A Decade of Winter
A Hitsugaya Series of One-Shots
Winter II: Commanding the Ice
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters. This is purely fan-made.
Don't ask me how I ended up here. On the streets in Karakura Town by myself, without any real motives. I was here for usual business, but for some reason, all was quiet, and at peace. The falling snow seemed to calm my soul. That's when my eyes caught something to my left…
Hitsugaya approached a small outdoor arena-like building. He watched as people glided by with white shoes, that had blades on the bottom of them. "Karakura Ice Rink! Command the ice at an incredibly low price!" the small sign advertised. He wondered what kept them so balanced, as they gracefully slid across the frozen enclosure.
"Looking to ice skate today young man?" asked the man at the counter.
Hitsugaya's eyes slowly met his, and he asked, "How much?" he only had so much money on him.
"952 yen." replied the man.
Hitsugaya looked back at the ice wondering if it was worth the expense.
"You can use them for as long as you like, just be sure to bring the skates back before you leave." instructed the man, "Do we have a deal?" he asked.
Hitsugaya quietly paid the man, noticing the "No refunds" sign behind him. Blinking once, he went over to the rack of skates, and picked a pair that would fit his feet. Lacing them up, and tying them off, he stood up slowly, to get his bearings in check, before he even tried to walk. It felt awkward, almost like his legs wanted to buckle beneath him, but he managed to walk up to the rink entrance without falling.
He took a moment to watch one girl who seemed to really know what she was doing. How she managed to jump, and do a twist in the air was unbelievable. It seemed to be all in the footwork. He could do this…
Stepping out onto the ice, and using his other foot to push forward, he seemed to be a natural. He wasn't shaking, or losing his balance. He was gliding with ease. He hadn't felt this free in quite some time. Like all boundaries had suddenly disappeared, along with the rest of the world.
He made it look so effortless, with his hands in his pockets, as he slowly, and carefully pushed one foot in front of the other. People in the area started to watch him. They couldn't believe a small boy like him, had strong enough legs to press forward so blissfully without looking the least bit nervous. He looked so deep in thought too, almost like he wasn't even paying attention to what he was doing.
Hitsugaya was in fact, caught up in a day dream, recalling past memories. Being so small, and watching the snow fall to the ground, season after winter season. The rows of ice crystals that formed on the overhang of his porch back home. The warmth of hot chocolate on his tongue, the first time he tried it in the human world, because Matsumoto pestered him until he did so. All of this happened around the same time each year. His favorite season: winter.
On the loudspeaker, some random calming elevator type music was playing. Hitsugaya subconsciously was moving his feet to the beats of the music. It made him want to try what he saw the skilled girl do. Somehow, he felt confident that he could not only do that, but better. Making a sharp turn around the curve of the rink, he picked up a little speed, and leapt into the air, long enough to spin not only once, but three times in a row.
People in the small group of bleachers awed at the performance, as he successfully landed the move, and kept skating along without falling. "Is he a professional?" one wondered. "How old is that kid?" asked another.
Once he came to the other end of the rink, he turned himself backwards, and let himself slide back a bit more before turning himself back around. It was gravity defying, just how much raw, natural talent he possessed on ice skates.
"I wonder where the captain is?" muttered Matsumoto, walking down the street with Orihime by her side.
"Beats me. When he left earlier he seemed a bit distracted." replied the young redheaded girl.
That's when Matsumoto stopped walking, and froze in place. Was she seeing things? Her captain, Hitsugaya Toshiro, was actually… engaging in human affairs… without so much as a push or pull? He seemed to be enjoying himself too. Underneath that cold face, was hidden, awkward smile.
"He's ice skating." said Orihime in shock.
"Let's go watch." smiled Matsumoto, as they approached the rink, and took a seat on the bleachers.
Hitsugaya was mastering trick after trick, spinning on the tip toes of the skates, he could even do it with one foot alone. Straightening himself back out again, he raced around the rink with complete control.
"Oh captain!" called Matsumoto.
Hitsugaya recognized the voice immediately, and glanced over at her. All he could do was glance, because a moment later he had crashed to the ground. Everyone stood up, suddenly worried he might be really hurt. It seemed his left foot swerved at the wrong time, causing him to lose balance. Lucky, he hadn't cut himself on the blades, on the way down. However, his ankle felt very twisted. He cringed at the pain, holding his ankle. Someone started to skate over to him, to help him up, but he held up his hand, signaling them to stop.
Slowly, he got to his feet all on his own. His ankle was throbbing, but he wouldn't let that overpower him. Of course, he knew when it was time to stop. Right now, what mattered most was getting off his leg. It was obvious, he was done skating for the day. Bending over with his hands on his knees he took a moment to catch his breath. That's when he heard it.
Applause…?
Lifting his head to look at the group of people, the small crowd that had marveled over him previously, was congratulating him on his efforts. Being able to stand after a fall like that, still looking confident took a very strong person. "Take a bow kid, you deserve it." said the man who was rushing to his side to help him earlier.
Hitsugaya stared, shocked, but sheepishly bowed. His cheeks were filled with a rosy hue, as a small smile spread across his face. Flipping the small lock of bangs that always hung over his eye, he carefully made his way back to the rink entrance, to take off his skates.
One the way back to Orihime's house, there was an awkward silence between the three of them.
"Matsumoto," groaned Hitsugaya, "I can walk you know."
Matsumoto had him on her back carrying him home piggy back style. "Nonsense. It was my fault you fell."
He sighed, and rested his forehead against her back. Even if it was her fault, he'd rather walk then have all the attention being drawn to them from people who passed by. It was so embarrassing.
"That was amazing Toshiro. How did you do it?" asked Orihime.
"He's just a graceful little punk on the ice it seems. Well, most of the time." joked Matsumoto.
A vein bulged on Hitsugaya's forehead, "You just admitted it was your fault I fell!" he boomed.
"I know Captain! When we get home, how about some hot chocolate?" she asked, ignoring his previous statement.
"Argh," grouched Hitsugaya.
Lesson learned: command the ice, or it will command you. That or just ignore Matsmumoto for as long as humanly possible.
Author's Notes: Number 2 of 10 complete. My next one shot will probably also have Matsumoto involved. The crazy things she does to poor Hitsugaya xD stay tuned for Winter III!
