Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach!

Warning: I have made a very emotional chapter here. Beware of cussing and the feels.


Chapter 9: The Truth

They say human curiosity is the whole reason why we bother living.

I tapped my pen impatiently on the table, reading my test paper over and over. My face remained stoic and impassive, as usual, but I was internally pulling my hair out in utter frustration.

Don't start thinking that I haven't studied at all for the test. No, it's quite the opposite actually. I know these questions by heart, mostly because these questions were all answered in the Bleach anime. Only a die-hard fan should be able to remember.

Years of being in Soul Society, I've come to realize that the memories of the future I had in my possession had now drifted away into oblivion. Slowly, I forget some events of the future. Mostly boring and drab scenes, but I was worried I would soon lose track of the future and the crucial points of it.

Fortunately, I managed to pass the test, getting a few mistakes here and there. They weren't grave mistakes, but it relieved me for I took it as a sign that my knowledge hasn't completely disappeared yet.

You would think it was unwise for me to go against the plot buggy, because probably I would have some sort of karma or curse be casted upon your truly and have a lame end, right? But I'm willing to take that risk. Sōjirō was going to die if I don't do anything!

… of course, everyone else mattered.

I sat on my bed, writing down as fast as I can all the plot buggies I have in Chinese inside my notebook. I wasn't a fool just as to write it in Japanese so many of my fellow classmates would take a peak and see me as a threat to Soul Society. I didn't need to spend my life inside the dungeon being questioned by Central 46. The idea fancies me NOT.

But there were some major complications when writing in Chinese. As you can see, Chinese is much similar to Japanese and the only thing you need to do for you to realize this is to take hiragana and katakana off the chart and leave the other kanji words and BOOM it's pretty much the same language.

My mind has hypothesized that maybe Japanese was a language inspired by the Chinese category, perhaps by some crazy crusader who learned the Chinese language and created a few squiggly lines and named it his very own language.

Hmm, it seemed most likely, but I'd rather not think about that idea. I formulated the darn idea during Kidō class and almost exploded in the spot. Luckily, I had enough control just to muffle my laughter into my scarf.

Though I must've probably looked stupid shaking my body with my head buried in a piece of red clothing, the worst thing had yet to come and I was grateful it didn't happen right then and there.

Anyway, I was writing and scribbling everything I can recall when Momo walked inside. I paused for a moment from my writing and looked up to greet Momo. She greeted me back and walked to her bed, landing face flat on it.

A few minutes of high speed writing and minding my own business, I realized that Momo wasn't moving from her spot in the bed. She was still in the same position, with her face head down in the bed and not showing any signs of being alive whatsoever.

I raised my eyebrow. "Momo? Are you still alive?" I asked rather bluntly, calling for her attention.

Once I heard muffled voices coming from the opposite side of the room, I nodded my head and returned to my business. "I'll take that as a yes."

It was a Saturday today, so we were free to do anything. Staying in the campus was what most students do, but some prefer to stay with their families during the weekends. The students from nobility mostly stay with their families from the end of the school during Fridays, probably for training or something. Whichever, it wasn't my problem so I didn't exactly give a damn.

Speaking of nobility, I wonder how Rukia was doing. I haven't seen her for nearly a year and a few more months now, and I admit I feel lonely without her presence. The constant need for her to be with me had somehow made me think of her as a sisterly figure, one that I could depend on if I was in need of anything. I thought of Rukia as my family, and I cared dearly for her sake.

But curiosity grew. What is she doing? Perhaps she's training with squad 13. That is what I last remember when she left the Academy. Just because she instantly became a soul reaper (in a literal case) doesn't mean she was strong enough.

It wasn't that I questioned my older sister's strength, but the level of capability she has now against a hollow were 40/100 in my honest opinion. Only few years of training and studying in the Academy isn't nearly enough experience for her.

Something twisted inside me. Rukia was going to meet Kaien's death soon. And I won't be there to stop it! Damn it, I should've been a tad more careful. One wrong move, and more people would get hurt.

'Milady, calm down. You cannot avoid everything. Besides, Kuchiki Rukia must face this problem. It's for her own good.'

I sigh through my nose and closed my eyes, letting myself relax for a good moment. 'I'm well aware of that Takitsukeru.' I said. 'But I guess after all the losses I've grown way too over-protective.' I admitted.

Takitsukeru made a noise of agreement in my head and let me alone to my own duties. Another few minutes of writing and I felt my hand ache, so I decided to take a little rest stop.

I turned my head to the clock above our door and checked the time. 2:43 pm.

I closed my book and placed a small Kidō spell on it, particularly a powerful Bakudō spell, and placed it under my clothes inside the wardrobe. I checked to the side to see if Momo was paying any attention, only to find her snoring softly in her bed, not aware of what was happening around her.

After securing the notebook and double checking for anything odd, I sigh in relief. I then faced Momo again, only for a brilliant idea to form inside my brain.

I took a cold bottle of water I had in my bag and uncapped it, walking silently towards Momo's bed. Since she was on her stomach frontal position, I raised the back of her shirt collar a bit before pouring a good amount of water inside her shirt.

"WAH!"

Momo woke up almost instantly. She jumped up from her bed and started panicking, saying something about a snake slithering inside her kisode. The whole scene somehow seemed animated in my eyes, so I bursted out laughing like a fool.

When I calmed down, Momo was giving me pleading look. "Oh come on Yuri-chan!" she said exasperatedly.

I giggled. "I apologize, but opportunities were made to be taken."

Momo pouted after that and went inside the bathroom to change her shirt, which left me alone. After having that derpy prank-ish moment, I heaved a long sigh and closed my eyes for a few minutes.

"Something wrong Yuri-chan?" Momo asked as she walked out of the bathroom, wearing a new kisode and tying her small pigtails tighter.

I re-opened my eyes and shook my head. "No, I was just thinking."

Momo sigh in relief but then looked at me straightly. "Yuri-chan! Don't do that again! I really thought there was a snake inside my shirt!" she wailed comically, her arms flailing around.

"How on earth would a snake be able to trespass inside Soul Society's security?" I asked her blankly.

Momo paused in her comical reaction but continued once more. "It doesn't matter!" she cried.

She the averted into her normal appearance (still wondering how on earth we're able to do that) and looked at me. "Oh yeah! Yuri-chan, have you heard of Kusaka-kun?"

My interest perked up at the mention of Sōjirō's name. A slight blush swept over my cheeks, but I made no motion to make it obvious for Momo to see. Renji's relentless teasing had ticked me off my rocker, but if Momo starts, I know I won't be able to hold back. That, and Sōjirō would find out.

Call me crazy for falling in love with a man I have absolutely no chance with (UGH!) but I just find him… rather attractive. Really, instead of crushing on Toshiro or Shuhei, I think my heart decided to have an entirely different love mate.

"What about Sōjirō-kun?" I asked, keeping my voice as steady as I could. But I guess I just gave myself away, because my voice ended up sounding like a worried squeak.

For a moment, I saw Momo flash a tiny smirk but it must've been a trick in the light. Momo sigh and sat on her bed. I followed, sitting beside her, listening intently to her.

"Actually, Kusaka-kun has already been able to find out about his zanpakutou's name."

Moments of silence passed and I just sat there, my face expression similar to that of mixed fear and shock. For someone as impassive and stoic as me, I really should learn how to control my facial expressions. The amount of things I hold inside me could be summed up with one face and everyone would figure me out.

"Well shit."


(ノ◕ヮ◕)*:・゚✧


If there was something that I will surely regret later in the future, it's the fact that I have missed my chance to save the people I care about.

I spotted Sojiro sitting on the bench, eating his bento box silently. His purple colored eyes were downcast and sullen, the quite opposite of the peaceful and joyous twinkle his eyes should hold.

I frowned. How Sojiro's mood affected me, I have no idea, but it certainly did.

I walked up to him, surprising him slightly. He turned to me and relaxed when he realized that it was only me. "Oh, Yuriko-san." He said, relieved.

I sat down beside him, my stomach suddenly feeling queasy almost as if I want to puke out the rice I ate earlier. I managed to push that out of mind and resumed to thinking of starting how to converse with Sojiro.

A few moments of silence passed before I finally decided to conjure up some courage to speak.

"Sojiro-kun, is there something wrong?" I asked as I turned to him. "You've been acting strange."

Sojiro seemed a bit taken back. Suddenly, a hearty chuckle escaped his lips. "This is actually pretty strange coming from the person who is always closed off with the world." He said lightly.

"Well excuse me for being worried."

"I didn't mean it that way."

I frowned at that. "What did you meant by that then?" I challenged.

Sojiro turned to me and just shook his head. "Nothing." He said as he looked up into the sky above us. I soon found myself staring at the same blue hue atop of us, slowly being able to relax.

"All I wanted," Sojiro started. "was to protect the Soul Society and become a great Soul Reaper. That's all." He said as he looked up then at me. I blushed at his direct contact at me, but managed to keep myself from melting.

Suddenly, his smile dropped and his expression saddened. A sad chuckle came. "I wanted to become strong so I may protect people." He said. "I've lost too much to lose more."

I froze at the statement. I suddenly found myself in a déjà vu sort of situation with me acting as Momo and Sojiro acting as me. It was almost I speaking to myself, only in a different type of perspective.

He then looked at me and tried for a smile, but it only came out weak. "Yuriko-san, if… if I am not able to live out my dreams, would you do it for me?"

The way he pleaded me made me sober inside, but I kept a soft facial expression surfaced. No way would I let my weak side appear once more to Sojiro— he already knew how weak and fragile I truly was when I cried on his shoulders when Rukia left. I didn't want him to think I was even weaker than that.

Feeling confident with myself, I nodded. "Of course I would Sojiro-kun."

Sojiro smiled, a true and genuine one, and stood up. I stood up as well and was about to turn around before I found myself enclosed in a warm hug. I blushed for two reasons; embarrassment for the affectionate feelings and annoyance for making me realize that I was still TOO DAMN SHORT.

The hug was rather short and ended much too early for my before he turned away and walked away, leaving me in a loving daze and for me to just feel warm and fluttery inside.

If only I had paid attention closer would I have heard him say, "I apologize for this Yuriko-san."


(ノ◕ヮ◕)*:・゚✧


All human beings are weak. If only I had realized it sooner.

A day after my hug with Sojiro (yes, it was a big deal. Shut it.) I felt in an oddly calm and rather joyous mood. I guessed my moon swing must've been a rare sight for people to see because even Renji was surprised to see me this happy.

I bumped into Toshiro in the middle of break, only to find him just as happy as I was. Well, it took me a few minutes to figure out if he was really happy or not. Toshiro was a tad bit like me; very hard to figure out but easily annoyed once mentioned about height.

In retrospect, Toshiro was actually a friendly boy. His cold demeanor was created to those people who constantly avoid and feared him throughout his life. His snow white hair was always the center of attraction, and would always make him cut off from the people of the normal group.

I guess all Toshiro wanted was someone who he could really trust. No wonder he treasures Momo dearly.

We both actually enjoyed our companies for once and actually went further as to enjoy having a friendly spar together. Both of us were skilled in the spar, because I really had to go all out just to hold back Toshiro's fighting techniques. The boy could certainly pack a punch.

"I've been wondering Kagamine," Toshiro started as he ate his food. "You're awfully cheery today. What happened?"

"I could say the same to you Toshiro." I said evenly as I took a spoonful of ramen into my mouth. "You seem pretty happy. What had gotten into you?"

Both of us stared intently at each other, prodding whether or not to tell each other what made us feel so giddy and excited.

Finally, Toshiro managed a small grin. "I discovered my zanpakuto's name." he said as he turned to me. "Also, me and Kusaka share the same zanpakuto. Both of us were thrilled when we found out!"

I mentally cringed inside but I managed to keep up with my joyous façade. "That's… great." I murmured silently as I continued munching on my ramen.

Toshiro smiled and kept eating his food, the smile never leaving his face. I felt guilt wash over me and depression eating away my appetite.

Damn it, did Toshiro really have to remind me? I know fully-well about this event. Ever since Rukia left, I made myself remember every detail about Sojiro's and Toshiro's incident regarding Hyourinmaru. In all honesty, my heart broke when I discovered I could do little to nothing to stop this event. It was so heart wrenching that I simply could only cry silently to myself.

I've considered every possible loophole to save Sojiro. If maybe he was separated from Toshiro, or if we could possibly change his zanpakuto, or even kill Toshiro instead.

Yes, I've considered killing the man who could might as well be more powerful than I am.

It was crazy, yes, but I've lost too much people I care about. Grandma Hiruka, my previous family, and Rukia. If I lost Sojiro, the person I loved as much as all of them combined I might… I might…

Go insane.

But the rational and logical side of me fought against my addiction of protection and love for Sojiro, and eventually won. It made me realize that this event HAD to be done. Sojiro… needed to die. He needed to die, resurrect in Hueco Mundo, and come back to wreak havoc in Soul Society for revenge. He will become a merciless killer.

And I, the only person who knows this, can't stop it.


(ノ◕ヮ◕)*:・゚✧


I may be mature, stoic, and impassive, but I am naïve, childish, and an emotional wreck.

"NO!" I screamed, wriggling out of my sensei's grasp, my arms pinned behind me. Tears pricked my eyes and my real emotions surfaced. The sadness, the bitter anger, the fury— everything I felt about Sojiro.

Toshiro had a pained expression on his face, and Sojiro's was a mix of sadness and guilt. Momo, Renji, and Izuru stood beside me, also wriggling away from the teacher's hold so we may help.

Behind Toshiro and Sojiro were the Punishment Force. They waited expectantly for the two males' decision patiently, eyes boring into their backs.

"Sojiro-kun! Why?! Why?!" I yelled, not caring how pitiful I looked with tears on my eyes while my voice was on the verge of cracking. "Why does this have to happen?! You knew about this didn't you?! You knew! TELL ME WHY SOJIRO!"

I turned to Toshiro. "Toshiro! Please say that this is just a misunderstanding! Tell them!" I begged.

Toshiro looked at me and for a second I saw him shocked before turning away and closing his eyes. He gritted his teeth and clenched both fists on the sides, saying, "It's been declared. Whoever is victorious would be the rightful owner of Hyourinmaru. It's the rule of Central 46."

"THAT'S A LOAD BULLSHIT!" I said angrily.

I heard a collective of gasps and icy glares direct fully at me. Even Sojiro and Toshiro looked taken aback by my exclaim. Maybe it was because this was the first time they saw me act like this.

"Yuri-chan…" Momo murmured beside me. She was on the verge of tears as well, worrying greatly of Toshiro's welfare. She didn't want her best friend and Sojiro to be mixed up in a battle between life and death.

"Sojiro you bastard!" Renji cried angrily. "Don't you have any idea what would happen to the people who care about you if you do this?!"

I knew. I knew what would happen. A girl would have her heart shattered into a million of pieces and cry herself to sleep every night while the guilt could overwhelm her and drive her into the brink of insanity. That's what would happen.

Sojiro mustered a bitter smile. "I'm sorry everyone, but it was declared. We… we can't do anything. I can't promise that we would come back together safely." He said softly.

I looked at him in disbelieve and closed my eyes, tears pouring down like rivers. I faced down and felt my body go limp, causing the teacher who held me back let go of my arms, making me fall on my knees.

"It's not fair!" I whined childishly. "Why does it have to be you guys?! Why can't you both wield Hyourinmaru?! How come you guys have to die?! Why?! Why?!" I yelled.

My voice vibrated through the hallways. Unknowingly, my reiatsu has spiked up, causing a slight tremor in the floor to occur. The Punishment Force saw this as an attempt of retaliation against them, so they gave Sojiro and Toshiro a signal.

Both of them reluctantly nodded at each other and turned to follow them outside the Academy. Beside me, Renji gave up struggling, seeing no point in stopping them if they were determined to do this. Izuru had his head down, but drops of water fell down his chin. Momo had it worst; she was hiccupping and sniffing and her eyes were red and puffy.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to shout. I wanted to grab my Asauchi and stab the nearest person and take out my rage and frustration at it. I wanted the pain to go away.

I wanted to run to Sojiro. I wanted to hold his hand. I wanted to see his smile every day. I want to know that he'll always be there for me as my support. I want to tell him that I loved him more than anything.

But my body stood still, and all I could do was sit there, crying over the loss of a precious person. Yet again had fate taken the people I love and turn them against me, killing my emotions and bringing me closer to the edge of insanity.

"Please…" I whispered.

Memories of the past flashed through my mind, reminding me of the painful experiences and sacrifices I had to endure just to get this far. My previous life, how it slowly slipped away from my fingertips. How everything that is so within my reach and line of protection would always end up getting hurt anyway.

Was it my fault?

Am I too weak?

Why am I here?

Does this 'God' want to torture me?

Why him?

Why Sojiro?

I'm a burden.

I've lost.

"Don't go…"


(ノ◕ヮ◕)*:・゚✧


We humans have limits.

I lay curled up inside the comfort of my bed, my hair sprawled behind me and my eyes dulled from any color. I clutched the blanket tightly in my hands and snuggled inside my bed, feeling quite content with being here.

But my thoughts were saying something otherwise. I was dead, inside. A day has passed since that happened, and everything about me just… collapsed. I bothered not in attending my classes, I ignored the trays of deliciously brewed food in my side table, and I definitely neglected in getting out of my bed.

Momo and Renji were ones who took the two males problem personally. Momo was so worried, I could hear her sniffle all throughout the night. Renij became quiet and indignant, unable to process his thoughts properly. Izuru was merely hurt and saddened by Sojiro's loss, for he was a man of true virtues and kindness and they both had hobbies.

But no one took this harder than me. My chest still ached throughout the night, and I was mentally begging for it to stop. Never had I felt something as terrible and heart breaking as this. I know some cheesy books of romance described that a broken heart could really cause your chest to ache badly. But damn, this so-called 'badly' was like someone just whammed a sledgehammer in my chest.

Sledgehammer… that reminds me, it sort of reminds me of a music video with a sledgehammer and a naked woman riding a huge bowling ball. What was it called again?


(ノ◕ヮ◕)*:・゚✧


Suspense can kill.

I waited impatiently in the Academy entrance, awaiting the arrival of the victor of the battle to decide who shall be the rightful owner of Hyourinmaru. Just this morning did I share no interest in anything at all, but when someone mentioned about both Sojiro and Toshiro, I bolted out of bed, washed up and ran downstairs.

Renji and Momo were waiting beside me, tense and nervous. The way Momo looked at the door expectantly made me both infuriated and guilty at the same time. Momo was hoping her best friend would come back safely so that she can reassure herself that she didn't lose him. It infuriated me that she can think so much for Toshiro and not spare the idea of Sojiro's death as catastrophic.

Renji was beside me on my left, squeezing my shoulder. I figured this a sign of restraint, just in case I would lose my cool again and lash out. He didn't have to worry about me doing so anymore. I was fine.

I was hoping that Sojiro would appear. I was hoping he won instead of Toshiro. I was hoping that I would see his smiling and endearing face once more, and forget this all happened.

I may have sounded like an inconsiderate lunatic at the time, but I was in deep love with Sojiro. I would do ANYTHING for him, even if it meant killing myself just to make sure he would never die.

I watched with dismayed eyes as a limping and bleeding Toshiro slowly approached the academy, his hand holding his other arm and his katana on his hand. He had blood dripping down his forehead and he looked like hell.

Momo gasped before running towards Toshiro and hugging him as if life depended on it. She started crying, her tears pouring down like waterfalls as she held Toshiro in her arms.

"Shiro-chan…" she murmured thankfully, her eyes filled with tears of joy.

Renji looked at me, his eyes sorrowful. My eyes were blank and diluted of any emotion known.

I should've known. He won't come back. He'll never come back.

Toshiro's head was on Momo's shoulder and he raised it up to face me. Once he saw the void in my brown eyes, his eyes started watering. Momo sensed this and pulled him away from her grasp.

"Kagamine… I-I tried… they killed him… they ordered him to die… without completing the fight… I won Hyourinmaru… but unfairly…" he said, sniffing. Never would I have expected to live and see the day where the great and prodigious Hitsugaya Toshiro cry. Much less apologize to me while doing so.

I felt nothing at the moment except detest and sadness. But it was hopeless, the situation. Sojiro was gone, and no amount of pleading or planning would ever bring him back. EVER.

"You had to do it Hitsugaya." I said monotonously. "You killed him for Hyourinmaru. You were his rightful owner. He chose you."

Toshiro looked as if I slapped him with a rubber chicken. "No! The punishment force intervened and I wasn't—"

"I don't give a shit Hitsugaya." I snapped. "It wasn't your fault you had the same zanpakutou as Kusaka. It wasn't."

Dark clouds loomed over us as rain drops pricked our skins and soaked our clothes. My clothes started to stick to my body, but I didn't bother doing anything about it.

I gave Toshiro one last look; a blank one with dull eyes and an expressionless mask before flash stepping away from their sight.

I ran at high speed and only stopped when I arrived in the deeper end of the woods near the Academy. I stood at one of the huge branches of the trees and leaned my back against the trunk.

Pitter patter was the only sound that echoes throughout my ears. Suddenly, without myself knowing it, I found myself screaming my voice hoarse. The screams turned into weeps and the cries of pain turned into tears of sorrow. I fell on my knees and held the sides of my head.

Tears fell, but the rain washed them away. The rain poured down harder, beating down my body.

Finally, with some strength, I looked at my shivering hand in front of me, staring at it sadly.

"A flower that receives no sunlight is bound to wilt and fade away…" I said silently, tears leaking. "If I am the flower trapped in darkness… who would be my light?"

With those words said, I clutched my body tightly, releasing all the emotions I kept inside, totally oblivious to the fact that someone had been watching me do this the whole time.


[A/N:] *wears a fancy moustache* Salutations my readers! ^^ I hope you enjoyed the chapter, as sad and feely-ish it was written to be. I was hoping to bring some sort of dramatic effect here, since Yuriko really cared for Sojiro.

Just to be clear, Yuriko's a bit delusional. You can't blame her for being like that though, she's gone through so many traumatic experiences, you would think she should be acting like a lunatic by now. But Yuriko is a hardworking gal. She's strong and stubborn. There ain't no way no plot no jutsu's gonna bring her down!

Some of you guys are asking me regarding the current Bleach manga update. As much as I love Bleach, but Yuriko only watched the anime until the end and read only a few manga chapters before she died. She can't keep herself up to date with information like that without a computer or some high-speed internet! And I also took out the filler chapter, because I deemed it sort of weird. Meh! ^^"

Answer: Haruka Kanata by Asian Kung Fu Generation, Alonez by Aqua Timez, Rolling Star by YUI, Lovers by 7!, Ichirin no Hana by High and Mighty Colors, Harukaze by Scandal, Shingeki no Kyojin op 1 & 2, ViVid from Bleach, Blue Bird from Naruto! ^^

Question (SPECIAL!): If anyone can find out the true meaning behind Yuriko's Japanese name and why she picked it out, you'll see a surprise in your Inbox~~~~ xD

BTW, next update might be late again. Still stuck in the hospital… drats!