Poison and Ice *Bleach Love Stories*

Chapter 12 - Keep Calm and Change On

Miyuki

Toshiro and I were walking around the Seireitei, taking in the beauty of the nature.

"Come on Toshiro! It's only trees, they're not going to hurt you!" I told him.

"But... they're so tall..." He murmured.

"Stop being such a scaredy-cat!" I pulled on his wrist. He sighed, and reluctantly followed me.

After walking for a while, we came upon a lake. It was a small lake, but still deep, and was surrounded by the forest.

"It's so peaceful here..." I breathed. Toshiro looked at me, and replied,

"Yeah..."

"Please don't tell me you're still scared of the trees," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

"BUT THEY'RE SO TALL!"

"BUT I DON'T CARE!" I snapped back. I widened my eyes, and covered my mouth with my hand, regretting what I had just said.

'What's with me? Ever since that fight with Soni, I've been... different. I don't know how to describe it. I seem to be a little more careless, but at the same time, I feel more attracted to Toshiro. I don't know exactly what it is, but...' My thoughts were interrupted by Toshiro.

"What's been up with you lately? You don't seem like you're normal self." He asked, concern written across his face. 'Should I tell him the truth? I mean, he is my boyfrined and all, but... I just don't know how to say it. Plus, I don't want to reveal my bankai to anyone yet.' I pondered.

"It's nothing."

"You're lying, Miyuki. I can tell."

"I don't know, it's just," I ran my hand through my hair in frustration.

"I don't know." I looked at the glistening lake, well aware of Toshiro's stare.

"Miyuki..."

"I just need a little space right now, Toshiro." I then flash-stepped back to the Squad 10 barracks. 'What is up with me?'

---

Kaine

"Would you say that you were friends with Miyuki, Luka?" I asked the traitorous scum. She was bound. She shook her head, hate in her eyes.

"We shall see, won't we?" I laughed coldly as I used my zanpakuto to induce another fearful hallucination on Luka.

---

Miyuki

"Dammit!" I screamed as I kicked the wall of my room.

"I can't do anything! Even though I practiced my bankai for over a week, but I still can't defeat Soni! I need to get stronger, so that I can kill Kaine! Why can't I get stronger?" I cried out. But then I realized something I had practiced in secret at the Shinigami Academy. I knew the forbidden Kido. I could stand a chance! I knew Byakui-Chan was having a date that day, and I needed to contact Nel to open the Garganta.

"Bakudo #26, Kyokko," I muttered as I followed Byakui-chan through the Senkaimon undetected. Once I entered the World of the Living, I set off to Karakura High School. I gestured to Nel once I saw her.

"Hi Miyuki! What brings you to the World of the Living?" Nel chirped.

"Hitsugaya-Taicho wants me to go on a covert mission to Las Noches, and requested that you open a Ganganta for me," I lied easily. She smiled.

"Of course!" As soon as school let out, she opened the Garganta with ease.

"What kind of mission is it?" She grinned.