Author's Note: Hey guys! I know you guys will love this chapter! It has a few feels in it. Not major, cry your eyes out feels. But feels none the less. Also, we finally learn just what Akane and Toshiro's history is! I know for sure that you'll love it! Also, don't forget to review. Even if it's just a one word comment. I don't care, any feedback is very helpful to me! It reassures me that people are actually enjoying the story! I'm sorry that this chapter is shorter though... I was contemplating fusing this and chapter 2 together before publishing but nah...

It was late at night, about 3 in the morning, after Akane finished filing his report on the incident earlier he left his quarters and headed to squad 4's barracks, he was able to get in and to the room where his men lay in recovery no problem, he walked amongst them, disappointed in himself. He knew what Rangiku said was true, but he couldn't help but feel guilt for their injuries. Then, there was a slight knock on the door frame

"Hey…" It was Rangiku, she was standing in the doorway. "I figured I'd find you here, I went by your quarters to see how you were feeling but you weren't there…"

A tear came to Akane's eye.

"I'm sorry Rangiku… I couldn't protect them…"

"Akane, we've been over this, it's not your fau-"

"Yes it is!" Akane snapped at her, tears in his eyes as he attempted to hide his face.

"When I was young… There was an attack on our village in the Rukon district. Swarms of hollows showed up, the first group to show up was squad 10. So many of my friends died that day, I almost did too. I was cowering in the corner of our house when a hollow came in; the bastard murdered my entire family! And ate them right in front of me!"

Flashback:

It was a typical sunny day out in the Rukon district, sun was shining and even a few birds were singing, the wind was blowing and children were playing outside.

Akane's mother was outside hanging laundry and his father was inside reading the newspaper. His mother was a redhead. Long and beautiful hair fell from her head to her shoulders with deep green eyes, his father's hair was a dark brown with brown eyes.

Akane and his sister were outside playing this new game called soccer that was brought over from The World of the Living by some Soul Reapers when suddenly, the wind stopped blowing and the birds stopped singing. Akane and his sister looked up at the sky, and what they saw was horrifying.

As the Garganta suddenly appeared and began to open. A swarm of hollows poured out and descended upon the village. They began consuming any unfortunate soul they could find. Heads were ripped off and eaten. Blood was everywhere and screams could be heard for what seemed like miles.

Their mother, shocked and terrified, was paralyzed with fear. Once their father heard all the screams he ran to the door and ordered Akane and his sister inside. He shook their mother out of her trance and shouted at her to run inside.

"Go! Run! We have to get inside and protect them!"

He shoved her towards the door and started to follow when a hollow grabbed him. It consumed him without hesitation and laughed maniacally as the rest of the family looked on in horror. She ran inside and tried to barricade the door as Akane and his sister hid in the closet, when the same hollow's arm burst broke the door off its hinges and grabbed their mother.

She fought, and screamed but to no avail. It practically gutted her alive, her screaming in pain the whole time before it ate her.

Akane and his sister saw everything through the closet door. They thought it was over. But the hollow sniffed the air, it could sense them. But it didn't know where. Then, Akane's sister let out a sob. And without warning, or hesitation. It broke through the door and grabbed her, they both screamed. Akane got up and grabbed a broken piece of wood and threw it at the beast. It didn't faze it. But the hollow effortlessly swatted him away with its tail. Slamming him against the corner of their once peaceful living room. Akane was losing consciousness and could only look on in horror as this monstrous beast ate every person he ever loved. After is finished his sister, it turned and started towards him and it emitted a monstrous howl.

Then, a figure appeared in the doorway, he wore a shinigami's robe and held his sword on his back. He stepped through the doorway and observed the scene. After he saw Akane he promptly released his shikiai and froze he beast in its tracks, but only his legs. Then, he spoke to the Hollow:

"This is what I can't stand… You beast just kill, and kill. And you don't care who you hurt, all you crave is to satisfy your sick and twisted bloodlust. Look at this, you murdered an innocent family, and this kid had to bear witness to your sick disease!"

The Soul Reaper then rammed his sword into the hollow's skull and it vanished into thin air.

He then walked over to Akane and helped him to his feet.

"Hey, kid, you okay?"

Then, Akane burst into tears. The soul reaper sighed, then, he hugged the young Akane.

Akane was almost screaming now, but the men in the room were on pain killers and couldn't hear a thing in their state.

"Then, it saw me hiding in the corner, and started towards me…"

Akane sniffed as tears rolled down his face and hit the floor.

"Just as I thought I was done for, a lone soul reaper from our squad showed up, he burst in the door and fought that bastard. But not before he saw my family, dead, and saw me in the corner. He froze its legs, then, he drove his blade into the it's skull."

He was crying now, Rangiku was stunned, she walked over to him and placed her hand on her subordinates soldier in an attempt to console him.

"The one who saved me that day… It was Captain Hitsugaya… back when he was Third Seat… I vowed… That day, I vowed to protect everybody, anybody who couldn't protect themselves. After that happened, I joined the academy and studied hard, to protect my friends, and comrades. And even after all that work. I still couldn't do it Rangiku!"

Rangiku was taken back… Never had anybody confided in her like this before. She didn't know what else to do other than console him. And tell him that everything was okay.

"I wanted to join this squad, and protect. I wanted to pay back the debt I owe, I owe the Captain my life. But, that's a debt I may never be able to repay."

He pulled away from her grasp and looked into her eyes, he's never, ever, told anybody this before. He didn't know if he should tell her one more thing, or not. Eventually, he just thought "Fuck it"

"Rangiku… I… I'm in love. I'm in love with Toshiro…"

Again… She was left speechless, she's had her fair share of crushes on other people in the 13 Court Guard Squads, she's even had an affair or two. But now that she's on the end of being the confidant, she didn't really know how to react. She thought it was cute, okay, she thought it was adorable.

Rangiku started laughing while Akane blushed heavily. Rangiku could tell he was somewhat embarrassed.

"Akane, listen. It takes a lot of doing to get even remotely close to Captain Hitsugaya. He's only barely started to think of me as more than just his subordinate, and as a friend."

This saddened Akane. Even though he remembers his incident with Toshiro, he wasn't sure if Toshiro remembered him from that day as well. He was embarrassed, that he was once a child who couldn't protect his family, but, he was proud of the fact that he had grown stronger. Maybe he would be impressed.

Rangiku could see he was in deep thought, and thought to herself. Asking herself if she could, or even should help him. Should she really try to set her Captain up with her subordinate? Well… The worst thing that could happen would be for Toshiro to yell at her.

"Hey, Akane, I've decided something!" She said in a singsong voice, interrupting Akane's train of thought.

"Yes?" Akane said, looking up at her with nervous eyes.

"I've decided to help set you two up! But on one condition…"

Akane was both overjoyed, and doubtful. Happy that she had decided to help him, but doubtful that she actually could, and what was her condition?

"What's the catch?" Akane stated.

"Next time we hang out, you're buying the liquor!"

Author's note: Again, don't forget to leave a review! Thanks for reading!