O my adorable sloth!! I haven't been typing for more than a year when it usually takes me 10 days! (sloth flipps out) I"M SORRY! ... (sigh) Well, at least now I'm working, right? I'll update sooner.

--

Hold Me and Never Let Go

Chapter 4

His Problem

What? The word echoed throughout my mind. This is just Renji's joke, right? Please let it be!

B-Thump, B-Thump, B-Thump

B-Thump, B-thump, B-Thump

My heart began to beat faster than usual. Surely this is a joke. Yes! It's just a joke! If not... then, would I be found out? Would Tousen-kun kill me? Will Byakuya-senpai report me and try to expel me? But most importantly...

... how will he react?

Feeling guilty and devastated I huddled closer to me pink, cold bedroom wall.

Should I really take this seriously? Should I just ignore it and watch what happens? Should I ask Ichimaru-kun if it's true? But what happens if it's really true? What then?! Thoughts rushed through my head. So much stress...

I couldn't handle the stress any longer! I grabbed my faded-out old grey sweatshirt and raced out of my room. Determined yet confused, I slipped out of my slippers and placed my feet into my street shoes. As I walked out of my house, I heard oka-san calling, "Honey, where are you going?"

I responded, my voice echoing, "I'm going to stop by Hinamori-chan's house!"

"Alright, just don't talk to strangers!"

"I know! Bye!" Having that said, I ran to the streets.

The cold icy wind brushed against my face, and whispered into my ear. It felt like it was telling me something, however, it was all Greek to me. I ran past Hinamori-chan's household. I sighed, Sorry, Hinamori-cahn, but I can't share this with you..

-+-

I came upon a household that I thought that I would never need to set my foot onto. I ranged the old brass doorbell, my hands shaking in fear and holding my breath at the gate enterance.

Ding-Dong!

Ding-Dong!

As I waited, I read the carved out name on a nearby plaque.

"Kaname Household..." my voice shook as the words escaped my mouth. I shivered. Why am I here?! I should leave! I began to regret my actions.

Just when I was about to leave, a welcoming yet sincere middle aged woman greeted, "Konban wa, miss. What has brought you here?"

I tried to smile as I stammered, "I-I'm here to s-see Kaname Tousen-kun."

"I see. If you may please wait..." She knocked onto the main entrance door and asked, "Kaname Tousen, it seems that a fine young lady would like to talk to you."

After some silence, she came back, opening the gates as she warned, "Kaname-kun does not plan to talk for a long time, so make it quick he says."

"Thank you." I thanked her as I entered the huge house. I gritted my teeth as I waited for Kaname-kun to appear.

At last, he came. Surprised, he questioned, "Matsumoto-san, what brings you here?"

I stood frozen, not breathing.

He laughed, "Please, sit down! Have you ate yet?"

I still remained silence.

"I see... you're still scared about earlier?"

I squeaked, "Please don't kill me! I didn't know that he had leukemia!"

He chuckled, "What do you mean?"

I bowed, "I'm sorry! Gomenasai!"

He shot a look at me, "What for?"

I let it all loose, "I know that Gin's deathly ill!"

He sighed, "I figured you did." He then motioned me to sit down. Not surprised, he looked up to the ceiling," I was hoping that Ichimaru-kun's secret would be safe, at least from outsiders from both Ichimaru and Kaname family..."

There was a long pause of silence until I asked, "How long has he had it?"

Kaname-kun thought for a while, "Hm... Actually, it was discovered when he was only a mere eight-year old. When the doctors told his parents and him about it, Ichimaru just smiled and said 'It's okay if it's only until I'm old enough, right?' and that moment his parents felt pitiness towards their child that they decreed that no one else should know of his disease, that is, except for the Kanames, for we were the closets to the Ichimarus. That is why I was concerned when you and Abarai-kun had noted some of his important records..."

"Gomen..."

"I guess there's nothing bad having one who cares for Ichimaru-kun to know his secret, however, you mustn't tell anyone!" He pleaded.

I nodded.

"By the way, does Abarai-kun know about it?"

I sneered, "NO WAY! The only thing the dork reads is manga and porno! Text books and notes bore him out!"

He stared in disbelief, "... Porno? But I thought he's a straight "A" student!"

"He is, one that reads porno."

"I am so dishonored!"

I chuckled, "Abarai doesn't know about it, so it's safe."

He gets up and says, "Tea, Matsumoto?"

"No, no thank you."

"Come on, I'm not angry at you. If you were the type that tell everyone's secret, then I'd be mifted, but I'm not. Relax, Matsumoto-chan."

I stuttered, " Okay."

Kaname assured, "Smile, he's alive."

I tried to smile, "I... I guess so..."

He's alive... until when?

--

GOMENASAI! I DIDN'T MEAN TO TAKE SOO LONG! I guess this is the price of being a student and a manga-ka! I promise that I'll update sooner. Plz review. :3

To answer a review, i really didn't think much of Tousen's senses, and yes, I wanted Byakuya to be a somewhat bully-honor student.