It had been two months since the dance. Sosuke made time to see me every day, something that had made me so happy. When he wasn't with me, Shinji would often call me up, asking me to come hang out with him and his friends. Through Shinji, I'd really gotten to know Kensei, Mashiro, Love, and Hiyori. Watching Shinji interact with Hiyori always made me laugh.

Within my division, I had really grown close to Kouga. He was a great deal more than I'd previously imagined… and I could not deny that I was deeply in love with him, that my crush had become something far stronger. However, he was married… and I knew I could never let my true emotions show, though I suspected he knew about them anyway. He was just that observant.

There were days with Kouga that I would be allowed to spend with Muramasa, too. I'd grown very close to that zanpakuto spirit, to the point that, when he was out, I'd cuddle up close to him, just because I knew it annoyed him. Though, considering how it annoyed him, he never once pushed me away. He just… tolerated it. Once, I'd even accidentally fallen asleep on him… and had woken with my head on his lap, his nails running softly through my hair. Kouga had left us like that to do third seat responsibilities, but Muramasa had stayed with me. It had deeply warmed my heart towards the spirit.

After that episode, I saw more and more of Muramasa… and he objected to my affectionate hugs and cuddles less and less. I think I was starting to grow on him. I always looked forward to the times we got to spend together.

"Masa!" I greeted, jumping to hug him, making him sigh and lean down so that my feet would touch the ground again. He was so tall… he made me look like an ant.

"What?" teased Kouga. "I don't get a hug? I see how it is."

I laughed and released Muramasa, hugging Kouga instead. He chuckled and hugged me back, more than used to my openly affectionate personality.

"What are we doing today?" I asked.

"I needed to talk to you about some things I've noticed in your training," he answered me. So, I sat down, glad when Muramasa sat next to me so I could lean on him, my head on his shoulder as I looked at Kouga. "First off, you've gotten a great deal stronger than I'd imagined in a very short time, reiatsu-wise. However, you're still lacking in physical strength. I suggest you ask Captain Muguruma to train you in that. He's very strong and has a very high endurance."

I nodded, accepting that.

"Secondly, there's that new ability of yours," he pressed on. "You need to train it against an illusion-type zanpakuto. I'd recommend asking Captain Hirako to help you. His zanpakuto is the only one I know of that deals directly in illusions."

I nodded again.

"Lastly, you might want to ask Captain Shihoin about increasing your speed and fighting without a weapon," he finished. "I'd hate for you to get disarmed and become helpless… I'd like for you to start those trainings as soon as possible. Once you're stronger, I hope to take you on a few missions with me."

My eyes lit up.

"A chance to actually fight WITH you instead of AGAINST you?" I asked excitedly. He laughed and nodded. I squealed and jumped over, hugging him around the middle tightly. "You're the best!"

He chuckled and pushed me back.

"That birthday party Shinji threw was really good for you," he told me with a warm smile. "It showed you that you have more friends than you thought you did."

I spared him a small smile.

"And I have you, Sosuke, and Shinji to thank for that," I stated. "Without you guys, I doubt I'd have made any friends."

He shook his head, but smiled.

"Well, I have to get back to work," he told me. "But I'll let Muramasa stay with you."

I grinned and hugged the spirit, making him sigh in mild annoyance.

"Again, you're the best, Kouga!" I said happily. "Don't worry! I'll take good care of him!"

Kouga laughed at the annoyed look on the zanpakuto's face.

"I'm sure you will," he agreed. Then left with a wave. I giggled and looked up at Muramasa.

"Might as well start gathering trainers," I stated, getting to my feet and pulling him up after me. He spared me a small smile and let me keep his hand in mine as I raced off to the second division. I was shown to the office in short order, unsurprised to see the lieutenant, Soifon, hard at work while Yoruichi slacked off a bit, talking with her third seat, Kisuke Urahara.

"Yoruichi!" I called, skipping into the room. She looked up with a warm smile.

"Well, hi there, Akalia!" she greeted. "And Muramasa."

I grinned and sat down in front of her chair, looking at her eagerly.

"Kouga says I'm too slow and need to learn how to fight without a weapon," I told her. "Will you train me?"

She laughed and nodded.

"Sure," she said. "We'll start in the morning."

"Sweetness!" I said, hugging her around the middle before bolting out the door. "See you then!"

I pulled Muramasa after me excitedly and he just let me, knowing by now it was really hard to stop me from doing something I wanted to do.

"Are you hungry, Masa?" I asked, spotting my favorite restaurant. Ever since Sosuke had taken me there for lunch, I absolutely loved it. He gave me an amused, yet annoyed, smile.

"You know I do not get hungry," he reminded me. I giggled and smiled at him.

"Well, I'm famished so let's eat!" I said, pulling him into the establishment. He just sighed and let me, never losing his smile.

"Akalia, come join us!"

I grinned at the call from Shinji. It would seem it was lunch break for a lot of people. I gladly skipped over and pushed Muramasa into the empty seat so I could sit on his lap. The others were surprised by this, but he was used to it and just shook his head with a rueful smile.

"Who's this?" asked Kensei. I grinned.

"This is Masa!" I answered, hugging the spirit, making him roll his eyes with a long-suffering sigh, making me giggle. "Love you, too, Masa."

That startled him, making me laugh and turn back to the menu. I quickly ordered some curry and rice balls (which I shared with Muramasa over my shoulder). The whole time, we were all laughing and joking about training and such… and I realized I had two potential teachers in this room.

"Hey, Kensei?" I asked, getting his attention. He took another gulp of sake and looked at me, waiting. "I need to build up strength and endurance. I was told you were the best. Would you train me?"

"Sure," he said. "We'll start tomorrow afternoon. I've heard you asked Yoruichi for training, too."

I nodded.

"And I have one more person to ask," I went on. "Shinji, I got a new ability that I need to train but you're the only person I know with an illusion-type of zanpakuto. I need your help."

"We'll train in the evenings, then," he said, telling me he'd heard Kensei and I'd conversation. I smiled and hugged them both, making Kensei go bright red and sputter, trying to push me away. Shinji just grinned and slid his hands down my back—

WHACK!

He went flying when Hiyori's sandal nailed him in the head again, making me laugh. I then just hugged Muramasa, much to the zanpakuto's amusement and annoyance. I swear, with him, it was always both emotions, never just one. After we finished eating, I pulled Muramasa back to our own division. I found Kouga sitting alone near the training grounds, looking troubled. I didn't need to be told to know why. His face said it all.

My smile fell as I wordlessly hugged him from behind, resting my head on his shoulder.

"Ginrei not appreciate you, again?" I asked softly. He just sighed, letting me hug him. "He DOES appreciate you, he just can't say it."

He spared me a small, rueful smile.

"So you're always telling me," he stated, pulling me over to sit next to him, letting me hug him from the side instead. I knew, all he needed right now, was for someone to appreciate him. It was a role I gladly filled as often as I could.

"Don't be so down on yourself… or him," I said softly, resting my head on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around my back, just holding me lightly. "It's part of being a noble clan. You can't show ANY kind of favoritism… Though he definitely shows some for that sickly son of his…"

That last comment came out as more of a grumble than anything. It was a well-known fact that I did not like our lieutenant at all. Kouga chuckled and gave me a light squeeze.

"Thanks for trying to make me feel better," he said. I chuckled lowly.

"Yeah, I really suck at that."

He laughed and then just smiled, looking at me.

"I can always count on you to make me feel better, huh?"

I smiled warmly.

"Always and forever," I answered. "It's what best friends do!"

"Best friends?" he repeated, seeming surprised at the term. I nodded.

"The bestest ever!" I went on, making him smile more. "Oh, I got all of my trainers lined up, but it means I won't be about to do my duties as a sixth seat for a while. I'm training every morning with Yoruichi, every afternoon with Kensei, and every evening with Shinji."

His expression quickly turned to concern.

"Isn't that going to be pushing yourself too hard?" he asked. I shrugged.

"I'll find out," I answered. "I really, really want to get stronger so I can start going on those missions with you."

He smiled.

"That excited for it, huh?" he asked. I nodded. "And what makes missions with me so special?"

I blushed darkly at his teasing tone and looked away, choosing not to answer. This only served to make him and Muramasa laugh.

"You know, I've been around you a lot… and I still don't know much about you," he said suddenly, relaxing and looking at me. "What are some things you like?"

I smiled softly.

"The arts," I answered.

"Then you're in the wrong division," he teased. I chuckled.

"Don't care," I answered. "I think, if I had to deal with Kensei and Mashiro on a daily basis, I'd end up shooting them both."

He laughed.

"What about you?" I asked. "I know you love being a Soul Reaper, prefer to meditate near running water, love the color red, and hate spicy foods… what else?"

He was surprised at first, then laughed.

"You know me better than I know you!"

I chuckled.

"Course I do," I told him. "I've been known for my observation skills."

He chuckled and shook his head.

"I enjoy painting," he told me. "It's been a passion of mine since I was a child."

"How did you meet your wife?" I asked, curiously. He gave me a wry smile.

"It was an arranged marriage between our families, as all noble weddings are," he revealed, surprising me. "I was married at the age of thirty."

"Wow," was all I could say. "Don't nobles believe in love or just convenience?"

Kouga gave a hollow laugh.

"Love is not even on their radar," he replied, then looked at me. "What about you? Have someone special in your heart?"

I nodded, blushing a little.

"But I know it will never happen," I told him. "Mainly because that person is not mine to take… I'll get over it… I hope."

He gave me a soft hug.

"Sorry to hear that," he told me honestly. "Unrequited love is awful."

That surprised me.

"You've suffered unrequited love?" I asked, looking into his gorgeous green eyes. He nodded, looking away with a light blush. "Why on earth was it unrequited?"

"I was already married," he answered simply, making me wince.

"Oh," I said lamely. "Sorry…"

He chuckled.

"Not your fault," he assured me. I just gave him a wry smile before letting it fall. "Were there others, before this last one?"

I nodded.

"All unrequited," I answered softly, feeling the all-too-familiar ache in my chest start up. "No one ever loved me back…"

Again, that warm arm gave me a soft squeeze.

"I just wish I knew why…" I admitted softly, turning my head to his chest, feeling the tears burning my eyes. "Those that knew how I felt, either ran from me or laughed about it, adding to the list of mockeries used against me… One of them I'd known for twenty years and trusted…"

Kouga lightly rubbed my arm, pulling me into a proper hug. I was grateful for his comfort. It was the only thing keeping my tears in my eyes, keeping them from rolling down my cheeks.

"Then they're all fools," he assured me quietly. So, to break up the tension, I turned to Muramasa with a light grin.

"What about you, Masa?" I asked teasingly. "Any girl troubles?"

That got an annoyed and amused smile out of him again.

"Just you," he answered simply, making me look at him in shock and amusement and embarrassment as my jaw dropped open. A dark blush crossed my cheeks.

"Masa!" I said finally, hitting his chest in embarrassment. "You say that like I'm a bloody nightmare!"

Behind me, Kouga burst into laughter and all seriousness was gone. Muramasa and I ended up laughing with him, all the tension and sadness leaving us all at once.

"Okay, that was just awful, Masa," I said finally, making the spirit chuckle.

"Well, you're the only person I've really been allowed to manifest around," he told me calmly. I gave him a small grin.

"Then you have no right to make me sound like a nightmare, mister!" I told him, poking his chest, making him chuckle.

"I didn't say you were a nightmare, just my only 'girl trouble'," he corrected me, making me blush again and hit his chest again. Then I turned around and crossed my arms, annoyed and embarrassed. Kouga was still chuckling as he got to his feet. When he offered me his hand, I took it without a second thought, letting him pull me to my feet. I went to help Muramasa up, but he was already standing, making me pout a little and Kouga chuckle again.

"While you train, I'll take over your responsibilities," he told me. I smiled softly.

"I was hoping you would say that," I admitted, pulling out the folder with the patrols. He laughed and took it, glancing over its contents.

"This was well thought out," he commented. I blushed a little.

"It was a collaborated idea between Sosuke and I."

He smiled at that.

"Then I'm sure it's more than efficient," he stated, shutting the folder. I smiled softly, knowing the more I was around him, the more I would fall in love with him. I knew I was doomed.

It was dark, very dark… and in the mists of that darkness, I heard a scream of rage! Racing forward, I was horrified at the sight before me!

"Kensei! Mashiro! Shinji! Hiyori!"

It was as though they couldn't hear me at all!

No… wait… They can't hear me…

Because I'm not really here…

On the ground in front of me were several of my friends… and a few faces I didn't recognize at all. All of them had something white spilling from their mouths, onto their faces. Shinji, however, was still conscious, though he seemed more upset than I'd ever seen before. He was talking to someone; someone I couldn't see… and I couldn't hear a word that was being spoken.

After a few moments, I saw Kisuke and another man appear, both openly shocked at the sight of the others, before they turned their gaze to the man I could not see.

Agonized, I couldn't bear to watch anymore, and turned my gaze away… and the vision faded to black.

With a jerk, my eyes snapped open, horror being my primary emotion.

"Please tell me it was a nightmare," I whispered softly, shaking.

I knew it was not.