Hey all!
I'm attempting this into with hardly any sleep, so let's just get on with it!

To let you all know, there's a good chance I'm not going to be posting a chapter a day like I normally do, but seeing as I finished the story last night, I'm going to be adding two, maybe three a day!

I haven't gotten any reviews yet, so I'd appreciate if someone would tell me what they thought!

Anywho, an with the show!

Chapter 7

Kira locked himself in his quarters, and Aoi didn't feel it was her place to barge in. Something had just happened, he was terrified. She knocked again, losing her patience before turning and sighing. Now what?

She went to the office to find there were more papers that needed to be done. It didn't take her long to finish them, and she walked back to the assignment room, surprised to find a small girl who grinned when she came into the room. "Hi there. You're not one of mine, are you?" The girl shook her head. "My captain has asked that you come to the training grounds!" Aoi looked at the stack of papers in her hand. "Tonight! Nine o'clock, and don't tell anyone, okay?" Aoi nodded. "I'll go, sweety! What's your name?"

"Yashiru!" The girl smiled sweetly as she headed out the door. "Was her zampactoh on wheels?" She looked around. "Does anyone know who she was?" They all stared at her, jaws on the floor. "You don't know her? That's Yashiru-Fukutaicho!" Aoi turned back to the door.

"She was a Fukutaicho... She's so cute!" Aoi smiled, the faces behind her paling.

It was about six when she saw Kira again. He was unsettlingly quiet, looking at her through his bangs. He seemed sad and Aoi tried to think of ways to cheer him up, but realized quickly that she didn't really know much about him, his likes or dislikes. Before she got to inquire about them he was gone. Matsumoto showed up shortly after and Aoi sighed. "Something's wrong with Kira. He won't speak to me at all. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, you didn't. He's just coming to grips with a few things, and I think you may have said something that reminded him of Amagai." Aoi looked up.

"Who's that?"

Matsumoto sat down and sighed. "Amagai was the Taicho before you. He was a good and honest man, but he was running by vengeance alone. He hid it from everyone. When the time was right he attacked Yamamoto-Taicho. Yamamoto was about to let himself fall when the truth came out that his vengeance was misplaced. By then, the technique he'd used had gone too far and he let himself be killed rather to live in disgrace. His last words were to apologize to Kira for putting him through another traitorous Taicho." Aoi's eyes darkened. "Oh."

"You're coming tonight, right? There's a get together at the training grounds, I heard it's the place Kira found you after your injuries the other day." She nodded. "When is it?"

"Ten tonight." Aoi smiled. She'd already be there. "I'll be there."

She found her way there at nine, wondering about the little girl, Yashiru. She noticed the bobbing of the pink hair and smiled as she walked up. "I'm here!" She smiled, waving as something as hard as a rock stepped in front of her. She jumped back quickly, sirens going off in her head as she looked up. "Kempachi?!"

"I would have asked you here myself, but the old codger that runs the place told me I wasn't allowed to step foot on third squad's land."

"I'm not going to fight you."

"I'm not going to give you a choice." He ran forwards, watching as Aoi jumped up, avoiding his lunge. He watched as she landed softly on the ledge above her and felt the reiatsu. "Stop!" She nearly screamed up. "Don't! Don't get in this!" She looked up to where the reiatsu was in the trees and looked back down at Kempachi. "You're not paying attention. That'll get you killed." He pulled his zampactoh and ran full force at the ledge, jumping and she ducked down, rolling under him and hung from the ledge. She released and fell to the ground running. He was behind her in a second and she turned, kicking at his head.

He was surprised he'd actually felt the hit. She was stronger than he thought she'd be. He just wanted to see that one move again. "The reason I was so distraught when I used my abilities on you last time is because I'm not used to things living afterwards. I keep shattering the Menos Grande." Kempachi shook his head. "It's no matter. If I die, I die. It's fine."

She grabbed a branch and used her momentum to spin, landing with her legs around his neck. She pressed, trying to block his airway. "You should appreciate your life more."

He reached for his zampactoh again as she reached down, now back to back with him, her legs still around his throat and grabbed at the sword with both hands, stilling it.

His reiatsu flared and Aoi jumped back, feeling as if she'd been burned on her shoulders. "You thought you had me, didn't you?"

"I tried." She shrugged and sighed. "You won't leave me alone till I use my zampactoh on you, will you?"

"Nope." He grinned, running at her again, a sparkle in his eye that made her feel oddly enthralled. "Senbon Hikari!" The senbon separated as her hands raised and he stopped, his eyes widening as he watched carefully. "Senbon Ai!" Her hands flew forwards, he found himself instinctively trying to yank them from him before she started.

Kira landed beside her. He knew the fight was over. He was surprised to hear her humming. Yashiru was on the other side and they watched as she stepped closer, again tears in her eyes. She had a feeling he wouldn't survive this time. She hummed as lightly as she could and looked into his eyes as he looked down at her, terrified as his movement stopped.

"Do you want me to stop?" She breathed out, scared to actually use any tone in her voice. He shook his head the little he could and she nearly sobbed, stopping herself before he shattered.

She hummed lightly, stepping forwards, hoping the proximity would let her be quieter, better able to control the power. She looked into his eyes, watching as tears fell from her eyes, watching as his eyes grew more and more afraid. Her humming got a little louder as she reached him, reaching out and touching him in the center of the chest, her humming growing ever so slightly louder.

Kira nearly stepped forwards, stopped by Yashiru as Kempachi's eyes clenched, as he started to crumble to the ground. He whimpered for a second before he started to scream. Aoi reached out and grabbed him, flipping him to his back before he fell on the senbon which could have killed him. He thrashed and screamed with every second till finally blood started to seep from his mouth and Aoi stopped, crumbling to the ground next to him. She raised her hand and the hair stick reformed. She sobbed, on her hands and knees as she felt for a pulse. She looked up, hopeful and then with a sigh of relief, still sobbing beside him. She stood and replaced her hair stick. "He's alive." She wobbled lightly as she walked and Kira ran over, grabbing her as she fell. "Are you alright?"

"That technique pulls more reiatsu from me the longer I use it, regardless of how strong it is." Kira frowned. "You really strained yourself to let him live, didn't you?"

"I can't kill him. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I killed him." Yashiru walked up to her and handed her a small envelope. "He told me to give this to you if you fought him and lived. Thank you, You made Ken-Chan very happy!" She smiled as she walked over, grabbing the monstrous man and took off into the air.

She looked down at the envelope and frowned. She slowly opened it, Kira sitting behind her, hanging his head as she read.

'Aoi

You probably heard I love fighting.

Only you and Ichigo can beat me.

He's not my type. You are.

I'd be happy if you came

to visit some time. I promise

the next time I won't attack

you until you're ready.

Zaraki Kempachi'

She felt her stomach unsettle at the implications behind the last line. "I think it's a love letter."

"I assumed." Kira spoke softly and Aoi turned, realizing his arms were still around her shoulders from catching her earlier.

She leaned back against him and closed her eyes. "Kira?"

"Hn?" He looked down. Seeing as most of the captains seemed to have fallen for her he highly doubted he had any chance. "Thank you for coming. I've been worried about you today." He looked over at her with a frown. She was worried about him? "Why's that?"

"You left so quickly earlier. You said no when you left. I was worried I'd done something wrong. Matsumoto told me I did something that reminded you of Amagai. Is that all it was?" She looked up at him with her eyes soft and he smiled. "Mostly."

He frowned. If Kempachi can confess, if that's all it took was that bravery, then-

"Hey!" Matsumoto landed beside them and Aoi looked over, smiling. "Aoi, what's wrong?! You've been crying!"

"It's not like that, I... Kempachi gave me a love letter." Matsumoto cringed, leaning back. "I think I'd cry too. Probably about blood and guts and stuff." She stuck out her tongue.

"He said only me and Ichigo can defeat him, but Ichigo's not his type." Matsumoto's jaw hit the floor. "Uh, that's... sweet, and really gross..." Aoi smiled and nodded, her head resting against Kira's shoulder.

"Is it ten now, or do we have a little bit?" She looked over and Matsumoto grinned. "We still have about half an hour. You can rest if you need to." Aoi looked up at Kira. "Is it alright with you?" He nodded, wondering why she'd ask him. Her head slid down a little and she reached out, taking his arm and wrapped it around her obi, holding his hand in hers.

His eyes widened as he realized she'd asked him if it was alright to use him as a pillow. He looked up at Matsumoto who just smiled at him.

It was about half an hour later when Matsumoto looked over. "Kira, you may want to go ahead and wake her up." He nodded, knowing he didn't want to be caught by any of the guys with her sleeping on him. He wouldn't live long enough to regret it.

"Aoi-Taicho?" He shook his hand between hers and was startled when she gripped onto him, her nails digging into his hand. "Aw!" He tugged his hand back as she sat up, looking around, wide eyed. He noticed her breaths were shallow, as if she'd been running, though she'd been fine just a second ago. Matsumoto saw this and ran over, grabbing her by the shoulders. "Aoi! Are you alright?" Kira forgot his hands and looked forwards as Aoi lifted her hands silently to her eyes and her shoulders shook. She was crying.

"Aoi-Taicho?" Kira whispered, worried as she shook her head. "Don't look at me! Please, not like this..." She stood and walked a bit off, Matsumoto holding onto her the whole time.

He could hear her sobs as she spoke to Matsumoto, and was looking at her face for responses. Matsumoto's eyes froze, her eyes focused on the younger woman's lips as she spoke. Her jaw dropped open as her own hands started to shake, but not from tears. Matsumoto was furious. Matsumoto nodded and turned, walking over to Kira. "She'll be alright in a bit, she just needs a moment to get a hold of herself. It's nothing against you, but she has her reasons to be against men. Just give her time." Kira nodded, feeling excluded.

Kempachi was actively trying to capture her heart, Byakuya was totally after her, it was obvious, as well as how she liked him. Hitsugaya could get hugs by just greeting her. She told her secrets to Matsumoto. Kira sighed and leaned back, feeling total defeat.

Sure enough, in ten minutes she walked from the trees, looking to be totally back to herself. She was slightly winded again and Kira watched as she neared the bonfire. "Hey, sorry if I'm late." She smiled lightly as she sat between Matsumoto and Hitsugaya. The captain leaned over and Aoi looked down, blocking his mouth with her head. She nodded, biting her lip to try and keep herself in check and Byakuya watched, eyes narrowing.

She stood and looked around. "I propose a toast." She reached out, grabbing a cask from Matsumoto, who was about to take a sip. "Here's to forgetting." Her eyes were distant as she lifted the lip to hers, sucking down the bottle in one go. Kira watched, sighing. He knew something was wrong, something was bothering her on a level he hadn't seen.

He smiled at himself. Maybe it was something like himself earlier. She started talking about fixing up the arena and he went all psycho. He looked up and frowned as she finished the bottle. He would be carrying her home again, but he didn't mind. He looked down, wondering what time it was. "Oy, Rangiku-san, how many of those do you have?"

It was about an hour later, Aoi had been taking a sip every eight minutes. Kira was surprised that she'd timed it so exactly. Byakuya was chatting with Hitsugaya about training maneuvers and Rangiku was chatting with Renji about something involving gratuitous nudity. Renji was laughing, holding the skin in front of his mouth to hide his mouth and alcohol induced blush. Aoi was staring into the fire, talking lightly with Rukia, who'd moved over after a while.

"What's up?" Kira turned to see Hinamori standing beside him. He sighed and she sat, taking a swig from her drink as she looked over. "You look troubled." Kira sighed. "Hinamori, can I ask you a question?" She nodded, curious. "How do you really, truly win a woman's heart? Matsumoto just picks on me and I don't know what to do now." Hinamori stared. "You confessed to Matsumoto? She's picked on you about it?!" She was terrified. "No, hold on a second, let me explain." He leaned over, catching Byakuya's eye.

It was a few minutes later that Hinamori looked over at him. "Really?" He nodded and leaned in again, whispering. Hinamori's eyes flashed quickly over to Byakuya, then to Hitsugaya and she nodded as she backed away. "I'll try and help!" She smiled and Kira nodded. "Any sort of advice or help would be so great. I have no idea of what I'm doing."

Byakuya frowned. He was thinking, and had actually asked women for their assistance. He'd have to take care of that.

Of course that night Kira carried her home, after explaining to Byakuya that she lived right next to him. Insisting on going out of his way to carry someone home that someone else there lived right next to seemed desperate. Byakuya looked taken aback but more at himself than at anyone else there. He left with Renji who could barely walk. His home was perfect to carry his drunk ass.

Hinamori told him to find her cloths and find something soft. He opened the closet and found about fifteen silk kimonos and yukatas. He found a soft silk night gown but realized that with it being in the back of her closet, there was a high chance she didn't use it that often. He picked the softest silk he could find of the kimonos and went back to the bed.

He figured she'd wear something underneath her shinigami uniform, but was wrong. He blushed like mad as he carefully changed her into the kimono. The kitchen was next, getting her a large glass of water and placed it on her bedside table. He smiled down at her as he backed away from her, hearing her lightly sleep. She groaned and turned, he could tell it wasn't a restful sleep and she walked forwards, lightly shaking her. She grabbed his arm, as like usual but rolled over, again pinning his arm under her. "Aoi, please, let me up. This isn't right." She opened her eyes and looked up at him, tears in the corners of her eyes. "Please, don't leave." He looked down at her, realizing she was awake and sighed. "Why do you want me to be here? I thought you'd want Kyouraku, Ukitake or Byakuya-Taicho to be here with you." She sniffed, shaking her head.

"Kira, please, don't leave me tonight. I don't want to be alone..." She racked with sobs and Kira sighed, wrapping his arms around her. "Just for tonight, Please, Kira..." She pressed herself into his chest and he sighed, knowing he wasn't leaving her alone.

"Can I at least get comfortable?" He asked and she sat up, rubbing her eyes and nodding. He sighed as he sat up, looking over worried. "Is it going to bother you if I don't sleep with my top on?" She shook her head and he reached down, untying the belt and the sides, pulling the black, then white cloth from himself. He felt really open, and embarrassed as hell as the only thing now covering him was the hakama with the giant gaps in the sides. He glanced over, her tear stained cheeks, the soft silk kimono she wore. He'd seen her in less. He laid back down and she followed shortly after, laying her head on his chest. His arms instinctively wrapped around her and he wondered where this instinct came from.

"Kira, thank you. I'm so sorry." He looked down at her and shook his head. "We all have hard times, I'm just glad you let me be here for yours." He smiled lightly, feeling now like he'd gotten a little closer to her. She hadn't pushed him away like she'd done to Kuchiki-Taicho, she had a feeling that neither Ukitake or Kyouraku had actually slept beside her like this. He took in her soft scent, hearing her breathing slow and sighed, closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.