Disclaimer: No, I don't own bleach. If everyone did, then that would just be plain weird...

Rated: T

Yeah, there's probably OOCness again. I dunno


"Seriously, I'm fine. Can I go now?" whined Yumi.

The nurse sighed," Sorry but you might go back into shock if you leave now. All you need is one more week and you'll be back up in no time!"

"Can't I at least--"

"Nope."

"How about--"

"Nada."

"Then can I--"

"Yumiko..."

"Alright alright..." sighed Yumi in defeat. The nurse rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Let's make a deal. If you can stay put for three days without symptoms then you can get out early. If you don't, then I'll have to get Hitsugaya Toshiro here to watch you."

At the sound of his name, she immediately blushed and looked away from the nurse," W-why him?? I mean, there's always someone else. Like--like..."

She giggled a little," Now I see why you don't want him here."



Yumi turned swiftly, her face still a little red," Yeah?"

"You Li--"

"Excuse me but can I speak to Miyamoto Yumiko alone?" asked an elderly voice from the door. Both the nurse's and Yumi's eyes widened.

"Yamamoto-Genryusai...Taicho."


"Jeez what has gotten into me..?" muttered Hitsugaya, almost hitting his head on the desk a couple more times. Tapping his pen he kept thinking about what had happened in the recovery room.

A large bump was made as he had a large vain popping from his head," Miyamo--"

Before he could finish, Yumi leaned in quick and kissed him right on the forehead with a 'chu'. Pulling away, She smiled sheepishly," Oh well! More for me!" It took a few seconds to register both the kiss and what she meant by that before blushing a deep red. Yumi grinned," Yay, I made Taicho blush. I feel so accomplished. Well's, I'm gonna rest a bit." She then fell back in bed and threw the blanket over her while turning her back to him. Finally snapping out of it, he rolled his eyes one more time and turned towards the door. What she didn't see was a smirk on the young captain's face.

"Why the hell did I freaking--?"

"--Freaking what, Taicho?"

"Matsumoto, what are you doing with that bottle...?" he asked, eyeing the sake in her hands. She rolled her eyes and smiled a little.



"Just some investigating. Anyway, what did you enjoy? I hope you didn't take advantage of weak little Yumi-chan--"

"Shut up I didn't!" he yelled ticked off...And slightly red.

She giggled a little," Right." After leaving a couple papers she went to the door. But before leaving she paused and turned her head slightly, not completely looking at her captain," You know...Someone else visited her after you after. Two actually." her tone was dark and shady as Hitsugaya stared at her seriously.

"Who?"

"One was Shigekuni Yamamoto Genryusai--Taicho of the first division." she said as his breath hitched for a moment.

"Why would--"

"The other," trailed off Matsumoto finally making her leave," Was..."


"Whew, I'm gonna have to thank Retsu-chan!" sighed Yumi, stretching a little while walking around.

After Yumi's heart attack from surprise when the first division captain came over, Unohana came in the room.

"Are you alright?" she asked, soft yet worried.

She merely nodded stiffly as she put her hand over her racing heart. Unohana saw this and put a hand on Yumi's head. She began to calm down each second and her headache was completely gone.

Yumi then beamed and hugged her," Arigato Unohana-Taicho," realizing what she was doing, she pulled away. Yumi was blushing from embarrassment," Sorry."

Unohana simply chuckled and pat Yumi on the head," It's alright. But you don't need to call me Taicho. If you want, you can call me by my first name."

"Retsu...Chan?" asked Yumi as she nodded. Grinning widely again, she added," Thanks again!"

"Hmm, I still wonder what she meant afterwards though..." questioned Yumi in thought. While she was zoned out, she didn't notice someone else in the hallway. Actually, she bumped into him! "Oh, I'm so sorry."

"Oh it's alright, Yumi-chan," Remembering the voice, Yumi looked up shakily only to freeze in her tracks. The figure smiled a little," It's been too long."

"Ugh, that Matsumoto..."groaned Hitsugaya, roaming the halls aimlessly trying to get his mind off some things. He then noticed a reiatsu and quickened his pace. Once Hitsugaya turned the corner, he saw just who the culprit was. Glaring, he approached.

The person he would be murdering if glares could kill right now? C'mon, take a guess... Nothing? Alright.

Hitsugaya concealed his hiss and dropped eye contact as well as his glare after speaking his name.


"Hmm Hm Hmm!" Matsumoto was happily humming in the hallway with some paperwork in her hands. But something was off. A smell of some sort. Looking down to the floor, she saw droplets of fresh blood. Slightly smudged due to some people walking around probably. Following the trail, she ended up seeing Yumi on the way. Although, something seemed strange about her as well. Her eyes seemed dazed and almost distant. Matsumoto also noted her slight shaking," Yumi-chan?"

Jumping a little Yumi turned to Matsumoto and smiled," O-oh! Rangiku-chan! I haven't seen you for a while. What happened with the survival test?"

"My group finished a little early! But I was worried about you. Are you alright, Yumi-chan?" she asked concerned.

"Yes, I'm alright. Thanks for worrying though. But you don't have to. Hitsugaya-kun takes okay care of me." she answered.

Matsumoto smirked," Oh really? I heard that he stayed with you in the hospital."

"Yup."

"He must be really important to you then, huh?"

"Yeah...Really important," she thought without thinking," But sometimes I wish he would just see me...For me. Not a comrade, a random girl he was suddenly put in charge of, or some person with the excuse to argue with...I guess."

Yumi's companion looked up to a nearby cherry blossom tree and moved a few strands of her hair behind her ear and sighed," I think...I understand you a little more, Yumi-chan."


Renji started walking until his foot shifted in an odd way when taking a step. Looking down, he saw that he had smudged something red and sticky on the floorboards.

"Blood? What the..." looking forward, he saw Yumi and Matsumoto talking. Looking even closer, he noticed her arm behind her back and the same crimson substance dripping from her Shihakushou (the uniform. I finally found out the name! :3 -- -proud look-).

"Oh, Renji! Hi!" called Matsumoto snapping him out of it. She noticed his startled expression and raised a brow," What's wrong?"

"It's just..." he started, beginning to point at his targets arm," Yumi...What the hell happened!? There's a whole trail of blood leading up to you! Plus your arm is bleeding."

A worried look dawned onto her as she began to panic," I-it's nothing, really! Just don't tell Hitsugaya-Taicho, okay?!"

"Whoa whoa, calm down Yumi! Let me see it first," said Renji as Yumi frowned and extended her arm. Rolling his eyes Renji added sternly," The injured one, Yumi."

Sighing, she switched arms to the left. The bloodied wet sleeve of her Shihakushou slightly stuck to her skin as Renji raised a brow. She retaliated by saying," Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Yumi-chan. That's a pretty deep cut! How--When did it happen?!" asked a worried Matsumoto as Yumi slightly sweat dropped in spite of the situation.

"You act like a mom, Rangiku-chan..." While she was distracted, Renji lifted her sleeve a little gaining a pained whimper from his companion," Ittai..."

"You should get that checked. It looks serious..."

"I'm fine really! I just need to bandage it and it'll be fine!" covered Yumi pulling away swiftly and sprinting away leaving a dust trail. But not before yelling out," Don't tell Taicho or else!!" Renji and Matsumoto blinked for a moment before looking at each other.

"Don't tell Taicho what?"

Hearing this voice, both their bodies shivered and their blood ran cold.


"Oww..." whimpered Yumi, a few tears here and there. It was hard enough finding the first aid kit in his house without bleeding even more all over the house. Now, she was having a rough time just disinfecting it and bandaging...

Unfortunately, her room was still under construction and so she was in the bathroom, just in case a certain Shorty came.

Putting one a little more disinfectant she winced," Ah!"

"Miyamoto!"

Well Speak of the devil

"Leave me alone..." she hissed coldly. Suddenly without warning, the door bust open and Hitsugaya gazed at her injured arm. Taking a deep breath, he took her by her other arm and pulled her off the seat. Also grabbing the kit I might add. Hitsugaya pulled her into the room and made her sit down on the floor.

"How the hell do you get yourself in so much trouble, I will never know." he muttered rummaging through the box. She rolled her eyes and looked at the still bleeding wound. It wasn't as bad as before but a few drops fell on the mats. She tried using her other sleeve to keep blood from dropping even more, hoping she wouldn't get yelled at with the stains.

Taking out some cream, ointment, and bandages, he took her by the wrist again but less demanding. Surveying the damage for a few moments Hitsugaya sighed," If you waited a little longer you could have lost an arm."

"...I know." she merely stated, looking away from his penetrating blue green orbs.

A little surprised at her non-banter answer, he said no more and began to apply pressure. Feeling her tense each time, he went a little slower. Once most, if not all, the bleeding stopped he took the ointment. Looking at her Hitsugaya saw a little fear in those violet eyes of hers. Seeing this he fixed upon her arm. "Look away for a moment and hold your breath."

"Why?"

Taking no questions he used his free hand to hook his hand behind her neck quickly and pulled Yumi towards him, causing her head to rest on his left shoulder and her right hand to rest slightly on her chest near his heart. She blushed deeply but paused as he whispered in her ear," This is going to hurt. A lot."

Feeling a searing pain just then, Yumi stifled a cry and gripped his Haori tightly, burying her head in his shoulder. It burned her a lot and he could have sworn he felt something wet on his sleeve. Finally, the torture was over and Yumi took in deep shaky breaths. She was never really used to pain. In fact, it was becoming one of her new phobias to add to the list.

Finally turning her head a little, she saw Hitsugaya bandaging the area silently yet gently. Smiling slightly she began," Thank you."

"Next time, tell someone a little sooner. That way the pain isn't as bad." he answered once he tied his work. He shuffled a little away from her and crossed his arms whilst looking at the ceiling. After a few minutes pause he added," But...You're welcome."

Her still slightly red eyes lit up as she wiped away a few remaining tears from her cheeks. Grinning boldly this time, Yumi pat Hitsugaya on the head," Next time, I'll be able to learn kido for this! Right?"

"Not this again..."

"Please can I learn Kido?"

"Miyamoto."

"Toshiro."

"It's Hitsugaya Taicho!"

"Then just call me by my name!" she blurted out. Her hands then covered her mouth. Her cheeks burned a little as she cussed in her head.

Well, all or nothing girl.

Aw shut it...Who asked you?

Let's see...this small thing call your conscience.

Once again...No more sarcasm...

Got it.

"Y-you don't have to, really. It would just..." she trailed off," Never mind! Well, I'm gonna check if there's any paperwork in the office! C'ya!"

"M-matte!" he said about to say something about--

"Seriously Hitsugaya-kun! I appreciate the worry but I'm fine! Besides, I write with my right hand, not my left. I'll just be careful."

And with that she left. Groaning, he put a hand on his forehead and twitched," That's not what I was worrying about..." Realization then hit him like Matsumoto hitting a wall while drunk," I wasn't worried. I wasn't worried. I was, sure as hell, not worried."

"Then what was it?"

"It's called being cautious about losing your captain's position because you let the girl you're supposed to guard bleed to death in his own house."

"Right...So why'd to let her rest on your shoulder?"

"..."

"Exactly."

"Hyourinmaru..."



"Alright alright!"


"Ken-channnn!" called out a small voice as Yumi's head sprung up from her desk.

She groaned," I must have fallen asleep..." The door opened abruptly as a small pink head came peeping in," May I help you?"

"Who are you?" she asked cutely as Yumi smiled.

"I'm Yumiko. Nice to meet you! Wait a second...You're--"

"I'm Yachiru! Hiya, Yumi-chan!" she said walking over and jumping on the desk," Have you seen Ken-chan?"

"Ken-chan...? Wait, you mean Kenpachi Zaraki, right?" questioned Yumi as Yachiru smiled and nodded," He probably got lost somewhere again...Do you want me to help you find him?" Grinning wider, Yachiru practically jumped on her.

"Arigato, Yumi Nee-chan!"

Yumi smiled softly and pat her on the head, also ruffling her hair slightly," Let's go look then."

A few hours later

"Are you sure he's here somewhere?"

"Yachiru is sure! Her senses have never been wrong!"

She sweat dropped," Then why are we in the middle of the forest?" After a while a sigh escaped her lips," We should take a break, Yachiru-chan."

"Hai, Onee-chan!"

Both girls sat beneath the shade of a nearby tree. Once Yachiru tried climbing it, Yumi thought it be best if she kept close to the Fukutaicho. Heck, if anything bad happened to Yachiru, Kenpachi would be on the hunt...a scary thought. So both leaned against each other.

"...Why do you call me Onee-chan? Don't you have sisters or brothers?"

"Not really..." this surprised Yumi as her eyes sent confused looks to the younger girl," If I did I probably can't remember."

"Can't...remember?" something felt odd between the two. Like a connection.

"Yup." she trailed off. Her happy tone was decreasing and a quiet one took over," I had no name...and no parents... Before, I lived in North Rukongai, 79th district, Kusajishi. All I can remember from then was seeing the color of blood. The people there acted less of than of a human but more like animals. A baby like me could have been stomped to death at any moment."

An image of that same room with the stench of blood came to mind as Yumi frowned and shivered. Painful memories that she wasn't even sure was her own...

"Then, he came. From North Rukongai, 80th district, Zaraki..." Yachiru added," From the depths of darkness, he opened up my blood-soaked world in an instant. And...gave me a name." a sad smile had 

begun to play on her lips," If Ken-chan hadn't appeared, I wouldn't be here right now. Yes, since that day, he has always been my whole world." closing her eyes, she fell on Yumi's lap like a child would cuddle up to their mother for comfort.

"Yachiru...chan." whispered Yumi before stroking her pink hair softly and gently." Arigato."

"For what?" she asked curiously. But in the tone of her voice, she was getting tired and sleepy.

"For opening up to me. Thanks."

Slowly, she nodded and took in a deep breath," Yumi Nee-chan? What about you?"

Yumi fell silent as the small lieutenant gazed up at her companion to see her asleep. Being calm herself, Yachiru settled down in Yumi's lap like a kitten and fell into a deep sleep. Even though she was fully aware of the reiatsu in a nearby tree.

The figure chuckled at the sleeping duo. The bells at the top of his head chimed slightly in the wind," It looks like for once, I had a good sense of direction."