Hey guys,

I'm sooo sorry. It's been ages since I updated. I swear I haven't lost interest or anything! No, no. Completely the opposite! I've been playing with ideas for ages. In my head, though. Cuz my laptop died. Yes, I know, I'm heartbroken too. So I had to wait before I got a chance to write again. Seemed like forever! I mean, school starts next week!
Anyways, the plot thickens now.
So read on! I bet no one even read the AN, haha.
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In one continuous motion, I lift a heaping mound of rice into my mouth and smack Ikkaku smartly on the head with the empty spoon. Shooting me an indignant look, he rubs the small bump on his temple. I regret nothing.

"Well I never." He begins, adopting a scornful, almost mocking tone. "Someone like me, taking abuse from a fat girl."

Immediately, my eyes drop to my barely bulging stomach. I am not fat! Even if my Shihakusho were tight fitting, I'd still be considered skinny! Oh God. It can't be obvious yet. No, that's impossible. It's only been a few months since even I found out...

I can only imagine how screwed up my face must look as I attempt to do the mental math. My thinking face has never been that attractive. But I can't use my fingers. Too obvious.

Okay maybe not just a few months. But still. FAT?

Seeing my apparent distress, Rangiku rushes to my aid. "Don't be so rude, cue ball. Or else next time you'll find more than a little wasabi in your omelette" Her eyes glimmer with malice and the promise of a fulfilled threat. If I were Ikkaku, I wouldn't push her any further.

"Not my fault," Ikkaku retaliates, holding his hands up defensively. "She's been shovelling in the food lately like there's no tomorrow. I'm afraid she'll swallow me whole, sooner or later!"

If only he knew. If only they all knew. But I won't say anything yet. I just can't.

"Just because I have a healthy appetite is no reason to make fun of meee!" I groan, my mood suddenly taking a turn for the worst. Too much anxiety, lately. The mood swings are a killer. Gotta get out of here before I burst into tears. Or throw up. Or kill someone.

My chair squeals loudly as I push it back, standing up. Everyone's eyes flicker to me and my hastily attempted exit. I ignore the frown that is gradually becoming more pronounced on Rangiku's face. But her large eyes meet mine and I find myself at their full, unrelenting mercy.

"Momooo," She wails "Don't leave!"

Puppy dog eyes or not, I don't plan on sticking around. Turning my back on her, and hoping she'll forgive me later, I lop out the door.

The sun greets me full force. And as my eyes strain to adjust to the sudden change in brightness, so does something else.

"Oof!"

My face makes contact with some unfortunate bystanders back. Apology sticking to my tongue, I flail my arms wildly, attempting to regain lost balance. Unfortunately, gravity wins the fight and I feel myself begin the painful journey to the concrete. Or so I think.

"Careful there." A voice smirks from above, as hands smoothly catch my elbow.

This day just keeps getting better and better.

I rub the last bit of the indoor's darkness from my eyes and her lovely face comes into full view. Smiling down at me like Madonna herself, one could almost imagine she was being the Good Samaritan, lending a helpful hand.

"Lieutenant Momo, right?" She asks innocently, toying with a tendril of her flaxen hair.

As if you didn't already know. You're not fooling anyone here.

"I've neglected to formally introduce myself." She continues happily. "Which is silly, if you think about it! Considering how long I've already been here." She laughs, a bell tinkling in the breeze.

Get to the point.

Extending her hand pleasantly, she smiles again. "Captain Leiko Tanaka."

I contemplate ignoring the gesture. But technically, I have no proper reason to hate her. Not just yet, at least.

Grudgingly, I reach out to take her hand. But as our palms touch, I'm shaken with a sudden jolt. A dark feeling overwhelms my body, and I desperately try to withdraw from her grasp as the liquid agony pumps through my veins. But it's as if we've been cemented together; an eternity of despair and desolation. The feeling grows with her smile, as she registers the tormented look in my eyes.

But then it's all over.

Releasing my hand, she takes a step back. I wipe the strange cold sweat from my creased brow and watch as she cocks her head to the side, contemplating my expression. Her perfect nose wrinkles in concentration.

"Best not stress too much," Her words drip with false sincerity. "It's not good for someone in your condition."

I don't miss the excessive punctuation she uses on the last word.

No, that's impossible. He doesn't even know yet. Nobody does. So how could she?

Turning on her heel, she dances off in the opposite direction. As I watch her retreating figure, a sudden coldness devastates me. The same sense of deep foreboding I felt when we touched, only lessened now. A warning.

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"I'm not lying or over exaggerating. Leiko's EVIL!"

Rangiku rolls her eyes and readjusts herself more comfortably on the couch. I've been sitting here for over an hour now, trying in vain to convince her that the 9th division's newest captain is the spawn of Satan. But apparently I'm not being realistic. Everyone's a critic.

"Remind me again of your indisputable proof?" Rangiku asks half-heartedly, extending her hand to inspect her flawless nails.

Tut, tut, tut. Always with the details.

"I just have a feeling..." I mumble, more to myself than her.

"A feeling?" She raises one delicate eyebrow and looks up. "If I had to guess as to the real reason, I'd say you had one nasty case of the greenies."

It takes a moment for that one to sink in. But when it hits home, I can't help but jump to my feet in resentment. "Jealousy? You've got to be kidding me!"

"Well come on, she is a knockout. A Captain, too. Seems a little over excessive, if you ask me. Frankly, I don't blame you for feeling the way you do!" She groans, obviously exasperated. Apparently I'm not the only one with a case of the sour grapes. "The attention she gets too! I mean, it's not fair. Though it's not like she cares very much for it. Except if the patron is my own, innocent little Captain."

Ugh, why does she have to remind me?

I stalk across the room, seething. As I reach the desk, I pick up one of the few trinkets sitting on its clean, shiny surface. At first, I mean only to distract myself for a moment. But slowly I begin to examine the object; noting the scaly body, long spiked tail and large sapphire eyes. I smile to myself despite my blackened mood.

A dragon. How appropriate.

"I wouldn't play with that if I were you," Rangiku warns, gazing at me from where she perches on the couch. "You know how he gets when anyone touches his stuff."

Rolling my eyes are her petty complaints, I set the statue back in its place. Ignoring the make-sure-it's-EXACTLY-where-it-was from behind me, I peer out into the oncoming darkness. Whispers on the breeze. I tense automatically, reminding myself of the reality of the situation. This is the last place I should be hanging around, considering my resentment for said anal Captain. But I just can't help it.

"Well at least he'd have an excuse to talk to me, then!" I sob, the tears I'd been holding in since this morning suddenly spilling over and trickling down my cheeks. I wipe at them angrily. Stupid, traitor tears.

Rangiku bolts upright, her eyes wide with confusion. "What are you talking about?"

The last thing I want to do right now is explain myself. Glancing quickly at the door, I wonder if I could possibly make it before she dragged me back to my seat. But considering the extra weight I'd already gained over the past months, and the hard set to Rangiku's jaw, I figure it's not worth the risk.

I sink to the floor; the picture of defeat. How to begin?

"Have you noticed, ever since Captain Leiko's arrival, a change in Hitsugaya's behaviour?"

She scratches at her chin, rolling this thought over in her head. "I suppose, now that you mention it. He does go off a lot, and doesn't usually get in till late. But I figured he was just busy, considering what's going on in the Human World." She immediately bites her lip at this comment, probably afraid she'd offended me. But I shake off the indirect reference to my former Captain.

"No, I don't believe that's the reason."

Rangiku watches my face, noting the moisture still present in my eyes. "This doesn't have to do with Captain Leiko, does it?"

Chink, Chink. She's discovered the cracks in my armour.

Feeling the embarrassed flush creeping into my cheeks, I duck my head down before she can take notice of it. She makes it sound so petty, the way I'm acting. But I'm only being realistic!

"Of course it does," I exclaim, unable to keep my voice from reaching a shrill pitch. "Don't be naive. Where do you think he goes? Just look at this."

I pad back to his desk and pick up one of the neat stacks of papers.

"All of his work, done! Weeks in advance, in fact. And he doesn't spend his time training either. I would know, since that's where I spend most of my own time." I am not a stalker. "He's with her."

Rangiku's strained expression displays her doubt. "You can't know that for sure."

Taking her hand, I draw her to the window. Together we look out across the pavement, to where two figures stand together. Whispers on the breeze.

The slightly taller one leans back on her heels, completely at ease. Hands reaching playfully towards the boy before her, she smiles invitingly. Though the boy doesn't reciprocate her bold flirting, he does nothing to prevent it from continuing. Crossing his arms lightly over his chest, he watches her with an expression I can't place.

My stomach churns.

"Can't I?"

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Oh Shiro-chan.
Why are you dooinngg this?
I feel your pain, Momo.
Boys are stupid.

Anyways I hope you liked it :)
Share your thoughts with me!