Author's Head Note
Thank you for those who have read the previous chapter. I want to thank those who have favorite this story and those who have followed this story. It encourages me to quickly update as soon as possible. Please enjoy this chapter too.

Disclaimer - I do not own Bleach.

This story has been adopted by Toshiruki forever.

Trails of Love

First Trial - The Mission II : Toshiro's Thoughts

Senkaimon Gate, Seireitei, Soul Society

That girl is infuriating! Toshiro narrowed his eyes at Rukia, who had chosen to ignore his presence when they arrived, coincidentally, at the same time. Why couldn't she see that it was for her own good that she stayed in Soul Society?

When Rangiku, Ikkaku, Yumichika and Renji arrived at the Senkaimon Gate, they were greeted with a very weird sight. Toshiro and Rukia were standing on each side of the gate, facing away from each other. Somehow, they could feel the atmosphere was a little bit too cold for autumn. All of them wondered what happened to those two.

"Y-yo, Rukia! Er... Mind catching me up?" Renji scratched the back of his head as he shifted his gaze on Toshiro. Rukia turned her gaze to Renji, eyes glimmering dangerously.

"Er, never mind. Just ignore me..."

"Now that everyone's here, we may leave now." Toshiro announced as he gave a glance at everyone except Rukia. She should at least have a taste of her own medicine. The Kido Corps opened the Senkaimon Gate, as a jigokucho led them through.

Mashiba, Karakura Town, Human World

The Senkaimon Gate opened in Karakura Community Park. The 6 Shinigami stepped out as the Senkaimon Gate closes. All of them access their surroundings reflexively.

"Our priority is to defend Karakura from any Arrancar invasion but firstly, we need to get into our gigai." Toshiro immediately stated. They all got into their gigai and were all wearing the uniform for Karakura High School.

"We're just in time before lessons start, let's go." When he turned around to double check if everyone was ready, Rukia was missing.

That girl... Leaving without a word...

Karakura High School, Gakuenchou, Human World

So this is what a high school looks like... Toshiro thought as he took in every single corner of the school. The 5 Shinigami made their way through the halls of the high school without the help of Rukia.

"So... Which room is it?" Renji asked.

"No idea!" Rangiku said sheepishly.

I can't believe they didn't know where the classroom is! Toshiro thought in disbelief, then again, I do not know too...

"What? Didn't you bring Rukia's note with you before she disappeared?" Yumichika exclaimed.

Rukia left a note? Why is it that she didn't pass it to me? It's more sensible to pass it to me than to Matsumoto considering that I'm more responsible than her... Toshiro frowned; I wonder where she went...

"Ah... I lost it!" Rangiku care-freely said.

As expected of Matsumoto, losing such necessary information... Speaking of losing, I hope Rukia doesn't get lost... She wouldn't get lost; she knows this place better than all of us. She can't get lost... But what happens if some human kidnaps her? I've heard about such cases before... What if a human really kidnapped her? And she couldn't escape no matter what she does and how much she tries? Toshiro panicked inside, What if it's too late? How will I find her? Will I even find her? What will happen when I find her? Would she be okay? What if she's injured and I can't heal it?

"Lost it? What's wrong with you?" Ikkaku shouted.

"Stop arguing! We can just pick up on Kurosaki's reiatsu!" Toshiro bellowed, making sure they kept their ruckus down. He was getting worried by the thoughts of Rukia being kidnapped by some unknown human. He also couldn't stand on not knowing where she might be now.

"It's my first time in this stupid thing and I can't control my reiatsu properly..." Ikkaku tried changing the subject and it worked.

"Please excuse his stupidity." Rangiku said teasingly.

"I'm not stupid! By the way, how can you react so naturally in that thing?" Ikkaku complained.

And they're fighting again... How could they argue with each other when we have something more important like wondering where the hell Rukia went and what might happen to her!

"I mean, this shirt is so tight and restrictive..." He added.

"Then just pull the shirt out like all of us, you will look so much beautiful than what you're wearing now." Yumichika advised.

"Idiot, if I pull it out, I can't wear the wooden sword on my belt!" Ikkaku protested.

What if the people who kidnapped her had weapons with them? She can't use any Kido on them and I don't think she could scare them off using Hakuda...

Ikkaku continued, "It's all because you said we couldn't bring real swords. That's why I'm making do with a wooden one."

"That's not our idea." Renji defended them.

"It's the law." Rangiku backed him up.

"That's one crappy law!" Ikkaku exclaimed.

"Shut up, all of you!" Toshiro shouted, veins popping on his forehead. He really didn't need a ruckus right now. He had plenty of things on his mind and he doesn't need a group of quarreling Shinigami worsen his headache that he is currently having. To add to that, the students along the hallway were already staring at their weird appearances. By talking loudly and fighting amongst themselves, they would garner more attention from the humans.

"Don't draw attention to yourselves! Just walk along quietly!" He scolded them.

"'Kay!" Yumichika and Rangiku responded while Ikkaku sulked quietly.

"Here it is! I'm opening!" Renji said enthusiastically.

Finally! Rukia must be inside!

Renji grinned widely as he greeted Ichigo, "osu! How's it going, Ichigo?"

"Renji! Ikkaku! Yumichika! Rangiku-san!" Ichigo shouted in pure shock.

He exclaimed in front of the white-haired Captain, "Toshiro!"

"That's 'Captain Hitsugaya' to you!" Toshiro reminded Ichigo.

"What are you doing here?" Ichigo curiously asked.

"It's an order..." Renji explained.

Toshiro blocked out their conversation as he silently surveyed the classroom. He saw no signs of Rukia! She couldn't be lost, could she? She knew this place on the back of her hand! Perhaps she was kidnapped? But, she would definitely want to see Ichigo first before anything, considering that they had a close relationship. Toshiro frowned in realization that Ichigo probably knew Rukia better than he do. Just then, Rukia appeared, standing on the window sill.

Toshiro was about to tell her how worried he was when Ichigo exclaimed in bewilderment, "Rukia!"

"Long time no see, Ichigo." Rukia smirked at the expression of Ichigo's face.

"Rukia..." Ichigo was a hundred percent at a loss of words.

Rukia wasted no time in chatting and quickly jumped off the window sill to give a kick to Ichigo's face, sending him flying into Renji's awaiting arms.

"What's the big idea?" Ichigo frowned but soon realized Renji had a tight grip on his shoulders.

"Huh?" Ichigo raised an eyebrow.

Rukia replied with two slaps across both of his cheeks.

"Damn..." Ichigo started but was interrupted by Rukia.

"What's with that wimpy look on you face?" She screamed in his face.

"What?" Ichigo was confused.

"Come with me!" Rukia demanded as she used her soul-removing glove to grabbed Ichigo's Shinigami form out of his body and left the room via the window.

"Wait! What do you want, Rukia? Hey! Where are you taking me?" Ichigo's scream could be heard.

I was worried for nothing... She's only here for Kurosaki...

"She acted just as I've expected." Rangiku expectantly said.

Of course, she cares about Kurosaki only...

"Yeah, those two troublemakers..." Renji gave a soft sigh.

They were always together, huh?

"So? It's normal to get pissed off after seeing that pathetic sad face of his." Ikkaku said nonchalantly.

"Really? Gloomy looks can also be attractive!" Yumichika said with heart-filled eyes.

I'm sure Rukia is attracted to him... I mean, he's at least taller than her!

"No! That's not true!" Rangiku disagreed.

Of course, it's true! Rukia would never want a guy like me... All short and well, short!

"I wasn't seeking your opinion, Yumichika." Renji commented.

"Oh really? Then whose were you seeking? Ikkaku's?" Yumichika vehemently crossed his arms.

"Hey! Don't drag me into this shit!" Ikkaku narrowed his eyes at Yumichika as another bout of quarrels started.

Toshiro quietly shook on the spot in fury. "Hey, you! Quiet down!"

Toshiro needed to keep calm and get rid of the negative thoughts. He doesn't want to blow his top at the sight of Rukia, grabbing Ichigo out alone.

It's alright, he assured himself, Rukia isn't like that!

Author's Foot Note
I have checked this chapter. My grammar is quite bad so please excuse them. I've noticed a minor mistake in the forth last line of the previous chapter and will be correcting it.

I apologize if this chapter is short. I wanted to post it as soon as possible and I feel that instead of letting you wait, I should post a short chapter. I also want to apologize if you are expecting more romance between Toshiro and Rukia but I wanted to show how fragile their relationship is as it is their first romantic relationship.

Please give feedback on anything. It would help me a lot in my writing. All flames would be treated as positive comments though they will be detested. Thank you.