AN: Gusso! Back again, and ready for action. Just kidding, I'm like, really sick... but anyways, here's the new installment of the Pillow Book! Hope you're as psyched as I was when I got some inspiration (finally).

Enjoy! XD

Rangiku came to see me today, along with Ukitake. This isn't the first time she's visited, not nearly. I mean, it's been a little over a month since The Incident, as she calls it, happened. We've had girl's nights in, and she's been with me through the tears, but Ukitake has never shown up. While he is my mentor and respected friend, he's never dealt with such personal matters. On the subject of Shunsui, he's always stayed out of it, simply saying that I should follow my heart. It was odd, but comforting to see them at my doorstep, and I let them in with little hesitation.

"Nanao-"

"I know. I know what you're going to say. And although I don't want to hear, I'm not going to deny any of it. So why don't we just skip the intervention and move on the advice part?"

Ukitake smiled, and I was surprised at his next words. "While you're mostly right about what I was going to say, I think you should still listen to make sure that I understand what happened in the first place. Does that seem fair enough?"

I nodded, unsure of where this conversation was going to take me.

"Shunsui seduced you that afternoon, but you didn't do anything other than kiss. The next day you were going to tell him that you didn't want that kind of relationship, but ended up sleeping with him instead. Afterwards you realized what you did and ran out, telling him that it was over between the two of you, whatever 'it' was. I'm correct thus far?" I nodded again. "For a month you've been suffering silently except for the occasions you and Rangiku have been here. Your relationship with Shunsui is nonexistent, and although your work is not suffering from it, you are. I'm still on the right track?" I nodded yet again, wondering what his point was going to be, and why he was dragging out all these raw emotions once more. "Now, I'm going to assume that you love Shunsui, but for some reason don't want to get into a serious relationship with him. You believe that it's because of his reputation, but really you're afraid of getting hurt. You don't want to put your whole life on the line for something as trivial as a boyfriend."

I felt a tear stream down my face, and Rangiku put her arms around me. "Did you tell him that, or did he really assume it all?"

She looked at me wide-eyed, her blue-grey orbs shining. "I swear I didn't tell him anything. Do you think he's," she paused, glancing at him, "psychic?"

I looked at Ukitake, who was trying to smother a laugh. I smiled shyly, an shook my head at her.

"Shall we continue?" Ukitake was back to business.

"Um…" I wasn't sure. I didn't really like where this man was going, especially since he'd probably get me to do the thing I least wanted to do.

"Nanao, I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to do. I'm simply going to help you realize the cause of your confliction, and suggest ways to resolve this."

I realized my mouth was wide open. "Are you sure you're not psychic?"

He laughed. "Yes, I'm sure."

"A mind reader?"

He gave me a pointed look. "Nanao, of all people, I'd have thought you would be least likely to believe in that sort of thing."

"Well… you are a very interesting person, Ukitake-Taicho…" I said sheepishly.

He smiled at me. "Let's get back to the important stuff. Knowing that all of this is true, I want you to think about the reasons why you don't want to be with Shunsui." I made a mental list. It was shorter than I thought. "Now make a list of all the reasons why you want to be with Shunsui." This list was practically endless. I couldn't believe it, but I was actually considering apologizing to Shunsui and telling him how much I loved him.

I don't know why, but Ukitake left without giving me any advice. He just said he forgot to feed his cat (he doesn't even have one…) and ran out of the apartment.

He is a strange man, but definitely not that strange. I wonder… could Shunsui be involved with this somehow?

AN: R E V I E W S _ E Q U A L _ L O V E

Also, I really want people to review and tell me when they think I should end this book. I'm considering stopping it here or the next chapter and starting the next book, but I wanted your input first. So let me know!