A/N: Here is the next chapter!

ooOOoo

It has been a couple of months since the end of the Winter War, and things are just now starting to calm down. Those first couple weeks were rather boring for me, but Toshirou and the other Shinigami were running around like crazy people. The hours following the battle were the worst. The Shinigami had to collect their injured and return them to the Soul Society. At the same time others were preparing to return Karakura Town to the living world. At first they insisted that I stay out of it, but after Unahana saw that I was a capable healer she allowed me to help with the injured. I was only able to help after I went home and got some rest though, because my power at that time was just about dry. Toshiro was adamant about helping with the clean up as well, but I was thankfully able to convince him to come home with me to get some rest. Of course that was only after I told him that Matsumoto was recovering at my apartment.

I found out later that I should have warned Toshiro who else was at my apartment, because he almost caused Gin to revisit his deathbed. Toshiro's outburst had caused the kids from my school to leave rather quickly, but it really was for the best. I was kind of glad that his power levels were low because I'm pretty sure that my house would have looked like a winter wonderland had they not been. I had always guessed that my Shinigami was protective of those he held close, but I learned just how far he would go that day. I had to physically restrain him to get him to calm down and listen to reason. He was there when Matsumoto was recovering from Gin's initial betrayal, so he was more than ready to slit the guy's throat when he saw that he was still alive.

It took all my strength to hold him pinned the floor while I tried to reason with him. I finally had to raise my voice at him to get him to listen to me. When I finally had his attention I explained to him that he was obviously willing to do a lot for those that he cared about and considered a friend. I then asked him to think about what he would do if it meant protecting the one that he loved. Then his eyes widened as he began connecting the dots. He knew how much Matsumoto cared for Gin, but he obviously didn't think that Gin held those same feelings.

Once that was settled we both finally got some much deserved rest. Unfortunately we were only able to sleep for a few hours because the cleanup still needed doing and we really didn't want people to come looking at my apartment. We decided it would be best if Gin hid out at my apartment until things cooled down and we could figure out our next move with him. For a week or so after that he lived with me and recovered. Once he was back to full strength I snuck him to my family shrine so he wouldn't be cooped up in my small apartment until we knew our next course of action. He has been a big help around the shrine since my grandfather is aging. He was more than happy to help my family as thanks for saving his life. I'm pretty sure that he is still in shock from that, and I'm not sure if he will ever get over it. He has spent his entire Shinigami life sneaking around and now he actually free to live a little. I was glad that I was able to help someone that was willing to go that far to protect the person they cared about, but that look on Matsumoto's face when she woke up to find him very much alive was the best.

ooOOoo

Currently I am headed to Urahara's shop to meet up with Toshiro and see his head captain. The more urgent things that needed taking care of after the war are done, and the head captain wishes to meet with me. The last time a meeting similar to this occurred they tried messing with my memories and sending me home. I have come to understand their reasoning for doing this before, but I hope because things are not so dire anymore that they will not do something similar. Toshiro has told me many times that Shinigami are not supposed to interact with humans let alone be in a relationship with one. The first time he told me this I feared he would leave me, but he has never given any indication that he would. I really hope that the fact I helped them take down their number one enemy that they can break a few rules for us.

I greet the shop owner and quickly make my way down the ladder to the underground area. I can sense my Shinigami and I am more than a little excited to see him. In the past couple months we have been able to see each other even less than before the war. He has his back toward the ladder and is talking to the woman that changes into a cat. Suppressing my power even lower I run toward him and take a flying leap effectively tackling him to the ground.

ooOOoo

Today is the day that I finally get to see Kagome again, now that the war cleanup is over. I should be more excited, but I fear for what the meeting with the head captain will be like. Taking a deep breath I step through the doors and find myself in Urahara's underground training area. I am a few minutes early so I spend the time talking with Yourichi. We were having a nice conversation until I find myself in an awkward position. Kagome somehow managed to sneak up on me and tackle me to the ground. Now she is lying on top of me with her usual smile and Yourichi is doing a very bad job of hiding her amusement.

"Hi," she says to me cheekily.

"Don't you two make the most adorable couple," Urahara says from somewhere behind us. I can't really tell because my dear miko is the only thing I can see. At this point in time I am ready to murder everyone in this room. Kagome seems to notice this and finally removes herself from me and offers me a hand up. Grumbling to myself I take her offered hand and return to the standing position.

"Your no fun at all you know that?" she asks me while crossing her arms and pouting.

"I apologize, but if you remember correctly there is a serious matter we are taking care of today," I remind her.

"I know that, but it is okay to have fun for a moment," She says while shrugging, "So when do we leave?"

"Now," I say while nodding to Urahara. It is times like this that she still surprises me. There is never a dull moment in her life and she knows when to be serious, but she also never lets anything get her down.

Shaking my head I clear my thoughts and take Kagome's hand. She seems surprised by this but doesn't say anything. From the corner of my eye I can see a faint blush on her cheek and a smile on her face. We tried hiding for a while, but apparently it was bluntly obvious that we had something going on. Now there is no point trying to hide it, especially with it being part of what we are going to talk to the head captain about.

ooOOoo

After Toshiro took my hand we stepped through the old style doors that would lead us to Soul Society. Once we made it through the portal we made our way through the winding streets that made up the city. The last time I was here was a major blur, but now I took the time to admire the scenery. I could tell that Toshiro was off in his own little world, so I left him to his thoughts. I noticed that we got many looks and double takes as we walked through the city. I'm not sure whether to be happy or slightly pissed that the dead didn't know how to mind their own business either.

I was pulled from my musings when Toshiro came to a stop in front of a building with a very large door on it. In the middle of the door was another symbol that looked similar to the one Toshiro had on his back. He knocked on the door and we were escorted in. Sitting in a large chair at the other end of the large room was the head captain. He may look old, but I found him to look my intimidating than Sesshomaru. We walked about three quarters of the way in and stopped. Toshiro had dropped my hand as soon as the doors opened so I clasped my hands in front of me and bowed. Sesshomaru took time while I was training with him to learn important manners he seemed to think I was lacking. It really didn't do him much good because I still refused to bow to him. I may be thankful for all he did, but he was not my superior. I was the Shikon Miko; I could purify him if I really wanted to.

"You may rise Miko," boomed the head captain's voice even though he wasn't speaking that loud.

"Kagome if you please sir," I said to him while standing up straight again.

I could see Toshiro stiffen next to me and the head captain raised an eyebrow at me.

"I apologize sir, but I hate being referred to as Miko. My name is Kagome and I prefer if I am called by my birth name. Being called Miko is no different than being referred to as human, or if I were to refer to you as Shinigami. I also am not a fan of fancy titles even though a few have tried to correct that bad habit of mine, so if you could call me Kagome it would be much appreciated."

"Very well Kagome. I take it you know why you are here today?" He asks me.

"I assume it would be about the fact that my memories were not erased, and about what happened it war?"

"Yes it is, but first I would like to speak to you alone. You may wait outside Hitsugaya-Taichou," he says while turning from me to Toshiro. Toshiro does nothing but nod and leaves the room.

Once Toshiro is outside the head captain turns back to me.

"First I would like to you to explain why your memories remained intact."

"I believe part of it is due to the jewel, the other is the precautions I have taken to protect my mind. A few years ago I was kidnapped by my enemy and they tried to screw with my mind. In the end it put my friends in danger, and I could not have that. After that incident I meditated to make my mind stronger."

"I see. Well I would have asked you more about the jewel but I saw you use it to heal that day. Instead I will ask you what your relationship has become with Hitsugaya-Taichou."

"I know you saw the way we acted the day of the final battle, so there is no point in trying to hide it from you. We parted as friends when you tried having my memories erased. When Hitsugaya and his team came to the real world to help Ichigo with the arrancar our friendship started to change. Honestly right now I'm not one hundred percent sure what it is, but I think that if we were given a chance it would turn into something more."

"Are you aware that Shinigami are not supposed to become involved in human affairs?"

"Yes, that is one of the first things Hitsugaya informed me of when I healed him the first time."

"Even knowing this both of you have continued to have contact and disobey our laws?"

"My intent was never to cause trouble for either Hitsugaya or Soul Society. He knew what he was doing and I never forced anything on him. What I hope is that you will make an exception for us, especially in light of recent events. If that is not enough of a reason then I hope that fact that I am not a normal human will."

"You are making a very bold move in what you are asking for. I made an exception for Kurasaki and his friends, but what you are doing is on a much different scale. Hitsugaya is a captain and very much a vital piece to the Soul Society. I cannot have you jeopardizing that."

"With all due respect sir the last thing I wish to do is be a burden to him. I have known from the beginning what his position was, and that his job will always come first. I am no stranger to responsibility myself. I am the guardian of the Shikon and that is a position to not be taken lightly. Look we can sit here all day going back and forth. I am not just some random girl that he happened to run into on the street. I am a capable healer and pretty decent with a sword. I was once a burden to the people that I cared about, but after my first love died because of me I changed that. I was trained by one of the most powerful demons in history and guardian to a jewel that a single shard can make someone's power grow tenfold. All I ask is that you allow us to figure out where this is going. I will never keep Hitsugaya from his responsibilities. I was actually hoping I could be of some help to Soul Society. I've tried living the life of a normal human and it really just doesn't work for me."

"I see."

ooOOoo

Kagome had been in talking with the head captain for at least half an hour. I'm pretty sure that I have worn a hole in the grass I have been pacing across. Finally I hear the door open and I look up to Kagome. Her face is blank and she only nods for me to go in now. I want nothing more than to ask her how everything went, but I can't keep the head captain waiting. Quickly I walk through the open door and stand in front of the head captain.

"I must say Hitsugaya-Taichou you have taken many risks in this past year, not something you would normally do."

"Hai…"

"She must mean a lot to you."

"I…"

"I originally thought she would be a liability to the Soul Society the first time, but she has proven to be anything but. She helped take down Aizen, and did much with the fourth squad during that aftermath. I believe that she will be a valuable asset to us, so I am going to wave the laws when it comes to her. Do not make me regret my decision Hitsugaya-Taichou, you are dismissed."

"Hai," is I can get out while I bow and turn around for the door. My body moves on auto pilot as I head back outside because my mind is still in shock.

When the doors open the first thing I see is Kagome with a knowing smile on her face.

"Wow, you can actually see the shock on your face. I never thought I would see something other than a scowl on it in public," she says to. I try to scowl in response, but my facial muscles aren't behaving. Instead a small smile spreads across my face because this news is much of a relief after the days agonizing over this meeting.

"You don't have to return right away, would you like a tour of my division?" I ask her.

"Yes!" she responds excitedly.

"Don't forget to show her your bedroom Toshiro!" interjected a voice before we could leave. I make a quick turn around to see Kurasaki. I was about to say something but Kuchiki took care of it for me. One foot to the face was all it took to shut him up.

"I'm so sorry Hitsugaya-Taichou, he still doesn't know better," she tries to explain while looking very embarrassed.

"I'm not sure why he is bothering to say something. I mean you two have shared a room whenever you are in the living world right?" Kagome said.

Kagome effectively made everyone feel embarrassed. I couldn't help but chuckle at their faces and decided that it was a good time to leave. Walking over to Kagome I slip my hand into hers and start guiding her to my division. She seems just as surprised this time, and I find somewhat it amusing to catch her off guard. Partially because it is fun, and partly because she kept surprising me when we first met.

"I think the fourth division will be filled up pretty soon if you keep this up," she informs me as we walk to the tenth.

"Why?" I ask slightly confused.

"You've had something other than a scowl on your face for over ten minutes, the temperature is normal, and you just took my hand in public," she explains.

I stop dead in my tracks and look at her feeling slightly hurt.

"Would you rather I…"

"No! Don't take that the wrong way! Of course I like it, I was just making an observation. Damn I am such an idiot, I'm sorry," she apologizes while waving her hands around trying to make her point.

Deciding that a little pay back is in order I step over and kiss her. With all her flailing about she was too distracted to notice what I was doing. I only kissed her long enough for her not to be able to react. When her brain started to catch up with the situation I stepped back and started walking again. In result Kagome was left standing in the middle of the street looking slack jawed.

"If you're done catching flies my division is over this way," I say while smirking at her.

"Toshiro…" she calls out to me in a sweet voice in response. Just the tone of her voice put me on edge, but it was also the air around her that is crackling with angry power.

"I'd start running if I were you," she says and begins to run at me.

Not needing to be told twice I start running all the way back to the tenth. For the hundredth time since I have met her I am cursing my luck. Leave it to me to find the human that is bipolar and can actually do damage if she really wants to. I couldn't wait to see what the gossip mill had to say about all of this.

ooOOoo

Toshiro effectively through me through a loop today, but that kiss was the last straw. I chased him through the many streets and we eventually ended up at a place that I assumed to be his division. Not even waiting for the door to open he launched himself over the outer wall and kept going. I had to wait for the door to open, but that didn't stop me from tracking him down. When I did finally catch up to him he was stopped in a doorway and spouting flames of his own.

My vengeance forgotten I peek over his shoulder to see what has him all riled up. Matsumoto is fast asleep on a couch with a very large supply of sake around her. I never thought I would see the day when someone could put the monk Mushin to shame.

"I'd say were even," I say to Toshiro while smirking.

"We are far from even, I have to deal with this every day of my life," he informs me, "She was supposed to be doing the paperwork."

"I think I have a good idea, something that will teach her a good work ethic," I say.

ooOOoo

It has been a few hours since we found Matsumoto passed out on the couch. After an okay from the head captain we took her to the living world for a crash course in work ethic. Toshiro hadn't been too keen on the idea when I suggested where we send her, but after watching my grandfather barking out orders at her he agreed. This way she would learn a thing or two, and she would get to see Gin.

Now the two of us are sitting in his office working our way through the massive pile of paperwork that needed doing.

"You don't have to be helping with this," he tries to tell me again.

"I already told you it was fine. Look we really haven't even seen each other that much since this whole thing between us started. We just got the okay that we don't have to hide anymore today, and the last thing I want is to be separated again."

"I know, I just…"

"Toshiro stop it. I know what it is I signed up for when we agreed to see where this would go. You told me a million times over that your life wasn't what it was like when you were on that mission to the living world. I told you before that I would be by your side to lessen the burden. If that happens to be helping with paperwork too, then so be it. The quicker this gets done the sooner we can go do what we want."

He seems to be at a loss for words so he just grabs my hand and squeezes it and gets back to doing the paperwork. I smile and get back to work. Today turned out a lot better than I anticipated it too. I was really excited to see what was going to happen next.

ooOOoo

A/N: well there is the end of the chapter. I've had a major case of writers block with this story, so I apologize for the long time between updates. Please review and tell me what you think.