Hitsugaya was cuddling behind you with his arms tenderly draped around your warm body. He nestled into your shoulder, and sighed with delicate contentment. Perchance it was this intimacy that he had been yearning for: the sensation of being wanted and cared for. It was something he had not experienced since before he became a Shinigami; he truly missed the feeling of being needed.

Half-heartedly, he pulled himself away from you, and sat up from the futon; gazing down upon you, his face fell into depression. He knew that this was something he was not allowed to participate in – it was forbidden. Shinigami were not meant to love (though, authorized in particular occasions). But even more so illicit was to engage within human affairs. Falling for a human would be a solemn ignominy; certain punishment would be inevitable.

He let his fingers caress against the smoothness of your cheek, and cursed himself inwardly. His touch caused a faint smile to form on your lips, followed by the hushed gasp, "Toushi..."

His guard deteriorated for a moment, he couldn't help but smile at how sweetly his name sounded as it fell from your lips, even if it were that appalling nickname you had given him; but he hastily shook the feeling and returned to his stoic, hardened state. Hitsugaya untangled himself from the sheets, sighing as he felt the warmth of your body flee from his skin. He left the barrier without turning to look back at you, keeping his customary scowl marked on his face.

He closed the barrier behind him by compressing his hand against the door. A small light encompassed the entrance, until the door itself appeared to no longer remain. Hitsugaya rested his forehead against the door in defeat, letting out an audible sigh.

What did I get myself into? He mentally scolded himself for his lack of discipline. He couldn't comprehend the fact on how he had let this happen.

"Toushirou."

Hitsugaya flinched at the call of his name; it was unlike him to let someone surprise him. His eyes darted to the location of the voice; Ichigo stared at him with a resolute focus.

"That's Captain Hitsugaya..." He grumbled, cutting himself short. He was not in the mood for impolite speech (But then again, was he ever?)

"How is she?" He asked with his expression tainted with unreadable meanings. One could not decipher whether his expression was worry or fear.

"She's sleeping. She seemed to relax after she learned that you were here." Hitsugaya stepped away from the now invisible door, walking past Ichigo without another glance. Ichigo turned to stop him, grabbing Toushirou impulsively by the shoulder.

"Toushirou, listen," he began hesitantly, staring down at little Hitsugaya, "don't hurt her."

Hitsugaya blinked, "What?"

"You heard me," Ichigo repeated himself again for emphasis, "don't hurt her."

Hitsugaya pretended to be confused by what he meant, but deep down he knew what Ichigo was referring to, "yes, that is why we are protecting her."

"You know what I mean, Toushirou."

Hitsugaya stared at Ichigo impassively, almost as if he were staring right through him. And then without another word, shook from his grasp and walked away leaving Ichigo to gape at his back.

How can he even talk to me that way... What does he know?

Hitsugaya slammed the door behind him; Rangiku was there waiting patiently outside with her report. She knelt down at his feet, and nodded her head at him.

"Captain," she began, ready for the consent to give her statement.

"Not now, Matsumoto." He brushed her off, and then sped off in a flash step.

Rangiku stood up, and stared off in the direction in which her Captain went with a worried look plastered across her face. It was not like him to avoid his duties.

"Captain..."

She stared blankly at her feet for a few moments, until she noticed Ichigo also leave the building. He took no notice of her.

"What's wrong with you, little boy? You look sad." She said while wiggling close to him, and began prodding, trying to cover up her worry for Hitsugaya.

His eyes shot towards her, trying to hide his feelings, "... Nothing."

"Aww, I think you need some cheering up! Would you like to touch my bosom?" She giggled.

"What! Are you crazy?" Ichigo inched away from her, his face gleaming scarlet.

"There, now we have a little emotion coming from you," she grinned in triumph, "don't act so glum."

Ichigo said nothing in return. A silence began to shape amongst the two which irritated Rangiku.

Ichigo began walking away, but then stopped to say something, "Rangiku, please keep an eye on Toushirou."

"What?"

"Make sure he doesn't do anything that he shouldn't do."

She cocked her head to the side. Maybe deep inside her she knew what he was referring to, but one couldn't be sure, "What do you mean?"

"... I'm going," Ichigo used his flash step before Rangiku could ask any more questions.