A/N: sorry for the delay, my schedule got a bit hectic the past week and I've tried to settle down for a writing session, but I had to revise for a Psychology exam ( no I'm not insane I'm studying it at sixth form). Well here is chapter 2. I've made it a rule that I write at least 1000 words or me per chapter. If I'm gonna update, it might as well be long enough to enjoy.
Madness need not be all breakdown. It may also be break-through
"It's good to see ya Chibi-taicho. But look here ya ain't so Chibi anymore are ya now? I'm gonna have to think of a new nickname fer ya".
"What are you doing here Ichimaru?" growled the young Taicho, not taking his eyes off the intruder.
Ichimaru chuckled, his trademark grin as pronounced as ever. "Aww ain't that a lil cliché Toushiro-kun? I think it's a bit obvious what I'm doin here."
He casually paced along the top of the gate. Hand clasped behind his back.
"So how ya been? Nothin seems ta have changed round here has it now? Same as it's been since I left it. How's Ran-Chan then? Haven't had time ta see her, no wit this war going on an all."
The fox faced former captain patiently waited for an answer from the stoic figure before him.
"Ahhh, not talking are ya? Well that ain't polite is it now Toushiro-kun? You ain't seen me in such a long while and you don't wanna talk! I didn't do somethin wrong now did I?"
"You know full well what you've done Ichimaru!" Hitsugaya spat. "And it can't be so easily remedied as returning for a friendly chat. If it weren't my duty in the first place my morals would have me kill you where you stand."
Ichimaru sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "You ain't learned a thing have you now Toushiro-kun? What was it Aizen-sama said? "Such words make you weak?" I woulda though as a Prodigy you would have taken his advice".
Hitsugaya's eyes narrowed dangerously. "The day I take advice from that traitor is the day I lose my mind."
To his surprise Ichimaru Gin's eyes opened. Only a fraction but it was unmistakable. The Crimson orbs narrowed and cast their gaze upon the white hair soul. "Ya might wanna keep that in mind Toushiro-kun; ya don't wanna be upsettin the higher up's again now do ya?"
He immediately went back to his aloof demeanour. Glancing at Hyourinmaru as the moonlight and clouds could be seemed drifting across the pristine metal.
Hitsugaya looked suspiciously as ever upon the white clad man above him. He's up to something; he's managed to infiltrate soul society un-noticed His eyes narrowed. Of all the things he could have done, he came here. Why?
His musing was interrupted by Ichimaru clapping his hands, in a mocking attempt at applause.
"Ahhh seems your asking the right questions there Hitsugaya!" when Hitsugaya glared at him he answered his unasked question.
"Nah I can't read minds. But when you start thinkin you tense up as if ur expecting me to attack. So whatever ur thinking must be concernin' me being here, ne?"
His reply was the massive burst of reitsu accompanied by the swift ice pillar that crashed in to the gate he was standing on before hand.
"After 4 years ya still a predictable little bastard ain't ya? And here's me thinkin you'd have a little surprise install fer me".
He flipped and landed in front of the ancient sakura tree, whose leaves had already fallen and stood firm, allowing the moonlight to cast ghostly shadows of the bare branches as the swayed against the force of Hitsugaya's reitsu.
"There ya go! Now that's the spontaneity I wanted ta see. You almost skewered me with a pillar of ice an you haven't released shikai, I'll have to keep that in mind fer later on."
"What do you mean later on? Do you not want to fight here and Coward?" Toushiro kept Hyourinmaru trained on Ichimaru, if he could get to the heart of Serentei un-detected, who's to say he couldn't go one step further?
"Nope. It'd be stupid of me ta fight with ya here don't ya agree? And bein a former prodigy myself I can sense some of my former associates headin this way. Besides I think ive antagonised you enough fer now". His grin widened. He folded his hand within the sleeves of this robe.
"Well I think I better be headin home. It was great seein ya again not-so- Chibi-taicho. But I better be getting along. Do a favour for me if ya will, an say hi to Kira and Ran-Chan for me."
He turned as if to leave and Hitsugaya tensed, but seemed to think of one last parting sentence. "Oh, and if you don't mind, say a lil hello to Hinamori-Fukutaicho, courtesy of Aizen-sama of course.
At that Hitsugaya snapped. All limitations upon his reitsu were shattered and he lunged towards Gin a strangled war cry escaped his lips. The grinning figure of Ichimaru Gin waved at him before disappearing in a swift shunpo.
The sakura tree was mercilessly frozen over by the reitsu. It stood unaffected for a few seconds, before a crack was faintly heard and it fell, cleanly cleaved in two.
"Damn!" cursed the 10th division captain. Casting out for Ichimaru's reitsu, he found it travelling to the northwest area of Serentei, or more specifically, to the gate.
"Hitsugaya-taicho! What is go…" was all Soi-Fon managed to say before Hitsugaya himself disappeared, his reitsu randomly jumping northwest of their current position.
Surprised, but not allowing her subordinates to gauge her reaction, she quickly took charge. "Secure this courtyard! I want every inch of it scoured for all and any traces of reitsu from the last 24 hours." When they did not move, Soi-Fon turned on them threateningly "THAT'S AN ORDER! MOVE!!!"
Between mumbles of "yes taicho!"And "our apologies taicho!" Soi-Fon, making sure her subordinates had there priorities straight cast a curious glance at the icy reitsu as it raced ever closer to the great gate of Serentei. Chasing what, she did not know.
She wished she hadn't allowed Ōmaeda to assist the 9th division, needing his assistance, however arrogant it was.
"FUCK!!" cursed the young captain. He had arrived at the gate, but he could find no trace that suggested the gate had been approached by anyone. The chilled air was still until his reitsu, fuelled by his anger became dense and unrelenting. He didn't care though, oblivious to the area that surrounded him, his thoughts projected inwardly.
"You IDIOT! On of the most sadistic and traitorous souls to grace the great walls of soul society manages to penetrate one of the most secure area's know to man-kind and I let him ESCAPE!"
The ground broke away as he landed. Hitsugaya Toushiro was not one to show emotion in public beyond his usual gaze. However anger radiated off his being, icy and fierce at the same time.
"Hitsugaya-Taicho please stop! Ukitake-Taicho can't breathe!"
He turned, startled by the sudden presence of others. Hyourinmaru was still gripped in his hands. Behind him were 3 figures.
Abarai Renji was trying to support Ukitake, who had doubled over coughing. Kuchiki Byakuya was stood next to them however his stance was tense, and the 10th Captain came to his senses enough to feel the animosity of his own reitsu, and dispelled it upon seeing Ukitake struggle for breathe.
Hitsugaya looked at the group as Renji pulled Ukitake back up to his feet. "Are you ok Ukitake Taicho? If I had known you were here I would have kept my reitsu reigned in."
"D…Do not think about it T…Toushiro… I'm quite alright o…once I catch my breath." Ukitake breathed deeply and massaged his chest, before being helped up by Renji.
"What happened Hitsugaya-Taicho? Why did you release your spiritual pressure, and then travel this far northwest? I assume it wasn't a training endeavour." Inquired Byakuya, his face betraying no emotion.
"I'm afraid not Kuchiki-Taicho. The walls of Serentei and Soul Society have been breached." Breathed Hitsugaya, feeling slightly fatigued.
A moment later a hell butterfly floated nearby and sought to land on Byakuya's open palm.
All Gotei 13 Taicho are requested for immediate audience with Sou-Taicho Yamamoto. All must attend.
I'm going to leave it there. Primarily as a cliff-hanger and also cause I got to be in work In half and hour. Sorry for the lateness. Hopefully the next chapter will be out in a few days aswell. But for now see ya later
SG88