Author's Head Note
I've just edited this chapter for its spelling mistakes and grammar mistakes. Please excuse my bad grammar despite editing the chapter.

Hello, this is my first fanfic. Please guide me along the way as I'm not that good of a writer. Thank you.

update: This story has been adopted by Toshiruki forever!


Trails of Love

First Trail - When Ice Meets Snow

The first time he had seen her was when she had been caught and imprisoned to await the verdict of her misdeed. He had been curious, of course. He didn't know that such a petite woman would have caused so much trouble in so little time. Only 3 months and a Captain and a Lieutenant was sent after her.

When the verdict was announced to the prisoner herself, and all of Seireitei, he was shocked. Sokyoku was used for those who had committed the most heinous crimes. A small crime like giving powers to a human is mandatory however, to be executed using Sokyoku was ridiculous. Even for him, a person who strongly abides to the laws of Seireitei, thought that the verdict had been too much.

As the truth revealed itself, it couldn't help but feel a great sense of relief when Rukia was pardoned for her crime. No, it wasn't a crime at all, it was for survival. She needed to give Kurosaki her powers for both of them, and even the humans in the surrounding area, to survive, to live.

Also, he hadn't known when but he had been calling her 'Rukia' in his head, despite the fact that they hadn't met officially or not. He felt somewhat disturbed by the fact that she may not know him at all. He felt sad and he wanted her to know him for some odd reason. Upon realizing the fact that he was probably an unknown person to her, he made sure he would visit Ukitake every week. Surely that would make her know him, though only his name, but at least it was something, right?


It had been a month, that gave him 4 visits to the 13th Division, and he hadn't seen her in the compound at all - not even a glimpse. He was devastated, so, he had to take action.

"Ukitake," he started during his 9th visit, "how's your health?"

"I'm fine, thank you for asking, Shiro-chan." He stated as he sipped onto his cup of hot jasmine tea. Toshiro nodded his head and tried controlling the veins on his temples from popping.

"How's the 13th?" He asked with control, not wanting to give Ukitake a hint that he was interested in a member of the 13th. He had known that Ukitake, though he mostly spent his time in Ugendo Quarters, knew his members on a personal level and would not be unguarded to anyone's advance on any of them.

"Shiro-chan," Ukitake called out before continuing. He watched as Toshiro met his own eyes, "are you sure you are concern about the 13th or a certain someone?"

Toshiro would have blush if it wasn't him but him being himself, all he could do was frown. "And what makes you say that?"

"Well, for starters, previously you wouldn't be bothered to visit me. Secondly, your eyes would always wander the compound, as if searching for something. Last but not least, you had taken a recent interest in the raven heads in my division. May I ask who you are looking for?" Ukitake questioned.

"I see you have been observing me." Toshiro said as he placed his teacup onto the table.

"Oh, it's not me, but my 3rd seats. They have been noticing you searching the compound and had asked me if you had lost your possession here."

"So, are you going to tell me who you're looking for?" Ukitake questioned once more. Disappointed at the fact that Toshiro wouldn't tell him, he sighed heavily.

"I believe you don't know this but Hyourinmaru had asked Sogyo no Kotowari where Sode no Shirayuki had gone to. Now I do not know what business you have with her but please remember the fact that I treat her as a daughter."

"I think I have overstayed my welcome." Toshiro said as he got up from his seat and made his way to leave.

"You will find her in Rukongai, South Rukongai. She has taken a liking to the forest there." Ukitake said before Toshiro stepped out of the room.

Toshiro gave a brief nod and left in a blink of eye.


Toshiro stood before a massive forest and searched for any reiatsu. Once he found one, he made haste to it. As he approached the reiatsu, he could feel his heartbeat faster. So loud that he thought his heart was next to his ears. Beating endlessly, increasing a pace as he neared the area she was in.

He gave a surprise gasp as he watched the breathtaking scene before him. Standing in the middle of the snowing forest was Rukia, practising her Zanjutsu. She looked so ethereal in the snow with her raven hair against her ivory skin, her black shihakusho stood out against the snow.

"Mae, Sode no Shirayuki."

He watched silently as she released her shikai - a counter-clockwise circle as her Zanpakuto turned white.

The most beautiful Zanpakuto in all of Seireitei indeed. In silent awe, he observed her every move.

"Some no Mai, Tsukishiro."

The column of ice was lovely against the setting of the sun. It had its own glow and a rush of cool air could be felt around it. As the column slowly crumble and shatter, Rukia sheathed her sword.

"I was wondering when you would come, Captain Hitsugaya." She stated as she turned to Toshiro.

"How?" He questioned. He was confused.

"Captain Ukitake. He said your Zanpakuto wanted to see Sode no Shirayuki so I figured sooner or later you would come." She spoke as if she stated the obvious.

Yes, Hyourinmaru wanted to see Sode no Shirayuki. Why hadn't he notice this before? He could feel Hyourinmaru moving about excitedly. Does he want a go with Sode no Shirayuki?

"It seems he had taken a liking to her."

"As does she." Rukia replied, hand on Sode no Shirayuki's hilt.

"Would you?" Toshiro asked, hand on hilt too.

"Let's." She drew her sword again and soon the clashing of swords could be heard.


"That was fun!" Rukia exclaimed with a smile as she plop herself onto the ground.

"You are highly skilled for an unseat officer. Why is that? I doubt there are plenty of seated officers with skills as high as yours in the 13th." He stated, taking a seat next to her. Rukia blushed at the compliment.

"I've been told by Captain Ukitake that Nii-sama didn't want be to be seated. He didn't say why though..." She seemed sad, mostly with herself for not being up to her Nii-sama's standards.

"Well, by mastering your shikai, you would definitely become a seated officer soon enough." He said, somehow, her violet eyes seemed best at night.

"Hai, thank you, Captain Hitsugaya..." She trailed off, staring deeply back into his teal eyes. They were so green and bright in the dark. She was captivated by his eyes that she didn't notice his hand, reaching for her face to caress it.

The moment his skin touched hers, she gave a shiver of anticipation? She leaned into his palm as his callous thumb gently ghosted above her cheek. She closed her eyes and lifted her hand to cover his.

They leaned in closer, until their noses were almost touching. They paused for a moment and looked at each other, as if asking the other's permission. They seemed to agree as their foreheads came into contact and their eyes slowly closing, their lips slowly touching.

It felt so right. It was a simple chaste kiss. It lasted a second but it felt like a lifetime to them. It was beautiful - a kiss shared between two individuals under the moon's gaze against the snowy background. It was elegant. They both gave a small smile that broke into a big grin as they slowly lied down, onto the white snow.

Toshiro turned his body to face her. He stared intensively into her eyes again, looking at the confusion in her eyes. He smiled and lifted their intertwined hands and kissed her knuckles.

"You... You may call me Toshiro." It was a just a simple statement but they knew better. Never had he allowed anyone to call his first name. Knowing this implication, Rukia blushed lightly, giving a squeeze on his hand.

"I... Toshiro..." She said, blushing deeper. Her whole face was almost red.

"Yes?" He replied teasingly as he pulled her closer.

Both smiled peacefully as they gazed up onto the night sky. The soft breeze softly brushed against their skin as the moon lit their face. Both were happy and comfortable the way they were.

Both were content.


Author's Foot Note
Please give feedback on anything. It would help me a lot in my writing. All flames would be treated as positive comments though they will be detested. Thank you.