Author's Note: Let the fluffies begin! xD *is hyper because of this* xD

Yawning, I awoke to a sleeping Neko in my lap. Cocking an eyebrow while I watched the evenness of his chest, I looked out the window to the newly rising sun. Glancing at the clock, I found that it was surprisingly early in the day. "Kisuke's going to be over sometime today…" I recalled asking him last night. "Guess I should get ready senses I didn't give him a time or anything." I mumbled, wrapping the blanket that had fallen off of my shoulders around the fox. He cuddled into the warmness as I gently set him on the bed, gently getting off in an attempt to not wake him up.

Sneezing loudly, I hiccupped immediately after and grabbed my throat as I lightly coughed, staring at myself in my mirror. Breathing evenly for a few seconds, I brushed off the strange occurrence as one of the beauties of being human. Gently opening my closet, I froze and looked back slowly like the devil was perched on my bed when Neko grumbled something under his breath. My eye twitched before he simply rolled over, and I instantly grabbed a cute, but plain purple shirt from my closet. Snagging some jeans as well as mismatched socks per usual, I quietly snuck off to the bathroom to shower.

Slowly waking up as the steam slowly filled the bathroom, I reminisced about the bits of my dream that was still toying with my mind… It had been a strange dream.

Something about instant connection to all Soul Reapers…needing to shut it down…nightmares…and…the woman in white? I clawed at the remaining fragments, unable to place the beauty's name, or why I knew what she looked like at all.

Then there was something about…Lance? I asked myself mentally, openly wincing. I had planned on going to talk with him soon… After meeting with the Head Captain and telling him how big of a threat Aizen was now that he knows the future, the Old Man seemed worried… Well, so would I! I'd be very worried, personally~

We need more power. I repeated to myself once again, just as I had when I had stepped out of his office. The scalding water cascaded my back, not being trusted on my face. And there's nowhere to go – I'm including the Vizards in that calculation. Sighing as I stared off into space, a flash danced across my vision in the form of a piece of my dream.

There was another part about my Shikai and Bankai… I suddenly recalled, brow furrowing. They're supposed to be related, but there really not… I mean, the only thing connecting them is Getsuga Tensho… I realized, confused. There is no Zanpakuto in existence that has two unrelated Shikai and Bankai. I thought lowly, trying to find the connection.

My Shikai translates into Looking glass… My Bankai translates into Secret Glutton… I thought, mulling over their abilities. I suppose they both hide me – I can use the dimension between the worlds to hide like the hollows do once I figure it out. My Bankai is just a better, improved version of that. I realized, smiling lightly. I am the assassin… Seven. Using my nickname mentally put me in an even better mood, and I quickly began to pour shampoo out and lather up.

-0-0-0-0-0

Opening Sydney's window from the outside, I quickly spotted the sleeping fox stuffed animal on her bed. He rolled over again, and I instantly reached out and held his mouth closed with my hand as he struggled. He looked at me with wide eyes, and I couldn't help but smile as I put a finger to my lips in a 'shush' motion. He panicked more, struggling harder as I noticed the faint noise of the shower running down the hall. Knowing that she would probably be in there for a while, I contented myself with tossing the stuffed animal into one of her desk drawers that had more space.

Looking at the top of her desk, my eyes widened in surprise as they trailed over the phoenix she had drawn out of pen. It seemed to be set out for drying – there was quite a bit of ink on the page. The bird was sweeping down near the bottom of its paper, but its long tail twisted this way and that, its fiery wings reaching out towards the observer. She always has been good at drawing… I recalled distantly, now eager to see the rest of her work. I always had my inventions, and she always had her art. I remembered warmly, opening up the top drawer and seeing more pictures. Delighted with this discovery, I absentmindedly pulled the rolling chair out from underneath her desk and sat, taking out a hefty stack of pictures. Being careful as I moved the phoenix drawing, I sat them on the desk and began to sift through them, watching her art style slowly, almost unnoticeably change throughout each piece. I might not be good at drawing, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it, I internally stated firmly.

Not noticing when her door opened, I was taken by surprise when a strong hand clamped me on my shoulder. Looking up instantly as my eyes showed through the dark shadow of my hat, I registered the form of one Isshin Kurosaki. A silence swamped us, its murky claws digging into each of us. "Kisuke." He stated simply, and I stayed silent. Best let the man do what he will – interfering with it may only make things worse. "Make sure she gets home for dinner on time every night – it's at 6:30." He stated simply, abruptly leaving. I stared after him, unable to comprehend or even guess at what had just transpired inside of his head.

-0-0-0-0-0

Rubbing the towel over my face once more before tossing it in the hamper that was outside the bathroom, my eyebrow arched as I saw Mr. Kurosaki leaving my room. "Looking for me?" I asked innocently, not knowing what he was doing. Did he want to lick my Combat Pass or something…? He jumped and looked back at me, sweating nervously. I sweat dropped at this, unsure of what this behavior meant. Please don't tell me that my guess was right!

Pointing accusingly at my door, he became animated as he yelled at me. "Explain to your boyfriend how important dinner is for a growing, supple-"

"THANKS YOU CAN GO NOW." I told him loudly, stomping on his face and kicking him down the stairs. I hope he got the message! I complained mentally, eye twitching as I walked into my room. Closing the door behind me, my eyes immediately fell on the form of Kisuke sitting at my desk. I suddenly became curious as I realized he was looking at something. Walking closer, I clamped my hands behind my back as I peeked over his shoulder.

He was looking at my pictures, and had gotten through quite a few – he'll be onto the ones I drew a week after Rukia got here with the next bundle. "These are awfully good – amazing even." He commented, moving onto one of the more rare pictures where I drew a person. This one was Rukia in her sun hat, standing beneath a tree and looking at the lush sky. "Amazing…" He murmured, eyes continuing to trail over it.

"I don't usually draw people – I feel like they don't turn out as well as say, a horse does." I explained as he moved onto a picture of a…horse, whether or not you'd believe it. It was grazing – I had seen it when Mr. Kurosaki had taken the twins and I for a drive when we were younger. Getting the urge to draw but not knowing what to draw can be painful for the mind, so he suggested drawing the horse.

"Really? I'd almost call them better – but then again, I am no artist." He muttered as I softly smiled.

"That doesn't mean you can't appreciate it, which you seem to do a lot of." I observed, putting a hand on his head. He flipped to another picture of a mermaid, and my hand immediately tightened on his hat. Walking away, I kept it in my grip as I flopped onto my bed. Lying so that I was diagonal and my knees faced him, I put the hat on my face to avoid his curious gaze. I inhaled his scent deeply and I could practically feel the smirk he was radiating as he went back to examining my work.

"Did he grill you?" I eventually asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"No, just told me that you should always be on time for dinner." He confessed, automatically knowing what I was talking about.

I chuckled guiltily, my hand coming to rest on top of the hat. "Did something happen?" He asked, curious because of my reaction.

"Yeah…" I said, unable to hide the guilty smile that tore at my face. "You know how I got home super late last night?" I asked.

"You came through the portal at 3 am, yes." He agreed as I chuckled lightly.

"Yeah, Yuzu wouldn't let anyone eat until I came home." I confessed as he chuckled. "Not funny!" I disagreed, sitting up immediately. His hat fell into my lap as I gaped at him with wide eyes. He chuckled even more.

"I suppose it isn't, but that expression sure is." He told me as I blushed, grabbing his hat and falling back on the bed. Using it to cover my face, I fell quiet as a comfortable silence wrapped around us. A soft breeze blew into my room from the open window, and I reflected how messy my bed was…good thing I generally keep my room spotless. My eyes slid shut as my breaths evened out, and I soon began to strain to keep awake.

I jolted when hands suddenly wrapped around my middle, pulling me into a warm lap as I fell onto Kisuke's chest, his chin resting comfortably underneath my head as he leaned against the half of the window that wasn't opened. "Relax…" He whispered, thumb going in circle on my back as my eyes became even heavier. "You're safe here… It's only me…" He whispered as I completely drifted off.

-x-x-x-x-x

My eyes snapped open as I woke up in a cold sweat – my red hair was plastered to my face and I tiredly brushed it away. I panted, slowly coming back to reality. It was just a dream…he won't kill you…he won't kill you… Repeating it over and over, I soon felt something well up inside of me. Something violent.

I stared emptily into my good-sized room. A large dresser stared back at me, and windows on the wall above my head had light shining through their blinds. A walk-in closet was opposite the windows, and a plasma TV mounted on the was mounted on the wall at the bottom of my bed.

It's happening… I realized quietly, my mind completely blank as I felt the slow growth of this…this thing inside of me.

"I'm Evolving."

-x-x-x-x-x

Sydney had long sense fallen asleep on my lap, a welcome warmth against the light chilliness that had enveloped not only nature, but her room as well. Affectionately, I rubbed my nose into her soft hair, inhaling her scent as my eyes closed in happiness. She's so wonderful… This was not the first time I thought that, nor would it be the last.

Laying my cheek gently against her head, my gray eyes stared out of the window as another breeze trailed around us, ruffling my hatless pale blonde hair. A bright flash shocked my mind, and I instantly tensed as I realized what was happening. Dammit… She'd kill me if she found out. Smirking lightly, but sadly all the same, I unconsciously gripped Sydney closer. She doesn't like it when I think of her as the Sydney I had first met, the one in the past… Affectionately yet sadly remembering her, I listened to my girlfriend's soft breaths. Even though I don't only see the past Sydney – it's a mix, really. I realized. But all the same… She had the bravery to talk to me straight away about it – not many people can do something like that to another person, I thought as I admired her strength. Feeling the child shift in my arms, I relaxed again when she seemed to fall into an even deeper sleep.

That's right… I remembered, my heart suddenly feeling like all of the shadows of this dark, dark night were standing atop its throne. She's still a child… Looking down at her with sorrowful eyes, a war started to build inside of me, tearing not only at my emotions, but my heart as well.

Will I ever be able to love her…

As she is?

The question that came to my mind shocked me; how could such a thing be possible?! Wasn't it obvious?! Feeling the girl stir once more, I looked down and immediately released the unconsciously tight hold I had on her. My eyes trailed out the window guiltily as I avoided looking at her. Noting the lightened sky, I realized that the sun would rise soon. Well…at least I had her home for dinner.

My heart became more and more pained as the minutes wore on; this war was already taking its toll on me. Could I love this child…no, this woman for who she currently is? I can't love her for what she might not even become – I need to love her as she already is. The sun started to peek over the edge of a house in the distance; I had stayed awake the entire night, holding my dearly beloved.

I watched as it rose further in the sky, the bottom of it barely past the houses in the distance when I felt a stirring in my arms. Looking down, I watched Sydney sit back and yawn, rubbing her eyes. Unable to hide my lopsided grin at this behavior, she blinked a few times before looking up at me. She seemed warm; not as in a fever or overheated, but she seemed to be emanating this warmth that lit up everything it shone on…including my face.

"What the hell…" I said quietly, raising my hand up to cup her cheek. I was elated when she unconsciously leaned into my touch. "I've already started loving you, haven't I?" I questioned, my lips meeting her in a sweet, passionate kiss. She had a slightly delayed reaction before her lips started to mold with mine. Looking at her from under my eye lashes, I saw her blink a few times before blush, closing her eyes herself.

Drawing back from our intimate kiss only when the need for air became dire, my thankful gray eyes connected with her brown eyes, which were completely enveloped in love for me. "I love you too." She whispered, and I felt my heart beat faster.

"I know…" I responded, putting my forehead against hers as I gave another lopsided smile. "I've known all along."

-x-x-x-x-x

We were in the Shoten now; Kisuke was inventing at this desk while I meandered around the surprisingly large room (or laboratory, as he called it), examining things here and there whenever they caught my interest – but never touching. I didn't want to do something bad of course.

Right now I was deciphering messy scrawl in some experiment with Hell Butterflies. Hearing the door open, I jumped and sprang up, a slightly guilty look on my face when I realized it was just Tessai. Relaxing immediately and letting out a whoosh of air, I saw he had tea. I smiled at him as he spoke. "Would you care for some tea, boss? Sydney?" He asked us. I shook my head happily as Kisuke stood up from his desk.

"I don't see why not. Thank you Tessai." He told the man happily as he took the tray entirely. The taller man bowed slightly and closed the door, leaving Kisuke to look at me. I smiled happily before walking over and taking my choice of cup, taking a sip.

"You don't actually like tea, do you, Sydney?" He asked me as I immediately went to spit out what I had in my mouth before I put my hand to my mouth and recovered.

Looking at him with embarrassment, my cheeks went a little pink as I responded. "No, not really…" I said, putting it lightly. He looked at me with amusement, sipping his own tea.

"I suppose we'll have to give you something sweet whenever you come over from now on, I suppose~" He sang as he went back to his desk to work.

"T-That isn't necessary!" I argued, waving the hand that didn't have tea in it around. He chuckled before sitting back down and picking up a pencil.

He didn't respond, so I let my free hand cup my tea as my eyes scanned the room, looking for something new to explore. "So what was meeting the Head Captain like?" He asked suddenly, making me jump. Not replying right away, I looked at him. Getting the distinct feeling of being alienated, I walked closer to him in an attempt at comfort…if he should need it.

"Interesting… We had a meeting in his office the day after I saved Rukia. He wanted to know things about the 'story'." I started. He didn't look at me, but simply kept writing as I hovered at his side. I fell silent, unsure if he wanted me to continue – I felt as though this may be touchy territory, and I didn't want to upset him. Spotting his hat on the corner of his desk, I was glad he wasn't wearing it as he kept his head bowed, watching his own hand write. The room had no windows; there were merely lights in the edges of the rooms and the occasional one here and there, such as the one on his desk above his papers.

"Story?" He echoed, pushing me further as I quickly grabbed his hat unconsciously. Hugging it to my chest, he looked up at me questioningly and I felt a sudden wave of relief when his eyes showed questioning rather than hatred.

"Y-Yeah…" I stuttered, still admiring his beauty – I mean handsomeness. "I couldn't tell them I was Evolueren – they'd kill me." I told him gravely as he became more serious. "So I told them that before she died, an Evolueren told me the story of this world. The war, everything except who wins…" I trailed off, unsure I should have said that. He raised a brow in question.

"And…?" He asked as I swallowed, knowing the question already. "Who wins?" He asked it, making the question seem easy.

"How should I know?!" I suddenly answered brusquely, making his eyes widened as I stomped to the middle of the room. I stood with a battle pose of sorts, his hat clutched against my chest as if I was protecting it… I was unable to face him with this question. "I don't know!" I told him sharply, curtly. He was silent, and I suddenly felt the need to continue. "So what if I know! It's not like it'll change anything!" I started to rant, feeling anger build up inside of me. "With Aizen knowing, my knowledge is like trash! He's stronger than us, don't you get it?!" I asked in an almost jokingly tone, smiling broadly as my eyes showed some kind of maniacal desperation. "At this rate, we're all going to die!" I took a slight pause before continuing. "He'll have our heads by morning! He'll use the Evolueren, I'm sure – and then there'll be no stopping hi-"

A hand suddenly covered my mouth as I realized Kisuke's warm presence behind me. He pulled me into his chest and leaned down, whispering in my ear. "Don't say that." He warned me as I involuntarily shivered. "We have you, don't we?" He asked as my brows knit together. "That should be enough to stop him in his tracks." This sentence made me go cold.

"Y-You know what you're getting yourself into, don't you…?" I asked quietly, my voice shaking. "Once you get caught in this hurricane I call myself…you will not come out alive." I warned him, my voice going even quieter.

"That's just the thing…!" He whispered, equally quiet, in my ear. "I don't plan to come out at all." His lips descended on the base of my neck, brushing by the edge of my shirt. They traveled up as shivers laced up and down my spine.

"Stop…!" I whispered hoarsely once he had gotten to my ear.

"Why?" He breathed directly into it, making my breath hitch as I involuntarily closed my eyes.

"Because…" I practically breathed out as he continued to breathe in my ear. "You don't…"

"I know what you are, Sydney." He whispered, going to kiss my neck. One of my hands intertwined with his hair as I sighed.

"Kisuke…"

"I love you, Sydney…"

Kisuke…

I think I…

Might love you, too.

Author's Note: I'm so sorry this chapter is SO SHORT! I started it the same day I last updated it – and it still only just got done! URGH! That bothers me so much. First of all, I don't like to keep people waiting. Second of all, it seems like no one else is updating (at least from the stories I have Fav/Followed) and that only means more publicity for me! :D I'm so greedy xD So yes, I'm also sorry there not as fluffy as I promised – I have a surprisingly hard time with writing that stuff. But I hope you liked the ending, I really do! :D

Also, I updated last chapter! The whole 'book, story this chick told me' excuse Sydney used is now the real thing – go check it out xD Kinda hard to explain, I'm sorry! I realized that there was no other way to correct it, so I had to change the chapter itself… Thank you for your patience!