Disclaimer: I dont own Bleach

"Talking Soul Spirits"

"Talking"

"Thinking"

Dark Nights

Chapter 6: Cusp

Once the tiniest once of daylight hit the tan face of Toshiro Hitsugaya, he sat up, emotionless to the core. Today. The day he had been dreading. That day t was the day he was going to leave Rukia Kuchiki. He stood up recklessly but still careful not to make a sound, and he made his way to Rukia's old fashion desk, a paper already left as if it was meant for him.

He didn't hesitate to pick up the pencil though. The words came fluently as if he already knew what to write on the blank sheet of paper, and every movement for a single word added more and more pressure to the pencil. Because the more Toshiro had to think about is leaving, the more he hated it, and the more he wanted to tear up the letter.

However, he couldn't, and once he finished it he looked towards Rukia with sorrow. Soundlessly he stepped closer to her sleeping body, crouching down and closing his emerald eyes in disgust. "Sorry." He said and stopped every part of his body from touching her, or giving her a single kiss to the forehead.

So he walked out, prepared to leave Rukia forever. Even, if he wasn't at all prepared.

Once Rukia woke up, she had already gotten a strange feeling that it was going to be a long, exhausting day. Then on the other hand why was she so eager to wake up?

She blocked the thoughts for her head getting up with a sigh. "Hay, Toshiro, wake up." she said.

Nothing.

Rukia glared to the spot where Toshiro was supposed to be. "Yo idiot wake up!" she spat, but as much anger as she had when she saw the empty spot on the ground she could help but feel a bit of loss. "Tch. Typical." she said walking into her restroom with disappointment.

Rukia scrubbed her face off with soup and water trying to take off all the thoughts in her head. She stopped for a moment to look at her reflection, water leaking off her face. "I wonder..." she shook her head and splashed more water to her face."Like I care!"

Rukia yanked the towel off the rail and dried her face. "Damn it! That idiot, he left without saying a single word!" Rukia shouted into the mirror. "And he was the one who wanted to sleep there in the first place!" Rukia stopped out of her room, oh how pissed off she was.

But.

What was that lingering feeling that irked her so much? Was it disappointment? She would be lying to herself if she said that she didn't mind him leaving but she was looking forward to yelling at him to wake up, and commenting about how loud he snored. "Even if he doesn't snore at all..." she muttered with a painful smile.

She realized though, that she was also being selfish, wanting others to do whatever is to her liking. She couldn't control the world. Rukia wasn't one to be fair with herself; she would suffer the most agonizing pain for any petty mistake. Then again, that's probably why she got along with Ichigo and Toshiro so easily.

The two always found a way to calm her fear. Even if she would turn into that horrible monster again.

Just the thought of it sent chills down her back. She couldn't help the motions that controlled her, she was stuck, left to drown and watch. The darkness she felt, overlapped every thought in her head.

"I never want that to happen again..." she muttered continuing her walk down the never-ending corridor.

Rukia then started to fear her own thoughts, leading her to the darkest of delusions. What if I had killed my friends? What if I wasn't able to turn back? What would I have done?

Rukia shook her head trying to get her mind off it and she became determined. "I think I'm gonna give that mutt a piece of my mind." she said and ran back to her room, searching endlessly for her phone.

The phone rang and rang, and Toshiro tried to cloud his minds with other thoughts as he laid down on his bed, his hands to her back of his head, waiting for the go ahead from the council so he could finally leave that arrogant world.

"Aren't you going to get that?" Chrysies asked with doubt.

"Why? My I don't exist anymore," he said turning to his side. "At least not to this world."

"Funny, I thought you liked it here, especially after meeting Rukia, she sure made a great impacted in your life, ne Hitsu-Chan?" She said in a mocking manner that made him cringe.

"Oh shut up, what could I like in a world that is full of lies and empty promises? The longer I stay here the more disgusted I am in the outcome." he hissed. "The humans here are impulsive, naive, idiots. They say they care then put themselves first when things become a bit tough," he said. "I grow sick of it."

"So you say," she said with a sigh. "Other humans might be what you describe, but Rukia, she's not like them at all, she showed you a different path didn't she?" she asked. "And you met a friend, not one that you had to change your own ways, she made you show your true self, and then after that, you met Ichigo, and found a rival."

"Rukia... she had nothing to do with my actions." he lied.

"Stop kidding yourself, that girl changed everything for you, you would still be a cocky teenage brat if you hadn't of met her!" Chrysies said with anger. "Admit it Toshiro, you didn't let her come into your life, she came in on her own, and rather forcefully at that, she broke you shell and dragged you by the shirt only to laugh at you and comment on how pitiful you looked. She shouted at you for nothing, and gave you challenges you thought you'd never face, yet, you still happened to fall in love with her and was prepared die a million times for her. So don't say she had nothing to do with your life."

Toshiro gripped the sheets of his bed tighter a tighter with every sentence. He wanted to protest and tell her to shut up, but he knew every word was only the truth.

"No, Rukia was the reason for your life."

And at that point, Toshiro wanted to cry at how painful the words were. "I never thought that waiting for death was so painful." he said. "And your right, about everything, and when I was born I knew it was my fate to die and it never once bothered me, but now I feel so much pain..." Toshiro said. "And that's because I have something I can actually lose."

Chrysies suddenly felt bad, she probably only made the wound in his heart even bigger. "Then remember her as something important and not some idiot human."

Rukia looked at her cell phone with worry, watching the time tick and tick on until she finally shut her phone with a sigh. "Is he... ignoring me?" She wondered staring out her window.

"If you want I can contact Hyourinmaru and asked what's up." She said walking to the bed and sitting down with grace. "He won't mind at all." She said with a sly smile.

Rukia shook her head in decline. "No, if there is a reason for Toshiro to leave so suddenly, I wouldn't want to pry into it." Rukia said sitting next to Shirayuki.

Shirayuki smiled. "That's just like you Rukia, putting others before yourself." she said. "But if I can't help you I might as well tell you about my past..." she said."With Hyourinmaru and Zangetsu, that is. And of course if you get bored, I can always stop." she said with blush running across her face.

Rukia smiled noticing it quickly, it was the first time she had ever seen the Soul Spirit blush, and it suited her just fine. "Don't worry, I won't get bored, so go ahead, I'm a bit curious about your past, especially since this is how you are now." Rukia said.

Shirayuki gave her a warm smile and closed her eyes, searching for her old memories. "I was about your age..." she started.

Flash Back:

Shirayuki walked along the hallway full of teens, not paying any attention to the whispers that mentioned her name, she was already used to it. Ever since she was in middle school she could never make friends with the girls in her class, they would always ignore her and blow her off like she did something wrong and the boys only acted friendly to get the chance to ask her out.

She felt like she never even had a chance to introduce herself.

People spoke of her as the beautiful snow queen with long loose hair as pure as snow, and others the cold lonely witch that hated all, everyone had their own view of her, but she never got to choose herself. They labeled her as if she was a object.

But through time, she was able to ignore those awful comments and shell herself away.

Shirayuki walked into class, the room growing quiet at her presence, but she also ignored that and suddenly became the talk of the classroom. She was told that she was beautiful, and she was told she was a horrible person, but had she already lost herself from the pressure, to tell you the truth, she didn't know what she was anymore.

"Hello, so you're the all-talked about Sode No Shirayuki huh?" A feminine voice said her hand held out to Shirayuki. "Nice to meet'cha I'm Zabimaru," The girl who spoke had long faded red-rose hair that reached her ankles and her eyes were snake shaped green that showed kindness.

Shirayuki took her hand. "Hello, Zabimaru, uh... don't you have a younger sibling?" Shirayuki asked.

Zabimaru laughed putting her hands to her hips. "Younger! Ha! That little midget is the same age as me! He just never went through puberty!" She laughed insanely.

Shirayuki couldn't help but crack a smile, attracting more attention.

Zabimaru was the first to say something about it. "Hey~ Your pretty cute when you smile Shira-chan~ you should do it more!" Zabimaru said getting closer to her face than necessary. "It suits you." she said.

Shirayuki pulled back, uncomfortable at the spot she was put on. "Uh... thanks I guess..." she muttered.

The class bell rang and Zabimaru went to her seat with a small gesture of bye. Shirayuki had a feeling that, high school might not be so bad after all even if she was still pictured as the snow witch, she made a friend.

After school Zabimaru had to home early since her 'midget-of-a-brother' got the fever in class. Shirayuki didn't mind though, she just said it was fine and started her walk home.

But something noisy caught her attention.

It was Zangetsu, the so called 'Dark King' of the school, and he was being crowded by a bunch of gangsters in the small ally. He was as others said, he had raven black hair that seemed so messy yet peaceful at the same time, and he had pure skin that any normal girl would mistake for an angels skin, and yet the thing that got Shirayuki to blush, was the mysterious look in his aquatic blue eyes that showed no true life.

Shirayuki would have normally walked away but something about this situation seemed rather interesting. Zangetsu was ignoring them as if they were a nuisance and showed to sigh of emotion.

He said something.

And got ambushed.

Shirayuki ran towards the fighting area, but froze when she was blinded by black light. It was scary, but it wasn't just pure darkness, there was the faintest bit of sadness. Shirayuki could feel the pain in Zangetsu's heart, as if it was drowning in rain.

"Zangetsu!" She screamed, and the black light cleared up instantaneously. As her eyesight cleared she noticed the men that attacked Zangetsu were all on the floor, knocked out or moaning in pain.

"What?" Zangetsu's cold voice broke through Shirayuki's lifeless gaze at the people on the floor. "Why did you bother my concentration?" he asked again.

Shirayuki glared down at him. "Bother?" She shouted it disgust. "How dare you! Damn it I thought you were going to be killed and you say I bother you! Could you even show the slightest bit on mercy on those fools?" she shouted.

"They don't deserve mercy." Zangetsu said in disgust. "You know we share something in common, Yuki-san, we are both portrayed as Kings and Nobles, even if we aren't the slightest bit different from the others. We are looked upon by others and yet have no relationship to them, it's so low, and sick, I feel myself rot in the thought." he said.

"That still doesn't give you the right to hurt others!" Shirayuki said.

"But if we are leaders, shouldn't we lead the followers to their goals?" he asked.

Shirayuki felt her upper lip twitch, and she gripped her hands into fist as anger shook her whole being. How dare he! How dare he say such awful words!

The sound of a fist hitting a face echoed the ally; Shirayuki punched Zangetsu square in the cheek. (Funny, you'd think she would have slapped him) "Idiot! How dare you see yourself and put yourself above others! The only thing I find disgusting is you yourself Zangetsu!" she shouted anger boiling into her violet eyes.

Zangetsu stared at her in shock for a moment, and then after the look of sympathy he saw in Shirayuki's eyes, he laughed. "Pity? Do you pity me?" he asked putting a hand to his forehead hiding his eyes with shadow.

Shirayuki stood her ground. "I don't." she said. "Because there are better people who choose to ignore other's comments and have it worst that we do." She said. "You didn't even try to tell them that they were wrong you just went along with it, just like me, so in a way, we are both cowards, Zangetsu." she said.

Zangetsu's hand fell from his face, and his aquatic blue eyes met Shirayuki's violet ones directly. "You and me are nothing alike." he said and started to walked away.

Shirayuki closed her eyes. "So you're just going to keep running?" She asked in a loud tone. "You're going to allow yourself to drown in the rain and slowly die? You're going to push away everyone and everything important to you! What about your future? You haven't even met your Human!" She said.

Zangetsu threw a hand back as if to say 'bye'. "I'm not running Yuki-chan," he said purposely. "I'm simply walking away."

Shirayuki wanted to punch him in the face again.

The Next Day:

Shirayuki went through the same thing like she did every day, getting dressed and shoving a piece of toasted bread into her mouth. Since she was alone, no one commented on how great she did in school or how much she has grown. But she didn't mind at all, her one true goal was to get a Human that was able to just talk naturally to her.

You see Soul Spirit's our powerful beings that allow a select number of Humans to unlock there powers. By doing that, they become one with the Soul Spirit and are able to contact them whenever they wish.

Shirayuki was looking forward for this her whole life. She wanted to see her true potential.

Once she got into the class and sat down, she looked for Zabimaru, but she didn't seem to be there at the moment. 'Probably still taking care of her brother...' Shirayuki thought.

The bell rang and the class took their seats. "Ok class," The teacher said starting the lesson. "Today-"

The door slammed open and Zangetsu walked in without care.

"Z-Zangetsu, this isn't your class!" The teacher said.

Zangetsu glared at her, and the class shook in fear. "I transferred." He said solemnly. "Got a problem?" he asked, knowing the 'transfer' he got was forced or threatened.

The Teacher sweat dropped also fearful. "Uh... ok... Um... where would you like to sit?" she asked. "I can trade a stude-"

"There." He pointed right in back of Shirayuki. "I want to sit next to Yuki-chan."he said with a smirk towards her and she burned in flames at the name Yuki-chan.

"No way in hell!" Shirayuki shouted standing up from her seat as the class started to mutter the relationship between the Snow Queen and the Dark King.

"Relax Yuki-chan," Zangetsu said walking closer and closer to her until he was able to put a hand under her chin. "You'll grow wrinkles on that beautiful face of yours if you stress too much." he said with a sedative chuckle.

Shirayuki boiled. "What's your problem?" She asked slapping his hand away. "Yesterday you were all pissed off and now it's like you want to be best friends or something. You can't just threaten people to get what you want!" She shouted putting her index finger to his chest.

Zangetsu grabbed her hand and rested it on his heart as the class gasped. "You." she said loud enough for the class to hear. Shirayuki started to blush as she stared into his eyes again and he got closer to her ear and whispered. "Stole my broken heart."

The class started to talk all at one time gossiping crazily.

Zangetsu smirked in triumph as Shirayuki glared at him. 'He did that on purpose! Just to embarrass me!' "Damn it Zangetsu..." she cursed. "Don't start putting crap in between us!" she said directly. "You did this on purpose just to get the class all fanatical!" she said.

Zangetsu shrugged. "Maybe. Or Maybe I did fall for the Snow Queen, after all every King needs a Queen." he said.

Right when Shirayuki was going to protest the teacher got control of the class and and everyone was forced to sit down back in their seats. And throughout class Zangetsu was just playing with Shirayuki's long hair, curling it around his finger.

Shirayuki wanted to die. How embarrassing just to walk in the class say you want to sit next to the girl that supposedly stole your heart and then starts playing with her hair. Sure it might've not bothered him, but she was sure bothered by it.

As of today, her label changed from 'single' to 'taken captured by Zangetsu.' Urgh. Damn those gossipers.

After first period Shirayuki tried to ditch Zangetsu flash stepping to her locker once the bell rang, Zangetsu only smiled at her attempt and was by her side in an instant.

Shirayuki didn't even notice him.

Until her wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her from behind. "You can't escape, Yuki-chan." he whispered into her ear.

Shirayuki elbowed him, turning on heel glaring up to him. "Stop calling me that!" She shouted.

Zangetsu tilted his head as if he was interested in her. "Anger? But how come your expression is different from yesterday?" he asked tucking a stray hair from Shirayuki's face. "Your face, it shows anger and bother but, also something else..." he muttered.

"Oh ya, well I wonder what you expression would be like when I freeze your balls." Shirayuki said confidently.

Zangetsu cracked a smile which turned into laughter. "You're so interesting Yuki-chan." He said covering his smile. "First your boiled down to the core and then you make a comment about my balls, how funny."

Shirayuki blushed; she didn't mean it like that but... "Oh shut up Zangetsu!" She said and walked away.

Zangetsu sighed. "I guess I should leave her alone for a while, I don't want her to think of me as a annoying stalker." He said and walked the opposite direction, "And she will probably be disappointed that I didn't fallow her."

Shirayuki kept on walking, "I think I'll go home," she said. "My other classes are just review anyways..." and she debated whether or not to look back, most likely Zangetsu would have fallowed her, but if he had wouldn't he have already popped up?

Shirayuki looked back and nothing was there except empty halls. "So he didn't..." she muttered a bit disappointed.

"Who didn't do what?" A male voice asked.

Shirayuki turned on heal blush running across her face. "Oh! Uh... I'm sorry I-" It was Hyourinmaru, the so called Ice Knight of the high school, and Shirayuki was sure caught off guard. "I... I was just leaving." she said and quickly tried to escape.

"Hyourinmaru~"

"Oh crap!" Hyourinmaru quickly grabbed Shirayuki and ran into the boy's restroom, his back against a tile wall coving the poor girls mouth and holding her closely.

Tobiume, the shortest and cutest freshmen in the high school, along with Haineko, the girl with the biggest boobs in the high school, seemed to be searching the halls for Hyourinmaru, calling out his name.

"Shhh..." he said looking down at Shirayuki as she blushed with furry.

'Who does this guy think he is?' she asked herself. 'Kidnapping me and taking me into this gwad-forsaken place' she thought. 'Damn it and if he holds me any tighter I'm gonna die!' Shirayuki tried to wiggle herself out but he only grasped her tighter and tighter telling her to stop.

Once his hand was off her mouth that's when she screamed. "Dam-"

Hyourinmaru panicked and shoved her towards him, shutting her up with a kiss.

"Haineko, did you hear something?" Tobiume asked.

"No, he's probably in the west hall." she said looking back at Tobiume and making a run for the west hall. "I'm coming my darling Hyourinmaru!~" she shouted into the halls.

Hyourinmaru let go of Shirayuki and she gasped for air, panicking endlessly. "I-I thought... die... me... air... cold... kill..." Shirayuki glared at Hyourinmaru. "Damn it Hyourinmaru that was my first kiss!" she shouted pointing at him with her newly sharpened index finger. "Now your gonna pay..." she glared.

"But I don't have any money..." he muttered. "And I wouldn't pay you anyways."

Shirayuki cracked her knuckles. "Well isn't that a shame..." she asked evilly and suddenly Hyourinmaru wondered if it had been safer just to be kidnapped by Haineko and Tobiume.

Shirayuki sighed, falling down to her bed, blushed stained across her cheeks. "That..." the kiss made its way into her memory. "Was my first..." she muttered. Them a picture of Zangetsu appeared in her mind. "I wonder what would happen if he finds out..." She asked herself rolling to the side.

"Oh well..." she said. "I'll just take a nap," she convinced herself.

RING

RING

RI-

"Damn it!" Shirayuki cursed picking up her cell phone. "Who is it?" she shouted. But the other side of the line was dead.

RING

Shirayuki blushed at her stupidity, it wasn't her cell phone that was ringing, it was the doorbell. "I feel so messed up today..." she muttered grabbing her head in pain as she got up to open the door.

"Yuki-Chan~" Oh no. Shirayuki dared to open her eyes, already knowing who awaited her on the doorstep of her house. "How are you feeling? Oh, and I found this dude here too so don't accuse me of bringing him."

Shirayuki's eyes went to 'this dude' who Zangetsu referred too. And once again the arrow of dread hit her right on the back, it was Hyourinmaru. Shirayuki shut the door and sighed. "I can't deal with you two right now, go home..."

Zangetsu slammed the door back open. "Yuki-chan! how dare you through my bandage up heart back on the street, I feel so used!" she shouted once again being over dramatic.

"So what, Zangetsu's your boyfriend?" Hyourinmaru asked walking right past Zangetsu and sitting on Shirayuki's couch.

"No, just a pain in the ass." Shirayuki said.

Frozen.

Zangetsu just got frozen by the only two ice users in the whole school.

Hyourinmaru laughed.

Shirayuki glared at him. "You have no right to laugh in my house." she said and looked towards Zangetsu. "And you, why don't you cut the crap, we're not at school anymore."

"Aw... But I was getting so good at playing the hero." he said.

"Better get rid of that habit or your Human's gonna get a hero complex." Shirayuki said not knowing how right she nailed it. (A.K.A: Ichigo) "And you Hyourinmaru, why are you even here?" she asked.

Hyourinmaru shrugged. "I running away from the two fan-girls," he said. "And since we're friends, I thought you could lend me a moment of you space and time." he said.

"Friends?" She questioned. 'After one lousy kiss he thinks we're friends?' Shirayuki sighed, going to her room. "Whatever, I need some sleep, do whatever you want just don't wreck my house." she said.

"Hey wait," Zangetsu said. "Shirayuki, you know our backgrounds right?" he asked.

Shirayuki nodded. Hyourinmaru, the only child banned by the outside world because of his cold persona and his lack of emotion. He was labeled as a heartless monster and almost became one. And Zangetsu, the same goes for him, labeled as the King, got cocky because of it until, of course, he got his assed kicked by Shirayuki. Funny, how everyone was labeled and there whole life changed because of it.

How sick.

"Then, you know how it feels to be labeled as something you're not, right?" Zangetsu asked and again Shirayuki nodded. Zangetsu smiled at her, "So then, one last question, are the three of us, friends?" he asked.

And once again Shirayuki nodded, a smile cracking out of the corners of her mouth, and a tear falling down her pure face. "Yes Zangetsu, the three of us are friends."

And that's how the Soul Spirits met, all outcast, and somehow finding a way into each other's hearts.

End Of Flashback:

Rukia smiled at Shirayuki's story but still felt a uneasy pain in her heart. "I'm sorry." she said.

Shirayuki furrowed her eyebrows, cupping Rukia's face into her hands. "For what Rukia? You haven't done a thing wrong." she said with a confused face.

Rukia shook her head. "You wanted a human that could unlock your true powers, I can't," she said. "I can't seem to do anything," Rukia said tears whelming up in her eyes. "I-I can't even understand my friends." she said.

Shirayuki smiled, "Rukia, my powers weren't unlocked when I met you because of another reason, it has nothing to do with you." she said. "But lefts leave that story for another time, now you get some rest, it's already gonna get dark soon."

Rukia nodded.

"And Rukia, you're like a cusp, a part of two things, always stuck in the middle, so of course you're going to feel useless and it's going to hurt, but Rukia I have never doubted you in any ways, you can overcome whatever you want even if it seems hopeless." Shirayuki said slowly materializing. But right before she was about to call it a day, she noticed something, something laid flat on her desk, a small card laid center on the burned-colored wood.

She reached for in and opened it, Toshiro's handwriting clearly written with hurry. And so it said:

You must want to punch my guts for leaving without any word, but before you panic let me tell you I am sorry, and that I will be heading out to the other world. And I won't be coming back.

This is my farewell to you Rukia Kuchiki.

I met so many people, and I was able to experience friendship and happiness from the time I was with you.

Don't both to come for me, this is my choice, I hope you can learn to forgive me, and if you can't, I perfectly fine with that.

I'm happy I got the chance to meet you and Ichigo, I know I will never be able to fight with you or argue with you ever again so... Please don't come after me...

I've already let go, and I am going to die in a few weeks.

So hate me, and don't come after me.

Rukia read and read the letter over and over again, the letter trembling in her hands since she could not believe what she saw before her. He was leaving her, without even saying goodbye. Leaving a stupid letter as a departing gift!

And the last words.

Like hell Rukia Kuchiki would do that! "Damn it! Now that midget got himself into trouble!" she shouted grabbing her coat and ready to walk out the front door.

Ichigo was there already, leaning against his car and a smirk plastered on his face. "Ready Rukia? It was about time you found the letter, I've been waiting for over a hour." he said.

Rukia smiled at him, getting in the car just as he did. "Let's go save that midget."

"Agreed."

Ok now the fun parts gonna start. ^^