Konnichiwa, Minna-san!

Hmm, well, considering that this chapter is one of those 'Something big and eventful's gonna happen now' assets, I guess I have nothing to say other than 'ENJOY!'

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING BUT THE FANCONCEPT OF MY FANFICTIONS.

-x-X-x-

'Forever'

You, who has been hurt by unspeakable pain and sadness,

Don't say things like, 'I can't laugh,' or 'I hate people.'

For now, you're fine as you are. I know the time will come when you realize that.

Because one day, we'll understand each other.

-Hitsugaya Toushirou

-x-X-x-

I could feel my heart pounding against my ribcage, my hand trembling. My breath was even shaky. Sweat was building on my forehead, and I pressed my lips in a thin line as a blush creeped on my cheeks. I could feel so many emotions within me that it was creating a storm inside.

After longing for her, she was finally before me. In arm's distance. Her back was still towards me, her form was trembling. She was crying. Even so, I stood still. After swallowing the lump in my throat and taking a deep breath, I looked at her with a playful smirk on my lips.

''What the heck are you doing, Miyuki? Crying like that.'' I asked, arching a brow. She jerked her head up as she gasped, not being aware of my presence earlier on. With out turning, I heard her speaking.

''T-...Toushirou...?'' she asked, I scoffed fondly.

''Who else, baka?''

I frowned when she tilted her head down, trembling again. ''W-What are you doing here...?'' Her voice was meek and quiet, unlike her usual snappy, teasing tone.

''To bring you back home. Everyone's waiting.''

''...Home...?'' I could hear the surprised tone in her voice, desperately trying to push down the sobs. ''You idiot... Doing something as dangerous as this just for that... Do you know what could've happened if my soul completely rejected yours?!'' She tilted her head up, still not turning around. There was a brief silence as a small breeze swept by us.

''You're not angry with me?''

My eyes widened as I raised my eyebrows at that question. A fond snicker escaped my mouth before I tilted my head on one side slightly. ''Why would I be angry with you? Ba. Ka. Ya. Rou.''

''Wasn't it my fault that... you got so badly injured?''

I blinked when I detected grief and fear in her voice. But soon an ironic smile crossed my lips. I was blaming myself for her wounds, and she was blaming herself for mine? Stupid girl.

But this was the girl I knew and wanted back.

''...If anyone is at fault, then me. I wasn't able to protect you at that time...'' I looked away, my eyebrows furrowed when I felt guilt stirring. ''Forgive me.'' I gasped when I saw her swirling around, her long hair flashing around her along with her body. She looked up at me with tear-filled, amethyst eyes. I could only stare at her, my mouth shaking, slightly parted. This was the first time I saw her face after the whole incident.

''Baka! What are you talking about?! None of this was your fault!'' she snapped, tears spilling from her eyes. ''All I have ever done was cause grief...'' she said, looking down as she shook her head lightly, covering her eyes with her hand. ''Don't you think it would be just for the best if I would disappear?''

I could feel my heart stopping when those words left her lips. She looked back up me, desperation in her teary eyes.

''Please! I'm sorry for making you go through all this trouble... but it would definitely work out fine!''

I could feel my fists shaking as I looked down. Natsume had told me that Miyuki would be in this state, but actually hearing those words leaving her mouth was tearing me apart.

''I'm not needed in Soul Society, so that would be covered...''

That she was saying such things with that calm, thoughtful tone... I could feel my nails re-opening the self-inflicted wounds on my palms, my knuckles turning white.

''Everything would be alright, won't it? Everyone will be okay, right?''

My face held a horrified expression when she asked me the next question.

''You'll be okay, won't you?''

I looked at her with the fiercest glare I could muster. She gasped before shivering in fear as I grabbed her upper-arms tightly with my hands. She looked up at me with wide, scared eyes.

''OF COURSE I WON'T BE OKAY, YOU IMBECILE!'' I yelled, making her flinch. ''All of the Gotei 13 who knew you, are you planning to throw them all away for your past?!'' All my bottled up anger and frustration started to build itself to it's peak.

''You know what I think? You're being a pathetic weakling who clings onto the past, and what for?!''

I stared into her wavering eyes with fierce ones. I was furious.

And she could tell.

''Because you enjoy feeling self-pity? Don't fuck with me!'' I snapped, and she flinched when she heard me swearing. Her mouth was shaking, as if she wanted to say something in her state of shock, but not certain what.

''What the hell are we to you?! What the hell am I to you?!'' My glare intensified. ''Just little figurines on the sidelines which are suppose to watch you killing yourself?!'' A frown creased her eyebrows, seemingly because of guilt.

''Are we just supposed to just stand there, smile and wave goodbye as you fuck off with a clean conscious?!'' She swallowed the lump in her throat as she bit her lip at my words. ''Am I expected to do that?!''

Wide amethyst eyes just stared at me with pure shock reflecting from them. She wasn't able to respond.

I didn't care.

''Why can't you just for once use some common sense and let it go?! Is crying over your past so much more entertaining than just getting over it?!'' I gripped her arms tighter. Soon her eyes flashed with anger as she glared up at me.

''JUST WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW?! SURE, YOU SAW A FEW BITS AND PIECES, BUT YOU HAVEN'T SEEN EVERYTHING!'' she yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks. I gasped at her outburst, shocked that she was able to yell so loud... this was the first time I have ever seen her so outraged.

''HOW WOULD YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL?! HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY IMAGINE MY PAIN?! YOU CAN'T!'' She panted after those words left her lips, but my grip on her never wavered. I gritted my teeth as I suppressed a growl.

''OF COURSE I CAN'T IMAGINE YOUR PAIN! AND YOU CAN'T IMAGINE MINE EITHER!!!''

She gasped as she looked at me with huge eyes, my words had completely caught her off guard. But I needed to let this out. I had to. I had to.

''First I learn about the whole soul withdrawal symptoms after hearing that you nearly died from stab wounds! Then it continues with your look-a-like taunting me that this was all my fault, as if I didn't already know that! Your condition worsens, just making my goddamn freakin' day! Ukitake and Soifon nagged me about your well-being! Matsumoto and Hinamori are worried for your sake!'' I took another breath, and narrowed my eyes down at her. ''Do you know how much trouble you caused?!'' I swallowed the lump in my throat. ''DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW SCARED I WAS!? I THOUGHT THAT YOU WERE GOING TO DIE! I THOUGHT THAT I WAS GOING TO LOSE YOU! AND IT WOULD ALL BE MY FAULT!''

Miyuki looked up at me with wide, disbelieving eyes as a terrible frown creased her brows. ''T-Toushirou...''

I cut her off; I wasn't finished.

There was no way I was going to let her off this time.

This time, she went too far.

''And then I go through seeing all these... these horrible, horrible memories...!'' She violently cringed at that. ''When I finally reach you... all you can do is beg me to let you kill yourself?! JUST WHAT KIND OF SICK, TASTELESS JOKE IS THIS!?''

A frown creased her face before she looked away, unable to look at me in the eye. I took a deep breath, which ended up being choked because of all these emotions in my head.

''Even though you have a life with Hinamori, with Matsumoto, with... me... you still... you still act like this... Am I not good enough for you...? Why aren't you at least trying?!'' I asked as she turned around to face me again, my eyes showing pain and hurt. But it went as soon as it came before my eyes flashed with anger.

''You imbecile! You dimwit! You dumbass! You fool! You dunce! You moron! You simpleton! You blockhead! You... You...'' I gritted my teeth as I cringed when I felt a pain in my chest. ''You idiot...''

I furrowed my eyebrows as my eyes softened, words I locked up in my heart starting to flow out of my mouth. ''Miyuki, I... I need you with me...'' I tilted my head down, tightening my grip on her arms again. ''Why is it you can't see that?'' I asked weakly.

''But Toushirou...'' I cut her off by pulling her close to me. Wrapping my arms tightly around her, burying my nose into the crock of her neck. My heart pounded against my chest as I breathed in, taking in her scent. Countless feelings washed over me as I held her tight.

''Please...'' I whispered as I brought her body right up against mine, not wanting to let her go. The constant worry of her disappearing and fear of hurting her small frame in my embrace made a battle of self-control stir within me. After a while of brief silence I heard Miyuki giving a bitter scoff.

''You selfish idiot,'' she said quietly, returning the embrace as well as she could with her arms clamped under mine. ''I've been running and dodging my whole life, you've now seen those struggles... all I'm asking is to stop, why can't you let me...?'' she asked, her voice shaking. I could feel her balling her hands to fists, crumbling my haori at my back. I buried my nose deeper down her neck, closing my eyes.

''Then I'll carry you, and walk for the both of us,'' I said, my arms pulling her closer, being drowned in her scent. ''Because I'm a selfish idiot.''

Miyuki chuckled, and slowly, laughter morphed to sobs. ''Why is it... why is it that you can shatter my resolve so easily...?! Why, dammit?!'' She cried in my shoulder, her whole body shaking. I frowned deeply.

''I'm sorry, Miyuki,'' I said, wondering if she heard my apology over her sobs. Tears flew down her cheeks, soaking my shoulder as she constantly chanted 'baka' over and over again.

After a while the sobs died down to mere sniffles, she buried her face in my chest, making me blush.

''Damn you... always taking advantage of me...'' My blush deepened when I remembered her saying that when I was drunk and had pinned her down... I mentally shook my head, returning back to the present.

''Me taking advantage of you? I'm pretty sure that its the other way around,'' I said with a hint of tease in my voice. She shook her head.

''...Baka...'' I chuckled when I heard that mutter under her breath. She agreed, and that was all I needed.

''Woohoo, you two sure are getting a lovey-dovey, ain't cha?''

I twitched, my eyes snapping open and my head jerking up. I also felt Miyuki twitch in my arms, and we both slowly turned our heads to see Natsume staring at us with a wide, cheeky grin. I could feel every single drop of my blood rushing up to my face, my eyes growing wider by the second. Without any time to waste I jumped away from Miyuki instantaneously, and I looked away, crossing my arms in my sleeves. I didn't even want to know how bright my face must have been, but I tried to keep myself as dignified as possible as I scowled, with my eyes closed. My eyebrows were creased, and making involuntary twitches.

''I-I have no idea w-what you're trying to i-imply...'' I said, and could feel a distinct pulse in my head throbbing as I heard laughter. I swiftly turned my head to glare at Natsume. But I my eyes widened when I realized that it wasn't Natsume who was laughing - it was Miyuki. I could feel the heat on my face getting warmer, and narrowed my eyes in annoyance as I looked away again... I was glad that she wasn't crying anymore.

But that girl was moodier than a drunk Matsumoto.

''Souka, souka,'' Natsume said, smiling and unconvinced. She then turned to face Miyuki with amusement glittering in her emerald eyes. ''Are you alright now, Miyuki?'' she asked. Amethyst eyes softened as they gazed into the other.

''Yeah, somewhat,'' she said. I blinked at them.

''...You two know each other already?'' I asked, not being able to hide the surprise on my face. Miyuki sighed.

''She spent hours, and hours, and HOURS insulting me non-stop. Let lightning strike me if I don't know her yet,'' Miyuki said, crossing her arms. Natsume snickered.

''Cut me some slack, I was worried!'' she said, and then turned over at me. A small, satisfied grin on her face. ''Though I was expecting more action... Its over now, Hitsugaya-taichou.'' She brought her hand up and with a flick of a wrist, my body was starting to fade. My eyes widened, ''Don't freak. I'm just transferring your soul back to your spirit shell,'' she said.

''Miyuki will wake up soon.''

The next thing I knew I flew back, and my back made contact with the wooden floor of Flamel's room. I rubbed the back of my head, ''Shikusho...'' I cursed, and soon blinked when I heard Matsumoto's voice.

''Taichou!'' She ran over to me, and I looked around the room franticly, noticing that everything was exactly like it was when I 'left'. It was still day, even though I could've sworn that I was in Miyuki's soul for at least more than seven hours. I looked up my lieutenant, who had a flabbergasted look on her face.

''Are you alright? Why was that so fast? Did something happen?!'' she asked, worry obvious in her voice. Fast? After taking a short moment to compose myself and calm down, I shook my head.

''Everything's alright,'' I said. ''Miyuki's alright...''

''Yokatta...'' A sigh of relief escaped her mouth, and I turned my head to see Flamel kneeling next to Miyuki's unconscious body. I widened my eyes before jumping to my feet.

''Miyuki!'' I exclaimed, running by her side, kneeling down next to her. My eyes staring at her intently, and my eyebrows were furrowed in worry. Natsume may have given me her word, but I...

The raven-haired girl stirred, and slowly her eyes fluttered open. I could feel a wave of euphoria washing over me when I realized that it was amethyst irises which peeked out of her eyelids. A smile unconsciously crossed my lips.

''Mi-''

I was cut off by my lieutenant flying past me and crushing Miyuki in her death-grip. ''OhMiyukiyou'reokayIwassoworriedIthoughtyouweren'tevergonnawakeupandthatNatsumegirlwasmeanandscaryand-'' I could feel my eyebrow twitching in annoyance at Matsumoto's behavior. Miyuki was squirming in the woman's ridiculous cleavage, and gasped for air when she got her head out.

-:-:-:-:-Sincere Resolve-:-:-:-:-

''HOLY CRAP! I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE!'' I yelled out, making sure that my lungs were able to function properly on their own. My head tilted up to meet the bright smile of a strawberry blonde shinigami. Though the hug was a tad too much, I couldn't exactly scold her for making her worry.

''I really like you too, Rangiku, but I also like air.'' I gasped in horror when I she hugged me close again. My eyes widened when she didn't give me a death-hold like she did earlier on - she gave me a tight, but comfortable hug.

''I'm so, so glad...'' she whispered. I smiled weakly before rubbing her back.

''Sorry for causing so much trouble. It's okay now,'' I said, and softened my eyes when I felt Rangiku tightening her hold on me. I smiled slightly, feeling that she wasn't going to let go for a little while. My mind wandered back to the conversation I had with Natsume before I woke up.

After Toushirou disappeared, I glanced at Natsume. Where do you come from? I asked, curious. Natsume shrugged.

'Dunno. Your mind?' she asked, and I sighed.

You know everything I know, and I know everything you know. Even so we're not the same person. My eyebrows creased to a confused line over my dark eyes. She shrugged, again.

'Keh, I don't know where I come from, I don't know where I go either. But I don't care - this whole unfolding event is quite entertaining. I'm interested to know what will happen now that the three taichou have betrayed Soul Society.'

...Quite the sadistic type, aren't you?

'And I'm damn proud of it.' A wide smirk crossed her lips as she looked at me triumphantly.

After that memory went through my mind, I saw with big eyes as Natsume's transparent form appeared next to me, sitting crossed-legged, and no one seemed to be able to see her.

'I told you that it was worth returning, right?' she asked, her lips never moving as she crossed her arms, smirking with a challenging brow. 'Even if it is important, your past is not worth your present nor your future.' She turned her head to look at Rangiku then at Toushirou. 'They are your present. Aren't they at least worth a shot to try again?' she asked, looking back at me with soft eyes. I turned my head to see the side of Rangiku's face, and blinked when I saw a tear sliding down her cheek. A small smile crossed my lips.

...Yeah, they are, I told over my mind and closed my eyes. Arigato, Natsume.

'Don't thank me... thank yer chichou.'

I blushed before opening an eye to glare at the transparent figure. She snickered and her form faded, her transparent body completely disappearing. I knew that this condition between Natsume and I will be permanent; two souls in one spirit shell, meaning that the both of us could control this body. Something that Natsume liked to call a 'soul shuffle'.

...I was silently asking myself how come it was me who is living through all these bizarre things.

--

''Yes, I have discussed these matters with Natsume - your condition nothing usual for Soul Reapers, that's for sure,'' Flamel said, tapping her chin slightly. ''Interesting, very interesting.''

The crimson-haired woman was sitting on the couch opposite to Rangiku, Toushirou and I. She sighed, shaking her head. ''I checked throughout all the records, and found nothing,'' she said. Toushirou crossed his arms, glaring at the alchemist.

''I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't bombard Miyuki with questions and theories; she's tired enough as it is,'' he said with a cold voice. Flamel smiled before scratching the back of her head.

''You're right. I guess we're all pooped. This can wait until we get some rest,'' she said, and turned to look at me. ''I'm glad that you're alright, Miyuki.''

''Sorry for making you worry,'' I said, giving her an apologetic smile. She chuckled cheekily as she pointed at Toushirou.

''If you want to apologize to someone for worrying, then it'd be Hitsugaya over here. He was worrying so much he couldn't think straight.'' Before I could answer to that Toushirou jumped to his feet, his face tainted with crimson.

''DAMARE!'' We all laughed, making Toushirou glare at all of us with his flustered face. It was strange, though. After all that, everything reverted pretty much back to normal. I knew from Natsume that Rangiku was a little depressed because of Ichimaru's betrayal, and that Momo has recovered. Aizen, Ichimaru and Tousen have left Seireitei as traitors, Kuchiki Rukia's death sentence was dismissed, and the ryoka were recuperating in Seireitei. I sighed inwardly, I sure have missed a lot, huh? ''Come on, lets go back,'' Toushirou said grumpily, jerking me from my thoughts as he walked over to the door. I heard Rangiku giggling before she stood and pulled me up by the arm.

''Let's go, Miyuki!'' she said, never releasing my wrist. I sighed before giving her a weary, but happy smile.

''I'm coming, I'm coming,'' I said fondly, then looked over my shoulder at the crimson-haired alchemist with a smile. ''Arigato, Flamel-sensei.'' She returned the friendly expression, which was both pleasant and frightening at the same time.

The three of us were walking down the hallway of the 1st Division, and more or less right after she shut Flamel's door, she opened her mouth to release her flying questions. ''What happened, Miyuki? Why were you in that state? Ne, ne, ne, Miyuki?'' I blinked at the pace she was asking, and without even waiting for me to answer, she turned over to Toushirou. ''What did you see, Taichou?''

I could see him twitching, then looking away without answering the question. I frowned. I knew that Natsume guided him through my memories, but I didn't know which ones he saw.

''And then I go through seeing all these... these horrible, horrible memories...!''

I frowned deeply.

His words were still ringing in my head, and I could still feel my heart beating faster when I remembered him holding me close.

''Then I'll carry you, and walk for the both of us.''

I felt so warm, so secure... and that emotion which I had forgotten during my state of depression came pouring down on me, shattering my will to die. It was as if I had woken up from a terrible nightmare. When you're awake, you think a lot clearer and more sensible; which resulted in me wanting to whack myself over the head for doing something so... utterly foolish.

Natsume was right, I was an idiot.

When we came to 10th Division grounds, and I blinked when I felt Rangiku releasing my hand. ''I'm gonna go tell everyone the great news! Kyouraku-taichou, Unohana-taichou, and especially Ukitake-taichou and Soifon-taichou very worried! Not to mention Hinamori!'' the strawberry-blonde said energetically, starting to pace over to the open grounds. I reached a hand out for her.

''Rangiku, you don't have to-!''

''Ja na!'' And she was gone. I snapped my fingers.

''Damn that shunpo.'' I heard Toushirou chuckling at my curse. I looked over to him, and he gestured towards the office. I sighed before jogging to catch up to him, and we just walked in silence as the white walls went by us. The silence wasn't awkward, but it wasn't exactly comfortable either. Soon we stood in front of the 10th Division office door, Toushirou opening it. My eyes peeled wide open when I looked inside.

Toushirou's desk was a mess. An absolute, complete, utter mess.

I paced over to the desk, my eyes as round as plates. This was something I never believed to ever see; I mean, Hitsugaya Toushirou never, ever leaves his desk in chaos! It's just so... not him!

''Miyuki, what are you-'' He noticed what I was looking at with big eyes. His expression fell. ''Oh, that...'' I turned to face him, my bewilderment must've clearly said that I was bewildered.

''Sweet mother of Osirus, what the hell happened?!'' I asked, pointing an accusing finger at the covered desk; there were documents and paper all over, some tea stains, ink stains, and all of the above. He groaned as he rubbed his temples.

''Nothing! There's just been so much to do and the whole fiasco just...'' He sighed, and I blinked when something under his eyes got my attention. I frowned as I walked up close to him, he widened his eyes at me as a small crimson streak appeared on his cheeks. ''O-Oi, Miyuki!'' I ignored his exclaim and glared at him.

''What are those under your eyes?''

''My cheeks?''

''I'm talking about those black bags! Have you been sleeping enough?!'' I asked, both angry and worried. He narrowed his eyes, obviously annoyed as he walked past me.

''I've been sleeping just fine, but let me clear this mess up, will you?'' Before he took another step my hand flew out and gripped him firmly around the wrist, effectively halting him. He looked at our hands, a small, pink shade coloring his tanned cheeks before he narrowed his eyes at me again. ''What now?'' he asked. I wrinkled my nose before half-lidding my eyes. Soon I dragged him over to the couch, and pushed him down on it. He plopped onto the sofa, looking up at me with raised eyebrows. I stood in front of him and he tried to stand back up, only to be pushed back down by me.

''Osuwari! (sit)'' I ordered, which made him look up at me with an extremely annoyed glare.

''I'm not a dog!'' he retorted. I smirked before crossing my arms again.

''I'll take care of the desk.''

''But you don't know where all the files go!''

''Photographic memory, Toushirou, photographic memory,'' I said, pointing at my skull. He fixed his brows is a frustrated line before I flashed him a smile as I walked over to his desk. Soon I started sorting the papers out, categorizing the documents, and cleaning the stains off the table. I frowned, not noticing teal eyes were staring at me intently.

''Oi,'' I said without looking up. He answered right after those words left my mouth.

''Nanda? (what)''

''...Sorry... for making you worry.''

There was a brief silence between us before I heard him giving a weary sigh.

''It's fine,'' he said and I looked up at him. He was facing the wall, his arms crossed in his sleeves. A small smile crossed my lips as I carried a small stack of papers to the shelf and put it in the drawer. And I turned around to grin at my accomplishment; the desk was clear again. Tidying things has always been a great challenge for me - I hated it. But... even if Toushirou didn't show, I could tell that he was exhausted. If I would just be standing there, watching him doing all this when he was so tired would make me feel guilty. I scowled as I cursed my conscious.

''That's enough, Miyuki, for heaven's sake-'' I cut him off again as he stood.

''You sit your ass back down there or you won't have an office anymore,'' I said simply as I carried another stack of papers over to the other shelf. A mumble was heard before Toushirou sat back on the couch, his arms crossed. I could see a small smirk playing on his lips.

''Are you threatening me, a taichou?'' he asked. I sorted the pens out as my last job for the desk, and I answered.

''Yep. Your point?''

''You can't just threaten me. I'm a genius. A prodigy. The youngest taichou in history,'' he said, his voice laced with mock and tease. As soon as I finished I walked over to him.

''And an unbelievable pain in the neck,'' I said, adding to his list as I plopped down on the couch next to him. He scoffed.

''I'll let that slide as a thanks for clearing that,'' he said; I could feel his smirk on me as I rolled my eyes.

''I'm oh-so grateful.'' My voice was dripping with sarcasm, but I soon looked at the wall, not being able to face the taichou. Somehow... it's as if just the two of us sitting together was a long, long time ago... ''Toushirou?'' I asked, and I saw him looking at me from the corner of my eye.

''Hn?'' He sounded alert, maybe because he heard the change of my tone.

''...Which memories did you see of Wahrheit?'' I asked, and I could see him blink in surprise before he looked away as well.

''A few,'' he said, as if he didn't know how to answer the question. I sighed.

''That isn't exactly useful.'' He turned to look at me, but I still looked ahead to the wall.

''When they ripped off your fingernails,'' he said, and I noticed him looking at my black-gloved hands. I swallowed a lump in my throat, and listened intently as he continued. ''That event with Ito, Arakaki, and Kobayashi...'' Unconsciously, my hands clenched to fists. ''And your mother's... death.'' I couldn't stop a gasp from escaping my lips as I looked at him with wide eyes. He gazed my face with a sad, sympathetic expression on his face. Something I had rarely ever seen. I sighed as I shook my head slightly. I had been expecting this, but it was still a shock to know that he actually saw all that.

''Was that all?'' I asked, and he nodded. I felt relief washing over me; that he didn't see the time where I was locked up with my parent's corpse lifted a lot of weight off my shoulders. Of all the experiences I endured, that was the last one I wanted him to watch. It was something I didn't want anyone to know about in detail. I looked up at him, a small, apologetic smile on my lips.

''Sorry for making you go through all that...'' Though I was a little angry that my privacy was intruded, it wasn't his fault that it came to that.

He raised his eyebrows at me before smiling somewhat fondly. ''Why are you always apologizing? Stop it.'' I chuckled, and soon saw that he blinked - as if he had just remembered something. He then pouted, his eyes narrowing slightly. I raised my eyebrows at his... childishly cute expression.

''...Who's Koga Masaru?''

My eyes were wide when I heard him muttering that name, but I shook away these old feelings from me. I flashed him a smile.

''Just an incredibly annoying band leader,'' I said, rolling my eyes as those memories flooded my mind. Images of his hazel eyes appeared in my head, but I threw them away bitterly. That bastard...

'...You're not going to tell the chichou?'

I blinked when I heard Natsume's voice, but inwardly shaking my head. I looked up at a grumpy Toushirou who was frowning. No, I won't. Then I chuckled when I realized that I thought that the prodigy looked adorable.

''Jealous?'' I asked out of the blue, full of anticipation. He blinked as he frowned at me, somewhat caught off guard.

''W-What?! NO!'' he said, flushing as he looked away, his nose up high in the air. I smiled at him.

''Not jealous? Well, considering that you need me so much...'' I said, teasing as I closed my eyes when I laughed. Soon I snapped my eyes open when I felt him draping his arm over my shoulder and pulling me close to him. I couldn't stop a blush creeping up my face as my cheeks landed on his chest. His strong, tanned arm held me in place as I was still in a state of surprise. I didn't dare blink.

''Don't phrase that so pathetically...'' he said quietly, and I looked up at him to see that he was blushing, facing ahead. ''I'm sorry for not being able to protect you.'' I widened my eyes when he pulled me closer. ''I promise...'' He shook his head. ''I swear that next time, I...'' his voice trailed off.

''...I know what Natsume did to you during the time I was in withdrawal,'' I said softly. ''I have no intention of blaming you. It wasn't your fault. I was the one who went off to Momo, and I was the one who ran right into Aizen's trap.''

''But I-'' I cut him in.

''No buts-'' he cut me off.

''Shut up and let me finish!'' he said, annoyed. Which made me furrow my eyebrows in confusion when he pulled me closer to him. ''I swore that I'd protect you. The circumstance doesn't matter.'' After a few seconds, a sigh escaped his lips.

''I'm just... happy to have you back... and safe...''

Toushirou never made excuses, unlike me. I was weak in that perspective like many others. I always made excuses for everything, I tried to avoid any kind of responsibility. I never wanted to carry any burdens, never wanted to carry guilt. But that was because I didn't want to have any trivial matters to worry about on top of the ones I already had.

I softened my eyes. ''...You do realize that I will never let go of my past, don't you?'' I asked, ''And that I'm still angry with you for forcing me back?''

''I don't care. I won't let you die, all your opinions are rejected.'' I raised my eyebrows when I noticed that he was using my phrase. I cracked a smile.

That idiot.

Soon I leaned up, and closed my eyes.

But this was the idiot I fell in love with.

I could hear a gasp from Toushirou as my lips softly touched his cheek. The warmth against my lips were getting warmer, and his breaths were shaky.

After a few seconds, I pulled back. When I opened my eyes I saw wide, teal irises staring at me along with a flustered, shocked expression. I could feel my heart pounding against my chest as my blush deepened.

''M-Miyuki...?'' he asked in a mere whisper. A small, warm smile crossed my lips. True, I was angry... but at the same time I was also grateful. I leaned my cheek against his chest again, closing my eyes.

''Arigato, Toushirou.''

''...Baka.''

There was a silence between us. He said nothing, I said nothing. After a while I opened my eyes.

''T-'' I cut myself off when I felt weight softly resting on my head. I blinked, and looked up without moving my head to see, with amazed eyes, that Toushirou had fallen asleep. And was leaning his cheek on top of my head. It took a while for me to recover from my surprise. He must've been really tired to fall asleep just like that. A small smile creeped up on my lips and I closed my eyes again, snuggling into his chest slightly.

''Why do I love this idiot...?'' I asked myself out loud. I snapped my eyes open in panic when he mumbled something, and I thought that he had woken up and heard my confession. But it was only an unintelligible mutter in his sleep, and his arm slid off my shoulders and made itself around my waist. I gave a small chuckle.

''Ah, yes, that's right...'' I said, closing my eyes again. ''I love this idiot because I'm an idiot myself.''

...And if he thinks that he can escape this without me teasing the hell out of him, then he was in for one heck of a disappointment...

-Owari-

A/N: Miyuki's back! I know that this would have been quite an obvious outcome, but nyeee... I can't just go kill off my main OC! Maybe I'll consider doing a tragedy sometime... XP Many reviewers said that Miyuki needed a hug, and she got one!!

Thank you to all those who have reviewed! I write only because and for you! If it weren't for your constant support I most likely would've ended this thing in a few chapters XD

Please keep reviewing to tell me your thoughts! And new reviewers are of course always welcomed!

Special thanks to Dragon of Twilight for betaing this chapter!

~Hate it? Love it? Something in between? Can't decide?
Review, review, REVIEW!!!

.Jibun no Omoi
Ones Memories.