I don't own Bleach or any of the chracters
Chapter One: The Dreams of Blue
Ichigo Kurosaki sat up panting; his body covered in sweat. For the last couple of months he had been having the same dreams over and over again. In the repeating dreams his zanpakuto, Zangetsu, would be standing before him trying to speak. The zanpakuto's words never reached him. When Ichigo ran to Zangetsu, blue flames would erupt everywhere. The strange thing was that the flames nevered burned him. Instead they filled him with power.
The substitute soul reaper sighed and collapsed on the bed. His eyes gazed at the ceiling and listened to the sounds of his home. Downstairs he could hear the faint sound of pans clanking and crashing together, meaning that Yuzu would be starting breakfast soon. Closer he heard the slow, deep breathing of Rukia as she slept deeply in the closet.
His wondering thoughts settled on the sleeping soul reaper. She was stationed in Karakura Town with other soul reapers, the captain of the Tenth Squad, Toshiro Hitsugaya and his lietenant Rangiku Matsumoto, the two eleventh squad member Ikkaku and Yumichika, along with Renji Abarai. They had been sent by Yamamoto to keep an eye out for arrancars and espada alike.
The strawberry sat up and got off the bed, streaching. He realized that he heard the sound of muffled talking and looked down. His left foot was ontop of Kon's face. The lion plushie was kicking and wiggling trying to get free. He slowly moved his foot and waited for the outburst that the mod soul was going to have. Kon wasn't won to disappoint.
" You bastard," yelled Kon, jumping to his feet. " Do you know how much your feet stink."
Ichigo's eyebrow twitched and he stepped on the plushie toy again. " Shut up you, idiot! Rukia's still asleep."
When, he moved his foot again Kon didn't throw a fit, he only glared at the substitute. " You know you should go talk to that captain kid. When Rukia came home last night she was dead on her feet. These constent night patrols are running her down."
Ichigo didn't look at him and changed into diffrent outfit. When changed into something nice he walked out of the room and downstairs. Yuzu looked up at her brother and grinned.
" Ichigo! Good morning."
The redhead grinned softly at his little sibling and said," Good morning Yuzu."
The young girl tilted her head in confusion and said," You usually don't wake up this early. Is something wrong Ichigo?"
The substitute shook his head and said," No, you don't have to worry Yuzu. Anyway, I'm going out for a walk to clear my head is all."
" But wait," Yuzu said, fantically. " You haven't had any breakfast yet."
" I'm not hungry. I'll be back later Yuzu." With this the strawberry left the house
Ichigo walked and thought at the same time, which shockingly was hard for him. His mind couldn't focus on one thing for more then a moment. It made him want to scream out his fustrations to the sky. He only lowered his head and glared at the ground. With his eyes on the ground he didn't noticed he was about to collide with someone, until it was to late.
Ichigo's shoulder bumped into the other causing them to stummble. The redhead looked up ready to apologize, but grimced instead when he set his eyes on the person he bumped into. It was clear the person was someone who didn't stay out of trouble. The man had a shaved head and tattoos covering the whole body. He was in raggy clothes and with a dangerous scrowl on his face. Ichigo looked around and saw not far from them was a group of people dressed similar to the man before him.
Ichigo had fought a gang before, but he usually had Chad with him and also they weren't usually this many. He not knowing what to do squared his shoulders and said," I don't want any trouble. I'm sorry for running into you that was my bad."
The gang member snorted and snapped," With a face like that it's hard to believe. It makes me want to teach you a lesson in manners."
The strawberry fought the urge to roll his eyes and thought, How typical. The gang member wasn't done talking however, his voice catching the attention of the other members of the gang, who slowly surrounded him.
" I let you off with a warning if you acutally apologize like one should."
Ichigo didn't say anything, only glared at the gang member as his mind tried to think of a way out of the situation he had gotten himself into. When silence was the only thing to answer the gang member as if by a silent command they all jumped Ichigo at once. At first the strawberry held his own, kicking and punching all who got near with ease, but he got overwelmed by how many people they were.
One tripped him and made him fall to the ground. Ichigo growled and tried to get back on his feet, but the gang started kicking him. He tried to shield his face and stomach, but failed. One well placed kick got him on the lip, spliting it. Another on his stomach causing him to cring and lose his breath. Two more kicks got him on his face and head. He fought to stay awake, but unconsciousness was sneaking up on him.
When the darkness was about to take over in his mind he saw the blue flames once more. He was filled with power he had only felt in his dreams. The rush of power had overcome the darkness that had tried to suck him in. He leaped to his feet and pushed through the gang running as fast as he could, because even with this new rush he couldn't take them all on at once.
He heard the gang try to chase him for a while, but they eventually gave up yelling curses at him and threatening him. He ran until he felt like he was a good distant away from them before stopping. When he quit running all the power that he had been running on was gone and he almost fell over with exhaustion. He ached all over and couldn't breath well.
He looked around and saw people giving him a wide berth along with some akward looks. He blushed lightly and walked slowly thinking that he could stop by Inoue's place. Maybe she could heal him a little so he wouldn't stick out so much, plus she was close by anyway.
The walk was slow and painful, each step making his wounds throb. Finally, he reached Inoue's apartment and leaned against the door for a moment to get his barings then knocked. He waited a few minutes before the door opened up. He blinked a couple times and tilted his head to the side.
" Toshiro?"
The captain looked at the substitute for a moment, his shock hiddened well. Kurosaki was injured pretty bad. His lips were split open and still bleeding lightly. He left eye was swollen and almost completely shut. He was breathing funny and tilting the side, not putting much weight on his right leg.
When Toshiro had agreeded to house sit for Orihime, while she and Rangiku went shopping this wasn't what he expected. He focused back to the strawberry and only opened the door wider. Ichigo blinked and limped inside slowly. Toshiro closed the door and locked it, before speaking.
" You look like you went to Hell for a visit Kurosaki," he said, eyeing the wounds again.
The strawberry looked sheepish and replied," I don't think Hell would have been so cruel to me."
He went to the living room and collapsed on the floor. The small captain rushed forward to help, but slowed down when Ichigo slowly sat up. Even as injured as he was, he didn't want people to pity him. An aspect to admire from the rash teenager, and as much as Toshiro hated to admit it to anyone he did admire the boy.
" So," Ichigo began," where did Orihime go?"
Teal eyes blinked slowly and the captain answered," Shopping. Knowing Rangiku, she'll keep Inoue out for a while."
Ichigo winced at this and looked down at the ground. The captain blinked and said," You were hoping that she would heal you weren't you?"
The substitute nodded and slowly found his footing. " Yeah, but if she isn't here it's alright. I'll just go home and take care of it myself."
Toshiro sighed and moved to where Ichigo had sat down, before snapping," Sit down idiot. I can heal you. I might not be Captain Unohana good, but I can still heal small wounds."
The red head stared at the captain for a moment before grinning slowly. " Thank you, Toshiro."
The captain glared and waited for Ichigo to sit down again. When, Ichigo had settled down; Toshiro set to work, healing his face. For a couple of minutes they sat in silence until Toshiro asked," Do you mind taking your shirt off? I need to see the damage."
Ichigo blushed and slowly took off his shirt. Toshiro's eyes widened both from shock and embarassment. Ichigo's whole torso was black and blue, showing some internal bleeding. Embarassment simply because Ichigo was more fit then he had originally thought. His abs were well formed and made Toshiro want to touch them for some odd reason. Ichigo cleared his throat and that was enough to make Toshiro fall out of his thoughts. The young prodigy looked away fighting a blush and glaring at the ground.
The captain took a deep breath and said," The damage is too great. I can do simple healing spells, but I'm not that good in it. I'll call Rangiku to tell them to get here soon. You are suffering internal bleeding and the longer we wait the worst it gets."
Ichigo nodded and muttered," Thank you, Toshiro."
Teal eyes narrowed and he captain whipped his head to glare at the strawberry as he snapped," Captain Hitsugaya is my title and what you should call me."
Then he asked," What happened?"
" Oh," Ichigo said, looking at the teal eyes. " This was nothing more then a street fight. I was simply out numbered and couldn't defend myself."
Toshiro shook his head and stated," A coward's way to fight. Plus, it's shocking that the great Ichigo Kurosaki got this injured from such a simple fight."
" I'm not great, Toshiro."
The tenth division captain looked at Ichigo and said," Your not exactly nothing either Kurosaki. A soul reaper who is still human, but also defeated two of Soul Society's most powerful captain. Learned your bankai in only three days. You might not be great, but you are something."
With this the captain got up and went to make t call. While, he walked away Toshiro could feel Ichigo's gaze follow him. It unsettled him in more ways then he could think of. When the ice captain got out of the room he whipped out his phone and dialed Matsumoto's number. It rang for a minute before answered.
" HELLO, Captain!"
Toshiro cringed and shouted," You idiot! You don't have to yell."
" Well, I was just so excited that I couldn't contain it in any longer."
A hand went through snow white hair, Toshiro fighting to yell at his lieutenant. After taking a deep breath he spoke more softly. " I need you to get Inoue here as soon as possible. Ichigo has been injuired greatly and I can only heal so much of it."
Matsumoto's voice was serious for a moment when she asked," What happened?"
" It wasn't Arrancars who did it. Ichigo told me it was a simple street fight, but he still got beat up pretty bad."
" We'll be there soon, Captain."
With this Toshiro hung up the phone and went back into the living room. Ichigo looked lost in thought, his eyes dazed and confused. The white haired captain hesitated and called out softly.
" Are you okay, Kurosaki?"
It took a moment and Ichigo's eyes landed on the captain. " Toshiro."
" What's wrong?"
The strawberry lowered his head and said," I was just thinking is all. My mind can't seem to focus on much though. I don't understand."
Then, his head shot up and he whispered, all excited," Maybe you can help me!"
Toshiro blinked and sat down. He stared hard at the strawberry and observed him. Bags were under his eyes showing he hadn't been sleeping well and his eyes were not focused on the captain even though he was sitting right next to him.
" Help with what exactly?"
Ichigo looked confused as if he didn't understand, and then he grinned. He went to vivid detail of the dream that continued to happen. Toshiro was complexed and thought hard. Ichigo had already done bankai and everything else. What could his zanpakuto be saying. Unless, Toshiro stared hard at Ichigo, Zangetsu was showing him that Ichigo had a lot of unused potential.
The captain opened his mouth to speak, but wasn't able to say anything because Inoue and Matsumoto barged in the door. They were quick to smother Ichigo, who looked pitifully confused. Toshiro made his way out of the room silently thinking that with the right amount of training Ichigo could figure out what Zangetsu was trying to say. Before the captain walked out of the door, he looked back. Ichigo was surrounded by the light of Inoue's powers, but his chocolate eyes were staring at suddenly found it impossible to move. He was sinking into those eyes and he couldn't find it in himself to look away. The young captain took a deep breath and focused on the eyes. This time they were clear and asking a question. Will you help me, Toshiro?
Toshiro had a lot to worry about and he really didn't have the time to worry about the substitute soul reaper. Yet, he found himself nodding to the unspoken question. Ichigo gave him a small grin and looked away releasing him from those captivating eyes. Toshiro stared at him for a moment, and then proceeded to walk out of the room.