The next day after Heiwa's and HItsugaya's almost kiss, Hitsugaya seemed to disappear. After he ran out from the room Heiwa had tried to find him but to no avail. The next morning instead of him being there in his place was Shuhei who was confused on why he was even there. Not that she wasn't happy to see him but it made her sad that Hitsugaya had left before anything could be explained. He had tried to kiss her so did that mean he liked her? A even bigger question did she like him? This entire time their relationship had been based off a friendship where she had thought he was in a strained committed relationship and her feeling guilty the entire time.

Besides that Heiwa had never really liked anyone before, not that there weren't interested men but usually it was over her body or the them thinking she was a challenge. Hitsugaya was different though, he didn't seem to care about her looks and could hold a conversation with her without looking at her breast. They could understand each other and he made her feel different but she didn't know how to explain it.

"So are you going to tell me what happened," Shuhei said next to her bringing her out of her thoughts. She looked at the tattooed faced man who was looking at her sympathetically. Heiwa sighed and didn't answer, what was she supposed to say?

"It must be something, Rangiku said even Captain Hitsugaya came back looking how you're looking right now," he said trying to get an answer out of her again. Heiwa looked back to the ground. Even Shiroi Kiba's attempts to cheer her up by sniffing at her face and licking her face but that didn't even work. She had been like this since last night after Hitsugaya had left in a rush.

There was a knock at the door and Shuhei turned telling the person that they could come in. A tofu kozo opened the door and behind him was Matsumoto.

"My apologies sir I tried to ask her to stay downstairs until I was sure that My lady wanted guest but...she wouldn't take no for a answer I'm afraid". Shuhei nodded.

"It's alright it happens to the best of us but she's can come in". The tofu kozo bowed and walked off. Shuhei looked back at Heiwa in her dazed state and looked back at Matsumoto who was now looking at Heiwa just as worried as he was. Matsumoto walked into the room and sat down beside Heiwa opposite of Shuhei and gently grabbed the girl's hand making her look up.

"Captain Tousen…..Heiwa, one woman to another, is everything thing all right between you and my captain if you don't mind me asking," Matsumoto asked. Heiwa opened her mouth to answer but then closed it again.

"You know he's been upset ever since he came back yesterday and anytime someone brings up your name he gets even more distant and won't speak about it," she said again. When Heiwa didn't answer Shuhei shook his head telling her to give up making the busty woman sigh.

"...I don't know what happened actually," Heiwa said making both lieutenants pause and look down at her at the sound of her voice. "One moment he was about to kiss me and then he ran out when one of the tofu kozo came in". Shuhei and Matsumoto looked at each other wide eyed before looking back down at her.

"Wait so you're telling me that my captain tried to kiss you," Matsumoto asked. Heiwa shyly nodded. Matsumoto then pounced on her and hugged the small captain to her or more like her breast.

"Rangiku please she's still supposed to be resting," Shuhei yelled out waving his hands.

"But don't you see this is great, now they can start dating since they like each other," Matsumoto squealed letting go of Heiwa to where she fell back breathless in Shuhei's arms but paused when she heard Matsumoto's words.

"Is that what this feeling is," she asked the two. Shuhei and Matsumoto both looked down at Heiwa confused. "Do I like Toshiro," she asked again. "And he's really not dating Lieutenant Hinamori"?

"Why would you think he is if he's been hanging around you," Shuhei asked.

"Well Yumichika told me they had a strained relationship, Toshiro told me they weren't but I wanted to be sure," Heiwa said. Matsumoto closed a fist with her eye twitching think how low Yumichika would be to win this bet. "I may not have much experience when it comes to men but i'm not dumb enough to not double check".

"Wait Heiwa, have you never been in a relationship before," Matsumoto asked Heiwa to which she got the answer of Heiwa's head shaking no. "Are you telling me you've never liked a guy"? Yet again another head shake. "Does that mean…..you're a virgin"? Heiwa laughed probably for the first time that day.

"Of course, you think that my brother or Captain-General would allow me to be around boys like that and I was too busy with my training and duties to have time for boys". Matsumoto looked taken aback and thought that's the reason why it's so easy for her to ignore Naruhito's advances.

"But Heiwa you're so pretty, are you telling me that you've never been on a date, never kissed a boy even," Matsumoto asked getting a shake of the head from both Shuhei and Heiwa. "Then it's settled you should tell him how you feel".

"What, I can't do that, I don't even know how I feel about him," Heiwa said waving her hand to Matsumoto.

"Well tell us then how you think you feel about him,". Heiwa sat there and thought for a moment if she really wanted to tell these two people how she felt about the young captain.

"Well...he makes me feel nice, everyone says he's cold but he's really nice to me and doesn't make me feel like I have to change because of my past. The fact that he watches out for me and actually wants to get to know me, it makes me feel...special i guess , I've never felt special to anyone except my brother and Shiroi Kiba before. Or the way he'd held my hand, I've never wanted to want to have physical contact with a person before by something so small as holding hands before". As Heiwa finished she heard a sound and Matsumoto and Heiwa looked over to see Shuhei holding the bridge of his nose with his fore and thumb finger and scrunching his face up.

"Shuhei are you ok," Matsumoto asked. Shuhei nodded before looking back up at both of them and smiling at Heiwa.

"Yea it's just kinda hard, Heiwa is like my little sister and it's hard for me to hear my little sister talk about her first crush…..I'm just so glad it wasn't someone from the 11th Division," he said making both Heiwa and Matsumoto laugh. "So are you going to tell him"?

"I don't know, I don't even know how I would go about it," Heiwa said looking back to the ground. Matsumoto looked over to Shuhei and winked before softly hugging Heiwa this time.

"Don't you worry, just leave it to us," Matsumoto said.

Hitsugaya

Even though it had only been a few hours since Hitsugaya had ran out after trying to kiss Heiwa, it felt like it had been days from him. All he could think about was Heiwa's curvy body against him and how their lips had brushed against each others just for it to be ruined and him running out like a coward. Why couldn't he just tell her how he felt about her, he was the youngest captain in the 13 Court Guard and had survived many battles. How could he not survive saying how he felt to one girl.

"Toshiro-kun, you've been quiet since I got here, do you maybe want to talk about it," Hinamori said to him. She had came from her division earlier saying she had gotten permission to cheer him up. "Is it about Captain Tousen...because you like her"? Hitsugaya turned his body away from her and crossed his arms.

"I'm not talking about that," he said.

"Aaaahhh come on I know you do, people tell me that you guys have been hanging out and you even got to stay with her while she was sick and even when you ran all the way to the fourth division just because you were worried about her," Hinamori said leaning over to try to look him in the face.

"Shut up," he said.

"Oh so you do like her and you're just afraid to admit it".

"Shut up".

"Well maybe I should tell her for you". Hitsugaya turned around to Hinamori giggling behind her hand.

"See I knew that would get your attention, why don't you just tell her how you feel"?

"...Because she won't accept me".

"What, why not did she say that"?

"No".

"Then how do you know"? Hitsugaya sighed and rubbed the back of his head.

"You don't get it Hinamori, I don't know how to express my feelings and after everything Heiwa's been through she deserves someone that won't hold back on showing her how they feel about her, someone that can make her feel special,make her feel safe" he said.

"Well how do know if you don't try," Hinamori asked him. Hitsugaya shrugged his shoulders. "Listen Toshiro-kun I don't know Captain Tousen but she seems reasonable and everyone says she's a very understanding and kind person so maybe you can just try and not be afraid to show your feelings for once. It's doesn't hurt to try". When she got no answer for a long time from HItsugaya she sighed and patted his shoulder before heading back to her division. Hitsugaya looked at the sky honestly irritated. This was the second time someone had told him to just tell Heiwa how he felt, third time he would really have to do it.

Next Day

The next morning Heiwa in her uniform and Shiroi Kiba on her shoulder walked to her division, occasionally looking around to make sure Hitsugaya was not around. Even though the talk with Shuhei and Matsumoto helped she still wasn't sure what she was going to do if she came across Hitsugaya.

"Stop being so afraid, are you a woman or a flea," Shiroi Kiba said in her mind.

"Well you just find out what it's like to like someone and see how you feel," she argued back to him.

"I have and I laid claim to what was mine and gave her my pups," he said proudly.

"Well in this day and age we can't just going around and boinking everything we want to lay claim to".

"Well maybe that's your problem, you should just lung yourself at him and claim him for yourself". Heiwa blushed and covered her face with the palm of her hand, shaking her head.

"I think i'd rather talk to him like a normal person and not pounce him, I'm not an animal".

"Fine suit yourself, see where talking gets you".

Heiwa ignored the last comment as they made their way to the entrance of the 9th Division. Heiwa walked through suprised to see her division and Shuhei waiting at the gate to meet her. When they all saw her they straightened themselves and bowed to her.

"Welcome back captain," they all said to her. Heiwa smiled and blushed from the attention she was receiving but bowed back to them.

"Alright, alright that's enough of that out of our way," a loud voice called from the crowd pushing people out of the way. Who else could it be but Yumichika and Ikkaku pushing their way through the crowd to get to Heiwa.

Heiwa would usually be happy to see the two but after finding out that Yumichika really had lied to her about the statues of Hitsugaya and Hinamori's relationship she hadn't really gotten over it and was actually hurt by it.

"We're sorry we didn't come visit you Heiwa-chan but tattoo face over there wouldn't let us, he said we would disturb your rest," Yumichika said trying to hug her but Heiwa flash stepped to the side. The two men looked at her confused but noticed the sad but serious look on her face.

"Hey what's going on, why the mean face," Ikkaku asked folding his arms.

"It has nothing to do with you Ikkaku, it's the fact that Yumichika doesn't like to tell the truth," Heiwa said looking straight at Yumichika. Yumichika looked surprised at Heiwa and tossed his hair back before smiling and looking back at Heiwa.

"Heiwa-chan what are you talking about," he asked her.

"You told me that Hitsugaya was dating Lieutenant Hinamori for some reason but then I find out that he isn't from him and two other sources. Did you possible tell me that in hopes that it would direction my affections elsewhere"? Ikkaku's eyebrow slightly twitched listening to Heiwa, the only time she sounded like the "Old Man" as he put it was when Heiwa was being very serious and was mad. He tried to poke Yumichika in the ribs lightly to warn him to be careful with his next words but all it got was a scowl from the pretty man before he snapped his head back looking in Heiwa's direction.

"Ok maybe I did lie but I only did it because he doesn't deserve that kind of attention from you and you deserve better Heiwa-chan," he said.

"How was that your decision, if you felt like that you could've told me instead of lying like we're teenagers and not adults".

"Why it's not like you like him anyway, you aren't interested in boys like that". Heiwa blushed and looked to the side making both of the men's jaws drop. "You can't tell me that you do".

"Enough you two, since we can't even welcome our captain back in peace can we at least get on with our business," Shuhei interjected coming up behind Yumichika and Ikkaku before stopping when he heard the alarm go off.

"Well it looks like we'll have to finish later, Shuhei let's go," Heiwa said walking in the direction of her already gathering division and leaving the two 11th division members. Shuhei nodded and looked back at the men shaking his head at them before flash stepping next to her. Yumichika's whole body shook as he thought about the conversation that just happened.

"Ikkaku what am I going to do I'm going to lose this bet," he cried grabbing on to Ikkaku's collar and shaking him.

"Get off me you idiot, I told you not to make this bet it's your own fault," Ikkaku said. Yumichika fell to his knees still holding Ikkaku and cried some more.

"What am I going to do, I'm going to have to go candy shopping with Lieutenant Yachiru," he sobbed. Ikkaku straightened as much as he could and looked up to the sky as if he was thinking.

"I would tell you to run and change your identity but as soon as someone tells her, she'll hunt you to the ends of the earth". Yumichika cried even harder, using Ikkaku's robe to wipe his tears.

"Hey, hey don't you me as a handkerchief you idiot".

HItsugaya

Hitsugaya was at his desk looking at the clouds, not a usual activity he did but he couldn't concentrate on his paperwork and after the talk he had with Hinamori he was thinking of what he could possibly say to Heiwa the next time they saw each other. So far sadly he had came up with close to nothing, and sadly he didn't think he would be anytime soon. Hitsugaya wasn't a man of words when he came to his feelings or desires he just did what he felt was right an said what was on his mind. HItsugaya's head popped up at the thought, Maybe that's what Shiroi Kiba and Hinamori meant, he just needs to take on the situation like he did with everything else and just say what was on his mind.

Hitsugaya got up from his desk and walked over to the door to slide it open just to be met with large mounds of flesh in his face. He looked up from them to see the smiling face of his second in command.

"Oh captain, good I was just looking for you," she said walking in the office and dragging him by the back of his collar with her.

"Matsumoto, let go I was just on my way out," Hitsugaya said struggling as he was sat down and she sat in front of him.

"To see Heiwa, she's not there right now her division was called out for hollows reported near our borders". She rested her face in her hands and looked down at him. "Besides we have better things to talk about".

"Like what"?

"Well the fact that you like her and she likes you".

"You don't know what you're talking about".

"I do because she told me and I can see it all over your face, look at you blushing like a little kid". Hitsugaya lowered his head feeling his ears burning. "But it's ok because she likes you to and I'm going to help you tell her". Hitsugaya stood up and looked down at Matsumoto with a determined look on his face.

"That won't be necessary, I'll be speaking to Heiwa myself when she gets back".

"What you, do you even know how to talk to a girl about matters of the heart"? Matsumoto chuckled trying to hold it behind her hand.

"No I don't but this is my battle and I don't need your help, now go do your paperwork since you don't seem to have anything else better to do but try to butt in my affairs". Hitsugaya sat at his desk and started working on his work now that his mind was clear and he knew what he had to do.

"Whhhaaat but that's so boring," Matsumoto whined from where she sat.

9th Division

It had taken almost two hours to kill all the hollows. It was almost like they were endless until Heiwa had to make her division fall back so she could bring Shiroi Kiba in his chain scythe form and swing her blade running through the large group while making numerous explosions at the same time amazing the whole division. She had to run a good five miles before Shuhei came with the rest of their division killing the stragglers.

"What are our casualties," Heiwa asked Shuhei from the tree she stood in making sure there were no more hiding. Shiroi Kiba came out of the sword and tiredly jumped on Heiwa's shoulder to rest.

"Thirteen injured but no dead," he said. A bush started to rustle making Shuhei reach for his zanpakuto to attack until he saw that it was guards by their uniform and Naruhito behind them trembling.

"Thank goodness, I thought this was going to be our last day," a guard said bowing to Shuhei. Shuhei put away his zanpakuto as Heiwa jumped down to where they were.

"Lord Naruhito what are you doing here," she asked him. Naruhito burst through his guards and brought Heiwa into a tight hug.

"Oh Heiwa-san it was terrible, they came out of nowhere I thought we were all going to die," he said looking down at her.

"You shouldn't even be here, what if we had not came in enough time, you're lucky that none of you have large spiritual pressure or you could've attracted them to you".

"I'm sorry Heiwa-san I just needed to get out and stretch, it's so boring now that you're gone".

"Lord Naruhito all that matters is your safety, you are your fathers and mothers only child just think how devastated they would be if something happened to you". Heiwa looked over at the guards. "Sir please take Lord Naruhito home quickly, this place is not safe". The guards nodded and started directing Naruhito to another direction.

"But Heiwa-san can't I stay with you," he said over his shoulder trying to push against the guards pushing him.

"No Lord Naruhito, I can't guarantee that I can protect you here, you should be taken back home where it's safe," Heiwa said bowing her head before the guards took the struggling noble back to his home. Heiwa was about to walk away when she smelt something in the air. The good thing about freeing Shiroi Kiba was that she acquired some of his talents as well, like his sense of smell.

"What is it," Shuhei asked noticing her sniffing the air. Heiwa didn't answer but concentrated on the smell and walked a little further before kneeling to the ground to pick up the remainders of a coin shaped object. She smelled it just to make sure it was what she was looking for before standing up and turning to Shuhei.

"What is that," he asked looking in her hand.

"Hollow bait, someone wanted all these hollows to come here," Heiwa said looking around.

"Hollow bait, but who would want to attract them here," he asked rubbing his chin. A member from their division suddenly ran up to them and bowed.

"Captain, Lieutenant, all together it was 150 hollows counted. We reported back and the Captain-General has called for a captain meeting with your report ma'am". Shuhei and Heiwa looked at each other before nodding to the man and flash stepping back to the Soul Society.

First Division

Hitsugaya and Matsumoto walked towards the captain council as quickly as they could wondering what could be so important to call a meeting so suddenly.

"Captain do you think this could be about the hollows the 9th division fought today," Matsumoto asked.

"Simple hollows couldn't be a reason to call this meeting," Hitsugaya said even though in the back of his mind he did wonder which made him worry about Heiwa. They finally made it and saw that Kenpachi,Mayuri,Soi fon, Konomaru, Byakuya, Shunsui, Unohana,Jushiro, and Yamamoto were there with all their lieutenants there by their sides but no Heiwa and Shuhei. Hitsugaya started to worry, wondering where she could possibly be and if everything was alright.

"Does the new Tousen not know how to show up on time," Soi Fon snapped.

"I'm right here Soi Fon, I'm sorry for our absence we were awhile away," Heiwa voice said at the entrance of the door. She gave a quick glance to Hitsugaya who looked back at her before looking back at the group.

"Heiwa-chan, I haven't seen your lovely face since you became a captain, what a treat," Shunsui said tipping his hat as his lieutenant Nanao rolled her eyes. Heiwa smiled and waved at them.

"May the meeting beging, Heiwa share your report with us," Yamamoto said getting everyone's attention.

"Actually Captain-General I have to actually revise that report, there's something that needs to be brought to all our attentions," He said going in to haori sleeve and bringing out a cloth then unwrapping it showing the hollow bait to everyone. The Captain-General's eyes opened to clearly look at the item in her hand.

"Is that what I think it is," Shunsui said taking a closer look at it.

"Where did you find this," Yamamoto asked.

"After we killed all the hollows I found it on the ground around the area," Heiwa said. Mayuri walked up to her and took it out her hand and held it up to look at it.

"Strange this is a heavy dosage one, holds more than the average hollow bait," he said.

"That could explain why there were so many of them, 150 were counted all together all together," Heiwa said.

"Could it be someone trying to play a joke maybe," Jushiro asked.

"Obviously not, someone's trying to make trouble and how funny that after she comes here that it starts," Soi Fon said glaring at Heiwa. Hitsugaya made a fist and dug his feet in the ground trying to calm himself.

"Well Soi Fon if you believe that then you can bring it up to the family nobleman I saved today," Heiwa said glaring right back at Soi Fon. "What Kaname did has nothing to do with me, I could say it was you and now you're trying to place the blame on me".

"Enough of this bickering, this matter needs to be addressed immediately if someone is trying to attract hollow into the Soul Society," Yamamoto said bringing his large cane down to the ground. The two female captains snapped to attention looking forward at the old man.

"What else did you find while you were there," he asked Heiwa.

"Nothing else that shows evidence of any foul play," she said to him.

"Hmmm then security shall be heightened around the bordering areas, Heiwa I want you to continue to plan the festival," Yamamoto said.

"Aren't you worried that if we have a hollow problem that all those souls in one place will attract them," Shunsui said.

"We will have extra security around that area as well if needed but there is no need to worry the members of our divisions over some hollows, meeting adjourned," Yamamoto said concluding the meeting.

"Are you going to be alright by yourself," Shuhei asked pointing over to the group of lieutenants that had gathered.

"Of course go have your fun," Heiwa said smiling. Shuhei walked towards the group and Heiwa turned around to face Mayuri.

"By the gods why do you have to do that," she said holding her chest, he always seemed to like startling her.

"Well I see he didn't kill you," Mayuri said cocking his head towards Histugaya who was watching the two of them.

"No Mayuri you didn't have to make such a big deal of things," she said.

"Hmmm says you but I did not come over here to discuss the mini captain, you're going to come to my division and have lunch and conversation with me".

"So I guess I get no choice or say in the matter"?

"No why would you think you did".

"Then I guess I have no choice but to accept"?

"Good, I will call for you when I am ready for you," he said before yelling for Nemu and walking out. Heiwa laughed and shook her head. Same Mayuri, always demanding things which was his strange way of asking but he knew Heiwa wouldn't say no. Heiwa turned and walked to the door but was blocked by a certain white haired captain. She stood there stunned for a moment before composing herself and continued walking.

Hitsugaya discreetly grabbed her by her wrist, stopping her long enough for him to tell her something.

"Can I meet with you later," he asked her. Heiwa stayed motionless for a moment before nodding her head. Hitsugaya let out the breath of relief that he had been holding in happy that she was willing to see him. "I'll meet you my the river in 3 hours". Hitsugaya let go of her wrist and walked away. Heiwa stood still for a moment until feeling Shiroi Kiba's tail brush against her cheek bringing her back to reality and realizing how nervous she was about this meeting she was going to have.