11:Betrayals and Confession

Toshiro's POV

I sighed. Half of Squad 11 had its forces wiped out, Rukia had already been moved to the Repentance Cell, and the ryoka are still at large. I have sent Grace to Rangiku's, but I still can't stop thinking of her. It's now night, I suppose the most I can do is go take Grace for dinner. Or take dinner to her. Whatever. she still has to eat.

Quit lying to yourself, you know it's an excuse to see Grace. I sigh and rub my temples. Boy do I have a headache. I stand and leave. I head to Rangiku's house and knock on the door. As expected, it's Rangiku who opens the door.

"Captain! What's up?" She asks.

"I sent Grace here. I came to ask her if she wanted to go for dinner,"I reply. Rangiku gives me a confused look.

"But Captain. Grace isn't here..."Rangiku says. I frown.

"What?"

"Grace isn't here. She was here, but she must've left. I got home and she wasn't here. There's a trace of her spiritual pressure, though," Rangiku tells me. I feel a sense of worry build up in me quickly.

"That can't be, I told her to come here and stay here and she told me she would,"I state panicked.

"Captain, calm down. Breathe. I can trace her,"Rangiku replies. "Come inside and sit for a moment while I trace her." I enter and sit down on her sofa. I put my elbows on my knees and let my hands dangle in between them. Rangiku begins to trace Grace. After a few minutes she finds Grace and we leave. We arrive at the scene of a battle.

Grace's POV

After sensing where some intruders were, I located two of them.

What, do they travel in pairs? Ridiculous. I see one girl and a guy. The girl has on a pink shirt and white bottoms. Her hair is orange or brown, I can't really tell. It seems a mix of the both colors. She has two blue flower hairpins in her hair. The boy is wearing white and blue and has black hair. The outfit has a dorky looking cape on it. He also wears glasses. They are running towards a tall white tower in the distance. I jump in front of them and they stop.

"And... who would you be?" Asks the guy. He seems confused at my appearance. I notice his gaze on my wings.

"Grace. Don't stare too hard at my wings, they aren't going to attack you,"I tell him. He scoffs.

"What sort of soul reaper has wings?" He asks wrinkling his eyebrows. The girl is standing quietly behind him also eyeing my wings. I smile.

"Well, I'm not a soul reaper. Not from this realm, I suppose you could say. But that doesn't matter. What matters is the battle we are about to have,"I reply. He raises an eyebrow.

"You obviously haven't enough spiritual pressure to battle me," He says. I laugh at him." What?"

"You obviously judge books by covers. What's your name, before we engage in battle?"I reply.

"Uryu Ishida. And I am a Quincy," He says. He summons a bow made of blue light and I smile slightly.

"Impressive. Sever, Tengokuhime,"I say casually. My zanpakuto splits into the sai.

"I thought you said you weren't a Soul Reaper. Why do you have a Zanpakuto then?" He asks. He keeps his bow at his side.

"Well. I don't have the answer to that one myself. What about the girl behind you? Does she wish to battle at the same time? I can take two,"I smile and hold my sai up. She gives me a frightened look but a look of somewhat.... pity. Why does she pity me?

"No. She won't have to battle you unless I loose. And that won't ever happen,"Uryu replies.

"Listen, Ishida, can I call you that? Anyways, don't be so arrogant. You won't win,"I tell him. I teleport behind him and cut him once. He grinds his teeth and jumps away firing an arrow at me. I almost dodge it but remember he may hit his own comrade. I decide to block it with my sai and teleport again. "Copy, Tengokuhime."The sai transforms into his weird bow. I land in front of him and he gasps in shock.

"But... how? Is that what your zanpakuto does?" He asks breathing in at the sight of his own power in my hands.

"Yes. You see, Tengokuhime, Heavenly Princess, has the form of sai when released. That allows me to teleport where I want. Behind you, above you. Even below you if I wish it,"I reply. He seems shocked. "It also copies whatever my opponents power is and uses it against them. I didn't know if it would work with your bow. See, I've only used this in spar once." Uryu fires multiple attacks, and I dodge them all reciprocating with attacks of my own. Uryu is on the ground laying there. I had hit him in an arm and a leg. I smile. "See, I told you you wouldn't win. I could kill you now if I wanted to." I pull the bow string back, prepared to fire another arrow.

"GRACE!" shouts a voice. I stop and turn in surprise to see Toshiro standing there with Rangiku.

"Captain!"I say in surprise. I drop my hands, pointing the loaded bow at the ground.

"I told you to stay put!" He shouts in anger. He marches towards me and grabs my wrist. It sends warmth spreading throughout my body. "I told you to await further orders at Rangiku's! You disobeyed a direct order from tour Captain! What do you have to say for yourself?!" We forget the two ryoka standing behind me and they escape. I glance at their retreating figures.

"Captain, they're getting away!"I shout in anger.

"I do not care! You're coming with me!" He shouts back at me and he takes me to his house. I retransform Tengokuhime and sheath it. I sit on the sofa in a room he had brought us to and cross my arms.

"What's the harm in me battling a few intruders? I wasn't in the way as you so harshly informed me I would be earlier,"I growl. He stares at me and sighs.

"You could've been killed! Look at your hands. They're bleeding," He replies. I do and see he's telling the truth. Damn. That ryoka's power cuts me. How does it not cut him?

"I'm fine, Captain,"I tell him. He laughs harshly and leaves to grab things to wrap them with. He returns and fills a bucket with water from a sink in a nearby room. He comes back.

"Toshiro. And no, the blood is flowing freely," He replies. He sits on a coffee table I hadn't noticed that was in front of me. He grabs my hand and dips a rag into a bucket full of water. He washes the blood off and I stare at him as he does this. He wraps my hand up in bandages and grabs the other one. He does the same with this. Then he takes both my hands and sits there staring at them.

"Capt- Toshiro, what's wrong?"I ask. He doesn't look up but flinches as if he was surprised I was talking. He looks at me, making eye contact. He looks back down at my hands.

"When Rangiku told me you weren't at her house, I panicked. I didn't know what to think," He says. I blink. "I thought you were going to be dead if we found you."

"But, Toshiro there's no need for you to worry about me,"I tell him. He laughs suddenly. Not an amused one or an annoyed one, but one of disbelief.

"You really aren't very bright, are you?" He says cruelly. I flinch and start to pull my hands back but he squeezes them gently and keeps his hold. "I'm trying to confess to you and you still don't see it."

"Confess? What do you mean confess?"I ask confused suddenly. He laughs that disbelieving laugh again.

"Wow," Toshiro says shaking his head. He sighs. "What can I do to make you see? How can I open your eyes? How do I show you?" His voice is steadily rising.

"I... don't understand,"I whisper. There's no way he's confessing feelings. I was rejected by everyone at the Graduation ceremony. I had not ever even thought about choosing a partner. I never saw myself in a relationship. Hell, i'd only ever been on one date, and that was when Gabe had asked me to one. He was forced to do that anyways on a dare. And i'd been dared to accept. But.... this. There's just no way.

"I.....I love you," Toshiro whispers quietly. I flinch and pull my hands back from him standing up.

"Well, it's been nice, but it's late and I really have to go! Thank's for wrapping my hands up and stuff, that was kind of you Captain Hitsugaya. Ciao!" I say and turn to walk out the door.

"Wait... what?" He stands and follows me. "Wait, aren't we going to talk? Didn't you hear me I said-"

"Bye, Captain!" I say cheerfully but fake and walk out the door.

"Hey! Come back!" Toshiro shouts and runs out the door after me. I flash step away quickly. "Grace!" I ignore him and fight the tears that threaten to spill.

Go back, Grace. Tengokuhime tells me.

No. He's fooling himself if he thinks he loves me. I reply.

What's that supposed to mean stupid?

No one could ever love someone like me. I'm not worth it.

That is ridiculous! Go back there and apologize to that boy and you tell him you love him too! Tengokuhime shouts at me. I shake my head and keep going. I feel a strong spiritual presence suddenly, and head towards it. I recognize it. It's carrot tops.

Toshiro's POV

I don't understand.... what did I do wrong? I did what Rangiku said, I admitted I loved her to myself and to her. Does... does she hate me now?

I walk back inside and shut the door. I clean up the mess I had made from fixing her up and look at the water. It was tinted red with her blood. I noticed a sort of gold sheen to it, kind of like her feather from her wing. I dump the water out and go change. After changing I go sit on the couch. I notice she left her phone on the couch beside me. It must've fallen out of her pocket.

I pick it up and see earbuds are still attached to it. I put them in my ears out of a random desire and push play on the screen when it lights up. A song called Shameful Metaphors plays. I listen to it and lay on the couch. I stare at the ceiling.

"So why then....

  Has all...

  My life made no sound....

And are your eyes closing.....

  Even though...I know my life made no sound.....

I fear your eyes closing...."

It was an interesting song... but I sort of felt that it connected to Grace and I. I sigh and keep her music playing. She has an interesting playlist. It didn't bother me. It helped me understand her more. And that's all I want. To be closer to her.

I close my eyes and the day's events takes its toll. I replay all that had happened. I decide not to give up on Grace. She will be mine.

I won't let her go.

Grace's POV

When I get to the place that carrot top is at I look around. There are a bunch of blades, much like when Tengokuhime had told me we were going for Bankai.

"Well well well, carrot top. You're going for Bankai?"I say surprising him to the point of him screaming, dropping his weapon, and falling to his butt. I feel like laughing, but I can't manage one. So I crack a small smile.

"Wh-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" He shouts, jumping up and pointing his finger at me.

"Well, I felt your spiritual pressure and followed it,"I reply. I notice a purple haired chick behind him. I smile. "Do you mind letting me use the same technique he is to achieve Bankai?" She frowns.

"What for? And why aren't you going to go and report us? Are you here to help rescue Rukia?"She replies. She crosses her arms and narrows her eyes at me. I shrug.

"Yes. I guess I'll help you. It seems to be the only thing that's entertaining at this moment,"I tell her. She nods once and informs me of the technique.

"This technique takes three days," She tells me. I laugh.

"I'll do it in one and a half,"I reply. She rolls her eyes and I cut the dummy thing she has informed me that is supposed to trigger the manifestation of my zanpakuto. Tengokuhime appears and smiles at me.

"Ready?" she asks.

"Do you even need to ask that?" I reply. She nods and we begin. All through this my mind traces its way to Toshiro over and over again. I sigh.

I have to stop thinking about him.

A while later, Renji appears. Renji informs Grace, Ichigo, and Yoruichi of the date change of Rukia Kuchiki's execution. Ichigo hurries to complete his Bankai, while Grace has already achieved hers and is now watching him along side Yoruichi. A while later, Renji leaves. Grace will leave with Ichigo.

"Come on Ichigo, hurry up. We have to get there soon," I shout at him. Ichigo shakes his head at me and we leave to stop the execution and save Rukia. When we get to Sokioku hill, I see the fiery blade preparing to take the life of Rukia Kuchiki. "Run, Ichigo, block it!" I climb a tree and hide. I don't want to be caught helping him until I have to. He nods and takes off to go save Rukia. I see all the Captain's in the below in shock, and everyone starts taking action. Ichiro throws Rukia down at Renji and he catches her. Then Renji takes off running and I climb higher to avoid being seen as he runs. Ichiro prevents several lieutenants from running after them with mere flicks of his wrist and no Zanpakuto. He then gets into a fight with Captain Kuchiki. That's when I feel it. Toshiro's spiritual presence fluctuating. I turn and take of towards it hoping to make it in time. He's going against Aizen.(A/N: You have to think of this as Aizen rushing things. He hadn't harmed Central 46, pretty much waiting to do everything... well I'll use that information for his monologue. Basically Aizen didn't fake his death.)

When I get to the area they call Central 46, I feel Toshiro's pressure slowly falling. I panicky and run inside to find Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Isane already there. I stare at them and listen to Aizen speaking. He notices me and smiles.

"Ah, Grace. So glad you could join us," Aizen says to me smirking evilly. I notice Toshiro laying there injured behind him and my eyes widen.

"Captain!"I shout.

"There's no point in worrying for him, dear. He's already dead," Aizen replies. I notice Momo's body laying a little ways away from Toshiro and my eyes widen in horror. Aizen turns and sees what I'm looking at.  "Same for her. Poor dear. I did her a favor though. I had trained her to where she couldn't live without me. Gin was supposed to finish her and Toshiro both off, but failed to do so. No matter."

I grind my teeth. "Neither of them are dead you stupid bastard. I'll heal them myself if I have to prove it,"I reply. I take a step forward, my hand going to the hilt of Tengokuhime.

Let me at em! We can take em! She says to me. I feel a hand on my arm, holding me back. It's Captain Unohana.

"But.... Captain Unohana..."I whisper. She looks at me and shakes her head.

"Another time," She replies pointing to Gin and Aizen, as they were leaving with some odd technique. "We must go to the hill and I require your help in healing everyone." I look at Toshiro's body and at Momo's. I cringe and turn away.

"I apologize Captain, but I will be going ahead,"I tell her and leave. When I get to the hill Aizen has struck Ichigo and Renji both down. I grind my teeth. "Sever, Tengokuhime!" I shout and teleport, grabbing Rukia from his hands and teleporting away. He laughs at me.

"Well well Grace. It seems you'll get to hear the story of my actions as well. However, before that, I require Rukia back immediately. Return her and step back," Aizen says to me. I point one of my sai at him, pushing Rukia behind me.

"What do you want with her you creepy bastard?"I question grinding my teeth.

"Ah, the explanation you desire? Very well. Three months ago, Rukia was sent to the world of the living where she met Ichigo Kurosaki and transferred her powers to him. After this was discovered, Kisuke Urahara places her into a Gigai to heal her. While that was happening, I was doing research," Aizen says. I narrow my eyes. He takes a step towards us and I step back, pushing Rukia a step further as well.

"Research on what?"I demand. He laughs.

"So impatient, much like that young Captain you're in love with. Yes I know that as well," He says. My eyes widen in shock before returning to their defensive look. "Anyways, did you know, soul reapers can only progress so far in their training? Master all four modes of battle, and strengthen yourself and that's pretty much all you've got. Well, I wished to reach beyond these limits. And I am about to. There is a device Kisuke Urahara himself created. It's called 'Hogyoku'." I frown at him and he steps again. I step back again.

"Why would you want to do that? What has Rukia got to do with anything in your stupid...Hogyoku research or whatever?"I growl. He laughs once again. An awful sound I hate.

"Well. Kisuke found out of my research. He then lied to Rukia and told her that her Gigai was a faulty one, and that he had given her the wrong order. He switched the Gigai out for one containing the Hogyoku. The Hogyoku is now inside of her soul," He says. He smiles. Suddenly, Gin reaches out with his blade towards me. I see it from the corner of my mind and teleport somewhere else.

"Oh whoops. It seems I have missed. Shall I try again Aizen?" Gin says mockingly.

"No, that's fine. I will handle it myself. I hadn't finished my story anyways. As I was saying," Aizen says waving Gin off. "After learning of that, as three months had already passed I decided to take action. I murdered all of Central 46 and carries orders out from there as if I was them myself. I ordered the capture and execution of Rukia. I ordered your being moved to Squad 10. I even ordered your promotion to Third Seat, as I assumed they would immediately hold the ceremony, making it quick and easy for me to get the Hogyoku. But it seems it had failed. That is ok though. I can still complete my plans." In the blink of an eye Aizen is behind me and takes Rukia from my hold on her wrist.

"HEY-"I start but am cut off with a sharp pain. Aizen has slashed me down from my right shoulder to my left hip. "Nnh!" He walks away as I fall to my knees. Ichigo and Renji laying on the ground both grunt out my name. I grind my teeth and stand back up. "Damn it Aizen!" I growl. I slam the ends of my sai together. "Ban-" I am cut off my another pain. Gin has launched his sword and stabbed me in my left shoulder. "Gah!" I fall to my knees again.

"If you don't stay down, i'll have to kill you," Gin says menacingly. I wheeze and fall face forward, my wings slumping over me. My vision grows dark. But that's when I see Aizen transform his hand into something odd and stick his hand through Rukia's chest. He pulls out an odd crystal like object.

He lazily holds Rukia out away from him.

"Gin, since I have no use for her go ahead and kill her please," Aizen orders.

"Shoot Shinsou!" Gin shouts and his blade shoots out, rushing towards Rukia's limp body. But the blade connects instead with Captain Byakuya Kuchiki as he jumps in front of it. My body annoyingly decides to give out here and I fade into infinite nothingness.

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Me: WHAT A LONG CHAPTER MY FINGERS HURT! Anyways, how do you like how I made it sort of my own with keeping the same idea to it? Is it ok?

Toshiro: Grace....

Me: Yes Grace is down for the count but she'll be ok! And that dramatic scene between you two practically had my own heart breaking!

All Male Captain's: Toshiro, wow.

Toshiro: What?! Damn it can I make a move without any of you judging it?!

Shunsui: Must I say, you sure don't know how to handle women.

Toshiro: DAMNIT ALL!* kicks door down and leaves*

Me: NO WAIT COME BACK! YOU'RE A MAIN CHARACTER! eh anyways hope you enjoyed!