Chapter 2
Feelings That Want to be Free
The morning finally broke the darkness, painting the sky in all shades of orange, pink, purple, and yellow. Hitsuguya and Kyla both woke with a jolt. Today was the day. Hitsuguya was the first one up, grabbing Hyorinmaru he put on his robe and went to run out when he was interrupted by Rangiku.
"Where are you off to so early in the morning?" She asked. He couldn't tell her where he was really going.
"Where I go is my business and mine alone." He said opening the door.
"I'm not sure you understood the meaning of that statement." She told him, a concerned look on her face. He looked at the clock on the wall. 1:32!
"What?! Why didn't you wake me earlier." He shouted.
"You were sleeping so soundly I just couldn't wake you." She was being sarcastic again. He turned his head and grunted at her joke. He was out the door when she stopped him again.
"I'm worried about you Captain. You haven't been yourself lately. First zoning out and now this. What's wrong?" She asked in a caring, tender tone. Hitsuguya looked to the ground, and then back up.
"Nothing is wrong." Then he was running down the alley towards the training field. Rangiku sighed then sat down on the couch. Why doesn't he ever tell me anything? She thought.
Kyla rushed out of her room hoping she didn't miss anything important. She had a bad habit of sleeping in when she was under stress. Luckily Tsaki was on the sofa, snoozing like bear in hibernation. Kyla wanted to wake her up, but was in too much of a hurry. She swung open the door and bolted out into the alley in the direction of the training ground. Oh man, Oh man, Oh man, I am in so much trouble. Dammit. Why the hell can't I just be on time for once. She was so lost in thought yelling at herself she wasn't paying close attention to what was in front of her. As she turned the corner she only had a second of realization that someone was heading the same way. Before she could react they collided, her falling on top of the other person.
"Ow my head." She rubbed her forehead and then leaped up. "Oh my god are you alright." Suddenly she realized who she had fallen on top of. Captain Hitsuguya sat up rubbing his own head when he too realized who he had run into. He jumped up and turned away, blushing.
"I'm so sorry. I was in a hurry and I..." Hitsuguya put his finger over her mouth signaling her to stop talking.
"It's alright. I should've been watching where I was going." His face was as red as an apple as he looked down at her body, then turned away. "Now please, go put some clothes on and we can talk later." Kyla gasped and looked down. She was in such a hurry she never got changed and was still in nothing but her underwear. Oh god how embarrassing can this get. It just had to be the Captain out of everyone. She turned and rushed back to her room. She put on a t-shirt and a pair of short-shorts and hurried into the living room, hoping he was still close by. Suddenly a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her away.
"And where do you think you're going?" Tsaki demanded.
"Come on Tsaki, it's 1:30, I really am not in the mood for getting in trouble." Kyla rolled her eyes and Tsaki looked at the clock.
"Holy shit, is it really that late?! I gotta get going. Aw man I'm gonna get in so much..." All of the sudden she stopped in her tracks. "Wait a minute. The captain told us we got today to relax. That's why I slept in. So where are you really going?" She started to tap her foot and put her hands on her hips.
"Uum. Just out. I just wanna... check out the area and... maybe do some shopping." She made an obviously fake laugh and turned to the door. "Gottagobye." She said quickly, then turned and was gone. Man I do not understand that girl sometimes. Tsaki thought.
Luckily Hitsuguya wasn't too far ahead and she caught up to him.
"I'm really sorry for before. I didn't know I was like that. Please forgive me." Her face was still red as they walked next to each other.
"It's alright. Accidents happen." He looked down as they walked. "I've had a lot lately." He murmured. They talked about each other while they walked, with no specific places to be. Finally they reached the training ground. There was no one there, so they had the whole place to themselves.
"It looks so... empty and barren without anyone here." Kyla stated. Hitsuguya nodded then walked up to the tree where he first zoned out. They looked at each other with the same thought in mind, and jumped up into the lowest branches.
"This is so peaceful." Kyla said leaning against the trunk. "I can see why you like it up here so much." She smiled at him. He looked at her then smiled back. He couldn't help but look into her pure blue eyes. They were so beautiful and she seemed to glow. He hadn't seen such a beautiful girl in a long time.
"Hey captain... you alive in there?" Kyla snapped her fingers and Hitsuguya realized he zoned out again. Son of a... get it together man. Keep focused. He shook his head and nodded to her. They began to chat some more, this time giving more detail about themselves. By the time the sun began to set Hitsuguya felt like he had known Kyla all his life, and she the same. The sky was almost an exact replica of the sunrise earlier that morning. They gazed into each others eyes for what seemed like years. As if it had a mind of its own, Hitsuguyas' hand inched closer to Kylas. When she made no gesture of denial he wrapped his fingers in between hers. What am I doing. Why can't I control myself. He thought. As much as he told himself he wanted to stop, his hand wouldn't leave the warmth of hers. They sat there for longer than either of them could tell. Soon Kyla rested her head on his shoulder and drifted off to sleep. The moon began to rise into the sky. A small breeze blew past them making Kyla shiver. I need to get her back to her own room before she freezes to death. What is Rangiku going to say when she finds out what where I've been all day. He reached his arm under her knees and wrapped his other around both of her arms. He lifted her up slowly, trying hard not to wake her. Leaping down from the tree me began to jog her home. When he reached the doorstep he remembered that she had a roommate that was probably asleep. As quietly as possible he slid the door open a crack and peeked in. No one was there. He sighed with relief and tiptoed through the halls. There was a room with a sign that said "Kylas' Room" In big letters on one of the doors. Thank god. They made it easy for me. He slid open that door and set her down on her bed. She is so cute when she sleeps. He slapped his forehead and grunted. What is happening to me. She is making me seem so soft and weak. He ridiculed himself as he walked through the halls and out into the alleys.
Hitsuguya
I walked alone in the dark through the labyrinth of houses and other buildings towards my own. The night was so peaceful, but I took no notice. Rangiku would hopefully be asleep and I could sneak into bed without her noticing. The occurrences of this day were the only thing that went through my mind. Man I am such an idiot. Holding her hand. What the hell was I thinking. I clenched my hand into a fist and looked down at it in anger. Suddenly the thought of her hand in mine overpowered the raged and I was calm. Why do I feel this way? I must know. I will find out if it's the last thing I do. Confidence struck me as I turned a corner. My house was now in sight and I felt relief. None of the lights were on so I was sure Rangiku was asleep. Sliding open the door as quietly as I could I tiptoed into the living room as quietly as I had in Kylas' house. I was about to turn the corner towards my room when I heard a rustling on the couch. Rangiku was laying there with a bottle of Sake lazily in her hand. Again?! And I thought Ikkaku was bad enough. I hated it when she got drunk, but now she had been passing out more often. Could it be because of me? Is she really that worried? I wondered if I was that different. I let the thought drift out of my mind. Time to get some shut eye. I ordered myself. With that I fell onto my bed and buried my face in my pillow. I'm gonna figure this out. No matter what. I made that promise, then let my eyes fall shut and fell into a deep sleep.