Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Bleach characters mentioned in this series. All characters belong to the original author Tite Kubo.

However: I do own Haruka Kaenbyo and Umeko Fujiwara.

Warning: Spoilers may be present.

Hitsugaya laid in his bed staring out the window in front of him. He silently watched the night sky. The stars were as bright as ever. The light of the full moon dimly illuminated his room. He'd been trapped in the damn hospital for three days already and Unohana still refused to release him, simply stating that he wasn't fit to leave yet. He felt completely fine, except for the occasional dizziness or short headache. But he could deal with those by himself.

Haruka stirred next to him. It'd been three days already and he still couldn't convince her to sleep in her own barracks, not that he'd been very persistent. It's not like he minded her company, he actually enjoyed it very much, but he was worried that she might get sick from staying in the hospital for too long. And since she never left the room other than to go to the bathroom, shower, or get food, he knew she had to be getting behind on her paperwork. Even though he was worried about her, he didn't push it too far because a selfish piece of him wanted her to stay by his side forever. That selfish piece was scared that if she left she'd go running back to Gin.

The thought of Haruka with Gin made Hitsugaya want to vomit but he held it back. He grabbed the cup of water on his side table and took a sip of it to fight back the acid taste in his mouth. He sighed as he set the cup back down. He couldn't believe that the mere thought of that guy was the whole reason he was sick.

Hitsugaya glanced back at Haruka who was curled up next to him. Her long black hair fell loosely around her slim body. Hitsugaya ran his hand gently through her hair, pushing back her bangs that had fallen over her face. The dim light made her pale skin glow. She looked so peaceful when she slept. He wished he could just freeze time and stay in that moment forever. But even he knew that she wasn't his to have.

Hitsugaya sighed and lay back down in bed. Haruka shifted slightly, moving closer to him. She was warm and soft. He lay is arm gently around her and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep.

When Hitsugaya woke up, Haruka wasn't at his side. For a moment Hitsugaya was afraid that she had broken her promise. But when he thought about it, she hadn't really made a promise to him; she had just simply stated that she wouldn't leave his side because he wasn't alright. Had sometime during the night she deemed him as fine? The thought of her leaving made him dizzy. He leaned forward resting his head in his hands.

"Hitsugaya, are you alright?" Haruka questioned as she walked back in the room, carrying a tray of food.

The dizziness quickly faded and he sat back up. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just sat up too fast and got dizzy, that's all," he stated, hoping his lie wasn't too obvious. Well it's not like the dizziness he felt was from being sick so he doubted it really mattered either way.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up," Haruka stated, setting the tray down on the table next to him. "Unohana woke me up earlier and asked me if I could help her with a few things and bring you breakfast."

Hitsugaya took a bite of the food that was placed before him. It was a plate of eggs and toast. A glass of orange juice on the side. "Don't worry," Hitsugaya replied between bites. "It's not like I even asked you to stay here you know, you could always sleep in your own barracks."

Haruka laughed. "I told you before; I'm going to stay by your side until you get better."

"Why?" Hitsugaya questioned for the hundredth time. She never gave him a real answer.

"I don't know," Haruka replied, looking out the window. "I don't know why I just can't bring myself to leave you alone when you're so weak."

Hitsugaya sighed softly, a barely audible sound. Once again she didn't give him an answer. He set down his chopsticks on the tray for he had finished his breakfast. He slowly got up from his bed and walked over to stand next to Haruka. He rested his hand on the window ceil, his fingers just barely brushing against hers. He stared out the large window out to a garden. The trees had just begun to bloom, signaling the change in the seasons. It was a truly lovely sight.

"Haruka, I…" Hitsugaya began. He didn't really know what he was trying to say, but he knew that he had to say something. He turned to face her but stopped dead.

Gin Ichimaru. The sly fox had somehow managed to get in his room and wrap his arms around Haruka without him even noticing. He had to have been hiding his reiatsu pretty damn well to do that one.

"Good morning, Captain Hitsugaya," Gin stated slyly. His ever present smile still plastered across his face. "You're looking much better. I'm surprised that Unohana still suggests that you remain here." He was still leaning of Haruka's back, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist.

Hitsugaya fought back the hot tears that formed in his eyes. He refused to allow Gin the pleasure of seeing him cry. "And what might you be here for, Gin?" Hitsugaya spat out icily. "I did not request your presence."

Haruka pouted. "You don't need to be so mean to him, Hitsugaya."

Hitsugaya just turned around and stormed out of the room.

Hitsugaya didn't know how long he sat on the bathroom floor, but eventually he decided it had been long enough. He had stopped crying ages ago, but his eyes were still red and puffy. He turned on the faucet and splashed cool water on his face, in hopes that it might do something. He sighed when it had little effect. After a few more feeble attempts he decided to head back to his room.

"Welcome back, Captain Hitsugaya," the sly voice came from across the room.

Hitsugaya looked to see him sitting on his bed. "Get out, Gin."

Gin's smile lessoned slightly, in a mocking way. "Lighten up Hitsugaya; it's not like I'm doing any harm by being here."

Hitsugaya sneered. "You're the whole reason I'm in here. Now get out Gin. Now," Hitsugaya yelled. His voice was completely frozen, harsh and cold. Haruka had never heard him this upset.

Gin stood up from the bed and walked out the door, making sure to give Haruka a goodbye kiss on the forehead as he passed her. Hitsugaya fought back the urge to punch something.

"What do you mean that Gin's the reason you're in here?" Haruka questioned. "Did he do something to you?"

Hitsugaya sat on his bed. He stared at the wall silently, ignoring Haruka's question. It wasn't like he would tell her the real reason for his headaches. He couldn't. Because she was not his. She belonged to that sly fox. And she always would. There was not enough room in her life for him. He was just a friend, a fellow captain, and nothing more.

Hitsugaya's train of thought came to an abrupt stop when he noticed Haruka was sitting on the bed in front of him, looking intently at him. The look in her eyes at that moment was the only thing that gave him the slightest hope that maybe he hadn't completely lost.

"You know, you can tell me anything right?" Haruka simply stated, still watching him.

He nodded. "I know, but I don't have anything that needs to be said at this moment. Don't worry, I'm fine. It's just that Gin and I don't exactly get along well if you haven't noticed. I got a bit cranky with him and snapped. It's fine, don't worry, it's not his fault I'm sick."

Haruka smiled. "Hitsugaya…"

"Call me Toshiro," he cut her off.

"I'm going to worry about you no matter what you tell me," Haruka smiled. "Toshiro."

Arigato. Reviews welcome.

- Haruka Shinigami