- Chapter 17 -

Jealousy

Miyori

"Hinamori!" I exclaimed surprised as the black-haired Lieutenant of the 5th Division appeared on the huge screen. Surprised and shock overtook me-- seeing her in a great condition like this after the physical and mental woonds she had gained. 

But, her eyes weren't the liveness I was seeing and admiring everyday back then. They were part of the frown which was covering her face; swallen up and full of sadness and regret. "Hitsugaya-kun..." the name of the ice captain was heard like a whisper in the wind as she spelled it.

Toshiro's eyes went from widened to his usual, calm and serious state. "I see... You have awakened, Hinamori. You sure it's alright for you... to be walking around like that?" he asked, with an unexpected carrying voice. 

The girl gave him a warm smile, full of sweetness. "Yup! I'm okay now~"

"That's great..." Toshiro said and then he did the unexpected. He smiled. The cold captain of the 10th Division was smiling! But the problem was that... I knew what was going on here.

The way he looks at her, the way he speaks at her, the tone of his voice, that warm smile... He must definitely... Like her... I thought in a shocked state, with my heart aching so bad. My eyes started hurting and wattering up, while my stomach was pumping like crazy inside me. My features darkened as my bangs covered my eyes and the only way to prevent myself from yelling or crying was to bite my lip. 

But why? Why am I feeling like that? Why am I feeling like the world reached its end? Why? WHY? I clenched my fists to my sides and tried to calm down. My feelings for him... They are just friendly, right? I only like him as a friend, a simple comrade, a simple companion... No. That's not it.

My head snapped up as I looked at the screen. "Head Captain Yamamoto, I think I should take my leave now. I have some serious matters I have to take care of right now and I think that my position here is... unecessary." I stated in a casual and stable tone, glancing slightly at Toshiro.

For the first time in that day, he turned his head at me. His emerald eyes were reflecting confusion and something else I didn't quite understand; sadness? Finally, the Head Captain made his appearance on the screen and turned his head at me. "Captain Hono, would you mind of sharing with the rest of us the tasks you have to complete? Because I can't let you leave for a careless reason"

I bit my lip from the inside, thinking for any possible reason I could make up now. Finally, an idea popped in my mind, so i turned again my eyes at the Head Captain. "Yes, I will. Firstly, I would like to complete my research for the Arrancers' information; I have been cut off since I had my Captain tasks to complete too. Secondly, I have to inform Lieutenant Abarai for the current situation"

We stayed silent for a couple of minutes which seemed to me like a whole century. But in the end, the Head Captain set me free and I left, leaving a small and quiet sigh of relief. My next actions were rapid and quick. I ran as fast as I could in Ichigo's house and stood in front of his bedroom's door. I hesitated a little before knocking my knuckles on the wooden door.

The person who opened the door wasn't the one I expected to; in front of me, was standing the black-haired female shinigami, Rukia. Her face was still sleepy- even if it was late afternoon. "Huh? Captain Hono, what is the matter?" she asked as she glanced at me.

"Ru-Rukia-s....saaann...." I blurted out behind my whimpers, my eyes wattering again from the whole past experience. 

Her eyes widened as she stared at me shocked, never obviously expecting me to burst out like that. I finally couldn't hold it back anymore and hot tears started running down my eyes. I covered my face with both my hands and I fell on my knees, crying out-loud. Sobs escapied my mouth and huge teardrops started falling on the ground like an unstoppable rain of mixed feelings.

Suddenly, a warm feeling covered my shoulder and I looked up only to see Rukia kneeling in front of me while her gentle hand was placed on my shoulder. Her eyes were looking at me carrying and concerned, like she wanted to help me.

My upper lip quivered again as she pulled me in a tight embrace. "Captain Hono, everything is going to be alright. Do not worry about different difficulties- I'm sure you will get over them" I heard Rukia's soft voice saying to me.

After I relaxed a little, she invited me in Ichigo's room where we sat on his bed. Of course, he was nowhere to be found- only Orihime must know where he is by now. My fingers were playing with each other nervously as the short Lieutenant was staring at me for some time.

Rukia was the first one who attempted to break the awkward silence. "Captain Hono, would you like to tell me what happened? Your reaction when I first saw you showed an obvious depression about a certain problem"

"Just call me Miyori, Rukia-san" I mumbled with a low voice as my eyes full of sadness were looking at the bed sheets. "Well, I can't explain what is happening to me but... I'm sure it is about a boy"

I decided not to mention Toshiro's name, with the fear that someone except from the two of us would listen to our private conversation. Rukia seemed to be understanding my problem as she tapped her chin. "I see... So, you have fallen in love with a certain boy but you don't know how to say it to him?"

"Th-that's not it!!"

"Then, what is it?"

"Erm, eto..." I stuttered and rubbed my hand nervously. What am I going to say to her? Will she understand if I will tell her that I have fallen for...him? "Well, I think I have fallen in love with... a shinigami. And it's not that I can't tell him that, it is just that... I think he likes someone else"

Rukia suddenly took out a scetch book and started drawing something on it. I poked my head towards it but she hid well her current creation. After a couple of minutes, she finished with bright smile on her face and she showed it to me, sparkles shinning around her.

"Tada~~!" Rukia exclaimed as she showed to me her doodles-- I mean, drawing. She had drew a small girl with red hair and a giant pout on her face while a boy with a question mark as his face was chatting with another girl who had a mean look on her face. 

When I finished examining the picture in front of me, I raised an eyebrow at her. "Is that my current situation?"

Rukia gave me thumbs up while I sweatdropped, not knowing what to say about her doodles. I faked a smile and returned her the scetch block.  Suddenly, the answer popped right inside my mind.

I bit my lip from inside and closed my eyes tightly, like I never wanted to face again the outside world. "Rukia-san..?"

"Yeah?"

"I have found the answer to my problem"

"Ah! And what is it, finally?"

My eyes fully opened and looked at the female Lieutenant. "I'm jealous about Toshiro's and Hinamori's relationship"

Rukia's eyes widened in surprise and I considered that as her current knowledge of the situation I was now in. "You mean that-"

"Yes" I cut her off, my grip tightening around the bed sheets. "I have fallen for Toshiro"

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PUM-PUM-PUUUUUUUUMMMM!!!!!! O^O That was the unexpected confession of Miyori to Rukia about her feelings she had developed for Toshiro. Ohh, the feels!!! >3<

I want to sincerely apologise to you for the 'long time, no update', but my exams are really a pain in the ass which is translated as---> Exams are freaggin' lame and I can't update.

Sorry again!!! >.<

The other thing is that I wanted to truly thank you for helping me win the 1st place in BWA 2014! Thank you all for your awesome and great support you have showed for my book! I honestly love you all <3

Another issue is that I have entered my book in Anime Watty Awards (@AnimeWattyAwards) in "Bleach" category, and although I have got many votes so I can win, I still need support if I want to make sure my success of getting the 1st place >__<

Thank you for waiting so patiently for this chapter!

Your awesome, random, crazy, [a bit lazy] and always happy author, Sleepy-chan~!