DISCLAIMER: I don't own Bleach. Bleach is the property of Tite Kubo, and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.
Notes: Junrinan – province in the 1st District of the West Rukongai
Shiratama Zenzai – traditional Japanese dessert. A sweet porridge made with azuki beans and mochi.
Amannatto – Traditional Japanese confectionary made with azuki or other types beans. It is covered refined sugar and a sugar syrup. Sources: Bleach Wikia, Wikipedia
CHAPTER 1
Along the small wooded area of Junrinan, a young woman dressed in elaborate kimono robes walked next to the trees. There was air of nobility surrounding her, and as one would guess she was part of a noble clan. It is quite an odd sight, because nobles are rarely seen in any of the Rukon districts. Unless they were Soul Reapers, members of the 13 Court Guard Squad who protected the Soul Society. Otherwise, nobles usually stayed within the walls of the Seireitei or their vast estates.
The lady who is seen walking, had a reason to visit the Rukon district. She is searching for her sister who was abandoned many decades ago. At the time, the lady had no choice, but to leave her sister behind. This decision is something that made the lady be filled with deep regret. To sort of repent for her actions, she would make long trips to Hanging Dog once a month. There she would spend hours searching street after street to find any trace of her sister. Every visit turned up with nothing, and the lady always felt sad at the end of each day.
Today was no different than the last. Once more, the visit to Hanging Dog was futile, but the lady would try again next month. In her heart, she knew without a doubt that she'd find her sister one day.
After a long day journeying through the Rukon District they lady was beginning to feel fatigued. Though they lady did come prepared for the long trek, she found herself running low on water. There were no streams or creeks nearby, but in the distance, she saw a banner. It read "SNACKS & DRINKS!" in large letters. She thanked the lucky stars for being able to stumble upon a snack shack.
"Perhaps…" the lady thought. "Perhaps the snack shack might sell water inside."
Despite being very thirsty and hungry, they lady continued to the direction of the banner. After a short trek, she finally made it to the snack shack. Upon arrival, she found it be a smaller than initially thought. No matter. All the lady wanted was water for her flask. Then she would be on her way back to the Seireitei.
The lady made her way to the entrance and instantly, she was greeted with the smell of something sweet. "Shiratama zenzai!" It's shiratama zenzai." the lady thought to herself. Shiratama zenzai is a sweet dish made of azuki beans and mochi. The lady loved it very much, but did not eat often because, Soul Society did not have an abundant supply of sweet rice flour. In fact, such an ingredient was very rare to find unless a Soul Reaper brought some back from Earth. It was odd to see an ordinary snack shack in Junrinan have shiratama zenzai. That didn't matter since the lady decided to stay and eat some.
Opening the flap at the entryway, the lady made her way inside. Instantly, the patron of the snack shack bellowed, "Hello! Come in! Come in!" He gestured the lady towards a corner that had a wooden table and a few benches. Once she sat down, the lady received an overly warm welcome by the patron.
"My lady. Welcome to the best snack shack in all of 1st West Rukon!"
Despite being married into a noble clan; the lady was still not used to being overly pampered by anyone. Yet still, she smiled and politely nodded to him, the patron. When the formalities, welcomes, and greetings were done with, the patron asked for her order.
"My lady, what would you like to order today?"
Taking a little while to form her thoughts, she finally answered.
"Yes. I would like to have a bowl of shiratama zenzai. As well as, water for my flask." She pointed at the object attached to the sash at her waist.
Nodding eagerly, the patron walked quickly towards the back. Remember that he forgot to collect the flask, he ran back and retrieved it. Apologizing, he then made his way back to the kitchen. The lady then heard loud voices, but could not distinguish what they were saying. To her, it'd be safe to guess that he was barking orders to the staff.
Not too long afterwards, the lady's order of a bowl shiratama zenzai and her refilled flask of water came. She thanked the serving girl and picked up her spoon. Once could see the lady is very eager to each the red bean dessert.
At the same moment, the flap fluttered open and another customer walked in.
Amid the lady's third bite, she stopped chewing on the mochi and stared. She could not believe what she was seeing. The customer who just walked in, had hair white as snow, and his eyes. A very deep, haunting yet beautiful turquoise. The lady herself has seen her fair share of strange people. Like Sajin Komamura of Squad 7 who was from the Wolf Clan. Yet, the boy with snow white hair, had to be the strangest one so far.
Realizing it was rude to stare at strangers, the lady went back to eating. Yet, she could not shake off this odd feeling. "What is this all about?" she wondered. It was almost as if the lady felt fate had bounded both her and the boy together. Later, she would learn that her that her gut instinct would mean something more.
The boy headed towards the serving girl and greeted her.
"Hello! I'd like to buy some snacks." He had a beautiful smile as far as the lady could see.
Suddenly, the lady noticed the serving girl fidgeting nervously. It was very strange because, why would anyone feel nervous around a young boy?
Awhile later the serving girl replied, "Yes. One moment please. I'll be right back." At that, the girl ran back towards the kitchen. Very soon, the snack shack patron emerged. He approached the boy carefully and said, "Yes?"
Once more the white-haired boy repeated, "Hello. I'd like to buy some snacks please."
"What would like?" The patron asked rather curtly.
"Amanatto please." The boy asked happily.
Turing towards a wooden cupboard, the patron opened it and took out a small pouch of amanatto.
"Here." The patron practically shoved the pouch to the boy's hands. "3 copper coins."
The boy opened his purse and pulled out one silver coin. He handed it to the patron. The owner then pulled out a small box. In it, were lots and lots of coins. He [the patron] opened it up and counted out 7 copper coins as change.
The boy held out his hand to accept it, but the patron simply frowned and placed everything on the counter.
"If that's all you want, then get going."
With his smile fathering, the boy took the change and said a half-hearted, "Thanks."
The lady was stunned. Never had she seen such poor service towards a customer before. All the shiratama zenzai no longer looked appetizing or tasty anymore. She couldn't stand to see such unfairness before.
Before she could contain herself, the lady suddenly stood up and stormed over to the owner.
Is this how you treat a paying customer!? the lady shouted to the owner.
To be cont'd in Chapter 2.
Author's Note: Hi everyone! Here I am with another Bleach Fan Fiction Story. This piece takes place in the same universe as "I'm Sorry Toshiro" which partially illustrates how Toshiro Hitsugaya may have died in the World of the Living. However, for this piece you do not have to read "I'm Sorry Toshiro" to follow and understand this story. Unless you want to of course. Searching For The Answer is pretty much a standalone story by itself.
For a while now, I've always wanted to write story where Hisana and Toshiro are good friends with one another. I sort of have a headcanon that when Hisana returned from the Rukon District, she found Toshiro all alone. Basically, long story short, she befriends him and would play with him whenever she could visit the Rukon District. This all drew inspiration from a drawing by Momokunn over on Deviantart.
On another note, as I am typing this I have begun writing out the second chapter. Honestly, I don't know how often I will update this story because, I am working a full-time job now. So, updates will vary at most. Also, I have no idea how many chapters I need to write. ^^; But we'll see on that one.
I strive to improve my writing so any and all reviews on constructive criticism is welcome. All I ask is please don't be super harsh.
Take care everyone!
~FOREVERADISNEYGIRL