With a yawn, I slowly sat up.

~I must have cried myself to sleep…~

Softly, I noted that both boys were missing, their bassinettes elsewhere. A quick scan of the house showed that Kon, Yuzu, Karin, and Isshin had them downstairs. It was sweet that they'd let me sleep. I felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off my chest after last night, all my indecision and strife gone in only a few hours' time.

~Thank you, Rose… Hiyori… Isshin… Durnehviir…~

About time you stopped moping around. I was beginning to think you would never see sense.

I chuckled softly and glanced at the time. I had roughly an hour before Hiyori would show up. So, I grabbed a shower and made myself presentable. I decided to wear a comfortable set of bell-bottom black jeans and a crimson halter-top that accented my cleavage, a black jean jacket over it. I put in my gold studs and let my hair fall loosely in waves around me. I would look young and hot today. Pulling on a set of strappy stilettos I then made my way downstairs, enjoying the light whistles Kon and Isshin gave me, grinning at them both with a slight blush.

"Don't you look young and gorgeous!" Isshin teased. I blushed and looked around for the diaper bag. "Just stop. I'll keep the boys with me today so that you and Hiyori can enjoy your day out."

I was surprised.

"Isshin… You're so sweet!" I told him, hugging him. He grinned.

"I know!" he said, hugging me back. Then we sat down for breakfast and I ate my fill completely. Shortly after, the doorbell rang and I met Hiyori at the door.

"Let's go!" I told her, skipping past. "Bye Isshin, Yuzu, Karin, Ichigo! I'll be back later!"

"Bye!" was their reply and Hiyori started shaking her head with a smile.

"So, Rose got through to you?" she asked. I smiled warmly and nodded.

"I'll face Shinji after the start of the new term in September," I told her. "Better to spend my final days with him than making us both miserable… Sorry it took me so damned long to figure that out."

She just rolled her eyes, though I noted the smile on her face.

"Let's just get going, already," she grumbled, trying to cover up her own relief.

Shinji's POV

Shinji was glad he'd set up alerts through his email for all purchases on his card… but the purchases really weren't making any sense to him. Was he furnishing some pregnant woman's home? Or did she already have the kids and just needed supplies for them? Was it a new house?

So many questions without answers… and then there was that scene yesterday, the looks Rose and Hiyori had both worn during their argument.

~What is everyone hiding from me? ~

He wouldn't lie. It was really starting to piss him off.

Vasilysa hid things from you, too.

~That's different. ~

Sakanade gave him a knowing look.

Is it?

Shinji chose not to answer. When his phone went off again, he looked down at the latest purchase.

~Cookware and silverware… Must be furnishing a house… Why am I doing this for a complete stranger again? ~

He was debating cancelling his card halfway through this shopping spree… but knew he'd feel like an ass if he did. Shinji sighed and looked over the small apartment he owned. It was a complete mess. He hadn't cleaned it since Kisuke had tried to convince him Vasilysa was alive.

~That lying bastard! ~

It still stung, even now. His heart ached, like someone was ripping it out of his chest, as he remembered her. He scowled. He hadn't even had a date since that damned note. He even felt a little guilty about all those girls, part of him wondering how she would have felt about him sleeping around like that…

You and I both know she wouldn't hold it against you. She would be upset marginally on the grounds that you knew you were only using them and not trying to move on, though.

Shinji knew Sakanade was right.

*Just imagine if Kisuke WAS telling the truth. How much would it hurt her to know about all those tramps, Shinji? How much would it horrify her, knowing what you are now? *

Shinji threw his empty sake bottle across the room, hearing it shatter against the far wall as he heard his hollow's voice. He began to shake in rage and anguish.

~Don't you dare talk about her! You have no right! ~

The hollow grinned maliciously.

*Don't I? I am part of you. I wonder if she'll still want you after all this time… You've grown so weak, so scared, so pathetic—*

~ENOUGH! ~

Shinji's voice roared through his head, his rage coating his vision red.

~It doesn't matter. She isn't alive…~

And the sting of the truth returned, causing that familiar ache deep in his heart. The loneliness wrapped around him like a vise, take away all his happiness and his energy. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he pulled his knees up to his chest, laying his head on his arms, just letting them fall. His grief seemed unending, undying. Every time he thought he was going to be okay… life would come crashing down and remind him he wasn't. He had just begun coming to terms with losing her, had just started to seriously date girls… when that damned note had come.

~Kisuke, you bastard…~

Right after the seethed thought, his heart clenched painfully and another wave of tears hit.

~Vasilysa…~

Vasilysa's POV

Hiyori had been helping me the past two weeks, getting my new apartment set up. Rose had even come to help with some of the heavy lifting, which I definitely appreciated. Ichigo had finally left for the Soul Society last night, left for the hardest battles of his life yet. I had let my prayers go with them, hoping against all hope that they were alive and safe. Only time would tell how things went.

In the meantime, I busied myself at home. Hiyori visited daily, more than happy to help me out with my boys and they absolutely adored her. She had gotten to see them scoot across the floor for the first time… She had laughed uproariously when Yukiya had scooted forward to the point that his head was against the television stand and he started crying, realizing he couldn't move forward anymore. Laughing, Hiyori had turned the distraught baby around and he had happily began scooting forwards again.

Enra wasn't nearly as active as his brother. He preferred to let his brother learn things first… and learn from his mistakes. Yukiya was a leader. Enra was a follower. It was clear in their personalities, clear just who they were. They still looked annoyingly identical, which confused all normal people. But for those of us that could sense Spiritual Pressure, you could tell the difference in their reiatsu. That made it really easy to tell them apart.

"Kisuke came by the other day with some interesting things to say," Hiyori told me, getting my attention. I glanced over at him as I fed Yukiya and she held Enra. "He said Ichigo, your boy, had developed a hollow like we have."

I nodded.

"So I heard," I agreed. "Ichigo told me… though he doesn't realize there's a hollow inside him. He just recalled the mask that formed on his face before he got his Soul Reaper powers back."

She frowned.

"Will he be strong?" she asked. I nodded.

"He will need trained, but he will not go to you so easily," I warned. "He is headstrong and independent. The thought of having a monster trying to control him is something he will fight alone as long as he can… unless forced to see it for what it really is… and I have no idea how you're going to get through to him. I wouldn't worry about it too much… not until his hollow really starts to become a problem for him. Only then will he listen."

"He listens to you," she pointed out. I frowned.

"Not enough," I replied. "I will do what I can from my end, but the rest is up to you."

She nodded, understanding.

"I'll leave recruiting him to Shinji, then," she stated. "He's better with people."

I knew it killed her to admit he was better at something than she was. It made me smile. Now the thought of Shinji no longer hurt. It no longer filled me with terror. Granted, I was still a little afraid of how he would react the first time I saw him… but I knew, no matter what, we would get through it together, just as we always had. My heart had not ached at all since Rose had gotten through to me. I was… at peace.

"Knock, knock!" called Kon, entering my home. I smiled at him and he took a seat next to me, stretching out. "What a day… How've you been? Adjusting to living alone?"

I smiled softly, tenderly.

"I'm doing wonderfully," I assured him. "Hiyori has been the best, helping me out every day. She'll make an amazing mom someday."

As predicted, Hiyori immediately lit up like a bulb, her face so red, and she sputtered and objected, telling me she would NEVER have kids or be dumb enough to fall in love with a guy. Kon, of course, challenged every statement, every thought, only managing to piss Hiyori off. Soon enough, he got a flip-flop to the face and I giggled, watching him sail across the room.

Then the two began arguing in earnest.

"Guys, take it outside," I told them firmly. "You're upsetting the boys."

That got both of them to settle down, guilty expressions on their faces as the whimpering and soft cries of nervous tension reached their ears.

"Sorry," they chorused, Hiyori picking up Enra again, calming him in an instant as he nuzzled into her warmth. I smiled softly, just watching that.

"Are you going to get a job?" asked Kon. I shook my head and held up Sosuke's card.

"He had Ulquiorra deliver it," I stated, putting it back in my wallet. "Financially, I'm set… at least until September."

I smiled softly, my heart racing in excitement and nervousness at the thought.

~Shinji…~

I could remember how it felt to have his arms around me… and as the days ticked by, my desire to see him grew. I knew he was going to be given a very long-overdue explanation, but I started to care less and less about that and more and more about just getting to hold him, to hear his heartbeat again… to hold him in my arms, to smell that delicious scent that was him and him alone…

"WAKE UP!"

I slammed into the far wall, a flip-flop having slammed into my cheek, making me yelp.

"Don't just sit there and daydream!" Hiyori shouted. "You look stupid, you idiot!"

I laughed, agreeing with her. My laughter only seemed to increase her ire, though a smile tugged at her lips. She seemed grateful that I wasn't mopey anymore. Just after I sat back down, my head spun as a vision overwhelmed me.

It was in a room I'd never seen, the sunlight creeping through a nearly completely closed window. Following that small beam, you could make out two bodies moving fluidly together, pressed up against a wall. Cries of pure ecstasy pierced the air, pulled from the woman's lungs.

"Ah… Shinji!"

Said male thrust even faster and harder, making her cries echo.

"V-Vasilysa…" he groaned.

With a gasp, I came out of it, nearly keeling over at the emotions and heat racing through me. Two sets of arms caught me in seconds, holding me steady.

"S-sorry," I stuttered, trying to get my bearings. My vision was blurred, skewed… "V-vision…"

I was confused. Never had I ever been able to see myself before… So how had I seen myself now? A blush raced across my cheeks as I recalled what was happening… followed by warmth flooding my body… followed by hot, naked desire.

~Gods… Shinji…~

I was trembling, missing that sensual, sinful warmth… Unconsciously, my reiatsu began to reach out towards his—

"Stop it!" Hiyori yelled, getting attention. Abruptly, I snapped out it, fighting back my instincts once more.

"Sorry," I apologized again. "That vision really threw me…"

"Clearly," she grumbled, getting back to my boys. Enra and Yukiya were both on the floor now, scooting around. Yukiya was definitely going to be the first to crawl. He was so determined…

Like his father.

I chuckled, agreeing, though my mind turned elsewhere. Careful to keep my own reiatsu contained, I sought out Shinji's. I was not disappointed, finding him all alone in an apartment complex on the other side of town… and his aura was depressed… and sick…

I frowned deeply.

"He's drunk again…" I muttered, not meaning for anyone to hear me. "Dammit, Shinji…"

I shook those thoughts away and forced my senses away as well. I trusted my Ada to know what he was doing. After all, I was certain he wouldn't be drinking so heavily (except for celebratory purposes) once I got to him… if he'd have me back…

Your vision just showed that he would.

~Yes, but it said nothing about how long it would take for him to forgive me to get to that point again…~

Durnehviir, thankfully, chose not to reply, knowing I had a point.

"I'm gonna head out," Hiyori stated. "I'm supposed to get lunch today."

I chuckled.

"Be safe," I told her. She just waved it off as she left.

"I'm gonna head home, too," Kon told me. "Yuzu's making Cajun Chicken."

I laughed. He loved that food.

"Have fun," I told him, waving him away. He smiled and took his leave. Now, left with a peaceful house, I let my boys relax on the floor. Now that no one was here… I was free to act.

I sent out a tendril of strictly hollow energy towards the very drunk Shinji, mildly amused when he didn't immediately refute it, instead raising his head to study it curiously. His energy was ready for battle if necessary… but I had mine caress him instead, wiping away tears he had shed. I didn't dare speak, knowing he would know my voice on the spot… but I could comfort him as best I could, sending waves of it through my reiatsu. Shinji was on edge about it for a while, but his hollow energy knew its beta when it sensed me. He welcomed my touch with open arms, seeming to get Shinji to relax as well and just accept it. My heart ached deeply, feeling his pain as he let it flow, releasing his control completely, surrendering his reiatsu to mine, desperately needing the comfort. Unable to stop myself, I had to comfort him even more. I borrowed Sakanade's voice.

~One more month, Shinji… One more month… and you'll never have to drink from loneliness again. I promise. ~

-How can you promise such a thing, Hollow? –

I could feel his anger and refusal to believe me, so I caressed him tenderly again.

~Calm yourself… That heart was not lost, that life was not taken… it was merely removed from that time and place… to where it would not hurt anymore. ~

I paused, letting him puzzle that out for a moment.

~She is very much alive. Kisuke… did not lie… and that thing she wanted to tell you, the day it happened… you will get to see first-hand. She has saved it, all these years, just for you. ~

I could feel painful hope before he pushed it aside with great anger.

~Why do you think your friends keep hiding something from you? ~

He froze.

~Why do you think they continue to be on pins and needles around you? Did you really think Hiyori would so blatantly use your time, your emotions, your money… unless you had something to gain? ~

Now that painful hope was starting to engulf him.

-But… I searched for her… and I couldn't find her, couldn't sense her…-

I sighed.

~You cannot sense energy that is being constantly consumed. Even now, it has not fully recovered from her ordeal. ~

I could feel his worry, his concern… then his feeling of helplessness, realizing he hadn't been there when I had needed him. It warmed my heart to know he still loved me this much…

~You will understand, I promise. One month, Shinji Hirako. One month… and you will see her again. ~

Then I pulled away, leaving him to his thoughts.

"That was risky."

I jumped, my eyes snapping open to see Kisuke sitting across from me.

"He could have chosen to battle that hollow rather than listen, you know," he stated. I smiled softly.

"Clearly, you know nothing of hollows," I told him simply, getting him to look at me from under his hat. "His hollow recognized his beta, even if he did not realize it was me, exactly. He would not turn me away. A hollow can no more ignore their beta than they can stop desiring more power. It is part of who they are. Even against their will, they will be drawn to it and respond to it. It is much harder on an alpha to contain that bond than it is on a beta."

"I thought you said you didn't want him to know about you," he put in, his words cautious. I smiled softly.

"You can thank Rose for getting something through my thick skull," I answered. "In one month, whether I like it or not, Ada has decided to take the choice from me entirely. Ready or not, I will see him and have to face him. Ada has made damn sure of that."

The silence was peaceful.

"Ichigo's hollow will need trained," I went on. "They will have to meet… and in one month, they will approach him. When that time comes…"

"You will be forced face-to-face with Hirako," Tessai put in, coming out of the kitchen with some tea.

"Thank you, Tessai," I said softly. "And yes."

I took a sip from the offered cup.

"Only Ada knows how that meeting will go," I commented softly. "But… with only three months left… I really don't have room to complain."

The silence fell again.

"You're worried about them, aren't you?" I asked softly, glancing over at Kisuke. Slowly, he nodded.

"Ten days is not enough time to truly prepare someone," he answered. I chuckled.

"Relax," I told him. "I assure you, they'll be fine. Sosuke's been sending me updates since I asked for them. They're all alive and fine. They'll come back in one piece."

"And you trust Sosuke's reports?" he asked me, his voice low. I chuckled.

"Of course not," I answered. "I've been collaborating his reports with Rangiku's and Gin's. Rangiku knows only what the Soul Society knows. Sosuke tells me only what he wants me to know. Gin is my filter. He knows everything… and since we're both aiming for the same goal, he leaves nothing out."

"The same goal," Kisuke repeated slowly. I smiled softly.

"To defeat your enemy… you must first make him your friend," I quoted him, surprising him. "Gin, though he acts the traitor, is on our side. Sosuke started this path a long time ago, the day he hurt Rangiku and Gin witnessed it. He swore that day to do what he had to, no matter what it was, to protect her from Sosuke… and to get revenge for that day. I trust Gin with not only my life, but the lives of my children, Ichigo and his family, and everyone else."

"You want revenge on Sosuke?" he asked me, seeming surprised. I lost my smile, a dark, bitter look coming to my face.

"If it wasn't for Sosuke, Shinji and I would probably still be in the Soul Society, married, and have a lot more children than these two," I answered softly. "Shinji was not the only one that lost everything that day. Gin told me everything, everything he knew. Sosuke is the one that convinced the captains to turn on Kouga. Sosuke is the one that told Kit where to find Shinji and I that last night of training before he went off the deep end. Sosuke is the one that took Shinji from me. He has been behind it all."

I paused.

"And I'd be a fool if I didn't know why," I continued quietly. "Up until Shinji was taken from me, he had no concept of what I was, of what would happen to me. He never stopped apologizing to me in the hospital while I struggled to awaken. I heard him, but I couldn't respond… nor could I understand why he was apologizing. Sosuke begged me to come back, begged me to stay with him."

"He loves you," Tessai deduced, his tone shocked. I nodded softly.

"I knew about his true feelings for me since that seven-minutes-in-heaven," I admitted, surprising them. "But my heart already belonged to Shinji… and I could not and would not take it back."

"Is Sosuke—"

"No," I cut Kisuke off. "He is not my alpha. He just simply fell in love. No draw. No bond… just pure, untainted love… Love that became obsession and a desire to keep me for himself… until he realized he could not. Now, while his feelings still remain (strong as ever), he has contented himself with the knowledge that I cannot love him how he wants nor deserves… but I can be his friend. That has become enough for him… for now."

I paused.

"Gin thinks Sosuke is seeking the Spirit King's power… so he can take my heart back from Shinji by force, both saving my life and freeing me from him."

"Freeing you for the taking," Kisuke finished my thought. His eyes were troubled as he realized just how badly messed up this whole thing was. "He targeted Shinji on purpose… just to get him away from you… and the others were just in the wrong place at the wrong time!"

I nodded again.

"He targeted Kensei as well," I pointed out. "Due to how he openly pursued me even while I was clearly with Shinji. It really irritated Sosuke and frustrated him. There was yet another obstacle in his path that needed removed."

Kisuke closed his eyes, realizing just how well the puzzle was coming together. He was shaking his head, struggling to wrap his mind around this emotion-based calamity.

"So… he means to target anyone that gets close to you… so all you have left, is him…"

I nodded.

"Ulquiorra, while one of my alphas, is not a threat, as he and I mutually agreed to never pursue that kind of relationship," I continued. "As long as he continues to serve Sosuke faithfully, he will be spared."

Kisuke was struggling to wrap his head around all this, struggling to come to terms with it. I knew it was a lot to absorb. It had taken me a while to understand it, myself.

Understanding… would come with time.