Chapter 1

"Toshiro?"

Hitsugaya was startled out of his daydream by the kind voice of the custody worker. She was standing in the doorway of the room and a tall man was standing behind her. He wore a black faux-leather coat over some sort of shirt and a pair of brown cargos. He looked vaguely familiar with his long white hair pulled back in a ponytail and kind hazel eyes, but Hitsugaya couldn't place him.

The man smiled sadly. "Don't remember me, 'Shiro-chan?"

Hitsugaya's eyes widened. There were only two people outside of his house who called him that. "Ukitake-san?"

The man nodded. "Long time no see. Apparently, your parents left you in my custody if something happened to them. I'm here to pick you up. I wish I could have seen you again under better circumstances. It's good to see you're in one piece, more or less."

Hitsugaya sobered up. "Yeah. It's good to see you." He got up from his chair in the corner and went over to Ukitake.

"I'm sorry about your parents," the adult said softly, wrapping an arm around the young boy's shoulder. "We'll get through it together, okay?"

Hitsugaya nodded dumbly. "Okay."

"Let's get you home," Ukitake murmured. "Miss, I have to sign some paperwork, correct?"

"Yes, sir." The official nodded, leading the two to the front desk where Ukitake spent the next five or so minutes showing ID and signing paperwork.

"Take good care of him!" the official called after them as they left.

Ukitake turned to her and offered her a smile. "Don't worry; I will." He led the boy to the car outside and said softly, "Get in."

Hitsugaya hesitantly climbed into the passenger-side front seat and Ukitake got into the drivers side. They were silent as Ukitake pulled away from the building and headed towards the freeway.

"You're pretty brave y'know," Ukitake said at length to his silent passenger. "Getting into a car so soon after being in an accident."

Hitsugaya shrugged. "I guess."

"How old are you now, 'Shiro?" Ukitake asked. "Fifteen, sixteen?"

"Fourteen."

Ukitake raised a dark eyebrow. "Already? Good grief, it seems like only yesterday it was snowing and you were being born. Time flies. Your par—" Ukitake cut himself off then said, "I was told you skipped a few grades. What grade are you in now?"

"I'm a sophomore," Hitsugaya murmured.

"I'm impressed, high school already!" Ukitake exclaimed. "What are your grades like?"

"All A's."

Ukitake whistled, impressed. "Very good, very good. You're smart like your father."

Hitsugaya stared out the window of the car, watching the twilight-shrouded scenery outside fly by. "Thanks," he said finally. "What about you? What do you do, Ukitake-san?"

"I'm a writer," Ukitake answered. "I used to teach at the local high school, but my health forced me to quit that job, unfortunately."

"M-Mom used to talk about you a lot," Hitsugaya said, stumbling over the topic of his mother. "She said you were sick a lot, and sometimes you had to go to the hospital. Is that what she was talking about?"

Ukitake nodded. "I have a non-contagious form of consumption. If I get too worked up, or if I get a bad cold, I can get an attack."

Oh," Hitsugaya said, turning his face towards the outside again. "Where are we going anyway?"

"Your house," Ukitake said. "If that's okay?"

Hitsugaya's eyes widened. "Why?!"

"Toshiro, you're covered in ripped, bloody clothing," Ukitake responded. "Your house is the only place that has clothing you can wear. I know it won't be easy but I'll be there to help you, okay?"

Hitsugaya was quiet for a while. "Okay. But I don't wanna stay long."

"Of course."

They were silent until Ukitake pulled into the driveway of Hitsugaya's house. The two sat in the car until Toshiro took a deep breath and said,

"I'm ready. Let's go."

Ukitake's hazel eyes softened. "Okay."

They got out of the car and Hitsugaya patted down his pockets until Ukitake held up a key from his key ring.

"Do you want to open the door, or should I?"

Hitsugaya looked between the key and his new guardian's comforting and encouraging smile. "I'll do it."

Ukitake's smile widened slightly and he handed the young teen the key. The teenager took it, and after drawing a deep breath, inserted the key into the lock and pushed the door open. Hesitantly, Toshiro stepped inside.

Ukitake placed a comforting hand on his charges shoulder. "It's okay, 'Shiro. You're going to need a suitcase or two. Where do you keep them?"

"U-upstairs," Hitsugaya stuttered. He led Ukitake up the stairs and showed him the closet where they kept the suitcases. He stood and waited until Ukitake realized he was too short to reach the suitcases. Hiding a smile, Ukitake reached up and pulled the two biggest cases from the shelf.

"Fill these with clothing and whatever else you'll need," Ukitake said, handing one of the suitcases to Hitsugaya. "Also, make sure to bring your backpack and whatever textbooks you have at home. I have a feeling you're going to be staying with me for a while, which means you're going to have to go to Seireitei's high school."

Toshiro stopped dead from where he had been heading to his room. "I'm going to have to transfer?!" He was dismayed to feel tears springing to his eyes.

Ukitake knelt down so he was at eye level with his charge. "I know it's a change you don't want," he said softly, "but with my health and everything, I won't be able to drive you to Rukongai High every day. I'm sorry, Toshiro."

Hitsugaya sniffed pitifully and dragged a torn sleeve over his eyes to dry the tears, only making his face dirtier by smearing some leftover blood onto his face.

"Go wash up and get on some clean clothes," Ukitake said softly. "Do you want me to start packing your stuff while you get cleaned up?"

Hitsugaya nodded, and his "Yes, please" came out in a pitiful squeak.

Ukitake nodded and waited for his charge to get clean clothes from his room and disappear into the bathroom before he headed for Toshiro's room. Ukitake heard the sound of running water and took that as the signal to enter Hitsugaya's room.

Inside, the walls were covered with things about soccer, and the bookshelves held what looked to be an extensive manga collection. There was a television in the corner with two game systems connected to it. Ukitake set the two suitcases on the bed and began to move clothes from the dresser to the suitcases. He was joined a short while later by a cleaner Toshiro, who tossed the ruined clothes into the trashcan and began to pack his textbooks and electronics into his backpack.

Ukitake helped him get some things from high shelves, and finally the two suitcases were filled to the brims, along with the backpack.

"'Shiro, is there anything else you want to bring?" Ukitake asked.

Hitsugaya, who was holding a soccer ball as if it was the most precious thing in the world, shook his head. "No. I've got everything that's really important."

Ukitake wasn't fooled by the brave look on the young boy's face. He put a hand on his shoulder and said, "We can come back later for other stuff, 'Shiro-chan."

Hitsugaya dragged an arm over his eyes, which were watering again, before saying thickly, "I know. Can we go, please?"

Ukitake nodded. "Of course." He helped the young teen carry his stuff down the stairs and put it into the trunk of the car, Hitsugaya clinging to the soccer ball the entire time.

Ukitake handed Hitsugaya the keys. "Lock her up, 'Shiro-chan, and we can go."

Hitsugaya took the keys and locked the door to his old house slowly, his hands lingering on the polished brass of the doorknob. He trudged down the path to the driveway and handed Ukitake the key ring.

"Let's go."

The two climbed into the car, Hitsugaya hanging onto his soccer ball. Ukitake noted this, and also the fact that it looked as if his charge could barely keep his eyes open.

"Toshiro," Ukitake said gently, "you can sleep. I'll wake you up when we reach my house, okay?"

The young teenager nodded and was asleep before Ukitake had reached the freeway. Ukitake smiled sadly before he turned his eyes back to the road.

Beta'd by the AMAZING Desert(dot)Moon. :) Thanks a bunch, hun!

So, how was it? Good, bad, indifferent? Reviews are like crack! Review so I can fuel my addiction!!!

-Toast