Rukia's POV

"Rukia," said a voice.

I looked up from Kiyone's desk to the person that had snapped me out of my thoughts. "Yes? What is it, Captain Ukitake?"

"Well, I was going to ask you if you could deliver some paperwork for me. But now I want to know why you're at Kiyone's desk, doing her paperwork."

"Oh, that," I said. "I don't know. I had nothing to do when I got back here. I guess I let Kiyone trick me into doing her work. Sorry."

He looked at me as if I were weird. "You don't have to apologize. If you ask me, Kiyone should be the one apologizing. Anyway, could you deliver this paperwork for me? I would do it myself, but I don't feel well. And-"

"It's fine, Captain. You don't have to explain. I don't mind."

"Oh, thank you, Rukia! I'm so glad to have a subordinate like you."

I smiled at the compliment, but I could feel that it was a really bad smile. Ever since I got back I've been caught up in my thoughts. All I could think about was Captain Hitsugaya—

I mean my training. Because I certainly wasn't thinking of Captain Hitsugaya. Not at all! I haven't thought about him once! And, why would I? I know I was thinking about him in a… rather intimate way earlier. But that was just… my nerves talking. Yeah, I don't—

"Rukia, are you all right?"

I looked up at my captain. "Um, yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Ever since you got back here you've seemed… distracted."

"Oh, I have? Sor-"

"Don't apologize. You've had a long day. A strange day, even," he added.

He looked down at me with his kindest, warmest smile. It made me smile back.

"Thank you, Captain. Where would you like me to take the paperwork?"

"Oh yes, the paperwork," he said. "I had forgotten about that. Ha-ha."

He's such a strange man. But that's what I like about him. I'm glad he's my captain.

"All right, I have a few documents and stuff I need delivered." He started handing me files and papers one by one, listing where they needed to be taken. By the time he gave me all of them, I was carrying a huge stack of papers and files and documents. The pile was tall enough to make it difficult for me to see straight ahead. "Um, maybe it was a little bit more than a few. If you want, I could take some—"

"No, no. It's all right, Captain. I can handle this."

"Oh, thank you so much, Rukia. I'm so glad I have such a kindhearted, patient and caring subordinate like you! I don't know what I would do without you."

I offered him a smile. "Thank you, Captain. Have a nice day," I said as I left. He smiled at me and waved good bye.

By the time the sun was starting to set I had nothing left to deliver, except a sealed file. A sealed file I have to take to the 10th division. I don't know why, but I don't want to go over there. I feel like if I go anywhere near Captain Hitsugaya I'll start to think those… weird thoughts about him. It's silly of me. I couldn't possibly feel attracted to him. I mean, he's my superior. Not just that. I'm an unseated officer, and he's a captain.

I looked at the file and sighed. This is stupid. Why am I thinking about this? It's not like I feel anything towards him. Do I?

No! No, no, no, no, no! I don't have any romantic feeling for Captain Hitsugaya. All I feel towards him is gratitude. That's all. Nothing more, nothing less.

But if that's true, why are you so scared to go deliver an envelope to him?

Shirayuki, is that you?

There was no response. Maybe I was just hearing things.

Anyway, I should go deliver this. And whoever—or whatever—said that is right. I don't feel that way towards him so there's no need for me to be scared.

I was confident in what I though. That is, until I reached the door to his office. I was about to knock on the door when I felt this weird sensation in my stomach. This feeling… I've had it before. It was when I met Kaien. I guess it had shown because Kaien had pointed it out. I denied it of course. Still, he told me that that was called the 'butterflies.' Why am I nervous? I already told myself that I don't have feelings for Captain Hitsugaya.

Telling yourself that is one thing. Whether it's true or not is another.

What? Who is that? That's the second time I heard that voice. It's annoying—and, might I add, somewhat scary—but, it's giving me helpful advice. But why can't it just tell me what to do?!

I suddenly got an idea.

Hey, um, voice? I know this is really pitiful, and I'm probably just imagining you, but could you, maybe, just tell me what to do? You see, the thing is, I've never liked anyone. And I don't even know if I like Captain Hitsugaya! It could just be a faze or something. And, even if I did like him, what would I do? It's not like he'd like me back. That would be impossible! He's so smart and talented and brave… Um, anyway, could you just do me a favor and tell me what to do? It would make things easier.

I waited for a response. Of course, nothing answered. I sighed at how pitiful I was being.

I looked up at the door. I never thought I'd be so frightened of a door. I sighed and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Captain Hitsugaya said.

I opened the door and bowed. Right when I came in Matsumoto was hugging me.

"Rukia, I'm so glad to see you!" she cheered.

"Yes, it's nice to see you too, Matsumoto. Um, I have something for you, Captain Hitsugaya. It's from my captain," I said.

He looked at me and nodded. "Matsumoto, let her go."

She pouted but did as he said. I walked over to his desk and placed at the corner.

"Thank you," he said, catching me by surprise.

I simply bowed and started to leave.

"Rukia-chan, wait!" Matsumoto suddenly yelled.

I turned around and looked at her.

"Captain, can I please take the rest of the day off?! I really, really, really want to hang out with Rukia-chan!" She looked over at her captain with pleading eyes. When she saw his stern and reluctant face, she joined her hands together, as if praying, and gave him "puppy eyes."

He sighed. "You know very well that that stupid look can't change my mind. But, since you show such persistence, I'll allow it. But only for today! Don't think that you can continue to do this, got it?"

"Yay! Thank you so, so much, Captain! Let's go, Rukia-chan!"

She took my arm and, once again, dragged me out of the room at high speed. Despite this being only the second time she's dragged me to an unknown location, I already knew that asking where she was taking me would be pointless. I also knew that there was no way she would stop dragging me until we got to the unknown destination. I sighed. She is very… different from other people that I've met. Then again, "normal" people don't seem to like me that much. I guess "different" is a good thing.

She finally stopped. I looked at the building she stopped at. I felt a pit in my stomach as I saw the number that announced what division the building belonged to. "11" read the sigh. I gulped. I have heard many things about squad 11's captain. And none of them were good.

"Oh, relax, Rukia-chan! We're not here to visit ol' Kenpachi. Geez, I'd be out of my mind to visit him! Ha-ha. Anyway, we're here to visit someone nicer. Although, I sorta think she's just as coo-coo as Captain Kenpachi. Eh, you never know. She might be a bit crazy, but she's certainly not as… um, violent—if that's even the right word—as him."

"Um, alright," I replied.

"Oh, relax! I have a feeling you two will make the best of friends! Come on!"

She led us inside of the building and into a room. The first thing I noticed was a head of bright pink hair lying on a couch.

"Yachiru-chan!"

The small lieutenant woke up instantly. She wiped the drool from her mouth. When she saw that Matsumoto was here, the lieutenant gasped.

"Matsu-Matsu! I'm so happy that you came to see me! It's been soooooo long!"

"I know. Captain's been real uptight lately so it's been getting harder to sneak out. Anyway, I'm not here to talk about myself. I'm here to introduce you to someone very special."

Yachiru gasped. "Special like Ken-chan?"

"Um, sure," Matsumoto replied, not sure if "special like Ken-chan" was a good thing. She grabbed me by the shoulder and lightly pushed me in front of her. "This is Rukia-chan."

"You mean, Ichi-Ichi's friend?" I flinched at the mentioning of the guy that broke my heart. I still nodded. "Ken-chan loves Ichi-Ichi! Since Ken-chan likes Ichi-Ichi, and you're Ichi-Ichi's friend, you must be special!"

"Um, thank you?" I said.

"Hm, that's not good enough though." Suddenly, Yachiru came up to me and jumped onto my back. I was so confused. Yachiru crawled all over me like a spider. I heard sniffing coming from Yachiru's nose. Is she smelling me? Then, Yachiru stopped at my pockets. Yachiru stuck her small hands into my pockets and pulled out my candy. "A-ha! I knew I smelled sweets!" Yachiru said before she ate the hand full of candy in one bite.

"Oh, no, please don't tell Nii-sama! He doesn't like it when I eat sweets. It's just, they're so good and—"

"That was so yummy! Ken-chan took my candy away a while ago. I haven't been able to enjoy a sweet piece of heaven in soooooo long!" Yachiru said right before she exploded into wicked laughter.

"I can see why Kenpachi took away her sweets. The girl gets hyper so easily," Matsumoto whispered to me. "Anyway, Yachiru, what do you think of Rukia-chan?"

Yachiru's laughter suddenly stopped. She examined me one last time. Then she smiled widely. "I love Ru-Ru-chan! She has a great taste in sweets!"

I smiled at the strange compliment. "You're so kind, Lieutenant—" I started.

"No, you don't have to add the 'Lieutenant' anymore. You're my new and bestest friend."

Matsumoto and I laughed and Yachiru joined in with her wicked sounding laugh.

Normal POV

After Yachiru had accepted Rukia as a friend, the three of girls spent time together. They had fun and laughed so much. When Rukia had noticed that it was already night time, she became quite upset. She didn't want their fun to end. But she knew that if she didn't hurry back to the Manor, her strict Nii-sama would be waiting for her with a scolding. She left with a lot of protest from the two immature girls. She still left despite it.

Luckily, she got home in time. Her Nii-sama wasn't waiting for her with another one of his boring lessons.

She happily walked to her room. There, she grabbed one of the many Chappy stuffed animals from to ground and squealed into it. I am so happy! she thought. I have another friend! And she likes candy just as much as I do!

After ranting on about how happy she was to herself for a while, she collapsed onto the futon. She sighed. She felt like she had just released all the despair and misery from her heart and mind. It felt so nice to finally be able to forget about Ichigo. And, even if he does slip into her mind, her happiness is strong enough to make it disappear. It's as if Matsumoto had magically made all her sadness go away.

I owe her so much, she thought. I have no idea how to repay her. She's done so much for me. I'm so glad. And I think I'm able to accept it now.

She got up and looked out the small window. She looked up at the beautiful moon. This time, the memory of the frozen rived and frost covered trees didn't pop into her mind. This time, all she saw was to beautiful moon. She sighed again.

Captain Hitsugaya, she thought to herself. I think I can accept it now.

"World," she whispered. "I am in love with—"

The creak of a floor board interrupted her almost confession. It came from right outside the door. She looked over that way in time to see a note slide in from the other side.

That's strange, she thought to herself as she walked over to it. She bent down to pick up the folded, plain white piece of paper. She opened it and began to read it.

I know of your secret.

She gasped and nearly dropped the note. Despite the terror in her heart, she knew she had to continue reading.

I know of your secret, you piece of ungrateful trash. It's quite a shame that you couldn't bother yourself to tell your close ones. Not even your dear Nii-sama knows. You disgust me. You are so pathetic. And taking the help of someone you barely know, how disgraceful. What would people think if they saw you and Captain Hitsugaya walking into the woods to do who-knows-what? They'd see you as a whore! Well, you never know. You did used to live in the 78th district. Who knows what you did there to survive.

You and I, along with few others, know that no questionable things are happening between you two. But all of Seretei doesn't. If word of this was let out, it would be the word of few against everyone else. I'm sure you don't want this. I don't want that either. But hiding the secret, that power, from your loved ones is shameful. Is that all you can do, Rukia Kuchiki? Bring shame to the Kuchiki name?

I know you quite well. I know that, normally, you wouldn't care about blackmail. But that would only be the case if you were to be the only one affected. But if your secret about your true power or the rumor of the fake love affair got out, your Nii-sama's and his honorable clan's names would be tarnished. I know that you don't want that. So you will do exactly as I say, you trash. I'm sure you know how to take orders by now. Being as weak and pitiful as you are, there are many that can order you around.

First, you will cease the training with Captain Hitsugaya. You will make up an excuse as to why you had to stop. You should know how to make up a decent lie, I'm sure. You've lied so much already. You will not, however, tell him of this note or the real reason. Second, you will forget all those shameful thoughts of becoming a lieutenant. You and I both know it would be useless to try and take the exam. You'd be wasting everyone's time. If you've forgotten, I'll remind you. You are weak. You could never make it as a lieutenant. Make sure to remember that, street rat. The last thing, remember your place!

You will soon get another note. I'll be keeping a close eye on you. If you violate any of the instructions I've given you, you will be punished. I will not tell your secret right away. I will give you pity and allow you three, and only three, chances. Appreciate it, rat, that's all I will give you. That is, all except misery if you do not fulfil my commands.

Remember all this, Rukia. Do not bring shame to those around you.

And with that, all the despair and misery she had released came back.