I do not Bleach nor it's characters.
"It happened again?"
"Yes she was awake for approximately 67 minutes before falling back into her coma," said the tall blonde haired doctor. "Capitan Unohana told me to inform you if she woke again, I sent the messenger out as soon as possible but she wasn't able to find you."
"That is my fault," he said bitterly, he had been relaxing with Yachiru and Jade in their field. Yachiru had come barreling into his office with the toddler demanding that he come play with them in their field, it was spring and the weather was warming. That and the fact that Ichigo Kurosaki had come for a visit with his wife, and had brought Jade a complex looking kite from the human world inspired Yachiru to decided that today, instead of training with the rest of her Division, she, Jade, and himself were to learn how to fly the contraption.
Reluctantly he had ordered his Lieutenant to finish the paperwork and turn it into the Head Capitan by seven, and then joined Jade and Yachiru on their excursion. It had then taken several hours of bickering and struggling to finally figure the kite out. By the time they had gotten it into the air and flying Jade had fallen asleep under a tree the box held tightly in her arms, it had proved more entertaining to her than the kite.
Giving up Yachiru had sat down in the grass and had begun weaving together several flowers into a crown. Toshiro had sat down next and handed her flowers for her to weave. After a while he had laid down to use Yachiru's lap as his pillow, they had been relaxing when a young officer had interrupted their peaceful afternoon with a summons to the 4th Division.
"The Captain has been having someone sit with her every day," said the doctor.
Toshiro stared at Hinamori's still form, she was getting worse, the circles around her eyes were darker; her skin was whiter; and she was noticeably thinner. He knew she was wasting away, and that sooner or later she was going to die, she would wake up and then fall back asleep and never wake again. He stared at her body and for an instant he had a thought, he snapped himself from his delusion and shook himself. No that was too cruel, it would be too cruel to wish that, he felt sick to his stomach that he had allowed himself to hope for it. He took a deep steadying breath.
"Thank you for informing me," he said then he turned, "I'll be back tomorrow."
Yachiru sat in his chair staring around the room, he hadn't come back since she had arrived, and that had been almost an hour ago. After having questioned Kaito, who didn't know the whereabouts of his Capitan, she had decided to wait for him. She began to fiddle with the necklace that he had given her. It had been almost two years since then, since they had begun their strange relationship. It wasn't defined like other relationships around them, they weren't like Hisagi and his human, nor like Re-chan and the older Shiro, and definitely not like Feather's and Baldy's relationship, they weren't like that at all.
But still it was there, their connection had grown stronger over the years and no one was surprised when they were seen together around the Seireitei. Kenny didn't stare at her anymore when she said she was going to the 10th, and Feathers didn't smile with that strange smile. The only one who ever mentioned it was Baldy, he often asked where they went, what they talked about, what they did, and why they were always alone.
Yachiru sighed and stood up, she didn't know where Shiro-chan was and she didn't want to sit around all day. She glanced back around the room once more then took off back to the 11th, she'd find him later. She arrived and went directly to her (Yumi's) office, but her feathered friend wasn't there, she turned around and went into the mess hall and found him missing from there as well. He hadn't been outside, she hadn't seen his tent and she hadn't seen Baldy either. She scratched her head then realized there was someone else she could pay attention to.
Biting the inside of her lip she went down the hall to Kenny's office. "KEN-CHAN!" she yelled as she threw open the door. Instantly she knew something was wrong Bya-kun stood in front of Kenny's desk, Feathers stood next to him, Baldy was sitting against in a corner a bottle of Sake in his hand, while Kenpachi sat behind his small desk. All of their faces were extremely somber.
All eyes went to her when she entered and she knew instantly that there was something off, "What's wrong?"
The four men exchanged glances then Yumichika began to explain, "Captain Kuchiki had just come to inform us….to tell us….well to say that…."
"Hinamori Momo has woken from her coma and this time it looks like she's staying awake," Ikkaku said from his corner. Yachiru saw him take a swig of the large sake jar that was next to him, he looked like he was in pain and wouldn't look at her directly.
Yachiru's jaw dropped slightly her eyes widened, the four men started at her waiting for her reaction. She inhaled a deep breath, "That's why Shiro's been missing, he was with her. He must be so happy that she's awake. She's woken up a few times before but she always went back to sleep. How long has she been awake for?" The smile on her face didn't belong but it was there, constant and bright like it was any other day.
Yumichika was thrown by her reaction but composed himself, "She's been awake for almost 29 hours, the longest duration of time so far."
"She had briefly woken again a few days ago and despite predictions that she was nearing the end of her life she woke and has been steadily gaining her strength back," said Byakuya.
"Well that's good Shiro-chan will be so happy!" she said the smile on her face didn't match her eyes.
"Lieutenant," Yumichika's voice was strange, full of sadness and apology. "Are…are you alright?"
Yachiru nodded, "Yes I'm very happy for Shiro-chan he's been waiting for her to wake up and now that she's back he'll be very happy. Now we three can be friends."
Ikkaku was staring at her the sake jar paused almost to his lips. Byakuya and Kenpachi had the same stony expression on their faces. "What's the matter we should be happy? A comrade….a friend has returned to us."
"Yachiru…..you're crying," she looked at Kenpachi, who had been silent until now.
Yachiru reached up and touched her face, it was wet, wet with tears she hadn't known she'd shed. "It's because…I'm so happy….tears for Hinamori….that she's come back. Because I'm happy," the last part of her sentence trailed off into a whisper. She inhaled again and then painted the smile back on, "Shiro-chan he's so very happy too, I know he is, I think I'll go congratulate him." And with that she turned and disappeared from their sight.
Yumichika moved to go after her, "Lieutenant!"
"Let her be," Kenpachi stood from his chair and walked past Byakuya, there was an exchange between them, "Thank you for the update." Then he walked out of the office and disappeared as well.
Yachiru stared up into the sky, the sun was setting and the brighter stars were showing against the pink and purple. She was lying on her back in the tall grass, her hands under her head, tears drying on her face. Despite their presence she didn't yet understand them.
She felt him before she heard him; he sat a few feet away from her against the tree where Jade usually napped. "You've been out here a while."
"It's the only place I can think," she said.
"You weren't ever much for thinking." They lapsed into silence, he sighed and then looked up as well. "You were younger than Jade when we first came here. We slept right here under this tree…"
"It was raining then...and still a little cold," she said.
"Yeah…." There was another long silence between them. "We weren't the kind who needed others Yachiru. We weren't like that, but when we came here that changed….we changed."
"I want to change back Ken-chan I don't want to need anyone anymore," she whispered.
"That's not true."
"It is….if we don't need anyone then….then it won't hurt like this….it won't feel bad like this inside of me," she said rubbing at her chest."I don't want this pain anymore Ken-chan the pain of Ran-chan, the pain of Shiro, and...I don't want any more Ken-chan…let's just go back to how we were before, just you and me alone."
Kenpachi was silent for a few moments, "But then what will you do when I die Yachiru?"
Yachiru shot up and turned to him, tears in her eyes. "Ken-chan won't die!"
"Yachiru…"
She was in his lap her face buried against his chest, "Ken-chan can't die!"
"No, not today, or tomorrow, or even in a ten thousand tomorrows….but one day….I will…hopefully in a blazing battle, but one day that time will come. And then what will you do?" Yachiru looked up at him, "Will you stay alone forever?"
"I'll die too Ken-chan."
"No, that won't happen…. I don't want that to happen, you weren't meant to be alone in life Yachiru. You….you're different….I don't want you to be alone."
"But Ken-chan you're my whole world…."
He touched her head, "That's not true anymore, is it?" Yachiru looked away from him ashamed, "Your world it's gotten larger."
"Ken-chan…."
He gave her the half smile he had always given her, the smile showing the soft side of him that only she had ever known. "You're allowed to be in love Yachiru, you're allowed to care about others."
"But it hurts Ken-chan," she touched her hand to her chest, over her heart where she felt the pain.
"It won't forever, I promise."
"Shiro loves coma-chan, he doesn't feel the same about me," she removed herself from his lap sitting down next to him. "He doesn't feel the right way about me."
She felt a heavy weight on her head, Kenpachi had settled his large hand on her head as he looked out over the grass waving peacefully in the wind. "It's not the end yet….far from it…."
Yachiru stared at the man who had taken care of her since birth, the man who had always protected her and guided her, who had always given her strength. This wasn't the usual way he encouraged her, normally he would just yell at her to kill something or stop goofing around. This type of support was different, but like he had said they were different now. She looked out over the grass and lost herself in the comfortable and strong silence that surrounded them.
Seventeen days, nine hours, and twenty minutes. She had been awake long enough to be in what Unohana was calling the clear zone. She wasn't predicted to fall back into her coma now, though there were always abnormalities; as long as everything stayed the same she was going to be released from the hospital in a few days. Unohana had a few more tests to run and wanted to keep an eye on her for a little bit longer, but it wouldn't be long now.
Toshiro had been with her almost every day, leaving most of the office work in the Division to Kaito and the other seated officers. No one had said anything and there had been no orders from the Head Captain to return to his post. He was sure it was because they all knew how delicate the situation was, how frail and weakened Hinamori was. He was almost positive that having Unohana on his side was another reason why he had been spared the old 'duty and responsibility first' speech from Yamamoto.
"Shiro?" He looked up at her, Momo was already looking better. There was more color to her face, she was walking around on her own now and the circles around her eyes were starting to fade. Her lips were still thin and white and when she smiled at him it looked wrong, but things returned to life at their own pace.
"Shiro don't you have things you should be doing?"
Toshiro shook his head, "No everything is being taken care of by my Lieutenant."
Her face fell, "Yes Renji was here yesterday." She paused, "He told me about Rangiku I wanted to say I'm sorry Shiro she was a good friend."
Toshiro gave her a reassuring smile, "It's alright she's at peace now. Did he tell you about Jade?"
"Jade?"
"Rangiku's daughter, she was born while you were in you…..while you were asleep. She's about five almost six now. Reminds me a lot of her mother it's almost scary."
"Who's raising her now Shiro?"
"Yumichika and Ikkaku were made her guardians when Rangiku died, she wanted them to raise her for some reason," he leaned back into his chair. Though he hadn't agreed with the decision at first he had soon realized that Jade was in the best hands possible.
"Oh dear, a girl living in the 11th Division," Momo said, "How unfortunate."
Toshiro looked up at her, "What do you mean?"
"Well they aren't really known for being gentle, and raising a girl in that kind of atmosphere is a little….well a little questionable," she said.
"Yachiru grew up with them all just fine," he said.
"Yachiru? Oh you mean Lieutenant Kusajishi, yes well she's always been a little different as well."
Toshiro sat up straight, he was becoming annoyed. Momo didn't know anything about Yachiru and had no reason to criticize her. "There's nothing wrong with Lieutenant Kusajishi."
Momo blinked twice, "Come now Shiro you know she's a little different from everyone else. She's always been around so much violence it must have taken its toll upon her."
"There is nothing wrong with Yachiru Kusajishi Momo! She's just as kind and gentle as any other women I know, she's a little different but it's not in a bad way! She's strong and loyal and trustworthy, she's one of the most important people in my life and she's one of the best people I know."
Momo blinked at him the shock from his scolding clear upon her face, "I'm sorry Shiro, I didn't know you had grown so close to her. I didn't mean anything mean about her at all I just meant that she was a little different from the rest of us."
"Momo…."
"Captain Hitsugaya I need Lieutenant Hinamori for her daily infusions now," Unohana, who had witnessed the entire altercation, felt that now was a good time to intervene. Two attendants entered the room and helped Momo into a wheelchair. They bowed to him before wheeling her towards the door.
"You'll be back for supper won't you Shiro?" she looked over her shoulder with pleading eyes.
He nodded and waited until she was out of the room. He turned to Unohana, "Captain…."
"May I remind you Captain Hitsugaya that Lieutenant Hinamori is in a very delicate stage right now, there are still many concerns about her health that have yet to be addressed and adding unnecessary stress to her may affect her negatively." Toshiro looked down, he felt like a child being scolded for picking on a weaker sibling. "However, when defending your dear friends you must sometimes apply a small amount of stress." His gaze snapped up, Unohana was staring down the hallway in the direction that Momo had been taken, "Lieutenant Hinamori has been asleep for a long time unable to deal with the things that have happened around her. The world has moved forward and though it is sad in a way she has been left behind. There are events that occurred without her present. Feelings have shifted and new bonds have grown without her presence."
"Hinamori has no one, she would be very lonely without me here," he wanted to defend his actions somehow explain them to the older women.
She looked back at him, "In the last few days I have yet to see you once in the company of Lieutenant Kusajishi, I wonder if that girl is not lonely without her friend."
"Shiro it's beginning to get a lot nicer out isn't it?" Momo said as he pushed her chair through the streets of the Seireitei. The sky was completely clear, not a cloud in sight, and it had gotten significantly warmer in the passing days. Momo had yet to be released from the care of the 4th, but in the last several weeks she had made progress and was now able to leave the grounds for walks and outings. Toshiro had suggested a walk but her legs still weren't very strong so Unohana had only agreed to allow her to go if he pushed her in her wheelchair.
"It's going to be summer soon," he said.
"I love summer here in the Soul Society, it's not like any other place," she smiled weakly. There was silence between them, "Granny came and saw me yesterday, it was very nice to see her. She's looking well."
"I haven't been able to see her lately," he said.
"You should go for a visit, or even better we can go when I'm released from the hospital," Momo said.
"Yeah that would be nice, I'm sure she gets lonely all by herself." He didn't mention that he and Yachiru had made it a point to take Jade to see her almost once a week.
Another long silence stretched between them while they toured the area. "Toshiro…."
Suddenly there was a large blast from the wall to their left and red smoke poured through the newly formed hole in the wall. "Yachiru! You're supposed to aim better!" The voice was not one that he recognized; but the giggle and the protest that answered was one he knew very well, it was one that he had dreamed about.
"I did exactly what you said Kazu-kun!"
Toshiro let the warmth wash over him with the sound of her voice, it had been too long since he'd seen her last. "Shiro let's go see what's going on it looks like it could be fun," Momo said with a smile.
Knowing that he had no choice any longer he wheeled her nearer to the hole in the wall and they both looked through. Jade was running around in circles giggling and dancing with utter joy, Yachiru was fixing her disheveled hair, while Ikkaku and Yumichika stood off to the side watching. Toshiro noticed however a new face that he had not seen before. The man stood near Yachiru a bright smile on his face, he had shaggy brown hair that was cut at his shoulders, and a badge that identified him as a member of the 4th division.
"Oh looks like they are practicing Kido, lets join them Toshiro!"
Hesitantly Toshiro pushed Momo's chair over the rubble, they made their way over to where Yumichika and Ikkaku were sitting watching the entire lesson. Ikkaku glanced over at them as they arrived and Toshiro saw the cold stare that was in his eye. Yumichika saw them and greeted them with a smile that Toshiro knew was probably forced.
"Hello Capitan Hitsugaya, Lieutenant Hinamori," he said with a smile. "It's good to see you out and about Lieutenant I hope you are feeling better?"
"Oh yes very, every day I feel stronger," she said with her weak white lipped smile. Yumichika stared at her and then returned the expression. "Who is that teaching the Lieutenant?" she asked. Toshiro thanked the heavens that she beat him to it, he didn't want to arouse the suspicion of the two men.
"Oh that's Kazuma Juseki, he's a newly promoted officer in the 4th. Jade had a bad fall a few weeks ago and when Yachiru took her into see Capitan Unohana they met. Somehow he's now become Yachiru's private tutor of the Kido Arts." Yumichika glanced at Toshiro quickly and then returned his focus to the trio in front of him.
"Kazu! Kazu!" Jade sang as she danced around Yachiru and the new boy.
"You have to concentrate upon what your hands are doing," he said holding out both hands and making the symbol for a Sekienton Kido incantation. "You have to focus on a particular spot and not just around the area."
Yachiru who was standing next to him had her feet in an awkward position and her hands were posed wrong. To fix her position Kazuma placed his hands on her hips and fixed her stance, Toshiro felt his fingers twitch; in order to change her hands Kazuma stood behind her to reach around and fix her arms, Toshiro clenched his hands.
"I thought that the 11th looked down upon those who could use Kido?" said Momo watching the couple.
Yumichika glanced at her coldly, then hid his emotions behind a smile, "Well the Lieutenant thought that it would be a good way for her to make new friends and learn…."
"Yachiru doesn't need any more new friends," said Ikkaku from his seated position. He was running his fingers over the hilt of his zanpakto, waiting for Kazuma to touch Yachiru inappropriately.
"Shiro! SHIRO!" Jade tackled him to the ground removing his view from the couple. "Shiro Shiro!" The silver haired girl giggled and hugged him around the waist. He sat up and ruffled her hair.
"Hey," he said standing.
"Shiro! Yachiru Shiro's here! You been gone a long time Shiro!" Jade said.
"Yeah sorry," he said, he looked up and saw that Kazuma was staring at the two, while Yachiru kept her back to them.
"That's my fault Jade, I've been very sick and Shiro's been watching over me," Momo said kindly with a weak smile.
Jade looked over then narrowed her eyes and hid behind Toshiro haori cloak. "Shiro who's that?"
"That's Lieutenant Hinamori," he said. Jade stared at Momo then shook her head and ran to Yachiru's side.
"Tenant….that girls….." Jade whispered the last part of her sentence.
"She's been real sick and Toshiro's been taking care of her," Yachiru said. None of them failed to notice that she had used his full name. "He's her very dear friend."
Yumichika glanced at Kazuma, who was staring at Yachiru, then back to the young Capitan. "Come on Jade it's time for lessons, you and Ikkaku can learn how to spell your names today."
"Excuse me Yumi!"
"Yay! Names! Names!"
"This is where we will depart, see you at dinner Lieutenant," he turned to Toshiro and Momo. "I am glad to see you are in good health Hinamori, Capitan Hitsugaya always a pleasure."
The trio departed but the awkward tension did not. Kazuma stepped forward, "Lieutenant Hinamori, I believe it is almost time for your check up with Capitan Unohana, I can return you if you'd like."
"Oh but Shiro…."
"It really is not an issue I have to head back to the 4th in any case and this will allow the Capitan time to return to his duties, or perhaps rest," Kazuma smiled gently at her. "I assure you I will not allow any harm to happen to you."
"Well if that's alright with you Shiro, I don't want to keep you from your duties," Momo said.
"It's fine, I appreciate it," Toshiro said without taking his eyes off of Yachiru's back.
Kazuma bowed his head then turned to Yachiru, he said a few quiet words to her and then reached up and put a flower behind her ear, he ran his fingers through her hair and then smiled at her. Toshiro didn't see Yachiru's reaction, but he felt anger the second that Kazuma touched her. The brown haired man passed by the Capitan and took control over Momo's chair.
"You'll come by tomorrow won't you Shiro?" He didn't answer her right away, "Shiro?"
"Yes I'll be there in the morning."
"Okay…..goodbye Shiro, goodbye Lieutenant Kusajishi." Her farewell was heard by neither party, Toshiro was too focused on the evil flower in Yachiru's hair to notice, and Yachiru was too focused upon ignoring the feeling of despair that was clawing inside of her.
"Yachi…."
"Lieutenant Hinamori looks a lot better, Re-chan's been taking good care of her I see," Yachiru's voice had a forced cheer in it. "Allowing her to go outside for walks must mean she's a ton stronger now…."
"Yachiru…."
"She does look very tired though you shouldn't take her out on such long walks….."
"Yachiru…."
"But the fresh air is probably best for her…."
"YACHIRU!" Toshiro grabbed her shoulder and turned her forcing her to look at him. "Yachiru…."
"Shiro-chan why did you leave me?"
He froze, "What?"
"Why did you leave me?"
"I never left Yachiru….I've just been busy with Momo."
"That's not what I meant Shiro-chan, you left me. You aren't my Shiro-chan anymore," She placed a hand on his chest. "This reopened."
He looked down, her hand was placed over the scar that ran across his chest. He wrapped his hand around her's, "Yachiru…."
"It had healed and it was fading, but now it's reopened," she looked up at him but he wouldn't meet her eyes.
"Shiro-chan?"
He gripped her hand tightly, "You don't know what Momo…."
"Do you love her Shiro-chan?"
His eyes snapped back to her, "I….I…..she's….."
"Do you love her?"
He didn't answer her.
"I think you do Shiro-chan…..otherwise you wouldn't let her do this to you," Yachiru said. He saw anger in her eyes, "You wouldn't let her drag you back down into that darkness, into that painful world, unless you really loved her."
"Yachiru," he had never known her ever to say such hateful words. "Momo hasn't dragged me anywhere."
"Yes she has, you aren't the Shiro-chan that I knew, you aren't the man that I…..you aren't strong anymore!"
"Yachiru! Momo needs me!"
"No Shiro-chan she doesn't! You let her take you back!"
"You don't know what you're talking about," he turned away from her. He felt anger boiling inside of him, anger at how she wasn't in his life anymore, anger at how Kazuma had touched her, anger that he missed her so much, and anger because he knew she was right. "You've never understood! You're just a child!"
Yachiru stared at him her mouth open; anger replaced her shock. "I'm not a child Shiro-chan, I know who I am I know what I want, I don't wallow in the past and in the darkness," Yachiru spoke with a harsh tone. It was a tone he had never heard from her before. "You've lost yourself again Shiro-chan, and you've lost everyone else too."
He turned around to yell back at her, but she was gone and he was alone.
"Toshiro what happened between you and Lieutenant Kusajishi?" Momo was leaning back against the large pillows of her bed staring at the wall.
"What?"
"You and Lieutenant Kusajishi, what happened between you?"
"You mean yesterday?"
"I mean in general, you haven't said anything but I've noticed. You've been distant and distracted ever since you started coming to see me. I've felt it like you've wanted to be somewhere else," Momo looked at him. "And then yesterday when we saw the Lieutenant, the way you looked at her, I've never seen you look at anyone like that Shiro."
Toshiro looked away from her, "Do you love her Shiro?" He didn't move, he knew the answer, he had always known the answer, and after yesterday after their fight he knew that she was right. Momo he brought back all the darkness that she had chased away, all the happiness he had found had been with Yachiru. All the love and warmth, all of that had been because of Yachiru. Momo had been a relic of the past, a reminder of the bad times, and in the moment he had thought that she was going to die he had instantly felt slightly relieved. He had even hoped for it to arrive sooner, and then he had hated himself for it. She was his closest friend, his oldest and the most important person to him. But as he thought back upon it that wasn't true anymore, she wasn't the one he pictured when he thought about the future. She wasn't there standing next to him anymore, instead her somber and professional presence had been replaced by a bubbly and energetic pink haired vision.
"Shiro?"
"Yes," he said without anymore hesitancy. He knew it was true, he knew that why he felt like this, he knew why he had felt empty and bleak for the past few weeks. Because she hadn't been there, the brightness was gone from his life. "Yes I love her," he said. He looked at Momo, there were tears in her eyes and instantly he hated himself for hurting her, but he hated himself more for hurting Yachiru.
"Momo…."
"I understand Shiro-chan, while I was away you needed someone to hold onto, Kusajishi was just that. Now that I'm back you won't need that anymore, you don't need to hold onto her so dearly you can let her go and you can hold onto me," Momo turned to him. "You and I Shiro just like it used to be," her smile was sad and weak.
He stood and took her hand in his own, "Momo, it can't be that way anymore there is no more you and me, not that way. That's gone now, and…..and there are different bonds now."
"Shiro?"
He embraced her gently, "You will always be important Momo, but now….now there's someone more important. More important than you, or me, or anyone else, she's the most important thing." Toshiro pulled away from her, "I'll see you later Momo." When he was at the door he looked back, Momo was staring at the ceiling again, tears in her eyes.
He shut the door behind him, he turned and saw Unohana waiting in the hallway for him. "Captain Hitsugaya, I thank you for your help. You've helped Lieutenant Hinamori grow stronger over the last few weeks. She now has the means to live, now she must decide for herself the reason."
He bowed his head slightly and moved past her, "Capitan." He looked over his shoulder at him, "Don't fear all will be well."
Everything however was not well, the 11th had been sent into Hueco Mundo to search out a pack of Gillians. Their objective had been to eliminate the enemy and then return home without incident, however they had been ambushed suddenly and despite their strength and the strength of their Captain they had still been decimated by the enemy. Half of those who had went through the Senkaimon were dead or missing; Yumichika was one the verge of death, he had taken a direct cero hit to the chest and it had blown away most of his left lung and shoulder; Ikkaku was a bloody mess barely breathing, Toshiro was positive that a few fingers from the 3rd seats hand were missing; Maki Aramaki was missing his left eye and left hand; another seated officer who had bright blue hair and several piercings had three deep claw wounds in his chest and across his face.
Toshiro had watched as the numerous Soul Reapers had been carried past, some alive, some fighting death, and some already in body bags. But despite the chaos and bloody mess what scared him the most was that he had yet to see Yachiru or Kenpachi. He felt a cold shiver run down his spine as he stared into the bright light emitted from the Senkaimon Gate. He and everyone else knew unless Kenpachi came back Yachiru wasn't coming back; Yachiru was his most loyal follower and she would tail her Capitan into Hell no questions asked, she would disregard her own safety to go with her friend.
Finally the bright light dimmed and the gate shut, Toshiro turned to Mayuri who was standing near the controls. "Reopen the gate," he demanded.
The clown faced man looked at him with cold eyes, "And for what purpose would I do that?"
"Captain Zaraki and Lieutenant Kusajishi have yet to return you are trapping them there!"
"There has been no contact with them since the fighting began therefore there is no reason to assume that they are amongst the living."
"Open the Gate!" his hand went to his zanpakto hilt.
"My, my, becoming quite emotional aren't we? I wonder about this newfound attachment to that barbaric mongrel of a Captain…..or could it be an attachment to his luscious looking Lieutenant," Mayuri said with his large creepy grin.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, I believe that Captain Hitsugaya is correct even without having had any contact with either the Lieutenant or Captain Zaraki it is still too early to assume that they are no longer in need of a passage home," both men turned around to see Captain Unohana standing nearby with both the Captains of the 13th Division and the 8th Division.
Toshiro saw Mayuri grit his teeth, "There is also no proof to assume that they need a passage home, and continuing to keep the Gate open without any reason would only exhaust our resources and removed power from both your hospital and my laboratory."
Captain Unohana smiled gently, "I understand that, however, I know that to ensure the return of two of our own we are both be willingly to sacrifice a little. Please reopen the gateway."
Mayuri gritted his teeth once more and then began pressing buttons, while muttering about "Insufferable women."
The Gate was only open for thirty seconds when a hulking shadow appeared and stepped out of the brightly lit portal. Zaraki Kenpachi stood before them bloodied and bruised, his shirt was torn and hung around his waist, he no longer had his haori, and he held his bloodied sword limply in his hand.
"Thought you were gonna leave us there," he said. He moved slightly and from under his right arm a cascade of pink hair fell towards the ground, her pale arm dropped down, limp and unmoving. "She needs your help," he said staring at the worried looking women before him.
In the blink of an eye she was before him gently taking Yachiru into her arms and calling for assistance. "What happened?"
Zaraki started talking about the attack and how it had seemed to target Yachiru, but all Toshiro heard was static as he stared at Yachiru's body. Her legs were cut up and bleeding; there was a long gash on her forehead, blood had darkened her hair; and he saw that her uniform was soaking wet around her middle.
"Yachiru!" he moved to go to her but strong hands stopped him. He looked up, Ukitake had stopped him, he looked back at Yachiru. "Yachiru!"
Unohana lay her down on a gurney. She lifted up Yachiru's top shihakusho and assessed the wound. Toshiro watched her face, her expression didn't give him hope; he noticed how her jaw became tense. He struggled against Ukitake's grip "No I have…."
"Hey kid calm down Unohana's the best, she'll take care of it," said Kyoraku.
Unohana turned to one of the medics near her, "We need to get her into surgery as quickly as possible."
"Hey is she gonna be alright?" Zarakai's voice carried over all of them. "Hey Unohana!"
"I will inform you as soon as possible Captain Zaraki as of right now however I need to take her into surgery to ensure that she remains alive." Unohana followed behind the medics that were carrying her. Toshiro watched as Yachiru's body drifted further and further away from him, he couldn't get the image of her limp and bloodied body out of his mind.
