Chapter 02
Can't Come Close
- Previously -
"You're more than a taichou." Ichigo stated. "You're Hitsugaya Toushirou."
The tension that was building furiously inside the small one's body had slowly began to loosen up at these two statements. He understood that Ichigo was telling him that he wasn't just a captain, but an individual as well yet he didn't want to hear that. His temporary retreat came due to all of the frustration for having twice as many thoughts running through his head. This was why he didn't like Kurosaki, he always managed to say something decent through his idiotic rambling.
Toushirou spoke out quietly, "you can put me down now." It went on deaf ears though as Ichigo continued to walk. "Kurosaki," he called out, getting a little annoyed now, "Kuro-!" The boy was placed down on his feet, and he glared at the teen, "why did you completely…" he stopped talking.
Ichigo looked stern at the moment, "I meant it, what I said."
"You mumbled a lot of it." Retorted the white-haired boy.
"I meant all of what I said." He stated more thoroughly.
The captain tried to ignore him, "so what of it then."
A strong hand grabbed the collar of Toushirou's shirt and Ichigo spoke, "if you didn't notice, the only reason why people don't get close to you is because you don't let them." As Toushirou was about to retort, he continued. "I don't have to know what happened in the past, but I do know that if you keep it up, you won't have anyone to help you. From what I noticed, shinigami can still die, and eventually you might end up disowned like so many great ones before you." Ichigo then let go of his collar. "Now you need to realize something before that taichou crap takes over that brain of yours. People can decide whether or not they want to help you, and it's your choice to let them help you or not. But if you don't let others help you, then you really will be alone."
"I am strong enough to take care of myself and the ones by me." Toushirou defended himself.
"One man can't take a burden alone." He stated. "At least you have Rangiku-san."
"Again, Kurosaki, my business is mine alone." The captain replied sternly.
"Yeah?" Ichigo tempted. "Then see let's how long that excuse works."
"Are you implying that I'm actually lying Kurosaki?"
"Wouldn't be the first time, would it?" Ichigo then waved as he turned away. "Good night."
Toushirou was about to follow him but then noticed that he was already at the apartment where he was staying along with Rangiku. He glanced over to the teen, only to see how far he had gotten as he walked up the street, causing the captain noticed it. In return for all of the food and the kimono of the day, he argued with the teen, and not once gave gratitude for his hospitality. Thoughts of how Rangiku said Ichigo should be given the chance to be his friend and to watch his back. But he didn't need friends, nor did he need others to watch his back, he didn't need Kurosaki Ichigo.
He went up the stairs and into the apartment before going to the room and going to sleep.
"Damn you Kurosaki."
- Now -
"Taichou," Rangiku whined. "Where were you yesterday? I was so worried!"
"It's none of your concern, Matsumoto," retorted the captain with a stoic tone.
Orihime came in with their breakfast, "but you were with Kurosaki-kun, right?"
His gaze averted, finding her table more interesting at the moment. "…"
"Oh? So you really did get a kimono? I wanna see!" His lieutenant cheered.
"Kurosaki is going to pick it up, he's having it made." Toushirou muttered.
"Oh, that place," Orihime tried to think. "His family has gone there for kimonos for a couple years, but they can get expensive." She looked to the small captain. "That's really neat though, right?"
He stared at her for the moment, then sighed, 'how does this woman like that bastard?'
"Still, I don't see why you would come here at seven at night." Rangiku spoke out.
"We were probably there for a couple hours, then he gave me ice cream, and then we fought."
"What? Hitsugaya-kun and Kurosaki-kun fought? Are you okay? Is he okay?" Orihime panicked.
"So mean taichou! He went out of his way to get you a kimono made personally for you and treats you to a treat?" Rangiku waved a finger at him shamefully, "that's not how you repay others!"
"He started the ridiculous argument by saying that I needed to be escorted to the apartment." The white-haired boy defended. "I don't care how persistent he is, no is no."
She grinned, "but he still managed to take you to the apartment, didn't he?"
Toushirou looked away in annoyance, mumbling lowly, "forcefully."
"Kurosaki-kun just wanted to make sure that you got here safely." Orihime smiled, causing the two to look at her. "There's a lot of weirdoes out there, that's why my friend never lets me go home alone." She became very chipper, "it's just their way of showing that they care for us. I kind of like the company when people walk me home, it doesn't make you feel as lonely," her attention then went to the clock, "oh no! Wah! I'm going to be late! She's going to be here really soon!"
While she fled around her room hysterically with the door closed, Rangiku looked at the small one to see that he had yet touched is food. "If it really bugs you, you should just go apologize to him."
"It's not that." He retorted quietly. "Kurosaki said a few things that I haven't given much thought."
"Oh? What did he say if you have to think on it?" Asked the all too curious lieutenant.
There was a bit of hesitation for him, "I'm more than a taichou… that I'm Hitsugaya Toushirou…"
Rangiku looked at him in surprise—surprised that Ichigo could actually say that to him, "taichou."
"I understand that I take my duties as a taichou seriously, but other than that… what?" He asked.
Her mind ran in circles, trying to find an answer that could help him, but, "…I don't know taichou."
Toushirou hummed at this, "that's the answer I got as well. Which is why he continued badgering."
'Ichigo, you're so mean, hitting such a sensitive spot on Hitsugaya taichou.' She thought quietly.
"Matsumoto." Toushirou spoke out, staring at the ground. "If someone had decided to help you with something—like a problem, would you ignore them, or would you let them help you?"
"If you know you need the help, don't hesitate to take the offer." She thought in amusement. "I think if someone wanted to help me, I would take their offer. Sometimes a bond comes from that."
The captain looked at her, trying to find a way to get her to decline, "what if they talk about them?"
"I can talk to some people about him," her attention went to him, "I could talk to you about him."
He flinched at this even though he knew that already.
Ichigo sighed in relief when school finished up for the day once, and the martial arts club was now in trouble, a student broke her leg. All he wanted to do was go home to do homework and take a nice long bath before dinner was finished tonight. Hearing the annoying voices of a familiar gang ringing through his ears again, he glanced up to see them, and another. That small boy with silvery white hair was there again with his arms crossed and his eyes closed; it was obvious that he was trying to ignore them once more. What did he want when he knew the idiots like the ones pestering him were going to be there, how stupid. One of the guys lifted the white haired boy and lifted him into the air and laughed about his appearance, irritating the teen once again.
"Better put him down." Ichigo glared angrily. "You're pissing me off even more."
Once they saw him, they all scattered in fear and left Toushirou alone.
Ichigo walked over to the boy and asked. "Another discussion?"
"I wanted to apologize," he grumbled, "IwasrudeyesterdaysoI'msorry."
The teen raised an eyebrow. "What the Hell did you just say?"
"I was rude yesterday," gritted the captain, "so I'm sorry."
"Are you saying this because you want to, or because you have to?"
Why did that matter though? "Of course I have to, you bought-"
"Then I don't want to hear it." Ichigo interrupted him.
"What?" Toushirou scowled at the teen for not accepting the apology. "I came here to apologize."
"Yeah," the orange-hair teen replied, "but it wasn't because you want to, but because you thought that after what I did for you yesterday that it would make things alright, but it isn't."
He just looked at him in surprise, as if the speech was made up in his mind earlier, "then-"
"Oi Ichigo!" Keigo called out next to Mizuiro. "Are we going home together or not?"
"Sorry!" Ichigo called from the distance. "I'll walk with you next time!"
"Ah, that reminds me, are you okay Kurosaki-kun? He told me how you two got in a fight." Orihime spoke worriedly as she came to the two who were talking.
Ichigo blinked at her in surprise before looking at the little captain that did not spare a glance and so he chuckled, "we didn't fight Inoue," he corrected her, "we just had a heated argument."
"Ichigo!" Tatsuki yelled from the distance. "Stop talking to that little boy! Go get another student!"
"Alright, alright! I'll go ask a friend or something!" He retorted loudly, just to annoy her.
"Don't tell me you'll ask Abarai Renji." Uryuu sighed as he shifted his glasses.
"Hmm, I didn't think of that," the orange-haired male thought about it. "I was going to call Ikkaku."
"Are these people students!" Tatsuki fumed at the tall one, threatening to punch him.
"Well, their like me, okay? Their Shinigami too." Ichigo waved her off.
"Ichigo!" Yasutora called out.
"Kurosaki!" Uryuu hissed at him.
"Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime gasped.
"Kurosaki!" Toushirou growled.
"WHAT!" Ichigo yelled at the five.
The captain kicked his leg, "don't tell humans about things that don't concern them!"
"Well she knows about me anyway," retorted the irritated orange-haired teen.
"Don't tell me this brat is one too." Tatsuki pointed a the small boy, causing the three next to her to giggle and chuckle at how brave she was for calling him a brat. "What's so funny?"
"Don't call me a brat you inferior woman!" Toushirou growled angrily.
"Inferior? You're a little short to be superior!" Tatsuki fumed.
Ichigo stepped between them, "that's enough, we got to go."
The captain looked at him, "what's the meaning of this?"
"See you guys later," he waved, "I'll get you a student."
"Stop laughing Kurosaki," scowled the small one who followed him, "where are we going anyway?"
"The kimonos are done, so you can go try it before we pick it up." Ichigo stated.
Something then came to his attention, "that girl said you choose the designing?"
"Yeah, it seemed to fit at the time for you. What about it though?"
"What are they?" He asked quietly, trying not to sound curious about it.
"You'll see," the teen replied, "it wouldn't be fun if I told you."
The two of them were in the shop five minutes later and this time the middle school girl hugged the orange-haired teen as a greeting. She said that her mother was getting the kimonos for his friends and so he thanked her with a genuine smile. They watched as the woman came to them with a smile and two large clothing boxes, with the kanji of 'dragon' on one, and 'flower' on the other. Ichigo told her to let him try it on, but she scolded him, saying that he should wait till he got home to see it, and how it was their best work ever.
"He has to wait till the cultural festival, it's just too beautiful to just wear it." The woman frowned.
"Well we have to make sure it fits him." Ichigo smiled sheepishly. "Just let him try it on."
She then pouted and gave the boy the box. "You're so lucky he chose for you."
Toushirou forced a small smile on his face and took the box, "thank you."
The captain then went to a stall, opened the box, and stared in disbelief at the fabric, it was a dark shade of teal silk and the collar was black. He carefully lifted it out and saw the purple petals that he instantly recognized how it represented the lotus shaped ice of his bankai. Toushirou then turned it around and stared in awe at the dragon that immediately reminded him of Hyourinmaru.
The dragon rose from an ice bottom that was a foot from the hem guard, and rose to the top of the kimono. It had the mouth open as if it was roaring in defiance to all those who opposed it, and he could not help but feel even more guilty from their argument. He pulled off his shirt and carefully lifted the kimono and placed it on as he watched himself in the mirrors in the stall. There was no joke when the woman said that it was beautiful, and indeed a masterpiece, but maybe it was too good for him. Toushirou tied the obi and then looked at himself, liking the feeling of the silk rather than the usual cotton when he played his role as a Shinigami.
'Why is he wasting his time and money on me?' Thought the captain as he took the kimono off and placed it in the box before walking out and giving it to Ichigo, "I can't have this."
Ichigo looked a little surprised, "what, it doesn't fit?"
"No, it does," he replied quickly, making him look stupid.
"Then what's wrong with it?" Asked the tall teenager.
"I can't accept it, it's too much for you to pay for."
He understood where he was going with this and replied, "it's already made though, and it's specifically made for you." Ichigo then smiled, "it would be an insult to us if you didn't accept it."
Toushirou disliked this; being the center of attention, but replied, "I'm sorry, but I can't."
"December is coming up pretty fast, so think of it as a birthday present from me." Ichigo stated. "Let's get going, I have enough money to buy us another ice cream and I'll take you to Inoue's."
How did he know about his day of birth? Rangiku most likely. "No ice cream, stop wasting money."
After saying goodbye to the shop keepers, the two left. "I'm not wasting money."
"I saw how much my kimono was, and so you can't say you weren't wasting money on me."
"So touchy," Ichigo muttered and looked to him, "I did those things because I wanted to."
Wanted to… Needed to… Have to… They were different…
They ended up getting some ice cream once again and sat at the same bench table as before.
Toushirou had been thinking about what the other had said, how he wanted to give it to him for whatever reason it was. He really had to think of some way to make it up to him or else this was going to pester him until he went back to Soul Society. The captain then recalled that Ichigo had to look for a student to help his group perform, so perhaps it was the martial arts club?
"Kurosaki?" He waited till he received his attention. "Why do you need to look for a student?"
"Oh, a girl broke her leg in practice, so we have to find someone else to take her place." Replied the rather tired high school student who finished his ice cream.
"For martial arts?" The captain saw him nod. "Then, as repayment, may I take the position?"
Ichigo looked at him in surprise at this, never expecting him to offer, "what repayment?"
"You can't pay for meals and an expensive kimono without expecting me to repay you for this, a taichou being in debt to someone is hardly heard of." Toushirou explained in annoyance.
"I didn't give the kimono to a taichou," he stood up, "I gave it to Hitsugaya Toushirou."
The captain looked at him, then at the table, "I," he paused, "want to help in return for the kimono."
"There's nothing to return though," Ichigo looked at him, "I said it was a gift after all."
"I want to help." Toushirou stated sternly, only to receive a chuckle.
"Come on, I'll take you home." He began to walk off.
The captain followed him because he finished his ice cream cone, "does that mean I can assist."
"I don't know, do you feel like being called an elementary student by the others?" He pondered.
Toushirou thought about it, "I would only have to endure it for a week or so."
The teen looked at him confusedly. "Can you even do a back flip in that body?"
"How rude, I can take you down in seconds without using kidou."
"Yo," a voice called out, "still hanging out with the Shinigami, huh?"
"Oh?" Ichigo looked at him, putting his hands in his pockets, "long time no see Hirako."
"You're so mean, when are you going to hook me up with Orihime-chan?" He frowned sadly.
"Now why would I do that?" The teen mused, "you never did anything for me."
"Tsk, tsk, so rude." His attention went to the boy. "Hitsugaya taichou, huh?"
"I remember you from that battle before…" Toushirou scowled.
"Shut up kid." Shinji scowled. "You're not worth my time."
"Hey, hey, don't go over board, he wasn't a taichou at your time."
"It makes no difference." He looked at Ichigo now. "How long now?"
"A couple of hours, I stopped after seventeen though, I got bored." Ichigo shrugged.
"Can you do it in this form?" He grinned as he came closer, "right now maybe?"
"Maybe I can, maybe I can't, what's the point?" The teen questioned.
"Oh come on Kurosaki-kun, we hybrids don't need Soul Society."
'Hybrids?' Toushirou eyed at Shinji, and then Ichigo.
"BASTARD!" A voice called out.
Ichigo grinned, "looks like your girlfriend is calling."
Shinji grinned, "what makes you think she's mine?"
He shifted to the side at the last minute, "yup."
Hiyori's foot met Shinji's face. "YOU JERK!"
Shinji fell to the ground whining, "H-Hiyori…"
"Yo, Hiyori," Ichigo waved, "nice shot as usual."
"AND YOU!" Hiyori pointed at Ichigo. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!"
He smiled sheepishly, "I've been busy with school and all."
"I DON'T CARE! YOU'RE ONE OF US NOW YA JERK! YOU'RE A-!"
"I'm a bit busy right now!" Ichigo yelled over her. "What do you guys really want?"
"I wanted to say hi because you were close by." Shinji held his bloody nose.
Hiyori snorted and crossed her arms. "I was with him, and thought it be cool to train."
"Alright, how about on Sunday then? I'm pretty good on cero now." Ichigo replied.
"Great, then it's a date!" Hiyori cracked her knuckles. "You better be tougher!"
"We'll tell Hachi to rest up then so you don't destroy the place." Shinji stated.
After those two left, Ichigo sighed and started to walk off, "come on Toushirou."
The small boy watched him quietly. "What did they mean by hybrids?"
"It was before you were a taichou," he looked at him, "we're part Shinigami."
"…what's the other part?" Toushirou asked a little hesitantly.
Ichigo stopped in place and replied quietly, "part hollow."
His eyes widened at this statement. "What?"
"Shinigami who have hollow powers, disowned by Soul Society." Ichigo stated quietly, "I'm a little different from the though because, to become a Shinigami, I had to go through the hollow-fication."
"You're like them?" The captain raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, mask and all." He replied. "Let's go—"
"Mask?" Toushirou questioned.
"It doesn't concern you, or Soul Society." Ichigo looked at him in the eyes, "I'm not a threat, either."
"Show me the mask, Kurosaki." He demanded sternly, also looking him in the eyes.
The teen looked away and sighed, "then tell me why you always have to act so uptight."
"Pardon?" Toushirou questioned, only to see an all knowing look, so he too, sighed, "I just am."
"That's not a very convincing statement." Retorted the teen. "Seriously Toushirou, why?"
The captain sighed, "everyone's afraid of me. I don't know if it's because of my appearance, or the fact that I act so coldly towards others, so they say I'm like ice." He thought on it, "it's annoying."
"I didn't think you would say that so openly," Ichigo smiled lightly.
He scowled, "in exchange, you'll show me that mask."
"Alright, alright," the teen sighed and summoned his mask.
Once his mask was on, his eyes widened, 'what reiatsu…'
Ichigo grabbed the mask and gave to him, "here."
"…" The captain stared at it only, causing Ichigo to laugh.
"You're not going to turn into a hollow by touching it."
"Your eyes were like that of a hollows…" Toushirou said quietly as he grasped it. "You're reiatsu is much stronger than mine, and a lot of the other taichou, they might see you as a threat."
"Yeah. I know." The mask then vanished from the boy's hands, "It doesn't matter though."
"Kurosaki-kun!" Inoue called out, running over and clinging to him, "I felt your reiatsu!"
"Hitsugaya taichou! That reiatsu!" Rangiku called out worriedly.
"It's nothing to fear." Toushirou stated, then looked at the two teens.
"I-Inoue, it's alright! I wasn't fighting, I promise!" Ichigo called out.
"But I felt some of the other Vizards too!" Orihime whimpered.
"Inoue!" He pulled her away to have her look at him, "I'm okay."
"I know!" She clung to him. "I'm just glad you're okay!"
Ichigo sighed and hugged her in hopes to calm the girl.
Rangiku looked at Toushirou, "what's going on?"
"That reiatsu was Kurosaki." The captain answered.
"So what's a Vizard?" She asked curiously.
His shoulder shrugged, "it's none of your concern."
"Toushirou," Ichigo called out, causing the two Shinigami to look at him, "about what you told me earlier," he started, just before smiling, "it doesn't seem like we're the one's afraid, right?"
Toushirou just looked at him in surprise.
A/N: I have a lot of stories to catch up on right now, so I don't know when the next update will be.
