12: Confront and Relax

Toshiro's POV

As I fell from the slash Aizen landed on me, I immediately directed my thoughts to Grace. I regretted not going after her. All I can think of is her warm smile. Her look of determination when she puts her mind to something, such as completing the paperwork from earlier. Her comforting Spiritual Pressure, the way how it knocked others to the ground but with me it warmed my body and made me feel safe, welcome, secure. At home.

Grace.... My dying thoughts go to you. I don't feel pain. Just cold. Maybe it was blood loss. Maybe it was my Hyorinmaru. Maybe it was my heart's icy depths melting and finally revealing its true self to the rest of my body. Who knows? I fall to the ground, face down and unmoving. I slip into darkness, my last thoughts for Grace and only Grace.

When I wake, I am still on the ground bleeding. I hear voices.

"CAPTAIN!" shouts one. Grace? I wanted to answer her. To open my mouth and tell her I was ok. That there was no need to worry.

"There's no need to worry. He's already dead," said another. Aizen... "Same for her. I did her a favor, you know. I had trained her so she couldn't live without me. Gin was supposed to finish her and Toshiro of but oh well. No matter."

"YOU BASTARD. THEY'RE NOT DEAD AND I WILL HEAL THEM MYSELF IF I HAVE TO TO PROVE IT,"i heard Grace shout. Then I blacked out again. Damn.... Grace don't fight..... he'll kill you....

The next time I awoke was in Squad 4's Barracks. I blinked the blurriness from my vision and looked around. I attempted to sit up, but something was on my chest preventing me. I looked at what it was and saw a head of black hair. I blinked again and tried to figure out who it was. I saw two wings on the body beside me. G...grace? She....SHE FELL ASLEEP ON ME?! AH WHAT- WHAT DO I DO?! Wake her? Let her stay? What?! She's sleeping so peacefully....i should just let her stay. I bring my other hand up and look at it. It's wrapped. I must've cut it on my blade when I gripped it too tightly or something.... My chest is also wrapped, and my left shoulder as well. My shihakusho is open and she's laying on the bandages. I look back at Grace.

She breathes in and out slowly. I reach my hand out and gently touch her head. She doesn't stir.

"She was up late healing you after she healed Lieutenant Hinamori and was healed by us before that," says a voice. I almost jump but don't so I don't wake Grace. I look at the owner.

"Captain.... Unohana? Why did she heal me instead of you or the other members of Squad 4?" I ask. My voice is hoarse.

"Because we couldn't do anything for you. She was in the middle of healing you and passed out. Good thing we didn't move her because it seems she healed you while she was asleep on you," Captain Unohana tells me. I look at Grace. She seems so comfortable.

"Why didn't you tell her to stop healing me?"I ask. They should've stopped her so she didn't pass out. she was recovering and that wasn't good for her. "And did you say you healed her? How did she sustain injuries?" I pray it wasn't Aizen. But boy am I wrong.

"Aizen slashed her and Gin stabbed her. She wont have scars or anything, and the stab wound barely missed a vital artery. She should be good after she wakes. I wouldn't move her, but it's your choice," Unohana replies. I run my fingers through Grace's hair and she presses into my chest a bit more. Her hand tightens its hold on my open Shihakusho. My heart tightens.

"No, it's fine. We don't have to move her just yet,"I reply. Captain Unohana hides a smile. LWhat became of Aizen? And Gin as well?"

"Aizen, Gin, and Kaname have all betrayed the soul society. They escaped us into Hueco Mundo ands we have no desire to follow until after everyone is healed and recovered," She answer. I grind my teeth. I'll make him pay for hurting Momo and Grace. Grace stirs on my chest and wakes up slowly. I tense.

Grace's POV

I feel.... warm. I feel.... comfortable. I feel... safe. I slowly open my eyes and blink. I feel whatever I am laying on rise and fall. I blink. A pillow doesn't breathe.... I sit up and rub my eyes, turning to see what or who I was laying on. I am met with bright blue eyes and silver hair. I suddenly realize. Oh my GOD. I WAS SLEEPING ON TOSHIRO.

"Ah... uh... um. T-Captain Hitsugaya I am so sorry!" I say panicked. I launch myself away from him and stand. I put an arm behind my back and grab the other one, feeling my face turn bright red.

"It's ok, Grace," He says. He sits up. "There was no harm in you sleeping on me." I try to remember what happened. I was healing Momo...then Toshiro.... and... I passed out.

"I am really really sorry, I shouldn't have been sleeping on you I was healing you and I just blacked out, ands you're injured so that's not good I could've made it worse, and you're my Captain and-" I babble nervously. He sighs.

"Stop it, it's ok I'm not injured anymore and I liked you sleeping there you looked peaceful," He says waving it off. He suddenly turns red at realizing what he said. "Ah, not like, uh..." Both of us are completely red now. I hear someone clear their throat.

"Not that this isn't cute or anything, but you guys should both eat and take time to recover," Says the person. I turn behind me to see who it is. It's Captain Unohana. I nod once. Toshiro swings his legs off the bed and stands. I glance at him and see he's still looking at me. I notice his open shihakusho, revealing his chest and abs. I blush more and look away. He quickly closes it and swallows. Captain Unohana looks between us with a knowing look and smiles. "I will leave you two now." She turns and walks out of the room. We stand there in silence for a minute. I look at the floor.

"Do... you want to go eat with me?" Toshiro asks. I look at him and nod once. "How's Hinamori, I might ask though." I look down.

"I tried to heal her the best I could, but.... she's stable. That's all I can say,"I reply swallowing. He nods slowly.

"Well, let's go then. You look like you could use some food, and I know I do," He says quietly. We leave and go to a restaurant. It's not the same one as before, where he and I had issues. It's different. We go in and sit down and order. "So.....I heard Aizen and Gin got you pretty badly." I nod once.

"Well, I tried to fight them both off,"I reply.

"That was stupid of you," He tells me. I frown.

"What?"I ask.

"That was stupid. You're no match for either of them for one, and for another there was no reason to do that," He answers. I grind my teeth.

"I had my reasons. And if I had had a chance to use my Bankai on them then I-" I start.

"Bankai?" He interrupts me. I nod once. He gives me a mixed look of disapproval and disbelief.

"Yes. I trained with Ichigo and I now have a Bankai. It's a really odd one I have to say though. But I suppose since I've never seen another one, then I wouldn't know,"I answer. The food comes and we both start eating.

"So, Grace," Toshiro says clearing his throat after a minute. "About the other night..."I instantly flinch back. He's going to tell me he didn't mean it....

"It's fine Captain. I'm sure it was all a misunderstanding,"I say quietly. I look down at the plate of food in front of me. I hadn't eaten much but I wasn't very hungry at all. 

"You're wrong there," Toshiro tells me. I blink and look at him. "I do love you. And I wish you hadn't have ran out on me as you did." I turn red at that.

"Well, I apologize for running out, but in all honesty I don't see how you or anyone else for that matter could love me," I replied in a low voice. He frowns. "Furthermore, you are my Captain and a friend. I wouldn't want anything to compromise that."

"Please, you can't reject me just yet. I've barely gotten started," Toshiro jokes. He clasps his hands in front of him after pushing his cleared plate away.

"It's not rejecting if there's nothing there," I scoff. He sighs and shakes his head. "What?"

"You really are difficult, you know. That's one thing I do love about you though. Unrelenting. That's what you are," Toshiro says. I take a small bite of food. "Look, you really ought to eat more. You've lost a lot of energy."

"I'm not very hungry. I don't know why,"I reply. "And I don't need to be told to eat food. I know what I'm doing." Toshiro laughs slightly.

"I'm getting a hostile feel from you. Any idea why?" He asks rhetorically. I stop eating, unable to stand it. He stands and so do I. "Come. I'll walk you to Rangiku's." I follow him and we walk slowly to Rangiku's. As we're walking we stay silent for a bit. "Look. I'm not going to give up on you. Whatever I have to do to convince you I love you, I will do it. If it's in my power."

"There's no reason to even try. I know you think you love me, but I have to say. If it's for looks, then-"I began.

"It's not just for looks as you put it. It's all things physical and mental. I love you, personality, looks, weird little things you do. Everything," He interrupts.

"If you can refrain from interrupting me then I suggest you do so. As I was saying, if it is for looks then I suggest you rethink that. Because I am not completely as I appear to you now. In my angelic form, you would be terrified of me. Horrified you even thought you loved me, and that is only until your eyes melted from your head," I tell him. He has a shocked look about the last part. "Yes. Be shocked. Be terrified. Because that is the only thing that may or may not save me from showing you my true form. It's power is so great it could disintegrate anyone in a matter of minutes. I am that terrible. It's why Father separated us you know."

"What is?" He questions. His horrified look has been replaced with one of curiosity and amazement. I look away from him. I surely thought that would make him see his error.... Why is he still curious? Why does he stay?

"The reason he separated all angels into a realm from everyone else. Because we had no idea how to contain it. Our forms, I mean. He thought it would be best. And it is," I reply. We approach the top of the hill to Rangiku's.

"Is this your idea of trying to make me give up?" He asks suddenly. I raise an eyebrow.

"Well. Yeah it was. Caught me in the act.... it's still true though. My form is powerful enough to send a demon screaming and crying back to the depths of hell from once it came,"I reply. He sighs. We stop outside Rangiku's house. He turns towards me. Suddenly he steps close to me, looking down in my eyes. What is he.... I raise an eyebrow. He grabs my hand.

"Well. You didn't scare me away. And you wont ever will. And if you really are that powerful, then I thank your father that he created you. Because then that means I had the chance to meet you and discover something of true beauty. For that power is something only people can ever dream of. And if i've fallen for the one girl who has it then I sure am lucky," Toshiro says. My eyes widen and I can feel my cheeks slowly turning red. "Sleep well, Grace. Because when you wake up, we're going on one hell of an adventure." He presses something into my palm and leaves me on the front step of Rangiku's house. I open her door and go in to sit on the couch. The thing I held in my hand was my phone. I quickly turn it on and scroll through missed calls from Gabe.

I don't know how long I had sat there staring at my phone when it vibrated. I opened it and read the message there.

Subject: GRACE FUCKING REPLY

Re:

From: Gabe

GRACE HOLYFIELD I SWEAR TO YOUR FATHER IF YOU DO NOT PICK UP THIS PHONE AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING OR AT LEAST TEXT ME BACK AFTER RECIEVING THIS, AND YES I WILL KNOW IF YOU'VE READ IT BEVAUSE IT HAS A LITTLE R RIGHT NEXT TO IT TO INDICATE YOU'VE READ IT OR NOT, THEN I WILL COME TO THE REAPER REALM MYSELF AND DRAGE YOUR ALL POWERFUL ASS BACK WITH ME. YOUR FATHER IS WORRIED, YOUR BROTHER IS WORRIED, AND I AM WORRIED AS WELL. I HAVE TO TALK TO YOU IMMEDIATELY SO TEXT OR CALL ME. YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES OR I PORTAL JUMP GIRL.

Gabe -_-

I stared at the words on the screen. I felt laughter bubbling up. I suddenly doubled over with it.

Subject: GRACE FUCKING REPLY

Re: GABE CHILL THE FUCK OUT

GABE WHAT THE FUCK. I've been busy dude sorry af. But chill. You don't have to come here. Sorry, Toshiro had my phone.

Grace .-.

I sent the message with a click. Rangiku walked into the room. She was wearing shorts and a tshirt. She rubbed her eyes.

"Grace? Why are you in my house?"Rangiku asked. Oh right, I never officially asked to stay here.

"Sorry Rangiku. I guess I never officially asked to stay here, but since I don't have a place can I?"I asked. She nodded once and left to go lay back down. I untied my converse and set them by the foot of the couch. I lay out and shoved a pillow behind me. As I stared at the ceiling, Toshiro's words echoed in my mind.

"I love you."

BZZZT BZZZT. I picked my phone up and opened the message.

Subject: GABE CHILL THE FUCK OUT

Re: GRACE YOU'RE ALIVE

YOU HAD ME PANICKED MAN. SERIOUSLY. Anyways. Who's this Toshiro? Is that his last name? Or is it his first? If it's his first is he your bf ;D?

Gabe ^3^

I sighed at him. Stupid fool.

Subject:GRACE YOU'RE ALIVE

Re: Gabe quit I'm tired

Toshiro Hitsugaya, Toshiro is his first name and no we aren't bf gf. He wants to be though. Look, I'm really tired. Text you in morning?

Grace~

I clicked the screen off and stared at the ceiling. If I know Gabe, he wont let me sleep. BZZZT BZZZT. Damn he texts fast.

Subject: Gabe quit I'm tired

Re: NEVER

YOU HAVE TO TALK TO ME. Your father wants you to come home. He's planning on trying to send me through the portal. Anything you want to say to him? I'll fwd the message.

Gabe:-3

I rolled my eyes. Father has always been too overprotective. He'd change his own laws to support my brother. But why would he so this for me? He's never cared. I've just been his weapon from the start.

Subject: NEVER

Re: Yeah.

Tell him I said," Father, I'm not coming home. I don't want to, I'm a big girl and can take care of myself. And besides, you never cared about me before. Why do you care now? I'm sorry you're going to loose your precious weapon. But if you want me to come back, you'd better have a talk with me about things. And that includes one about my mother. I want to know who she is." don't forward that, just copy and paste or something because my secret message for you is this, I'm not ever coming back. I'm somewhere I belong. I feel home here. Even if I am just some stupid weapon, that's how o feel. If father wanted me to listen, he would've made me an emotionless robot. Can I go sleep now?

Grace:|

I hit send quickly. My music changes. (A/N: I'll post a playlist of Grace's songs. That way you'll know and can listen to it yourselves. Her theme song will be the first on there!) I turn it up and stare at the ceiling. I fear to close my eyes, because either Toshiro's face will appear or Gabe will blow my phone up. BZZZT BZZZT. I pick it up, thinking it's a text. It's a phone call instead. I roll my eyes and stop my music. I answer it after unplugging my earbuds and walk out of the house climbing the roof quickly.

"Hello?" I say quietly.

"GRACE OH MY GOSH YOUR VOICE IS LIKE A MIRACLE TO HEAR," shouts someone on the other end. Gabe.

"Dude, chill out. I'm half asleep right now. What do you want so badly you couldn't say in text, dummy?" I demand.

"*sigh* Don't be mad ok?" Gabe says quietly. I raise an eyebrow.

"Gabe. What?" I ask. He sighs again.

"I dunno how to say this. I miss you so badly it kills me," Gabe replies. I can see him scratching the back of his neck and blushing slightly in my mind.

"Ok? Is that why you called me? You see, because I'm in my 'wake me up and i'll slaughter you' mood. So either get to the point or hang up and call me in the morning," I tell him. I rub my left temple.

"I called to.... tell you that....I love you and I want you to come home," Gabe says, mushing the last sentences together. I blink.

"That better be a friendly love and not what I thought it meant," I say. He laughs nervously.

"It's not. I love you," Gabe replies. Damn it! Not Gabe too! I facepalm.

"Oh. I really don't know what to say to that..... I got confessed to earlier, so someone best you to the punch. And you're my best friend there's no way you actually-" I began.

"I do. And who confessed? That Toshiro Reaper? Because he can never love you like I do. I've known you longer, I have more leverage," Gabe says. His voice is rising. "You don't belong there! Even if your mother was a Soul Reaper, you're an Angel not a Soul Reaper!" I blink. Did he just say mom was a Soul Reaper?  No.... no way.

"Gabe, my mom was a Soul Reaper?" I asked quietly. I hear a sharp intake of breath.

"Shit, I wasn't supposed to say that..... Damn. The point is, come home please," Gabe's voice has gone down to a quiet whisper.

"Gabe.... does my father even want me home? Or was that just you making shit up because you thought i'd come running home under Daddy's orders like a little girl?" I growl out at him. I can see him flinch in my mind.

"....it was, I thought you'd come to your senses and return," Gabe half whispers. I laugh harshly.

"Gabriel Roman Lightfield. You are a fool, I will never return home. You don't love me if you just lied to me. What happened to my Gabe? He would never lie like this. He would know I belong where I want to belong. Who are you even anymore?" I say. Tears have started slowly falling. "I can not believe you."

"Grace... don't say that. Please. Please, I'm sorry I just-" Gabe starts.

"Goodbye Gabe." I say sadly. I hang up on him.

Gabe's POV

"DAMNIT SHE HUNG UP!" I roar in rage. I turn to the person that had been standing in the shadows and scowl in anger.

"You must try again. Grace is not to become a full Soul Reaper," they tell me. I growl.

"No. You just made me lie to my best friend, even confess my love for her that i've hidden since I was 10 years old, and made her feel I've betrayed her. And how do I know that you really are her mother?" I demand. The person steps out of the shadows and pulls their hood down. I gasp slightly. Black hair, familiar features. It IS Grace's mother. She's wearing a brown cloak. Her Soul Reaper clothes are under her cloak.

"I suppose this should be enough proof? We look alike don't we?" She says. Even her voice is similar to Grace's. Incredible.  

"Tell me why first. Why can't she be happy and become a Soul Reaper?"  I ask quietly. She slightly smiles.

"Well. Her power is far to great. If she reaches a power great enough, she'll have two Zanpakuto instead of one, and when that happens, if she can't control it properly, her entire being will be gone. She will turn to dust and blow away," Her mother replies. My eyes widen.

"Have you ever thought of telling her that? Maybe if I do she'll listen-" Her mother cuts me off with a laugh.

"You see, she wont do that. You know her better. When her mind is made up will it be changed?" Her mother says. I look at the ground.

"No, you're right. I'll do what you ask," I whisper. Her mother smiles.

"Good, thank you for saving my daughter," She says. I scoff.

"I'm not doing this for you. You abandoned her. This is for her." Everything is always for her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Me: Welllll

Toshiro: well

Grace: well

Me: don't copy me that's weird. Thanks for reading this guys! As for the story, I believe I've figured out where to stop it. It will be after Aizen's thing, so the thing at the beginning of the story in the prologue will happen between here and then. I've got it alllll workeeeeed ouuuuuuuut. Bye!