Well um...hi^^ Sorry about the lack of recent updates... I've been busy... I discovered a creek near my house and.... it's hot where I live so I had to swim...but now I have a sunburn lol. Anyway, gosh you guys sure did review last chap! XD thanks!
FreakingAgro: be suspicious, be very suspicious AHAHAHA! XD thanks
ThierryMyst: XD angst... Everytime I hear that word I think of Potter Puppet Pals (and if no one know's what they are, youtube em) XD thanks
Akamura: lol a vampire? No no, this is bleach, no vampires XD But I'll admit that you are correct on knowing something is off...what it is though...you'll just have to wait and find out ^^
xXYuzukiCrossXx: XD here you go...late but still here lol
Anon42: Again with the vampires?! Lol you guys are fuuny XD
Grimmjow J. the 6th Espada: XD You'll just have to wait and see if your suspicion is right XD And yeah... I'm trying to update Truth, but I'll probably not have the chap out till like tomorrow or sunday ^^;
*Chapter 27*
"Ne Moru…why do I have to come with?" I yawned, rubbing at my eyes sleepily, "It's not like I can go inside with you, I'm not allowed…And don't you need me to keep an eye on the squad?"
"Aw come on Yume-chan," he whined as he slowed his pace to match mine, "Won't you tag along and give your captain some support?"
I put my hands on my hips.
"Oh I see, you're scared to walk into the captains meeting by yourself, right?"
"Eh? That's not it!" he replied. I raised an eyebrow. "It's um…uh…" I watched as he put a hand over his eyes, before he pulled it away.
"Am I that obvious?" he laughed, grinning at me.
"Very," I chuckled, smirking. The two of us made our way out of the squad, passing some squad members who waved and cheered at Mamoru. He waved back, laughing softly.
Whatever had been bothering him yesterday was gone, or so it seemed, and he looked perfectly healthy. Well I guess I'm relieved, I thought, glancing at him, but why do I still feel like something's wrong?
He seemed healthy, despite the wounds he had just healed from. He didn't even look as pale as yesterday, and was even in good spirits!
…Maybe I'm just overreacting… I mean the whole situation isn't exactly normal… I'm probably just reacting to that-
"You feeling alright Yume-chan?" asked Mamoru.
"Huh? Yeah," I replied, blinking a few times. He was in front of me, walking backwards, his expression frustrated.
"Ne…if you really don't want to come with me, I won't make you…" he muttered, frowning slightly.
"It's fine!" I replied, "Why do you think I don't want to go? I was just complaining about you waking me up!"
"Mmm…it's not because Kensei-taicho is going to be there, is it?"
My eyes widened as I slowed to a stop, my chest tightening up.
"W-why would you think that?" I asked, my heart pounding in my ears. Mamoru's eyes narrowed slightly, before he relaxed and smiled slightly.
"I knew it," he said.. "Well if it's going to make you uncomfortable, I'll just go alone."
"Wha-? Knew what, Moru?!" I cried, staring at him as he turned around and walked away. I reached out and grabbed his arm. "Moru, what the hell are you talking about?"
He looked at me, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of rage in his blue eyes, but he smiled.
"Ah, nothing, nothing. I was just teasing you-OUCH!"
I punched his shoulder.
"W-what was that for?" he whined, holding his arm and staring at me with surprise.
"You moron! Don't do that! I was worried about you!" I snapped, before stomping past him.
"H-hey!" he cried, chasing after me, "You can't hit your captain!"
I glanced back at him, grinning evilly.
"Says you."
Mamoru pretended to look afraid before busting up laughing. I grinned at him and kept walking; when I was sure he couldn't see my face, I let the grin drop with a sigh.
What he said had hit the mark; I didn't want to go because I knew Kensei would be there. I hadn't really put too much thought into it, because I was trying to just enjoy walking with Moru, but now…
What if he tries to talk to me? What do I do? What do I say?!
"Boo!" yelled a voice in my ear, making me jump and reflexively swing my fist at the sound. I felt my had connect with something, before I leapt back.
Kaien was standing next to me, my fist in the palm of his hand.
"Geez, and you were complaining about me nearly hitting you when you jumped at me!"
I grinned at him.
"Sorry~!" I glanced at Moru who was grinning too. "So how's your sis?"
"Explosive," he laughed, "She's working on a new kind of firework…she nearly blew my eyebrows off last time!"
"Nice," I grinned, a mental image of an eyebrowless Kaien coming to mind. "So where's your captain?"
"Ah, that guy went off with Shunsui-taicho," he replied, "I was just heading back to the squad." He suddenly reached out and ruffled my hair, "I've got to go now, so I'll see you at the next fukutaicho meeting, eh?"
"Yeah," I replied, reaching up and pulling his hand away. He grinned wider, before flash stepping away.
I stared after him, frowning as I tried to fix my hair.
"Why does everyone do that to me?" I whined, turning to Mamoru. He walked towards me.
"Do what? Do you mean this-?" He reached out to do the same, but I leapt backwards with a feral growl.
"Don't you dare! Kamikorusu yo!"
"Ahaha! You'll bite me to death? I'm so scared!" he laughed, before winking at me. "Oi, we're going to be late…come on Yume-chan, let's get goin'."
"I know," I replied, following him.
*Kensei's POV*
"Damn…" I growled to myself as I walked towards the captains meeting. I didn't want to go, not when that bastard was going to be there. And he probably was going to be grinning at me, cause he got Yume back and I…well I didn't.
Yume… will you be there too? I wondered, Are you going to be watching your beloved fukutaicho become a captain?
I ran a hand through my hair; I hated having such bitter thoughts, let along being jealous of anyone, but I couldn't help it!
Damn it… I'm such a-
"Geez Kensei, you're a mess," said a voice as if reading my thoughts. I glanced back to see Shinji staring at me.
"What are you talking about?" I growled.
"Nothing, nothing," he replied, before he grinned, "Hey there Yume-chan!"
I froze on the spot, my heart pretty much stopping.
I slowly turned around to see…no one.
"Ah, I see…" chuckled Shinji. I spun around, half ready to punch him. But I couldn't, even if he was grinning at me in a patronizing way.
I opened my mouth to yell at him, but he put up his hand, the grin turning into a serious sort of grimace.
"You really are a mess," he said. "So… she rejected you then?"
I didn't answer.
"Ungh," he put a hand on his forehead, "What exactly did you do?"
"Nothing!" I snapped, glaring at him. "It wasn't me! She's the one who ran away!"
"Ran away? He raised an eyebrow, "So you did do something-O-oi!" he called, staring after me as I stomped away.
Both of them, Eishima and Shinji…just back off damn it! I thought scathingly, as I turned a corner. She doesn't want to see me, so just let things be!
Let out a sigh and tried to relax, my shoulders tense. I suddenly felt like someone was watching me; I looked around the area, my eyes wide.
Yume…?
There was no one… I turned to the door, frowning slightly. Why did I think she was suddenly there? I'm probably losing my mind… I thought, reaching up and smoothing my hair. Well here we go…the faster this gets over, the better…
*Yume's POV*
There he was.
My stomach did back flips as I saw him come walking through the door. I tried to cover it by crossing my arms loosely over my chest.
Kensei…
He couldn't see me from where I was standing, but I could clear see him. And he didn't look like he was in the best of health; he looked slightly thinner, as if he hadn't been eating.
A pang of guilt rang through me; is it because of me…Kensei?
And his eyes…they looked angry, and tired…
I couldn't look at him any longer; my gaze dropped to my feet. What am I supposed to do? I thought, glancing at him out of the corner of my eye. He was standing with his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes closed.
I bit my lip; what have I done? I thought, I've hurt him… It's all my fault…Kensei…
His eyes suddenly opened and locked on mine, as intense as always.
An image of him leaning in to kiss me flashed in my mind, and I had to look away, my heart pounding in my ears.
I'm sorry! I thought, my fingernails biting into my palms
"Alright, let's get this over with," rang out a voice. I looked up to see the General Commander walk in, his eyes on Mamoru.
He took a seat at his chair and slammed his staff into the floor once, making everyone go silent.
"Now then, Mamoru Kiyoshi, step forward."
I turned to him as he winked at me and took a few steps forward.
"You are now the 11th squad captain by rite of succession. Are there any objections?"
Silence.
"So be it. Step back, Captain." He turned towards me, "Yume Asura, step forward."
I gulped in surprise, but took a few steps forward. I could feel everyone's eyes on me.
"You are now promoted from 3rd seat to the 11th squad fukutaicho by rite of succession. Come and take your lieutenant sash."
The 1st squad's fukutaicho held out the sash, the 11th squad insignia facing so everyone could see it. I walked up to him and took it, sliding it onto my arm. The fukutaicho smiled at me, before I turned and bowed to the General Captain, before sliding back to where I should be standing beside my new captain.
The whole time I knew Kensei was staring at me, and the whole time I made sure not to look at him.
"Then it is done," said the Commander, "Congratulations you two." He hit his staff on the floor, "Now all of you are dismissed."
I was surprised, I expected the meeting to be a lot longer. But I was glad it wasn't; I could escape Kensei's gaze faster.
"Come on my lieutenant," chuckled Mamoru to me as he led us out of the building. I followed silently, my eyes on his back.
When we reached outside, a hand suddenly landed on my head, freezing me in my tracks. I turned to see Shinji standing next to me, grinning slightly.
"Hey kid," he chuckled. I raised an eyebrow at him, a smirk on my face. He's still calling me a kid? "Congrats on the promotion, I knew it was going to happen sooner or later."
"Thanks," I laughed, grinning back.
"Ah," he sighed, "There's someone else who wants to congratulate you too,"
I tilted my head, "Huh? Who?"
Shinji thumbed over his shoulder, his eyes on me. "Him,"
I followed where he was pointing to see Kensei. He was leaning against the wall of the building, his eyes on us. I felt my heart begin to pound at the very idea of talking to him. I turned to Shinji, my eyes pleading.
Before I could open my mouth, he put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed.
"You know I hate interfering, but with you two dumbasses, you leave me no choice. Just go and talk to him, Yume," he muttered, dropping the laid back nature of his and instead acting out the "leader" attitude that he rarely used.
"But I…" I muttered, looking at the ground. He squeezed my shoulder again.
"Seriously the both of you are bakas. If you let things stay this way, it's only going to be more painful for both of you. You'll regret it, eh? So at least go and talk to him, alright?"
I bit my lip and nodded, before glancing around to see where my captain was. Mamoru was busy chatting with Aizen over in a corner; somewhere in the back of my mind, I noted it, but I didn't really think on it too much.
Shinji squeezed my shoulder one last time before letting go and brushing past, waving at Rose.
Now it was just me alone, walking towards him.
Kensei wasn't looking at me anymore; he was looking at the sky, his arms over his chest. I swallowed and walked over to him, each step more difficult than the next. I was glad that there weren't that many people around now, because otherwise I would have felt even more apprehensive.
What am I going to say? I wondered, what is he going to say? Oh what am I going to do?!
I slowed to a stop a good ten feet away from him, my eyes on the ground. I swallowed a few times, before looking up at him.
"Kensei-"
"Yume-"
We both stopped and stared at each other in surprise, before cracking a small smile.
"You…you first…" I managed to mutter, my voice quiet.
He let out a breath and ran his hand through his hair uncomfortably, before speaking.
"I uh… About what happened…I'm sorry, Yume. That was really stupid of me…" he said, not meeting my eyes.
Without really thinking, I replied. "Then you regret it?" His eyes widened in surprise, before narrowing.
"No," he growled, "But you seem to. Why did you run away, Yume?" He accused, his voice was racked with anger and hurt. I felt like he had backed me into a corner.
"I… I don't know…" I muttered softly, instinctively taking a few steps back.
"You don't know? The hell?!" he snarled, moving towards me. "Not knowing isn't a good enough reason. Tell me why, damn it!"
"I don't know!" I snapped back, feeling tears in the corners of my eyes. I really couldn't look at him now; I didn't want to see the anger or the hurt in his eyes.
"Damn it!" he snarled, coming towards me, "Why are you doing this?!" Kensei slammed his hands against the wall on either side of me, blocking any escape. "You… if you don't have feelings for me…tell me! So I can… leave you alone…" he muttered, his eyes sad. "Yume… I can't go on like this! Not when I-"
"What are you doing to Yume-chan?!" shouted a voice, cutting Kensei off. I didn't register the voice, my head was spinning too fast for me to think straight.
Kensei…he has feelings for me?! It was almost overwhelming, and his expression… I wanted to know what he was starting to say, before he had been cut off. I knew what it was, but…there was just something about him saying it aloud that I needed.
I looked up at him, but his expression had gone from painfully sad, to furious. I followed where he was looking, to see who had interrupted.
Mamoru.
He was standing at the corner of the building, his expression more angry than I had ever seen it.
"What the hell do you want?" snarled Kensei. I could feel his anger rolling off of him in waves.
Mamoru took a few steps forward.
"Let Yume-chan go." He demanded. "What do you think you're doing to her?"
I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, Kensei pushed off of the wall and stood up straight, his body tense as he faced Moru.
"It's none of your business, back off," replied Kensei.
Mamoru drew closer, sizing up to Kensei.
"Stop it," I said, walking towards them. "The both of you stop."
"Stay out of it!" snapped Kensei.
"Don't talk to her like that!" snarled Mamoru, moving even closer to Kensei. They were nearly chest to chest now, ready to attack each other like angry wolves.
"I said stop it!" I shouted, reaching out and grabbing Kensei's arm to pull him back. As soon as I did Mamoru punched him in the face, knocking him backwards.
"Mamoru!" I shouted. Kensei let out a deep growl and pulled out of my grip, before cracking his fist against Mamoru's jaw.
"Kensei, stop it!" I shouted, coming towards them.
"Leave Yume alone!" shouted Mamoru, swinging his fist at Kensei. Kensei dodged it.
"Bastard! You leave her alone!"
Mamoru ducked before kicking Kensei in the stomach, his elbow rising up to hit his jaw.
"Don't you ever touch her again!"
"Stop it!" I yelled, trying to pull them apart. Why did they have to fight over me?!
Kensei pushed me roughly pushed me backwards, before grabbing Mamoru's throat and nearly missing, instead getting a handful of his shihakusho.
"Yume doesn't belong to you, so shut the hell up!"
"Oh?" Mamoru's knee connected with Kensei's chin, "Say that again, bastard!"
I watched as they drew their swords. No! This is bad! Someone was going to end up hurt, all because of me.
My hands balled into fists, my jaw clenching. They weren't going to listen to me…
"Would you two stop!?" I shouted, jumping in between them, looking from one to the other. "Both of you… Stop fighting over me! I don't want to see either of you hurt..." my throat suddenly tightened, "So s-stop… stop fighting!"
My emotions felt like they had suddenly crashed on me, making tears come to my eyes. And this was so stupid!
"How could you both do this to me?!" I shouted, before running away. I didn't want to see anymore; I didn't want them to see me crying either. So I ran away.
I could hear them yelling after me, but I was already gone.
