Toshiro's POV

I can't believe it, but Matsumoto was right. A walk was just what I needed. It's peaceful on this path. The sun is setting, making things look even more beautiful. I can see the small koi fish swimming in the clear stream that's next to the path. I can even hear some birds singing their songs. Everything is so peaceful. And Rukia is here, next to me. Sure, we're not dating or anything. But it's just nice having her around. It's like her soul is soothing my own.

You know she's ice wielder, too.

She is? How do you know, Hyourinmaru?

Isn't it obvious? What your soul is feeling, it's the compatibility between your two souls. That and when you, the girl and your lieutenant were playing that game, one of her answers caught my attention.

And which answer was that?

When you asked the question "What is your zanpakutos name?" She answered "Sode no Shirayuki" which translates to "sleeves of white snow."

How could I have missed that?

"Hey, Kuchiki-san, are you an ice wielder?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"Well, I didn't. My zanpakuto figured it out when he heard you say your zanpakuto's name."

"Wow, your zanpakuto is pretty smart."

"He says 'Thank you.'"

It was silent again. It wasn't like an awkward silence. It was more like a pleasant one. It was nice, being able to enjoy the silence.

"SHIRO-CHAN!" While it lasted, anyway.

It was Hinamori, again. Why is it that every time I'm trying to enjoy some peaceful time, she shows up?

"Hi, Shiro-chan," she said when she got to where Rukia and I were. "Oh, and you're with Kuchiki-san, again!" She seemed bothered by it somehow.

"Hello, Lieutenant Hinamori," Rukia said then bowed.

"Yeah, hi," she said to her. "Why are you two walking together again? Is it your physical therapy again?"

"No, Captain Hitsugaya asked me to accompany him on a walk."

"Really, you asked her to walk with you?" Her voice seemed to waver a bit. Maybe she's sick or something.

"Yeah, I did." I responded.

"Oh, would you like to join us, Lieutenant Hinamori?"

No, no, say no!

"Oh, I'd love to!" she said then got in the middle of Rukia and me.

Great, now I won't be able to enjoy anything peaceful or quiet. I know Rukia's trying to be nice to a superior, but this is Hinamori we're talking about! She's loud and obnoxious! Oh, wait, I forgot!

"Kuchiki-san, I just remembered. Do you still have physical therapy? I know it hasn't been long since… you know, but I'm just curious."

"Oh, you don't have to worry about me, Captain Hitsugaya!" she said as a blush started to show on her face. "Renji's been helping me with my physical therapy."

"So, you two are close again?"

"Well, yes, but not as close as we used to be when we were growing up. But, yeah, we're still close."

"Oh, you and Renji!? I forgot you two grew up together. Well, did you know that Shiro-chan and I grew up together?"

"Yeah, he told me."

"I did?" I don't remember that.

"Yeah, when we were playing the game, you said that Lieutenant Hinamori was your childhood friend."

"Awwwwww, did you really say that, Shiro-chan?!" Hinamori said in the most obnoxious voice.

"Yeah, we grew up together, didn't we?" I asked her in an annoyed tone.

For the rest of the time we walked in silence. With the occasional "It's too quiet!" from Hinamori. It stayed that way until Rukia spoke.

"I think I should go now."

"Why?" I said. I didn't mean to, but it just slipped out.

"I have to go to the 4th division. I have to go in for another checkup."

"I'll walk you there." I said to her.

"Oh, you don't have to! It's fine, really!"

"Come on, let's go," I said then started towards the 4th division.

"Lieutenant Hinamori, you don't have to come if you don't want to."

"No, it's fine. I want to come with."

Hinamori's POV

When we got there, one of the people there immediately took us to a room. I guess it's 'cause that girl is a noble and they don't want to get into any trouble with her nii-sama! And the girl even tried to get rid of me!

Hinamori, maybe she didn't want you to come to something that doesn't concern you.

Say what you're going to say Tobiume, I still don't like that girl.

We waited in the room for barely a minute and someone was already there to tend to her! And it wasn't just anyone! It was Captain Unohana! She isn't even severely injured and the captain of the 4th division is tending to her! She's just a lowly street rat!

"All right Kuchiki-san, you know what to do." Captain Unohana said when she entered.

Rukia looked uncomfortable. Unohana seemed to understand immediately. "Could you two step outside for a moment?"

"Yes," Shiro-chan replied simply.

We waited outside the room for a moment then we were let back in. When I got back in Kuchiki-san was readjusting her shihakusho.

"All right Kuchiki-san, is there anything you want to tell me before hand?"

"No," she said sheepishly.

"Are you sure?" Unohana waited for a response but it never came. "I know you've been working and training while you were supposed to be on bed rest." Kuchiki-san avoided Unohana's eyes. "Don't try to hide it. Your hands have small scratches on them. Those are signs of holding your zanpakuto's hilt too hard. Why were you training while I told you to rest?"

She was silent but the answer finally came. "If I just rest I'll never be strong enough to become a lieutenant." She wants to become a lieutenant?!

"Kuchiki-san, it's very admirable that you want to become a lieutenant. But if you train while you're still recovering you might end up being too sick or injured to even be a lieutenant."

"I understand," she said. "So, do you know what caused me to… you know?"

"It's still unclear right now but it was most likely caused by lack of sleep and being over worked. I need you to stop working and training for about a week. If you seem better by then you can go back to work, all right?"

Rukia looked upset with what Captain Unohana told her. "I understand, I'll stay home and rest."

"I also want you to take these medications," she said as she handed Kuchiki-san a bag.

"Yes," she replied.

"I want you to actually take them, all right? Don't be like your captain."

"Yeah, I know," she said as she took the bag. "Is that all?"

"Yes, I'll see you next time."

She got up and we started to leave. When we were outside she sighed. She stayed silent a bit longer then she spoke.

"I should be heading home to rest so I don't get scolded again. I have to tell nii-sama about the checkup, too," she said the last part mostly to herself.

"I'll take you there," Shiro-chan said. Why does he want to walk her home?!

"No, it is fine, you should continue on your walk with Lieutenant Hinamori." Why is she doing that? I know she wants Shiro-chan all to herself! It's probably part of her plan!

Or, she isn't out to get you and doesn't like Captain Hitsugaya.

Tobiume, I know she's out to get me!

"No, I should walk you back. It's getting dark and the Kuchiki manor isn't close by." How does he know that? Has he been there before?! Were they-?

Hinamori, he's a captain and so is Kuchiki-san's brother. I'm sure he's been there for professional reasons.

"No, really…"

"Come on. Let's go," he said as he took Kuchiki-san's hand! "Hinamori, you should head back to your division. I'm sure they need you there."

They started to walk way. Before they turned the other way I saw Kuchiki-san's face. She was blushing. Then they were gone. I won't lose Shiro-chan to her! I won't lose to her at all!

Toshiro's POV

I don't know why but all of a sudden I got this bad feeling. I don't know why but I feel that something bad is going to happen to Rukia. Thank goodness that Hinamori didn't protest when we left her.

"Um, Sir you seem troubled. Is everything all right?"

I looked back at her. That's when I noticed I was holding her hand. I immediately turned away. I could feel my face go red.

"Everything is fine," I replied.

Suddenly, the feeling I had earlier got worse. Something bad is going to happen, soon. I quickened my pace and my hand tightened its grip on Rukia. Rukia walked faster too. I could see her from the corner of my eye. She looked worried. Was she feeling what I was feeling? Or is it because she's worried about me?

From what I remember the Kuchiki manor is close by. That's good. I slowed down a bit and relaxed. Then I saw someone approaching us. I couldn't see who it was. I started to worry again. Soon the figure was close enough for me to see them better. Then I was able to see who it was and I relaxed again. It was Lieutenant Abarai.

He came to where we were and I let go of Rukia's hand. I'm sure he would've jumped to conclusions if I hadn't.

"Captain Hitsugaya," he said, acknowledging my rank. "Hey, Rukia what are you doing out here with the captain?" he asked like a protective older brother.

"Nothing, he was just taking me home," she replied innocently.

"Abarai, could you take her to the Kuchiki manor? I have to finish paper work to finish," I said to him. He looked at me with confusion. Then he seemed to understand my worry.

"Yeah, come on Rukia," he said then they were on their way. Surly, if something bad does happen, Abarai can protect Rukia from it. I hope, anyway.

Rukia's POV

I hope the captain's all right. He seems even more stressed than he was before we went on a walk. He worries me sometimes. I hope he gets back to his office all right. I don't know why but I have this feeling that something bad is going to happen.

While we were walking, we didn't speak. It was silent. Guess we still aren't that close.

"Hey, Rukia," Renji asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"You and the captain, there's nothing going on between you two, right?"

I felt my face go red. "Why would you ask something like that out of the blue?! Of course there's nothing going on between Captain Hitsugaya and me!"

"Oh, that's good," he said sheepishly.

"Why would you ask something like that?"

"No reason," he said.

"Liar," I mumbled.

"What was that, Midget," he mumbles the last part.

"What did you just call me?!"

"I called you a midget!"

"Say it again, I dare you!"

"All right, midget, midget, midget, you're a midget!"

"And you're an idiot!" I said when I punched him.

"What was that for?!" he said holding the side of his face I hit.

"You called me a midget!"

"That's no reason to punch me!"

"Yes it is. You were disrespecting me!"

"Well I'm a lieutenant! You should respect your superior!"

"Now you're going to use your rank to back you up! We both know I could beat you any day!"

"Said the unseated officer," he mumbled.

That had done it. I walked away from him and tried to hold in my tears. Why did that hurt me so much?

"Wait, Rukia," he said then came towards me.

"Go away, I'm walking the rest of the way myself! I'm sure the lieutenant has a lot of things to attend to. Surly, they're more important than spending time with a lowly unseated officer like me, right?"

"Come on, you know I didn't mean it," he tried to convince me.

"No, your words made everything real clear, Lieutenant Abarai."

"Fine, be that way! I'm leaving!" Then he was gone.

Stupid Renji, he's been acting like such a jerk since we started trying to be friends again! I don't even know why I'm still trying! That stupid jerk, I hate him so…

What's going on? Why do I feel this sudden fatigue? Wait, this is being caused by a high spiritual pressure! But whose spiritual pressure is it? No way, it can't be!

Toshiro's POV

Was it really a good idea to leave Rukia? I mean she has a lieutenant with her. She should be fine right?

When I got back to my office I found something shocking. Matsumoto was doing paper work! I should try to get more sleep. I know that my mind is playing tricks on me. It has to be!

"Hi, Captain, were you on a walk with Rukia-chan?"

"Yeah, I just got back." You could hear the confusion in my voice.

"What's wrong Captain?"

"Nothing," I tried reassuring her.

"Oh, I get it. You're surprised I'm doing paper work."

"Yeah, why?"

"I realized something today. You don't like opening your heart to people but you're trying to so you could get closer to Rukia-chan. So, I thought I should try doing something I don't want to do, to make it even."

"That's…" I stopped midsentence. That spiritual pressure! It can't be! I turned to Matsumoto. She could sense it too. We both rushed out of the room. We both headed to where the spiritual pressure was originating from. We knew the other captains and lieutenants would be on their way too. As we kept running, I noticed something. The place the spiritual pressure was originating from was close to the Kuchiki manor! It was a bit ahead of where I had left Rukia and Abarai!

I felt my pace quicken and my heart beating faster. Is this what I was feeling? Stupid, why did you leave her?! Has he come back for her? But why would he. I thought he was finished with her. He got what he wanted from her, why did he come back?

"Captain, did he come back for her?" Matsumoto asked. You could see the worry on her face.

"I don't know," I replied.

We finally reached it. When we got there I knew that I had made a huge mistake leaving Rukia with just a lieutenant.

There was Rukia, with Renji in her arms. He was bleeding out and she was crying. A couple feet away from them, was Aizen.