Hitsugaya walked into the room slowly. He saw Kokoro lying in her bed breathing slowly. She looked paler than usual, which worried Hitsugaya a bit. He went to her side and she turned her head and looked at him,

"Toshiro…" she said weakly.

"Shh, save your strength we can talk later." He said not wanting to strain her too much. She slowly shook her head, she needed to talk to him now is she ever wanting things to be better.

"You disserve an answer from me…it's the least I owe you." She said trying to sit up to talk. Knowing he wouldn't win this battle with her, Hitsugaya gently helped her to sit up. She seemed so fragile, almost as if she would break. "W-when I went to Karakura Town, I went to control the…" Kokoro paused for a moment; she had a hard time breathing. She always did after an attack.

"Just take your time." Hitsugaya told her. It was enough letting her sit up and talk to him, just doing that probably wore her out.

"I was sent to control the hollow numbers…and right around the time I was supposed to come back there…there was a huge hollow attacking a kid. I-I couldn't let the hollow hurt the kid so I…I let the hollow hit me instead…" Hitsugaya's eyes widened. He finally knew how she got those scars. "Its claws hit me through the chest, but I survived only because Mr. Urahara saved me and brought me to Mr. Tessai. He healed me, but it told a few weeks before I woke up…even then I still needed rest. Then I heard you were promoted to third seat and I just thought…I thought you made it because I wasn't there to hold you back…" Hitsugaya listened carefully, "I decided that because of my injuries and because you were better without me…that I would stay with Mr. Urahara and help him at his store. It was the least I could do after he saved me." Kokoro finished. She looked at Hitsugaya; he had an unreadable look on his face. It's as if he understood, but there was still something deep inside that was left still unanswered. "I'm sorry." she said quietly.

"Sorry? Sorry for what?" he asked.

"I'm sorry for lying to you…I'm sorry for being possibly the worst friend a person could ask for…I'm sorry I didn't come back…I broke my promise and I never should have. I'm so, so sorry" Kokoro said with tears in her eyes. She quickly wiped them away, she had enough embarrassment for the day, she didn't need to cry in front of her friend. Hitsugaya's eyes softened for a moment, she looked so upset and he knew she was truly sorry for what she did. After all she was young at the time, so she may not have had great judgment. He put his hands on her trembling shoulders and made her look up at him. Hot tears stained her pretty face,

"You don't have to be sorry anymore…" he told her looking her in the eyes. She nodded, but turned her eyes away from his, "Hey…look at me Kokoro." He ordered gently. She turned back to him, "I was never truly angry…I was confused…I thought I had done something to push you away and I…I was angry at myself for losing you…I took it out on you, but I shouldn't have…it was stupid of me to do so." he admitted. Kokoro smiled a bit at this, but a sharp pain erupted in her chest from strain. She winced and put a hand where the pain came from; Hitsugaya instantly took her hand by instinct. Not realizing it, Kokoro squeezed his hand tightly. Knowing he wouldn't leave her side helped more than any medicine ever could. "Do you remember back in school?" Hitsugaya asked trying to get her mind off the pain in her chest. She nodded, "I remember you always got better grades than me in kido." He smiled trying to help her as best he could. She nodded, with tears still in her eyes. "Remember how we met?" Hitsugaya asked. She nodded,

"Y-you saved me from that bully…" she answered weakly, but then the pain silenced her again.

"That's right; he bullied you every day until I came to Shino Academy." Hitsugaya retold the story of how they met to her. It seemed to help her with the pain, "And remember the day we met Kusaka? He really liked you." Hitsugaya told her. After talking about numerous things they did in school, the pain in Kokoro's chest eventually dwindled down, but she didn't let go of Hitsugaya's hand.

"Captain…" she whispered

"What is it?" he asked quickly, hoping there wasn't something wrong

"I missed you a lot when I was gone." Kokoro said with her tears still sparkling in her eyes.

"I missed you too." He told her softly. Kokoro let her tears fall down her cheeks right now all she felt like doing was crying. She was so happy she had her friend back, and she didn't have any more words to describe how she felt. Crying was the only way to release all of her feelings. Her sudden tears took the young captain by surprise. Forgetting all of her embarrassment, she leaned into her captain, despite his usual lack of emotions. At first he was surprised, but then he knew just letting her cry was the best way to make her feel better. He awkwardly put and arm around her, he didn't usually comfort crying girls, not even Momo, with her he'd usually rub everything off as nothing so she wouldn't feel bad anymore. "Calm down Kokoro, everything's fine now, okay. So just calm down, there's nothing to be upset about, okay." He told her pulling her closer to him.

"I know, but I just…I…" Kokoro didn't finish because she just hugged her friend tightly around the waist, "I'm just glad to be here again." She said through her tears. He was surprised by her hug, but sighed knowing she couldn't talk anymore. He patted her back until her tears finally came to an end.

"Are you alright now, Kokoro? Kokoro?" he looked down at the girl and realized she had fallen asleep holding onto him. He couldn't help, but break his icy exterior for a moment and smile at her. She looked so peaceful, but so happy at the same time. He unwrapped her arms from him and laid her back down in her bed. She needed rest and she wouldn't get it if she was latched to him like that. As he started to walk away he realized that she had still not released his hand. Who knew having him there with her would make her so content and peaceful? Hitsugaya sighed as he took a seat next to her bed, realizing he wouldn't get his hand back for a few hours. He found as the night went by he didn't really mind.

A/N: This is more of a fluffy chapter between two friends mostly thinking about how they met at first. It isn't really that interesting, but I thought it was pivotal that they have a talk with one another. Review please! : )