A/N: Hello everyone! Here is chapter seven! I know it took a little longer to get out, I just moved cross country and now I have a lot of free time so I decided to write chapter seven. Let me just say it has been a struggle the past few days to write this thing! I So many times I wanted to just stop it at certain parts but having it only four or six pages just didn't sit right with me. This chapter is a little shorter than the others, sitting at only 8,698 words total. The others have been between 9000-12,000 words but, oh well. This chapter is setting up for everything else to happen in the story. I originally thought when I first started this story that it was going to be about twenty chapters, but after writing the last chapter and half way through this chapter I realized that It wasn't going to be twenty or so chapters... the most it might be is like...maybe 12? Which will make this kind of "short" story wise but given the current word count I feel like it'll be just fine if I try to keep it to a minimum of 8500 words per chapter. I'll still try to go for at least 10,000 of course and it might just get past that with some of the chapters I have lined up.

This chapter is a little confusing but assessing when I wanted this to take place, I realized my timing was correct so I made something that has made it possible for this story to continue as is and get to where and when I wanted it get too.

So here is chapter seven! Enjoy!


I haven't left Toshirous room at all in the week that he's been here. He hasn't woken up at all and the longer that I sit here waiting, the more it worries me. I sighed as I looked up from the book I was reading to see if he woke up but he was still laying here all bandaged up. Tessai came in earlier to change his bandages. There was a knock on the door and Rangiku peaked through with a small smile.

"Nori?" She called gently and I looked over at her. "It's time that we all discuss what happened... " She said softly and I shook my head. "We really need to discuss this-"

"Not until Toshirou wakes up and all better!" I replied sharply. Rangiku sighed and nodded and closed the room. I sighed, I didn't like being sharp with people, especially Rangiku but… I didn't want to talk about any of that until Toshirou was one hundred percent alright. Besides… I don't think I'll be able to talk about what happened that night without Toshirou there anyway. I don't know why but with him there I feel like I'll be able to talk about it more smoothly with him there, it's weird and I can't explain it. "Come on, teddy bear Toshirou…." I said softly. "Please wake up." I whispered as I put my book down and sat there.

"Thought I told you, you can only call me that when you're tired from training all day?" I jumped and smiled when I saw Toshirou was looking at him with half closed eyes and a small smirk on his face.

"Toshirou!" I exclaimed as I leaned down and hugged him tightly.

"Okay, okay Yasashii!" He yelled. "I'm still injured!"

"Oh, right! I'm sorry!" I apologized as I leaned back and smiled at him. "I'm just so happy you're alright." I said to him softly, smiling gently at him. "I need to tell the others you're awake-" I said as I went to get up but he grabbed my hand to stop me. "Toshirou?"

"Yasashii…" He started, looking up at me. "Don't cry over me anymore." He said and I frowned my brows in confusion. "I don't want to see you cry over me anymore. Alright?"

"I can't help it…" I replied. "When you almost die like that, I'm going to cry because I care about you Toshirou." I confessed honestly. "Besides… I know I'm going to cry when you have to go back to the soul society and I won't be able to see you again." It was silent between the two of us after that. It was the truth, once they all do go back to the soul society, who knows if I'll ever see them again… I most likely won't. I'll still have Chad, Uryu, Orihime and Ichigo… That's for sure… But I won't have Ikkaku, or Yumichka… Or Renji or Rangiku and I won't have Toshirou anymore.

"Let's not think about that right now." He said to me and I nodded.

"Alright. Now I must get the others, there are things to be discussed." I stood up and walked to the door, after stepping out and closing it, I walked to the sitting area where everyone was sutton and waiting.

"Yasashii…" Ichigo said, causing everyone to look up and over at me.

"Toshirou is awake." I announced to them. "You all said we needed to discuss what happened, right?" I asked and they nodded, and I nodded in response before turning around and going back to the room Toshirou was resting in -hoping they'd get the hint and follow. I sat down in the place I was before and soon everyone slowly started filling the room one by one. I watched over and helped Toshirou sit up carefully and helped him stay up, it seemed he was still in some pain.

"What happened?" Ichigo got straight to the point. "Who were those guys, and why were they here?" He asked.

"He called themselves the Kui Korosu." Toshirou answered, and we all looked at him. "I've never heard of them before, but he mentioned something about eating their soul…" He continued. "He said that when they get ahold of a Shizenshi they devour their soul and absorb all their power." Everyone was quiet, and it was eery, like a weight was out on all of our shoulders.

"They don't just eat Shizenshi souls either…" I spoke up and I felt everyone's eyes on me. I looked up from the ground and looked at all of them. "They said they ate the souls of my aunt and uncle too…" I added and it felt even more heavy in the room than it did before.

"Soul eaters." Urahaha spoke up and we all looked over at him. "You guys encountered soul eaters. They haven't been seen or heard of for a really long time, at least two hundred years. They're the main reason why the Shizenshi are so rare now. They're strong because they devour the souls and spirit energy of Shizenshi. And you said that little Nori killed one?" I did?

"Yeah, he seemed to have been the team leader." Renji spoke up. "But that's one of the things we wanted to bring up-" He started then turned to me. "How did you know when to kill him?" Renji asked, and now everyone - including Toshriou - was looking at me.

"I...I don't know." I answered honestly. "I just...had this feeling that something bad was going to happen to Toshirou by that man if I didn't do something."

"Nori, did you have a vision?" Urahara asked seriously and I looked at him and shook my head while shrugging.

"I don't know…" I answered and my voice quivered. I felt smaller than I actually was under their gazes. "I just know that I had a feeling something bad was going to happen to Toshirou and when I saw him get stabbed by that…. That guy I just…" I stopped when I felt my hand being squeezed by Toshirou. He gave me a short shake of his head telling me that I didn't need to continue.

"I think you did have a vision, Nori." Orihime spoke up and we all turned to her. "I tried calling out to you before the others came to join us. You were frozen and you were staring up at the fight but...your eyes looked glazed over like you were daydreaming! Then you started crying…" Orihime spoke and I looked down to the mat.

"Yes. It was quite peculiar that you were just standing there not reacting to any of us." Uryuu spoke up, adjusting his glasses. "And now looking back at the situation, it does seem very well like you were having a vision of a death. By looking at your reaction and your actions after you snapped out of it, I'm going out on a whim here and saying that you saw Hitsugaya's death." I couldn't reply, I couldn't really do anything but stare at the mat on the floor.

"Urahara, is this common?" Rukia asked.

"No, no it isn't." He replied gravely. "It takes great skill and power to remember the visions, however most Shizenshi are not able to save the lives of the ones they have visions for. Very few instances have happened where they were able to due to the fact that the visions of the deaths happen only minutes before it happens." He answered.

"Well she saved him, so that's a good thing!" Ichigo spoke up but noticed Urahara's expression. "Right?"

"Well yes, but also no." he replied. "You see, one of the things that made Shizenshi and Soul Reapers get along so well was their views on balance of the world. A Shizenshi would see the death of a person minutes before it happens, however, as I said it isn't common for the victim to be saved." He started. "You see, most of the time when a Shizenshi was able to save someone they chose not to." Everyone gasped, and I looked up at him with wide eyes. That was awful! If you have the ability to save someone's life you should be able too! "Its playing the game of fate. When you play the game of fate you result in the disruption of balance in the world. You save a life, then someone else's life must be taken. A life for a life."

"But, Yasashii killed the other guy in place of Toshirou!" Ichigo exclaimed. "A life for a life!"

"It isn't that simple Ichigo." Urahara replied, glaring over at him. "A life for a life, yes… however it doesn't really work out that way. Who is to say that the enemy wasn't expected to die that day after Captain Hitsugaya did? What Yasashii did was disrupt the balance of life and death, she played the game of fate and as you all can recall the last time a friend played that game, didn't end too well for her." He spoke and I noticed everyone's mood dropped, especially Renji's, and Toshirous.

"But Yoruka is still alive." Renji spoke up, his voice was tight and strained as he clenched his hands into fists.

"Barely." Urahara corrected. "But we all remember how she played the game of fate to try and cheat death. She got lucky due to her heritage. Nori chose to disregard the balance of the universe. With that choice comes a grave consequence."

"Am I going to die?" I spoke up, looking at Urahara and I saw everyone look at me.

"I don't know." He replied simply. "You could die, one of us could die. A classmate could die. Who knows." He shrugged. "However no matter what, the price that is to be paid will affect you deeply." He told me. "So now I must ask you, if you knew this then...would you have made the same choice?" He asked me seriously and I looked at him like he grew six heads.

"What kind of question is that!?" I exclaimed at him. "Of course I would!" Urahara nodded and stood up.

"Well, that's that, I guess." He sighed and walked out of the room. We all sat there

dumbfounded on what had just conspired. He acted as if it was nothing! Not even a slap on the wrist!

"Well, that took an unexpected turn of events." Uryuu spoke up as he stood up as well. "If we are done here, I have homework to catch up on. We all do actually." At the mention of school all of us, except Uryuu, Orihime, Chad, and Toshirou, groaned. Soon after that everyone started leaving and before long it was just Toshirou and I alone in the room again.

"You should go home and rest." He told me seriously and I moved away from him, but didn't make any move to stand up.

"I'm not going to leave you-"

"I'm awake now, Yasashii. You don't need to worry about me any longer." He assured me as he laid back down and brought the blanket up to his chin. "Go home and rest up." He said, but it sounded more like an order. I sighed, realizing there was no point in arguing with him, I stood up and made my way out of his room.

"Toshirou-"

"What."

"You rest up too." I had said quietly before I exited his room.

•••••

It is the next day and I was up and ready very early and I was currently in the kitchen making some breakfast for Renji and I. I didn't know how I was feeling today. A part of me was happy and relieved that Toshirou was alive, awake and alright; but the other part of me was on edge about the news we learned yesterday. Have I actually altered fate? Will I have to suffer the consequences? Everyone had mentioned that someone they knew had played with fate and she had faced the consequences...but she was still alive. Everyone seemed to know her, and this girl seemed to mean a lot to Renji and Toshirou… who exactly was she?

"You're making breakfast?" I jumped and turned around and saw Renji lean against the counter with his usual frowny face.

"Oh...yeah." I nodded as I finished frying the egg. "It's almost ready, I think the rice is finished." I told him as I turned off the stove to gather the bowls. Once we piled our breakfast into the bowls, the two of us sat at the table and ate in silence. I kept glancing up at Renji. Ever since yesterday he's been a little off, more quiet and reserved than usual.

"What?" He asked and I jumped, staring at him with wide eyes. "Do you have something you want to say or what? Because all you've done since we sat down to eat was stare at me as if you have something you want to say."

"Oh...no nothing, I'm just lost in my thoughts. Sorry." I apologized quickly, I could feel my cheeks heat up and I stared down at my breakfast. Renji scoffed and continued to eat. After breakfast we left my house and made our way to Urahara's. "Renji." I spoke up, looking up at him.

"Hm?"

"Yesterday… you guys said you had a friend that played with fate….Yoruka." I started and I saw Renji stop walking, and I stopped a few paces ahead before turning to him. His gaze was cast down and you could clearly see his body had tensed up.

"Yeah. What about her?" He asked sourly. I bit my lip and looked down to the ground nervously.

"What happened to her?"

"She died." He answered bluntly. "Then came back to life. It's a lot more complicated but that's jist of it for you." I looked up at him with sad eyes and he took a deep breath and sighed, his body relaxing a little. "She was a moron and did something even though we told her not too… but we all understood and we tried to help her, but it seemed like we were too late. Her mother was able to bring her back to life but…"

"But what?" I asked but then his body tensed up again and I saw his fists clench.

"Nothing." He snapped as he pushed past me and I stood there in shock for a moment. I could still feel the part where his arm brushed up against my shoulder harshly. I turned around and jogged to catch up to him.

"Is she your friend?" I asked, getting the feeling he didn't want to talk about what happened to her. Renji scoffed.

"I guess you can call her that." He answered. "She's more of a pest if I'm honest." He sighed as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. I smiled softly up at him. I could see his facial expression soften as he began thinking about her - I presumed at least.

"Are you sure she's just a pest?" I asked and he looked down at me and returned my soft smile.

"You haven't met her." He reiterated, his smile growing a little more before he turned and looked ahead.

"How do you two know each other?"

"The Shinigami academy. We were in the same class actually. She sat in front of me most days in most classes. She sucked at Kendo classes and a couple people picked on her but I stepped up once it got out of hand. Ever since she's been a thorn in my side." He sighed whimsically and I couldn't help but smile. I looked at him and couldn't help but think that these were terms of endearment rather than annoyance. "But where she lacked in sword fighting she made up in the classroom. I helped her with Kendo and she helped me with tests. She's no genius but she knew how to study and she made sure I knew how too as well. But the best part was when she came into class and handed me a boxed lunch she had made special every morning." He said, but his smile had faltered and now Renji looked sad.

"Sounds like you miss her." I said quietly to him and he glared at me and scoffed.

"As if."

"She sounds like she's more than a friend Renji." I said simply and Renji stopped and his glare hardened.

"You don't know her or our relationship, Yasashii." He snapped and I looked at him wide eyed. "So keep your comments to yourself." And with that I knew I must've crossed a line with him. Oops.

"Sorry." I apologized quietly as I walked with him again. "Was Yoruka and Toshirou close friends too?" I asked curiously.

"Ask him yourself." With that it was silent the rest of the walk to Urahara's. Once we got there I took off my shoes and walked straight to Toshirou's room but before I could open the door a hand touched my shoulder.

"What's up with Renji?" Rukia asked me with concern.

"Yeah he seems like he's in a bad mood." Ichigo scoffed. "Not like that's anything new." He yelped in pain when Rukia elbowed him in the stomach.

"I think he's thinking about your friend. Yoruka I believe." I replied with a small smile. "He's been reserved all morning." I said, leaving out the information about the conversation we had on our way here.

"Ah...that'll do it." Rukia sighed. "Thank you." She smiled at me softly before walking away - probably to find Renji I believe.

"Did something happen to you and Renji today?" Ichigo asked me curiously and I shook my head.

"No why?"

"I don't know… you just seem a bit off, so does Renji."

"We just talked about Yoruka on the way here, that's all." I shrugged. "Anyway, I'm going to talk to Toshirou. Excuse me." I smiled as I opened up the door to the room he was recovering in and closed it behind me. There Toshirou was, sitting up in the bed reading a book. It was the book I had left here yesterday. "Good morning Toshirou!" I greeted him with a big smile. He looked up at stared at me, his eyes a little wider than usual.

"Yasashii. What are you doing here?" He asked. "I figured you'd be at school today." He finished and I shook my head.

"Nope. I'm here today." I smiled at him as I walked over and sat on the floor beside his futon.

"You should really be at school today, Yasashii. Just because I am injured does not mean you can slack on your studies."

"I've been out of school for a week Toshirou. A couple more days won't hurt me at all, alright? So stop nagging." I said to him simply with a deadpan expression. "Anyway….there was something I wanted to ask you, it was on my mind all morning."

"And that is?"

"Who is Yoruka exactly?" I asked him simply and he looked down to the closed book on his lap, he seemed sad. I saw his hands clench into a fist. "Renji didn't really answer me much, he just told me how he knew her… and that she was a pest." I added.

"Yoruka is…" He started then paused. I saw his knuckles turn white and he closed his eyes, taking a few deep breaths. Relaxing his hands he took a deep breath and sighed before opening up his eyes to look at me. "Her name is - was - Murasaki Yoruka. I'll presume Renji had answered the jist of what had happened to her?" He asked and I nodded. "Well… actually, quite recently, she is my sister. By blood at least. Before I had considered her my older sister anyway since we had lived together with our grandmother and our friend Hinamori. We were very close." He answered me and I got the hint that was all I was going to get from him and I nodded, accepting his information.

Toshirou and I sat for hours, he was going over my training plans that he had made for me. I was getting a lot stronger, I have to admit. I was nowhere near as strong as anyone else but I was able to handle my own, but that wasn't good enough. Especially after the night a week ago.

Suddenly the door slammed open and Ichigo stormed in and he was in his Shinigami attire. "Yasashii." He started, his eyes narrowed and I took a deep breath. "We need to go. Now. There's been an attack. I stood up quickly and jumped over Toshirou. "Toshirou what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Ichigo exclaimed. I turned around and saw Toshirou trying to stand up.

"I'm going with you-"

"No you aren't!" I exclaimed, glaring at him, shocking both Ichigo and Toshirou.

"Bu-"

"No buts Toshirou! You've only just woken up and you're still recovering."

"Yasashii, I do not need so long to recover from battle. I am a captain, I take half the time to recover from an injury than most Shinigami."

"No, Toshirou. You're staying here."

"I'm not going to just sit here and play the waiting game, waiting for you to return."

"You're staying here!"

"I'm not letting you go out there without me, Yasashii! I can't protect you from here." My harsh gaze turned into shock as I stared at him with wide eyes; after a couple of seconds my eyes softened at him. Toshirou's eyes widened in realization of what he said, his cheeks turned pink and he crossed his arms, looking away from me.

"Toshirou...I appreciate you wanting to keep me safe, to protect me…" I started as I sat down on my knees and rested my hands on his crossed forearms. "But I won't be alone out there, okay. Besides… I need to start learning to fight battles on my own. You've trained me, Toshirou… you, and everyone else has helped me become stronger and even though I'm not as strong as you all yet...have faith in your abilities of being a great teacher. Trust me to look after myself because one day you will not be here anymore and I will have to start fending for myself." I said to him softly. "Trust me Captain Hitsugaya." I smiled at him and He looked at me, his cheeks still a little pink. Toshirou sighed before turning to Ichigo with a stern gaze. Oh yeah...Ichigo is here...I forgot. He looked at us with a shocked expression.

"Kurosaki-" Ichigo blinked and focused on Toshirou. "If she comes back half dead, I'll freeze you to a chair for a hundred years." He threatened. I had to force myself to not laugh at Ichigo's face and Toshirou's threat. "Got it?"

"Yeah." He nodded seriously. I smiled at Toshirou and stood up but Toshirou grabbed my hand.

"Go in with a clear mind, focus only on the enemy. Do not get distracted by anything or anyone, that will only get you killed. Got it?" He told me and I stared at him before nodding. He was telling me to be careful. I gave him one last smile before I walked away from him, letting his hand drop from mine and mine drop to my side; then I followed Ichigo out of the room. I saw everyone was ready and I took a deep breath and nodded to them.

"Is it a good idea for Yasashii to come with us?" I heard Yumichika mumble to Renji and Ikkaku but I chose not to look in his direction.

"Her training isn't complete yet but-" Renji started.

"But nothing. She's gotta learn and buck up. She isn't going to get stronger if she isn't out there. Training complete or not. She isn't going to be a baby for the rest of her life." Ikkaku grumbled and I sighed. Thanks Ikkaku. Minutes later we all set out to the out towards where the Hollows were but as we got there we were shocked to see other people there but they weren't soul reapers…

"Well well...it seems like our plan has worked." A woman with long brown hair looked down at us and smirked.

"Yes, you're right Hiyomi." A familiar voice said, my eyes widened when the figure turned around and I saw who it was. Mr. Tanaka. "It did work. Drawing you Shinigami out is as easy as seeing if a child would like a chocolate bar." He scoffed before laughing. "Pathetic really. And you all have brought little Nori Yasashii with you. I'm glad, I guess it was a true success." He smirked. I gulped and I could feel my hands begin to shake. Ichigo and Renji stood in front of me, blocking me from their view.

"Orihime-" Uryuu whispered, causing both Orihime and I to look at him. "Take Yasashii back to Urahara's once we start to distract them. Understand?" He asked and Orihime nodded. I wanted to protest but I knew I was over my head with this. A few hollows would be different, but hollows and these soul eaters? No. I was nowhere near ready. Hollows came to attack, Ikkaku and Yumichika went first, slicking one down each with only one swoop of their swords, then Rukia and Rangiku next after them. Uryuu looked at Orihime and I and nodded, we got the hint that now was the time to leave. So as more hollows began coming, Orihime and I turned around and began to run but we slid to a stop when we saw Mr. Tanaka appear before us.

"Ah ah, Nori. Why are you leaving the party so soon?" He asked with a smirk, and I glared at him. "After two great years together and this is how you are treating me?" He asked with a smirk. "Now, now Nori… I know you have better manners than this, what would your aunt and uncle say to this behavior?" He taunted.

"I wouldn't know. You killed them a long time ago." I sneered at him and he just laughed.

"Oh...yes, I suppose I did. My bad." He continued to laugh. I gripped my bracelet in my hand and focused my spiritual pressure on changing it but I felt a force knock me off my feet and I flew at least twenty feet away and landed on my back. Letting out a cry of pain I laid there for a second before I gripped my bracelet again, focusing my spiritual energy on it once again. "Well look at that… she's weaker than I expected. You all made it seem like she was powerful! I guess Hodorimaru was simply weak." Tanaka cackled. I stood up and pulled back the arrow I mustered up from my spiritual energy and I shot it, aiming for his cheek. He stopped laughing and stared in shock at me, the arrow had grazed his cheek and blood was trickling down his cheek.

"Your warning." I sneered through my teeth. "Next time I'll aim for the heart."

"Oh, look at you trying to act all tough." Tanaka mocked and I took an arrow out of the quiver, aiming it at his chest. "You won't be able to shoot me." He scoffed. Pulling back a bit more, I released it, seeing the pale blue spiritual energy surround it. His eyes widened as he quickly stepped out of the way. In the blink of an eye I felt hands grab me at my throat and lift me up in the air. "I have you in my clutches now." He smirked and his grip on my throat tightened, blocking my airways.

"Let her go you bastard!" Ichigo shouted, I could make out that he was running towards us with his sword but he was stopped by another soul eater. I was starting to feel light headed, and my vision was beginning to get blurry, and I could feel that my body as starting to go into panic mode. Fight or flight and my body was fighting. I swung my legs and kicked him hard, causing him to loosen his grip and I kicked him again and broke away from him. I ran around him, grabbing an arrow from my quiver and aimed it at a Hollow that was making it way to Orihime. The hollow burst into blue sparkles - at least that's what it looked like to me.

"Nori look out!" Orihime exclaimed, I turned around just in time to dodge an attack from one of Tanaka's soul eaters.

"You're such a nuisance." He complained as he ran towards me. I panicked and ran away from him. I ran towards Ikkaku, mustering as much energy and willpower as I can to make my legs go faster until I was behind him.

"Wha? Yasashii?" He blinked and he saw the enemy behind me. I saw that his face changed from confusion to a sinister grin as he pointed his zanpakutou in the direction of me and the guy behind me. In a blink of an eye Ikkaku was behind me and was already fighting him. I stopped and took a deep breath. I reached to grab an arrow and aimed it at the last hollow but Uryuu got to it first. I looked all around, we were ambushed by these soul eaters. We were all barely able to fight them off and the hollows all at once but with Uryuu and Chad focusing on the hollows it left everyone else able to fight the soul eaters. I saw one of them run towards Orihime, noticing no one was going to get to her in time. I aimed my arrow at the woman and released.

An ear piercing scream filled the area of the city we were in. Everyone stopped and stared at the woman I just shot and her body combusted into spiritual energy. Tanaka looked for me and his eyes met mine and all he could do was stare me in shock. I reached for another arrow and aimed it at the man who was sneaking up on Rukia. Right in the chest, and he exploded into spiritual energy.

Turning to look at Tanaka again I glared at him. "You didn't believe me when I gave you my first warning, Tanaka. Now I have given you two more." I sneered at him. "Leave. And I swear the next time we meet in combat I will be ten times stronger than I am right now, and I will be strong enough to kill you, you bastard." I promised him.

"I'll hold you too that Yasashii Nori." He sneered at me. "Next time I won't underestimate you." he then glared at his soul eaters. "Move out." And with that they were gone.

"What...what just happened?!" Ikkaku exclaimed angrily. "God damn bastards! Running away." He screamed. I sighed, only he would be angry the enemy fell back. I felt myself fall to the floor and I sat there, catching my breath. I was starting to feel a little light headed; maybe it was all the adrenaline finally leaving my body and I was starting to feel the actual effects of what had happened.

"Yasashii!"

"Nori!" I heard people yell simultaneously. I looked up and saw Orihime, Rangiku, Ichigo and Rukia run to me. Orihime sat down on her knees in front of me and looked at me with worry. "Are you alright?" She had asked me and I nodded.

"Yeah, I should be fine. Just a little light headed and tired is all." I assured her but I saw the look of worry on all of them. "What?"

"Your neck…" Rukia replied quietly and I blinked in confusion. "It's all bruised." I nodded, I figured it would be, the bastard did have me in a choke hold.

"It's okay. It'll heal." I waved her off as I tried to stand up but Orihime and Rukia took hold of me when I started to wobble.

"Put her on my back, it'll be faster for us all." Ichigo sighed and with the help of Orihime and Rukia, I climbed onto Ichigo's back.

•••••

"Will you all shut up already?" I heard a familiar voice snap and the chatter around quieted down.

"Aw, would you look at that everyone! Captain is worried for her." That was Rangiku teasing Toshirou I'm sure.

"Of course I am! I tell you all to keep watch of her and you bring her bruised and unconscious!" Toshiro snapped.

"Captain Hitsugaya, Nori is only passed out due to exhaustion, she should be waking up any minute now." Rukia said calmly.

"She's right Captain. Nori is going to be just fine!"

"Doesn't explain the bruising on her neck." Toshirou grumbled.

"It'll fade." I whispered as I cracked open my eyes and tried to smile up at Toshirou.

"Yasashii, you're awake." Toshirou announced and I could see the small smile appearing on his lips.

"Yeah, barely though. I could sleep for a hundred years if I'm being honest." I exaggerated as I tried to sit up and managed to do with Toshirou's help.

"Your spiritual energy was too low, that's why you passed out. You overworked yourself out there." Rangiku told me softly and I nodded.

"Yeah...but it got them to leave."

"But not for long." Renji spoke up from the door where Urahara and Tessai stood behind him. I blinked at him, unsure of what he was talking about but the red haired man held up a piece of paper.

"What's that?" I asked, sort of fearing what it is.

"A note from Tanaka." Urahara answered gravely as he walked further into the room. "He has set up the date in which the two of you will battle." I blinked. "October thirty-first"

"What?! But it's way past November third isn't it!?" I exclaimed and I looked around at everyone who looked down. "What?"

"It's October twenty-fifth, Yasashii." Renji replied and I was beyond confused.

"But my birthday was a week and a half ago!? How is this even possible?" I exclaimed but everyone kept quiet.

"You see Nori...it may have seemed like a week a half to you but really only a few hours have past in real time." Urahara started but I just looked at him like he was a lunatic. "You see I have put Karakura town into a time lock, it's slowed down time in the real world for every three days for us it would be an hour in real time. I set it up the night I told you about what you are!" What! That….that was like two weeks ago! I thought. I thought back, the day I found out what I was, it had been only three days after everyone had gotten here. They arrived on October 19th...I found out on the twenty-first...now its the twenty-fifth… so all of this has been happening in actually a span of four and a half days! I clenched my eyes shut and held my head in my hands.

"Why….why did you do this?" I asked in a whisper.

"Things aren't going all too well in the Soul Society right now." Urahara stated. "We are on the brink of war, and with finding out we not only have Aizen to look out for, we now find out that there is a Shizenshi and soul eaters running about… that is too much to take in at one time to prepare for the war that is about to come. So with permission from Grand Commander Yamamoto, I have placed a time slowing spell on Karakura. It is giving us enough time to prepare you, and prepare ourselves for the war that lies ahead. We were all under strict orders not to tell you and act as if nothing had changed." He explained and I just rubbed my temples. My head was really starting to hurt. I stood up from my futon and pushed past Urahara.

"Yasashii!" Renji called out and rested his hand on my shoulder to stop me. "Just wait a moment. We have to start planning your-" I didn't let him finish before I pushed his hand off my shoulder and glared at him

"Shut up!" I shouted. "Just SHUT UP! I don't want to hear it from you!" I yelled at him and then turned to my so called friends. "Or from any of you!" I glared at them all, turned around and stormed out of the room and out of the shop. I wonder if Ichigo knew, or Orihime...or any of my classmates. Speaking of them where were they? I sighed as I continued to walk down the street. I saw my house at the end of the street and stopped when I realized that they might pay me a visit tonight to try and talk, but honestly I didn't want to deal with any of them. So once I reached my house I packed a bag of school things and two uniforms. I was going to stay at a friends house.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door and waited for a few minutes before it opened. "Yasashii?" I smiled softly at Keigo.

"Hey… I know this is last minute...but something came up and I was wondering if I could crash here for a night or two…" I asked quietly.

"Uh...sure! Come right in!" Keigo smiled and opened the door wider for me to come in.

"Thanks… It really means a lot, Keigo." I thanked him.

"No problem Yasashii! There isn't a lot of room so the only thing we have to offer is the couch."

"That's fine Keigo, really. The couch will be just fine." I smiled at him and set my bag down on the floor beside the couch. "I'm imposing as it is, so really this is fine." I waved him off. "Lets get ready for bed, we have to wake up early tomorrow for school!" I said with some enthusiasm which caused Keigo to groan and mumble something.

"Yeah, yeah….goodnight." he mumbled as he walked to his room. I sighed and took out the blanket from my bag and laid down on the couch.

•••••

With Keigo, we went to school the next day, and it doesn't surprise me that none of the soul reapers weren't there. Good. I could have a nice normal day at school once again. I sighed as I sat in my desk, ready for a normal boring day at school. I looked at the board and it read November 9th on it, so we were still stuck in a time freeze I was taking it. School went on as it normally did, long, and boring, filled with writing a lot of notes of things I'll never understand but I have to say….it felt nice to just have a boring day. No hollows, no soul reapers, no soul eaters. Nothing weird was happening and it was so nice. I almost forgot how this was, how much I kind of enjoyed it.

Oh who was I kidding. I hated this. It was boring and all I found myself wanting was to go out there and train to get ready for Tanaka and the other soul eaters. I sighed as I slipped my outside shoes on and put my inside ones inside my locker.

"You coming Yasashii?" I looked over to Keigo and Mizuiro who were walking out of the entrance way. "We're going to hit the arcade, you wanna come?" Keigo asked with a smile and I smiled back but shook my head.

"No thank you, you two go ahead." I told them and Keigo shrugged.

"Okay, see you around." Keigo and Mizuiro waved and I waved back before sighing. Walking out of the school entrance I stopped walking when I noticed a pair of shoes in front of me. I looked up and stared in shock when I saw that it was Toshirou with crossed arms and a scowl on his face.

"Are you an idiot?" He asked me sourly and I blinked.

"No…"

"Then explain to me why you decided to run off like that last night? And why you are out in the open just waiting to be attacked by the enemy! How irresponsible can you be Yasashii!" He scolded and I looked down at the ground in shame, not knowing what to say to him. "Do you know how worried I was when I went to your home and did not find you there! I thought Tanaka and his soul eaters had gotten you, or worse Aizen!" He shouted at me and I shuffled awkwardly, not knowing what to say or do to him. "So, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"I'm sorry…" I mumbled. Damn it Toshirou Hitsugaya, making me feel guilty for being angry. "I just… needed time to myself to process everything…" I added and looked up at him in time to see his scowl soften and he sighed.

"Whatever. Just don't do it again, okay?" He said and I nodded. "Come on, lets go." He turned around and motioned for me to follow after him.

"Where are we going?" I asked as we started walking out of the school courtyard.

"To have something you humans call fun." He replied and I looked at him with confusion. I didn't say anything but I stopped walking and stared at him. "What?" He asked, turning to look at me.

"We're going to have fun?" I asked, really confused.

"Yes. Now shut up and lets go Yasashii." He grumbled as he grabbed my hand and led me down the sidewalk. I couldn't help but smile as we walked down the street. Toshirou stopped at an arcade and I stared up at it with confusion. "This is what humans your age like to do for fun right?" He asked and I nodded. "Lets go then." I blinked and then followed after him. I had to surpass a laugh when I saw his expression when we walked in. His eye was twitching in annoyance from all the squealing and the sounds and the light. "What is this place?"

"An arcade, Toshirou. You play games and some games you play to try to win prizes like these!" I told him as I pointed to the crane games.

"You play to win these prizes?" He asked as he walked over and studied them.

"Mhm! But it's super hard and hardly anyone ever actually wins. It just likes to eat up your money." I told him.

"I'm a genius Yasashii. A silly human game won't best me." He scoffed as he put in a hundred yen and went to play. He smirked when the claw landed on a white cat but the moment then claw went up it let go of the stuffed animal and Toshirou's grin faltered and he glared at the machine "What is this trickery?! I had that stupid cat." He grumbled as he fished in for some more coins to try to win. I held a hand up to my mouth to stifle the giggles as I watched him to continuously play the game to try and win. Each time he failed.

After watching for half an hour I sighed and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Toshirou, maybe it's time to come to the realization that you're not going to win that cat." I said gently.

"No. I am going to win, I will not let some machine get the better of me, Nori." He grumbled and I stared at him in shock. He called me Nori. I smiled softly and I took step back and let him continue to lose. "Yes!" He exclaimed. I jumped and looked up in time to see the white stuffed cat he's been trying to get fell into the whole and Toshirou bent down and pulled it out of the machine. "I told you I wouldn't let a machine best me, Nori." I laughed and nodded.

"Yup. Sorry for doubting your genius skills, Toshirou." I shook my head but stared in surprise when I saw that Toshirou was handing me the stuffed cat. "You sure?" I asked. "I mean you did spend almost an hour trying to get this thing…"

"Yes, Yasashii...I'm sure. I have no such need for childish things." He told me and I blinked. Ah...so he caught on that he was calling me Nori, then… darn. I smiled and took the stuffed cat and held it close to my chest. "Let's go." he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets and walked out of the arcade; I sighed and followed after him. We made our way down the sidewalk in silence once again and every so often Toshirou would check the time on his soul reaper cell phone.

Along the way we had stopped for some food and Toshirou fought with me on who was paying but in the end he won. It was no sunset and we were walking to the train station and I looked over at him, seeing his face in the sunset light once again blew me away. I stopped walking for a moment to look at him. He turned around to look at me and I could feel my breath get caught in my throat. He raised an eyebrow at me and I coudn't do anything but blink. It has hit me... This fluttering in my chest, the fast beating heart I'm having everytime he looks at me… my hands feeling sweaty from nerves… the never dying need to be beside him at all costs… There was no denying it now… I was undoubtedly, in love with Toshirou Hitsugaya. I thought love didn't come until after months and months of knowing someone and months and months of dating them! I can't be in love with him!

But I know I am...and he'll be leaving soon… what have I gotten myself into?

"Yasashii!" I blinked.

"What?"

"What is it?"

"Oh nothing Toshirou. Don't worry about it! I was just thinking about what's up ahead...that's all." I waved him off and caught up to him. "There's a lot to think about." I said to him and he nodded as we continued to walk.

"I apologize for keeping the time still from you." He spoke after a few minutes of silence after we got our tickets and sat on a bench to wait for our train.

"I get it….you were under strict orders from the Soul Society to keep it from me…" I shook my head and gave him a small smile.

"Starting tomorrow we are going to be doubling your training. The time still is still in place long enough to get you strong enough to face Tanaka. So there is no need to worry, Yasashii." He assured me but I shook my head.

"I don't need to worry so much so long as I have you around Toshirou." I smiled at him and I saw some pink flood onto his cheeks which caused me to giggle.

"Shut up." He grumbled as he crossed his arms and looked away from me; it only caused me to laugh some more. "I mean it Nori, shut it!" He snapped and it only made me laugh harder. I heard him sigh and after a minute or so later I had calmed down my laughter and rested my head on his shoulder. I felt him tense up for a moment but then he relaxed. We sat like that in silence for a little while.

"Oh my gosh! Do you see those two!" I heard one girl say, and I peaked over across from us to see two girls looking at Toshirou and I. I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to ignore them.

"Yeah! Do you wonder if they've done it yet?" the other girl asked and I felt my face heat up.

"Oh yeah, they've totally done it. I mean do you see how she's laying on his shoulder and his arm is kind of around her? There is no way they haven't done it before." the first girl laughed softly and I wanted to tell them to shut up.

"Ignore them." Toshirou told me quietly and I moved to look up at him and stared at him. Toshirou had this strange look in his eyes.

"Hey Toshirou…" I whispered.

"What is it, Yasashii?"

"Was today a date?" I asked and he stared at me for a minute before nodding his head.

"Yes I'd say that it was." He answered and I smiled at him.

"Okay." I nodded and leaned my head back on his shoulder. It didn't last long before our train arrived and we boarded it. The train ride was silent and when we arrived at our stop we hopped off and walked home. It was dark now and a little chilly.

"Here." Toshiro said as he handed me his jacket.

"Won't you be cold?" I asked him and he shook his head.
"You forget my zanpakuto is an ice zanpakuto. The cold doesn't bother me, Yasashii." He told me and I nodded as I took his jacket and put it on. We continued to walk in silence for a little while and then I saw my house up ahead. Toshirou stopped and I walked into his back but he grabbed my hands to make sure I didn't lose my balance. I stared up at him and Toshirou had the same strange look in his eye that he had at the train station. I stared up at him with wide eyes and before I could say anything, Toshirou leaned in and kissed me. I closed my eyes and I kissed him back. My first kiss. But it was over as soon as it had happened, but I swear it lasted forever. I looked up at him with confusion.

"This was our first and last kiss, Yasashii." He told me sternly and I was confused. "This never happened, and will not be spoken about to anyone else, understand?" He asked me and I nodded. "Come October 31st...the real October 31st… when you defeat Tanaka, I will be going back to the Soul Society… and all the feelings must go away. Understand?" He asked me seriously and I nodded. Of course I understood, how could I not with the those thoughts have been looming inside. "Lets get you to bed." He sighed and took my hand we walked to my house in silence.

I walked up to my door and went to say goodnight to Toshirou but he was already gone. I sighed and walked in only to find Renji and Rukia waiting for me in my living room.

"Yasashii!" Rukia exclaimed as she ran up to me and hugged me. I blinked in confusion. "You're alright! We've been worried about you. Renji and I have been hoping you'd come back home."

"Oh...yeah...I'm fine. I stayed at a friends house….and went to school. To-Hitsugaya brought me home." I told her with a small smile.

"Are you alright, Yasashii?" Rukia asked me with concern and I nodded.

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"You're crying…" Rukia replied softly and I raised my hands to my face and I felt wet tears on my cheeks… I guess I was crying.

"I've realized that soon all this will be over and soon you all will be gone…" I whispered before I latched onto Rukia and cried into her shoulder. "Soon almost all my friends will be gone and I'll probably never see you all again." I cried and I felt her rub my back.

"It'll be okay Nori." Rukia replied quietly.

Apart of me wanted to believe Rukia...but another part of me knew that it wasn't true… none of this is okay… and in a few short weeks, it's going to all be over with and even though I'll still have Chad, Uryuu, Orihime and Ichigo… it won't be the same without Rangiku, Renji...Rukia, Yumichika and Ikkaku….especially it won't' be the same without Toshirou.