Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or anything that has to do with the Bleach franchise.

Warning: Another slight lemony sort of thing in this chapter... and some fluff. Yep.


Saya attempted to stifle another yawn. The night before, Juushiro hadn't been able to sleep and decided to wake Saya up in an "interesting" manner. Saya ended up not getting much sleep herself, and although feeling slightly euphoric from the night's events, she was also feeling exhausted.

"Fukutaicho, you look a little sleepy today. Are you feeling well?" A squad member asked Saya while she was mid-yawn.

"I'm fine. I'm not allowed to be a little tired from time to time?"

"Uh, no… what I mean is…"

"Anyway, we've been given orders to eradicate a hollow near the forest of the seventy-third district. You four have been chosen to come along with me. From the information our recon team gathered, we know this is an unusual hollow with interesting abilities. He's very fast and wily. However, if we stick to our attack plan, I think we will be successful in killing it. Nobody try to be the hero, it's important that we all stick together. Understood?"

"Hai, Lieutenant."

Saya looked at the four men who had been chosen to go along with her in this mission. Matsuyama-san, recently promoted tenth seat, was diligent and a good follower. Fujiwara-san was a new graduate and looked a little frightened, but excited at the same time. Takakura-san had joined the squad around the same time as Saya, although not as powerful, he had an eye for strategy that made him an important member of any team.

The one Saya was worried about was Izumi Motoya. He had been transferred from the third to the ninth squad only a few months ago. Known for brash behavior and disregarding orders, Izumi had quickly earned himself a bad reputation. Saya had been amazed with the patience her captain had shown this rough recruit and hoped that she would be able to do the same. But her final comment, warning no one to act on their own, was mainly for him.

"Right then, let's head out." Saya said to the men in front of her. They started at a slow pace, not wanting to waste their energy for when they had to confront the hollow. Also, Saya knew that Fujiwara still hadn't mastered shunpo, and didn't want to embarrass him in front of the others.

As expected, Takakura and Matsuyama had quickly engaged themselves in a conversation, Izumi had distanced himself a little from the group, and Fujiwara looked nervous.

"Fujiwara-san, come up here with me please." Saya said as she smiled at the young man. He blushed a little and then jogged to catch up with his lieutenant. "How are you feeling? Are you nervous?"

"A little, Kyouraku-fukutaicho. This is my first real mission since I joined the squad. We had dummy-hollow missions here and in the real world, but I have never dealt with a real one before."

"Oh great, a rookie. Just don't screw up, kid! I don't feel like getting injured because you make some idiot mistake." Izumi yelled from behind them. This caused Fujiwara to tense up and look even more nervous.

"Izumi-san, I don't remember inviting you into this conversation. Please keep your ears and thoughts to yourself. Thank you." Saya said without even turning around to look at Izumi as she spoke. Although her tone was sweet, the threat behind it could be heard clearly. Izumi's reitsu shrunk back in response. "Don't mind him, Fujiwara-san. We all have our roles to play. Besides, it was everyone's first time at one point or another. You are here with an experienced group, so rely on us to help you out and we will rely on you the same."

"Thank you. Please take care of me, Lieutenant, and I will do my best."

For the rest of the walk, Saya decided to try and get Fujiwara's mind off of the mission by asking him about the friends he made at school. He told her that his best friend had also been assigned to the ninth squad. Saya was happy for Fujiwara, none of the friends she made in school were assigned to the same squads and she didn't get to see them as often as she liked. When she did hang out with friends, it was usually Kaien, Rangiku, Ikkaku, and Yumichika anyway. But she did see Miroku and Hiami, her friends from the first district, more often than the others.

"Alright, we need to move carefully from here on out." Saya explained as they entered the edge of the forest. "The hollow is close; I'm sure you can all sense it. I want to draw it out into the open, it'll be easier for us to fight it but we run the risk of him heading for town. Remember our plan. Matsuyama, you'll attack its front, Takakura and Izumi, you'll flank its sides. Fujiwara and I will come in from the rear. Understood?"

"Hai."

"Remember what I said before. Everybody play their role and no one should get hurt. He's fast, so wherever he moves, always try to surround him. It will more difficult for him to get away and it'll be a faster kill for us."

"Hai, Fukutaicho."

Saya turned towards the trees. "Hmm, looks like we won't need to lure it out in the open after all. This hollow must be exceedingly arrogant to come to us so willingly."

A huge hollow stepped out through the trees and into the clearing that separated the edge of the district and the forest. Its body and legs reminded Saya of a lion with massive clawed feet, except this hollow was as tall as two-story building. Its round white mask was colored with deep purple lines that curved under its yellow eyes.

A long blue tongue licked around its exposed teeth. "What a tasty treat I have before me. Five soul reapears? One is a high ranking officer at that. I'll do you a favor and have you as my main course."

An evil smirk passed over Saya's lips in anticipation. "Everyone, to your positions!"

The five shinigami started to move around the giant hollow but it quickly dodged and avoided their maneuvers, laughing and mocking at them all the while. It swatted at them with massive claws, scattering their formation as they had to dodge to get out of the way. Its immense speed allowed it to attack quickly while the shinigami were attempting to collect themselves.

"Takakura, draw him towards you so that we can get into formation." Saya yelled as she drew her zanpakuto. Fujiwara had to roll out of the way of the hollow's back leg, which had almost crushed him.

"Hanryo, how is this hollow so fast? We can't get around it. I've never seen a normal hollow move like this before."

"Something is off with its reitsu. It doesn't seem like a normal hollow to me."

"You're right, but I can't place the difference, only that something feels odd."

Time and time again the group would move to surround the hollow and it would easily avoid their attempts. Saya realized that it was pushing them closer to the edge of town. If they didn't do something quickly, their fight would be carried out among the civilians, homes and buildings would be destroyed.

"Reform! Everyone to the front, we need to prevent it from moving any closer to town." Saya barked out orders.

Matsuyama, Fujiwara, and Saya all joined Takakura in front of the hollow. Izumi was the only one that didn't listen.

"Izumi, get over here immediately!" Saya yelled.

"I can take this hollow all by myself. I don't need your help. You guys are just getting in the way."

The hollow's attention had been diverted and it looked as though it would take off Izumi's head. Saya, Matsuyama and Takakura all moved as one to help Izumi who had clearly put himself in a bad position. A moment too late, Saya realized that they had been tricked. This whole time the hollow was trying to get them to separate, leaving one man alone. They had just allowed their weakest link, Fujiwara, to become exposed and unprotected.

Saya watched in horror as the hollow quickly changed its direction and appeared right in front of an unprepared Fujiwara. It sank its teeth into his left side, biting deep into his left shoulder. Fujiwara screamed out in pain and fell to the ground. Saya couldn't wait to reform the group and had to attack at this point.

"Blow through the skies of heaven, Kamikaze!" Saya slashed through the air and sent her boomerang shaped blades towards the hollow and watched as they sliced through the giant lion-like creature. Matsuyama jumped while Kamikaze's wind blades tore through the monster's body and brought his own zanpakuto down, slicing through the hollow's mask and effectively disintegrating it.

"Matsuyama-san, Takakura-san, please help Fujiwara-san as best you can." Saya ordered with an unpleasant edge to her voice. The two men flinched and ran over to their injured comrade. Saya turned her attention to Izumi.

Izumi had been watching the scene with a look of indifference, seemingly unaffected by the fact that one of his team members was almost killed by a hollow. Saya, however cold she looked on the outside, burned with rage on the inside. One look and it was all Izumi could do to stand up against the weight of her reitsu. Her face looked as if it had been carved from marble, her lips set in a fine line, and her slightly narrowed eyes bore into the very core of Izumi. His lungs fought to take in air against the pressure that was now piled on top of him.

"Fuku…taicho." He choked out. It wasn't like Izumi hadn't been under the weight of powerful spiritual pressures before, he had just never had one solely directed at him. It was if a tornado swarmed around him and slowly constricted itself around his being. On top of that, the look that he received from his lieutenant was terrifying. Saya's stone face, cold eyes, and firmly set jaw told Izumi just how insignificant she thought him to be.

Saya walked over to Izumi and grabbed his unsheated zanpakuto in her hand. "Perhaps you need a lesson in following orders? Your behavior not only put you at risk, but it put the rest of us at risk as well. Because of your carelessness, your deliberate actions to go against me, one of your comrades is injured. Who do you think you are to defy me?"

Izumi still couldn't move and a new sensation had begun to mix in with the pressure. Pain. His eyes moved to where Saya had gripped his sword and saw that a purple light was peeking through her fingertips. Izumi's eyes widened, he wasn't sure exactly what she was doing but he knew this was the source of the pain he felt.

"I have no care for subordinates who can't follow orders." Saya said in a flat voice as she sent a pulse down Izumi's zanpakuto and through his entire body. Izumi let out a scream as he fell to his knees. It felt like the tornado that had surrounded him before had coursed through all the veins and arteries of his body. The pressure inside of him was more than he could handle and it felt as if Saya's blades attacked him from within. Izumi checked to see if he was bleeding anywhere. Nothing. He looked up to see Saya with her back turned, walking towards Fujiwara and the others.

Saya received frightened looks from her other subordinates. Although her anger had not been directed at them, they were acting as though they had just been punished as well. Fujiwara held the most alarmed look on his face and felt like he would have run away if not for his injuries.

Saya stopped for a moment and found herself somewhat amused by the terrified look of Fujiwara. She allowed a small smile come to her features, but her eyes were still frozen. "Ne, Fujiwara-san, why do you look as though I'm about to murder you?" Saya asked, her voice becoming sweet. Fujiwara found this tone almost frightening as well.

He allowed a quick glance at Izumi who was breathing hard and holding himself as though he might fall apart if he let go. "Kyouraku-fukutaicho can be rather scary."

"So it seems." Saya said, her colder tone returning.

"What did you do him?" Matsuyama whispered.

"I directly attacked his zanpakuto using a specialized form of kidou." Saya answered very matter of factly, however she couldn't remember when she had learned this particular technique. "The zanpakuto is a part of you, so in essence, it's like attacking part of your life force without leaving any physical damage. Let me correct myself, it doesn't leave visible damage. I hear it's extremely painful to have your zanpakuto attacked in such a way." She knelt next to her injured team member and lifted her hand. Fujiwara flinched and then others held their breath, it seemed as though she might strike him. It caught them all of guard when she ruffled his hair.

"Fukutaicho?" Fujiwara seemed confused.

"I promised that we would all take care of each other. It was a promise I was unable to keep." Saya looked down at his injury, it still wasn't healed but he could be taken to the fourth division now that the bleeding had lessened. "We head back. Matsuyama-san, please help Fujiwara-san to the medical division once we enter the Sereitei."


Saya walked through the doors of her brother's manor and into the back gardens. Shunsui had invited her and Juushiro over for dinner and she was looking forward to visiting with her brother. She heard their smooth voices and jovial tones carry over through the air. After the day she had, she was happy to be in presence of the two men she admired most. After reporting to her captain about the mission, Saya had spent the remainder of the afternoon by Fujiwara's side in the fourth division.

"Hello, Imo-chan." Shunsui said as he lifted his sake glass to toast her presence.

Juushiro got up to give Saya a hug and chaste peck on the cheek.

"I heard you've had a trying day." Shunsui said.

"Is that so? Where did you hear that from, Aniki?" Saya asked, knowing how fast rumors could spread in the Sereitei.

"Oh, little birds fly fast and their beaks fly faster."

"I see."

"I heard you can be rather scary when you're angry. Do you think you had to be that rough on poor Izumi-san?" Shunsui said with a knowing smile. "I heard he's been down at the local tavern all afternoon, apparently he'll randomly start to shake and breaks out into a cold sweat because of your punishment."

An amused smile played on Saya's features as she turned her head away from her brother and Juushiro. "How I choose to deal with my subordinates shouldn't be any of your concern, Aniki. Did it occur to you that maybe Izumi acted in a way that put himself and his team members at risk? Perhaps he deserved whatever consequences he brought on himself. Besides, I was not so harsh." Saya turned her attention back to her brother. Her face was calm and still wore the small smile, but behind her eyes warned Shunsui not to speak further on the subject.

Shunsui chuckled slightly. He was graced with another one of her looks that were only learned within the highest of circles. "Very well, Saya-chan. Let's speak on other subjects, shall we? Juushiro was telling me that you've been picked to be a guest lecturer in the advanced-level kidou course."

"Hai, but that's not until next month. It should be fun. I'm interested to meet one student in particular. Apparently, he failed the entrance exam a couple of times before he was admitted. Now he's at the top of the advanced class. Even though he has a two more years to go, they're already saying he'll be seated. I hear they won't let him graduate early because he's from a poor district in Rukongai, though."

"What's his name?" Juushiro asked.

"I'm not sure. Hizaku? Kisagi? Something like that. We'll see."

The rest of the evening continued from there. Saya hadn't laughed with her brother in a long time and it was nice to be in his company. She always enjoyed listening to Juushiro and Shunsui talk about the trouble they would get into and out of during their days in the academy. But it never surprised Saya when Shunsui would talk about one of his many female conquests. Generally, those stories were amusing as well, and it seemed that poor Juushiro had to rescue Shunsui from the torture of ex-lovers more times then either of them cared to remember.

From time to time, Shunsui would remind Juushiro of one of his ex-lovers. It seemed that Juushiro was just as popular among women in the academy as Shunsui, although he didn't take advantage of the situation. However, he did have women that doted on him and would return the favor from time to time. Juushiro would just smile when Shunsui would talk about these things and give a laugh or two. It was all Saya could do to pretend to be amused when Shunsui brought up Juushiro's ex-lovers. She would politely laugh and feign amusement so as not to seem jealous, but she hated hearing about them.

Saya would sit there and switch from spiteful thoughts about these unknown women to chastising herself for having the same thoughts in the first place. It was unreasonable for her to get mad at Juushiro's past. He was much older and had more experience than she did. She was grateful that he wasn't like Shunsui, however, she didn't think that she could handle that.

Juushiro looked over at Saya and could see her irritation at the current conversation. Even if she put up a farce, he could always see past it. "Forgive us, Shunsui, but I think it's time we all retire."

Shunsui stopped his rambling and gave a quick look in Saya's direction and an understanding twinkle came to his eye. "Of course, of course." He said with a wave of his hand. "Just let me say goodnight to my sister. I'll send her out to you in a minute."

Juushiro raised a curious eyebrow but left the siblings alone. Shunsui went over to Saya and embraced her in a tight hug.

"Thank you for dinner, Aniki. I was happy to have…"

"You can forgive your silly old brother for such things, can't you Imo-chan?" Shunsui asked.

Saya looked up at Shunsui, not entirely understanding his meaning.

"Although I find those stories amusing, they must cause you some pain. It's never fun to hear about a lover's past. Even the most steadfast women can feel jealous and unsure."

Saya buried her head in Shunsui's chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I hate the thoughts that come to my head when I hear about those women." She whispered.

Shunsui kissed the top of her head. "Don't hold those thing against Juushiro. I assure you, the love he has for you is special. Those other women had none of his affection when compared to what he gives you." Shunsui felt Saya's smile. "So forgive me for being so foolish."

"Don't worry about it, Aniki. I'm fine, promise."


"You've been here a lot more than usual, Souta-kun. I thought you were over her death, but recently it seems to bother you more."

Souta turned to see a familiar face, the first man that Saya had introduced him to when she brought Souta to the King's Realm; her grandfather. Whenever Souta looked at the man in front of him, he was reminded even more of Saya. Their eyes were the same shade of blue.

"Good evening, sir. It's just that something reminded me of her and she's been on my mind a lot lately."

"Oh? What might that be?" The old man asked, his voice sounding much younger than his true age.

"When I was delivering that message to the Soutaicho a few months ago, there were two occasions when I thought that I felt her spiritual pressure. I started to think that maybe she's really alive, sir."

The old man's face turned from a gentle smile to cold and severe. "Saya is dead, Souta-kun. Don't say such things so carelessly."

"Forgive me, sir." Souta bowed his head in apology. If anyone had wanted Saya alive as much as him, it would be her own grandfather. Souta couldn't imagine losing a daughter and then granddaughter; both were killed by an ambush of hollows.

"I've accepted it, you should too. Please don't speak of this again."

"Hai. Forgive me, sir."

Souta watched as the old man walked away. Saya-sama, are you really alive? If you really are alive, why are you not here? What happened that you wouldn't have come back? I will find out if that was you or not. I promise. I don't know how I'll be able to get back into the Sereitei anytime soon, but somehow I'll figure out a way.


The walk back to Juushiro's home had been relatively quiet and peaceful. After such a long day, Saya was happy to crawl into bed and curl up next to Juushiro. He cradled her in his chest and stroked her hair as she feel in to a deep slumber…

"Souta-kun, how was your first mission without me? Did you make his majesty proud?" Saya asked a young looking boy. Unbeknownst to him, Saya had been pacing back and forth while waiting for him to return. She didn't like the fact that Souta was so young yet already made to go out on dangerous missions. It made her even more anxious that she wasn't allowed to go with him and the rest of the group this time. "Souta, you're hurt." Saya gasped when she saw the gash on his upper left arm.

Souta was glad that he hadn't yet taken off his mask; he could tell he was blushing as Saya tenderly touched his wound with her fingertips. "I'm fine, Saya-sama. Stop worrying so much."

Even though he said it with an annoyed tone, Saya could tell that he was glad she was there to welcome him back. "Let's get you cleaned up." Saya took Souta by the hand and dragged him off to the healers so they could tend to his wound.

"Saya, Souta-kun knows his own way to the medical center. Why don't you let him go on by himself? I need to speak with you a little."

Saya turned back around to see her grandfather looking at her with a kind smile. Even though his beard and hair were white, his voice always sounded so strong and full of vigor. "Yes, ojii-sama." Saya turned back to Souta. "I will come find you later."

Saya's grandfather held out his hand and Saya accepted it and walked side-by-side with the old man. "Ojii-sama, I wanted to take Souta-kun to see the healers. I was worried about him the entire time he was gone. He's too young to go on missions fighting hollows. He hasn't even been here that long to be properly trained."

"Are you saying you doubt Souta-kun in his abilities?"

"No. I just worry because I care about Souta. I know that he will be a fine guardsmen someday and I know that fighting hollows will always be a part of his job; but I didn't like waiting to see if he made it back okay." Saya looked up at her grandfather and received a warm smile.

"He is one of the few that receives your love and kindness. So many others wish to be in your good graces and yet you politely disregard them. Souta-kun is very lucky to have you in his life, as am I. I am glad that you favor your grandfather, ne? But now you know how I feel when I send you off on your missions. And Souta-kun was even with others. You are often sent by yourself and I do nothing but worry until you report back to me. But it is something that we must endure when we love another. Souta may be young, but he is not a small child and at twelve years old, he is more than capable of performing the duties of a man. Do not baby him so much."

"Is that why you stopped me from taking him to the healers?"

"Part of it. I also wanted to spend some time with my granddaughter before I lose her to that boy. Now that he is back, your attention will be only on him."

"I like spending time with Souta-kun."

"I know you do, and I haven't said anything about it because you still train and your tutors tell me your educational performance hasn't decreased any. But I worry you might fall in love with that boy."

"Ojii-sama, don't say such things. It's true that I care for Souta-kun very much, but he is so much younger than I am."

"The difference will not always be so great between your ages once he is grown. But he is a commoner and you are destined for a much greater person. You have important duties to your sovereign, do not forget."

"Of course, ojii-sama. I will always look forward to serving my king to the best of my ability. I know that I will not always be able to perform my role as I do now, and when that time comes, I will be sure to provide an heir to my position so that she may continue my work as I have continued my mother's." Saya smiled as she bumped her grandfather's side in a playful way.

"I am lucky, indeed." He gave his granddaughter a kiss on top of her head. "I'm sure the healers are done with Souta-kun, go and look for him if you wish."

"Thank you. I will."

Saya rushed towards Souta's reitsu. She could tell that he was waiting in their favorite garden, the one with the large sakura tree where the moon could be seen easily. Ever since her mother had died, Saya had been lonely. Her grandfather was an important man and couldn't be bothered with her silliness. However, when her mother died, it also meant that Saya took on the responsiblities that her mother once carried, so it didn't leave her with a lot of time to feel sorry for herself. But Souta had been the first person that Saya had taken a true interest in, outside of her own family, and she enjoyed playing with him and they trained together everyday. He eased her lonliness, and she eased his. Saya felt like she and Souta could do anything together.

Seeing Souta sitting against the tree, Saya couldn't help but smile. A playful breeze blew through his hair and his eyes didn't hold the sadness they once did. "Souta-kun, how's your wound?"

"All healed." He said as he pointed to his arm.

"That's good." Saya positioned herself between the tree and Souta so that he could lean against her and she could wrap her arms around him. "I was really worried about you, you know? I've never worried about anyone else before. To be honest, I don't often care if the others come back, as long as they do what's in the best interest of the king and perform their duty well. But with you, I was worried that you'd be badly hurt or that you wouldn't come back at all."

Souta leaned his head against Saya's shoulder. "I'll always come back, especially if Saya-sempai is waiting for me. I always want to return to Saya-sempai."

"Good, because I will always come back to Souta-kun. We will always be by each other's side. We will always be together, I promise. Okay, Souta-kun?" Saya tightened her embrace around the little boy she viewed as a younger brother.

Souta blushed and then found his head being turned so that his eyes met Saya.

"Souta-kun, your eyes aren't sad anymore. I'm glad to see you are happy."

Souta blushed even more and look away slightly. "It's because Saya-sama has chased away the sadness. I can't feel sad when I'm around Saya-sama."

Saya smiled and hugged the small boy even tighter as they gazed up at the moon.


Saya opened her eyes. It was still dark outside and in no way was she ready to get out of bed. She turned to see Juushiro sleeping peacefully beside her, a few coughs interrupting his otherwise rhythmic breathing.

"That dream has come to me almost every night since I visited the real world, that was months ago. Why is that the only memory that shows itself to me now?"

"I don't have complete control over what you do and don't see, Saya-sama. If I did, I probably would have censored some of your more terrifying memories." Hanryo answered back. "And I probably would have given you more of a variety. I'm rather bored of this memory myself, albeit it's an important one for you."

"Souta-kun looks so young in these memories. I guess I do too, about fifteen or sixteen." Saya turned her attention to her sleeping lover. His face so passive, so peaceful, and Saya couldn't help but smile.

"Are you admiring the pretty taicho?"

"I can't help it."

"Saya-sama truly loves the pretty captain. In fact, she cares for a lot of people here in the Sereitei. Shunsui-aniki, Kaien-dono, Byakuya-sama, Hisana-sama, Rangiku-san… the list goes on and on."

"You say that as if it's an odd thing?"

"What your grandfather said was true. Although you were always polite and behaved accordingly, you did not really bestow any true kindness on others. The only ones you truly allowed close to you were your mother, grandfather, and Souta-kun. Even Urahara-san, who you often visited, was kept at a distance."

"What about my father?"

"…Hai, Saya-sama enjoyed his company when she was around him."

"But I didn't know him well?"

"Saya-sama never really learned much about her father's nature."

"You're so vague." But Saya allowed herself to be distracted by Juushiro. His white hair was splayed around him, his bare chest rose and fell with each breath, and his lips looked so inviting.

Saya couldn't help herself, being that she was awake anyway, she felt that Juushiro should awake too. Besides, she could just return the favor from the night before. She scooted herself close to him, not wanting to wake him up just yet, and gently pressed her lips on his.

"Mmmm." Juushiro snaked his arms around Saya. "What a way to be woken up. It's still dark, isn't it?" He said sleepily, his eyes barely open as he spoke.

"Uh-huh." Saya said as she leaned down and kissed him again. She could feel Juushiro smile into their kiss.

"What is this for?"

"I hate it when Shunsui talks about women from your past. I don't want you to ever think of those women. I don't want you to remember them. I want to erase, from your body, the pleasurable feelings those women gave to you and replace them with mine. I only want you to remember how you feel with me." Saya whispered in Juushiro's ear.

"Well, since we're both up anyway." He said as he rolled Saya so that she was on her back and he hovered over her. "And I wouldn't want to hurt you by rejecting your attempts."

Saya smiled as Juushiro removed her sleeping kimono, the chill of the night air against her skin made the warmth of Juushiro's that much more exciting. His fingertips gave her goosebumps and the sensations his hands sent through her body made her bite her lip. Her nails scratched down his back as she tried to pull him closer to her.

"Juushiro." Saya whispered.

Juushiro lifted himself into a kneeling position and pulled Saya on top of him so that she could straddle his lap and wrap herself around his body. Saya readily complied with his desires and exulted in the feeling of their two forms becoming one. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as Juushiro's hands made their way to her hips, and guided Saya in a smooth rhythm against him. Saya's head tilted back and she arched her body as Juushiro brought her to ultimate pleasure, Juushiro following in kind.

"Mmmm, Juushiro." Saya slumped into his body. "I'm lightheaded."

Juushiro chuckled slightly and laid Saya back down on the bed and gave her gentle kisses on her temple.

"Mmmm." Saya said as she rolled onto her side, sleep quickly subduing her already exhausted body. Juushiro lay behind her, throwing his arm over her and pulling Saya next to him. His hand fell over her waist and he breathed in the lavender scent of her hair.

"Saya?" Juushiro whispered, but didn't receive a reply. He smiled and continued anyway. "You erased those a long time ago."


Author's Note: Thank you to firewaterearthwind, rukia23, Ukitake-chan, Daydreamer Magby, Refisgbf13, Sorry Charlie, Cara-Mae-Chan, Bleecheese, German Bubbles, and HaloteveCV for taking the time to post a review and or comment for last chapter.

This chapter was a rough one for me. It wasn't until i wrote it, and then moped over it for awhile that I figured out what I didn't like about it and then rearranged a bunch of stuff and added some things and took out some things that I was finally happy enough with it to post. So sorry for the delay. I hope you enjoyed.

Please take the time to review now. Thank you so much!