My eternal gratitude to Tite Kubo for letting me practice my writing skills on his characters ;D
(Toushiro, whispering in the background: "What does she mean, 'practicing'?"
Hyorinmaru, not exactly whispering: Don't worry. If it gets out of hand, we can just freeze her.")
Wait, what? Anyway . . . I had so much fun writing "Two Lost Souls" that I decided to write some more one-shots. Yes. There will be angst galore. I just can't help it, it's so much fun to write. I have several more partially-written chapters and ideas already . . . the only thing standing in their way is three words: "Review This Chapter". . .
(Yes . . . the title is a Le Petit Prince reference.)
Chapter notes: Based (loosely) on Episode 121 (the end of Hitsugaya's fight with Shawlong).
He was zanpakuto – an instrument of protection. He had saved many lives, helped countless souls find peace – but those countless souls, they all meant nothing to him. Only one soul, one small, fragile being, mattered to Hyorinmaru – and he could do nothing to help it, could not even call for help as bankai-wings snapped at the base, slivers of ice flying, and the body of Toushiro Hitsugaya fell silently out of the sky.
The young Captain did not register pain yet, only confusion to find the air no longer supporting him. Hyorinmaru could hear his struggling thoughts. What? The fight – it couldn't be over. No! – Wait!
The ground seemed so far away, and Toushiro seemed to be falling so very slowly – if a pair of arms were to stretch out, his slight body would come to rest there so easily. Such a simple thing, to catch this delicate creature. And for all his formidable powers, Hyorinmaru couldn't do it.
In their shared mind, Toushiro's voice whispered faintly. Hyorin . . . maru?
Here.
What happened? Did we win?
I believe so. The spirit gave a deep, quiet sigh.
Am I – am I falling?
Yes.
It doesn't feel so bad.
He was fading . . . they both were.
Don't worry. You fought well.
Will anyone catch me?
Toushiro's body hit the ground, unconscious, before Hyorinmaru could answer. Of course they will, he whispered anyway.
He had always been able to protect Toushiro, make him stronger, help him fight. Now there was no more help he could give, not even simple comfort. They had always known that each battle they fought could be the last one, the end of both of them . . . but the end shouldn't come like this. If I can't catch you, I'm supposed to fall with you . . .
He was zanpakuto, a reaper of souls; he watched them fall to shards and leave the world of the living without a second thought. It was his duty to guide this small, bright soul on its journey, but as he felt it spiral away, all he could do was try desperately to keep it from falling any farther.