Chapter 3

*Tori's Point of View*

It's been a few weeks since I've arrived here and I've tried to be on my best behavior so I don't get in trouble, I also cannot speak still; my vocals still resting though I have been trying and it only comes out in small croaks. I have been having some other difficulties though...Nightmares have come to plague me at night...I can hear the screaming again and I'm always afraid I'll never actually wake, fearing that this freedom I have now is merely a fantasy I've created to keep sane. I can hardly sleep at night due to this but I refuse to speak about it, I don't want to anyone else to worry about it and I'm not sure someone would care. Today I took to spending time outside because it's been getting warmer out and I must have been out for a long time because the sun was starting to set; the red, pinks, oranges, and purples spreading across the sky, almost dancing.

"Oi Toriko, it's time to head home." I turn and see Captain Hitsugaya leaning against one of the beams that lined the outer walkway. I let out a huff of disappointment yet get up from my spot on the bench. I write on my note pad:

I told you that you can just call me Tori, I don't mind.

"But I mind, it's too casual and none of this is a casual matter. No matter how innocent you claim to be you must still be under close watch until you are proven as such-" He cuts off as I slap him across the face, clearly hurt by such an accusation. His eyes are wide at my small outburst; I was tired of all these comments about me being a weapon or that I could hurt the people around me when I finally release my true potential. They don't even know what I am or who I really am so how can they know what I'm capable of.

"I-I'm sick of these r-rumors! You don't know who I am or what I'm really like and you never will if I'm to be treated this way! I might have well stayed back in the village, at least then I didn't have to deal with all of these eyes on me and I could breathe!" I'm finally able to speak and the first words I'm able to speak are cruel ones and I regret how cruel they sound but at the time I didn't care, I was too hurt that I was so easily judged because of what was written in those dirty old scrolls. Before he can retort or do anything I run off; I can't stand there anymore and just be told I am malicious until proven innocent.

I don't know where I'm going or how long I've been running and didn't care. I finally stop to try and slow my breathing, finding myself on a walkway surrounded by water. I sniffle and walk forward as I try to dry my tears.

"Hello? Who's out there?" A man calls out, a cough following after. I look up and see a man with long white hair and sickly pale skin. He looks down at me, I'm ready for any punishment I might get for abandoning the person that was suppose to look after me but he only smiles and pats my head. "Why hello there, would you by any chance be the Toriko I've been hearing about?" He asks softly.

I nod before saying, "Yes, you c-can just call me Tori though..." I sniffle still, trying to hide my red eyes.

"Why so sad? Is something wrong, are you lost?" I shake my head yes and for some reason tell him why I'm lost and upset. He invites me into the building and introduces himself as Captain Ukitake. "I'm sorry about Captain Hitsugaya, he takes his work too seriously so please don't think so harshly of him. I'm actually surprised that you had the nerve to slap him and call him out on how mean he can be; you don't seem like the type of person to lash out." He chuckles a bit at the end as I look down nervously, feeling embarrassed at how I did lash out.

"I'm sorry Captain, it was very out of line for me to do that to him but...I just felt like I was being isolated from everyone like I wasn't being tried fairly as a person and rather as an object...I thought things here could change but..." I trail off, not wanting to bother him with my rambling.

"It's fine to feel that way you know, whether you are dangerous or not you are entitled to feel like you are being judged fairly or not; you are still a person." He tells me, smiling at me gently. I'm a little startled by his words but smile back. "You may not like it but I do have to take you back to Captain Hitsugaya, but I'll try to tell him that he needs to treat you better. You are not behind bars so you are not a prisoner." I nod and stand with him, ready to go face the consequences of my actions as well.

After a short walk around we finally found the other white haired captain looking around frantically; he spots us and I hide behind Captain Ukitake as he approaches. He stops a few feet in front of us.

"Ukitake, I'm sorry if she has caused you any trouble but thank you for bringing her-"

"Now hold on a minute Captain Hitsugaya, before she goes back to you we have something to discuss. She told me about what happened and I'm quite surprised at how you have been acting towards Tori. Soul Society may label her as a danger but you of all people should treat her like a person. It's not guilty until proven innocent, it's innocent until proven guilty and nothing has come up to prove her guilt," he scolds, "Before she apologizes for lashing out you have to apologize first for your actions as well." Captain Hitsugaya kicks lightly at the non-existent dirt before speaking up.

"I-I apologize for my rudeness, I think it unfair that I haven't heard you out on how you felt. Ukitake is right about you being a person...If I get like that again you can tell me and I'll stop." He looks away the entire time, his cheeks slightly huffed out.

"And I'm sorry too, my out lash was uncalled for and I understand that your job is more of a priority but please don't think that I would purposely cause trouble. I promise to be on my best behavior." I speak, bowing towards the end to show my respect. We say our goodbyes to Captain Ukitake before heading to Captain Histugaya's home; the entire walk was quiet.

That night I'm still plagued by my nightmare, being surrounded by darkness and hearing nothing but screams of agony. I decide to finally speak up about them now that I am able to. I try to calm myself before heading to Captain Hitsugaya's room.

*Captain Hitsugaya's Point of View*

I hear a small knock at my door, I had been up working on some extra papers that needed filled out. I get up and open the door, finding Toriko standing there. I think about how cold I was earlier and choose my words carefully.

"What are you doing up so late? Is something wrong?" I ask as I lean against the frame. She fidgets a little before telling me.

"I um...I had a bad dream, well I've been having them for awhile now but I thought I would finally say something..." She looks down, possibly embarrassed about having bad dreams. I sigh and run a hand through my slightly messed up hair, deciding what to do. I can either tell her it's nothing to be worried about or let her talk it out and try to find a way to counteract it. I go with the latter and motion her inside and for her to sit at the small table that now serves as my desk. She tells me about the dreams and that she might believe that right now this could just be an illusion created in her subconscious. I ponder what to do for a moment.

"Give me your hand." I tell her, she hesitates but extends her hand to me. I give her arm a small pinch and she lets out a small yelp as she retracts her hand.

"W-what was that-"

"You can't feel pain in dreams or illusions, even if you're about to die in a dream you wake up before the actual death occurs. I can assure you this isn't a dream...I'm not much comfort in situations like these, I have a job to do and that is to watch over you...But I suppose that doesn't mean I can't get to know you, I'm not sure where to start however." I explain; her expression is a little confused until she finally processes it and smiles.

"We can start with a name change. Just call me Tori from now on, but of course I will still call you-"

"Toshiro." I cut her off, "You can call me Toshiro but only when we are alone, I prefer Captain Hitsugaya but only for respect." She smiles again at my words. We begin talking about each other, telling stories and what we like and dislike. I don't remember when but at one point she was finally tired and had fallen asleep. I picked her up and placed her in my bed, I still had paperwork to finish but wanted to make sure she didn't have the nightmare again. I realize she is more of a person than anyone could have anticipated. She had normal feeling and thoughts, she knew what was right and wrong. Thinking about it, when people are frightened of something they tend to extend the truth...perhaps it wasn't wise to trust the documents we found. My eyes soon grow heavy and I rest my head on the table, as much work as I had I still needed rest.