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Never Let Me Fall	By : shadoesong Category: Bleach > General Views: 1394 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and its characters, nor do I profit from this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 22

As soon as she returned to Soul Society, Aika sought out Daisuke. She didn't want him to hear the news about Rin from anyone other than her. This time, she found him sparring in the courtyard of his division building with his Captain. She leaned against the wall to wait for them to finish, but the man saw her first. He said something to Soi-Fon, and she nodded before leaving. He walked over to her, slinging the top of his shihakusho over his shoulders as he did. When she didn't make any comment about his lack of clothing, he instantly knew something was wrong.

"I heard you went to the World of the Living to participate in the attack," he spoke first. "What'd you find?"

Her voice caught in her throat when she tried to reply. She swallowed hard, knowing that he would take it hard. She rested a hand on his arm.

"Let's find somewhere private to talk," she whispered.

The concern on his face turned to alarm, and she could almost see it as he ran through all the possible worst case scenarios. Aika knew that none of them would compare with what she had to tell him.

"Yeah," he agreed. "Okay, do you have a place in mind?"

"We haven't been to my clearing in a while," she said. "Let's go there."

Once they arrived, she explained what happened between Yoruichi and Rin. When she finished the dark man stood staring off into space. When he hadn't said anything after a couple minutes, she spoke.

"I assume you've gotten your orders?"

"Yeah, I'm part of the defense of Karakura Town. You?"

She could tell he was still taking in what she said. His answer sounded distracted. What she had to say would catch his attention.

"My Captain is recommending that I be part of the strike force going to Hueco Mundo. I'm going to get her back."

He looked at her. The determination in her tone made him believe she would do it, too. She half expected him to insist on going, too, but he surprised her.

"Good. If I went I would be a liability. I could never raise my sword against Rin. Not again." He gathered the small woman in his arms. "Bring her back. If you can't, make sure you come back in one piece. She's more experienced than you, and I wouldn't want to lose another friend. Your greatest strength is your speed."

She nodded in understanding. They only stayed like that for a few minutes. There would be a lot to do to get things ready. Sereitei was a buzz of activity. After they said their good byes, the two shinigami went to their own divisions.

Hm, I thought I'd find you here..."

"I'm busy, Kawasuzu."

Toshiro barely looked up at the sound of Aika's voice. She walked over to peer over his shoulder. She had run into Rangiku. The buxom blonde commented that the short Captain was unfit company. Just as she suspected, he was creating work to keep himself busy.

"All the preparation's have been made. There's nothing left to do until we meet on the battlefield. Any reports can wait until this mess is over," the small woman pointed out. "You're worrying yourself for nothing."

"Your flippant attitude is not appreciated, Kawasuzu," he growled. He stood to confront her, a scowl on his face. The small Captain gave her credit for standing her ground. She didn't even back away when he stood within centimetres of her.

"Do you really mean that, Captain? That I'm not taking this seriously?" she calmly asked, placing a hand on her hip. Her demeanour threw him off-guard. It made him realize that he was taking his frustrations out on her, and she didn't deserve it.

"No, I don't. I'm sorry," he apologized. When he tried sitting back down in his chair, Aika stopped him.

"Come with me," she said, taking his hand, and leading him out of the office. If he wasn't feeling a little guilty about barking at her for no reason, she probably wouldn't have been able to.

"Where are we going?" Toshiro asked warily as he followed her, using shunpo when she did.

"You'll see," came the dodgy reply.

As they leapt over the roofs, they could hear small gatherings of those who would be fighting. Nothing too loud or boisterous. Some were drinking, like Matsumoto, others were spending their time intimately. The shinigami were letting off nervous energy.

She took him to a place in the forest near Soukyoku Hill. A tiny stream bubbled up at the edge of the clearing, its babbling a constant noise in the background. The trees closed them in. It gave those within privacy. Above, the canopy parted to allow for a perfect view of the night sky. As Aika walked through the knee high grass, glowing bugs were disturbed and flew into the air, lighting up the area.

"I thought you needed a reason to fight," she murmured, turning to face her scowling Captain.

"I know exactly what I'm fighting for..." he grumbled.

"The anger and hate, if used properly, should be left for the battlefield. Now is the time to visit that which we fight for. What do you fight for, Captain?"

She didn't press him as he seriously thought about what she said. He walked to the middle of the small clearing, and looked up at the stars. He thought of Hinamori and his Obaa-san. When Aika walked over to join him, they sat down. He listened to her hum a tune. Both enjoying each other's company.

"Well, Captain, it is getting too cool for me. I'm going to to get something to eat," the small woman finally said.

Aika was beginning to shiver. The evening had gotten quite cool. At the mention of food, Toshiro realized that he hadn't eaten since breakfast.

"Kawasuzu..." She turned back to him. He thought of yesterday, when they almost kissed. It made the white haired Captain feel awkward and nervous. Instead of saying what he wanted he asked, "Why don't I buy you supper?"

The small woman smiled, and nodded her head.

"Since you're buying, I know the perfect take-out place," she told him.

Toshiro wasn't sure how they ended up at his quarters. Though, he seemed to recall that Kawasuzu stayed at the Kuchiki estate. Her grandfather was the Head Adviser for the clan. On second thought, his quarters were better.

The two of them both had their arms full with take-out bags. He had to admit, the smell coming from them was delicious. Setting down his bags on the low table in front of his couch, he then took off Hyourinmaru, leaning it against a chair. As he took off his haori, Aika did the same with her zanpakuto. He hung up the haori on its designated hook. She pulled out a wine bottle from one of the paper bags.

"Do you have wine glasses?" she asked, holding it up so he could see. He nodded.

"I'll get a couple..."

He retreated to the kitchen. Aika had said that it would compliment the food, which was why he had agreed to get it. Returning, he found that she had taken the food containers out of the bag. It looked like a lot of food, but the containers were small, perfect for sampling each dish. Sitting on the couch beside her, he opened the wine.

"Try this one first. It's mildly spiced. I'm going to start with this one," she recommended.

She handed him one of the small boxes. As soon as she opened hers he could smell the spice coming from it. The small woman loved spicy food. He had to admit the curry and the coconut smelled good.

The two of them ate in silence, except for the occasional comment about the food. She would, occasionally, share a bite from her food. He admitted that the wine complimented the meal perfectly. Once their appetite was sated, they sat with their wine glasses in their hands, talking.

"No, we are not talking shop." The woman shook her head firmly as she spoke.

"What shop?" He looked confused.

"We're not going to talk about work, the battle, the squad, etc. We are going to be normal people, and talk about other things." That explanation earned her an irritated sigh.

"And if I don't?"

"I'm leaving. You can talk to yourself. Honestly, how do you not dream about it? Numbers, supplies, training, reports..." She numbered each one with her fingers. "Boooorriiing."

"Now you sound like Matsumoto," he scoffed

"Pfft. I'm not even close. I just know when to leave work at work. There's more to life than paperwork." Aika snagged the wine bottle to empty the last of it into their glasses.

"What do you want to talk about, then?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her. When she smirked at him, the small Captain scowled. "What?"

"You've forgotten how to have a normal conversation," Aika chuckled.

"I have not." He tried not to sound sullen but failed.

"You know, Rangiku thinks that you're a strict teetotaller like Daisuke." Changing the subject seemed to be the safest course of action.

"Matsumoto drinks enough for everyone. That, and people think I'm too young. How do you do it? Nobody seems to question your age."

"I'm over two centuries old. When people have known you for that long they don't question you anymore. I would have the same problem if I was visiting someplace different. And have."

She shared a few mishaps. It even had the Captain chuckling.

"I've seen more than a century, and I've been in Sereitei for several decades now. I've been a Captain for most of that time, too," Toshiro muttered.

"I don't know. When you give them that icy glare, though, it sends them jumping to do your bidding."

"It doesn't seem to work on you," he pointed out.

"If you think about it, it's only the guilty ones that are affected." That comment earned her a chuckle.

"True."

They chatted for a little longer before Aika stood up, announcing that she should go. He walked her to the door. He was so awkward that Aika impulsively gave him a hug. He surprised her by returning it.

"Thank you, Kawasuzu," whispering his gratitude in her ear, holding her a little tighter. It felt very good to have her in his arms.

What happened next, he blamed on the wine. He couldn't quite remember how they ended up kissing. His memory was vague about how they ended up in his bedroom. He did recall perfectly what happened after that.

Despite the darkness, Toshiro's internal clock woke him the usual time the next morning. It was a good thing since he had forgotten to set the alarm. He looked down at the face of the sleeping woman that was curled up beside him. Her head was resting on his chest, and her leg was thrown across his lower body. Her long hair fanned out behind her and across his chest, partially covering her face.

The short Captain couldn't help but think of when he freed it from the braid she wore. How silky and soft it felt in his hands. That thought brought attention to the predicament every man went through in the morning. Aika shifted her leg in response to his slight movements, rubbing against the very thing that was causing trouble. Which only made it worse. The feeling of the soft curly hair between her legs tickling his thigh was turning him on even more.

All thoughts of morning sex flew out the window when one of their cellphones went off. It was Aika's, his ringtone was different. The small woman went from deep sleep to fully awake. She flew over to her phone, answering before she knew what she was doing.

"Kawasuzu."

The white haired Captain sat up to watch the naked woman, standing in the middle of his quarters, talking on her phone. Aika would never have a curvaceous body. Her body was honed by the intense training she did. Being the same height that he was, curvaceous wouldn't suit her. Toshiro watched as one ass cheek flexed then the other as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other, behind her curtain of hair. He began to blush when he realized he was admiring her body.

To cover his embarrassment he got up to get dressed. He shrugged into a robe. That was when he noticed the trail of clothes leading from the front door to the bed. The Captain couldn't recall that journey even when faced with the evidence. Just as he was about to gather them up, Aika ended her conversation.

"Of course, Captain Kuchiki. I'll be there," she said.

Aika shut her phone off, putting it down on the side table she'd picked it up from. She was going to Hueco Mundo. She was going to get Rin back.

Taking in her surroundings, the events from last night sank in. She turned to find Toshiro picking up the clothes from the floor. The short Captain was trying not to look directly at her. She suddenly remembered that she was nude, standing in the middle of her Captain's quarters.

"That was Captain Kuchiki. He was informing me that I was chosen to go to Hueco Mundo," she said, trying to act natural. She began gathering up the pieces of her uniform. "He said you argued that I should have a place on the team. Thank you."

"No thanks needed."

Toshiro collected one of his socks that were hanging off a picture on the wall. He took a second to wonder how it could of gotten there. He turned to find the dark skinned woman looking up at her pants. They were hanging off his ceiling fan. She glanced at him, and burst out laughing. He couldn't help but smile as he walked over to her. It helped break the awkwardness that had been growing between them.

"I have a pair of hakama that I can lend you," the Captain offered while gazing up at her pants.

A/N: I'm sorry it took so long to update. I was in the hospital. I will post the next chapter in a couple of days.

@ Raymy: thank you for faithfully following this story. We're nearing the end of this story. The next one is already being written. I'd say it's over half finished. It'll be entirely original. I hope you'll follow that one, too.
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Never Let Me Fall