Sorry for the wait! My parents confiscated my laptop...anywasy, here's #5!

Thanks to those that reveiwed! -hands out poptarts-


Toshiro stared at the ceiling, one arm wrapped around Mitsuki, the other behind his head. It was around midnight, and the shadows in the room were played with by the moonlight. As the curtains fluttered in the breeze, they let in varying amounts of light, causing the shadows to retreat or advance.

He wasn't paying any attention to the shadows, however. He often did this, waking up at midnight like an internal alarm clock had gone off, just to enjoy the quietest moment of the night. It wasn't often that he was able to get peace and quiet, and this ritual was kept to him- not even Mitsuki knew about it.

He heard Mitsuki mutter something and snuggle closer. She had been more active at night recently, and he had caught full sentences that she muttered. Whether it was because of the baby or something else he did not know, but it didn't matter since he was content to have her beside him.

A beeping noise distracted him. Drowsily, he grabbed the cell-phone like device, flicking it on. He immediately came awake when he saw the signal for hollows. There were one, two…four of them?! Hastily, he roused Mitsuki, who groaned and came awake, rubbing her eyes in confusion. "To...shi…wha?" she mumbled, half-awake.

"There are hollows nearby." He hissed, and startled, she half-fell, half-stumbled out of bed, popping a soul candy in her mouth to get free of her Gigai. She stumbled out the window after Toshiro, joining him, Ichigo, and Rukia, who were also alerted.

"Let's go!" Toshiro commanded, and they shot off, Mitsuki flash-stepping ahead of them to survey. Eyes wide, she froze as she saw the group ahead of her. Swallowing, she pulled out her sword, the rest of the group arriving behind her.

"They look like the hollows from Hueco Mundo." Ichigo said, growling. Not hearing him, Mitsuki jumped down on top of them, her sword already held high. "Shatter, Hogosha Chuusin!" She yelled, bearing down on the Hollow in front of her.

There was one for each of them, but once they were done with theirs they went to help someone else. Rukia had the easiest one, and she left to help Ichigo. Mitsuki, unfortunately, had one that flew, but after a few useless attacks she went to Bankai, the unicorn inside her eagerly stretching out its wings. Drawing power from the moon, she chased after the Hollow, now able to attack effectively.

"Shatter, Diamond Rains!" she called, sending the diamond droplets down on top of it. Howling in agony, it crouched against the attack, and she dived down and finished it off in one blow. Hovering in the air for a moment, she realized that she had gotten separated from the rest and flew off in the direction of the battle.

Toshiro had defeated his, the frozen hollow shattering as she flew up. Now with four on one against the remaining hollow, there stood no chance against it and it was defeated soon.

"I could've handled it myself." Ichigo retorted as the nearby inhabitants came out to investigate the damage coming from the 'mysterious' noises. Rukia noticed a little girl staring at them and hit him across his head. "You can complain later. Right now we've gotta run." She said, and ran off toward his house. Grumbling, Ichigo followed her.

Mitsuki dismissed her Bankai, sheathing her Zanpaku-to. Hyorinmaru, still out in full water-ice dragon glory, rumbled something to Toshiro. He replied, then dismissed him and put his own sword up. Taking Mitsuki's hand, he said, "You did rather well, considering that your spirit energy is low."

She smiled. "I guess so. But those were small-fry. It's the more powerful ones I'm worried about."

Toshiro paused, than changed the topic. "It's a few hours till dawn- do you want to go back to sleep?"

She shook her head. "I'm awake now, and we'd better keep an eye out for more Hollows."

He nodded, and they raced off, finding a rather convenient rooftop to stop on. Curling up together, they watched the sky, picking out constellations or making new ones. Once dawn came along, Toshiro showed her an excellent spot that overlooked the city.

Sitting on the railing, Mitsuki leaned against Toshiro, and he wrapped his arms around her. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he said, "You really should get more sleep. I don't want you collapsing on me again, especially not in the middle of battle."

Mitsuki sighed, closing her eyes. "I'll be fine. I have Ichigo's dad to take care of me in this world, and Captain Unohana in the Soul Society. It's not like we're the last people left on Earth."

"I know, but you can't blame me for being worried." He said. "Last time I let you go, you almost died."

The image of Chiyo flashed before Mitsuki's eyes, and she shuddered, feeling cold suddenly. "You killed her. She's dead." She insisted. "I'll be fine."

He smiled slightly. "I know you will. But come on- it's time we headed back. We have to join Ichigo's school undercover, remember?"

Mitsuki groaned. "Do I have to go to college? Remember, I wasn't able to finish my sophomore year at High School."

"That's why you're not enrolled in the normal classes. I figured you'd be better in something more your style." He said, helping her off the rail.

"What type of classes?" she asked suspiciously, arms crossed. He smirked. "You'll see when you get there. Anyways, you're always going to have a class with one of us, so you won't be completely alone." Toshiro said.

Sighing, Mitsuki gave him a friendly punch on the arm. "For that you owe me a race back. Ready set go!" she called, flash-stepping off.

"Not fair!" he protested, chasing after her. Laughing, Mitsuki stayed ahead of him until the street that Ichigo's house was located on, where Toshiro pushed ahead and beat her. Collapsing on their bed, Mitsuki giggled as she went back into her Gigai. Rushing downstairs, she noticed Rukia and Ichigo were already eating breakfast, cooked by Yuzu. She smiled at her, giving her a plate that had less on it than everyone else's. It was the perfect amount, however, and she gratefully ate it.

Toshiro came later, already dressed in the school's uniform, passing Mitsuki on her way up. He caught a quick kiss on her cheek, making her blush and run to her room. Sighing, he took a spot at the table, accepting his plate.

"So, Hitsugaya, how'd you meet Mitsuki?" Rukia asked, passing him the salt. He took it, sprinkling it over his eggs. "Like any other recruit- she came to apply for my division, I accepted, and it sort of went from there. She had trouble working her Bankai, so I offered to help her, and after that…well, you probably heard about Ryuu." He said, beginning to eat the eggs.

"We heard bits and pieces." Ichigo said, leaning back in his chair. "Just the rough details, though."

Toshiro sighed. "Basically, Ryuu was another idiot trying to take over the Soul Society and was using an army of captured or restless shinigami to do it. He had the ability to possess spirits, and he used it to gain influence inside and outside the Soul Society. Mitsuki was one of them, but she escaped and joined my regiment. She tried telling me about it, but was scared about Ryuu and what he might do if she told. Eventually, he captured her, and I went to go save her." He paused, than decided to skip over the part with Chiyo. "It was a trap, though, to lure us out so he could get in. We arrived when the battle was already taking place. Mitsuki battled Ryuu herself, but if wasn't for her brother, Kiyoshi, she would be dead…" he stopped, staring at his plate. His appetite disappearing, he abruptly stood up. "I'll be waiting outside." He said, heading for the door.

Ichigo looked concerned. "Hey, I didn't mean to upset you." he said.

Toshiro paused, but didn't turn around. "It was five years ago. The scars still haven't healed. Please don't mention it, Ichigo." He said, than exited the house.

Rukia raised her eyebrows. "He really is upset. He called you by your first name."

He nodded. "We'd better do as he says. C'mon, Rukia, let's go." He said, and they walked out the door. Mitsuki joined them later, breathless and confused. "How do you get this ribbon on?" she asked. "I never was any good with my hair…"

Rukia laughed. "Hang on, let me help you." She said, grabbing a headband from her bag and putting in on Mitsuki's head. Tying the ribbon around her neck, she said, "That'll do for now until your used to the way of life here. Now, let's go- the boys are leaving us behind."

Mitsuki nodded, chasing after Ichigo and her husband. He looked her over, amazed at the way the dark blue plaid skirt matched her eyes. Smiling at him, she gently tugged on his arm. "We're going to be late, Toshiro. The university isn't far off, but we have to get our schedules." She said, and he nodded, allowing himself to be led off.


Is it just me, or did this seem rather short...? Well, stay tuned for the next chapter, featuring Kiyoshi :D

Please reveiw! Next treat: skittles!