True to prediction, I woke alone… but I could still smell him, that unique scent that lingered on my sheets. It brought me such joy to see him again.

"Ready for school?" Yuzu called through the door.

"I'm getting up now," I answered, forcing my body out of bed when I did not wish to go… then I saw it… and I smiled.

~He knows me so well…~

Hanging on the back of my desk chair… was the sash he had worn on his pants, soaked in his scent. I almost felt giddy like a schoolgirl seeing that. So, as I dressed for the day, I used his sash to hold my hair back, wrapping it around my head softly like a headband, tying it at the back of my neck. Now, I could smell him all day… and feel peace deep within my heart.

"Let's go," Ichigo stated, walking out the door with me. I smiled and practically skipped down the street next to him, making him look at me like I'd lost my mind.

"Lysa!" called Orihime, waving at me. I waved back and skipped over, giving her a hug. She laughed. "Good morning!"

"It's a great morning!" I replied. I knew my soul would be glowing if I went to my Soul Room. Ulquiorra was no Shinji… but he was still very sacred to me.

"What's got you so happy?" asked Tatsuki, making me laugh. "You're glowing like a neon sign!"

"Did you get laid?!" another girl asked. I laughed heartily.

"Goodness no!" I answered. "I just got a visit from a very dear friend, that's all."

They all laughed at me and I just enjoyed it. Nothing could bring me down today, not a damn thing. It was already third period when Rukia finally arrived.

"Good morning!" she greeted, acting all cutesy. "Hi everyone! How are you?

"Oh, hey!" Mizuiro greeted. "Good morning, Rukia."

"Looking lovely as always, Rukia," Keigo greeted.

This isn't like you," Mizuiro stated. "It's almost third period.

"Sorry, something came up," Rukia said cheerfully. "By the way, Ichigo… um… May I steal you for a second?"

"Huh?" Ichigo asked, stepping closer. "What do you want? You wanna talk then let's do it here. Oof!"

Ichigo doubled over as Rukia hit him in the gut. I snickered, but got up, deciding to follow them. I knew she'd know I was there, too.

"Oh, Ichigo!" Rukia said innocently. "What happened? I'd better get you to the nurse's office."

Once outside, she tossed Ichigo a duck-shaped pez dispenser. I giggled, realizing what it was. I laughed even harder when she mentioned wanting to get a bunny. Only after Ichigo swallowed the candy did I sense something wrong. After Ichigo and Rukia left, it was confirmed in my mind. He stretched his muscles… then broke the wall with a single kick! I narrowed my eyes. I knew what he was now. However, rather than let this one make a scene, I saw the kendo instructor approaching him… and leapt down, running towards him.

"Ichigo!" I called, getting his attention. "There you are!"

I took his hand.

"Come on!" I said, pulling him away. "You're going to be late to class!"

Once out of earshot of the old man, I pushed him against the nearest wall.

"I know what you are," I said, getting his attention. "Don't worry, I have no intention of snitching… but it you don't want to end up like your brethren, you'd better be damned good at pretending to be Ichigo. He's going to rely on you a lot."

He seemed wary of me.

"I know you're a mod soul," I finished, watching him tense ever more. "What is your name?"

"I don't have one," he answered finally. I nodded and relaxed, releasing him, taking his hand again.

"Come on," I told him. "Ichigo will be quite pissed if you ruin his attendance record. If you need any guidance, feel free to ask… and I'm calling you Kon. During lunch and after school, we can test your limits, take Ichigo's body for a test run, if you will. Can you contain yourself until then?"

He nodded numbly and I smiled, kissing his cheek, watching a rather lecherous grin cross his face.

"Good," I told him, well aware that his eyes were on my girls. "Behave yourself until then… and you won't have to just look…"

That got his eyes to snap up to mine, that face becoming torn between shock and the promise of many lecherous things to come. I laughed and pulled him up to the classroom without a word.

"Whoa, Ichigo!" Keigo greeted, surprised to see him walking with his hand in mine. "Are you two-timing Rukia now?"

I laughed.

"He was never with Rukia," I answered calmly, though I saw Kon grin at the idea and leaned over. "Less like you, more like him, Kon. Keep that in mind, please. Feel free to be yourself when we're no longer at school, okay?"

He nodded and fixed his expression a bit. I relaxed with a smile. True to my word, when lunch came, I took him out to the track and field.

"What part of you was modified, or do you know?" I asked. Immediately, he tapped his legs and I chuckled. "I can't use any of my spiritual energy right now, so I won't be able to keep up with you. Take a few laps. Let's see what you can do! Run, jump, just have fun!"

He grinned and did just that. His speed and jumping height were phenomenal! I was swept up watching him move.

"Wow…" I commented, when he paused near me, tensing up a bit.

"What the hell was that?" Ichigo asked, Rukia staring hard at Kon. I frowned at her, but smiled at Ichigo.

"It would seem that you bought a great treasure," I told Ichigo. "With a tragic backstory."

That got his attention.

"Kon is a mod soul, a creation of the Soul Society during project Spearhead," I explained. "The idea was the reanimate the dead to fight hollows since there aren't enough Soul Reapers to be everywhere at once. Unfortunately for those modified souls, the Soul Society ruled project Spearhead to be against nature and demanded that all mod souls be destroyed. A few slipped away, like Kon here. The same day he was created… he was given a death sentence."

"That's horrible!" Ichigo stated, his tone and expression disgusted.

"And he must be turned in to the Soul Society," Rukia began, only for me to step between her and Kon. Seconds later, so did Ichigo.

"Never," I told her. "I believe Ichigo and I are more than satisfied with your purchase. Besides, you wanted a soul to take Ichigo's body when he's out doing his Soul Reaper duties, yes? Now you have one, and a damned good one, I might add. Ichigo can't be in two places at once. As long as Kon doesn't cause damage to Ichigo's body, I see no reason to condemn him for something he could not control."

I knew right then that Rukia did not like me. It was in her eyes. She hated that I was stopping her from obeying the law, as her duty demanded… but I couldn't let her take Kon. I turned my pleading gaze to Ichigo and I saw his eyes soften.

"I agree," Ichigo spoke up. "Besides, I'm sure there are more hollows around town. Kon?"

The mod soul looked at Ichigo. His eyes spoke volumes of his confusion and gratitude.

"Hang onto my body for a while longer," he told him, surprising him yet again. "I imagine it's been a while for you. Take the rest of the school day… Just don't do irreparable damage to my reputation, okay?"

Kon nodded and Ichigo dragged Rukia away, her sputter protests the whole time. I turned to Kon with a smile.

"Want to run some more or would you rather eat?" I asked, holding up the lunches Yuzu had packed for us. He gave me a warm smile and took his.

"Thanks… for standing up for me," he told me. I kissed his cheek, enjoying the light tinting as his smile turned to a grin.

"It's a pleasure, Kon," I assured him, then took his hand and led him to the roof to eat. It was fun watching his face light up at different tastes, almost like watching a child. "You're too cute."

That got another blush from him, making me laugh… then start to think.

"We'll have to find you a place to hide when Ichigo isn't using you," I commented, getting an idea. He didn't like that grin on my face. "I have an idea… and all the girls will love you!"

That made him light up like Christmas had come early. Then I grinned.

"Though, you'll find it less pleasant, I imagine," I told him. He got wary of me again, making me laugh at his face. "Gods, you're gonna be so much fun!"

I laughed again and then pulled him back to class to finish the day. At the ending bell, Ichigo met us right outside, only for me to catch sight of Kisuke. As soon as his cane headed for Kon, I caught his pill as it exited before Kisuke could take it.

"I need that back," he told me firmly. I shook my head at him.

"You can't have him," I replied.

"Yeah," Ichigo agreed.

"Is it customary for you to confiscate merchandise that has already been paid for?" Rukia asked him, making Kisuke uncomfortable. "Besides, you'll find we are very satisfied with our purchase."

"And we will deal with the trouble as it comes," I finished, my expression letting him know he was NOT going to win this one. So, Kisuke sighed.

"Very well," he told us. "Enjoy your package."

Then he, Ururu, Jinta, and Tessai left, Jinta complaining the whole time about how he didn't get to battle. I just shook my head and smiled at the pill in my hand.

"You guys head home," I told them. "I'll be along shortly. I need to buy something."

They nodded and I took my leave. On the way, I saw a garage sale. There, I spotted the cutest little plush lion!

~It's perfect! ~

Kon's going to kill you.

The amusement in his voice only served to make me giggle as I paid the little girl for her old toy. I waited until we got home before I pushed the pill in its mouth. A few moments later, Kon looked up at me.

"W-why are you bigger?" he asked. I chuckled and pointed to the mirror, making him scream like a little girl when he saw himself. "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!"

I laughed heartily as he carried on. Then, I decided it was time to get out of my uniform. Shortly after I started undressing, Kon fell silent, his eyes devouring every inch of skin I was exposing. I chuckled at him, noting the near whimper when my peach, lacy bra came into view as I changed shirts into something more comfortable. Then I stripped away the skirt, letting him have full view of my silken bikini underwear as I changed into a pair of loose-fitting pants. Only after did I sit down on the bed next to him.

"Worth getting turned into a plush toy?" I teased, wondering how on earth a toy could get a nosebleed. I grabbed a few tissues and started cleaning it up, amused to no end at his inability to speak.

"They are like heavenly golden mounds…" he said finally, his voice all airy and dreamy. I laughed softly and ran a nail down the side of his face, enjoying the little shiver that went through him.

"Tell you what," I began, a teasing tone to my voice. "Behave well for Ichigo… and I'll let you HELP me dress when you're in his body."

The nosebleed that had finally stopped came back full-force as he looked like he was gonna die and go to heaven. I laughed again and went to my desk, pulling out my homework.

"All these nosebleeds… I'm starting to think you've never actually seen a pair of breasts," I teased him, making him blush darkly. "Were you a virgin before you were modified, Kon?"

His blush darkened.

"Absolutely not!" he answered immediately, making me laugh.

"Liar," I stated, making him flush. "Virgins are so cute… You all blush so easy."

"Are you really pregnant?" he asked, looking at my stomach. "Is Ichigo really—"

"He is not," I cut him off, feeling an ache in my heart. "Their father…"

I paused, my hand going to my heart, the pain making me wince.

"Their father and I… lost contact… and I left," I explained. "I… I couldn't have my babies in the Soul Society. They could be just like me, born Halflings, half-hollow."

That startled Kon.

"The moment they are born, they… and I… will be condemned to die, just for existing," I went on. "They were not safe there… so Isshin and his family took me in. Ichigo lets our classmates think these babes are his if only to spare my fading heart more ache."

"Fading heart?" he repeated slowly. I sighed and turned to face him, unbuttoning my shirt to show him the hole where my heart was. His eyes widened.

"A Halfling can only love once," I explained. "If their heart is broken, their hollow blood rises up and devours them, turning them into mindless killing machines, far worse than any normal hollow. At least a hollow is capable of thought and feeling. What we become… is nothing more than an empty shell with mountains of power and a thirst to destroy everything around us. I should have turned the instant my heart was broken… but I managed to buy myself some time for the sake of my children… but even the best calculations only give me until after the boys turn two."

I buttoned my shirt back up.

"When I turn, I already have people sworn to run me through… to kill me before I can hurt anyone…" I finished quietly, looking at my lap. "I'd never forgive myself if I did…"

Kon was silent for a while, letting me focus on my math.

"You chose to love him… their father?" he asked. I nodded, clenching my fist.

"And he was taken from me… through the betrayal of someone I thought of as my best friend," I revealed. "No, he is not dead… but even if he did return to me, it's too late now. Once the turning has begun… nothing can stop it."

Abruptly, I felt him jump to my lap and give me as much of a hug as he could in his small form. With tears sliding down my face, I gladly accepted the comfort he was willing to give.

Tomorrow. It would be tomorrow.

I saw it in the whole family as the hour drew near, Ichigo especially. He began to distance himself from everyone… I knew it was making Rukia worried, but I figured it wasn't my place to say anything. I felt out of place in this moment, so very out of place… So I left to stay with Kisuke this morning, meaning to stay until the day after tomorrow. Fortunately, he said not a word and just let me in. I helped Tessai stock shelves as much as I could, though he would rather I'd just take it easy. Considering I was carrying twins, I could have them any day now, though I wasn't due for another month.

"Do you want anything?" asked Tessai, seeing me relaxing in my room, looking out at the night sky. I shook my head.

"No, thank you," I answered with a soft smile. "If I find I do need something, I know where the kitchen is. I'll clean up after myself and everything."

He spared me a small smile, then let it fall, making me frown.

"Tessai… what's bothering you?" I asked him softly.

"I don't think what you've asked Kisuke and Yoruichi to do to Shinji is the right choice," he vocalized. "He should KNOW he has children, that you are alive—"

"So he can go through the pain of losing me again, living each and every day knowing I will become a monster that must be destroyed?" I cut him off. His expression wavered, knowing I was right about that being cruel… but… "I know you have only the best at heart, Tessai… but losing me once for a hundred years was bad enough… I cannot be cruel and ask him to go through that agony a second time, though I know he would without hesitation."

I paused, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Please understand, Tessai," I said softly. "I'm doing this… BECAUSE I love him…"

Finally, he sighed and nodded, letting the matter drop. Shortly after he left, my phone began to ring. Smiling softly, I picked it up and answered.

"Hello?" I greeted, wondering who could be calling me.

"You seem in low spirits. Are you mourning with the family?"

"Sosuke!" I said cheerfully. Though I knew he betrayed Shinji… I could not find it in my heart to hate him. I was always glad to hear from him. "No, I'm not mourning that… I just… got confronted by a choice I made that someone else really didn't like… and it wasn't an easy decision to make."

"I see."

Sosuke was never one to press for answers when he knew I didn't want to give them.

"Also, thank you for finding Ulquiorra!" I said suddenly, remembering. "That was the best gift you could have given me!"

He chuckled.

"Yes," he agreed. "Gin mentioned you would enjoy that. I'm assuming that Ulquiorra is very dear to you?"

"He raised Kit and I," I answered, realizing I hadn't told Sosuke anything about him. "He is very dear to me. I don't know how to thank you for finding him and giving him a better life. Actually, I don't know how to thank you for a lot of things you've done for me…"

I fell silent, realizing just how badly I'd been taking advantage of him.

"I'm actually starting to feel like a real bitch, looking back now…" I commented ruefully, only to pause as he chuckled.

"Don't let it trouble you," he assured me. "Your joy was more than enough, as well as your trust in me."

I got a wry smile.

"This coming from a man that says trust is a waste of time and effort for the powerful," I teased, making him chuckle again. Then I got serious. "Sosuke… how have you been doing? I know I've been taking a lot of energy from you…"

"I'm fine," he assured me. "I've hardly missed it."

"Have so much to spare?" I teased, getting another chuckle. "Do you want me to call you when it's time?"

"I would very much like to be there, as I'm sure Rangiku and Gin would as well," he replied, his voice kind and gentle, telling me the choice was truly mine to make. I relaxed.

"I would feel much better with you here," I admitted. I could practically hear him smile.

"Then I will be there," he assured me. "Maybe not precisely when it happens, as I assume you'll have a large crowd to deal with as is, but I will come a bit later."

~Not quite what I wanted… but I can understand. ~

"Thank you," I told him warmly. "I really can always count on you…"

"And you always will be able to," he assured me. "I'm afraid I must let you go, but I will check in with you soon."

"Of course," I agreed, smiling softly. "I always look forward to hearing from you. Until next time, Sosuke."

"Until then, Vasilysa," he answered, then hung up. I smiled softly and put my phone away. After a few moments, I sighed and forced myself out of my room and went to find Kisuke. I was unsurprised to see him tinkering on a new invention, making me smile softly.

"Need a hand?" I asked him. He smiled and had me come stand just in front of him.

"Take a look," he said, gesturing to the microscope. "What do you see?"

I pulled my hair aside and looked down. After a few moments, I smiled softly, looking back at Kisuke.

"Mitosis stage four, why?" I asked. He smiled, seeming somewhat proud that I knew that.

"I've been studying the hollowfication, trying to find a way to cure it," he told me. "What I've learned, is there is no cure… only ways to control it and treat it."

"So… Shinji and the others… will always be half-hollow now?" I summed up. He nodded, looking frustrated. "Kisuke, remember what I told you."

He gave me an exasperated smile.

"Heard you talking to Aizen," he said suddenly, getting serious. I rolled my eyes, knowing why Kisuke was bringing it up. He didn't like that I still talked to him any more than anyone else he betrayed did. "I've noticed that you continue not to tell him they are alive."

"Not his concern," I answered. "Sosuke doesn't need to know everything."

"Yet you told Ulquiorra everything," he pointed out. "Will he not just report all he learns to Aizen?"

I frowned.

"I cannot control what Ulquiorra does with the information," I reminded him. "But I will not hide the truth from someone I dearly love. He was no Shinji, but I still loved him dearly. He deserves answers, not questions, Kisuke."

"Then shouldn't Shinji as well?"

I froze.

"Ulquiorra knows you will die now," Kisuke went on, his voice firm and gentle all at the same time. "You're letting him feel the pain of losing you twice over, even letting him KNOW when it will come and how it will happen. You're letting him live and breathe the truth… so why won't you do the same courtesy for Shinji?"

"Dammit, Kisuke!" I swore, rounding on him. "I've made my decision on that number! And you know damn well why! Stop this now! He doesn't need this on top of everything else he's going through right now! Gods bless it! Just drop it and leave it alone already!"

"I will not," he told me firmly, keeping his voice level. "He deserves the truth, even more than Ulquiorra does."

"So you would make him suffer ten-fold?" I demanded crossly. "Are you truly that heartless?"

"Am I truly the one that's being heartless?" he shot back, before leaving me to my thoughts, making me throw the nearest item to me against the wall in vexation. I knew I'd have to pay to replace it as it shattered… but I just couldn't bring myself to care.

"DAMMIT!"

Third Person POV

After Vasilysa went to sleep, Yoruichi approached Kisuke.

"She's not budging, is she?"

The man shook his head.

"She's bound and determined to keep this from him," he replied. "I just can't seem to get through to her…"

"Then maybe we should take matters into our own hands and tell them ourselves," she suggested. "They deserve to know, especially Shinji."

"She'll never forgive us."

"I can live with that."

Elsewhere, Two Days Later

"We got a message from Kisuke!" called out Mashiro, waving it in her hand. No one was really that interested. "And it has some interesting information for Shinji."

That got some mild interest.

"Something about a Miss Dragomir—"

In seconds, the note was snatched from her hand as the blonde quickly scanned it, only for his face to tighten, his hands clenching the paper so tightly it was threatening to tear. He started to shake, mainly in fury, but also despair.

"That… bastard…"

The words cut out of him through clenched teeth as he crumpled the paper. He said not another word, just vanished in a flash. Curious, several pairs of hands went to the note and uncrumpled it.

"Dear Shinji," read Mashiro loudly. "I do regret keeping a single secret from you, but it was on behalf of the one it is about. Miss Dragomir is alive… and living in… Karakura Town?!"

Mashiro was baffled but Hiyori, dearest Hiyori, was filled with fury.

"Kisuke! That bastard!" she roared before pulling out her sword and starting to demolish the area around them. The rest of the Visords were confused.

"Why is he a bastard?" asked Lisa carefully. This was a whole new level of fury from Hiyori they had never seen. Hiyori put her sword down, her shoulders slumping.

"That's inhumanly cruel, getting Shinji's hopes up like that," she said darkly. "Miss Dragomir… is the one we knew… as Akalia Kuchiki."

Dun Dun Dun...

And things take a turn for the interesting. Will Shinji find her? Will he believe Kisuke? Will Vasilysa ever forgive Kisuke for interfering? Wow, this chapter was emotional... Stay tuned for even more emotional roller coaster rides!

Viper-Sindel

P.S.

Reviews are wonderful things!