Chapter 8

Bring Your Own What?

By Demon-of-Cats

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, the Tite does. I only own my OC's and OOC's.

Warnings: This is AU and contains some spoilers.

No flames please, but constructive criticism is welcome.

This is based off a real event. I wasn't a part of it but I heard about it second hand and couldn't help but make it into a story. I will not mention names or dates to protect the public education teacher that did this.

It had been a long seven years since the escape of the condemned, and Moria wasn't recovering quickly. She would do her duties and then just stare blankly at the wall for several hours.

Komamura did his best to help keep her busy and it helped a little, but her eyes had lost a lot of their light. She'd smile for him every now and then but, it wasn't a happy smile, it was just a smile to keep him from worrying over her too much.

She had just given him one of those smiles when he received a letter. He looked sadly at her and then opened the note and read it.

Dear Mr. Komamura and Miss Hirako,

I am having a party and would like you two to come. It is a week from tomorrow. Hope to see you there.

Oh yes, I don't have many dishes so, please, bring your own bowels.

Thank you,

Captain Kyôraku

Komamura stared at the note for a moment trying to figure out what seemed off. Then he chuckled when he realized what it was.

"Moria," he called and held up the note, "Come here and read this."

Moria walked over slowly and took the note. She read it a few times and blinked.

Komamura watched as a smile, a real one, spread across her face and then she laughed.

"Well, we always have our bowels with us but we'll go ahead and bring some bowls," she chuckled out.

"You're smiling," Komamura said and pulled her close, "And you laughed. I was starting to think that I would never see or hear that again."

Moria smiled and let him hold her so gently. She wrapped her arms around him in return and smiled again, "I haven't really felt it. I guess I just needed something to snap me out of it."

Komamura smiled sadly, still holding her. He wished he could have been the one to snap her out of it.

"Thanks for showing the letter to me Sajin," Moria said, "It really helped."

"Not a problem," Komamura said and helped her to stand, "Where are you going?"

"Just to the next room," she mumbled and entered the room.

She had moved in with Komamura after the incident and they shared the rent. The next room held some of the things from her apartment with Shinji.

The armoire was in there and she touched it sadly.

She still missed him.

Right now it housed their zanpaku-tô behind the doors. Her mother's kimono was in a drawer, along with the obi.

She felt him come up behind her and she leaned into him, needing his strength.

"You can count on me Moria," Komamura said, "I'll always be here for you if you need me."

Moria smiled and looked up at him, "I know."

Komamura smiled and then looked at the ornate armoire, "Do you think Captain Kyôraku knows about the misspelling?"

"If he doesn't he will find out later."

End Chapter 8