Yup, this chapter is short, but I was pressed for time and didn't have a lot of time to go over and edit it. Oh, well. Anyways, you learn more about Mitsuki's past in this chapter :) And here are the pancakes to everyone who reveiwed! -passes out pancakes-

And the storm has started slightly. -winks-

Disclaimer: The only thing I own in this story is the Plot and my OC's. Everything else belongs to Tite Kubo


Mitsuki stared at him, petrified. He knew about Ryuu? No, he couldn't…

"Tell him." Hogosha Chuusin urged. "You want to tell someone, so tell him!" Mitsuki took a deep breath. "Are you sure you want to know?" she asked, quietly.

"Yes." He responded, looking directly into her eyes. She nodded, slowly. "Alright, I'll tell you, but you better pay close attention…"

o0o

Unohana organized the papers on her desk, setting them down in neat piles. Sighing, she examined the medicines in the cabinets, making a mental note to order some new ones. Shifting the items on her desk, she heard a knock on her door. "Come in." She called out.

A Shinigami shuffled in, head bowed. "I was sent here from Squad Twelve. They told me to tell you that the potions you ordered were going to be delayed in arriving."

Unohana smiled, nodding at him. "Ok. Thanks…" She walked over, placing some fingers under his chin and lifting up his head. "Are you sure you're feeling well? You seem…odd."

"I'm fine." He replied, but his gaze kept sliding in and out of focus. Something about those eyes made her shiver inwardly, and she bid the Shinigami good day and immediately went to her collection of medical books. There was something about that gaze that made her uncomfortable, and she knew there had to be a description of it in here somewhere…

o0o

Mitsuki began talking, slowly at first, then getting faster. "It started when my best friend and I had an argument. We had promised to become Shinigami together, but when I passed the entrance exam and she failed, she got mad and began yelling at me, saying that she was the one who wanted it the most and that it wasn't fair. She ran off, and I didn't bother chasing her, still fuming. After a while, however, I began to worry why she wasn't returning home, so I looked for her. I found her on a hill, talking to a boy. Suddenly, he stabbed her, and ran off. I ran over to her, but it was too late- she was dead, and I was left all alone- no best friend, only a place where everyone hated me. I swore to avenge my friend's death, and then I didn't realize how foolhardy that was.

"Three months into the academy, I had stayed late after school finishing a test. I remember that the hallways were darker than normal, and when I opened the door to my room, it was pitch black. But then I saw him- Ryuu, the one who killed my best friend. I dropped my books and attacked him, but he beat me- easily. Then, after knocking me out with one of my textbooks, brought me to his house. There, he trained me, forcing me to become better. He claimed it was to help get stronger, but after eavesdropping one night, I learned that I was just the beginning of an army to take over the Soul Society- and eventually the world of the living, too. I escaped soon after that when I achieved Bankai. I don't know his true plans, or what he wanted from me, but I do know that he will find me one day, and we will finish what we started that night in my room- one of us will die, or we're going down together." She said, and fell silent, lost in memories. Toshiro blinked, utterly surprised. Ryuu sounded a lot like Aizen, yet he knew that he was different- dangerous. Quietly, he asked, "What was your friend's name?"

"Chiyo." She replied sadly. "Chiyo Kagesawa." Suddenly, she looked up at her Captain, alarmed. "You won't tell anyone, will you? If you do, he'll find me and kill me! I'm not ready for him yet- I don't want to die!" her voice was bordering on hysterical, and without thinking he hugged her close. "It's alright. I won't tell. Besides, he hasn't attacked yet. We still have time."

She calmed down, and when they realized the position they were in, they broke apart, blushing. Mitsuki stared at the ground in embarrassment, and cleared her throat roughly. "Um...I better get going…" she said, and fled the room. He let her go, and returned to his desk to think of what she said.

Mitsuki ran to her room, heart pounding, and flung open the door. Closing it behind her just as quickly, she leaned against it, eyes closed. Telling Hitsugaya what had happened felt wonderfully good- a weight had lifted off her chest, and she was able to relax somewhat. Sighing, she went to her bed, sat down, then got back up again. It was time to find Matsumoto and get this whole birthday party thing strait…

o0o

Unohana had gone through all her books, and still, she could not find it. Frowning, she replaced all the ones scattered upon the floor. Taking one last look around the tidy room, she swept out, heading toward the building where all the records were. It was time to do some serious research…


Chapter 8 is done! And Chiyo means 'one thousand sparkles', but I have no idea what her last name is. I just came up with it on the spot. Anyways, R&R! I'll give everyone a brownie who does:P