Prologue – Winter Blood, Silent Edge
DONG! DONG! The chime of the huge bell rang through Soul Society, and the winds blew through the horizon. Toshiro's eyes struggled to open, flinching at times due to the pain. He then successfully looked at the white ceiling, and sighed deeply.
"You're awake, Toshiro." I spoke in a hushed tone, making him shift his cold gaze to me. "Nh… Where am I?" He asked, placing his hand on his forehead as cold sweats dripped down. "Squad 4's chamber. Captain Unohana said that you need a good rest." I smiled, "And of course, me and Rangiku took over your duty." He scoffed, lying back down as he felt relaxed with his duty off. "… Thanks." Then the shoji door slides open, revealing the squad 4 captain.
"Good morning." She greeted, holding the paper list in her smooth hand, "I would like to inform you of the analysis' result." She then closed the door, and took her step forward towards us.
"And?"
"It turned out worse than I've imagined. Hitsugaya-taichou, excessive blood loss from your arm affects your system; but not only that, I'm surprised that a rare unfortunate case happened. Your reiatsu, it fact, was also lost at the same time. Which means, your current reiatsu, I have to say, is below a captain level's."
"What!" Toshiro rose up from the bed, with his eyes widened and his nerves making him shiver. "Hitsugaya-taichou, your condition is at the worst state. And that was only half of the research; there's one more terrible fact." Unohana's words caused a brief silence to engulf the room for a moment, along with the extreme tension. "Hitsugaya-taichou... If you don't have an exchange of hearts, you will die in two days." I gasped at that, and turned to look at his frozen and fearful look. "No... Way..." He murmured, gripping the bed sheet. "Your heart was struck by the blade. Any human being who had experienced that would've been in his grave by now. But for you, the little reiatsu you have sealed the wound temporarily; and it wouldn't last long..."
Another brief silence enveloped the room, and hopelessness entered us. "The only one who can contain your weak heart... Is the possessor of the Soukyoku blade's reiatsu." Unohana spoke, looking at my me who is staring at the floor. "No, don't." Toshiro cuts in, "let me die instead of her soul being taken." "Hitsugaya-taichou..." Unohana backs down at his demanding voice, but still looked at me for an answer. After the long and patient wait, I make my move. "I'll go." I stood up straight, looking into Unohana's eyes with a determined gaze. "On the behalf of the Kuchiki family and my position as the captain of squad 5, I'll do it."