A/N: thank you to the ones who reviewed. Enjoy.

Hell hath no frozen fury quite like a snow maiden denied?

Rukia's p.o.v

Okay I admit-I really, really do like Captain Hitsugaya. I felt better after my little proclamation except where does that leave me? Am I "the other woman?" I shudder to wonder; I mean it's obvious lieutenant Hinamori is very close to him-if I remember right Captain Ukitake had said that those two had pretty much grown up together. 'It definitely shows,' I thought sourly; I was now following from a discreet distance as they crossed the bamboo bridge to the park.

'Grrr! Look how close he leans into her! Shirayuki!'

When no calm reply came I mentally felt around for my Zanpaku-to's presence…

'Shirayuki?'

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Hyourin Maru from within Hitsugaya's mindscape.

The Great Ice Dragon himself trembled in terror when the beautiful form of Sode no Shirayuki-a large white butterfly-appeared. Blatant waves of indignant anger rolled off of her, "Hyourin…Maru, you have not counseled the little one yet…have you?"

"S-Shirayuki…I um…"

She gave him a particularly cold look and he said hurriedly, "no. I haven't."

"Humph! I knew it."

The Dragon held out a claw placatingly; "Shira…please…give me another chance. He's stubborn and doing idiotic things--right now." They both listened quietly to the conversation going on outside. After a moment Shirayuki nodded, "he is an idiot." Feelers twitched, "but he's still destined to be with my Rukia."

"Of course. Don't worry," Hyourin Maru reassured, "he'll see the snow-and not the plum. After all…remember we are one—he and I. And I know who (I) want to be with."

If it was possible, Shirayuki blushed.

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Hitsugaya's p.o.v

What was so hard about saying those three little words? It wasn't like I was going to say--I love you--I like you, is more appropriate. Momo had just confessed this to me and was now waiting for my response. Indecision has never been one of my faults; if something needs to be done or said then I'll do it. However seeing the hopeful look on her face made me question the feelings that she wanted me to express.

Did I love Momo?

The answer would be yes.

I know though that there are many different facets to LOVE.

For instance--platonic love, romantic love…but wait I'm getting a bit off of the subject.

All she wanted was a simple answer--

Did I like her?

Yes? Or no?

Or was it as Hyourin Maru said--the one I'm really supposed to be going after, whom my heart has decided on without my knowledge—the little Kuchiki?

Aghhh! Now my head is really starting to pound!

In fact…where is that overgrown lizard anyway? He was just here with his wisecracks and now his usual presence has retreated… WHAT IN THE AFTERLIFE IS HE PLANNING?!

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"-Shiro? Toshiro?"

Damn. Momo caught me spacing out.

I tried to focus on her and the fact that she had wrapped her hands around mine…gulp!

"Momo, I…!"

I had stopped speaking because a healthy bright green leaf that was hanging down near her shoulder—practically touching her-- had suddenly what's the word?

Iced up.

'Oh no! Where there's ice there's bound to be an ice--!

Wielder!'

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Rukia's p.o.v

He saw me.

And I saw him.

Lieutenant Hinamori was still preoccupied with the frozen leaf that hung beside her, "huh? Hey, what could've caused this, Toshiro?"

She had asked; but he didn't answer. He was staring at me something fierce; there was—I could see—a question in his eyes.

Did…I…want to answer it?

"Toshiro, who're you looking at? Oh! Hello, Kuchiki-san!" The lieutenant greeted me, her expression guileless.

What could I do? So I said in reply, "good afternoon, lieutenant Hinamori, Captain Hitsugaya," I'm sure he could hear the iciness in my tone as I pronounced the formality on him.

"K-Kuchiki-san…how're you?" he asked; I could see him swallow hard.

"Fine. Just out for walk in the Park; oh, have you seen my Captain by any chance?"

Captain Hitsugaya thought a moment, "yeah. A few avenues down…off to the right, he was with Captain—Unohana," he finished with difficulty.

"Okay. Thank you," I said and prepared to turn around in the foliage.

"Captain Unohana?! Seriously, Toshiro?" she'd asked incredulously. He ignored her.

I left them; lieutenant Hinamori said something else…I'm not sure what.

Tears were—I realized—starting to prick the corners of my eyes; I began to run.

He didn't stop me…not at first.

To be continued.

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A/N: I've been a bit out of it…lately. Like for instance, how many stories do I have to write chappies for? Oh, wait that's right. I'm supposed to be rewriting Dark moon's prologue, dang! Oh well…review if thou so choses. Ciaosies!