Just Like a Lover

Ulquiorra took me exactly where he found me. He gave me a cold stare, then disappeared into the dark opening in the sky. I glanced around me. Night has fallen – I've been gone that long? Shinji must be worried sick. I bit my lip...did they notice my absence?

Hesitantly I entered the warehouse. I gasped. Suddenly I could see so clearly. I could see the different colored flames of everyone's reiatsu, without the world having to go black or pain surging through my body. There was no dense feeling of being overwhelmed by the pressure – it was like it was part of my normal vision. Was this Aizen's doing? Did he do something to me?

Shinji appeared in a flash before me, his hazel eyes wide and his mouth agape. He reached out to touch me, but hesitated before his hand actually made contact with my skin. I smiled at him, showing him that I was alright and that I was here. It seemed to convince him, since he stroked my cheek and then ran his bony fingers through my short hair.

"Where were you?" he asked me.

I opened my mouth to tell him everything, but then I remembered my promise, "I needed some fresh air."

Shinji's eyes narrowed, "You disappeared into thin air. I couldn't sense you anywhere!"

I looked down, hoping to hide the guilt I felt, "I'm sorry."

Shinji pulled away from me and turned around, "Whatever."

I looked up, annoyed that he disregarded the situation just like that, but felt grateful that he wasn't going to push me into telling him the actual truth. He probably knew that I didn't just go for a walk. He wasn't stupid.

"Were you worried?" I asked. Shinji looked at me over his shoulder, turned around once more and took a large step towards me. I gulped as he towered above and on instinct took a step backwards, but Shinji grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him.

"Worried?" Shinji asked, "Worried is an understatement!"

My eyes widened. I looked up, only to meet such an intense gaze that I wanted to melt. My heart hammered in my chest. I didn't know what Shinji's intense stare meant, I didn't know what to think of his reaction towards everything I do – I must admit I am scared, but as I stood there I felt a strange sensation wash over me. It was a feeling I had never encountered before. It was a uncomfortable feeling, yet it made me happy at the same time. I lifted my arms and cupped Shinji's cheeks. He was so warm against my freezing cold fingers.

"I'm sorry," I whispered as I got onto my tippy toes and brushed my lips against his. I do not know what possessed me to do such a thing, but it felt so right. Shinji remained still, but when I pulled away and looked into his eyes, I knew he was relieved. I smiled and kissed him again, this time he kissed back.

"I'm sorry," I whispered once more. Shinji sighed, shook his head and wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me tightly against him. I inhaled his scent and smiled, content.

"Don't be," Shinji whispered, "I'm just glad you're safe."

I patted Shinji's back and pulled away from his embrace. It was amazing how our relationship changed so naturally over the short time we spent together. He was no longer the annoying blonde womanizer who made my work hell. He was my friend, my guardian...my special person.

"I'm tired," I stated, a headache slowly forming, "I think I'm getting used to my abilities."

"That's good," Shinji commented, "As soon as everything is clear, we can perhaps teach some basics."

"Basics in what?" I asked.

Shinji shrugged, "Self defense maybe?"

I snorted, "As if I can't do that already!"

Shinji chuckled, squeezed my cheeks and then bolted up the stairs. I glared at him. I wasn't a child!

I didn't bother to find a place to sleep, instead I just curled up next to Shinji. It didn't feel strange to lie down next to him. In fact, it felt completely normal – like we have been doing it for years. Shinji was already asleep, soft snores escaping from his side of the bed. The sound made me relax. I closed my eyes and willed myself to forget what Aizen told me, but it was easier said than done.

Who was Aizen really? He claimed that he was not who I thought he was...then who exactly was he? Was he my enemy...or my ally? The Shinigami were his enemy, that much I knew. But what was I? Am I just a girl caught in the middle?

I sighed and turned to lie on my back. It was going to be a long night.

I was awoken when something shook me softly. I stirred, then opened my eyes slowly. Shinji was leaning over me, his lips curved in a lazy grin. I yawned and pulled the covers over my arms. It was freezing.

"Hm?" was all that escaped my lips. I closed my eyes again.

"Dammit, Velvet," Shinji groaned, "stop being so darn cute!"

I smirked, "You like it."

"Whatever," Shinji retorted, "rise and shine, beautiful."

"No."

I could sense Shinji's annoyance, but I ignored it and turned over. I pulled the covers over my head and sighed in content at the warmth. Shinji sat down on the bed beside me and pulled the covers away. I moaned, but when Shinji poked me I giggled. He poked me again, but I merely giggled and refused to move.

"Don't you want to go on a date?" Shinji asked. My eyes shot open and I sat up, my eyes wide.

"Say what?" I echoed.

Shinji chuckled, "A date...with me. What do you say?"

Did he even have to ask?

I am still annoyed at the fact that I will forever be moving around in my school uniform. It means that I look highly unfashionable for my very first date with someone. Okay, technically it's my second date, but I have never counted my first one as an actual date...since it was mainly a prank a stupid classmate pulled on me. Yeah, I don't even want to go there.

Shinji poured us coffee before we left. He drowned his (no sugar or milk) in three seconds flat, leaving me with my heavily drowned in sugar and milk standing on the table. I was still waiting for it too cool down. Shinji laughed at the face I pulled, then pulled his fingers through my short hair. He looked oddly pained for awhile, but soon the frown disappeared into his usual cocky grin.

After I finally finished my coffee, we left. Shinji led me along the river that passed through the city. We walked along the bank, enjoying the tranquility of the water. An occasional car or pedestrian passed, but other than that it was peaceful.

Shinji picked up a rock and tossed it into the water. It splashed and sent large ripples through the surface of the water. I watched it, mesmerized. I always loved water, there was just something about it that made my insides calm. Shinji noticed that I was staring, so he took this as a chance to entwine his fingers with mine. I smiled at him. It was strange, this bubbly happiness I felt whenever was I was with him. I felt so...myself.

"Do you miss Soul Society?" I asked.

Shinji gave me a curious glance, then turned his attention to the water, "Sometimes. There are a few people I left behind that I miss dearly."

"Do you have family?" I asked.

Shinji shook his head, "Not really. The Vizards are family now."

I nodded slowly, "What about someone special?" I squeezed his hand as I asked this. Shinji squeezed back.

"There was one," Shinji whispered, "a girl. I wasn't in love with her at the time, she was still a child, but I cared for her much more than anyone else. She had hair the colour of the moon and a smile as bright as the sun."

"Are you trying to be poetic?" I asked, smirking.

Shinji snorted, "At least I tried."

I chuckled, "This girl sounds an awful lot like me."

Shinji turned to face me, "A bit conceited I would say. But, maybe she is you."

Silence. I stared at him, my amethyst eyes searching for any hesitation, any possible trace of deceit, but there was none. Shinji was being completely honest and sincere. I asked him silently if he was being serious, he merely nodded. It was at that moment I knew that Aizen Sousuke might have been telling the truth all along.

Our walk eventually ended at the park, where the two of us sat down on a branch of a tree. From there we watched the world move beneath us. My mind was still trying to grasp the fact that I was special to Shinji, and not just now, but since I was a little girl. My dreams really weren't nonsense then...I did know him as a child. But that's all I knew. I could not remember anything else.

"I love sitting here," Shinji stated, "watching the world moving ahead, while I remain frozen in time."

I patted his shoulder, "You are not the only one, Shinji. All the dead watch the world continue while they wander, time no longer moves for any of them."

Shinji's lips pursed into a thin line, "I know, but the emotion still bottles up inside of you. Sometimes I wish I wasn't dead. Although I can experience the same as those who live, I can never grow old..."

I did not know what to say. I guess I was still too young to be able to comprehend such things yet. I only died recently, so for me it was still about grasping the concept of never aging. Then again, did I really die? If my parents were from Soul Society, does that not mean I am a special case? Am I truly dead?

"How did we meet?" I changed the subject. Shinji looked surprised, and I could sense the hesitation, but he relaxed.

"It was an average day for me," Shinji stated, "I was testing a small group of future apprentices of the Fifth Division. Takumi was one of them. Your mother was very ill, so he was forced to bring you with. You were still a toddler back then."

I smiled, "You actually told me the truth."

Shinji frowned, "I told you I would, didn't I?"

I nodded, "Yes, but...you told me as if you knew I knew some of it."

Shinji shrugged, "I guess it just felt right."

I chuckled, "Carry on, I do know quite a lot already."

"Really?" Shinji asked, his eyebrow raised, "how?"

I giggled and placed my index finger on my lips, "It's my little secret!"

Shinji and I held hands on our way back to the warehouse. We talked and laughed and poked each other. It felt like I was alive again, if only for a little while. I stumbled, and Shinji steadied me. He pulled his bony fingers through my hair and planted kisses on my forehead, my eyes and my cheeks. I could merely giggle, for it tickled my skin.

When we neared the warehouse, I sensed something out of place. Every flame of reiatsu was present, which meant all the Vizards (including Ichigo) were safe and sound. That was not what worried me. It was the new flame, that burned large and violently that caught me off guard. Shinji and I came to a standstill before the entrance, a pair of eyes watching us coldly.

I was first to speak, "T-Takumi?"

Takumi watched me, then smiled, "Hello, sister."

"What are you doing here?" I asked. Takumi smirked and pulled his fingers through his silver hair, then shifted his amethyst eyes to Shinji. A silent greeting passed through the two men, then Takumi shifted his attention back to me.

"I was discharged this morning," Takumi pointed out, "and I have come here, since I have no where else to go."