Hey guys!!! I'm back with Chapter 13!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or anything associated with it. No copyright infringement intended.
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"Captain!" yelled Matsumoto.
Toushiro sighed, "Hey Rangiku." They were sitting in the forest that led just out of the city. Beside the forest ran a small stream of water that Toushiro was currently throwing rocks into.
Momo was still in town getting supplies and stocking up on food...as well as Gin. Luckily the two were no where near each other. So that gave both Toushiro and Matsumoto peace of mind that no chaos would commence for awhile.
She smiled, "Well, Gin and I will be leaving soon. I just dropped by to see how you were doing...So...how are you doing?"
Toushirofrowned and ignored her question. To tell you the truth he felt completely and utterly defeated. He was about to let his former lieutenant who had come to be his best friend, one who he would protect with his very life, go run away with a criminal and live the life of a renegade. Which wasn't exactly an easy job...he knew from experience.
Toushiro looked towards the river and threw another rock, "Are you sure that this is what you want?"
Rangiku nodded, "Positive."
Toushiro closed his eyes, "Well then...I guess there's nothing more I can say but good luck and...try not to get caught."
Rangiku smiled, "Thanks..."
"Ran, it's time ta go..." Said Gin as he shunpoed towards her. Matsumoto nodded and turned to Toushiro, "Well I guess I'll see you around Captain! And don't do anything naughty with Hinamori, you guys have decades before anything like that should happen okay?"
Laughing at the face Toushiro made she and Gin ran as fast as they could back into town.
"M-MATSUMOTO!!!!"
---------------
"There." Momo said satisfied. She had just returned from shopping and bought some things she thought both She and Toushiro would need.
She was just about to start packing when Rangiku came flying in her room and locked the door. She was laughing like crazy until she finally started to settle down.
Momo half smiled at her friend. She could act like a real kid sometimes. "What so funny?"
Rangiku took a deep breath before shaking her head, "Oh it was nothing...you should have been there..." Then replaying the conversation back in her head she shook her head again, "Then again, maybe not..."
Momo rolled her eyes and started to put the supplies in her bag.
Rangiku picked up some supplies and started helping her, "Gin and I are just about to leave...so I thought I'd say goodbye..."
Momo gave her a slight frown, "Oh..." A moment of silence passed by before she sighed, "Are you absolutely positive that you want to--"
Rangiku frowned, "Geez. Is that all you and the captain can say? Yes. I'm one hundred percent sure I want to do this. Final decision."
Momo shrugged, "Just had to make sure."
Just then a knock emitted from the door, "Ran...I'm serious. We need ta go."
Momo frowned and slightly glared in the direction of the knock. Rangiku smiled, "I'm coming."
Before she opened the door she turned to Momo, "I know you think I'm crazy for doing this....I know that you'll never like Gin....but...some advice for you to take to heart; Love comes in many ways, it can be fragile or it can be strong...sometimes you just never know how strong until the thing you love most is gone."
Momo blinked...since when was Rangiku so deep? And what did love have to do with her? Unless she was referring to a certain white haired man whose whereabouts were completely unknown to her at the moment...
Rangiku winked and opened the door, knowing that Momowould catch on to who she was talking about and walked over to Gin's side.
"If you want to know where he is...check the beginning of the forest. He should be there standing near a river. Goodbye Momo!!"
And with that said, Rangiku and Gin left.
--------------
"Hey Rukia! How was lunch yesterday?" Asked Orihime. They were just coming back from breakfast and now walking to Rukia's office. Said girl smiled, "It was good."
Orihime frowned, "Just good?"
Rukia shrugged, "Well what were you expecting to happen?"
Orihime smiled sheepishly, "Well...I was hoping that maybe you and Ichigo would profess your undying love to each other!"
Rukia blinked as a moment of silence passed by until she busted out laughing and patted Orihime on the shoulder, "That was a good one!!!"
It was Orihime's turn to blink, "I wasn't kidding."
Rukia stopped laughing and as if on cue Ichigo came walking around the corner.
"Hey Orihime, Rukia..."
Rukia blushed deeply and just gave him a nod.
Orihime suddenly got a great idea but knew she would regret it later. It was a little out of her character but she thought it was the best way to help them confront each other. Afterall, all she and Uryu needed was a little push and look at how happy they are now?
Clearing her throat she smiled innocently, "Um, I'm glad you're here Ichigo...I was just about to ask Rukia to go find you...I'm going to need both your help with something...is that okay?"
Both Ichigo an Rukia nodded, "Um...yeah."
Orihime grinned, "Great! Follow me!!"
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"Momo!" Yelled Toushiroas he waved his hand in front of her face, this was the third time she had spaced out on him.
Jumping back into reality Momo glared at him, "What?!" She snapped. Toushiro rolled his eyes, "Don't what me! Especially when you're the one who keeps spacing out!"
Momo sighed, "Sorry...I just...I can't believe Rangiku actually left...she's really gone...."
Toushiro frowned, "She made her choice....there was nothing we could do to stop her...she's stubborn like that. Besides, we'll see her again."
Momo looked up expectantly, "Really?"
Toushiro half smiled, "Oh yeah."
Momo knitted her eyebrows together, "What makes you say that?"
Toushiro chuckled, "Because the one thing Gin forgot to pack...just happened to be sake..."
Momo's eyes widened in delight, Gin was practically a dead man.
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*Somewhere just out of District 15*
"Y-YOU FORGOT TO BUY SAKE!!!!!!!!! I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS!!!!"
"WHERE YA GOIN' RAN?!"
"BACK TO THE DISTRICT!!! WE'RE NOT TOO FAR!! WE CAN STILL GET SOME!"
---------------
Momo busted out laughing. Yeah, she could picture it now, a very pissed off Rangiku dragging Gin back to the district for a drink she would rather die for than live without. It would have been quite a scene....too bad Toushiro decided to leave the city early that morning as well...
And it wasn't so much that Momo couldn't stop thinking that Rangiku had left...but rather what she said before she left.
'Love comes in many different ways Momo...it can be fragile or it can be strong...sometimes we just don't know how strong until the thing we love most...is gone.'
Momo cut her eyes to Toushiro, the first time Rangikuhad said that, she denied it. There was no way that she had developed feelings for this...rude and cocky and...and protective, and caring,......and loving--bastered!
But now that she thought about it...he was pretty cute...actually he was dropped dead gorgeous. He could be smart-mouthed at times but she rather liked that quality...he was an excellent verbal sparring partner, and she enjoyed their witty banters.
Shaking her head free from those thoughts she forced herself to think about something else. Anything else.
But it was like a pattern. She'd think about one thing and then it would remind her of Toushiro in someway...and thus her mind started to wonder back to the said white haired prodigy.
Momo was about to scream in frustration. Why was it that something so simple as averting your mind to another topic so hard for her? Heaven knows she had a lot more important things to worry about like....getting back home to the Seireitei.
After hearing his story that night, Momo told Toushiro that she would let him escape. But Toushiro insisted that he accompany her back to the Seireitei until he could go no further. Momo liked the idea and instantly accepted the offer. Partly because she would be able to put off the idea of goodbye and the other part being she didn't have a clue on how to get back home.
But when she thought of her home her heart seemed to ache...she was homesick but at the same time she wasn't. Because going back home meant leaving Toushiro...and she just couldn't imagine her life without the said boy...it would be way too boring and a little depressing.
Sighing and running a hand through her hair Momo sat down under a tree. "I'm taking a break." She mumbled, avoiding Toushiro's questioning eyes.
Toushiro nodded and jumped up into the tree, "Take as long as you need."
Momo smiled softly, it was no doubt that he had become nicer to her...though he still was sarcastic, she knew he had become a total softie. At least to her.
She didn't forget the look of utter rage on his face when he came flying through the door after talking with Matsumoto...or when the guy had come on to her...
Momo shuddered, she never wanted to be in that situation again. The guy was a total creep. She was glad Toushiro had rescued her and told that guy off.
Letting out a sigh of frustration she shook her head. There she was thinking about him again!!
Momo tried desperately to look for something that diverted her attention. It didn't help that he was sitting right above her.
All of a sudden Momo felt a cold rain drop hit her nose. Feeling herself smile Momo closed her eyes. This was it. The distraction the she had wanted--no needed.
Listening to the rain fall and thump to the ground Momo started humming to the tune that she had hummed so many times before. In her opinion it fit the thumps of the rain perfectly.
Hearing Momo's voice Toushiro lazily cracked one of his eyes open, was she talking to him? No, she was singing...
Looking down from the tree he saw Momo with her eyes closed humming a somewhat familiar tune...where had he heard that before?
Leaning closer Toushiro just kept trying to think of where he had heard that song...but he just couldn't...to say he was mesmerized by her voice was another thing...she hummed as angelically as an angel would itself. With every note she sang he wanted to hear more...
Before he knew it, he was sitting next to her, watching her take pleasure in the sound of the rain and the rhythmic movement of the trees that the wind gave out.
Her humming turned to singing.
konna ni tsumetai tobari no fukaku de
anata wa hitori de nemutteru
inori no utagoe sabishii nohara wo
chisii na hakari ga terashiteta
Toushiro moved closer, focusing solely on her. Willing his defenses to be let down he continued to listen to her angelic voice.
Anata no yume wo miteta
Kodomo no you ni waretteta
Natsukashiku mada tooku
sore wa mirai no yakusoku
Itsuka midori no asa ni
Itsuka tadoritsukeru to
fuyugareta kono sora wo
shinjiteiru kara
Fields of hope.
Momo opened her eyes as she sighed. When she looked to where Toushiro was now sitting she was a little surprised at how close he had gotten. Feeling a blush consume her face she gave a shy smile.
"Sorry about that...sometimes I get a little carried away..."
Toushiro was speechless for a moment, half of himself was stunned while the other half was slightly embarrassed at the little distance between Himself and Hinamori.
Realizing his staring was making her a little uncomfortable he snapped out of his gaze and smiled, "That was amazing..."
Momo's face went crimson. She quickly averted her eyes to the ground and mumbled a barely audible 'thank you'.
Toushiro chuckled at her.
Standing up Momo shook off her embarrassment and smiled, "Shall we continue?" she asked, inquiring that they continue walking.
"In the middle of the down pouring rain?"
Momo nodded and Toushiro picked himself up off the ground.
Momo smirked, "Want to play a game?"
Toushiro perked up, he had always loved challenges. "What kind of game?"
Momo gave him a cheeky smile, "Tag."
Toushiro smirked and before Momo knew it, he was right behind her. Feeling his breath tickle the back of her neck she blushed.
"Then I guess this means your it."
Pouting Momo turned around but Toushiro had already jumped into a near by tree, "That isn't fair! I wasn't ready!"
Laughing Toushiro sped off with Momo hot on his heals.
--------------
"LET US OUT!!!!!!!" Yelled two very pissed off voices...
"The door won't open guys! Looks like you'll have to stay in there until I can find help....or Chad..." Yelled Orihime and she ran off. Little did they know that this was her plan all along...
While they were walking towards Orihime's room to help her with the stuff she needed. Orihime told Rukia and Ichigo to go into the storage room just around the corner to get some cleaning supplies. When they were in, Orihime accidentally pushed the door closed and locked them in.
And now here they all were...moans of protest and an upcoming argument could be heard behind the locked door....
"Ow Ichigo you're on my foot!!"
"Dammit Rukia get off me!!"
"Don't push me!! The only reason I was on you was because I fell!!!"
"Over what, the imaginary line?"
"Ack!! There's a bug in here!!!"
"OW!!! That was my foot dumbass!"
"Don't call me a dumbass, idiot!!"
"Don't call me an idiot, stupid!"
"Don't call me--Ahh!!! There's something in here!!!"
Rukia was now clinging onto Ichigo for dear life. She knew something was in here, and it was creeping her out big time.
"There's nothing in here, quit whining!!"
Rukia pinched his ear, "There's something in here!!"
Ichigo grumbled and tried to push Rukia off of him. She was making him slightly nervous with how close she was.
"Get off me!"
"Not until whatever is in here is gone!"
"I can't believe you're scared of a tiny bug!"
"It's not a bug, it's something else!!"
Ichigo sighed, Rukia could be a hopeless case sometimes...putting a hand on her head he tried to push her off one more time.
"It's on my head!!!!!" Yelled Rukia as loud as she could.
Ichigo glared, "That's my hand baka!!"
"Oh...."
For the first time Rukia noted the position they were in. Her legs were around his middle while her head was buried in his chest. A blush made it's way to her cheeks as she listened to his heartbeat.
It was quite different from her own, his was calm and relaxing while hers was erratic and fast.
Hearing whatever was in the closet with them move around yet again she clung to him tighter. She felt Ichigo tense up.
"What are you doing midget?"
"I'm....scared...." She muttered. She heard Ichigo sigh and wrap his arms around her, "It's alright...I'm sure it's nothing dangerous...."
Rukia's grip tightened, what if it was dangerous? Then Ichigo would get hurt...Then again...what if Ichigo was right....Rukia did overreact sometimes...but that didn't stop her from worrying. Especially about Ichigo, it seemed like she worried about him more than anyone else these days.
"I said don't worry baka, I'll protect you!"
Rukia glared, "I'm worried about you stupid!!"
Ichigo looked surprised for a minute before giving her an assured look, "I'll be fine." He couldn't believe how upset she was getting. It was probably a mouse or something....the only thing they could do for now was wait for Orihime to get back.
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"So...how long do you think it will take for them to admit their feelings?" Asked Orihime.
Uryu shrugged, "Their both way to stubborn for their own good...it could be a very long time..."
Orihime sighed, "I shouldn't have done this....that was so mean of me..."
Uryu walked over to console her but Orihime had anime tears run down her face, "Now they'll never forgive me!!! But it's only because I want them to be as happy as Uryu and I are. Now they'll hate me for eternity!!"
Uryu sweat dropped anime style and sighed, walking over to her he gave her a hug and said soothing things to her, "It's okay Orihime....I'm sure they aren't going to be mad...who knows...maybe we've helped them. We've got to stay positive."
Just then Ikakku and Yumichicka walked by, with them was the eleventh divion lieutenant as well. "Hey guys, have you seen Ichigo? We want to spar with him a little..." Asked Ikkaku
"He's busy...." Said Chad.
Ikakku frowned, "With what? Paperwork?"
Orhime shook her head, forgetting her earlier shout out of dispair and perked up, "Nope! We put him and Rukia in a closet together...we're trying to get them to admit their feelings."
Yumichicka perked up, "Oh how beautiful! They do make a lovely couple!"
Yachiru chuckled, "It's about time. Ichii needs a girl. Who better for him than Rabbit girl!!"
Ikakku quirked an eyebrow, "Wait a minute, how do we even know they like each other like that? Well I mean it's obvious Ichigo likes her but how can we be sure that Rukia feels the same way? She's so closed off at times...I'd doubt she'd tell anyone."
Orihime's eyes sparkled, "Rukia told me.....So do you guys want to help?"
Yachiru nodded and forced Ikkaku and Yumichika to as well...
Just then Byakua walked up to them, "Have any of you seen Rukia?" He asked stoically. In his hand were some documents with the number six stamped in the right corner.
Orihime turned to Uryu.
Gulping Uryu cleared his throat, "Well Mr. Kuchki-"
"Captain Kuchki."
"Uh, Right....Captain Kuchki...Rukia's kind of...busy at the moment..."
Byakua raised his eyebrow, "With what?"
"We're trying to get Ichii to lay a big one on Rabbit girl!!"
Byakua raised the other eyebrow up, and looked towards Ikkaku and Yumichicka, "Is this true?"
"Well, you see....we had no part in this!!! None at all!! It was all their fault!---"
"Is this true?" Said Byakua a little more forceful.
Both gulped and nodded slowly. Then they squeezed their eyes shut and made themselves ready for their impending doom.
However it never came, instead all they got was an aggravated sigh, "Tell me when their...done...I need her to sign some paper work from the sixth division." And with that he walked away.
"I thought you didn't like Ichigo...are you okay with what we're doing?" Asked Chad.
Byakua stopped walking but didn't turn around to face them, "It's true, I don't like Ichigo...he shows no respect to his superiors or to his fellow comrades....he's impulsive and hot headed...and very annoying. But I know he can and will protect Rukia. And besides...It's Rukia's life...who am I to control it? As long as it does not bring shame to the Kuchki name I have nothing more to say."
And then Byakua sped off.
Ikkaku, Yumichika, Orihime, and Uryuwere now staring wide eyed at the spot where Byakua was just a minute ago.
Yachiru was smiling while Chad had his usual expression on.
"Hurray!! Byaku-kunagrees!!! I'm gonna go see if he has any candy now! Bye!"
They didn't say anything as they watched the pink haired lieutenant run off in search for Byakua.
It was all silently agreed that they would give Ichigo and Rukia an hour before letting them out.
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Laughter could be heard all throughout the forest as two people chased each other without a care in the world.
Toushiro sped by followed by Momo. Several times they had tagged each other and teased the other for being too slow.
Momo smirked as she went as fast as she could and jumped from yet another tree. She was gaining distance as she stuck out her arm.
"Tag, you're it." She said with a bratty smile.
Toushiro chuckled and started to chase her, "Not for long!"
It was still raining just not as bad as before. Both were soaking wet but continued to play as if the sun was shining.
Momo jumped to the ground and continued to run, the adrenaline of not getting caught running through her veins made her heart beat fast. She thought it was going to pop right out of her chest.
Toushiro ran up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. Pulling her into him as he smirked, "You're it."
Momo turned around while he kept his arm around her waist. She looked him in the eyes, as the playfulness of it all was fading. Toushiro pulled her closer to him and Momo wrapped her arms around his middle.
Momo then noticed how close her head was getting to his.
-Snap-
Momo and Toushiro broke away from their moment just in time to see Stealth Force surrounding them.
Toushiro stepped in front of Momo and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Soi fon stepped forward, "Well that was an interesting position you two were just in...thinking of betraying us lieutenant?"
Momo stiffened, she didn't know what to say.
"The girl has nothing to do with this Soi fon. In fact that's the one thing she won't shut up about... trying to get back to the Seireitei."
Soi fon raised her eyebrows, "Oh really? So you're telling me she's your hostage?"
Toushiro smirked, "You could say that."
Soi fon turned to Momo, "Is that the situation Momo? Has he taken you hostage?"
Toushiro cut her a look, his eyes pleading her to say yes so she wouldn't be blamed with treason. Momo bit her lip and reluctantly nodded.
Soi fon quirked an eyebrow, "Are you lying to me Hinamori? Because you still have you're sword...It would seem that if you were really his prisoner than he would have stripped you of your weapons and possibly tie you up...But you look perfectly fine to me."
"I bound her in kido."
Soi fon frowned, "Hinamori is a kido master. She could easily break any kind of kido spell."
Toushiro shook his head, "Not at the rank of a Captain. Especially not at the highest level."
Soi fon narrowed her eyes and drew her sword, "You're defending Momo awfully hard...it's almost as if you care for her or something...Which leads me back to the idea that she was going to let you go...and possibly run away with you."
Toushiro glared, "She had nothing to do with this. She's my hostage so if you attack me, I'll kill her."
Grabbing Momo's wrist Toushiro roughly pulled her to him and put his sword to her throat.
Momo was surprised at his action, Toushiro wouldn't really kill her would he?
"Follow my lead and don't do anything stupid." He mumbled in her ear.
Momo sighed as relief washed over her, she quickly mumbled and okay.
Soi fon growled, "How dare you threaten us with one of our own!!" Turning to her squad she signalled them to strike, "Do not to harm Hinamori."
Everything was calm one minute and then in the next Toushiro had engaged in battle with three members of the stealth force all at once. Toushiro pushed Momo to the ground just in time to get her out of the way of combat. Momo's eyes widened, this wasn't happening. Everything was fine five minutes ago, they were playing happily in the rain...maybe even about to kiss...and now, Toushiro had to fight for his life.
Not knowing what to do Momo just layed there, frozen to the ground looking horrified. A familiar feeling made it's way to her...
Fear.
She hated that feeling, oh how she despised it. It always kept her from doing anything right and from helping out the people she cared for the most. She felt like crying, she felt like breaking down into a million pieces and just letting everyone else deal with it from there. Because once again she was torn between two sides. Her comrades or the person she had come to love.
Momo's eyes widened as reality came crashing down around her, had she...had she really come to love Toushiro?
'Love comes in many different ways Momo, it can be fragile or it can be strong. Sometimes we just don't know how strong until the thing we love most is gone...'
Rangiku's voice kept repeating that line through her head as Momo'swhole body started to shake. She didn't know which side to chose.
All of a sudden a stealth force member came crashing down beside Momo. She tried to move out of the way but realized that she had been bound in kido. Quickly rolling to the side she cursed and glared at Toushiro. That son of a bitch!
Toushiro turned his head towards Momo just in time to see her move out of the way. He had to be more careful of where he threw his targets from now on.
As he threw yet another guy, he noted that the man's sword came very close to landing on Momo. In return he got a glare and a look that said 'Are-you-trying-to-kill-me?'
Growling to himself he quickly called out his shikai and fought off his opponents.
Finally defeating most of the guards Toushiro charged at Soi fon. Said girl blocked his attack with ease and ran her own sword straight through his right shoulder.
Momo's eyes widened in horror as she watched Toushiro try to pull the sword out him. Soi fon grabbed him by the the shoulder, sword still in, and pushed him off it with little effort. Toushiro fell on his back.
"Sting all enimies to death, Suzumebachi."
Moving just in the nick of time Toushiro managed to dodge the well aimed attack. He knew all to well what her sword could do.
"Bankai!" he shouted, "Daiguren Hyorinmaru!"
Moving towards Soi fon with god-like speed he managed to swipe her arm in the process. This only got Soi fon angry. Expertly positioning her sword towards Toushiro she managed to hit his already wounded shoulder yet again.
Holding back a yelp for Momo's sake he grabbed Soi fon's sword and forced it out of his shoulder, he watched a butterfly pattern madeit's way on his skin. Still holding her sword in place he ran his blade through her middle.
Soi fon'seyes widened as she felt a rush of coolness overwhelm her body. Knowing that any minute now he would freeze her from the inside out she stuggled to get away. Finally she did and signalled the rest of her squad to attack Toushiro while she tried to stop her wound's bleeding. However, Toushiro knew what was coming and quickly shunpoed to Momo.
He picked her up and zoomed off as fast as he could. Leaving the enimies behind.
-------------------
"Dammit! They should have been back by now!!" Yelled Rukia, it had been two hours and Orihime still hadn't come back.
A light bulb went on above Ichigo's head, "Hey Rukia...You don't think....You don't think that this was a set up do you?"
Rukia was feeling herself start to frown, she should have guessed it right from the start. She knew that sly smile on Orhime's face wasn't normal!!!
Ichigo's eyes widened, "You don't think they found out that we were spying on them do you?! Maybe this is payback."
Rukia's eyes widened as well, "You think so?"
Ichigo nodded, "Yeah, why else would they lock us in a closet together? They must have found out about our plan!!"
Little did they know, that Orihime, Uryu, Chad, Ikkaku, and Yumichikawere all listening outside the door.
Both Orihime and Uryu blushed, "T-They were spying on us?"
Uryu glared, "The nerve of some people!!"
Ikakku sighed, "Well, I've had about enough of this...I think I'm going to spice things up a bit."
Yumichika blinked, "And how are you going to do that?"
Ikkaku smirked and banged on the door, "Hey Ichigo!!" He yelled.
Ichigo and Rukiaperked up from inside, "Ikkaku! Help! We're trapped! Get us out!"
Ikkaku smirked, "And take away all the fun? No way! I'll only let you out if you admit something first."
Catching on Yumichika smirked, "Beautiful idea!!"
Orihime and Uryu shook their heads, knowing that this would only bring chaos.
"Well what is it!!" Said Ichigo impatiently. He wanted to get out of here.
Ikakku snickered, "Tell you-know-who you're secret."
Ichigo furrowed his brows, "What secret?"
Ikakku sighed, "Tell her your feelings." 'Damn Ichigo can be way too dense at times...'
"Tell who my what?"
Ikkaku growled, "Tell the girl you're in love Dammit!!!"
Ichigo's whole body froze as a big, cherry-tomato colored blush made it's way to his face. He should have never of admitted to Ikkaku that he had a crush on her, he knew it would come back to bite him in the ass!! Why was life so mean?
"W-what the hell are you talking about?!!!" Yelled Ichigo furiously, he just knew Rukiawas staring at him.
Ikakku smirked, "Are you afraid Ichigo? Don't worry man...I guarantee it'll all work out..."
Ichigo clenched and unclenched his fists as he continued to argue with Ikkaku. Rukia was indeed staring at him. Her eyes were as big as saucers as she tried to keep herself from getting false hope. 'Could they be talking about me? Or...is it somebody else?...' she thought nervously.
Ichigo growled and punched the door, "Let me out or I'm going to force my way out!"
Ikkaku laughed, "I'd like to see you try!"
Ichigo tried to kick the door down but ended up bruising his own foot in the process.
Just then Rukia felt something move again, holding back a shriek she jumped which made her lose her balance and tumble forwards into Ichigo. And once again she was in his arms.
Everything was silent between the two as Rukia grasped onto Ichigo's shirt. She seriously wanted to get out of the closet now. It was beginning to get stuffy and she felt like the walls were slowly closing in on her.
"It's okay Rukia, it's probably just a squirrel."
Rukia didn't move, she merely clutched his shirt tighter in her hands.
Ikkakku and the others now had their ears pressed against the door, struggling to hear what was going on for it had gotten so quiet all of a sudden.
"What do you think is happening in there?" Whispered Orihime as she tried to hear any kind of sound.
Ikakku snorted, "Who knows at this point."
Uryu and Yumichika rolled their eyes.
Once Rukia's breathing calmed down and she was able to think again she started blushing. Finally not being able to take it anymore she let her curiosity over who Ichigo was in love with outweigh her fear of rejection.
"Ichigo...the girl who Ikkaku's talking about....who is it?" Could it be her?
She felt Ichigo tense up and immediately regretted asking such a stupid question. Of course it wasn't her! How could she be so stupid!!
Their was an awkward silence before Ichigo finally decided to speak. "You..."
Rukia gasped, "R-really?"
He took a deep breath though that did nothing to easy the tension and nodded. "Yeah....."
Rukia felt a wave of relief and astonishment wash through her system. "You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that." She whispered and buried her head into his chest. Finally being able to relax in his embrace.
Ichigo's eyes widened, "Y-You mean it?"
Rukia nodded.
Just then Ikkaku opened the door that Ichigo and Rukia were leaning against and they came tumbling out.
Ichigo crashed first and helped soften Rukia's landing by letting her fall on him. Mumbling a quick apology she quickly got off him. Ichigo grasped his now acheing head and glared at Ikkaku, "What the hell was that for you dumbass! You ruined a perfectly good moment!"
Ikkaku shrugged, "You two got really quiet all of a sudden...wanted to make sure nothing was going on...."
Ichigo was preparing to jump and strangle until something came slithering out of the closet that made both him and Ikkaku turn pale white.
Rukia jumped into Ichigo's arms while Ikkaku held back a scream as the creature made it's way passed them.
Hitting Ichigo on the head Rukia glared, "SEE! I TOLD YOU THERE WAS SOMETHING CREEPY IN THERE, BAKA!"
Ichigo felt a shiver go down his spine as he took a big gulp, "Y-You mean to tell me that I just s-spent three hours in a dark, cramped up closet with that s-slimy-fanged-b-beast!!!"
"Kill IT!!!!!" Yelled Ikkaku from behind Yumichika. Said man rolled his eyes, "How unbeautiful Ikkaku. If the Captain could only see you now. Scared of something so simple as a ribbon snake...in my opinion I think that the name is very beautiful and it's color is quite fabulous."
Ikkaku glared, "You're sick. I hate snakes."
"And yet the emblem on your zanpaktou's bankai is a dragon with a snake like body."
Ikkaku huffed, "They're completely different and you know it!"
While the third seat and fifth seat of the eleventh division continued to bicker, Ichigo let Rukia down and she turned to him, "So what now?"
Ichigo shrugged, "I guess this means you're my girlfriend...if you want to be...."
Rukia smiled, "I'd love to be....fair warning though...I suck at relationships."
Ichigo smirked and wrapped an arm around Rukia's waist and pulled her close to him, "So do I."
Not sure of what to do now the two just stared at each other awkwardly. Ikkaku, who was now in an irritable mood turned towards them, "Aw hell Ichigo just kiss her already!"
Not missing a beat Ichigo pulled Rukia into him even more as he bent down touched her soft lips with his own. The kiss was anything but boring. From the moment their lips met, a crazy burning fire emitted inside and caused them to let loose a passion they didn't know they had.
Ichigo picked Rukia up while she locked her legs around his waist and ran her fingers through Ichigo's wild and unruly kept hair.
The others watched in pure amazement...just how long had their two friends felt that strongly about each other?
Orihime smiled happily as she watched her friend, feeling someone pull her over to them she turned around and came face to face with a smirking Uryu.
"Why should they get all the fun?" He muttered. She giggled as he swooped in for a kiss. Theirs was just as powerful and lust filled as Ichigo's and Rukia's.
Uryu bit Orihime's lower lip asking for entrance, Orihime complied and let him slip his tongue into her mouth and once again explore the sweet taste of Orihime.
Running his hand up and down her back Orihime let out a soft moan.
Rukia and Ichigo were both still fighting for dominance over the other. Ichigo finally got the upper hand when he tickled Rukia's side. As she was about to laugh he slipped his tongue inside her mouth and relished in how sweet she tasted. Pouting Rukia bit his lip rather hard which he took as a playful warning that the fight wasn't over.
Smirking Ichigo decided to test her and moved his hands up to her face as he backed her up to the storage room wall. Rukia was albeit surprised but none the less enjoyed it.
Ikkakku and Yumichika now wore slightly disgusted faces as they shivered, "C'mon Yumichka, let's leave this teenage love fest before they start getting really hyped up."
Yumichika nodded, "I agree!"
----------------
Finally not being able to run any longer Toushiro set Momo down and slid against a tree, grasping his injured shoulder as he did so.
Momo struggled to get out of the kido Toushiro had put her in. Seeing her struggle Toushiro apologized and quickly broke it.
Running over to him immediately she kneeled down beside him. "Let me see you're arm."
Toushiro moved his hand out of the way and let her pull down his right sleeve so that she could see how bad the wound was.
Feeling her fingers trace the butterfly that consumed most of Toushiro's arm he winced. "I'm sorry." She mumbled.
Suddenly the butterfly started to fade, Momo gasped, had Soi fon allowed the butterfly to disappear?
Knowing what Momo was thinking Toushiro shook his head, "No. Though Soi fon won't admit it, the butterfly also fades when she passes out. She probably just lost consciousness from the wound that I delivered to her before we left."
"Oh...."
Not wasting anymore time Momo let a yellow light emit from her hands as she started to heal his shoulder. "This might hurt."
He winced as her soft hands made contact with his skin yet again.
Momo bit her lip as she concentrated on the wound. Soi fon had got a pretty good hit.
A comfortable silence spread between the two. Once she had healed the wound she sighed, "Well, you're whole arm is probably going to be sore for a couple days...but I think I healed everything okay."
She felt his arm just to make sure everything was in the right place.
"Ow! That hurts don't do that!"
Momo rolled her eyes, "Stop being a baby, I'm making sure it's healed."
"I said don't do that!!"
Momo shook her head and a smiled, "Temper, temper."
Toushiro narrowed his eyes, "It hurts." he grumbled.
Momo rolled her eyes as she bent down and kissed his shoulder, "Any better?"
Feeling his face heat up he turned his head a way, "Just a little."
Suddenly feeling herself become more daring Momo grinned, "Only a little? That's too bad...I was counting on that working all the way..."
Toushiro smirked, "Then maybe you should do it again."
The second time Momo did it she let the kiss linger a bit longer, and before she knew it she was traveling kisses up to his neck, then his cheek. She stopped when she got to his lips as she realized what she was doing.
She started to pull away but Toushiro shook his head and pulled her forward, "I liked that." He mumbled. And he closed the gap between their lips.
Momo kissed back almost immediately as she ran her fingers through his soft, white hair. Toushiro ran his tongue along her bottom lip and asked for entrance. She complied and they explored each others mouth until they had to break apart for air.
Breathing heavily Toushiro kissed her again, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. He ran his tongue yet again over her bottom lip but Momo wasn't as easy going as before. She smirked into the kiss as she broke away and started trailing butterfly kisses down his neck.
Untying her hair bun he pushed her on her back, finding her lips again he bit her lip and gained entrance. Momo moaned softly, nothing could ruin this moment.
Suddenly Toushiro pulled away, his eyes widened as he moved back.
Confused Momo knitted her eyebrows together, "What's wrong?"
Toushiro looked away, "I remember you now."
Getting even more confused she just looked at him clueless expression, "What are you talking about?"
Toushiro sighed, "It's me Momo...Lil' Shiro."
Momo's eyes widened as her breath hitched in her throat. That name brought back a ton of memories for her now. This was him...the little white haired boy who she used to play with as a child...Toushiro Hitsugaya was Lil' Shiro...her Lil' Shiro.
Toushiro looked at her apologetically, "I have to go now." He muttered.
Getting up he walked passed her.
"Where are you going?"
"For a walk." He mumbled and sped off.
Momo stayed where she was, knowing that he needed some air, but one question kept replaying in her mind; was he coming back?
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Hey guys! Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up...My parents are starting to remodel the floors of our house and I haven't got a chance to really get on the computer.
Might not be able to update for a while so I thought I'd give you guys an extra long chapter to make up for it. I'll update as soon as I can. Promise!!
The song is 'Fields of Hope' by Rei Tanaka.
Please read and review!!
xoxoxo
Blink182lover4life^_^