I shivered when I woke, despite the warmth wafting from Hichigo's body. An icy presence settled over me, similar to what Hichigo's presence felt like, but this one was harsher. I shrugged it off and attempted to go back to sleep by listening to the rain pounding the roof.

   Slowly, I drifted back to sleep, but I wasn't gone long before I felt Hichigo's lips press against mine. It was a tender kiss, but it seemed to wake me up like a shot of caffeine. I placed my hands against his chest and leaned in sweetly.

   "Good morning," Hichigo whispered after we had broken away. I could feel the icy precsense getting thicker and heavier by the second, and I felt as though there was a blade to my throat. All the while, Hichigo smiled at me, and he seemed infatuated.

   "Good morning," I replied," What is this cold presence?" My head pounded violently, and black spots entered my vision. I felt Hichigo tense up, and his smile faded.

   "That must be the ice warrior. I-" Hichigo began, but was cut off when there was a sharp rapping on the window. I sat up, along with Hichigo, and tossed the blankets that covered us aside. Ichigo and Rukia climbed out of the closet with calm expressions.

   "Ah, I see," Ichigo said in a low and soothing voice," Our icy ally has arrived." Rukia laughed and bounded over to the window and quickly unlatched it. I had to admit that I was kind of scared to meet the ice warrior that they spoke of. From what I have heard, which isn't that much, I could only guess that the ice warrior is a fearless battle craver.

   "Thank you," a metallic voice rang through the air. I nearly jumped out of my skin when the window slid open, and a large figure jumped inside. The warrior wore a set of elegantly carved metal armor covered in ice shards, and a helmet to hide his face. On his helmet, he had two horns, but one was broken. Must be a battle scar or something.

   "A new recruit, eh?" the warrior asked.

   "Yes," Ichigo replied with a soft smile," Would you care to explain our predicament for her?" The warrior nodded and turned to me. Even though I couldn't see his face, I could feel his cold eyes staring into me.

   "Well, recruit, you see," the warrior began," Six years ago, the Shinigami battled with a group known as the Fullbringers. Ichigo experienced this first hand since he, at one point, was a Fullbringers as well. After they were defeated, the greatest of the survivors trained a new race known as the FinalBringers. The FinalBringers seek revenge on the Shinigami, but they also target the innocent. This caused a full-out war. I am one of the elite humans recruited to help fight in this war, and in time, you shall be one too."

   "I see," I said slowly, my brow furrowing," What do the FinalBringers do?"

   The warrior laughed, and I knew that he was smiling. Despite being covered in ice, he wasn't as cold towards me as I would have imagined. I thought that he would have a heart of ice...

   "Such a curious young girl, you have my respect," the warrior chuckled," The FinalBringers have the abilities to control and manipulate the spirit within objects according to their weapons. Everything in this world, or any other, has a soul. Even the very ground that you stand on. A truly frightening matter for them to be able to control that... Truly."

   I nodded my head and contemplated the situation. I had to do whatever I could to help Hichigo and the Shinigami so I could secure the peace that my grandfather had always longed for.

   "Why did they have to start this war over something so stupid?" I blurted, ultimately regretting it when all eyes turned to me. The silence was thick, and the atmosphere felt heavy on my shoulders. Maybe I had said the wrong thing. Damn my stupid mouth. I can't seem to keep it shut.

   "I don't know," the warrior replied after a moment," But that is why we must be justice. To avoid bloodshed, I have chosen the path that I walk now."

   "You are very wise," I said softly. This warrior was probably the exact opposite of what I thought he was. He seemed dependable, trustworthy, and totally stable.

   "Why, thank you. I don't remember asking your name. Forgive me for being rude," the warrior said in apology.

   "I am Hikari Miyasaki. What's your name?" I asked happily. Hichigo, Ichigo, and Rukia seemed to tense up when I asked, and I realized that I had slipped up again. I felt Hichigo's hand grasp mine, and he pulled me closer so his lips brushed my ear.

   "The ice warrior has never given his name to anyone, and gets offended easily," he whispered into my ear, and my face flushed with embarrassment. Great. I totally jacked this conversation.

   The warrior lifted his armored hands to his helmet and began to remove it from his face slowly. I waited as he continued to slide off the helmet, and everybody in the room collectively held their breath. Long brown hair cascaded down his shoulders, and I gasped with surprise. It was a woman. This woman... I know her. I could never forget her face as long as I live. This woman is...

   "My name..." the woman said," Is Hoshi Miyasaki."

   "Mother?" I asked, not wanting to believe what I saw.