Well well well. An update two weeks later? This is most definitely strange for me. But considering how strange this chapter may seem, I guess it's fitting.

I got inspiration for this chapter from the opening sequence to Tokyo Ghoul √A. Then I just took off.

FYI, "ne?" translates to "right?" or "yeah?".

This entire chapter is in Hitsugaya's point of view.

I'm trying to keep the current arc as a foundation to this story, but it won't be all-encompassing.

So without further adieu...here's the fourth chapter!

Warning: Characters may be OOC.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach.

HITSUGAYA P.O.V.

There is nothing but darkness.

I can't hear or see anything. All I know is that I am standing in the middle of this vast, unending space with no clue as to how I got here or how to leave.

'Why am I here? Am I alone?'

I start moving forward, hoping to find an end to this darkness. My arms are stretched before me, trying to feel for any clue as to where I am. However, they meet with nothing but air.

'Is there no end to this?'

I start to feel the first tendrils of anxiety worm their way to my heart, increasing its rate. My outstretched arms begin to shake as my palms start to sweat. Still I keep moving, hoping desperately to find any source of light within this space.

I didn't even know I had a fear of the dark until this very moment. But right now, my breathing speeds up as I fight the urge to whimper.

'I'm a captain dammit! I've faced much worse than this!'

But even during those times, when I felt alone, I actually wasn't. I had comrades and subordinates with me during the Winter War. I had a purpose- something to accomplish. Something to take my mind off the loneliness and fear.

But now, there is nothing to distract me. No stacks of paperwork to stress over, no enemies to defeat, no annoying vice-captain to give half-assed excuses.

No subordinates to order around, no comrades to rely on, not even my own zanpaktou to hold in reassurance.

'WHERE THE HELL AM I?'

Now I am running, trying to find something- ANYTHING- to latch onto. Fear begins to creep into my muscles- slowing them down, making them feel much heavier. I bend over and place my hands on my knees, trying to regain my breath.

"Is there anyone out there?"

No response, not even an echo to let me know of a definite end within the darkness.

Finally noticing how badly I am shaking, I squat to try and think things through. I try to summon my kido, which doesn't seem to work.

Alright, I'm defenseless. My body is already worn out, which takes away from my last resort- close combat. I have no clue how I got here.

Could this perhaps be a dream?

I pinch myself, hoping to wake up in Soul Society. Facing the Quincy seems better than this, even though I'm injured.

My body is screaming for a break and my heart hasn't slowed down its beating. My forehead is covered in sweat and I am shaking.

When was the last time I felt so horrible? How did I work through it?

Oh wait, I didn't. Kuchki was there to heal me. If only that coolness was back with me. It was so soothing…

So distracted by my memories, I don't immediately feel the hands on my shoulders.

I quickly stand up, mentally screaming 'How could I have missed a presence behind me?!'

But instead of feeling on alert, I feel a wave of calm pass through me. These hands are radiating the same cool that Kuchki had. But how is that possible…?

While trying to understand, those arms completely encircle my chest, seemingly emitting that cool into my very soul. My heart calms down and I can breathe easy again.

A body presses into my back, smaller than mine, and from what I can tell, feminine. Contrary to the coolness coming from this strange person's hands, their body is warm and fits perfectly against mine, even front to back.

I can't help but relax in this person's hold, rolling back onto the heels of my feet and leaning most of my body weight against them.

'Who is this stranger, and why do they have such power over me?'

Next thing I knew, the person's mouth was against my ear, gusts of hot breath making me shudder against her. I don't know anymore if my feelings of weakness were from earlier exertion or the way this woman feels against me. My head rolls back onto her shoulder as she leans up and whispers in my ear "Toushiro…"

My eyes close unconsciously as I suppress a groan. That lovely voice. I know that lovely voice. But from where?

She laughs breathlessly and whispers once again "Toushiro…".

Her voice is tantalizing. I need to know who it is.

Her arms tighten around me and I open my eyes. I am no longer met with darkness. Instead, I find myself able to see around me. However, my surroundings no longer matter as I continue to feel her breathe into my ear and am surrounded by this overwhelming combination of warmth and cool. It's so relaxing, melting away any and all stress or pain.

Once more, I hear her whisper in my ear "Toushiro". I sigh in contentment as I roll my head to the side to look at her. Instantly, I am drowning in a sea of violet.

Those soft, purple eyes seem to consume my entire being, and I am left motionless- afraid that if I move, she'll disappear. Before I knew it, I whispered one word:

"Rukia."

Her eyes crinkle as a small smile is reflected at me. From this distance, I can see that her smooth, pale skin is blemish-free. I can see her full, pink lips curve upward and her trademark bang fall to the bridge of her small, straight nose.

Beautiful seems too simple a word to describe her appearance.

'Ethereal'. Yes, that's more like it.

She leans in until our foreheads touch, and I am filled with this foreign longing. What is it I want? What do I want her to do?

My gaze goes back down to her lips, and I am struck with understanding.

'I want to kiss her'.

I begin to lean in more, and before my lips can brush over hers, she yells: "Captain! Wake up!"

I lean back in shock. That wasn't her voice. And why is she shaking me?

"Captain! WAAAAAAKE UUUUUUUUPPPPPP!"

My eyes snap open and I am immediately disoriented. I look to my left, then to my right. Where did she go?

"Captain Hitsugaya, are you alright? You may have surprised him a bit too much, Vice-Captain Rangiku!"

"Eh he'll be fine. He just needs to completely wake up. CAPTAIN!"

I look up to see my noisy vice-captain and Vice-Captain Kotetsu standing over me. They must have woken me up.

'Wait, then was all that nothing more than a dream? But I pinched myself…?'

Pushing down my feelings of disappointment, I turned to my annoying vice-captain.

"Did you really have to wake me up so rudely?"

Matsumoto smirked, as if she knew something.

"Of course I did Captain! You didn't wake up earlier when I called to you. So I had to resort to shaking. It's time for Isane to do your final check-up."

That woke me up. Finally, I would be out of this bed!

"Let's get this over with."

After, Vice-Captain Kotetsu gave me the okay to go back to defending Soul Society. As Matsumoto and I were gathering our things, I noticed she hadn't stopped smirking.

Rolling my eyes, I asked, "What's with that look?"

She looked at me innocently and said "Nothing Captain. I'm just glad we can go back to fight against the Quincy. I know you hate being cooped up like that."

I snorted. 'No way she would be smirking like that over leaving the medical unit.' I ordered her to tell me the truth.

She looked at me with a knowing grin. I already knew I was going to regret asking her.

"Captain, we've been together a long time, ne?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes Matsumoto. I've been stuck with you for quite awhile."

Matsumoto ignored me. "We've learned a lot about each other, including habits, right?"

I gave her a flat look. "Yes. You know I have a quick temper, and I know how much of a lazy drunk you are. What's the point?"

Matsumoto then grinned wickedly at me. Oh no. This can't be good.

"Well Captain, just when I thought I knew everything there is to know about you, I learned something new this morning. Care to guess?"

"If this is about my height difference, you had best stop right there."

Matsumoto kept that grin and continued speaking.

"Nope. This has nothing to do with that."

A tick appeared on my forehead. "Well? Get on with it. What is this great mystery you've uncovered?"

She didn't respond until we took our belongings and left the unit. Once outside, she looked towards the sky and smiled. Then, without looking down, she said

"You talk in your sleep."

I'm confused until I remember what I had dreamed. The beginning is a bit foggy, but I remember every detail that included Rukia.

Matsumoto then looked at me with a motherly look and said

"You whispered Rukia-san's name. Since when do you dream about her? And since when were you on a first-name basis?"

My cheeks are now tinged with pink at these embarrassing questions. However, knowing she won't drop it until I answer, I respond: "We're not. I don't even know her."

We walk in silence for a bit. I know I shouldn't tell her (mostly because she can't keep her mouth shut), but I don't know whom else to talk to about these things. I have no idea why I would have a dream like that about someone I hardly know.

'Am I attracted to Rukia?' My mind is flooded with recent images of her and I remember how I acted in my dream. Yes, it seems I am.

'Do I like her?' Like I said, I hardly know her. All I have are bits and pieces, mostly from back when we were in the World of the Living.

From what I gathered, she was loud and bratty, but acted with the best intentions. However, when she recently came to the medical unit, she seemed to have matured greatly. Well, the Winter War was a long time ago. We hadn't had any interaction between those two times.

The rest is from rumors within the Soul Society. However, I don't pay attention to those, and given that they're rumors, who's to say if they're right or wrong.

And yet, I worry about her. She may be powerful, but she is also a repeat target for attack. Anything could happen to her. Even Hyorinmarou is worried, though I suspect Rukia's zanpaktou may play a huge role in that.

Wait a minute. WHEN DID I START REFERRING TO HER BY HER FIRST NAME WHEN I'M THINKING?

'Whatever. I'll learn more about her myself once this war is over. I'll take her out to dinner as thanks for healing me, then get to know the type of person she truly is.'

I stopped walking. My mouth was open and my eyes widened as realization dawned on me.

'I really decided that?'

Matsumoto didn't say a word, but kept that grin on her face like she knew what I was thinking. Even Hyorninmarou was currently chuckling at me. However, I was too wrapped up in my epiphany to care. All I could do was think was:

'Yes. I do like her.'

A.N. Well, this was longer than the previous chapter! And Toushiro now knows his feelings. So that's some progression.

When I think of Toushiro Hitsugaya, I think of someone who thinks things through, looking at things from all possible angles. I tried to portray that here. If some of you think it was too much, I'm sorry. It's my interpretation of his character.

Please review!