A/N: Unmei no Tenshi : I know, I know. x3 It's just she doesn't get that Byakuya and Ukitake are captains, and since Renji's her close (and only) friend (in Soul Society), she feels like she needs to give him more respect him. If it bothers you, I'll change it.

Forest Level Eight:

Kiss Me? and Sickness

Are these tears for your loved one, or for yourself ?

I do not know.

If they are for a loved one they are beautiful.

What if I cry for myself?

Then they are ugly and impure.

What if I cry for both?

They cannot mix.

But, what if I feel as though my heart is filled with shattered pieces of glass?

We will do what we always do.

What is that?

Run.

I woke up when the sun hadn't raised, but it was day light. (Basically, every early morning). Even though it took me a while, I remembered why wasn't in my room. I had gone to see Ukitake-kun. Suddenly , I felt embarrassed and relived. I had finally told someone about Kurosaki-kun, but…now, Ukitake-kun must think I am some obsessive freak. Sigh. There's no way to fix a problem without causing another.

I debated with myself about whether I should go or not. If I'm found in his bed (Or, moreover, not in mine) someone is going to panic, and somehow I know both of us are going to be punished for it. I don't want someone important to me to get punished for my stupidity again. Will Ukitake-kun think I don't like him if I leave without telling him? Will he think something bad happened to me? Wahh! Why did I spend the night with a man?

"Good morning, Kaede-chan." I looked up to see Ukitake-kun smiling at me.

"Good morning." I rose up. I'm at mid-chest when compared to Ukitake-kun.

"Follow me, I want to show you something." I followed Ukitake-kun outside to the outer hallway. "Sit."

I sat down obediently. The sun looks so…new when it rises. "How beautiful!" I turned my head to face Ukitake-kun. "Isn't it?"

"It is." He put my face in his shoulder, "But there are things that are more beautiful." He held me for a while then let me go. He looked guilty, "Sorry…"

"It's really no problem…" I smiled at him nervously (I didn't mean it to be!)

He smiled and leaned forward. I didn't flinch when he kissed my forehead. All I could think is, Why did he, "Kiss me." I didn't know why (Or how) that came out of my mouth. Maybe somewhere deep inside me, I wanted Ukitake-kun to kiss me…Do I love Ukitake-kun?

Ukitake-kun cheeks turned a red-pink color. "I-If you want me to…"

Ukitake-kun kissed me on the lips.

"Eh? Renji-sama is sick?" I didn't know that dead people could get sick. "Is he alright?"

"He has a high fever." The doctor put on a reassuring smile. "That's all."

I bowed slightly. "Thank you for your hard work."

"It was nothing, Kaede-san." He looked around and whispered, "He isn't supposed to have visitors, but, since you're Renji-san's girlfriend, I'll let you go in."

I didn't bother to correct him since I wanted to see if Renji-sama was really okay. "Thank you very much."

He smiled again and opened the door to Renji-sama's room. "Go, go."

I walked into the room and closed the door behind me. Don't take this the wrong way but, thank goodness he's sick. I want him to be healthy but…after what happened I don't think I could spend so much time alone with him without saying something about me and Ukitake-kun kissing (It sounds so odd…). My woman's intuition says that I should keep quiet about it. I feel so deceitful, Renji-sama probably has some secrets but none of them have anything to do with me. Ukitake-kun is Renji-sama's comrade, and we just happened to kiss. (Really, he kissed me, but that sound conceited.)

"Renji-sama, are you alright?"

I expected him to be asleep. "Kaede…" His voice sounded so weak. It's nothing like the Renji-sama I know. I suddenly couldn't breath. Kaede…Save me…Make the pain go away…Please. I could feel sweat starting to form. "Kaede…!" I heard Renji-sama shout (Well, as loud as a sick man can yell). He started to get out of bed.

I did my best to get air. "I-I'm sorry, Renji-sama…" I walked and sat by his bed. "I'm alright. Really."

Renji-sama looked at me like I was crazy. "You sure?"

I nodded and smiled. "Yes." I think we should tell Renji about Ryousuke, we shouldn't be keeping such big secrets. That strange voice again...Is it me talking to myself? "Hey, Renji-sama, do you want to hear a story?"

He looked at me like I was going to tell him something...Well, not pleasant. "About what?"

"Someone very, very important to me."