toshiro's eyes lit up.

"I know! I know who can help me to look after obaachan," he said.

"Oh?! And who is that?"

Toshiro grinned, "You."

Haruka's eyes widened, "Me?!"

"Yes," Toshiro nodded, "You will be here, so you can look after obaachan for me."

Haruka looked nervous. She looked at Toshiro, then looked down, biting her bottom lip, her small hands gripping the hem of her yukata. Toshiro was really confused by his friend's behavior.

"Haruka?!" he asked, "What's wrong?"

"I-I can't!" Haruka choked out, "I can't!"

"You can't what?" Toshiro frowned.

"I can't help you to look after your obaachan," Haruka mumbled, "I want to help you, but… I can't!"

"And why not?"

Haruka looked at Toshiro and said…

Mhuahahahaha, cliffhanger! I'm so evil. And for my friends, who read this story, no, evil and mentally insane are not the same. I'm not mentally insane. I'm NOT insane. Just because I tend to laugh maniacally for no reason, and I stabbed THAT bitch with the scissors two days ago, doesn't mean that I'm insane.

Sorry, I rant sometime. Anyway, hope you like this chapter, and see you all next week!

Remember to leave reviews!