OMG! SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT! I've been swamped with homework, not to mention studying for the upcoming finals. And to make it up, I added fluffiness!

Anyways, to all who reveiwed, here's the leftover thanksgiving food...-hands out turkey-

So, here's Chapter 13!!!


"Hey, Mitsuki, wait up, will you?"

Turning to the sound of his voice, Mitsuki waited until Toshiro caught up with her. Breathing easily, he said, "I have something to tell you."
"What?"

"Well, Matusmoto and I were discussing it, and we've decided that it's time to promote you. Will you be willing to accept the position of fifth seat?"

Mitsuki's eyes widened. "O…Of course! I would love to!"

He beamed at her. "Great! I'll get everything settled. Does tonight sound good for the ceremony?" Seeing her nod enthusiastically, he gave her hand a squeeze. "Alright, I'm off to the first division to finalize everything. Meet me at the Sokyoku hill, ok?"

"I'll be there." She promised, watching him run off. Admiring him, she didn't notice the fleeting shadow move around the side of the building.

It didn't take him long to arrive. Pulling her into an embrace, he said, "Nice to meet you, unofficial fifth seat of Tenth Squad."

Mitsuki giggled. "Oh, stop it, Toshiro. You know who I am."

"Of course I do." He said. "I just felt like saying that."

Mitsuki smiled at him. How different he was from what she had first imagined- cold, silent, and arrogant. It pleased her to know that she was the only one to see him like this, to know that she was the only one to bring him out of his carefully constructed shell. Her head against his shoulder, she was once again wrapped up in the magic of their love.

Toshiro broke the silence reluctantly. "We'd better go over the ceremony so you won't mess up. Are you ready?"

"Course I am." She replied indignantly, frowning at him.

They ran through it, with several interruptions of bouts of giggling, kisses, and 'accidental' falls. In mock anger, Toshiro reprimanded her, but didn't mind when she snatched kisses from him in between words. Other than that, though, it went smoothly.

At the end of the fake ceremony, they were curled up next to each other, looking up at the sky. One arm around her waist and the other behind his head, Toshiro smiled up at it, thinking that the day couldn't be more perfect. Mitsuki, too, believed that it was one of the best days of her life. Her head now on his chest, she listened to the beat of his heart, marveling at the sound.

Toshiro looked down at her. "What did I do that brought you into my life?"

Mitsuki smiled, looking at him. "I could ask the same thing. Maybe some twist of fate?"

"Maybe. But whatever the reason, I'm glad you're here."

"I am too. More than you know."

o0o

The seating ceremony went faster than the entrance ceremony, but this time more people congratulated her- either they were getting on her good side or she knew them better, she did not know, but she enjoyed it all the same. Beaming, she accepted the praise, catching Toshiro's eyes in the middle of the crowd. He winked at her slyly, and she winked back, moving toward him. The crowd soon dispersed, and she was hugged by Matsumoto in her famous bone-crushing hug, squealing her congratulations.

"I'm so proud of you, Mitsuki! It's about time the shinigami woman start to take positions of importance. Before you know it, you'll be a captain!"

"Matsumoto…" Toshiro growled, annoyed.

"I don't want to be a captain." Mitsuki gasped, struggling to breath. "I'm fine as I am."

"Well…if you say so. Anyways, see you later!" Matusmoto said cheerily, racing off.

Toshiro yelped, chasing after her. "Hey, wait up! You have paper work to do!" he hollered, chasing after her. He gave up shortly after, shaking his head. Returning to Mitsuki, he said, "Ever since Gin betrayed everyone, she's been drinking more than ever…it only increased when she had to kill him to save everyone."

Mitsuki looked at him sadly. "It must've been a great sacrifice."

He nodded. "I lost someone too." He whispered, and Mitsuki didn't pursue the subject further. Sliding her hand into his, she said, "How about we go get some dinner? I'm sure a little celebration is in order."

Cheering up, he nodded. "Sounds great, where to?"

"What about that new noodle place? I haven't been there yet." She said, heading toward the door.

He followed obligingly. "Alright, I haven't either."

She smiled at him, then flash-stepped away. "Come on slow poke, hurry up!" she teased, laughing at his shocked face. He playfully furthered her distance. "What do you mean? You're the one who's behind me!" Mitsuki caught up to him, and was pleased to see that she had successfully cheered him up, racing him all the way to the restaurant.

o0o

After dinner, Toshiro saw Mitsuki off to her room and retired to his own to catch up on paperwork. Turning on the lights, he went to his desk, wondering not for the first time why he had more paperwork than most of the other captains. Seriously, Captain Zaraki had hardly ANY… shaking his head, he began working on it.

About a quarter of the way through, he was interrupted by a shinigami entering his office. Looking up, he was startled to see that he was holding a sphere of some sort. "Um…do you need something?"

The shinigami shuffled over, a lopsided smile on his face. "My master wants to talk to you."

"Master…what? What are you talking about?" he said, alarmed. He was going to sit up, but two others who had materialized out of nowhere grabbed onto him with inhuman strength and he was forced to stay where he was. Not bothering to struggle, he slipped into his usual mask. "Leave now." He said coldly.

"Not yet… my master must speak with you." They said dully, and the sphere grew in his hands. The swirling mass inside it cleared and a pair of golden eyes set in a pale face framed with black hair. "Captain Hitsugaya. So nice to meet you at last." He purred, eyes glittering evilly.

A chill ran down his spine. "You…you're Ryuu, aren't you? The one who kidnapped Mitsuki."

Ryuu chuckled. "Yes, I did. But she had to go and escape." His face hardened. "Look, I didn't do all this just to hold small talk. I have a proposition for you."

"I'm not interested." He said automatically.

"Oh, I think you will be." Ryuu responded. "You see, I have your little girlfriend surrounded. As she sleeps, several of my…volunteers…are ready to kill her on my command. So you see, if you refuse to negotiate, she'll die."

Panic rose in Toshiro's mouth, and he forced himself to calm down. He might be lying…but somehow, deep down, he knew that he was telling the truth. "What is it that you want to discuss?"

"That's a good boy. Now, I'm sure you have noticed your charming fourth division captain missing? Yes, I can see that you know. You see, she got a little to meddlesome in my affairs, and sadly I had to detain her. But I can give her back, if you are willing to trade."

"What type of trade?"

Ryuu sighed. "Do I have to explain everything to you? Fine, if I must. You see, I don't like my interests escaping from me, and Mitsuki is one of them. I must have her back, and if you make her leave, then I'll give you back your captain. Understood?"

The panic was replaced by anger. "Why should I give up Mitsuki? We can just go free Unohana ourselves!"

The man smirked. "Do you know where she is?"

Toshiro fell silent. Of course he didn't.

"Well now, if you still don't want to give her up, I can still kill Mitsuki, so you lose two people instead of one…"

"NO!" he shouted, his mask breaking. Panic flooded his eyes. "Please, don't kill her…I'll do it, if you let her live."

"Good. Now, you must make Mitsuki leave, no matter the cost- break her heart, banish her, whatever it takes. Understand me?"

Defeated, Toshiro nodded. Why, oh why was unable to protect those he cared for?

"We have a deal then. Make sure you honor your side of the bargain." Ryuu said triumphantly, than disappeared from the sphere. It shrank back down, and almost immediately after, the shinigami disappeared. With no one to support him, he fell onto his desk, the tears pouring from his face. Why must it always be him?

Oh Mitsuki, I'm so sorry…


Agh, I hate Ryuu. Well, it's time the plot really started picking up speed, and now's a good time. So, please, R&R! This time it's candy canes!