A/N: The horrible authoress is back with another chapter after almost a MONTH of inactivity. XD I hope you enjoy. ^^

Figure Eleven: Cleave

//We hardly ever realize that we can cut anything out of our lives, anytime, in the blink of an eye ~Carlos Castaneda\\

A month. Has it already been that long already? A whole month since I moved to the 8th Division. I was enrolled and accepted into the Shinigami Academy. At first, it was weird, because stares and whispers followed me everywhere. In the hallways, people's heads turned as I passed by, and if I looked at them, they'd look away. Everyone seemed interested in me. The reason? Because I lived within the Seireitei, the place for which they were all studying and fighting to get into. And on top of that, I lived in the Captain's Quarters of the 8th Division. Talk about standing out of the norm.

But the one thing that I can't help thinking about... him. How was he doing? Is he still doing all the paperwork? Does he think of me as much as I think of him? I haven't seen him at all over the past month. It hurt me to think that we were growing apart. How could we not have? Being apart for that long a time has definitely built some manner of wall between us. I didn't want that. I started zoning out in class again, wondering what he was doing right now. Thinking of how Matsumoto was probably pushing all her work onto him, while she went out sake-drinking. She'd come to visit me twice at school. Both times were enjoyable, but somewhat awkward. After all, she was a Vice. And having a Vice greet you with a hug after school ended isn't the most common thing in the world. Many passing students paused to eavesdrop on our conversation, which consisted mostly Matsumoto blabbing away about how mean Hitsugaya was, and how he limiting her time out of the Division. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Serves you right," I'd said, "He's young by Shinigami standards, and yet you're doing nothing to help him with the workload! What kind of an elder are you? Aren't people who are older supposed to take on more responsibilities?" To which she pouted and muttered something about missing dates and hot spring-vacations.

The second time was even more conspicuous. She'd somehow managed to get her hands on my schedule and tracked me down during break.

"Yo!"

"Ran – I mean... Matsumoto-fukutaichou!" I bowed, though unable to mask the surprise in my voice.

"Nan dayo, Mina-chan? All this formality?" she seemed unfazed by the many looks and stares we were receiving. I gave her a small glare.

"I'm at school!" I whispered as we both headed out to the Academy grounds. She blinked confusedly at me.

"What does that have to do with anything?" I rolled my eyes.

"People are already treating me weird because I live under Kyouraku-taichou's care. Please, please don't make me stand out any more than I already do." I was begging now. I doubt she got what I was trying to say, but nonetheless, she reverted to more formal ways of speech, though accompanied by an occasional wink or nudge. The rest of the day after she left was one of the most uncomfortable ones I've ever been though. People were talking more than ever, and I had to avoid large crowds for a week after that incident.

Time was starting to slow down again. Days were starting to drag, and I found myself daydreaming more often than before. My grades were starting to drop, and I was always staring off into space. I'd made friends, but none of them were as close as the friends I'd made at Ximax.

"Minako-chan?" I started, looking around myself. It was Hino Atsuki. A cute girl, with a button nose, and very large, bright eyes.

"Eh?"

"Class is over! C'mon! Let's go to the training grounds. I have something to tell you!" I blinked a few times before my mind caught up with the situation. Shoving my stuff into my bag, I ran after her.

"Atsuki-chan! Chotto matte yo!" She only giggled and twirled around to pull a face at me before racing off again. I sighed, and picked up my pace.

"You're slow!" she said, tapping her foot impatiently against the ground as I finally reached her.

"Well you had a head start!" I paused to catch my breath before I looked at her again, "So what was it that you wanted to tell me?"

She giggled and twirled a lock of her hair around her finger.

"I think Kimura-kun likes you!" I stared at her.

"Kimura... Ryouta-kun?" She nodded. I frowned, thinking.

"What makes you think that? He's never shown any signs of -"

"You're so dumb when it comes to think kinda stuff!" she said, walking over to the nearest bench and plopping down on it. I followed suite, giving her a questioning look.

"Haven't you noticed? He says 'Hi' to you every time he passes you in the hallway, and when we're in Kidou, he's always looking at you, and offering to help you! It's so obvious that he likes you!" I looked down at my hands, thinking about what she'd said. It was true. I just thought he was extremely helpful to people. Truth be told, I liked the guy. He was cool and easy to get along with. Very open minded and not afraid to speak his opinions, regardless of what people may think. And, he's always happy and smiling. But I've been thinking of him so much I haven't considered the fact that there may be other 'opportunities' at the Academy. I mean, half the guys here don't look that bad. I quickly shook my head at this thought. No, I can't think like that. Hitsugaya was.... irreplaceable in all senses. I couldn't possibly be thinking about stuff like this.

Even though we've been separated, and we clearly weren't allowed to be together... there was still something. Something that no one could take away from us.

"Minako-san?" I looked up. It was Kimura. I blinked.

"Ryouta-kun!" He smiled. I looked around. Hino was gone. I made a mental note to talk to her about leaving me in awkward situations all by myself.

"What's going on? You seem spaced out." He took the seat the Hino had recently vacated. Sweat clung to his face and skin. He must be taking a break from sparring. I shook my head.

"Nn... It's nothing. Just thinking..." I said. He raised an eyebrow.

"About?" I hesitated. 'About him...' but I couldn't possibly say that.

"Just... stuff..." I said, evasively. I gave him a sideways look. Seeing the expression on his face, I laughed. He seemed amused.

"Apparently, this 'stuff' has had you pretty wrapped up, huh? You've been like this for the past week." I didn't say much. Has it really? Maybe...

"Ah... sorry... I was just..." I looked down at my hands again. I heard him chuckle beside me.

"How about... we go somewhere after school today?" My head snapped up. I searched his face. It was so sincere. It was something that Hitsugaya rarely showed. Not that he wasn't sincere, but he just hid it so well behind that icy mask of his. They were so different.

"Um..." I sighed. "Sorry... I have plans after school today so... maybe next time, alright?" In truth, Kyouraku-taichou had offered to take me to the great Library. I was really looking forward to it. Reading was something I could do. Although I don't know if I'd be able to understand much of what was stored in the great library. His face dropped and I immediately felt bad.

"Erm... how about Tuesday? I'm free then," I offered. He perked up again.

"Really? That's great! Alright, I'll see you then!" And with that he bounded off towards the exit of the training grounds. I watched his back, shaking my head. What had I gotten myself into? Well... one date couldn't hurt, right?

"Let's go, Minako-chan," Kyouraku-taichou said, leading me out the door. I followed diligently behind him, occasionally saying this and that. But most of the time was spent in comfortable silence. When we reached the Library, I couldn't help but pause in my steps. It was huge.

"Whoa..."

"They don't call this the Great Spiritual Library for nothing, you know," Kyouraku-taichou said. I could only stare in awe as we entered the main gates, bowed in by a pair of black-clad shinigami. Gate-guards.

"I thought it would be useful for you to know where everything is. After all, you are going to be in the Gotei 13 soon." I frowned, hurrying to keep in pace with him.

"What do you mean? I still have a couple years left to go..." He chuckled, looking down at me.

"A couple years passes like a few hours for we who have been alive for so long, Minako-chan." I nodded in understanding. He began to talk, showing me the various sections of the library and explaining its various uses and the information it stored. I tried my best to take everything in.

"Usually, they take all the students on a tour through here during your last year, but I thought you'd be able to handle it a few years early, what do you think?" I rolled my eyes.

"Well you didn't give me much of a choice, Kyouraku-taichou." He laughed again. I smiled to myself. He was laughing more now. It seemed that he was finally starting to let go of the fact that Nanao-fukutaichou was gone. I was happy for him. It hurt me to see him so down before.

"Ohya? Hitsugaya-taichou? Matsumoto-fukutaichou?" I stiffened at the sound of that name. Turning slowly to face the direction which Kyouraku-taichou was facing, I took a deep breath and looked up.

There he was. Standing there, a look of polite surprise on his face, that is, until his gaze fell onto me. His whole being seemed to lock up, and his eye grew wide. I bit my lip, resisting the urge to run up to him and tackle him. I clasped my hands behind my back and twisted my fingers together nervously. What do I do? What do I say?

"What a pleasant surprise, ne Minako-chan?" I jumped, before nodding jerkily.

"H-hai..."

"Oi! Mina-chan~!" Matsumoto bounded up to me and gave me a bone-crushing hug. I could do nothing but wait till she left me down. Coughing slightly, I looked up at her.

"Nice to see you again, Matsumoto-fukutaichou," I said rather robotically.

"There's no need to be so formal here, Minako-chan. I won't tell." Kyouraku-taichou winked at me. I stared at him for a few seconds before a wide smile spread across my face and I jumped on Matsumoto.

"Ran-chan! Oh I missed you so much!" She patted my head softly.

"I know, Mina-chan, I know..."

Once she'd let go, I turned my gaze upon Hitsugaya. He was still standing there, though he looked less like a board now. Control... control... OH SCREW THIS. I sprinted forward and almost crashed into him, throwing my arms around his neck and burying my face in his shoulder. He stumbled backwards a bit before catching himself. It was a moment before he finally gave into desire and returned my embrace. His arms wrapped around me, binding me to him so tightly I could barely breathe. It's almost as if he thought that if we were close enough, we could meld together. Not that I really cared anymore.

He was here. Right here. Holding me to him. It was so much like a dream... but I knew it was real.

"I missed you..." My voice cracked as unbidden tears fell from my eyes. The onslaught of emotions this meeting brought forth was not something that could be held in very long. He nodded, but didn't say much. I doubted that he could. Faintly, I heard the sound of Matsumoto and Kyouraku-taichou walking off somewhere, but I didn't care. Nothing mattered anymore. Not when we were together like this. There was nothing that I cared about. Nothing, other than him.

I don't know how long we stayed like that, nor did I even care to remember. All I knew was that one moment, we were plastered to each other as if stuck together, and the next, we were being pulled apart by a pair of familiar hands.

"Minako-chan... I'm sorry, but we have to go. There are people coming." Kyouraku-taichou pried me away from Hitsugaya and led me away so quickly that I didn't get a chance to look back before we were out of the library again. My breathing was uneven and labored, as if I'd just decided to take a run around the whole Seireitei. My mind was still blissfully blank, and I looked around dazedly, wondering what had happened. It was a while before Kyouraku-taichou let go of my arm and slowed his pace. I blinked.

"Sorry, Minako-chan... but it would have cost all of us a lot if you'd been caught." I shook my head, smiling.

"No, thank you. I... I needed that..." I kept my eyes downcast. I clutched my hands in front of me, my face still red. There was a silence, but then, I heard Kyouraku-taichou give a small laugh. Surprised, I looked up at him.

"Young love... it's so exhilarating, isn't it?" He winked at me. I blushed furiously and frowned at him, pouting.

"What are you saying, Kyouraku-taichou?" My voice was unsteady and my cheeks were burning. His laughter died away as he adopted a more serious tone.

"You really love him, don't you?" I sighed, then nodded very firmly.

"I don't know... what other word to use to describe this feeling I get when I'm around him. It's not just... the want to be next to him all the time... but the desire to be closer to him, physically, and mentally. I just.... feel so... so... safe and loved when I'm with him. Even if he doesn't say much... I can feel that he cares for me. And... I forget everything else and everyone else when I'm with him... It's just like... nothing else exists other than the two of us, and the emotions and feelings we have for each other... Does that make any sense at all?" I stopped myself from going on into a full-blown rant, and looked up at Kyouraku-taichou again. He was regarding me with a different look in his eyes now. It was almost like... envy, except with no negative connotation. I decided not to say anything.

"I've never seen him act like that around anyone before, not even Hinamori-kun," Kyouraku-taichou said in a quieter tone. I smiled softly to myself.

"And I think he realizes that what he feels for you is so beyond normal fondness and friendship. I don't know why old man Yama can't cut you two some slack. Maybe if both I and Juushirou talk to him, then he'll consider moving you back to the 10th Division." My eyes widened as my heartbeat sped up considerably.

"C-could you really do that?" I asked. He gave me a sideways look then grinned, placing a hand on my head.

"We can try, but I can't promise anyth-" I didn't even wait for him to finish the sentence before throwing my hands around his waist.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!" My voice was slightly muffled by his pink robe, but his large, warm hand was on my back, patting me gently. I looked up at him, eyes bright with happy tears.

"But don't get your hopes up, alright? I don't want you to be disappointed." He placed a hand on my head. I nodded enthusiastically, blinking away the tears.

And he certainly kept his word. The very next day, I came back to my quarters to find Kyouraku-taichou with a very large smile on his face, his eyes twinkling. I stared at him, a bit confused at first.

"Yama-jii has decided he'd 'think about it' for the time being," he said. I continued to stare. What was he talking about? Think about it? Think about wh – oh... OH!

"He... did?" Kyouraku-taichou nodded. I promptly dropped all my books and tackled the man in a hug, squealing the whole way.

"OH thank you thank you thank you thank you, Kyouraku-taichou! You're the greatest, most wonderful, the best – "

"Whoa whoa whoa there, Minako-chan. Don't you think there's someone you're forgetting?" I stopped bouncing and looked at him blankly, then realized just who he was talking about. I ran to the door, turning only to tell Kyouraku-taichou where I was going before racing towards the 13th Division. I don't think I'd ever run so fast in my life. Shinigami and building flashed passed in blurred clumps and scenes. Their words made no sense, nor did I care to stop and decipher them. The 13th Division doors were in front of me in no time, and I was knocking excitedly on them.

"Enter."

I flung open the doors, not even bothering to introduce myself before dashing in and hugging the white-haired man that so resembled my father.

"Ukitake-taichou! Thank you so much for today! I'm so happy! And Kyouraku-taichou said that Yamamoto-soutaichou was going to consider it! Thank you thank you thank you!" I gushed and rambled before unlocking my arms from around his waist and looking up at him with shining eyes.

"Long time no see, Minako-chan." He was so calm, and happy. His eyes were twinkling just as Kyouraku-taichou's had been. His smile was warm as ever, and his face seemed less lined than usual. He seemed better rested and well. I felt warm and fuzzy on the inside, just being in his presence again. It always seemed to calm me down.

"If it were anyone else... I would have refused, but I've seen the way Hitsugaya-taichou looks at you. And I've told you this before, he's never looked at anyone else like that, ever. I think you're just the person he needs by his side." I smiled and hugged him again. He patted my head, chuckling lightly.

"Can I offer you a cup of tea?" he asked as I let go once more. I nodded readily and went to help him make it. Sitting down, and sipping at the hot drink, I felt at peace for the first time in a long while. There was something about the silver-haired man that made me feel at home. Maybe he was his cheery, loving tone, or his forever present smile. Whatever it was, I liked it.

"What did you say to him that made him change his mind?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. Ukitake-taichou took his time to answer, first sipping at his tea, then giving a content sigh before drawing breath to talk.

"You have to understand that Yamamoto-soutaichou has to always think for the better of Soul Society and Seireitei. All of his decisions are based on the benefit of the larger body. So that's what we used. You are an Enchanter, and therefore is our link to the alliance of all the Enchanters. If we were to antagonize you, and it happened to start a war with the Enchanters, then it would be one more enemy to worry about apart from Aizen and the Espada. On the other hand, if we pleased you, and you in turn told your Enchanter friends about it, they would be more inclined to aid us in the upcoming battles. And the powers of the Enchanters are invaluable to us for victory against the Espada and the defeat of Aizen. That is to say, if we have the Enchanters on our side, there is no doubt that victory is secured. So, considering all of this, I'm happy to say that Yamamoto-soutaichou is now considering moving you back to the 10th Division, though I'm not sure what he has to say about your relationship with Hitsugaya-taichou, as that would be breaking one of Seireitei's rules. Not saying he hasn't purposely arranged engagements for political reasons before. It's just been very, very rare." After he finished, I simply stared in awed silence for a few moments before I felt collected enough to speak.

"That... was brilliant! I couldn't have thought up an argument like that in a million years!" Ukitake-taichou laughed again.

"Well, once you've been a Captain for as long as I have, your thought process begins to change, and you start to think in tactics and battles all the time. Kyouraku-taichou had come up with the same argument when we spoke about it together." I sat there, completely stunned. For them to go to such lengths just so I could be together with Hitsugaya... the gratefulness I felt was something that could not be expressed by words. So I simply smiled, a bright smile, that I hope he understood.

"We care about you, Minako-chan, and we don't want to see you hurt, so please, be careful, and don't get too excited. If Yamamoto-soutaichou decided against our idea, then you will be forced to continue staying with Kyouraku-taichou. So don't celebrate just yet. Wait for his official order to come out before doing something you might regret later on." He set down his empty tea-cup. I nodded, albeit much slower, as I considered his words. It was true. All he said was that he'd 'think about it' but nothing else. For all I knew, he could still be that stubborn old man and separate us. All I could do was hope for the best now, and nothing else.

"Thank you again, Ukitake-taichou. You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you so much," I said, setting down my own cup and lifting myself up from the ground. He just nodded. I bent down to collect the tea-cups and take them away.

"You look tired, Ukitake-taichou... please get some rest. I'm sorry for such an intrusion at such short notice..." I said. He grinned at me, a certain twinkle in his eye.

"Why all the formality all of a sudden, it couldn't be you wanted another favor from us..." I blushed, shaking my head hurriedly.

"There's nothing, nothing! I swear. I'm just.... really thankful for the effort that both you and Kyouraku-taichou put in for my sake. For all the trouble I've caused, I don't deserve any of this... yet you do it for me anyways... I'm just... very very thankful..." Ukitake-taichou reached over and put a hand on my shoulder. I lifted my eyes to meet his.

"We don't ask for pay-back... all we ask is that you be happy. That in itself would be more than enough for us," he said. I felt unbelievably happy to have so many people that cared about me. I could only nod. Words were simply not enough, and they never were. It's frustrating.

"Now why don't you head on back, Minako-chan. It has been nice to have you here." Ukitake-taichou looked tired. I nodded and headed towards the door. I felt so happy I could sing. Bowing once more, and saying a final goodbye, I closed the door behind me and bounced back towards the 8th Division.

Today was just... a really good day.

A/N: whoot. And cheers to another chapter. XDD Yeah, in case you haven't noticed yet... my updating schedule is KINDA screwed up. So it's going to be something like once a month or so... just because school work is REALLY taking up SO much time. T^T But other than that, I don't think there will be INTENSELY long breaks in between my update. XDDD I'll try to get them in ASAP. Kay? XD

I love you all! Keep the reviews coming! You know I love them and read them all. 3
Arelissa