BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Seriously though, thank you for all the comments and favorites and follows and whatnot. I really do appreciate all the feedback. So as thanks, here is another chapter!
When I was finished writing the previous chapter and contemplating the next one, I didn't exactly picture it turning out like this. I also had to take into account how far the manga has come. So once again, if you don't keep up with the manga, don't read this cause there are spoilers!
If you do read the manga, FANGIRL WITH ME CAUSE HOLY SHIT IT IS AMAZING! They had better bring back the anime!
Same style as before. Italics are Hyorinmaru, ' = thoughts, " = speech
Not as much HitsuRuki as the previous chapter. It is what it is.
Enjoy!
Caution: Characters may be OOC.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. Kubo Tite does.
NORMAL P.O.V
No one could have predicted what Captain Ukitake's sickness truly entailed. To possess the right hand of the Soul King? It wasn't just unexpected. It was unfathomable!
It just seemed to be a natural part of life. Kuchki Byakuya was head of the Kuchki Clan. Rukia had the purest and most beautiful zanpaktou in all of Soul Society. And Ukitake was sick since childhood. It just was.
With this revelation, there was no way they could head to the Soul Palace. The shinigami in Soul Society had to stay to protect Ukitake while he served as a substitute for the Soul King.
"We will take turns guarding Captain Ukitake while this situation progresses. During this time, those who are not guarding will see Vice-Captain Isane for healing. That way, we can be at optimal health in case any Quincy decide to show up," said Captain Soi Fong.
The rest found it hard to argue with her. They created a schedule to protect Ukitake until other measures could be taken.
The first guard was set up, and the rest of the shinigami broke off into groups to decide who would get medical treatment first.
"Rukia, take the first group to Isane. Abarai and I are taking first watch," ordered Byakuya. Rukia nodded her head and headed out with the group, hoping to not run into any Quincy on the way there.
RUKIA P.O.V
It didn't take long for Rukia to sense where Isane was. Though she had put up a barrier to disguise her reiatsu, Rukia found her to be in the same place as the last time she was there. The time Captain Hitsugaya had a fever. The time he….
Rukia's face enflamed as she remembered how he had grabbed and held her. She knew it was caused by his delirium, that he would never have engaged in such a intimate act with someone he didn't know. Heck, he hated when Rangiku hugged him (more like suffocated. Seriously, her chest should carry a warning sign!) Or when he was called by his nickname 'Shiro-chan'.
Rukia then began to wonder how the two leaders of the tenth division were doing. They were not present at the meeting, so she figured they were still recovering. 'I hope they are all right' she thought.
Within no time, the group reached Isane's location and was quickly ushered in. Rangiku then attacked Rukia with one of those infamous hugs.
"Rukia-san! I'm so glad you're all right! I was so worried when you left! Tell me what has been happening outside!"
After everyone had been caught up, Isane began the healing process. Rukia was happy to see Rangiku fully recovered. She then asked about the captain.
"How is Captain Hitsugaya doing? Is he still recovering?"
"He is much better Rukia-san. Isane said that all he needs is a bit more rest. Then we can go back out and aid in the war. I can't thank you enough for what you did for him."
"It really was no trouble at all," replied Rukia with a light blush. She still wasn't used to receiving such praises from others.
Rangiku grabbed Rukia's hands and said "Rukia-san, he would have died. I can't imagine what I'd do without my captain, so whatever I can do to repay you, please let me know."
Rukia blinked, then gave a soft smile to Rangiku. "Then make it out of this war alive. The same with your captain."
Rangiku beamed at her. "As if there was any other option! After this war ends, you, Renji, Kira, Hisagi, and me are all going out to drink! Hey, what do you think of Hisagi? I think you two would make such a cute couple! I could set it up…."
They continued healing and conversing, with Rangiku laughing and Rukia swearing that her and Hisagi were simply comrades. They were almost able to forget about the war outside. It was nice.
As night fell, Isane took first watch, insisting that Rukia needed her rest. Rukia protested, but nevertheless found herself in a hallway, with Rangiku guiding her to an empty room. Rangiku then exclaimed
"I know! Let's drop by captain's room and check-up on him!"
Before Rukia could respond, she found herself in front of his door. Rangiku threw it open, yelling "CAPTAIN! LOOK WHO CAME TO SEE YOU!"
If Rukia wasn't embarrassed before, she definitely was now.
HITSUGAYA P.O.V
Hitsugaya was angry. Not his usual anger, sparked when someone disrespected him by not calling him with his proper (AND EARNED!) title of 'Captain'. Or when someone makes fun of his height (SERIOUSLY! HE'S GROWN ALMOST A FOOT DURING THIS WAR! BUT DID ANYONE NOTICE? Of course not…). Or when someone calls him by that stupid nickname 'Shiro-chan'. Or when Rangiku slacks off on her work.
No. He was tired of being in bed. First and foremost, Hitsugaya was a shinigami. Despite his recent attack, he was better now and should be out there helping! Not sitting around waiting for healing. Kuchki had done more than enough.
Hitsugaya's ears turned pink at the memory. It was embarrassing, needing help from one of his subordinates. He was a captain, damnit!
Yet he knew that without her help, he would have died. Then what purpose would he have served?
Disgruntled, Hitsugaya knew that he needed to rest a bit more. At least Kuchki had made it so he wouldn't have to remain in bed for much longer.
Hitsugaya then remembered that coolness that must have radiated from Kuchki when she healed him. It was nice. Then again, he loved anything that had to do with the cold. It reminded him of Hyorinmaru.
He then began to think about Kuchki. The only time he'd really seen her was during the zanpaktou rebellion. Even then they didn't converse much. He hardly knew her, mostly from what Ukitake would spill. It seemed Kuchki was one of his favorites. All he knew was that they shared the same element.
As if on cue, his noisy vice-captain barged in the door, yelling about who knows what. That didn't matter. What mattered was who was with her.
The one on his mind entered his room with Rangiku, eyes glued to the floor. Hitsugaya tried to hide his shock as he looked at Kuchki, the one who had apparently saved him. He then found it hard to contain his surprise as he felt the power difference within her. Hinamori and Matsumoto were right. Her reiatsu was captain-level now.
However, his mind blanked when she raised her eyes to lock onto his. That shade of violet seemed to capture his very being, drowning him in the most pleasant way. Hitsugaya couldn't move, couldn't even breathe, as he looked into her seemingly endless purple eyes.
RUKIA P.O.V
Rukia bowed in respect and acknowledged the tenth division's captain.
"I am glad to see you recovered Captain Hitsugaya. You look much better than when I first arrived here."
He didn't respond. It seemed Captain Hitsugaya was in some sort of trance, not even pausing to blink.
Rukia then began to explain everything that had happened since he was away, trying to elicit some form of reaction from him. When that didn't work, she began to feel awkward and searched for some way to leave.
"Well Captain, I'm afraid I must bid you goodbye. Soon I'll have to lead the group back and take watch over Captain Ukitake. I know you'll make a quick recovery. Soul Society definitely needs you out there. Goodbye."
HITSUGAYA P.O.V
Rukia then gave off a small smile that broke Hitsugaya out of his trance. His breath hitched, confusing him even more. Rangiku noticed this, shocked at his reaction. She then looked at Rukia, figuring out the reason.
'Oh, what is this? My little captain has a crush?! I figured he would be asexual for the rest of his life! Oh they would be sooooo cute together! I never even considered them! I must tell Momo!'
Rukia said goodbye to Rangiku, promising to come back as soon as possible. As she left the room and closed the door, Rangiku turned to her captain with an evil smirk on her face, recognizing the faraway look in his eyes.
'Oh no. What's with that look?' thought Hitsugaya.
Rangiku put her hands on her hips and leaned in towards Hitsugaya. "Well Captain. I never thought I'd see the day when you have a crush on someone. I always thought IF the day came, it'd be on Momo. Then again, love is always unexpected. I never figured you'd fall for the Kuchki princess."
Hitsugaya turned red. "What are you blabbing about? I SUPPOSEDLY like WHO?"
Rangiku then clasped her hands and exclaimed, "Oh its so romantic! Who would've guessed?! The ice dragon falling for the snow princess! It's so adorable! You're both short ice-wielders, brought together by a cruel twist of fate and must fight to be together!"
If Hitsugaya was red before, now he could put tomatoes to shame. "OUT! I don't want to hear anymore of this nonsense!"
Rangiku took off cackling, no doubt scheming on how to get the two together.
'Ridiculous. Me, like Kuchki? I don't even know her!' thought Hitsugaya.
'The question is not if you know her. The real question is, do you want to?'
Hitsugaya crossed his arms and looked away in embarrassment at Hyorinmaru's words.
But as he thought about it, Hitsugaya realized that maybe, once this war was over and Soul Society was at peace again, maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea.
After all, he forgot to thank her AGAIN for healing him! Then…maybe he could learn about when she became so powerful…and where she got those remarkable violet eyes…
AN. Wow, once again, I had no idea it would turn out like this. But I like it. The real question is, do you?
Let me know by writing a review. I do pay attention to them!
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