I was a bit surprised by the response to the last chapter. I wasn't upset, just surprised. But saying that, I do want to thank Shoma, taity Kain, Occupational Haz and "Ayame" for their reviews, and "RG-Guest" and "Charem" for their critical feedback. I'm not upset, and I don't consider the latter to be "flaming".

You know, I cut three scenes from this chapter, and it still wound up running overlong. But you know what, this is the twentieth chapter after all. So, I'm calling an 'audible' on this one, and we're going in to over time for this special occasion. I hope you guys enjoy this extra-long chapter!

TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW

Chapter XX:
"We, The Officers, Part 3"

Japan, Nagano Prefecture...

Hitsugaya looked out across the deep waters of the large moat. Though it was more a lake that had been augmented to serve as a massive moat. The entire parameter of the lake was raised up and walled with stones, along with a massive elevated stone-work island at the head (to overlook the area), upon which had been built the impressive Castle that he'd been "coerced" into visiting with his Lieutenant.

There was a mild breeze as he stood in the courtyard, and it rustled his snow-white hair slightly while sending ripples out across the surface of the water. The young Captain observed, with mild interest, the large white swans meandering about in the water, before eventually turning toward the structure that had been the impetus for this entire trip- Matsumoto Castle. Toshiro mentally scolded himself for how easily he'd given in to the idea purely on the basis of his Lieutenant's enthusiastic desire to visit...

Actually, "enthusiastic" wasn't the half of it!

He may have been the prodigal Ice Dragon, but that didn't mean he was made of the stuff. And even he had limits to just how long he could maintain his usual stony facade... Especially, when confronted with a very excitable (not to mention affectionate) Lieutenant. Yes, this Lieutenant held the key to unlocking the emotions that he normally kept hidden from others. Ice was cold and immovable- making it an ideal barrier to discourage others- but ice ultimately could be melted. Fitting then, he supposed, that the spirit of Heineko should be one of flames and hot ash...

Hyorinmaru had been less than pleased by the analogy: declaring that the 'pitiful flames of that mouthy feline could never melt my ice'. Never the less, the word "fiery" summed up Rangiku Matsumoto rather well, and over the course of their time together, she'd been able to melt through his defenses. For all his intellect, she'd seen through him- from the very start, to this day. He could do nothing to drive her from his life, and he didn't want to! Hitsugaya couldn't envision a life with her not being there at his side, in fact, he didn't even want to consider it! The truth, if he was being perfectly honest, was that he needed her- no, more than that, he wanted her- in his life!

Damn her, the vixen, and those stormy blue eyes of hers he couldn't say no to!

Toshiro realized that, sooner or later, a day would invariably come, when he could no longer tolerate the lustful leering gazes of all those men... They were always watching her, whenever they thought she wasn't looking, the way a Hyena looked at its prey. Fools! They tried to be so mindful of her, yet they thought nothing of carrying on right in front of him. He also understood that any actions he took would quickly be interpreted for what they were: him asserting himself as her... lover? As much as the word might make his face flush a bright shade of red, the title fit...

Neither of them were ready to be physically intimate yet... Hell, they'd only recently felt emboldened enough to share a proper kiss on the lips (the first of many recently!). Yet, he could say with confidence that the emotional intimacy they shared was more than comparable as far as he was concerned.

And despite what her outward appearance might insinuate, Rangiku was not a loose woman. She was bold, shrewd, even manipulative at times, but he knew with certainty that she was not promiscuous. In fact, she'd been downright shy when she'd asked if she could sleep beside him! She'd clung to him that night, but she had slept soundly at his side, as he'd idly rubbed her back.

The more Hitsugaya pondered on the matter, the more he began to feel that potentially compromising his public image within the Seireitei was a small price to pay... Especially if in doing so, it finally made clear who's woman it was they were gawking at. He wasn't going to tolerate Rangiku being objectified, in the same way that any Captain wouldn't put up with his Lieutenant being objectified...

He smirked, recalling that both his Zanpakuto and himself were of the same mind on this matter, as the Dragon had seemed quite pleased with his feelings of possessiveness toward the gorgeous blond-haired woman that dominated his recently stoked sense of desire.

The fact that she'd come to trust him implicitly, when she felt most vulnerable, spoke volumes of how Rangiku viewed him, as a man... And he liked the feelings her trust instilled in him!

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Soul Society...

There was a brief whistling sound, as the air was cut by the motion of two objects, and then...

CLACK~!

The wooden blades of the bokens cut through the air- colliding noisily against each other- resulting in a stand-off between them as Lillynette and Hanataro held their ground.

Hanataro had discarded his heavy black outer kimono and rolled up the sleeves of the white under kimono above his elbows so as not to impede the movement of his arms. The young Shinigami sported a kendo-style head-wrap to keep his hair out of his eyes. While Lillynette wore her modified black and white uniform, except for her arms slips, as they both had bound their hands up in cloth for better grip.

"C'mon, Taro-kun," Lillynette spoke determinedly. "Put your back into it!" The young female Arrancar instructed her young male Shinigami counterpart.

"But Lilly-chan," Hanataro replied with effort. "I trained as a medic... Ugh!" He implored as she pulled back from him and took a swing at him. The Shinigami blocked the hit, deflecting her wooden weapon and advancing to take a swing of his own at her. "I mean- gah!- my Zanpakuto is a healing type!"

The unlikely companions were sparring in a small grove in the forest not far from the rear wall of the Ukitake Estate. The Shinigami and Arrancar swung their wooden swords at each other furiously, filling the air with the sound of treated wood impacting against wood.

Lillynette blocked his neck attack. "So what?!" She sniped back. "There's a lot of people out there who don't care what color armband you're wearing!" The Arrancar reasoned, pushing the edge of the sword against his. "Everyone's a target inna fight- so you gotta be ready for trouble!"

Hanataro stumbled back, but managed to regain his footing in time to dodge as Lillynette moved in and took another swipe at him. Their breaths quickened and their pulses raced as they engaged one another once more, crossing swords a few times before locking the blades again.

The Shinigami and the Arrancar's bodies tensed with effort, their knees bent and shoulders up as each of them gripped the handles of their weapons tightly in both hands. Lillynette and Hanataro threw their weight into it and leaned in, until there were only inches between them (and Hanataro could see himself reflected in her single rose-colored eye). Sweat formed on their temples as they met each others gaze...

The heals of their respective footwear dug into the earth as they tried to gain some purchase, scouring shallow lines across the dry soil underfoot as they both exerted force against one another in an effort to gain the upper-hand in the duel. What each failed to register since they'd locked up, was that their reiki had begun to seep out as they stood there, wooden blade against wooden blade.

Their contrasting energies inevitably overlapped and reacted to the other...

"GAGH!" They both cried out simultaneously, before being flung back several feet across the clearing they'd been practicing in by the small blast generated by the explosive convergence of their Hollow and Shinigami reiki. Hanataro and Lillynette ended up on their backs, their ears ringing and a bit scuffed up, but were otherwise unharmed by the incident.

"Ta...Taro-kun?" The first, more feminine voice inquired.

"Ugh...Lilly-chan?" The second replied after a moment.

...A few beats passed. Then they sat bolt-upright!

"Holy crap!" The Arrancar exclaimed, shaking her head and dusting herself off as she tried to get her head to stop spinning. "Yo Taro-kun, you still in one piece?"

He batted dirt from his robe and hakama. "Yeah..." He started after a moment. "What about you, are you okay Lilly-chan?" Hanataro asked.

Lillynette then leapt to her feet and retrieved her fallen boken. "Alright, come on Taro-kun, that's enough for today- let's get the heck outa here!" She declared with a smile.

Hanataro rose to his feet, snatching up his own boken and hanging his folded-up outer kimono across his shoulder- like a Scottish Tartan. "Er, where to?" He asked, tucking his headband into his pocket.

The small female Arrancar rubbed the yellow-green hair growing down from the base of her helmet-like mask fragment, as she considered their next move. "Okay, let me think... we shouldn't be that far from Shiro-san's place." Lillynette began with a thoughtful look. "Come on, let's go."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Division Two HQ...

Soifon sighed contentedly, eyes closed. She was laying down on her stomach, with her head resting on her folded arms, across the massage table...

They'd found the table tucked away at the back of a dusty storage closet, while cleaning and organizing the grounds of the Second Division. At Ggio's insistence, the Captain of the Stealth Squad had the thing dug out, dusted off, and set up in one of the unused training rooms. It was only later on, when the two of them were alone, that the Arrancar revealed his intentions to her.

And that was how he'd wound up like this, alone with him and lying on her stomach, while the cat-like Fraccion skillfully massaged her. At the moment, Ggio was busy working on Soifon's back, near the base of her spine, eliciting a mild grunt from her- then another sigh as he used the pads of his thumbs to rub small circles into the musculature of her lower back. He paused, adjusting his posture, before he started in on her spine- with his elbow and the underside of his forearm, no less!

Her Captain's Haori had been hung up on it's hook in her office, leaving Soifon clad in just her black backless top and ninja-style hakama (worn by all Black-Ops members). Her black Chinese slippers had been neatly set aside, leaving her feet covered with just her white tabi socks.

"Hmm," she let out a sigh. "you're so good at this, Ggio..." Soifon murmured softly.

The Arrancar smiled at the compliment. "Thanks." He replied as he continued. "When I became one of Lord Barragon's Fraccions, I was more than just a soldier." Ggio explained. "Each of the six of us were expected to master a particular skill- to better serve him, and to support each other."

The tiger-like Arrancar was dressed in a modified version of his Las Noches, his original top replaced with a looser-fitting white kimono (with black lining) tied at the waist with a black heko sash.

"Goodness, Miss Soifon, your shoulders are so stiff." Ggio remarked as he pressed his palms into her exposed shoulder blades. "Er, anyway... Charlotte could do anything with a sewing needle, and Redder was- heh- he was a master at making tea." He revealed with a faint smile, the red stripes on his cheeks arching as the corners of his mouth curved upward.

"Sometimes... I think about the others," he remarked thoughtfully. "And I can't help but wonder if any of them survived too... and maybe they're somewhere in Huecco Mundo." While he hadn't cared for all of his fellow Fraccions, he truthfully wouldn't mind if Charlotte Coulthorne was still around.

Soifon's eyes fluttered open. "Ggio," she began, cautiously. "Tell me something... When I confronted you about your... intentions." The woman paused. "Did you really mean everything you said?"

The tiger gave a brief quizzical look at the question, in the middle of kneading the slender woman's shoulders, before his smile quickly returned to his face. "Of course, Miss Soifon." Ggio answered her without a moment's hesitation. "How could I not?" He asked incredulously.

"It's just like I said," Ggio continued, as he moved his focus and began massaging the area between the base of her neck and her shoulders. "You're so pretty and elegant, but also strong and intelligent..." The Arrancar replied reverently. "And your scent- it's so feminine and gentle- it's the scent of a woman."

Blushing scarlet, Soifon sat up abruptly, turning to face the Arrancar. "Ggio..." She began in a hushed tone. "No one... has ever spoken about me like that, the way you do." She revealed, looking into his deep golden eyes. "Or... looked at me the way you do."

"Miss Soifon?" Ggio asked in surprise, as she extended a hand toward him, softly caressing the smooth skin of his cheek with the palm of her small hand.

"Just call me Soifon." She said simply, her hand slipping behind his head- feeling the Fraccion's silky black hair- and gently drawing him in close. "Please." Her voice came as a breathy whisper.

In that moment, Soifon knew instinctively, that this closeness that existed between the two of them, that it was something that she wanted... and more of it. And in that moment, she didn't care if she was being selfish in her desires- she just wanted him, and for him to want her.

Now mere inches apart, she closed her eyes and moved in, brushing her lips against his. Ggio needed no further prompting, bringing his hands up to rest soothingly on her delicate shoulders as he returned the gesture in earnest, eyes closed, his lips landing softly upon hers.

She moaned lightly in pleasure as they kissed. Soifon's actions were uncertain at first, but his gentle persistence put her at ease, and she parted her lips for him. Ggio deepened the kiss, and was rewarded by the taste of her tongue against his, making a noise that was half between a growl and a purr. After a moment, she withdrew, breathlessly, and looked into his eyes.

"Soifon..." Ggio murmured softly, his voice low as he spoke her name. His heart was racing furiously in his chest as he gazed into the depths of her dark eyes. The Arrancar felt a wild thrill deep down as he savored the feeling of her returning his feelings.

Her name, spoken by him, felt like silk to her senses in that moment. "I never though that it could mean so much... simply hearing another person say my name."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Rangiku made her way across the bright red footbridge that linked the bank to the expansive verdant green courtyard. The island's entryway was level with the surrounding flatlands, feeding into the large courtyard (or bailey), with the actual castle built on the highest section. Being a defensive fortress, it was built with high walls facing the water, as if the castle had its "back" to it.

She smiled as she recalled how things had played out when she'd first suggested they request that their next assignment be in Nagano- to allow for them to visit the castle. As expected, he'd initially rejected the idea, and he'd given his usual litany of grumbling and bemoaning what a pest she was. Yet Rangiku knew him well enough to know that with a little bit of the right kind of prompting, that he'd ultimately consent to the idea. Her Captain was the sort of man who liked to know he was being productive, so he wasn't predisposed to indulging in leisure activities.

Such a dutiful Captain he was!

But she also knew that once he'd finally accepted the idea, that he would adapt quickly to the situation and allow himself to relax, and ultimately enjoy himself. It was all just a matter of knowing how to get him to that point: to successfully convince him that he wasn't simply being idle, that it was legitimately important to find the time to savor the niceties that life could offer. And, as she'd pointed out, spending time together like this was something that people did when they were together.

And thanks to their years spent working alongside one another as the Captain and the Lieutenant of the Tenth Division, Rangiku had become adept at discerning the multitude of subtle nuances hidden within his actions and words. It was thanks to this understanding of her young Captain that she knew that this relationship that was blossoming between them was mutual. She knew Toshiro wasn't simply indulging her out of a sense of concern... Because, in the last eight months following the end of the War, there had been multiple times when he could just as easily have distanced himself from her. And yet, rather than push her away, he'd taken her hand in his and smiled softly at her.

Oh, but not just any smile!

It was a smile that only he could give, and it always made her feel giddy whenever he looked into her eyes, the way a... a lover would! She was hardly an innocent maiden, and over the years, she'd indulged in a few trysts with men who happened to catch her eye. But she hadn't felt anything deeper for any of them. There had only ever been two men she'd felt something real toward.

There were still times, to this day, when she regretted that she'd never truly know what she and Gin had shared... Her childhood friend was a grown man, with all the subtleties and complexities that came with growing up as he had, and living the way he had chosen to. And he was also a master of deception, who made it a point of never playing his full hand in any given situation. The choice to live as he'd done had came at a cost, though it was a price he'd likely anticipated. In the end, this had left Rangiku with a lot of unknowns and unanswered questions to have to come to grips with in the wake of his death...

In stark contrast, was Toshiro Hitsugaya. And while he may have been young, he already possessed all of the qualities she deemed essential to what made for a good man: he was steadfast and reliable, loyal to both his friends and those who served under him, honest to a fault, and was fiercely devoted to both the people and principles that he held dear to him.

Yes, he had all the making of a fine man.

And yet, she feared to some degree, that others would take notice of him- if not now, than in the not so distant future- for those very qualities, among others... She was a grown woman, with all the emotional baggage that came with her age and experience, while he was only just coming into adulthood. This put her at a disadvantage, when compared to all the fresh young hussies that would doubtlessly try to steal him away from her. Well, then she'd just have to make sure that her beloved Captain knew she could give him so much more than any of those girls could ever possibly offer!

The gorgeous curvy strawberry-blonde woman spotted the youthful figure of her snow-haired Captain, somehow standing alone even amidst the crowd of tourists. She smiled, taking note of his disinterested expression and his casual posture as he waited for her. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and sneakers, a long-sleeved shirt, with his hands tucked into the pockets of the black jacket he wore over it. He turned to her as she approached, giving his usual neutral expression- that betrayed none of his emotions- out of his innate sense of propriety, as she approached him.

"Yoohoo, Toshiro-kun!" Rangiku called out as she headed his way.

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Upon arrival, Lillynette and Hanataro were met by the high stonework parameter wall that surrounded the Ukitake Estate. The young Shinigami slipped his black outer kimono on, though he hadn't bothered to tie it together and tuck in into his hakama, when the young Arrancar spoke up.

"C'mon Taro-kun," she began. "Gimme a boost."

Hantaro reacted with a look of confusion. "Um, what are you talking about, Lilly-chan?"

The smaller mouthier half of the Primera Espada let out a sigh and shook her head at his seeming lack of understanding, her lone visible rose-colored eye shut. She fixed him with a look, arms folded across her chest as she set about explaining herself.

"Just think about it." Lillynette chastised. "It'll be easier and less of a hassle this way, and it'll draw less attention, if we climb over the wall and come in through the back."

Hanataro glanced at the wall. "Uh..."

"Now come on, Taro-kun, gimme a bunk-up!" The Arrancar declared/demanded.

Several minutes later...

The pair of bokens flew over the wall, to land in the grass below.

Lillynette pulled herself up onto the rampart and mounted the wall, sitting astride it. "Alright, Taro-kun, gimme your hand." The Arrancar instructed, as she leaned down and offered him her hand, her sternum pressed against the top of the wall as she leaned down.

He took her hand, and with a silent acknowledgment between them, she hoisted Hanataro upwards just as he leapt to grab onto the lip of the rampart with his other hand. Lillynette latched onto him, gripping him under the shoulder and pulling. She helped him scramble onto the wall, briefly becoming tangled with her in the process, till he was laying chest down and catching his breath.

Catching their collective breaths, Hanataro sat up and met her gaze. "I- I can't... believe that I... just did that." The young man commented excitedly as his breathing normalized. And yet, as shocked as he was with himself, he was unknowingly smiling the whole time as he spoke the words.

"Yeah... I know... it's crazy, right?" Lillynette said between breaths.

"I mean... this sort of thing... I remember reading about it in books... but I... I thought it was the sort of thing that happened in books when kids wanna try an' steal apples." He finished, his breath almost back to normal as they took a moment to survey their surroundings.

"What in heaven's name...?!" A voice called out.

The duo turned to look across the back year, to see Ukitake and Shunsui seated on the deck of the rear patio, a pot of tea and two cup set between the Captains.

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Shinigami Academy, Female Dorms...

For one so tall and buxom, the Tercera Espada floated about with surprising grace. Tia Halibell moved with the elegance and quiet confidence of a natural leader. The female Arrancar's sea-green eyes and golden hair shimmered as she approached the entrance of the women's dorms.

The Espada recalled how she- and by extensions, her three girls- were perceived by the young female students with whom they resided with. Despite being an apex-predator, the young women seemed to view her as a safe calming presence. It was ironic, even surreal, that all these young Shinigami women regarded her as some sort of "Dorm Mother" for them. And it was even more telling, when she thought about it, that she was content to accept the 'position' they'd bestowed upon her.

As she'd offered her assistance, and that of her three Fraccions, she'd assisted the Shinigami in restoring the balance of the Realms- ensuring the transubstantiation of souls in the next realm, combating Hollow incursions into the other realms. Her involvement in these high-level Shinigami matters made her privy to forthcoming developments, including the future Fourteenth Division...

Since the formal cessation of hostilities and the tentative formation of the Arrancar-Shinigami alliance, their new allies had been quick to recognize not only her potential, but the potential of the Arrancar as a race (hence the need to help stabilize them). Following the deaths of their respective leaders- plus, the death of the old buzzard Barragon- the Court Guard was faced with a power vacuum. Coyote Stark and herself had ascended to Vasto Lordé status- the only known ones alive, in fact... Though, she'd had her suspicions about Ulquiorra, and would not have been all that surprised if the Cuatro was on the cusp of joining their ranks, nor even if he was concealing his Vasto Lordé status for some strategic reason.

The best analogy she could give was that Vasto Lordés were titans- creatures of ancient legend, who's awesome power and fearsome majesty instilled both awe and fear in all who beheld them. During her time spent fighting against and alongside the Shinigami, Halibell discerned four of their number who were of comparable scope, and one of them had died... And of the three that yet remained, she counted Shunsui Kyoraku, Retsu Unohana, and Jushiro Ukitake. And likely, one day, with the benefit of time and experience, the young Ice Master Toshiro Hitsugaya would reach that plateau...

Over the course of the eight months she'd spent in the Seireitei, she'd adopted a modified version of her original uniform. Her old high-topped jacket- that had exposed most of her torso- had been replaced by one that came all the way down, with the section below her breasts cinched up- like a corset- to provide more support for her impressive bosom. The rest of her uniform remained mostly unchanged, with the white trousers she wore being much closer to an actual pair of hakama (ie. with a waistline).

One of her Fraccions, Emeila Apacci, flanked her right side. The most vocal (and notoriously abrasive) of her three followers had accompanied her on their mission to the living realm. Halibell noted that her attitude- once intolerable to many- had softened slightly, as she had spent more time with the Shinigami girls living in the rooms surrounding the ones that had been allocated to them.

Cyan Sungsun appeared at the entrance to greet them. As usual, she held a hand up- partially obscuring her face as she smiled warmly. The mannerism, which was accentuated by the over-long sleeves of her uniform, was one of the defining aspects of the more feminine and demure of her three followers.

"Mistress Halibell." Sungsun greeted politely.

The Espada nodded. "Sungsun," she replied. "Where is Mila Rose?"

Sungsun gave a small nod. "Mistress, Mila Rose is currently assisting the female Shinigami with their practical weapons training." The Fraccion revealed. "Though, I believe that she will be finished within the next half hour. As I assume you wish to speak with all of us?"

Halibell nodded, silently approving of her Fraccion's choice to assist the Shinigami, as it reflected how the three of them had increasingly taken an active interest in their new allies. Though, one fact that was left unsaid was the fact that Mila had been increasingly spending time with one of the Shinigami girls living in the dorms, regularly spending the night in her room...

"That's fine, I am content to wait for her." Halibell answered. "Once she has arrived, there's something I wish to speak with all three of you about."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Division Twelve, R&D Branch- Experimental Vaccine and Antibiotics...
(Formerly, Chemical Weapons Main Lab)...

Szayel entered the lab, the door sliding open and shut behind, and retrieved a nearby clipboard from the counter top to check the notes on it. "Hm, yes," he began as he flipped through the pages. "Very good." The Espada remarked, setting the clipboard down. "I knew it. A lab this size could be put to far better use than simply developing weaponized chemical agents."

"Still, I suppose those thing still have their uses..." He admitted with a sly smile. "Of course, that's why I had that branch relegated to the lower ancillary labs- much less chance of an outbreak." Szayel added as he ventured into the large lab. "And the last thing we need is a virulent epidemic starting up just as we've hit our stride developing medicines for the outreach program... Isn't that right, Sanota-san?"

A woman, sporting one of the Twelfth's white labcoats over her black Shinigami robes, turned away from the tests she was running. "Yes, Szayel-sama." She replied as she reached reached up to adjust the pair of glasses she wore, pushing them up the bridge of her nose. Her hands were covered by a pair of latex gloves, and a scrub mask hung around her neck. The woman, who's given name was Akemi, had her messy wavy blond hair pulled up into a loose bun, fixed in place with pencils, and her youthful green eyes were visible through the bifocal lenses of her glasses.

Behind her, a machine went about methodically shaking marked phials- each of them filled with slight variations of the same chemical composite. "I finished my final analysis of the formulas this morning." She explained in a professional tone as she arose from her seat. "As you instructed, fifty doses worth of the new trial vaccine have been synthesized for the first trial." She continued, as she led him over to a small metal box, which she opened. "For expediency, the doses are in these injector cartridges, which can easily be loaded into the reusable syringes included." She concluded, gesturing each item.

She closed the box, and Szayel nodded. "Excellent, Sanota-san, you've done splendidly." The Arrancar declared with a smile. "I knew I wasn't mistaken when I promoted you into the seated ranks." He added coolly as he ran a gloved hand through his pink hair.

The young Shinigami beamed under the praise. "Thank you sir, I won't let you down."

"I have every bit of confidence in you." Szayel answered. "And now, if you'll excuse me, I will leave you to finish with your work here," he resumed. "As I am due to check in on Officer Akon, to see how he is progressing with his work in the agricultural wing."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

As soon as he'd heard her voice, Toshiro had turned to see the figure of his Lieutenant approaching his location, waving to him and with a smile on her face.

She had called him "Toshiro-kun".

Presumably, she'd opted to address him in this informal manor to avoid drawing unwanted attention by virtue of a grown woman addressing someone who- for all intents and purposes- was a young teenage boy, as "Captain". Though, the young Captain wouldn't have been at all surprised if her ulterior motive for doing this was in the hope that it would elicit some reaction from him- a common practice of hers, and one from which she seemed to derive a fair degree of perverse pleasure in doing.

Still, her capricious nature was one of the aspect of the woman that made her stand out. As she neared, Hitsugaya observed the languid way her clothing conformed to her as she moved. The hip-length black jacket she had fluttered slightly, while the gray pants she wore hugged he full hips firmly- with the legs tucked into the pair of retro healed knee-boots she sported. Under the jacket, she wore a white blouse and dark red vest. Hell, the autumn chill had been such that it had dissuaded her from leaving her front open- which also meant he finally got to properly see the ruffled front of that blouse she liked to wear when they were sent on assignment to the Living Realm.

She appeared at his side, taking a moment to soak in the sight of the castle. Her stormy blue-gray eyes and flowing strawberry blond locks picked up the mid-day sunlight, and for a brief moment, it felt as if he couldn't look away from her. Though he soon managed pry his gaze away from the gorgeous woman beside him, and back to the admittedly impressive structure before them.

Matsumoto Castle had been built over three hundred years ago, in the late seventeenth century, amidst the times of the violent years of the Sengoku Jidai. And as its namesake suggested, it had served as the heart of the Matsumoto Domain. Its distinctive appearance- nearly entirely black- had lead to it being referred to as the "Crow Keep" by some people. This, combined with the fact that it had survived the Second World War intact, had lead to its declaration as a "Historical Treasure".

"It's certainly impressive, I'll give it that." Toshiro remarked in a neutral tone.

Rangiku looked at him for a moment. "That's it? That's all you can say?" She asked him incredulously, before a devious smile flickered across her face. "Or... Could it be that the Captain is jealous that there isn't also a Hitsugaya Castle to go visit, hmm?" She asked teasingly.

He flashed her a look of mild annoyance, then nodded to himself. "Not at all," he replied, now smiling as he looked at the fortress. "In fact, now that I look at it... It really is quite imposing- very austere." He continued. "And not to mention, sturdy- just like you." He declared, turning to her.

"Sturdy?!" Rangiku repeated, quite aghast at the allusion.

"Yes," Hitsugaya replied, almost gleefully. "It's perfect monument to you!"

Indignant, the busty woman began furiously swatting at him. "How could you?! No woman wants to hear someone call them 'sturdy'!" She fumed.

The youth held an arm up to 'shield' himself, still smiling. "Oh come on, it's perfect- I mean, you and that castle even have the same surname."

Rangiku ceased her 'attack' with a huff. "Fine... I'm sorry for teasing you." She conceded. "But really, I don't like the idea of you- of all people- comparing me to something so harsh... and old."

The white-haired young man exhaled. "I was wondering when this would come up." He revealed, his tone becoming more somber. "Rangiku," he resumed, addressing her. "Look at that Castle." He gently instructed as he gestured toward it, taking her hand. "When people look at that Castle, they don't think about how old it is, all they can think of is how magnificent it is, how it still stands proud and defiant, even in the face of the flow of time..." He paused, looking back to her.

"And when I look at Matsumoto, all I can think about is how her beauty and spirit endures in the face of time and adversity, and how that will never change." He declared. "Oh, how uncharacteristic of me, I wonder when I stopped talking that Castle?" He asked with a smile.

The woman's storm cloud eyes welled up with tears, but her perfect lips curved up into a smile, even as tears threatened to ruin her makeup. Without saying a word, she pulled the young man into an embrace, though his face only ended up being pressed against the base of her sternum, his chin pressing into her cleavage through the fabric of the blouse.

What both of them failed to register in that moment, aside from all the muttering, smiling onlookers, was the fact that just a year ago, his eyes would have been level with her bosom...

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

The Rear Courtyard of the Ukitake Estate...

Jushiro Ukitake was seated across from his longtime friend Shunsui Kyoraku. The tall, scruffy man had come to pay a visit to his white-haired fellow Captain. Between the two men, a kettle of hot tea and two cup were set up on a trey. Steam rose up from the cups as they retrieved them.

"Word is that things have been going pretty well between yourself and Retsu-san." Shunsui observed with a casual smile as he brought up the cup to sip tea from it.

"Yes, I've been very blessed to have such an amazing woman in my life." Jushiro replied with a smile as he took a sip from his cup. "In fact, I had recently begun to feel that it was time that I did something to properly express my feeling for her." He continued.

"Really, and what was that?" Shunsui inquired, taking another sip from his.

Jushiro smiled. "Well, I asked Retsu if she would consent to becoming my wife."

The swordsman almost spit out his tea. "J-Jushiro! That's wonderful!" Shunsui exclaimed. "I assume that she said yes." He continued. "When did you ask her?"

"About a month and a half ago, around the time when our teams in Huecco Mundo made first contact with the unaligned Arrancar." Ukitake explained. "When Retsu said yes... That was one of the greatest moments of my life." He added with a smile. "Given our duties as Captains, we both felt it was best to have a simple quiet ceremony. In fact I plan to use the family shrine within the house."

"Who will you be inviting?" Shunsui asked, refilling his own cup.

"Not too many people, it's best not make a big production of it." Jushiro replied calmly as he filled his cup back up. "I'm sure Lillynette will insist upon herself and Stark attending... And of course, I'd love it if you and Nanao-san could be in attendance as well."

Shunsui beamed at the suggestion. "Oh, but I can just imagine, my darling Nanao-chan is going to so happy when she hears about this!" He exclaimed excitedly.

Jushiro paused. "Speaking of the two of you," he interjected. "How is Nanao-san doing?"

Shunsui smiled at the question. "She's wonderful." He answered. "My beloved Nanao-chan truly is the beating heart of the Eighth Division." The scruffy Captain remarked. "And I'm sure she'd love to attend the ceremony. Though as to us..." He paused. "Well, Nanao has always kept herself guarded, and she's been resistant to my advances for so long... Though she's recently started to open up to me."

"You old rogue." Jushiro teased with a smile. "Setting your eyes on such serious-minded woman like her... well, you knew winning over a younger woman wouldn't be easy for men our age."

"How true, I'll be turning seven-hundred and fifty next year." Shunsui began. "And I can't help but wonder sometimes if my Nanao-chan views me in the same way the younger of your two guest does." He lamented with a sigh. "For an Arrancar child to call me old, well I-"

He was interrupted by the far-off sound of something impacting on the ground. The two Captains set their teacups down and turned to scan the area.

"What in heaven's name?!" Jushiro called out, at the sight of none other than Lillynette and the Third Seat Officer of the Fourth, Hanataro Yamada, perched atop the wall.

Moments later...

Both Lillynette and Hanataro had frantically scurried down the wall, nearly falling in the process, as they touched down in the soft grounds of the courtyard. The two youths had then hurriedly made their way over to where the two men sat, the Arrancar and her Shinigami sporting repentant expressions.

"Good grief," Jushiro began as he looked them over, taking note of the general state of disarray of the two youths standing before him. "What on earth have the two of you been up to?"

They both sported embarrassed looks, though there was a trace of annoyance in Lillynette's face, while Hanataro seemed to be at a loss. However, both were blushing.

Shunsui, who had said nothing so far, on the other hand, had reached a definite conclusion after looking the two of them over... The sweat, the mussed up hair, their disheveled clothing- including the fact that Hanataro's kimono hung open... Well, it all added up to one very obvious answer.

"Really now, Jushiro, the answer to that should be perfectly obvious." Shunsui casually remarked, his smile becoming devious as he went on. "Just look at them. It's plain as day that they went off into the woods to go fool around, and that they were hoping to sneak back in- only for us to catch them."

Both of the youths in question balked at the assertion, faces flushing dark red. While the white-haired man just looked at his friend for a moment. "Shunsui, I hardly think there's any need to go teasing them like that- you're embarrassing them." Jushiro declared in an admonishing tone.

"Now now, it's not my concern what two young people chose to do in their own time... After all, they're both at the age where it's only natural to want to explore a bit." He reasoned slyly.

Lillynette looked incensed at the very idea, while Hanataro appeared as if he simply wanted slink away and go bury his head in the sand to get away from the embarrassment.

"What?" Shunsui protested defensively, his gaze flitting between the others. "It's just what boys and girls do when they get to be around that age." He declared resolutely. "At least, that is, I can tell you it's what I would be doing, were I in their place."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Mila Rose arrived in the third floor lounge of the Women's Dorms, her hair still damp from the shower she'd just finished, a towel hanging from her neck. What the dusky leonine woman didn't feel inclined to mention to any of them was that she hadn't been alone during the shower.

She blushed, recalling what she'd done with her 'companion'... Kyoko had been with her.

"Mistress Halibell?" Mila began, spotting the Espada seated in one of the cushioned chairs. She tossed aside the towel and quickly bowed her head. "I- I had no idea that you were here, or that I was keeping you waiting. I-" She frantically tried to explain, only for the Tercera to hold up her gloved hand.

"Do not let it concern you." Halibell replied, her voice calm and even. "What I wished to speak with you about was neither urgent or pressing." She went on calmly. "Though, it does concern yourself and your two fellow Fraccions." The bronzed woman explained, her tone never wavering, as she gestured to Apacci and Sungsun. "Chiefly, it is in regard to your futures?"

The other two Fraccions perked up at this, all three of them now listening intently. "First, I would like to know whether or not any of the three of you have some desire to take a more direct role in furthering our kind's treaty with the Shinigami." Halibell elaborated. "I ask this, because each of you has shown, in your own ways, a desire to make a difference."

"But Mistress Halibell-" Apacci began to say.

"Please," the Tercera interjected. "This is not a rejection. The three of you- Cyan, Franceska, Emeila- you have been, and shall always remain, my loyal Fraccions, and constant companions." She explained, her tone a bit more sentimental than was usual for her. "However, like any disciples, it is my sincerest desire that the three of you go forth... And put what you have learned during your time at my side to good use, so that you might forge somthing for yourselves."

Halibell then arose from the chair. "Think upon what I have said." She continued. "We find ourselves in a world without the limits that once defined us. Here, the sun rises in the horizon, and each you have it within you to go forward and explore the horizons that lie ahead of you."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Szayel and Nemu were en-route to the gathering being held in the Central Chamber. The Octavio had offered his arm to the purple-haired woman, upon departing the Twelfth, and she accepted with a faint blush, snaking her arm around his as they advanced.

Nemu realized, upon reflection, that it made some sense that the personification of Death by Madness was rather manic with his affections. Since killing her creator, the Espada had taken a strong interest in her, and been particularly open and free with his emotions. The simulant wondered if this was related to his Hollow nature, if perhaps this was his way of expressing his more possessive feelings...

Suddenly, Szayel paled, and Nemu immediately identified the source of his unease. The two of them were now moments away from crossing paths with Nelliel-Tu Obberschank.

It wasn't as if this was the first time they'd crossed paths since the 'incident'- back when he'd only been an ambitious Numeros- since they'd both been present during the vote. However, this was the first time when he didn't have the benefit of being one of a number of people. Still, he supposed that some form of reckoning was inevitable, given the details of said 'incident'.

Nemu had registered the unease in her Captain and lover, being able to pick up on the subtle tells in his present behavior. The Lieutenant also noted that the green-haired female cut a rather impressive figure, dressed as she was in her black robes and white Captain's haori.

The former Third's expressive gray-brown eyes locked with his golden ones, and she seemed to register the unease within both his posture and expression. Given Nelliel's temperament, Szayel didn't think that she would actually attack him. Not that it wouldn't have been perfectly understandable if she harbored a desire to avenge herself upon him, especially when considering his modest contribution to her downfall that fateful day, all those years ago. He had no desire to loose face in front of Nemu, and so the Octavio resigned himself to face whatever fate might befall him with some modicum of dignity...

Honestly, the scientist Arrancar wasn't so much afraid of dying. Rather, he dreaded the idea of failing to see his greatest ambition come to fruition. It would certainly be tragic and ignoble, for Szayel to find a kindred spirit within Nemu, only not live long enough to have the pleasure of seeing her...

"Grantz." Nelliel acknowledged, interrupting his line of thought.

"Lady Nelliel-Tu Obberschank," Szayel began, his body stiff as he separated himself from Nemu as he stepped forward. He clapped his gloved hands together and bowed his head. "In light of my complicity in Nnoitra's scheme, and the time you suffered while in exile..." He continued. "In can only offer you my humble apology. And the solemn admission that I was wrong in my actions."

Nelliel was surprised by the gesture of contrition from the Eighth. But after a moment, as looked at him with his eyes cast downward, she managed a smile. "Grantz, I forgive you." She declared calmly, much to the surprise of the pink-haired Arrancar. "The others- Nnoitra, Tesla- they are gone, dead, and I have no desire to dwell in the past." The green-haired woman continued. "Just as you are no longer the same person that you were back then, neither am I."

Szayel looked up, golden eyes wide in shock. "L-Lady Nelliel...?"

"Since regaining my lost memories..." Nelliel went on. "I've had time to reflect upon who I was, and I now see that it was because of my time in exile, that I was able to explore another side of myself, that of the girl name 'Nell', and realize what truly mattered most- just how much the bond between myself and Dondachaka and Pesche truly meant to me." She explained thoughtfully, as she held a hand on her chest (over her 'heart'). "To experience life though the eyes of an innocent, that is to live- to laugh and cry, to know both joy and sorrow, and so much more..."

"Thank you, Lady Nelliel-Tu Obberschank." Szayel spoke, his tone subdued but formal.

"Not at all." She replied with a smile. "Just as my instincts tell me that you've grown as well. I'd hardly recognize you as the as the person you were back then... You've evolved into something more, someone important." She paused, looking briefly to Nemu, before she extended a hand to touch her cheek, as she looked into her eyes. "And... you've gained something important." Nelliel finished, a she withdrew her hand from the other woman, sharing a brief knowing look with Szayel as she did so.

"We'd better get going," Nelliel then declared. "I expect that my Lieutenants will have already arrived and are most assuredly wondering where their Captain is."

Nemu smiled and nodded. "Of course, best not to keep them waiting."

(- End of Chapter XX... -)

Considering how long this chapter ended up being, I decided to save my comments for the end, rather than burden you with them at the start. First off, I hope you guys enjoyed this extra-long chapter.

Also, in response to the lack of UlquiHime content: First off, I never meant for them to take a back seat to the other chars as much as they have in the recent chapters. As the story has grown increasingly more complex, I've had to spend more time with the larger cast. I'm trying to work them in more where I can, but it'll be a few more chapters before they become the main focus again.

The next post will another Interlude, followed by a two-chapter arc. However, after that... I wrote a bonus Interlude focusing on Ulquiorra and Orihime.