Chapter 10! It's still VERY awkward for me to write love stories. I was embarrassed to just even post this LOL. So if there's anything to improve on lol, let me know. …yeah…weird. Anyway, enjoy!

Daisuki* = I really like you/I love you

And…there's a lot of POV change…

Also, a lot of Kimono Terms which I had to look up (By the way, if anything is wrong please let me know! I'm not perfect!) :

Obi: Sash around the waist

Haori/Montsuki: Half coat with family crest

Hakama: Pants worn over the Kimono (?)

Sensu: Folding Fan

Tabi: Shoes like the shinigami wear

Sasame's Christmas

Chapter 10

** Toshiro's POV **

I stopped running for awhile. Sasame-chan would probably find Hayate before I would anyway. I wondered what Hinamori-san wanted me back in Soul Society for. She always tried to do something for my birthday, but by now it was predictable. Just to make sure she wouldn't get upset I suffer through it every year. The most memorial was the time they had fireworks just for me. We all were on a roof of Aizen's squad building. Hinamori-san, Kira, Rangiku, the people most would have called "friends".

After the short flashbacks, I tried to pinpoint Hayate's location. I felt spirit energy but I couldn't tell whose it was. I followed it anyway, hoping that I didn't have to go and search every little area for him. I ran for awhile until I came to Ichigo's school. I looked around the place where I swore the path had ended. A little mist had started to form and I knew that I was in for trouble. Why did it have to be this person again?

"I was waiting for you."

I jumped back out of the mist. I searched franticly for my mod soul to get out of my gigai. Without a second thought I swallowed my mod soul pill hastily and grabbed Hyourinmaru. Yuuki took over and I stood in front of him and ordered him. The fog started to gather around us again.

"Yuuki, find Sasame-chan and keep her safe!"

"Yes sir!"

As Yuuki ran off I jumped out of the fog area, but it easily shifted to where I jumped. I kept on moving hoping I could finally out-dodge it. I couldn't believe it. This guy keeps going after me! He wouldn't win anyway; I only let my guard down once. Besides he always escapes when someone comes near. I dodged a stiff attack. And tried to counterattack in the direction the attack came from a second before.

"It's pointless! You can barely see me; I don't even know why you try!"

"Show yourself!"

"Why would I do that to someone with such someone who is like the cold?!"

"…Cold as ice…"

"That's right! I never trusted you and never will!"

I was right after all. No one would waste their time on someone with a "cold heart" like me. I guess there really was no hope to be with Sasame-chan. But still, once this guy is dealt with, I guess I would go back to my normal, independent life.

I couldn't escape from the fog. He is just running away! At least he should support his decisions and attack from the front. But there wouldn't be any changes in the way he would fight. He kept attacking from all directions. I was starting to get a bit tired and I started to leave my guard down. Soon an attack pierced my sleeve, and I ripped the fabric off. There was no way I was going to lose here! The mist had left a lot of moisture in the air. I just wanted to get this battle over and done with!

"Hyourinmaru!"

** Sasame's POV **

I heard foot steps behind me and I turned around to see Toshiro-san standing quite close to me. He looked into my eyes the whole time, without looking away. My face started to become red. It made me feel a bit comfortable, but why did he come back so quick? I could almost hear my heartbeat pounding louder. It would have been so easy to just…lean closer and… and I took a step back. He looked back at me, not reacting in anyway… this couldn't be him!

"T-Toshiro-san?"

"He wants me to guard you. …Please allow me to protect you in his place."

"Yuuki?! He's in trouble isn't he! I have to go help him!"

"…I can't allow you. I don't want to cause any trouble."

"You can't!"

"…He wishes to protect you, but he is… unable to at this moment."

I couldn't believe this! First of all, I think that is the most words he has ever said, and secondly you have to help those you love right? Why would Toshiro-san leave me behind…? I reached into my pocket and held my mod soul pill in a fist. Sora could take my place. I slowly took my hand out of the pocket when Yuuki-san grabbed it. I imagined Toshiro-san doing the same thing and I started to blush even more. I took my hand away, shaking the thoughts of Toshiro-san out of my mind. In the meantime I dropped Sora-chan onto the ground. He picked the small green pill off the ground.

"I'm sorry…I can't let you exchange places with Sora-chan."

Even though I could fight him, but he is Toshiro-san's mod soul. Urahara have given the same amount of strength we have. I couldn't fight a Taichou-level! I couldn't believe it but Yuuki was gaining confidence. I stepped back from him. Even though I would be in my gigai, I can still fight! I walked back a bit and then ran for it!

"…I can't let you go…"

"Sorry Yuuki! But I can't leave him alone! Besides, I have to keep him safe right?"

I ran as fast as I could, and followed the spirit pressure trail. I heard the soft words for me to wait for him, but I continued on. Yuuki soon caught with me and had an emotionless face.

"Yuuki, can you help me protect Toshiro-san?"

"…"

"Please…?"

He looked away for a moment, like he was thinking carefully. I soon felt the amount of spirit pressure coming from Toshiro-san. Yuuki noticed too, and he grabbed my hands. And again I thought of Toshiro-san. He handed back Sora-chan. I thanked him and I swallowed the pill. Sora-chan had started to stretch and complain in the gigai.

"It's about time! And Sasame-chan how could you drop me like that?!"

"I'm sorry, but Toshiro-san needs me!"

"Who cares about him? Right Yuuki?!"

"…"

The three of us ran over to Ichigo's school as a thick fog engulfed us. I soon saw large ice shatters everywhere. I took out Ame and charged in. Then I saw a pair of teal eyes and I stopped my attack inches away from Toshiro-san's chest. He was then ambushed from the side and I saw a man wearing a black mask over his face. Toshiro-san had blocked the attack, but his clothes were all torn up. Out of nowhere, Sora-chan ambushed the attacker.

"Take this!"

"It's …Sasame-chan!"

The man said my name and then Sora-chan had gone and managed to punch the guy across the face. The man, Toshiro-san and I were all stunned as we watched. The mask had a crack and then broke to pieces, but the man jumped into the fog and disappeared. All he left behind was the broken pieces of mask. Toshiro-san had soon walked beside me.

"Are you alright?!"

"I'm fine. It was you that I worried about! Didn't Yuuki tell you?!"

"…Well, yes he did but-"

"Sigh…I was nervous when I saw you, he could have attacked you."

"Sorry."

"At least you are okay, that's all that matters."

Sora-chan had stormed between us and started lecturing him.

"…Don't ever send Yuuki to protect her!"

"W-What?"

"She wants to help you so stop trying to do things by yourself when you have friends. Otherwise…who's going to heal you after you get hurt yourself?!"

"S-Sorry! I thought safety was more important."

Sora-chan had sighed and Yuuki had walked closer to us.

"I'm sorry. It was better if we had come."

"It's fine Yuuki. As long as she wasn't attacked."

Sora-chan had grabbed Yuuki's collar on his shirt. She looked really…angry.

"You better listen to Sasame-chan more often! Otherwise you have to deal with me! Got that Yuuki?! And that goes for you too shorty!"

"What did you…say?!"

"Shorty~! Ahaha!"

Toshiro-san seemed to get really angry until he was starting to twitch. Sora-chan was laughing her heart out and Yuuki and I were smart enough to not get involved. Sora-chan and Yuuki had decided to pretend to be us for awhile. They would keep an eye on Hayate for us too. Hopefully they don't get into too much trouble…

The Next Day~ Toshiro Hitsugaya's Birthday

It was the next day and we started to get ready to leave for the Soul Society. It was still really early in the morning yet for some reason he wanted to leave at this time. It was his birthday today after all, maybe he had something planned. I finally had an idea but whether or not he would accept it was a whole different story. I watched as Ichigo was forced to store our gigai in his closet. He complained but as always he was ignored. After we said our good-byes Toshiro-san opened the gate. As we walked through, I saw his hand by his side. I was right beside him and could have easily…taken his hand…but as I saw the light approaching so I ignored the thought. I looked up at him though and smiled. He looked back at me but he didn't say anything to me. I blushed and grabbed his hand. His hand slid onto my hand and his touch was warm. I started to realize what I just had done, and Toshiro-san's face started to get even more speechless.

"L-Let's go! They could be waiting already right?"

"Isn't it too early for them to be outside and walking around?"

"Well…yeah I guess so…"

"Sasame-chan?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you take my hand like that?"

"W-Well…I don't really know…I'm sorry!-"

As I pulled my hand away, he reached out and held my hand. He was just as shocked as I was.

"I-I never said I didn't want to…as long as it's ok with you."

"It's perfectly fine with me, Toshiro-san…"

He smiled as I smiled back. Maybe it was going to be a good day after all. I wanted this moment to last a long time, even though it was just holding hands. He looked down at the snow that was still on the ground.

"Sasame-chan, would…you…"

I wished that he would finally ask me…to be with him, beside him everyday. I didn't want to ruin the friendship that we already had between us.

"…Would you come to the winter festival with me tonight? J-Just the two of us."

"Of course…I already have your kimono ready too."

"Arigatou Sasame-chan."

He smiled again, and I finally had a date with Toshiro-san! I don't know if he meant it to be a date, but I would keep that to myself. We walked for awhile, still hand in hand until we got to my house. I quickly ran up the stairs and opened the doors. I quickly retrieved the pile of clothes for Toshiro-san. I hoped that it was the right size for him.

"Happy Birthday Toshiro-san…"

"Arigatou-"

"I hope these are well enough made for you."

"I'm sure that they are perfect."

I doubted it, but we split up for awhile for him to go home and put it away. I stayed at Hanatarou's house for awhile, doing some chores. I couldn't get my mind off what just had happened. I didn't know that he would actually say that to me…I smiled once again. I sat down on the sofa and I started to feel a bit dizzy. I dozed off to sleep as closed my eyes and I lay on the sofa.

** Toshiro's POV **

After I put the pile of clothes on my table, I felt my face, since it became really warm when I was talking to Sasame-chan. I still couldn't believe that I asked her out tonight. The real surprise was when she accepted. Maybe she didn't think of it as a date of some sort, but I guess it was better than nothing. I looked at my Haori that was still folded next to the clothes. I ignored it, and soon went back towards her brother's house.

I quietly went up to the door and turned the knob. It was unlocked. I then realized that something could have gone wrong. Worrying, I ran inside quickly looking to see if she was okay. Fortunately she seemed to be asleep. I smiled a sigh of relief and stood by the sofa. Out of nowhere she screamed and woke up. She saw me and jumped up, putting her arms around me. I tried to comfort her and I leaned her head against my shoulder.

"W-What's wrong?!"

"…I had that…that dream again!"

"You're okay…Ishida and Ichigo are looking after him, even Sora-chan and Yuuki remember?"

"…But it was more vivid this time. And- And-"

She had started to cry and she had hugged my tighter. We stayed there until her crying stopped and she started to feel better. I worried about her still, but she had forced herself to be ok.

"Thank you… I feel a bit better now."

"What exactly happened this time?"

"This time you were there…but you had gotten really upset. There was blood on your Zanpaku-to…and Hayate was on the ground bleeding."

"What?!"

"It…can't be true…you wouldn't do something like that right? Right?!"

I couldn't lie to her, but I did have to kill if it was an enemy. But I would never hurt anyone else that fought alongside us. I reassured her and she had started smiling.

"I knew I could trust you Toshiro-san."

"T-Trust me?"

"Of course! Daisuki…"

"S-Sasame-chan!"

She had started to blush and so did I. She…loves me… It was the only thing I had wanted was for her to know that I loved her too. She looked into my eyes, and I couldn't hold back any longer…I leaned closer to her face. I had to let her know… But her cell phone had started to ring. She answered it and soon she hung up.

"Hinamori-san is waiting now, let's get going!"

"Y-Yeah…"

We headed off to see Hinamori-san at the Lieutenant's Office. We were ambushed by a bunch of people who usually came to my birthday to celebrate it…

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HITSUGAYA!!!"

"TAICHOU! You're finally back! Welcome back Sasame-chan!"

Sasame-chan smiled and she pushed me forward towards everyone else. I went along with everything, and soon realised that many other people were going to the winter festival.

"Why don't we all go together?!"

"That's perfect!"

Everyone started to agree with Hinamori-san. Sasame-chan looked at me with a puzzled look on her face. I had no other option but to go with everyone else. Hinamori-san looked at us then she went off talking to Sasame-chan. The festival was going to start around noon, so everyone headed home to change.

I looked in the mirror, looking at how the kimonofit. I looked at the pattern she chose for it. It was a white and a light teal pattern of snowflakes. The kimono itself was ankle high and the sleeves went to my wrists. A teal obi was tied around my waist. I had to thank her again later. I turned around and looked out the window. Hinamori was going towards Sasame-chan's house. I had walked over to my dresser, with a small box on it. I was saving this for a long time now. I sighed and put it back in the box. I headed back to the Lieutenants office where we were all going to meet.

** Sasame's POV **

"Hinamori is something wrong?"

"Well, I just thought about something. Shiro-chan is acting differently…"

"What do you mean?"

"He seems happier than he used to be. But…during the party, Toshiro-san seemed really upset. Not like how he seems usually, but really upset about something."

"Well…Toshiro-san and I…were going to the winter festival tonight. Just the two of us."

"I see…so Shiro-chan had a date…"

"But he wouldn't be upset about that right? Besides the more the better!-"

"But Shiro-chan had always been alone! This is new to him, the fact that someone he loves is always close to him…"

"…Hinamori-san, but you're like a sister to him!"

"But he doesn't like me that way at all. Besides, I'm still loyal to Aizen, but I know you and Shiro-chan disagree."

I still couldn't believe that she is still loyal to him. The murderer, who killed multiple shinigami, betrayed all of Soul Society, nearly killed Toshiro-san, stabbed Hinamori-san and tried to get rid of me. Anyway, Hinamori-san had promised that she would somehow fix the problem. I served her tea I had begun to prepare and quickly went to change.

I came out wearing the light blue winter kimono with white snowflakes on it. I was having trouble tying the obi into a bow, so Hinamori-san helped me with it. I went over to a jewellery box I had, with all the clips I had. But I went over to a different box, with the Snowflake clips. I combed my fingers through my hair and brushed it until it was smooth. I had wanted something like this festival to happen since I actually liked being around Toshiro-san. Hinamori-san had gotten dressed after me in my room. She soon came out wearing a peach-coloured one that really suited her name. I helped her tie her obi and she had her hair up with a clip.

We left for the festival and it started to snow… it hadn't for the longest time now, but it was just in time for the festival. We met up with Matsumoto, who was wearing a red kimono with flowers on it. Lights strung around the tops of trees, and booths with food were everywhere along with games along the streets of Rukongai. Everyone we knew was there, and eventually I ran into Toshiro-san.

"You look nice Sasame-chan."

"A-Arigatou Toshiro-san-"

"-What about me Shiro-chan?!"

"Hinamori-san! Stop trying to force me to say 'you look pretty' like when we were kids!"

"You're so mean Shiro-chan!"

"F-Fine! You look…nice too!"

"Arigatou~!"

I laughed and Hinamori-san started to get to work.

"Matsumoto, let's go over there to the booth's!"

"Ok! Let's go buy something~!"

Toshiro-san and I were left alone now, only to start walking around. I was nervous but he started to smile and I reached my hand into his. He was still a bit nervous about holding hands, but he continued to smile.

"Toshiro-san, I'm glad that we are together like this."

"Y-Yeah."

(Last one I promise!)

** Toshiro's POV **

We walked for awhile looking at different booths and enjoying each others company. We came to the end of the booths where no one else was around. We had turned to head back when I noticed fog had started to form in the distance.

"Sasame-chan! This way quickly!"

We ran away from the festival because if it was that guy again, I didn't want to drag anymore innocent people into this. The fog had somehow started to follow us. With Sasame-chan still holding my hand, and her running in the sandals, I had to carry her in order to run faster.

"T-Toshiro-san!"

"Gomen! But we have to hurry."

I stopped when I came closer to the building, and jumped into the air to see how high it could go. Sasame-chan held onto my right shoulder as I ran. I needed to get to my Zanpaku-to! Besides, it was hard enough wearing a kimono and trying to go as fast as I usually would. Sasame-chan flinched as I jumped down suddenly. I stopped against the wall and stood quietly. A minute had passed, and I ran towards my house.

"I'll be right back, yell if anything happens."

I came out of my room wearing my Shinigami robe and I carried the small box in my hands. She was sitting on the couch and she stood up when I walked in. I walked over to her and handed it to her. I was really embarrassed now, but I had to say something.

"F-For Christmas. I know it's a bit early-"

"Arigatou Toshiro-san!"

Without warning she reached her arms around me and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back. I was always surprised, even though it was starting to happen a lot. I just hoped she liked it. She still didn't even know I had gotten her the clips she was wearing tonight. I really did like her, but I couldn't show it, or even say it without making it awkward. She opened it, and tied the gold heart locket around her neck.

"I-It's pretty, Thanks a lot!"

She hugged me again and soon she looked around the room. She noticed where I had the Haori and walked over to it, giving it to me.

"What?"

"Wear it."

I slipped on my Haori and fixed it so it went over my shoulders. I put my Zanpaku-to over my right shoulder and she started to smile again.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, you just seem much happier this way."

"I-It's just a rank. I don't really mind."

"Whatever you say! But let's go back to my house, I have to change too."

She opened the door, and walked outside. I followed only to see the fog coming our way. I couldn't think of what to do besides run. My first thought was Sasame-chan's safety. As long as she was fine, I wouldn't care what happened to me. I picked her up again, hoping to have enough time to buy some time to make a plan. I jumped into the air, trying to hide my spirit energy perfectly. I stopped near my office, and found the spare key. I handed it to her.

"Why do I need this?"

"Hide here for awhile. I'm going to lead the attacker away and finish this off. I'm tired of watching out for him. Take care Sasame-chan."

"W-Wait! Toshiro-san!"

I jumped away from the office, and let some of my spirit energy release for him to know my location. It started snowing. Sigh, I still didn't understand why I could control the weather. I released Hyourinmaru to prepare myself. I waited for the fog to come and engulf the air around me. And sure enough the fog was coming my way. I started to find a higher place to attack from. I jumped as high as I could, soon noticing people everywhere…just lying on the ground, covered in deep red blood. I-I couldn't believe it… Sasame-chan's dream had come true. And who could have possibly have done this?! I needed to warn someone and quick! The medical squad was working franticly to try and take care of the shinigami that weren't completely dead yet. I swallowed hard thinking how hard it would be if she saw this for herself. I still didn't understand it. What did all these things have to do with each other?! The notes, presents, attacks on me, missing shinigami, and now this… what was going on?! I thought about the month very carefully until it all came together. I knew what was going on and I knew who the attacker was going to try to kill next…

How was that? Really, how was it? Believe or not, this is the most lovey-dovey thing I've written. It sucks? Why yes, it probably does. Please I need feedbacks on this, things I did badly or stuff I can improve on, so I won't have to make myself suffer writing this badly in the future now that they are together-ish. o_O'. Thanks a lot!