We Should Have Eloped
I hope everyone enjoys this.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I cannot claim anything in this fanfic as my own; it is all Kite Tubo's
It was a typical early November, mid-morning in Soul Society. The sun was shining, some rowdy shinigami from the 11th were completing a combat training session of hide and seek, a group of . . . for lack of a better word, things…were scheming to overthrow the Seiretei, and Ise Naneo was once again hitting her captain on the head for coming into the office late and hung over.
Also, a certain overworking shinigami was staring in deep concentration at his last and definitely his most important form of the day.
Why does everything have paperwork attached to it? Toshiro quietly mused to himself. Do words and vows mean anything these days? He sighed as his normally calm heart thudded painfully in his chest. But, as he once again read over the paperwork, his heart began to beat in anticipation and not in nervousness. A rare and vibrant smile flickered across his icy face.
Of course it vanished as his teal eyes glanced at the empty couch that his lazy lieutenant wasn't in; it was 3:30 P.M. She didn't even make it into the office today. Hmmm, I guess I will just have to take a few dollars out of her allowance.
Intruding in on his master's private thoughts, Hyorinmaru curiously inquired, What about her sake?
Toshiro regretfully shook his snowy head. We both know that won't help! Everyone was dealing with getting past the Winter War in their own way; and with a little bit of help from alcohol, Rangiku's cure was trying to forget it had ever happened. The last few years had been draining for his lieutenant, so Toshiro had not even touched any of Rangiku's hidden stashes. She would just get more from the bar, and…well, she hasn't done something like this in a couple of weeks. Taking away her sake is out of the question, but if the drinking gets much worse I will have to talk to Unohana, concluded the man firmly, attempting to support his decision logically. Plus, she will be more disappointed that she cannot get that new necklace she has been begging me to let her buy for this entire month with the money from her allowance, Toshiro added as a triumphant afterthought.
Well, isn't somebody getting nicer, old man! Hyorinmaru playfully gripped, taking a stab at his master's fierce pride.
Toshiro's eyebrows knitted in annoyance, and the temperature in the room began to drop. Look, just because I do not want to be treated like an elementary child, does not, does NOT, mean I want to be called ancient either, Hyorinmaru! My Ban Kai is not even mature yet! And just for your information, I also happen to have a fine reputation of being the iciest and the most non-sentimental taicho in the entire 13 squads!
Right, yet you want to get married! For being such a child prodigy, I see some flawed logic in your whole last paragraph. Hyorinmaru laughed as his master sat there frozen in shock for several seconds.
Finally the captain snapped back vehemently. That's different, and YOU know it! I LOVE HER! His sudden, surging anger backed his every word.
Hyorinmaru smiled in understanding. I know. Don't forget I know everything about you Shiro-chan! The zanpaktou watched in amusement as Hitsugaya's face turned tomato red.
Bed wetter is the only one who gets away with that, he grumbled in annoyance, rubbing a hand through his spiky hair, vaguely wondering what horrible sin he had committed to deserve Hyorinmaru as his zanpaktou.
Hyorinmaru decided to be the bigger being and forget about his master thinking he was a thorn in his side. Well, Ukitake got away with calling you that too. Well, he got away with it until you snapped and froze him for a couple of hours last time; then again that was before the war . . . and you know. I actually miss that guy.
Toshiro grimaced, remembering too well, wishing he could take it all back. They all had lost so much in the war . . . Captain Komokura and the beloved Captain Ukitake had even lost their lives in the battle for Karakura Town.
Wow, Momo is the only one that gets away with it! Hyorinmaru paused in amazement and then seriously continued. I have to admit she does bring out the best in you. You had better not lose her.
"Don't worry," Toshiro vowed aloud as his hand reached for a calligraphy brush, "I w-" A stabbing pain in his side and sword arm made him stop and sway in shock as his mind wrenched back in time.
He was bleeding and gasping for air. He had only just beaten Halibel, and that fight had come too close for comfort. Quickly he glanced around for Rangiku and Momo. Toshiro's turquoise irises widened as they locked on his unmoving targets. "Momo . . . Rangiku," he whispered as he hurried towards them, feeling like someone had kicked him in the stomach.
Izuru was leaning over Rangiku, who had a half of a circle missing from her chest, and was quietly muttering, "Come on!" He looked up at the approaching Toshiro, "That was an amazing technique, Captain Hitsugaya."
He absently nodded his head in appreciation. "Izuru, exactly how bad are they?" the young captain asked hesitantly, voice barely disguising his concern.
The they the teenage shinigami were referring to was obviously clear. "I think Momo has a collapsed lung, but with some healing soon she will be okay. Rangiku should make it, that is, if I can get this puncture wound to close up, Captain Hitsugaya." He replied wearily, once again becoming engrossed in his work.
"Should . . . " Toshiro coolly repeated, an eyebrow raised, hands clenched.
"Should," whispered Izuru in dreadful confirmation.
With horrified acceptance, Toshiro whirled around as he heard Momo moan and begin to stir behind him.
"Shiro-chan, what h—Rangiku! Is she okay?" the worried girl asked groggily.
Toshiro decided to sugarcoat his answer. "Izuru is taking care of her, so she will probably be back to her typical, annoying self soon. And it's Captain Hitsugaya to you!" he humped anxiously coming closer to her, shielding her vision of his critically injured lieutenant. He continued in a slightly softer, tenor voice, "Are you holding up okay?"
Momo's sharp mind began to lose its fogginess. "I'm doing fine."
Liar, he thought. Then again, who here is actually doing okay? Just hold on Rangiku.
Momo's almond eyes blinked and her vision cleared as she focused on her childhood friend, who at the moment was fatigued and covered in blood. "But, shouldn't you be getting some help now yourself? You look terrible!"
"I don't have the time to be healed right now." Toshiro averted his gaze; he could hear the clanging of swords and see that raging fire in the distance. "I still have work to do." His piercing gaze turned back to Momo. She shook. Her Shiro-chan could read her like an open book. He continued, almost gently, "What is your goal here Momo; why did you come?"
Why did I come here, wondered Momo to herself. I have to be honest with him; he deserves that much. I know I was telling Rangiku the truth when I said I was here to represent the 5th, but is that the only reason? She somehow found the courage to lock her eyes into those turquoise lobes and confidently answer. "I am here to represent the 5th squad in the fight against the…the traitor Captain Aizen. More importantly, I am here to protect my friends and what we stand for." Toshiro gave one nod and a hint of a smile. Momo had known him long enough to know what that meant; that was all she needed.
She is here to fight, thought the prodigy in amazement. Finally, she is turning back into her true, spunky, old self.
Careful, she still called him Taicho, cautioned Hyorinmaru.
I know, but she also called him a traitor in the same sentence, Toshiro argued. At least it's a step in the right direction. Aloud he said, "I see, and I am proud of you. However," He put up his hand to stop Momo from arguing, "Just listen for a minute, at this point in time you are too injured to fight against such powerful opponents. If you fall, Soul Society and the World of the Living might fall. Do you understand?" He didn't mention that he would also feel horrible. It was a known fact admitting his feelings was not a part of the child prodigy's personality.
"Yes, of course," Momo sighed, deciding to not point out that the bloody and worn out Toshiro seemed to fall under the same category as her; it wouldn't do any good anyway. "As soon as I am healed though, I am rej-" she broke off as coughs began to rack through her body, sending blood out of her mouth.
He flew forward and propped her up at 45 degrees against the kido bonds helping support her.
For being so icy, he definitely has warm hands, she randomly thought.
"You know if you had just stayed in bed like I had told you, you probably would not be hurt at all right now. Why won't you just rest and obey orders for once?"
A little bitterly Momo countered, "Well, what if the orders you have blindly followed for years came from the wrong person?"
"Look at me. That person NEVER existed, he said so himself. You are your own person Momo; do not EVER forget that," growled Toshiro, forcing Momo's chin towards him. He shook his head in defeat, "And I really was referring to the fact you never sit still for or obey orders from me.
"Oh . . . I'm sorry Shiro-chan."
"It's . . . okay, and try to remember that it's Captain Hitsugaya. Just, take it easy, Momo," Toshiro finished softly as he got up and figuratively handed her over once again to Izuru's care. "I have to go report to the sou-taicho." He gave Izuru a stern glance that showed his thousands of true, raging emotions. "I'm counting on you, Izuru!"
"Of course, Captain Hitsugaya; I won't let you down."
Aizen, Toshiro thought as he shunpoed away. You are so dead!
"He seemed deeper than usual," mussed Momo with a smile. Thank goodness he is not too mad at me; he even said he was proud. Besides Rangiku, he is the only one not treating me, well, at least not totally, like a porcelain doll who might go crazy any second.
Izuru had just watched the whole exchange with a half amused and a half exasperated air. There might have been a time years ago when Izuru might have had a crush on the small girl, but that was decades ago. Plus, even if he did have those emotions, which he didn't, he had no desire at this point of time to turn into an icicle. Now he could not help wondering, when will she realize it; when will he admit that he loves her? Even he had to concede that Momo and the young white-haired captain were a picture perfect couple.
"I have defeated the third espada. What is my next order, Sou-taicho?" Toshiro meanwhile asked the captain-commander urgently.
"Captain Hitsugaya, your next task is to umm . . . umm," Captain Yamamoto began, stone face never once changing expression.
Please tell me the Old Man has a plan to keep me occupied until that fire burns out, Toshiro silently begged to whoever was listening.
"The same one as before; do not let any of the espada on Soul Society soil!" resounded the captain-commander triumphantly.
You. Have. To. Be. Kidding. Me. Old Man Yama has finally lost it! thought Toshiro in blank astonishment. Only years of training kept his true feelings from showing on his face. He looked around; all of the espada were already fighting somebody, and everyone on the Soul Reaper's side seemed to be holding their own.
Suddenly the fire barrier surrounding the traitors hissed and faded, and Toshiro grimly muttered to himself, "Finally."
"Actually, there is a change of plans, Captain Hitsugaya," said the sou-taicho calmly as Captain Hitsugaya took a sharp intake of breath and began to reach for his sword.
Just use your head, the child prodigy reminded himself as he totally ignored Captain Yamamoto.
Elsewhere, Momo gasped as she felt the familiar spiritual pressure rise as the barrier collapsed. Izuru's healing kido flickered and vanished and his hand tightened on Momo's shoulder as they both looked into their old captains' faces.
"Gin hasn't changed at all," said Izuru scornfully.
"Captain . . . Aizen," muttered Momo. Aizen glanced briefly into her chocolate eyes. He looks nothing like he used to. His eyes are cold, not the warm ones I remember. A sudden and jarring pull that had nothing to do with the injuries she had received from the fight rushed through her body. She suddenly felt the need to strike out at everyone, Izuru included. What is this? Memories sped painfully through her brain. "No . . .NO! This is not the real Aizen. I am not going to be controlled by him! Against her will, she felt her fingers begin to reach for her sword.
"Momo, snap out of it." Izuru yelled, roughly shaking her.
As Aizen looked in another direction and began whispering to Gin and Tousen, Momo blinked. The conflicting voices and the painful pull were gone, "That was weird."
"I'll say. Your irises turned yellow," stuttered Izuru. He gave her a curious glance and one last push of healing kido. Momo's lung was once again inflated. As long as she did not over-due it or fight, she would be fine. In surprise, Izuru's eyes widened as the captains a couple hundred of meters in front of him used fast step and vanished.
"Your new orders are to help arrest or kill all the traitors," finished the captain-commander, but the captain he had been speaking to was long gone.
"Pierce his flesh, Shinsou," a silky voice muttered behind Izuru. "Long time no see, Izuru. Too bad Ran had to get dragged into this."
The squad 3 lieutenant barely had time to turn around and block. Clash!
Aizen decided to try to take the head off of the snake. With a smirk he opened a gate and a flood of Menos Grandes appeared as he casually strolled towards the sou-taicho.
Izuru glared with hate at his former superior. "Raise your head Wabisuke!" He forced Gin's sword to the right.
"Duck," he heard Momo yell behind him. "Shockahoe 31!"
Izuru launched himself sideways as quickly as possible, and he felt the rush of destructive energy burst by him. Quickly he fast stepped forward and snapped the kido bonds that were holding Momo on her kido web.
"I'm ready," Momo whispered as her spiritual energy began to rise exponentially.
"NO! Stay out of this one as much as possible. You heard what Captain Hitsugaya ordered Momo," commanded Izuru as he studied their opponent. Gin did not even look winded from their, well Momo's, offensive attack, but Izuru was happy to see that he was not sporting such a big smile either.
"Okay, I'll stay on the sidelines, but I am not going to let you fight alone. It'll be like the days when we were in the academy," the injured girl grinned, eyes scrunched in determination.
"I guess we don't have much of a choice, but just be careful," conceded Izuru as he flew forward. In reality, the only reason he was letting her in on the action was because he had no more pills on him that knocked people out.
Plus, he was mad.
Izuru sliced upwards, blocked, swung down, and struck. He cartwheeled over Gin's head and heard Momo launch another Shockahoe behind him.
"Well, isn't somebody determined today! I must say expected a better welcome from ya, Izuru," smiled Gin evilly.
"You are a traitor, and no longer my captain. The only welcome you deserve is a sword!" shouted the vice as months of pent up rage exploded.
This is annoying, thought the Old Man as Aizen approached him. He could see Captain Hitsugaya, considering he was the only shinigami really free at the moment, building up a wall of ice behind them in an attempt to slow down the Menos Grandes. He is smart for his age, grudgingly conceded the sou-taicho. However, it was time to deal with the most pressing issue. "Turn everything to ashes, Ryuujinjakka!" he rumbled. Fire flared everywhere attempting to consume everything, but Aizen's presence remained. In surprise, Captain Yamamoto felt the traitor's spiritual pressure appear behind him. He turned around and swung up, fulling expecting to hit steel. Instead he hit air and felt the pain of a sword crushing through his back. "Honooya!" the Sou-taicho stammered as he held out his right hand, flew backwards, and charged once again with his sword. Flaming arrows flew from the elderly man's outward palm towards the man leering in front of him as Captain Yamamoto once again attacked.
"Give it up," Aizen neutrally stated. He easily blocked, flash-stepped, and whacked the old man on the head. "As much as I admire your courage, I really am not in the mood to deal with you, Commander."
"What?" questioned Momo, growing distracted by the sudden change in Captain Aizen's fight, "That flicker of spiritual pressure; the captain-commander can't be losing!"
This really is annoying, groaned the sou-taicho as he passed out and started plummeting to the Earth.
Yeah, this might be like the academy Momo, but there is one major difference; we are missing one of our trio, thought Izuru as he struggled against his old captain. Our power levels might be too different to win this battle without Renji's help.
"Bakudo 37, Tsuriboshi," exclaimed a cool voice. With a flutter of robes, Toshiro halted, yards away from the man he had wanted to settle a score with for months now. He smiled in triumph as he saw Captain Yamamoto land safely in his kido net. "Now, I can deal with you Aizen."
"Really, didn't you learn anything, Toshiro? What a shame," Aizen sighed as Tousen appeared beside him.
Toshiro just dropped to his fighting stance with his deep eyes calculating Aizen's every move. "It's Captain Hitsugaya to you," he muttered. His voice was as fierce as a dragon and his tone was as sharp as ice. Now I just have to figure out how to get rid of Tousen, he thought as time seemed to slow down. Keeping his peripheral vision on Aizen, he moved ninety degrees as a shadow flew past him and towards the captain-commander. Furiously he began his release, "Reign o-" Thankfully he didn't have to finish.
Captain Komokura intercepted Tousen.
So, Toshiro gratefully charged Aizen. Just like before, his sword stabbed through Aizen's chest—well, the fake Aizen's chest. This time however, he saw the telltale movement out of the corner of his eye. He withdrew his sword, blocked the swing from the real Aizen's sword, and even managed to land a cut on his opponent's cheek.
"Wow, you've improved, Toshiro," Aizen stated as they paused a few feet away from each other as they paused for breath.
Why can't anyone seriously just call me by the right title? groaned Toshiro as he began to feel a headache coming on. "I've told people before. You can't hit me with the same move twice, Aizen," he spat aloud, his mind focused only on defeating the traitor in front of him.
"Are you really sure about that?" curiously questioned Aizen as he glanced once again at Momo.
Momo's hand flew to her side. That weird feeling from before was slowly starting to come back. She was so tired of being confused; she was tired of being worthless. She had come here to prove to herself she had not totally lost her mind. Unfortunately the voices Izuru screaming and losing, Shiro-chan fighting, the blood, that pull from Aizen, and everything else was about to make her head explode. As if that was not enough, a large grating sound pierced her head. A rip in the sky appeared, and tons of bodies were rolling out of it.
"Well, Momo, it's about time you finally were up and about. It sure took you long enough!" exclaimed a wide-eyed Renji enthusiastically from the front of the pack. Seriously girl, you had all of us worried, he thought happily to himself.
That makes three people that do not treat me like a porcelain doll, Momo thought eagerly, squishing down her uncertainties that had popped out of nowhere.
Renji smiled before noticing Izuru and sprinting forward to help, "Hey, why didn't you wait for me, you jerk?"
Rukia joined the fray right after him, calling over her shoulder, "Ichigo, we are counting on you to lead against those Menos Grandes!" You should not get into much trouble doing that, you have beaten one before. The main thing is we have to keep you from going hollow again for a while.
Behind him, Momo saw a girl with long, red hair and blue hairpins rush to Rangiku's side in tears and shock and begin a unique sort of healing kido. Ignoring the fight raging around her, the girl concentrated totally on healing her friend, even though unknown to anyone else her reserves of power were running dangerously low.
Momo grinned. This must be the rescue team she must have heard people whispering about finally returning from Hueco Mundo. With wonderment she watched some people in weird masks, an orange haired dude, a man in a weird hat, a cat, a black-haired man wearing a 10th division haori, the squad 4 members, a couple of guys with blue bows, and the two captains Kuichiki and Kenpachi fast-step towards the Menos Grandes. In contrasting revulsion, she suddenly felt her anxieties increase and felt those dreaded eyes burn into the back of her head. She did not want to turn around, but some invisible force forced her to.
Looking into those hard eyes she could hear Aizen talking inside her head. They don't trust you. I trust you, so won't you do me a favor? Take down the Sou-taicho; take down those so called friends.
No, Momo fought bitterly. I won't!
Yes, I own you Momo. You will do what I say, snapped Aizen as he filled Momo's head with warm memories of the so called "him." Everything else faded as she began to physically reach for them, yearning for the familiar warmth.
Momo doubled over in relief as the connection broke, leaving her breathing hard and with beads of sweat rolling down her forward. She looked up in surprise; Toshiro was standing in between her and Aizen. His spiked hair was flapping, and his blue spiritual pressure was so high and raging it was almost suffocating.
"YOU WON'T EVER HURT HER AGAIN," Toshiro whispered defiantly at Aizen. He glanced at Momo and sighed in relief. Her eyes were back to their normal color, but he couldn't help remembering what Aizen had once told him, "I have trained her, so that she cannot live without me." Momo just hang on. It's the years of being under the absolute hypnosis, right Hyorinmaru?
Probably, Hyorinmaru sighed. This could cause problems.
"Shiro-chan," whispered Momo, shocked at his outrage towards Aizen and worried about his safety. For crying out loud, the sou-taicho himself had just gotten beaten! "Be . . . careful." Toshiro was looking at her with an eyebrow raised in amusement. Why do I feel like I am forgetting to tell him something?
"You bet," smirked Toshiro. "Just sit there and let me take care of it."
I didn't realize he cares so much. He didn't even complain that I used his nickname! thought Momo in amazement as her childhood friend jumped forward and released his shikai. Suddenly cold, she wrapped her arms tight around herself. "Don't worry. I believe in you, Captain Hitsugaya," she muttered to herself, finally understanding that was exactly what she had wanted to tell him all along.
As he bounded forward, Toshiro shot a wall of ice over his shoulder to shield Aizen from Momo. That should minimize whatever power he still has over her, he thought confidently as the crash of steel on steel was heard for miles.
Slowly Rangiku sat up.
"Rangiku-san," a familiar voice urged. "Take it easy!"
A second later, Orihime found herself wrapped up in a bear hug.
Toshiro panted. Block, thrust, parry, and block again. He groaned as Aizen landed a deep cut on his already injured shoulder. The ice all around started to shatter. No, please stay strong for me Hyorinmaru, he begged. His heart stopped as he looked up and once again took a defensive stance. Now fifteen Aizens were staring him in the face.
"You had better figure out which one of me is the real one, child prodigy," called an animated voice from all of the fifteen Aizens.
"Impossible," muttered the young captain in shock.
Through the ice, Momo could see the whole fight raging. She once again quickly focused her attention on the fight against Captain Ichimaru. Rukia, Renji, and Izuru were moving too quickly for her to stay involved in that fight. If she tried to help, she might accidently hit them with her kido. She almost took a step to go and help against the menos grandes instead, but then she noticed a crack she could fit through in Toshiro's ice shield. She also noticed that Toshiro was fighting against fifteen versions of Aizens, and he was losing.
"I knew you weren't a traitor!" yelled Rangiku with excitement. That excitement vanished though as she looked up; a few feet away the man that had broken her heart was fighting some of her best friends.
"So, Ran, I have to say I have seen ya looking better," said Gin calmly, almost wistfully as he blocked Zabimaru. "I have to admit Huendo Muneco is kinda boring without ya there."
"Ignore him," yelled Renji, noticing Rangiku's hesitation. "Haven't you hurt enough people Ichimaru! First off there was Rukia, Momo . . . Rangiku here, and Orihime just told us the only reason she went with you guys was because you threatened to kill all of us. Now, that is going way to FAR!"
That explains everything. Don't worry Renji; I have been crying way to long over him. I may not be completely ready for this, because I miss him. No . . . no, I promised I wouldn't do this! Time to get rid of my nightmares! decided Rangiku firmly.
"I'm fine; it was no trouble," whispered Orihime. "I just wanted to protect you guys." I went, so you would not get hurt. Please, please, stop fighting over me!
Rangiku pushed the girl behind her. "Okay. Well now it's our turn. Hanieko!" She glanced at the icy blasts in the distance that had to be coming from her captain, be careful.
Toshiro groaned. He had gone Ban Kai. He had been trying for a while now to destroy the real Aizen, but he had no way of knowing which one that was. "No," he whispered as one of the Aizens once again stabbed him with a sword. Blood poured from the young captain's mouth. They were all laughing at him; they were all the same cold figure that had left him and, more importantly, Momo for dead last time. "I still have to finish the job. Everyone is counting on me; I can't lose!"
"Actually, child prodigy you can. Let's raise the stakes shall we," muttered Aizen in Toshiro's ear as he flash-stepped away, having fun with the game of cat and mouse.
Elsewhere Orihime screamed. Electricity shot through her body, and the bracelets trapped on her wrists were glowing a dark red. As her vision swirled, she managed to see Uryuu begin to rush towards her and Ichigo turn around in shock.
Momo fought a feeling of growing anxiety. With Aizen's maximum power flowing at all around her, the conflicting voices began to once again pound in her head. She staggered, almost releasing her barrier that was shielding her reiatsu. Then, she felt the familiar cold rush threatening to obliterate Aizen's spiritual pressure, and Toshiro's voice popped into her head. You're your own person Momo; do not EVER forget that!
It was enough.
The weird pull was there, but she could concentrate again. She carefully looked at all the Aizens. Some were holding their swords, one was scratching his head. She bit her lip, considering her best friend was in the middle of all of them. Poor Toshiro looked a lot worse up close, and she was the only one at the moment who could help him. I actually can do this! After all, I know him best, she thought, trying to force her heart to beat normally. She focused on each of the Aizens individually. Eventually, Momo grinned in triumph. There, that one two to the left of Toshiro. That is how he always looks, hands crossed and half a smile on his face. As she inched forward, the pounding in her head increased. Yep, that is the one!
The real Aizen sighed, it had been fun, but he had to get moving.
Toshiro, breathing heavily, back flipped and swung once again at the Aizen closest to him. Suddenly, a sharp pull spun him in the opposite direction. The real traitor had grabbed the back of Toshiro's haori, so now the prodigy was dangling and looking into the real Aizen's cold eyes. He saw the reflection of the metal, but he had no way to dodge it. "Momo . . . I'm sorry," Toshiro muttered as Aizen's sword slashed towards his neck.
Time stopped. Momo saw the sword swing. She leapt towards them, silently screaming. She flew forward as the memories of Aizen tucking her in, Aizen reading her a book, Aizen saving her once from a hollow flashed unbidden into her mind. She grimaced as she once again felt the memories threaten to overwhelm her. Her eyes burned; her vision swam as the hypnosis started to pull her under. She knew without anyone telling her that her eyes were once again yellow. We both know where your loyalties should lie, a voice whispered. Kill him! She felt her lung re-collapse from the sudden effort. She swung.
"Well, Ran, it was fun," smiled Gin as he took his last breath and collapsed at their feet.
Rangiku shakily wiped the blood off of her sword, trying to keep her broken face hidden. She barely noticed the others doing the same. "Why do you still have to keep leaving my heart dangling?" she muttered to herself, attention elsewhere and on someone else.
Meanwhile, Rukia and Ichigo were too intently trying to help Orihime to care about their swords.
BOOM! All around them there was a big explosion.
"Rangiku, look out!" yelled Renji as he pushed the daydreaming shinigami to the ground, forcing her to pay attention. Toshiro's ice shield had burst, hurtling ice chunks everywhere. Renji groaned as one sliver cut his cheek while he protected Rangiku. "Ichigo!" he yelled in concern. The human was trying to protect the girls as best as he could, but there was no way his worn out body could defract all that ice with Zangetsu. Uryuu tried to do the same, but with his body instead of a sword. Renji sighed in relief as Izuru threw up a barrier. As Renji peered in the opposite direction, in the icy captain's direction, his whole face froze, "No way!"
Toshiro blinked in amazement; I shouldn't even be alive right now. As his vision cleared, his mouth fell open. Momo levitated beside him, empty handed, her sword pushed through the real Aizen.
Panic over whelmed her. "Captain . . . Aizen!" Momo faltered. What have I done? Shiro-chan, what is happening? "Shiro-chan? I couldn't let him… but Captain Aizen why . . . why?" She could not breathe. Everything was moving so slowly. Aizen was faltering, real blood pooling around him. Momo was so tired that she did not even move when Aizen raised his sword at her, anger and denial ruling his usually calm face.
Toshiro roared. In a rush of energy he pulled out of Aizen's grip and pushed Momo behind him. Over my dead body! He blocked. I can't pass out just yet, one more cut, he told himself through rough gasps as he neared the end of his endurance. I have to protect her! Out of the blue Kurosaki appeared behind Aizen's back, seeming as mad as or madder than Toshiro. Of course Kurosaki, you have to show up at the last minute and play hero, thought the captain, feeling both grateful and annoyed. They gave each other one settle nod; together they swung. Kurosaki pierced through Aizen's ribs, and Toshiro took off the traitor's head while managing to pull out Toubime for Momo. Might seem harsh, he thought to himself as he turned around to face Toubime's weilder and Aizen's body fell from the sky, but that is the only sure way to kill a shinigami.
"Thank goodness," whispered Rukia to Renji, Izuru, Uryuu, and Rangiku. "She might make it." She looked triumphantly at the electrocuting bracelets that had broken off of Orihime's wrist when Aizen had fallen to Earth.
"She had better after all we went through for her," grumbled Renji affectionately, trying to lighten the mood and cover his concern. Even though it was obvious that the tattoo covered man hadn't meant a word of what he had just said, Rukia punched him in the stomach. Hard.
"Momo," whispered Toshiro in bewilderment, "Why did you do that?" Her eyes were once again back to their normal color, but they were vacant, unseeing. His heart missed a beat; she looked horrible.
"I couldn't let him hurt you, Shiro-chan. He'd already hurt so many people, and I was so tired of being the person who helped him, believed in him. I should have believed in you . . . Captain Hitsugaya," she replied, eyes beginning to blink with tears and exhaustion.
For once, Toshiro decided not to even complain about her using the annoying nickname. Actually, when she had chosen to use his full title, it had not felt right at all. Quickly he nodded and then frowned. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop worrying about it, Bedwetter." He raised an eyebrow as Momo tried and failed to look indignant. "Thanks, Kurosaki," he grudgingly continued, voice tainted with tiredness from his intense fights to the teenager behind him. Just hold on a little while longer, he ordered himself.
"No problem," called Ichigo over his shoulder. He had a vibe that the two needed to be alone, so he fast-stepped away. It was probably the only time he had shown tact in his entire life; it was probably the only time he ever would. "That's what friends are for. I had a personal score to settle with him anyway!" he called over his shoulder. He had to get back to Orihime, and he DEFIFINETLY needed to have a major talk, one that would probably include some screaming and some bloodshed, with his father.
"Yeah," Momo softly agreed, hand holding her thumping head. A rush of nausea flew through her body, and once again she was coughing up blood. As she saw Toshiro's eyes widen, she tried to stay positive. She had never seen him this hurt or upset before. His eyes were wild and as vulnerable as when they were children. Unfortunately, her body was making staying all butterflies and rainbows hard; she hurt everywhere. Unwillingly, Momo's hands went to her side. Fighting and the stress of the hypnosis had not only re-collapsed her lung, it had caused even more internal damage. "I can't breathe," she eventually croaked.
"Momo," Toshiro yelled in humongous horror. He sprung forward, but she began falling before his tired body could reach her.
The girl vaguely heard someone shouting her name, as her mind slid into a dark abyss. "Shiro-chan," she managed to whisper before she felt no more.
With a last burst of energy Toshiro flew downwards, and managed to catch one of her fragile, falling hands, which pulled his exhausted body down with her. Teeth clenched, he used every last inch of his reaitsu to pull her close and try to control their fall. She was so light, so delicate. He held her closer than he had ever had before, bridal style. No, do not give up now, Momo. No one, not even that annoying Kurosaki, was close enough to help them. Toshiro's head snapped back as his back rammed into the pavement. Momo slipped and bounced several feet away. Painfully, the captain crawled over to her. "Momo . . . Bedwetter, stay with me," he begged. Of course, she did not stir. "Please! I'll do anything for you, just hold on." His own injuries, the battles, they did not matter anymore. All he knew was that he was sitting in Momo's blood, and Momo was hardly breathing. "You weren't even supposed to get caught up in this. I told you to stay put," he angrily whispered. "I was supposed to get rid of your pain, not cause you more!" He sat there shaking as wetness began to form on his cheeks. Toshiro blinked in astonishment; he was actually crying. As he doubled over her in painful sobbing and coughing, his injuries finally took their toll. As his eyes swam, he grabbed Momo's hand, determined to try and heal her before he passed out. Momo . . . I am right here. I won't leave. He instantly collapsed on her, while inside begging her to come back.
In the distance, Ichigo paused in mid-step. He felt Toshiro's spiritual pressure plummet and saw him and the small girl shooting towards the ground. "Oh, shit," he groaned while turning to go in that direction.
"Hey, Bakka, Why did you leave them alone if they looked so bad!" snapped Renji as him and Rangiku appeared beside Ichigo.
The orange-haired bakka heatedly replied as they flew forward, "They did not seem that bad to me, obviously!"
"Wow, for being a doctor's son you should be better at this kind of thing!" Renji argued.
"Shut up!" growled Ichigo.
"Guys," yelled Rangiku, knowing they could argue like this for hours. She gasped a few seconds later as they approached the area covered in ice and blood where their targets had landed. "CAPTAIN!"
Thankfully leaping back to the present time, Toshiro put his head in his shaking hands as the pain gradually receded. It would be the third year anniversary of the war in late January, and the old wounds and memories from that day still flared up from time to time. He had recalled everything so vividly he felt like he was in that whole situation again, and he concentrated on getting his breathing regular.
"Apparently Rangiku is right about me getting out of the office more," the prodigy groaned as he slowly got up and decided to stick his head out the window for some much needed fresh air. "I won't lose her," he meanwhile dramatically replied to Hyorinmaru. "I came too close to losing Momo that day, and it won't happen ever again."
Five steps later he stubbed his toe and made a very graceful eggplant on the floor. "What the heck?" he wondered as he stared at a stack of unfinished paperwork that someone had hidden under the blanket that usually rested on the couch. They all had yesterday's date on them. "RANGIKU!" Toshiro furiously yelled while jumping up and hopping to the window, hoping to see his lieutenant. Instead he saw a glimpse of an unfamiliar shinigami wearing a black cape fly around the corner of one of the tenths buildings. He rubbed his eyes; the man was gone. "Great," he said, shaking his head and returning to his desk.
I think you should get some medical attention. You are much too young to be going crazy, chuckled his zanpaktou.
Just zip it, ordered Toshiro in annoyance. Over the past few years he had seen way too much of the 4th to really want to go back anytime soon. Probably, the only things causing me to be going insane are you and Rangiku! he joked, trying to keep things upbeat. The light taunt kept Hyorinmaru quiet for a few seconds. I really didn't mean that Hyorinmaru! Toshiro finally said exasperated. He once again reached for the calligraphy brush, and his spiritual pressure rose exponentially. More seriously he continued, Can we get back to the business at hand please? I am counting on you from here on out to help make this work out and help protect her. There is no one else I could trust more with these assignments. It hurt his pride a little to steep that low and actually admit his feelings, but as Hyorinmaru replied it was worth it.
I must say Little One, started the dragon in reverence as his master began to sign his name on the form. The license meant Toshiro and Momo would have government approval to perform a wedding ceremony, which meant soon they could be husband and wife. You are finally beginning to sound like a man! Of course, I'm always here for you!
Thank you Hyorinmaru, sighed Toshiro in contentment as he signed the last letter of his name on the paperwork. Just as he was about to lift up the brush, Rangiku burst through the door, causing her captain to jump in alarm and smear the writing utensil across the page.
"I'm home!" she yelled, obviously going through the last stage of her hangover.
"Rangiku," Toshiro snapped as the room instantly dropped twenty degrees. "You. Are. Going. To. Be. The. Death. Of. Me! For the last time, this is the OFFICE!"
As she slid ungracefully onto the couch, Rangiku honestly did not understand why her captain seemed so cranky. Then she saw the wedding license.
Hinakyrie (prior Kyrie)
Okay everyone, please tell me if this is worth continuing.
I promise it will be more upbeat in the next chapter, if there are enough reviews that I make another one. I just had to get the meat of the Winter War on the table for everyone. And yes, I think something similar to this will happen in the actual series, but then again I am turning into a hopeless romantic!
Please tell me if I have Toshiro addressing anyone by the wrong title. Thank you!
Oh, and does anyone know his actual age. Should I be referring to him as a child or a teenager? I really am not sure, since he acts so mature for his age. It was definitely harder to write for him than anyone else.