All credit for Bleach goes to Tite Kubo.

I can't believe all the nice reviews this story has gotten! Thanks guys! And apparently this fic is in a community now!

Chapter notes: Occurs after episode 239. Variety is always good...but sometimes you've just gotta stick to the classics. Once again, guys, I haven't seen this arc yet, so anything I write stands a good chance of not being what actually happens. Just think of it as an AU. ;) This is softer/less angsty than what I usually write, but I got the idea into my head and well, you know how that goes...


The last thing I remembered was sudden, freezing cold and the crushing weight of ice all around me. I didn't realize I had passed out, but next thing I knew I was waking up, cradled in somebody's arms. Even though my body was drained and weak, I felt calm and happy, and it only took me a moment to figure out why – Hyorinmaru. He was back. He remembered me. I could feel him in my mind again.

And yet he was still here, in physical form. It was him carrying me, his arms holding me so tightly – surprisingly warm, for an ice spirit. I wondered where we were going; decided I didn't really care. Not as long as he was here to drive away the last of the emptiness that had formed when he separated from me.

I knew I should let him know I was awake and unhurt. I should open my eyes and ask what happened. I would see the recognition in his face; hear him call me by name again.

But then there would be all the tangled emotions of our strange situation to deal with. There would be mysteries to solve and foes to defeat. If I opened my eyes, it would end this peaceful, tender moment that really shouldn't exist between weapon and warrior.

Hyorinmaru could probably tell that I was awake by now, but if he did, he gave no sign of it. So maybe I would keep my eyes closed for just a little while longer.