"Oi!"
"Renji..." He waited for the readhead to catch up to him, before continuing his journey through the seireitei again. He tried to ignore the huge, knowing grin directed at him.
"Lost again?"
He sighed. "You can say that."
"Well tenth division is in that wa-"
"And who said I'm going there?!"
"Ohoho! C'mon" The previously huge grin widened even more. "Don't be shy! We already kno-"
"There's nothing to know- ugh!" He was cut off as the other pulled him roughly into a rough headlock. Damn pineapples getting to his nerves!
"Renji! Let go of me, dammit!"
"Na-uh! Not until you admit to the real reason that brought you here!"
"Let go!"
"Nah!"
"Ichigo!"
Both males looked up at the call, recognizing the high pitched tone of voice they always knew. Renji declared as she ran up to them, "Hah hey Rukia! Lookie we have some strawberry today! A lovestruck on- GAH! Da hell was that for?!" The red head screamed, cluching his stomach with a pained expression on his face.
"You just fucking smothered me to death! Pineapple!"
The duo continued to squabble as the ebony haired girl snickered as lightly as she could at the remark Renji made earlier, before giving into a sigh. It was true, they knew their orange headed friend was showing very obvious signs of fondness towards a certain, icy captain of squad ten. Though, to a stranger, they weren't really that obvious, actually the substitute is doing a good job at hiding it but, they were his friends, they knew Ichigo and had always known when something was up with him. The signs were minor at first, it started after the whole thing with Kusaka and everyone thought their bond had strengthened remarkably after the deal was over with. Ichigo would go and visit the captain's office from time to time, and even the latter seeming to actually accept the other into his very small group of friends and have actual conversations with him. And not only that, for the first time in a very long time, the icy captain seemed to enjoy the other's presence, if Rangiku weren't just imagining things.
They didn't think anything of it at the time, not until the substitute's visits became so frequent, more than the usual.. no, more than the supposed for 'Just checking on you guys, in case any threat had befallen you.' As he put it. Not to mention a good deal of the time spent on the 'Checking up' process was in the tenth squad captain office.
Since she had realized that, she kept her thoughts to herself, but once a red head lieutenant caught up to it-
"C'mon lets go make some Strawberry Ice-cream!"
-he never let go of it.
"What about growing some Sakura Pineapple trees?! ACK! Rukia! Did you have to hit me? He started all of it!"
The small girl descended gracefully to the ground after delivering hard kicks to the back of her friends' skulls, she always needed to be there to keep them grounded. She sent a death glare to silence both of them before she let out an exasperated sigh as she turned and led the way to wherever they were heading to. Both started walking silently behind her, a light blush on both faces, one mumbling about chicken strawberries that cannot take a joke. Idiots! She thought; So barbaric and foolish, yet falling for very opposite characters from them. She mused, at least, if things went well for both of them, each will find a person who'd balance their lives, in turn, doing the same for their partners. She smiled at the thought, happiness bubbling up in her chest at that, she was grateful that her back was to them. They may be idiots, but she loved them, all three brothers of her, Ichigo, Renji, and Byakuya. And it was true, the red head had a crush on her big brother for far too long now for it to be a simple fleeting whim. But he had never, ever gathered the courage to ever admit it to anyone, let alone confess to the other Kuchiki; and he calls Ichigo a chicken? Like he's one to talk.
She stopped as she realized she really didn't know where she was going, She turned around, "Where were you going, anyway?"
The carrot top looked reluctant and before he could open his mouth, the other male companion did, "Where do you think? To-"
"I was just going to check on Toushiro," The orange haired boy cut in, suprisng his other two companions, "And then planned to hang out with you guys, I've got the day off." He finished, looking away as he rubbed the back of his head where he was hit.
"Oh." She looked at Renji, a look of worry itching to her face and the red head noticed, furrowing his eyebrows. She gazed back at the brown eyes of her other friend, "About that,"
Another frown, from the carrot top.
"From what I've heard from Ukitake taicho, Hitsugaya taicho has fallen sick and been in the fourth since the day before."
"Then what in hell are we waiting for?!"
"This way."
And they followed.
Ichigo Kurosaki definitely knew of his feelings towards the snowy head of the tenth division, he didn't like to deny it to the others, he never plainly did anyway, he just thought of it as private matter that only he should deal with.. that and the fact that he feared any of it might reach Toushiro, he didn't want the object of his affection to know about how much the substitute soul reaper is head over heels for him, not yet.. too early.. there gotta be a perfect opportunity that'll allow him the advantage of asking the other out and he's waiting for it.
Or maybe Ichigo is just a coward. Renji was right, a chicken indeed!
He might have didn't fully realize his feelings until he saw Toushiro after a year and half when he had regained his powers and reunited with his friends from the soul society, his heart practically jumped at the sight of the boy, his stomach feeling funny and his gaze lingered on him a moment longer than the necessary before Rukia had called him again and diverted his attention before he could have embarrassed himself any further with his shameless staring. He had thought the boy looked adorable with the new haircut, and with that cute scarf that mached the beautiful color of his huge teal eyes, he couldn't blame himself from not being able to tear his eyes off the gorgeous man in front of him.
After that he found himself a usual guest at the tenth division captain's office, again. Yes, again, because before the winter war battle where Ichigo lost his powers, visiting his friends in the Seireitei was a routine and Toshiro was a friend whether he wanted or not, no matter how the other denied it at the beginning, eventually Ichigo had found his way to the other's small circle of friends successfully, and both boys knew that. Ichigo wanted to be more than that though, with each day spent with the boy captain, the urge to be closer to him grows and to his utmost joy and relief the captain seems to have gotten really fond of the idiot strawberry himself, every time Ichigo gets a chuckle outta him he feels his heart melts and the desire to just hug the boy and kiss him becomes too strong that it's hard to subdue at times. The thing is that it came just so naturally that Ichigo wasn't even making the effort to get the other to laugh, sometimes he chuckles at the silliest things ever, it's surprising yet so amusing how absurd but utterly cute the boy could be at times.
A smile found its way to the substitute's lips at those last thoughts, replacing the previous frown they were twisted into as he shunpoed to the fourth barracks the tenth's captain was staying at at the moment. He hoped it was just a mild case of dehydration, usually it was how the workaholic captain found his way into the fourth in such peaceful days, still it was just so frustrating how thoroughly careless the captain was about his own health, constantly forgetting about his meals and not having as much water as his body absolutely needs, especially considering that water-based zanpaktu weilders normally required consuming more amounts of water than any other soul reaper. It was either Matsumoto or him -when he was present- that would always make sure he was having his meals regularly. That's not to mention his bad sleeping habits! that's a completely another story.
"Kurosaki-san,"
The trio stopped at the soft voice of the captain of the squad they just barged in. Ichigo, who was way ahead of his two friends whirled around and went back to join them in front the open door he had just passed -where did he think he was going anyway?- while the other two had just bowed in respect for whoever that was at the other side.
"Ah, Unohana-san!"
The motherly captain acknowledged them with a nod of her own before responding, "May I talk with you for a second, please."
"Ah, sure! But could that wait for a-"
"Don't worry, Hitsugaya taicho is okay-" Of course she knew why they were -he was?- here.
"-and sleeping for now. It's preferable that he's not to be disturbed; Besides, I'd liked to talk to you about him, actually." That caught his interest enough to come into the room instead of flying to said white haired captain's room, not that he knew what room that was. It's alright though, as much as he wanted to see the petite captain right away, he didn't want to disturb the other's rest. And he was ok, Unohana had assured him, she's a great doctor and he'd trust her at that.
Before the other two could leave to give them privacy the captain stopped them and asked for them to come in as well. And so the three of them found themselves seated at the comfortable couches Unohana had at her office, sipping at the tea served by the captain before seating herself at the couch opposite them.
"I'd like to ask you for a favour." She told the orange haired boy before turning her gaze to the other two soul reapers, "And I believe it may involve the two of you as well."
"A major side effect, but fortunately, the only one." A smirk of smugness adorned the freaky masked face of the twelfth division captain, seemingly proud of himself at the accomplishment he managed to achieve regarding the icy captain and some others.
"Because apparently, the others had non. The small taicho is just an exception for his, kind of unique situation. It's not my fault the kid's powers hadn't grown up, ye-" A loud "Che!" interrupted the intelligent taicho, eyes directing to the, unsurprisingly, Zaraki Kenpatchi.
"You could have just admitted that you missed up big time you freak!"
"Nandato?! For your info I've saved that kid's pity life and many others! you're all gotta be gratefu- "
"Silence!" And both did, ceasing into a staring contest instead.
A silent sigh was emitted from the only current white haired captain at the room, a crestfallen expression on his face as he was silently observing the usual interaction between the two captains as the head captain, for the millionth time silenced them up. As much as he dislikes to admit it, it was true, if it weren't for Kurotsuchi taicho... he didn't even want to continue that thought. After the whole Quincy war, he had learned of what had happened to his fellow shiro, his lieutenant and many others. 'Zombified' they had told him, he felt himself shuddering at the thought, and was actually saved by the one and only Kurotsuchi Mayuri, and the small taicho was even well enough to continue the battle. He must admit, that was impressive, and he's beyond grateful for the man; but he prefers to keep that thought to himself. After all everyone knew that the least liked captain of the whole seireitei was actually really good with what he does, and that was what matters regardless of the captain's ethical issues.
"Unohana taicho, please explain the situation." His focus was instantly back to the current situation.
"Hai." She stepped out the line before continuing, all eyes on her now, "Hitsugaya taicho's condition is unique in its nature, as Kurotsuchi taicho stated, Something that was supposed to be taking decades to mature fully is acutely taking place now, in a very short notice of time for the soul to handle. Thus... Hitsugaya taicho's soul body is showing multiple symptoms due to the unexpected spurt of growth his powers is going through; some I've expected and had prepared for, some I did not. We believe that the process to reverse the zombification had lead to this, there's no solid proof but it was all we could think of. "
"What are those symptoms then? Unohana taicho." Soi-Fon asked, always the impatient one.
Nodding at her, the medical captain continued, "He'd showed signs of losing control over his reiatsu, I've sensed it first when he came to the fourth, although minor, but it was there. Now, though, he has little to nothing of said control, I suspect he even could perform a simple kidou spell. I've already taken some temporal measures to prevent anything from happening, put him in a room with riatsu depressing abilities and had a couple of my seated officers to gaurd, along with Matsumoto fukutaicho. But, the thing is.. " She paused a little, a look of concern taking over her delicate features.
"His reiatsu by no means was little, it never was, but now the increase in it is ridiculously massive. At the current rate it's taking to grow, if it did not hurt those around him, it's going to be hurting himself first."
She looked around for the other captains' reactions, some were impassive as usual, some not interested -or pretending-, some sympathetic, some concerned, but other overly concerned and worried and a certain long white haird captain was the exact example.
"Very well, any suggestions?" The Captain Commander inquired, face void of any remarkable expressional changes.
A smirk was returned to a certain twelfth division captain.
"Yes, I've discussed the matter with captain kurotsuchi before requesting this meeting, we've got it all arranged already and we'd like to have your opinions, and get some permissions before proceeding. apparently, Kurotsuchi taicho had developed some kind of a collar that was modified to not only suppress the spiritual pressure, but it can prevent it from doing any physical damage the growth spurt of energy could append to the body. Thus, Hitsugaya's taicho's powers could continue growing safely in slower pattern."
A relieved smile followed the statement.
"However-"
But fell as fast.
"-I cannot guarantee that it'll do any effect to the mental disorders the captain may show." She looked sympathetically to the only white haired captain currently occupying the hall room, flashing an apologetic smile to him before proceeding, "Besides, the modified collar could only work properly when placed in a gigai. Consequently, Hitsugaya taicho should be sent down to the World of The Living during his current state until his powers are fully matured. Or at least until an alternative solution was found."
"But he can't be sent alone! Unohana taicho.."
Everyone in the room looked back to the end of the left captains' line, where the thirteenth division captain was stepping out, worry evident all over his face.
Unohana taicho sent him a reassuring smile, "Of course not."
Three sets of eyes stared at her in disbelief,
"Nee-sama?!"
"Taicho?!"
Unohana smiled, "Yes, actually Kuchiki taicho was the first to offer, given that his lieutenant is one of the most people that could work sufficiently with the substitute Shinigami, and even had not objected when Ukitake taicho offered to send his own lieutenant as well."
"Ukitake taicho..." The ebony-haired girl smiled softly at her captain's antics, sure Renji would have been enough, but he must have known how the trio worked and so he didn't want to separate her from her two friends. Besides, everyone knew of the thirteenth division captain's affection towards his fellow 'Shiro-chan', he may never really declared that aloud to anyone, but actions speak louder, all knew that Ukitake sees the other as his own son, even if the latter was old enough to take care of himself -and he knew it-, but he would never stop caring and worrying about him, just like a parent would. And so it was another reason to send his her to help aid the ill captain, he trusted her and her ability to do so more than anything.
"Honestly, Hitsugaya taicho's condition is the first of its like in soul society, or so I believe."
"Which means?!" Ichigo had asked, having passed over the initial shock about everything that had been said till now, and aside from Byakuya's unusual kindness, he couldn't really fathom what the hell is wrong with Toushiro, although his worry had quelled with the reassurance Unohana had offered during her explanation about the high possibility of success of this collar thing they've made; Toushiro will be safe, and of all people He will be the one keeping an eye on him, he had promised himself to protect the other with all costs the moment he knew that Toushiro is moving with him and despite everything, he could not stop the happiness that had swelled inside his chest at the thought, Toushiro's moving with him, they're staying at the same house.. Sleeping under the same roof...
"Meaning..-" The motherly taicho sighed. "I've never encountered such a situation before, although I could give a guess to what the symptoms would be like, nothing major though, but I can guarantee nothing."
"So you're saying I have to find out about those, the hard way?"
"I'm sorry to say that, but yes, you have to. And I'd like to get weekly reports about any unusual behavior Hitsugaya taicho shows, please. Think You could do it?" A sigh, from the carrot-top this time. Although he was really ecstatic about the small captain coming with him home, he had really wished it was under better circumstances and that the fact the boy is sick is still worrying him. "Of course. You can count on me, I promise I'll take good care of Toushiro." She gave him a sympathetic smile.
"Gomen, Kurosaki-kun. We wouldn't have bothered you about it if we had anything to do about it here. It's the only solution."
"Yeah yeah, it's ok. I understand. Thank you for your time, Unohana-san! I gotta leave now."
He already waved her goodbye and left before she even got the chance to wish him good luck, or better yet give him the room number the tenth captain was staying in currently, luckily for him he had a smart friend who had asked for the lil info before following her idiot of a dear friend.
I'm here.. Lil one.
...Hyourinmaru?
Open your eyes.
And he did.
"..."
"..."
"Thank you, Hyorinmaru"
Darkness was the next thing he knew.
Eyelids opened, revealing those hidden teal orbs for few seconds before blinking rapidly and opening fully. It registered to him that he was lying on soft, comfortable cushions with white light sheets covering his body, but soon realized it wasn't his own bed. Where am I? He had thought. He gazed around, white ceiling, green walls.. ah,
"The fourth..." He whispered to no one in particular, voice heavy after sleep.
He sighed, his eyes lingering on the huge opened window on his left side. It wasn't the first time that he woke up not knowing when he was brought into - usually - his own bed, or why and who did it, until a frustrated Matsumoto -Or an annoying Kurosaki, it happened once - came to fuss about how careless he's been about his own health. But what happened this time and why the fourth? It was a bit vague; He couldn't remember what had brought him here, last thing he remembered was him trying to complete his paperwork late at night and...
'She could've - ! '
His eyes went wide as memories started flooding into his tired brain; scars. pain. sleep. fatigue. more pain. heat. fire. screams and agony and then finally, relief.
He took a deep breath in as the memories rushed in. closing his eyes again trying to compose himself as unwanted feelings accompanied them. He was too tired to understand any of it, or to try to figure out if they were reality or just dreams, he could have been hallucinating for all he knew.. but then how could Hyourinmaru be involved if it was all in his head, and do what he did...
"Taicho?"
A familiar voice cut in just as he wanted to slip into his inner world, he turned his head towards the source away from the window,
"Matsumoto?" Of course.
"Hey.." She smiled, she was sitting at one of the visitor chairs at his right, to think he couldn't sense her presence till this moment..
"How are you feeling? We were really worried about you." She inquired.
"I'm okay," Pausing to clear his throat. "I guess. What happened?"
"Ah, you may be confused as to why you're waking up here after sleeping in your own bed last night, huh?" Her smile widened reassuringly, and he couldn't help but feel a bit lighter at the heart, despite the horrible feeling of confusion he felt earlier upon waking up.
She proceeded in explaining how she couldn't find him in the office, meeting Ukitake at the way to his quarters hurrying off with the latter to find the young captain asleep on his bed, "But you wouldn't respond" She said, smile falling. "You looked more in a coma than asleep, you were barely breathing so we just took you to the fourth."
She explained to him whatever she fathomed of Unohana's earlier explanations. She reached out to his right hand at his side, clutching it in a firm but comforting grip. "You gotta take it easy from now on. I ain't gonna allow you to stress like that again, even if I had to drag you out your office myself. Understood?" She said with a stern face. One of a concerned friend. Of a mother or a big sister. She couldn't care less about the Captain/lieutenant formalities right now, not that she ever did, anyway.
And neither did he at such situations. As much as he hated to worry her, It's always warmed his heart knowing that whatever happened to him, or whatever he did, someone will always be there for him, staying beside him and supporting him, not allowing anyone or anything in the world to hurt him, protecting him with the best of her abilities. Just as he does to her. They're like real family to each other, and that thought made him feel safe. He isn't going to admit that aloud anytime soon though, she knew that, just as much as he knew it. In the end both of them had lost many precious things in their lives, precious people were gone, some left them by their own free will, and some had turned against them; both knew what it meant to lose something, and if anything, it had taught them to stick together even more.
So he just nodded, he thought he'd need the rest, anyway. Especially after last night's.. phenomenons.
"So Ukitake was here, you said?"
Her smile was back in an instant. "Yes! He was, but he left an hour ago.. He was really worried about you, he stayed for as long as you were here until Unohana taicho came and demanded he go get rest." Typical of the long haired captain, he sighed with a somewhat amused smile gracing his lips, he's already used to the other white head fussing over him as he was a child, his child probably; and were he to wake up in the other captain's presence, he knew he isn't going to hear the end of it. He loved the man really, but sometimes he was a bit of handful.
"OH! and guess who else was here?!" He turned his attention back to her at the loud exclamation, an annoyed frown creasing his eyebrows,
"Who?"
"Aren't you going to guess?" Her face fell as he just gave her a deadpan look, causing her to pout at him,
"It was Ichigo, silly! Rukia and Renji were with him too. Seriously you could have guessed that with no trouble."
And she was right, he shouldn't even be the tiniest bit surprised but he was, his eyes widened a little as warmth filled him at the words he heard. Did he really think the idiot strawberry will just quit visiting him all of a sudden, even if he was unconscious? Or maybe he was surprised that the two lieutenants had actually bothered to come and see him along with their friend? Nevertheless; a tiny, barely visible smile was on his lips, before it fell as he realized something,
"And how long was that?" He asked, fatigue still visible on his face. Still he pushed his arms against the bed to raise himself into a sitting position.
"Oh, um.. we brought you here at noon so, let's see..." She trailed of, raising her forefinger to her lower lip as she counted the hours, "Ah! ten hours now!"
He almost fell off the bed, "...What?" He whispered, voice shaky and breathless. So he was practically sleeping, resting for a whole freaking day! He regained his composure, shook his hand off the grip she still had on his hand, and slid his legs off the bed to get up, but Rangiku would have none of it, she instantly shot up from her seat, and had her hands on his shoulder to restrain him,
"Whoa whoa whoa! And where do you think you're going to?"
"I think I've already had the rest mentioned earlier- "
"You better stay put! Hitsugaya Toushiro!" She cut him off with a sharp voice, her bubbly demeanor gone as her hold into him tightened, "It's too late anyway! Working hours were already over long ago! Gods, Did you even see your face! Should I bring you a mirror or something?! You look like you're going to pass out any minute now!"
He didn't look so convinced though, She rolled her eyes, exhaling her frustration at her workaholic captain. She wasn't surprised indeed, she'd be if he actually obeyed without her having to knock some sense into him, or knock him out if she absolutely had to.
"Listen; your third, fourth seats and I are taking care of the paperwork. You'll find none other than the ones that require captain's attention by the time you're good enough to go back to work." She let out another tired sigh at the skeptical look he gave her, "I promise. There, happy?"
He narrowed his eyes at her, as to appear suspectable. She may be a lazy, procrastinating person at times.. Well most the time; But he knew when to trust her. He sighed in defeat and just laid back down, sleep already taking over his mind when he realized how tired he truely was.
She sat back down at her previous seat beside the bed as she watched him drifting back to sleep. She waited until she made sure he has fallen deep into his slumber before retiring into the back couch by the window, turning the faint lights off in her way before throwing herself at the comfort looking cushions, tucking herself in the extra blankets she was provided with as she too drifted to peaceful sleep.
I hope you understood the sequence of events well?!.. It's my first proper multi-chap story, English is not my mother tounge but I hope that wasn't so terribly obvious. D:
