When Ichigo's house came into sight, my heart seemed to stop beating for a moment. A man was standing in front of the door. A white kimono. White hair. Gold eyes. It was just the man I wanted to see, Hichigo.

   A broad grin broke out on his pale face, and I could see tears brimming in his eyes, even in the darkness. He seemed so happy to see me, despite everything that I had done to him. I had put him is so much pain, and he had been through so much just to see me again. Only now do I realize how scared he must have been for the past two months.

   And somewhere deep inside of me, I didn't want to see him. What if he judges me for what I have done during the time that I had been gone?

   "Forget your fear," a comforting voice said to me. It was the same voice that had been there when I had fought with Hichigo to hone my sword skills. I guessed the presence is similar to that that of a Zanpakuto's soul.

   I heeded he words, and urged Ichigo to hurry.

   "Come on! Hurry up!" I smacked Ichigo in the face and gripped his waist tighter. Ichigo sighed and slumped his shoulders.

   "I've carried you the whole way, you should get off before I pass out," Ichigo grumbled as he released my legs from his grip. I slipped from his back and ran towards Hichigo, and he did the same for me. Tears were streaming down his cheeks, and they sparkled in the moonlight.

   When I reached him, we both stopped for a minute, and we just stared into each other's eyes. I could see all of his pain and hurt, but above all, his love.

   "Hichigo..." I began, but he silenced me when he embraced me. He tilted my head up and kissed me softly, and I twisted my fingers into his hair. I could feel the wetness of his tears, and he groaned as I kissed him back. After a few seconds, we parted.

   "Hikari, where have you been?" Hichigo asked, concern in his golden eyes. Tears began to gather in my own eyes, and I buried my face into his shoulder as I began to sob.

   "I'm so sorry... I wanted to start over. A new town, a new life. But, I messed up," another sob racked my body," I robbed people and got wasted just so I could forget the pain of the past, but it would never go away. So I kept doing it until I realized that I wanted to die, and I was disgusted with the person I had become. I-I'm so ashamed of myself..."

   Hichigo embraced me tighter, and rubbed my back gently. Several moments passed, and neither of us said anything, so I was afraid that he would recoil from me.

   "Hey, look at me," Hichigo said. When I looked up, I saw a compassionate smile on his lips. "Remember this well: You can screw me over a million times, and I would never stop loving you, never stop pursuing you, and I would alway be there for you."

   I stared into his eyes, and I saw the depth and sincerity. In this circumstances, actions speak louder than words. So I kissed him.

   It wasn't a lustful kiss, and there was nothing that I wanted from him. I couldn't think of one thing that I would've traded this moment for. His lips against mine, and our hearts touching. Just how I wanted to be.

   "I need to talk to my mother," I whispered against his soft skin.

   "She is inside," Hichigo replied gravely.

-----

   I slowly opened the door to Ichigo's room, and I saw my mother standing by the window silently. She didn't even turn around when I entered, and I'm pretty sure that she didn't even know that I was in there. She was still in her full suit of battle armor, besides her helmet which lie on Ichigo's bed.

   "What do you need," my mother growled. I could sense the hurt in her voice, and when she turned around, I gasped. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her face was gaunt. She looked as though she hadn't slept in days, and I began to feel guilt gnawing at my insides.

   "It's me," I said simply, but there was so much more behind those words. My mother understood, and tears of joy sprang to her eyes. Before she could speak, I held up a hand to silence her. "I know, mother, and I have forgiven you. I shouldn't have treated you like that."

   "I don't care about that," she said as she confronted me," All that matters is that you are alive." She embraced me, careful not to kill me with her armor.

   "I just wanted to ask about my father," I said. My mother swallowed dryly, and she was about to speak when an insidious presence filled the air. It was unlike anything that I had ever felt, and I realized who it must be. "The FinalBringers..."

   "It is them. About your father... you will find out soon enough," my mother replied, snatching her helmet from the bed. " Your katana is in the closet, Hikari. Grab it and follow me. The best way to become a warrior is by battle experience."

   I grabbed my katana and hung it at my waist. This time, I'm not going to sit idly. This time, I am going to start over, once again. There will be a new Hikari Miyasaki. Not one who tries to fit in and be a teacher's pet, not one who is immoral and gets wasted, but one who is strong enough to stand up and fight for everyone that I hold dear.

   "Lead the way, mother."