It was late when Miki arrived back at her room. She snuck inside, as quiet as possible, hoping she wouldn't wake Kimie. Just as she slipped under the covers, her roommate stirred.

"Miki, are you okay? You were as white as hollow-bone earlier. I was a little worried."

"Yeah, I think I'm going to be fine," she said, smiling in the darkness. "And I promise, I'll never lie to you again."

"You know, I actually believe you," Kimie said, as she took a seat on Miki's bed. "So what did you have to leave so suddenly for?"

"He wanted to see me. No, he wanted to marry me!"

"What? Who?"

"Byakuya."

"Byakuya who?"

"Kuchiki."

"Wait. You mean Captain Kuchiki?"

"Yes."

"Girl, that was no little white lie you told me, was it? You'd better start explaining!"

It took Miki the better part of the evening to fill her new friend in on all that had happened.

"I think I understand now why you lied to me. If I were you, I probably would have done the same thing," Kimie said, but started snoring before Miki could reply.

It still didn't make it right, and Miki knew she hurt a few people. Hopefully they were on the path to restoring their friendship.

Several days later, Miki stood panting after an extra work out with Jun. He smiled at her, a big silly grin that she found comforting.

"Too bad Kimie had to leave," he said. "She would have said you made progress. Well, I guess it is progress that you managed to keep hold of your katana."

She flashed a quick smile at him, "Let's go get food!"

"Can I meet you there? I have to run back to my room first."

Miki nodded and he left, while she took a few minutes to stretch before gathering her stuff. She made a quick survey of the area, knowing she always managed to leave something behind, when she spotted the beaded necklace laying on a bench.

Jun had taken it off when they were working, and though he hadn't told her as much, it must have had special meaning to him, else he would not have worn it so often. She scooped it up, admiring the way the tiny yellow beads reflected the sunlight, as though they had collected a little of it within them.

As she reached out to grab her bag, a hand already rested upon it. She looked up and panic rushed over her as she saw he sneer on Daiki's lips.

"Bitch," he said, his beady eyes narrowing in anger. "You think you can start shit with me and then let the teachers take care of it?"

He took two quick steps in her direction, his fists balled up at his sides. She backed up, but for every step he'd taken, it took three of hers to keep any distance between them. He was just so big, and the violence that his eyes promised had her shaking in fear.

"I had to clean the toilets because of you!" he shouted, giving her a hard shove.

She tumbled backwards, falling onto her rump, pain shooting up her spine, and her legs going instantly numb.

"Hey, what's going on here?" Jun said, and Miki was relieved to hear his voice.

Daiki towered over her a moment, and then spit in her face. "I'm not done with you," he threatened before stalking away.

She sat on the ground for several minutes, tears streaming from her face, unable to find her voice to answer Jun's questions.

"It's going to be okay, Miki," he said, coming to kneel at her side. "Daiki is a big wimp, really. He won't dare to do anything if someone else is around. We'll protect you."

His sincerity touched her, and she smiled, her hand instinctively moving to her lips.

"There's that smile. We are your friends, you know."

"Yes, thank you," she said. "But please don't tell anyone else about this."

"Tell anyone about what?" said Kimie, who had come looking for them when she'd arrived at dinner but they weren't there.

Miki and Jun looked at each other, their faces guilty, and Miki nodded once.

"Daiki was bullying her," Jun said. "And I don't think he's done."

"Well, then we'll just have to make it impossible for him to do that anymore," Kimie said, holding a hand out to Miki. "And we won't tell anyone. It's a promise."