DISCLAIMER - See Chapter one
Another quick upload! Enjoy ;-)
"She does not draw breath, but wait…she breathes, but so slowly…Oh awake sweet angel, awake…She hear me not…How to wake her from her deep slumber…" Ulquiorra said as he looked down at Miaka, who was laying on the sofa in the living room with her eyes closed, doing a good job of keeping a straight face. If Ulquiorra didn't know better her would say that she had fallen asleep from boredom, but there was a very slight lift at the corner of her mouth telling him that she was trying not to laugh. "I shall wake her with a kiss…" He decided, noting a slight quiver of Miaka's lips as he leaned down, his green eyes slipping shut as he pressed his lips to hers, finding them unexpectedly soft and smooth, perhaps more so than Orihime's. Pulling back slightly he opened his green eyes to find her alluring hazel staring back, her cheeks flushed slightly, "Oh my Prince…" He prompted in a whisper,
"Oh my Prince…Oh my Prince, take my lips again." She breathed, Ulquiorra showing no hesitance in leaning down to steal another kiss, his arms slipping around her and supporting her as she hooked her arms around his neck, her fingers lacing through his hair until they both pulled back for air and stared at each other as they panted. "That…went well." Miaka said quietly as she drew back and sat on the edge of the sofa, looking anywhere but at Ulquiorra, who found himself feeling similarly uncomfortable, though he couldn't decipher why, they had only been following the script.
"Yes…" He replied simply, his mind going strangely blank, and Miaka hadn't said anything either. "Are you quite well?" Ulquiorra asked in concern as he sat beside her, his hand somehow ending up on her arm, sending a shiver down her spine.
"I'm alright…It's just…Orihime." She trailed off, Ulquiorra raising an eyebrow at the comment. What does Orihime have to do with this? He wondered obliviously, "I mean…you are going out, so kissing me like that was a little…unexpected." She added, the Arrancar tilting his head slightly,
"I care for Orihime deeply, however I have also come to value you." He said, Miaka shaking her had slightly,
"But you don't love me…You value me like a friend, don't you?" She asked uncertainly, Ulquiorra hesitating as he found himself unsure. Orihime was someone he cherished, but he also cherished Miaka in a way that was both different and similar at the same time. All he knew at that particular moment was that Miaka's chestnut hair smelled very good, and the flush in her cheeks was becoming more appealing by the minute and Orihime was nowhere in sight. Leaning forward Ulquiorra's lips lightly brushed Miaka's before she pulled back, "I don't think this is a good idea…You're obviously confused, and to be honest…I'm flattered, but…it would be wrong to continue unless you were completely single, and you're not." She said firmly, but gently.
"You are quite correct." Ulquiorra conceded as he pulled back, a small smile on his lips, "You are a very special person…I have a feeling that not many others would be so honest in this situation…I apologise if I made you uncomfortable. Do you wish to continue with rehearsal?" He asked, Miaka giving him an impish smile as she pushed herself to her feet and stretched, her eyes drifting to the clock that read quarter past four.
"I think you should go see Orihime and spend some time with her, besides, I have homework to do before Tsukasa comes back." She said, Ulquiorra wrapping his arms around her from behind and giving her an affectionate squeeze before planting a swift kiss on the top of her head as he had seen Tsukasa do,
"I agree, thank you. Call if you require assistance." He added as he hurried back to the kitchen and packed his bag, Miaka giving him a simple smile as she headed to wait by the front door. Moments later Ulquiorra hurried back and out of the already open door, waving as he almost ran down the street on the path that would lead him back to Orihime.
"You call that a strike? Come on! You know you can do better than that!" Ikkaku cried in exasperation as he sent Hanataro flying for the tenth time in the hour practice. Yumichika had watched from the sidelines, wincing each time Hanataro hit the ground, but each time the young medic got to his feet and had at it again. Something about the day felt wrong; everyone seemed overly frustrated, even the young medic.
"I know!" Hanataro replied as he sprang from the ground straight at the bald man, whose released Zanpakuto split into a three part staff connected by chains. How could Hanataro make such an elementary mistake? Yumichika wondered worriedly as the staff hit the young man's side and wrapped around his neck. If Ikkaku hadn't halted his attack the staff would have choked the boy, who fell to his knees gripping his throat.
"You're not into it today." Ikkaku observed as his Zanpakuto returned to the form of a sword. Crouching beside the medic Yumichika gave him the once over, however there didn't seem to be any damage, just a light bruise that would disappear in a few days. Sighing, Hanataro flopped to the ground and crossed his legs, Yumichika opting to join him while Ikkaku leaned on the wall,
"I guess I've been distracted…You know I've been thinking of changing the form of Hisagomaru, but I'm not sure how, and I'm not sure it's even a good idea…I'd be changing a part of myself." He explained, feeling slightly uncomfortable and laying his insecurities bare, however they both seemed to understand his dilemma. Your Zanpakuto reflected an inner part of yourself, whether it was a part you liked or not, and Hisagomaru had matched the old Hanataro perfectly, however Hanataro was no longer the young, inexperienced medic he had once been. He didn't stumble anymore, he wasn't weak, he didn't put up with bullying and he didn't back down from a fight, despite the disadvantage his Zanpakuto's limit gave him.
"I wouldn't be afraid to change Hisagomaru…You have changed yourself Hanataro, more than you know. If your Zanpakuto doesn't change and grow with you, it will limit your growth as a Shinigami; remember a Zanpakuto is a tool as well as a part of yourself. You must be able to effectively use a tool for its purpose…Hisagomaru will begin to hold you back if he doesn't change and adapt with you." Yumichika said wisely, Hanataro nodding his understanding. He had noticed a change in himself; it had been a slow transformation, but he knew he wasn't the same as he had been before, and the more he realised it the more he felt Hisagomaru's limitations.
"Don't be afraid of change. Everyone changes, and that change doesn't mean you're turning into someone else, it means you're growing. Don't be afraid of growth." Ikkaku added, the young medic nodding. He felt better about wanting the change now, but he still had no idea how to go about it. I suppose talking about it would be the first step, but if Hisagomaru doesn't know how to change himself then what?
"Remember, you have to be sure about wanting the change. If you're sure it should be possible." Yumichika assured, the young medic nodding a little more positively this time,
"I'll give it a try." Hanataro decided, the older men deciding to disappear for a while to give Hanataro the peace and quiet he would need in order to commune with his Zanpakuto. It wasn't easy to talk to your Zanpakuto at the best of times; the better the relationship between Zanpakuto and Shinigami the easier communing was, and the way Hanataro had been drifting away lately he was unsure he would be able to reach Hisagomaru. Sitting up straight and settling his Zanpakuto across his knees out of the sheath, Hanataro closed his eyes and slowed his breathing, his hands resting on either end of the delicate well-kept sword.
Hanataro opened his eyes with a warm smile as felt the sunlight on his face. He was in a clearing in a forest, the sun trickling through the trees, and in the tree was a small robot-like being. Hanataro recognised him instantly; since materialising in Seireitei Hisagomaru had taken on the image of the toy robot he had been turned into. Hisagomaru couldn't talk, but Hanataro could feel curiosity in the air as the robot hopped down and ran to him, looking up as if to say 'what can I do for you?'
"Hisagomaru, I need you to do something." Hanataro began firmly, unsure how to word the next part. He was sure Hisagomaru would know what he was asking him to do; the question was whether he would actually go along with it. There's only one way to know…"I need you to change your form…I'm growing in body and skill, and I need you to grow with me…I can't do this alone." He said, the small robot seeming agitated as the air filled with a feeling of worry and betrayal, but the young medic wasn't about to be put off. "I don't want you to change into something else completely, and I'm not saying I've outgrown you. I'm saying that to better myself I need you to work with me; I need your strength to grow with mine…We're a team, Hisagomaru, we need each other to grow." Hanataro said as he knelt down to the height of the upset robot, who looked at him uncertainly, the medic breaking into a grin as he laid a hand on the robot's head, "We've been together from the beginning, there's no one I'd rather partner." He added assuringly.
Snapping his eyes open in the real world, finding himself once again on the open rooftop in Karakurachou Hanataro was worried as he looked at his Zanpakuto and saw it glowing a light red. Uncertain of what was happening Hanataro gripped the hilt and held it up in the afternoon light, the red glow gradually fading as if it had never been there at all. Hanataro sheathed the sword uncertainly and got to his feet, unsure of what had happened or what it meant, but he had a good feeling about it.
Hinamori sighed as she sat down by the river, regrettably quite alone. Despite being physically healed, and on her way to a full psychological recovery, Unohana still had her on light duties, which meant she could only do so much field duty. Unfortunately she had been caught out, compensating the lack of physical duty with paperwork. Unohana had insisted she only do so much a day, and Hinamori couldn't bring herself to disobey the kind doctor. As a result she had come to the riverside to relax, well, mostly. She had snuck some paperwork out of the office, a compromise.
Since spending time there with Ichigo and the others earlier in the year the riverside had become her favourite spot, and since it was past the worst of winter the weather wasn't too bad. The weather was never as bad in Seireitei as it was in the Human world. Thinking back to that day brought a smile to her face as she settled against a tree and looked at the pages before her. And then there was Christmas at Kurosaki-kun's house…She continued, her thoughts drifting back warmly to that night. Since returning neither Byakuya nor Hisagi had mentioned the kiss under the mistletoe, not that she minded about Byakuya, she was just glad he hadn't held it against her. She didn't even know if the noble remembered, since Soi Fon had needed to guide him home by foot, not thinking the motorbike was a good idea in his state.
As her thoughts lingered on the kiss with Hisagi she felt her heart flutter, almost able to feel his lips as she closed her eyes and leaned back on the tree trunk with a small sigh, her cheeks slightly pink. When they were finished at Ichigo's she had once again been carried home by Hisagi, who was firm on his feet despite the wine he'd drunk, while Hinamori had found herself slightly tipsy once again. Hitsugaya had walked with them, his own steps perfectly in line since he hadn't drunk a thing, at least Hinamori hadn't noticed him drinking. At her door Hisagi had put her down and said goodnight, leaving her as she stepped inside and flopped down on her bed, deliriously happy.
"Hinamori!" A familiar voice called, Hinamori's cheeks flushing as she opened her eyes to see the object of her daydream heading towards her, guitar slung over his back and book in hand. Giving him a bright smile Hinamori waved, waiting until he was closer to speak,
"I thought you'd be on duty." She said as he paused beside her and pulled the guitar over his head, apparently intending to join her.
"And I thought Unohana-taicho said no work." He retorted as he sat down, his dark eyes showing slight disapproval mixed with amusement as a blush lit her small cheeks. Neatening the small stack of paper on her knee she defiantly shifted her hazel gaze to the pages,
"She said I wasn't to over do it, and I was to take time out of the office. She didn't say that I couldn't take the work away with me…Besides, I didn't take too much." She added defensively, feeling slightly guilty that she had disobeyed medical orders. Giving a small smile Hisagi sat cross legged to her right, facing her side and using her leg to prop up his book. "Glad I'm useful for something…" Hinamori added dryly,
"I'm not going to be bothering you am I?" Hisagi asked as he began tuning his guitar, his eyes sneaking a glance at her for a sign of annoyance or disapproval, though he couldn't find any through her shy eyes and pink cheeks.
"No, I like your playing…Have you learned anything new?" She asked, lowering the papers on her knees slightly, though secretly she knew the answer. She had heard him trying to pick up quite a few of the songs in the book she have given him, some going better than others.
"I have, though until I improve my squad have…requested that I practice elsewhere." He replied sheepishly, suddenly quite intent on the instrument in his hands, almost finding his own cheeks burning at the light girlish laugh that escaped Hinamori's lips.
"You can practice in my barracks whenever you like, they can't resent me anymore than they already do." She added shyly, Hisagi finding it hard to believe that they resented her for anything. As far as he could tell they were filled with concern for her; there were bound to be a couple in the ranks getting itchy feet over the lack of action and leadership, even Hisagi was getting itchy feet at being assigned light duties until another Captain was found.
"No one resents you Hinamori…It may feel like it, but they don't. Kira and I are on light duties too." He added lightly, Hinamori shaking her head slightly,
"But at least the two of you have been there…I spent most of last year either in a coma or in hospital having a mental breakdown!" She exclaimed miserably, Hisagi running off a few chords to check the tuning while he thought over a few replies. He didn't want to sound patronising; she deserved better than that, but at the same time there wasn't anything he could think of that wouldn't sound like a dig.
"You had good reason." He compromised thoughtfully, "No one deserved the betrayal you suffered; that's something I can't even imagine." He added sympathetically, seeing her nod slightly. It hadn't been a secret that she was smitten with Aizen; it had been obvious from the moment she became his vice captain, and he'd known it the whole time, manipulated her like a puppet. Hisagi and Kira had been betrayed, but it was nothing like Hinamori's betrayal. "What counts is that you're here, getting back on your feet. We all respect that." He said firmly,
"Thank you." She replied shyly, her face hidden behind the pages so that Hisagi couldn't even guess at her expression. Done with the tuning, Hisagi turned his attention to the page and began to play, grimacing at the sounds he found coming out of his guitar. "It needs some work…" Hinamori judged as she peeked over her pages at him,
"No kidding…" Hisagi trailed off mournfully,
"Keep playing…I don't mind." Hinamori assured, Hisagi nodding gratefully as he continued playing the first bar over and over, trying to make sense of it. He was holding the chords, he was sure of it, but it just didn't sound right. If I can't get it I'll need to see Sado…He thought as he frowned at the instrument, his sharp eyes shifting to Hinamori, who had her face frozen in concentration as she diligently looked through the pages before her. She hadn't even noticed he'd stopped playing, she was so focused.
"No wonder you don't mind my playing! You're not even listening!" He teased as he tried again, Hinamori looking up quizzically before giving him an apologetic smile. She knew he was only teasing her, but she did feel a little bad ignoring him when he had joined her, even if it had been a coincidental meeting. Lowering her papers Hinamori watched and winced as he tried again, seeing his frustration as his fingers failed to keep up with the speed of the notes in the book. If he played it slowly it sounded alright, it made no sense, but the notes were there, however when he tried to speed it up his fingers just couldn't keep up.
"You'll just have to keep practicing." Hinamori encouraged as she shifted her position against the tree, holding the book so that it didn't fall over.
"I know, but not right now. I'd hate to scare you off with my bad playing." He added as he flicked back a few pages in the book and struck up a light tune, which Hinamori had listened to him practice a few days ago. Being so much slower than some of the others it had been relatively easy to master, so all that was left was to perfect it. "How's your therapy going?" Hisagi asked as he played, noticing that Hinamori's mind had drifted away from work,
"The physiotherapy is done, and the psychological therapy is pretty much over too. As long as I take it easy I should be back on full duties soon, or at least as full as our duties can get without a captain…" She added, knowing Hisagi understood that position all too well. They hadn't had any big missions in a while, just overlooking things in the Human world occasionally, under the orders of another captain. There just wasn't anyone ready to be a captain yet.
"I know that feeling…Hopefully we'll get a re-call to the Human world soon." Hisagi said hopefully as he plucked the strings leisurely, not playing anything in particular now. Hinamori nodded in agreement; she'd grown fond of the Human world. The change in scenery was stimulating, the gadgets were novel, there were so many books on so many subjects she didn't understand and, perhaps most importantly for some, the clothes were fantastic.
"That would be something at least; if I'm told to 'take it easy' one more time I might go crazy…again." She joked, Hisagi allowing a small smile at her self-criticising humour. He knew she was just trying to make light of her situation, but it was true; she did need to take it easy to get better. Part of her frustration was that she knew that. Hisagi was the same when he was injured. Restless and itching to get back to work.
"Don't worry, we'll both be back on duty properly soon enough. Just be patient." Hisagi added as he shifted his gaze to the pegs of his guitar, missing the warm smile Hinamori sent his way. Leaning forwards Hinamori brushed her lips lightly across his cheek before sitting back with her notes once more, ignoring the light pink that coloured her cheeks.