Disclaimer: Don't own Bleach or Gintama.
Chapter 1
A young man lacking color in his hair and eyebrows sat motionlessly with his legs crossed as he stared at the single letter on his desk. He looked like a statue carved from the finest stone. His skin like porcelain. Hair parted down the middle, light curls playing at his chest. Forest green eyes focused on the parchment before him which made no attempt to pick up. He read the face of the letter to himself: Mitsuhara Academy for the Gifted and Talented. Was he so gifted that they would write to him? It was written in the most elegant font and as was his name and address. His eyebrows furrowed slightly. Nagasaki, Japan. How did these people get his address? His finger twitched slightly as he considered whether he wanted to open it or not. The small gesture made the man watching him smirk as he reached inside his vest and pulled out a dull blade and handed it to the younger man that had been watching him since he heard the other man move. The young man had no interest however in opening the letter. In fact, the young man had to interest in attending school at all. He had been homeschooled since a child and he wasn't going to start standard schooling now. There was nothing to gain and he would have nothing to do with it. The other man saw this and returned the blade to his inner vest pocket still keeping a slight smirk in his face as if he knew the young man before him would change his mind. After a moment of watching the younger man he took the silver dish with the untouched letter and left the room after a quick bow.
The younger man had regarded him with a quick glance before turning back to the rather large window he was contemplating at. The letter had been addressed to him from the continent of Asia. He wondered momentarily how long ago it had been mailed. He furrowed his eyebrows realizing that he was a bit curious. He shook his head trying to convince himself that he had made the right choice. He had no need for the letter, for he could just as simply research the answer. He reluctantly took his phone out of his pocket. He put his right thumb to the screen until it turned to a sophisticated gray and blue shade. He glanced for a moment at the seventeen calls and thirty messages he missed because he put his device on silent. He ignored the updates and held down the home button.
"What can I help you with today?" the device asked smoothly.
"How long would a letter from-," the young man paused for a moment straining to remember what the had letter said.
"-From Nagasaki, Japan take to get to this residence."
The young man spoke softly with no immediate rush or need.
"Let me check my sources," replied the device just as patiently. The young man waited for a moment in complete silence.
"I found this for you."
The man adjusted his focus as his eyes narrowed slightly. He wasn't surprised to see the results. It would take approximately three to five days even if it was a first class premium letter and surely that was what it was. The young man diverted his eyes lazily as he locked his phone and returned it to his pocket. He sighed quietly, returning his gaze back to the window where the sun was setting below the horizon ending the young man's rather long day, and beginning his equally long night. He closed his eyes. He pulled his unremitting frown to a straight line as he found himself thinking about the letter once again. It wouldn't leave the young man alone even though he wanted nothing to do with it.
The knock at his door didn't give him any more time to think about the letter. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it when he saw who it was. There was a petite redhead standing in the threshold with a small smile on her face. Though she was petite, she had the look of wisdom in her eyes as if she could see through anything. Her silver eyes seemed to be like daggers piercing into whatever she happened to lay eyes on. Right now, she was looking at the slightly disheveled young man. Though if anyone else looked at the boy, he would look well rested and fine, maybe just a tad stressed as well. Her smirk wavered. Even if it may be so, she was still happy to see him.
The young man that had been staring blankly at her in blatant surprise finally greeted her. He stood almost immediately and gave the woman before him a long and sincere bow, for the women who stood before him was his mother, the Queen of Suiren: Matsumoto Rangiku. She walked over to him slowly and placed her hand on his shoulder causing the young man to glance up at her.
"Don't be so formal, Toshiro," she said raising his chin upon her finger to get a better look at him. Toshiro stood now in a stilted stance with unfaltering eyes as he looked rather curiously at her.
"It's good to see you, mother," Toshiro said as he lowered her hand from his face. He seemed to remember something as his eyes narrowed slightly.
"As it is for me to you," she said not tearing her gaze from his eyes.
She seemed to be having a staring contest of some sort with the young man. Toshiro had no time for such nonsense so he turned away from his mother momentarily and sat back down at his desk, rubbing his eyes from the intense encounter. He crossed his legs and leaned forward slightly looking rather pleased with himself. He had a small smirk that behind it the woman could read his thought. It was as if they had had this conversation a millions times before. Ms. Matsumoto took a seat as well.
"How are you feeling love?" she asked sincerely, not like a regular parent would, not really expecting a long answer. Ms. Matsumoto was willing to sit here for however long Daniel's answer might be. She was a good listener as are most Aquarians.
"I'm dealing," Toshiro said shortly.
He wasn't much of a talker and I don't believe the man ever was. One didn't even have to know the man to know that he was more perceptive, though he wasn't seem like the type to listen to others because I'm afraid he'd drift off too much, hence one of the reasons he didn't want to attend school.
"I'm sorry," Ms. Matsumoto said softly, diverting her eyes in regret, but sounding more than sincere.
"I never wanted you to get involved in this."
"I know," Toshiro said slightly annoyed that she had brought this up again.
"I just wished you could have finished your studies," she continued to say.
"Mother, you say that as though I lie on my deathbed before you. I still have plenty of time," Toshiro said quietly, not sure if the last part could really be determined.
"Promise me that you'll finish," she asked of him.
"Of course, mother," Toshiro said immediately.
His thoughts drifted to the letter he had gotten earlier that day. Deep in thought he spoke softly,
"Yes... I will."
