Would You Love Me If You Knew What I Was?

Chapter Twenty: Becoming of you

Disclaimer: No, I do not claim to own Bleach and/or its characters. All I own is Yumi and my other OC's.

Listening to: Show me Love by: T.a.t.u.

Pretty much OOC Hitsugaya here… T.T Oh and I noticed that I make it look like Matsumoto is like a full time drunkard. Just saying, she's one of my favs in my female list in the series and I don't think she's a 24/7 drinker. I just find her the perfect candidate as comic relief when Kon isn't around to tease Ichigo.

Ichigo: Oi!

Mana: Admit it, Ichi. He teases you

Kon: Kon-sama wins again!

Yumi: I don't think so –pulls ear-

Kon: Gah, the stuffing! The stuffing!

A/N: Alright, I haven't updated in a month and this is all I have. Pissed off aren't ya? Well, i'm pretty much brain dead on how this story is gonna go. T.T So I just whipped this up randomly...grr

"Enter, Miyamoto Yumiko," Boomed the voice of the first division captain. Yamamoto tapped his cane into the floor once she was inside the captain's meeting room. They had been discussing how to deal with her offence. There was no doubt that Byakuya told them about her rebelling against the Gotei thirteen during her stay in the human world.

So, there she stood, surrounded by the heads of each division including her own captain. Yumi took a deep breath in and bowed in respect.

"You have broken many an offence against soul society and also failed to bring back any vital information at the one task I have sent you for. Do you deny any of these charges?"

"I do not." She answered, keeping her head down. "And I accept any punishment given to me."

"Miyamoto," murmured Hitsugaya. His tone confused her since it was either bordering on shock at her words or a warning at how she was handling the situation. Somehow, she believed it to be the former.

"Now now, I don't think you should be so direct without a fight, Miyamoto-San." Spoke one of the captains. Aizen Souske was his name and also captain of the fifth division.

"Aizen-Taicho…?" she questioned in surprise.

Byakuya spoke in her place. "You do know that the charges against Miyamoto are high enough to send her to the penitence tower, Aizen-Taicho?" the sixth division captain's eyes closed.

"That may be true, but isn't there already an occupant in that very tower?" asked Aizen. Yumi seemed to catch his knowing look before it disappeared.

"If I may, Taicho," she softly interrupted before it became a full blown argument. "But there is already someone in the tower?"

"That is false information y'know, Taicho." This time, it was Gin that spoke. "Unless that happens any time soon, you might just get reprimanded for that comment—"

"Enough!" his booming voice resounded through the room as everyone shuddered; as was expected from the first division captain of the thirteen protection squads. "Now, for your trial, Miyamoto.

"You will be sentenced to the holding cell until further trials are made by central 46 starting tomorrow evening. Also, your sword will be held in custody of the tenth division captain, Hitsugaya Toshiro."

Yumi froze at his name but silently agreed and bowed once more. "Will that be all?"

"Yes. This meeting is adjourned until further notice. Dismissed!"

"…So, It looked like Yamamoto-Taicho was in a bad mood today, ne?" she said, trying to break the awkward silence between her and her captain.

He remained silent without even a single glance and Yumi felt her spirits drop even more.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, she asked, "Are you mad at me?"

"How can you take this so calmly?" he finally said, stopping in his footsteps and clenching his fists tightly.

Yumi tilted her head slightly and frowned. "What are you—"

"Just…" he paused and then shook his head, "Never mind."

She huffed in frustration and quickened her pace ahead of him. If that was how he would answer her, then so be it.

Hitsugaya began walking after her as well but an annoyed look was on his face, "Oi, you idiot! You're wounds aren't completely healed."

"I can handle myself fine, y'know!" she retaliated, turning her head slightly to look back at him. There was one problem with that though. That began when she didn't see the wall looming in front.

The result was an unscathed wall and a dazed Yumi on the ground rubbing her forehead slightly. It was when she heard quiet chuckling that she growled and crossed her arms across her chest in a pout.

"Baka," he said and crouched down. At first, she expected him to simply pull her back up without another word, but she almost gaped when a handkerchief was extended to her. "Here,"

She froze for a moment before shaking her head quickly and arrogantly turned her head, "I'm fine."

"Does your forehead bleeding count as 'fine'?" he raised a brow and lifted the cloth to her head. Yumi winced a little, indeed feeling a sting but said no more as he gently cleaned the wound. She couldn't help but wonder why he was so kind now; especially last night's heated fight (Hah, poetry). Her eyes softened considerably, remembering just a little about how she had over reacted to his remarks. It just didn't make sense.

Once he finished, he helped her up and began walking again. When she didn't follow, he sighed and turned around to her. "Do I have to drag you back myself?"

Yumi snapped out of it and smiled a little. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all; being back home.

'Growl'

One second though…maybe not.

"Ehehe, mind if I grab a bite to eat, first?"

As strange and comforting as it would be, eating with her captain would be much too awkward at the moment. Well, who wouldn't if you've been gone for how long—a month about? So, when all else fails…

Crash the vice-captain barracks

"Taicho, are you sure you don't want to stay?" asked Matsumoto who was acting very giddy today. Under her arm were the two poor victims, Kira and Yumi. "Sure it's for Fukutaicho's but I'm sure Yumi would be delighted—"

"Oi, don't give your input!" objected the other girl as she smacked the vice-captain after wrenching free of the 'vice grip' (XD…ok maybe not funny if you don't know Pokémon. Lol)

Hitsugaya closed his eyes and his usual frown was put on. "Whatever."

"See! I told you—wait what?" Yumi gaped and nearly lost her voice for a moment.

"I have to keep you under watch until tomorrow anyway. So make those days you were gone up to everyone," despite that scowl set on his face, Yumi sensed that he was being sincere about this. She smiled and nodded.

"Thank you."

"Hn," he said nothing more and took a seat on the couch with his arms folded in his haori.

"Let's get the sake out then!" exclaimed Matsumoto as three cheers came from all the Fukutaicho's. Meanwhile, both Yumi and Hitsugaya had let out exasperated sighs.

This was going to be a long night

…And a long night indeed. In the span of an hour, Matsumoto had won a contest between Hisagi, Kira, and her. Not that it's surprising or anything. What really shocked Yumi was that she had passed out at the twentieth bottle. She wouldn't give up until the thirtieth at the least!

"Ne, Yumi-Chan!" she slurred and draped her arm around Yumi's shoulder causing her to drop her water. "I need a lie down…"

Yumi groaned at the weight dragging her down and nearly fell over it not for the sudden lightness of the vice captain. Looking to her side, she saw Hitsugaya helping on the other side. "Taicho,"

"Damn it Matsumoto. You're hopeless…" he said and slung her other arm around his shoulder. Thus, his hand on her back overlapped Yumi's. He didn't seem to notice but Yumi had blushed lightly at contact.

'It's warm. When…' from the corner of her eye, she took a glance at him through strawberry curls, 'When was the last time I was ever close to him?'

"Miyamoto," his voice snapped her out of her stupor.

"Yes?"

"Are we going to move her or not?"

"Oh, right," she let out a groan when moving as both of them set the Fukutaicho on the couch they were on previously. Everyone else was either out cold or had gone home so it was fairly quiet.

"So…" Yumi began awkwardly, "Now what?"

"We might as well leave them here and let their captains take care of them." He answered simply and folded his arms again.

"That should be interesting…to see," vision blurring, she began to sway and lose her balance. "I feel funny…"

"Miyamoto?" Hitsugaya questioned and turned back around to face her when he saw her fall forward. Luckily, he was close enough and caught her just before she fell. "Oi, pull yourself together!"

"Toshiro?" she mumbled in his haori and kept it there. "My head feels fuzzy."

"What in god's name did you drink?" he asked and looked for the cup.

"Erm…some weird water I think…? I forgot." She answered and shifted so that her chin was resting on his shoulder. It felt pretty uncomfortable to the captain as he immediately tried finding that cup without dropping her on the floor. He didn't smell any alcohol on her breath so what could it be?

"Miyamoto, that wasn't water you drank…" he muttered almost fearfully, "I think that was watered down sake." It was the only thing that could explain her next actions.

"Ooh, so that's why! Hehe," a hiccup sounded and his deepest fear began. "Mm, why are you holding me like this?" Now even her speech was getting slurred.

"That's…err." He began to stutter when he felt her breath on his neck. Suddenly, she jumped up, wrapping her arms around his neck and bringing them both down on the floor. "Miyamoto!"

'What am I doing…?' she quickly thought nervously, 'Holy—c'mon Yumiko snap out of it!'

"Taicho," she began and got off his chest but hovered over him just the same, "Do you care about me?"

"What?"

"Do you like me?" she said another question that made him even more confused. This didn't happen the last time she was drunk. Something felt wrong too. Her next move furthered his suspicion…

"If I were to disappear, would you look for me?"

This wasn't her

Quickly he shifted so that he was on top and pinned her arms down (whoa, bold, much?). In her gaze was no longer violet, but a shade of garnet red with a thin amber ring. It still had a hint of their original hue but one was dominant.

"So, you found me out." She murmured with a light grin on her face, "Took you long enough."

"What's going on?" he said and his eyes narrowed. "This is almost the same as before."

"Oh, you mean the forest, do you not?" Yumi shook her head slowly and looked back up into his eyes with an amused stare. "I wouldn't compare me to that now… Actually, that hurt."

"Then answer me," Hitsugaya hissed, and tightened his grip on her wrists ever so slightly. "Or else I'll make the Soukyoku pale in comparison to what's to come."

"I'm shivering," she mocked and shifted in position," Do you honestly think that I would believe that you would do something to this soul?"

Hitsugaya hesitated for a moment and that was all she needed to push up. Apparently, he was near the wall where they were. So, when he was shoved, his back hit the wall while he was still in a sitting position. Yumi herself then shifted so she was kneeling in front of him. Her hand went to his cheek and traced down to his jaw line.

"You know… If you weren't so important to her, you'd probably be dead by now. From the moment you both entered that forest—no, since you've set eyes on each other your fates were sealed." She said softly, keeping an eye on the stunned captain. The smirk on her face remained as she continued. "Let me tell you something good, just for you.

"Don't get too attached. There are rules on how to play this game and emotions will only blind you to the truth. Illusions cast by a joker will not break, even to the sword of a knight." She warned and moved her hand to where his heart should be. Tapping into his spirit, she sent a mix of energy into his system.

Once the deed was done, her eyes slowly blanked and she passed out.

'This reiatsu…' he thought confusedly. Seeing her change in state, he shifted so that Yumi fell into his arms. Her head rested on his chest and her body slumped over. Hitsugaya remained stationed until he began to worry that Matsumoto would wake up and see them. With a quiet groan, he gathered her up and stood straight. Learning his lesson from before, he fixed her onto his back and made his way out of the vice-captain's quarters.

Halfway during the walk, she sobered up somewhat and stirred, "What happened…?"

"It's about time you woke up." He spoke with a sigh but not slowing in pace. "You passed out so I'm carrying you back." He felt her stiffen and his grip tightened slightly just in case she decided to slip out, "it's nothing, so don't worry about it."

"It's not that I'm mulling over." She mumbled, burying her face in the cloth of his haori near his shoulder.

An amused and smug look had sneaked onto his face and he was lucky that she couldn't see it, "You'd think you would be used to it by now, Miyamoto."

"S-Shut up!" she growled and lightly kicked his side causing him to almost lose his grip on her.

"Hey!"

"You're a captain, deal with it," she laughed and rested her head against his back. Not wanting to admit it himself, he really enjoyed hearing that laugh again. It was cliché to say the least, but there were moments that he ultimately missed when she was there.

The same was for her as well. The cold attitude as his front, but behind it there was actually a soul that cared. Not just for paperwork or his job as a captain of the Tenth Division. It was the side that Yumi had come to know and enjoy seeing.

"Ne, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"My sentence… It's bad, isn't it?" She murmured with a sigh.

"I won't lie and sugarcoat it, so I suppose so." He replied. "I doubt that it would go to the lengths of execution, though."

"I guess so," she spoke so dejectedly that Hitsugaya almost thought that it wasn't her again but continued walking. His house was only a turn away now. Her arms that were wrapped loosely around his neck tightened somewhat in a motion akin to seeking comfort. "I'm sorry I'm making you go through with this too. Now squad ten is going to get in trouble because of what I did in the human world…"

"Don't think of it like that," he spoke in a voice he intended to sound more reassuring but failed and used his captain tone. Hitsugaya felt her flinch slightly so he put his hand on one of hers and shook his head, "Just don't."

Arriving at the front steps, he set Yumi down and she smiled tenderly at him.

"This kind talk is becoming of you, Taicho." She joked and opened the door, "Don't you think?"

Hitsugaya glared lightly and crossed his arms, "Just get inside already.

"This is…!" began both Ichigo and Ishida as they stood a few yards away from a very 'bold-looking' house. Two arms stood erect from the ground up holding a banner saying: "Shiba Kuukaku!"

"Now do you believe me when I say you can spot it anywhere and recognize it?" asked the black cat Yoruichi.

"Please don't tell me," Said Ishida with a twitching eye, "that we're going in there…"

"I really don't want to be caught going in there," Groaned Ichigo. He looked to the sides of the land warily and shuddered, "I'm just really glad no one is around to see."

"Kurosaki-kun! Ishida-kun!" called Orihime as Chad and Yoruichi stood behind her already close to the entrance of the house, "Come on! Hurry up!"

On both faces, you could see the look of utter defeat. It was Ichigo who spoke up first though, "I promise that if you don't tell anyone we went in there, I'll keep the other end."

"Agreed…"

On arrival, two burly looking men appeared with their eyes locked on Ichigo and the others.

Ichigo almost slapped his face.

This was going to be a long day…

Lying on her bed, Yumi glared up at the ceiling. It had been a while since she had last even stood in that room and yet everything looked the same. The futon was neatly in the center and there were tables to put her things. Apparently, the wall had been fixed in her absence as well. Yumi had to chuckle at the memory of the eleventh division captain crashing in like that though.

Rolling onto her stomach, she fondled with the strands of hair on the sides of her face.

'So, you're just going to give in like that tomorrow?'

Yumi sighed at the ever familiar sound of her zanpakto. It was too late at night to deal with this. "It's not like I have much of a choice in the matter. Besides, why would you care? You can come and go as you please while I'm the one in the cell."

'Maybe it's because I don't want to die along with you.'

"You sound just like someone else I know," she growled quietly at the vivid memory during Urahara's training.

'Exactly, so are you a dog or a Shinigami?'

Yumi chuckled and hugged her pillow tightly, "Is that your idea of a pep talk?"

'Shuddup… Anyway, I'm going to bed.'

"Since when did zanpakto spirits sleep?"

'Since now,'

She chuckled lightly to herself and closed her eyes. It looks like someone hasn't changed one bit.

Omake Theatre: Christmas Edition!

Yumi: Wow, it's christmas!

Hitsugaya: And officially three years since the author thought of this story, so two years since she actually wrote it

Mana: Wow, I didn't think you kept track

Hitsugaya: Might as well since you keep taking a damn break between chapters.

Yumi: Now now, not in front of the children!

Both: ... -blink-

Yumi: -Grins-

Mana: That's it, no more manga for you

Yumi: NEVER!

Hitsu: How do I know you two?

Ichigo: You got into a contract, remember?

Hitsugaya: Kurosaki?!

Yumi: How did you get here?!

Ichigo: Same way those guys came -points to tidal wave of Hitsufangirls with christmas gifts-

Hitsugaya: Oo...

Mana: I would run if I were you in 3...2...1--

Byakuya: Bakudo 81: Danku -girls hit barrior-

Everyone: BYAKUYA!?

Byakuya: ...is it that shocking to see me?

lol, I was gonna make this an actual story omake