Thanks to all who reviewed and read till here. LillyBrokenDolly, your email ID didnt appear in the email you sent. So Could you please send it again? placing (dot) and (at) to replace the operators. Thankee!

Chapter XXI: Behind the scenes Part II

"Kon! What are you hiding?", Ichigo noticed the mod-soul-incorporated-plushie was shoving something deep within his drawer/ bedroom.

" Nothing.", Kon jumped back pressing his bottom on something hidden behind him.

" Wrong answer!", Ichigo sprang from the chair, with a motion to accost the lion-teddy (?).

Rukia came in through the door and barked, " You guys are too noisy!"

Kon exclaimed, " Nei-san!" But oddly didn't try to jump on the female as he usually did.

Ichigo quit wrestling with Kon, moodily 'Tcheh!' –ed.

" Knock will ya!"

" Why should I?", Rukia said looking around his room, " You're a boy, you've got nothing to hide!"

Ichigo rolled his eyes. " Say, what are you looking for?"

" Have you seen--?", Rukia begun, but stopped, then said, " Oh, I don't think-"

Ichigo pointed at Kon, " Whatever, it is you are missing, this thing has it!"

"Hey!", Kon yelled," That's unjustified and unproved!"

Rukia widened her eyes, with a realization that just might be true.

" Ichigo, confiscate it at once!"

" Eh? Why should I?"

" Because I said so,…besides, it's your duty as my boyfriend!"

Convinced, Ichigo re-engaged in a tussle.

" What-is-it-any-way?", Ichigo said in between, the struggle.

Rukia said, " My kitty pouch.", just when Ichigo managed to wrestle the thing free.

He hung it out of reach of Kon, in the full view of all.

" P-Panties?", Ichigo blushed, half-embarrassed, half-angry, " You pervert! How DARE YOU TAKE RUKIA'S..??"

Rukia calmly replied, " Those are not mine's."

Ichigo paused and blinked, then hollered, " My sister's?? You disgusting pedo-"

"Idiot! Look carefully those are a man's briefs!"

Ichigo looked at Rukia, surprised while the latter point at the window behind. Kon was staring at his prized possession with a new found disgust, how would a mod soul know, about stuff like these?

There was someone outside, hanging upside down, tapping on the window pane.

" Shinji Hirako!"

" We need to talk!"

------------------------------------------

Hinamori was in the nail parlour, surveying her freshly done nails, blowing over them. she stretched her fingers out to survey the handiwork of the expensive specialists and decided they deserve the money.

She would show them to Hitsugaya who would marvel at them, right? After all, every guy did want his girlfriend to maintain a standard of beauty. She had taken every possible measure, he would not be dissuaded by any female because, he was supposed to be hers and hers only.

She tried to rethink the blank episode in her life. It all had been erased right from the moment she escaped to Hueco Mundo and till the Shinigamis had found her in Las Noches.

No one believed her innocence except Hitsugaya. He protected her from the malicious suspicion that every one directed at her. She had forgotten her reasons for quitting SS, and something within her had told her, he was the one for her.

Now, she had no doubt in mind, though, somehow, things with Hitsugaya weren't going all according to what she planned. There was an invisible wall between them but Hinamori had vowed to break it brick by brick. She had extracted some promises from Hitsugaya, putting their relationship in line. That should ensure some safety from that scheming vamp of a vice-captain! Looks weren't everything!

" Ah! Nicely done I see."

Hinamori's thoughts were interrupted by a handsome man in goggles. He took them off to reveal his brown eyes. his face was familiar, where had she seen him before?

But that was of no concern of hers, she turned around on her parlour chair. She ignored him.

" Tch! Tch! No courteousness to respond to a compliment., milady. I wonder whether this would make you rethink your attitude!"

Hinamori, dispassionately glanced at the card he retrieved from his pocket for her to observe. Her eyes widened at the crest drawn on the white card.

" Where did you find this?", Hinamori almost breathless.

" Does that mean, Milady hasn't switched her loyalties? To think a few months could change you so much. Aren't you being capricious?", a smile touched the strangers lips.

A switch was clicked on. She gasped as a door to a room of unfamiliar memories opened. The blank episode was now crowded with events that staggered her. Had something within her suddenly changed?

Hinamori felt lifeless yet invigorated by a new hope that she never knew she harboured, can that even be possible?

She looked at the man blankly as he took out his cell phone and typed something, and handed her the phone. She stared at the LCD screen to see a new name entered in the directory and a cursor blinking in the number slot. She mechanically filled it in. as she returned the device to its owner, he thrust a heavy envelope into Hinamori's hands.

" Convince him to take this! Without fail. That is if you… want to see him again!"

" Is he- is he alive??", Hinamori's throat ran dry, her eyes bulged out, stricken. Half hopeful, half-----apprehensive???

The man displayed a wry smile and replacing his sunglasses, left with no further words.

-------------------------------------------------

Next Up: Mihiru's Diary