Chapter 7:
After Ichigo had returned, they all sat down while he informed them of what he had found out. They went over the plan and made a decision to tell the Head Captain what was happening. After all, if they were plotting to attack Hitsugaya or imprison him, they had a right to know that it wasn't his fault. Rukia brought Ichigo back to the Soul Society with her and talked to several people, managed to pull a few strings and set him up a meeting with Yamamoto.
Several hours passed, but at last Ichigo was allowed to speak with the Head Captain. Rukia waited outside the large double doors for him to finish. She could only hope that things would go their way for once.
After an hour, Ichigo was sent out and the doors were closed once more.
Rukia stood and watched him moved towards her. "Well, how did it go?"
He stormed right by her in a huff. That wasn't a good sign.
"Ichigo, wait up! Talk to me! Tell me what happened!" She chased after his shadow and at the end of the long hall, he stopped.
He spun around and shouted, "He's a complete idiot!"
"Huh?"
"He wouldn't listen to me at all! He's still convinced that Toshiro's a traitor."
"What? But you told him everything you told us, right? What did you tell him? You must have left something out or not explained it well."
"Rukia, I know what I did! I explained it perfectly, alright? I didn't screw up!"
"Then what did he tell you?"
Ichigo started his rant. "When I told him that the only reason why that girl ran off in the first place was because those two idiot Soul Reapers scared her off. The old man told me that regardless, she should have stayed put and been taken into custody, fear or no fear. Then I told him that the reason why Toshiro attacked those guys was only to protect her. He told me that he shouldn't have done that at all. It was against orders. When I told him that Toshiro only did that because he was under a spell that forced him to obey them no matter what, he told me that couldn't be true. He said that any good Soul Reaper would be able to break free of that kind of spell. Besides, he had never heard of a spell like that. Either way, he's holding Toshiro responsible! Controlled or not, his actions were his own."
"What? That's ridiculous!"
"I know, but he wouldn't listen to anything I had to say after that. I tried to tell him that those girls are afraid of Soul Reapers because they've been attacked by them so much, but he said that it was a lie and that I shouldn't believe everything I hear. After that, he kicked me out."
Rukia folded her arms with a low growl of frustration. "This is horrible! He's going to be killed for sure and no one will listen to us! It's not his fault! It's all because of those three little… Ichigo?"
Noticing that he had his head hanging down and had stopped responding to anything she was saying, Rukia asked if he was ok.
"Rukia…"
"Yeah?"
"It's… It's not all their fault, either."
"What? How could you say that? They put the spell on him and made him do the things that have labeled him as a criminal."
"Yes, but…" Ichigo remembered her face. He remembered every detail of Lavender's face, her eyes especially. They were fearful and sad. They held so much pain. It was as if he were looking into a bit of her past and could see a vague reflection of what she had witnessed all those years ago. All the bloodshed and pain. "You weren't there. You didn't meet her. If you had, you would have known."
Rukia stood silently listening to him.
"I saw it in her eyes. Even while she was talking to me, I could still feel the pain she had. That kind of wound never closes completely. There will always be scars that will never heal. I know how she feels. I understand why they're the way they are. All they want to do is find their little sister so they can all live in peace again far away from anything that might hurt them."
"Ichigo, that's false hope. Everywhere you go there will always be pain and something that will hurt you. You can't run away from that. Even the world that they created is flawed. It's nothing more than a dream. You know that, don't you?"
"Rukia…"
He still wasn't looking at her. He was still overcome with emotion. She knew full well that he wasn't hopelessly sensitive, but he did have a good heart. Perhaps that was the problem. He cared too much about these girls. Or maybe he was the only one who did care about them. Everyone else just treated them like the enemy. Even Rukia admitted that she felt bitter towards them for what they were doing to Hitsugaya. But they did have reason to. How could she have overlooked that? They were trying to protect themselves anyway they could and were getting help from the people they hated the only way they knew how. Maybe they weren't the enemy after all.
"Listen, Ichigo. I know how you feel about this, but there is nothing we can do. We can't change what the court has already decided. I'm not a captain. I can't do much more than what I have already done."
"I know."
"What's going on over here?"
They both looked up and saw Hisagi standing just a short distance from them.
"We were just talking to the Head Captain about Hitsugaya, but he won't listen. He's still going to have him treated as an enemy."
Hisagi closed the gap and stood between them. "What's this about? You mean to tell me that he didn't attack anyone?"
"Well. Not entirely."
"Eh?"
"You see, he's under someone else's control. He doesn't know what he's doing."
"And he's acting so weird!" Ichigo added.
"Weird how?"
"When I spoke to him, he was acting kind of childish."
"Now that couldn't be him." Hisagi folded his arms.
Rukia turned to Ichigo. "But remember, Kisuke told us that it could be a side-effect from the spell he's under. They could have made him that way."
"Or maybe living at the Soul Society was too stressful for him so he's always bitter and angry here, but when he's taken away from his duties and everything he's much calmer."
"That could be it," Hisagi thought aloud. "Being a captain is very stressful, after all. And let's not forget that his lieutenant is always running off and leaving him to do all the work by himself. He's doing work for two people and wants to be taken seriously as a captain despite his age. It's all very stressful so I have to agree with you guys that it might be the answer. Maybe being out of a stressful environment is making him a little bit more pleasant. Who knows?"
Rukia and Ichigo agreed.
"But wait, what's all this about being controlled?"
They told him what was happening.
"So you guys think that these girls are the cause of all this?"
"We know they are!"
"But why are they doing all this?"
"They want to find their baby sister who's lost in the Seireitei, like we said. But they're afraid of Soul Reapers because they wiped out several of their villages in the past. They were attacked by Soul Reapers."
"What? When?"
"We don't have a date! It's happened over the years."
Hisagi raised a brow. "That is impossible. Our job is to protect others and maintain the balance between the two worlds. If we ever attacked a village, it was under orders due to it being corrupted or something. We never attack the innocent."
"Well, according to them, it happened."
"But if a whole village was wiped out, it would be on record."
"Then we can find out and see if they're telling the truth."
Ichigo frowned at her. "I know they are telling the truth. You don't need a file to tell you that."
"Either way, you guys can't look at them. Those records are restricted. Only captains and lieutenants can view them."
"But you're a lieutenant, you can look it up."
"It's organized by dates. Since you guys don't know when for sure this happened, I wouldn't know where to begin to look."
"Could you try?"
Hisagi shot him a look. "Nonetheless, I doubt it would be helpful in convincing the Head Captain. Showing him dates and telling him things you have heard won't convince him. He has to see things for himself. If you can prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is in fact being controlled, then maybe, just maybe, he will listen. But there's no guarantee."
Ichigo sighed and put his hands on his hips. "Well… Then I guess we're on our own."
Rukia moved in front of him. "Ichigo, you aren't planning on doing anything reckless are you? Remember we have to handle this very carefully. You can't just go rushing in like an idiot like you usually do. We have to plan and-"
"I know what I'm doing! And who are you calling an idiot?"
She just stared back at him, not backing down.
With a defeated sigh, Ichigo said, "Look, I know what to do. I'm not going to rush in and do things 100% my way, alright? I'll play it safe. Would you quit worrying all the time?"
He was expecting her to answer him, but instead she did nothing. Rukia only stood there completely motionless. Hisagi was, too.
"What's up?"
Rukia muttered softly, "Something's wrong."
Hisagi looked towards the window. "I think something's going to happen real soon. I can feel it."
"Spirit Pressure?" Ichigo knew that he sucked at detecting that stuff but apparently that wasn't it this time. It was something else. A gut feeling that something was about to happen. Even he could sense that deep down inside. And he didn't like it.
They were here.
Twilight. A beautiful time between evening and sunset. Hanataro liked this time of day himself. There was something peaceful about it. He liked serenity. It sure beat getting bullied at all hours, that was for sure.
The timid Soul Reaper was tending to a small garden which held many different types of plants used for medicine. After all, some injuries were best healed trough medicine than magic. It was his duty to care for these herbs and make sure that they were all watered and properly sunned. He didn't mind this job. He always found it to be a good stress reliever.
He gathered up the proper plants and placed them into the wicker basket at his side. He mopped the sweat from his brow. "Phew! Almost finished! I'm sure Captain Unohana will be very happy with my work tonight. I tried my best." He pulled out the final weed and tossed it aside. Now he was officially done. He gathered the herbs and stood up, stretching. He felt so stiff after being bent over for so long.
Turning his head up, he could see the clear blue sky darken before his eyes. It was getting late. He had to hurry if he wanted to deliver these herbs on time to his captain. But as he made to leave the small garden, he heard a strange sound.
It was a song sung by an angelic voice.
Hanataro stopped in place, transfixed. "Huh? What is that?"
The song continued.
"Someone's… singing..? But who..?" He looked around, but could find no one. He was all alone.
The song intensified.
Paralyzed, all he could do was listen to the hypnotic song. Slowly but surely, his blue eyes glazed over and became unfocused as Lavender's spell took hold. Still holding onto the basket, Hanataro began to walk slowly in the direction of the singer.
Sapphire stood beside Lavender, waiting for someone to approach them. Her sister had only been singing for a minute or two. Someone should have come by now. Maybe she wasn't singing loud enough.
Just as she was about to tell her to increase the volume, Hanataro came around the corner towards them. The zombie Soul Reaper stood in front of them and waited for orders.
Lavender stopped singing.
"It's alright now, Hitsugaya," Sapphire told the white-haired Soul Reaper covering his ears. "She's stopped."
He took his hands off his ears with a sigh. He didn't want to be caught up in this spell.
Sapphire looked at Hanataro. "What is your name?"
"Hanataro… Yamada."
"What is your specialty?"
"I am a… member of Squad 4 and can… perform… medical treatment."
Lavender smiled widely up at her sister. "A medic! He can heal people's injuries! This is good news, isn't it?"
Sapphire nodded. "Indeed. We could use someone like him."
Lavender's smile faded a little. That wasn't quite what she had in mind.
"Have you seen our little sister Ruby around here? He's small, has red hair and brown eyes."
He shook his head.
"She doesn't want to be found, does she?"
Sapphire huffed. "This is useless!"
Hitsugaya circled around them keeping a lookout for other Soul Reapers. So far they were alone. But he could sense someone coming their way. "Someone's coming closer!" he warned.
"Then let's hurry this up." Sapphire raised her right hand and slammed her palm on Hanataro's forehead. He jolted back, eyes wide, before slumping down onto the ground. Before he had time to recover, Sapphire grabbed his jaw, demanding attention. "Look at me."
Hanataro opened his eyes and looked upon her face.
Lavender knew what this meant. The spell Sapphire had cast upon him was a spell of obedience. He was going to obey the orders of the first person he sees. There was no breaking it now. It was done. From this point on Hanataro would have no will of his own.
Sapphire knelt in front of him and gave him her instructions. "… And finally, you will do whatever I or my sisters tell you. That's one of them." She pointed to the girl at her side. "Her name is Lavender. You will do whatever she tells you, understand?"
He nodded. "Yes, mistress!"
Lavender looked away. She didn't want to hear him say that. He was nothing more than a mindless slave now. He would do nothing unless told to. Even his actions had to be predetermined by one f them. If he needed to rest, one of them had to allow it. When he would eat, when he would sleep and where, what to say, what to do… It all had to be given to him by one of them. He couldn't decide anything on his own anymore. It was the same as being dead and having your body hoisted up on strings like a puppet. It was a terrible fate. And worst of all, he had no idea what had happened to him.
Satisfied, Sapphire stood and looked to Hitsugaya and Lavender. "We have to look for ourselves. I can handle myself. Hitsugaya, you stay with Lavender and help her. Hanataro will search on his own as well. He will come when you call for him."
"Understood," Hitsugaya nodded.
Lavender didn't look at her sister, but she agreed anyway. It was for the best, right?
And so they searched the area. The Soul Society was much larger than any of them had expected. How were they going to find a little girl in all of this? But they had to try. For all they knew, Ruby might have been hurt somewhere or trapped.
Lavender walked beside Hitsugaya in silence. All these emotions kept stinging her like angry bees. She was worried about everyone, especially her little sister, she was scared of what they might run into here, and she was also feeling guilty about Hanataro.
But now she was even feeling guilty about Hitsugaya. In the short time they've spent together, she had gotten very close to him. She liked him a lot. She also thought he was rather cute. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye as they walked. The way he moved, the way his white hair brushed against his face as he moved his head looking in all directions. The way his aqua eyes seemed to sparkle and dance when he got excited. How light he was when he slept on her lap. His soft white hair was like touching a cloud and it smelled of freshly fallen snow. The purest it could ever be.
"Are you alright?"
"Huh?" She jolted back, realizing that she was just daydreaming about him. "It's nothing. I was just thinking."
"But your face is pink."
She put her hands to her face feeling her warm, blushing cheeks. Oh, no! She was blushing in his presence! She quickly turned away, embarrassed.
"Lavender?"
She could feel his strong hand on her shoulder. Such a strong, but soft touch. And his voice, soft like the wind but chilling as a winter's night. Yet it was so warm.
Her heart was pounding.
"I- I'm fine! Really!" She moved away from him. Yet another new feeling.
"If you're certain…"
She nodded, keeping her back to him. She couldn't let him look upon her blushing face. "I… I think we should split up here for a little bit, ok?"
"What? But it's my job to protect you and your sister told me to watch over you."
"But she also said that we should find Ruby and that is our priority, right?"
He didn't answer her.
"Pease do as I say. I'll call for you if I need help, ok?"
Silence, then…
"If that is what you wish."
When she turned, he was gone. She sighed, relieved. Her blush was gone.
Hitsugaya looked everywhere he could think of. On rooftops, on the streets, between cracks in buildings and anywhere else he could think of. No Ruby anywhere. He kicked the wall and put his hands on his hips. If he were a little hyper girl, where would he be?
He heard footsteps and turned. They were coming closer. Excited that it might be one of the girls, he hurried over. But was disappointed and angered once he realized that it wasn't either of them but instead it was a tall woman dressed in black. He skidded to a halt.
She looked at him with big pale blue eyes. "C- Captain?"
"You!" He jumped back and put hand on his sword.
Rangiku put up her hands defensively. "No, please! Don't do this, sir! Don't attack me!"
"Stop calling me that! I'm not 'sir' or 'captain'! I'm just Hitsugaya! And you're in my way!"
"Cap- I mean, Hitsugaya, please stop this! Why are you attacking me? I haven't done anything!"
"You're a Soul Reaper! That alone is your crime!"
"Huh?"
He unsheathed his sword. "I hate Soul Reapers!"
She was beginning to see the problem. "What are you talking about? You are a Soul Reaper."
"Lies! I am not a Soul Reaper nor will I ever be! I will never serve you!"
"But-"
He charged her.
She didn't raise her sword against him. She couldn't. Not when he was like this. He had no idea what he was doing. She had known that from the start. How could he? He would never do these things. She backed up, refusing to fight.
But he wasn't backing down. Hitsugaya brought his sword down and she shut her eyes.
Though she had never raised her sword, there was the unmistakable clang of two blades meeting each other echoing through the air.
She opened her eyes and saw Hisagi standing between them, his sword pushing back against Hitsugaya's.
"What are you doing?" Hisagi scolded her. "He could have killed you! Fight back!"
"No!" she shouted back. "There's something wrong with him! I can't attack him like that! Please! He's not himself!"
Hitsugaya increased pressure and forced Hisagi's sword back. Hisagi did the same and the two were locked in conflicting wills of strength. Neither one would back down.
"Hisagi, stop!"
The two looked up and saw Ichigo running up to them. Hitsugaya pulled back, happy to see him. Hisagi pulled his sword away, too, but not because Ichigo had told him to. He did it because Hitsugaya was acting very strangely; now he could see that.
"Ichigo!" Hitsugaya smiled. "You're here, too!"
The orange-hair boy slowed to a stop and forced a smile. He had to keep acting even if it killed him. He was still in his body, so Hitsugaya still had no idea that he was one of them. He had to keep up the act. "Yeah, I am. How's it goin'?"
Hitsugaya put away is smile and glared at the Soul Reapers around them. "Soul Reapers! Ichigo, you gotta help me beat them before it's too late!"
Hisagi looked at Ichigo. "Too late for what?"
Ichigo moved close to Hitsugaya. "I will, but first we have to do them a kindness."
"What? Be kind to Soul Reapers?"
"By that I mean at the very least they should know the reason for you killing them. Don't you think?"
"Duh! Because they're evil! That's why they must die! I have to kill them before they can kill again!"
Hisagi and Rangiku exchanged looks.
"Don't act all innocent!" Hitsugaya snapped. "It's because of you that my girls can't live in peace!"
The two looked at Ichigo for answers this time.
"The Three Treasures," he explained. "A long time ago, a few Soul Reapers came by and slaughtered their village, leaving only them alive. It kept happening after that, until no village would have them out of fear of being killed next. Those girls are the ones Toshiro protects. He's worried that you guys, being Soul Reapers, are going to try to kill the girls again."
"So that's why he thinks that Soul Reapers are evil?"
"But he's a Soul Reaper, too-"
"I am not! I am NOT, you filthy liars!" Hitsugaya shouted at them.
Ichigo lowered his voice to keep Hitsugaya from picking up everything he had to say. "He doesn't remember being a Soul Reaper because his memories have been rewritten. As far as he knows, he was brainwashed by the Soul Society into thinking he was one of them, but is actually the protector of The Three Treasures."
"I get it now," Rangiku murmured. "He thinks we're the enemy because of the brainwashing and now thinks that he serves those girls. But if that's the case, then…" She looked at her captain who was still staring back at her with vengeful eyes. "But things wouldn't add up."
"What are you talking about?"
Without moving from where she stood, Rangiku knelt on the ground and looked at him from this defenseless position. "How long have you been with them?"
"All my life."
"All of it? But then… What of your childhood? Do you remember that? Your family? Any of it?"
Suddenly numb, Hitsugaya lowered his sword. "Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Do you remember your childhood? Where did you live? Who did you live with?"
"W- with them, of course." He tried to act strong, but his fingers were losing their grip on the sword.
"You're favorite food? Your favorite toy to play with as a child? Do you remember any of that?"
Hitsugaya shook.
"Your bedroom? What did it look like? Your parents? You didn't just come out of nowhere."
"I… I…"
"Your grandmother. I met her. She took care of you. She loved you. When you left for the Soul Society, you said goodbye to her. Or don't you remember that either? You loved each other very much and I thought it was so sweet. Don't you remember?"
Hitsugaya's face contorted as if he were being stabbed by white hot pokers in the face and chest.
"Your tears? Don't you remember a time when you were sad? Happiness? Remember the joy? And your friends? What about Momo? You lived together, didn't you? She told me the things you wouldn't. She cares about you! And you care about her, too! I know you do, otherwise you wouldn't swear to kill anyone who hurts her! Remember that? Don't you?"
He reeled about, clutching his head and moaning. He felt as if his brain were pushing up against his skull. He staggered about before finally falling to his knees. Something wanted to get out. Something within him was screaming for control. He dropped his sword and clutched his head with both hands.
Hisagi looked at Ichigo. "I see your point. There is something wrong with him after all."
"You think the Head Captain will listen to us now?"
"Wroth a shot."
Rangiku inched closer to him. "Captain?"
He writhed, trying to suppress this feeling.
"Cap-"
"EEK!"
Everything stopped when they heard Lavender's scream from just a few streets away.
Hitsugaya grabbed his sword and jumped to his feet. "Lavender!"
Everyone took off after him down the street.
Off to the side of the road, they found Lavender standing on a crate, her left foot stuck in the wooden box up to her knee. She was struggling to free herself and failing. Hitsugaya jumped on the crate beside her.
"Are you alright?"
"No!" she cried. "I was trying to climb on the boxes, but it broke and I fell in and can't get out! It hurts!"
"Don't pull. Hold still." He took out his sword and started to cut around the jagged hole around her leg. Very carefully, he pulled her leg free from the box and set her down on the ground. He sheathed his blade and looked at her injury. She had been cut up pretty bad. There were several scrapes around her calf and a large cut below her knee, dripping fresh red blood down her leg and onto the street.
"It hurts…" she hissed with pain.
Hitsugaya looked around for something to bandage her leg with. When Hisagi came close, Hitsugaya threw himself over her with a growl.
Hisagi backed up. "Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you or anything. I was just trying to help was all."
"We don't need your help, Soul Reaper!"
"Toshiro…" She patted his back. "It's ok."
"But he-"
"Ok, fine. Look." Hisagi pulled out his swords and tossed it aside. "There, see? Now I have no weapon. I won't hurt you. I promise."
Hitsugaya didn't waver. He stood firm.
Lavender in the meantime was looking behind her at something. "Hanataro."
Sure enough, the Soul Reaper was moving closer to them, basket still enclosed in his hand.
Lavender reached out for him. "Hanataro, help me."
With a nod, he moved closer and sat down at her side. "Yes?"
She pointed to her bloody leg. "Please heal this."
"Yes." In moments, his hands began to glow a light blue color and placed them over her leg.
Ichigo and the others watched the display take place. Ichigo took one look at the normally clumsy and skittish Hanataro and knew at once that he was not himself. Usually he would get woozy around blood, but this time, he didn't even bat an eye. In fact, he was acting like a robot.
"Hey."
Lavender looked up.
"He's under a spell, too, isn't he?"
She looked away from Ichigo. That was her answer.
After a while, Hisagi worked up the nerve to approach. He took two steps towards them and that was when Hitsugaya once again threw himself between them, protecting the girl.
"I just want to talk."
Hitsugaya didn't believe him.
"Please?"
He growled.
"Toshiro…" Lavender touched his arm. "It's ok. Just a little closer."
He nodded and backed down.
Hisagi looked at her. Though she had allowed him to come closer, he could tell that she was still frightened to death inside. Despite her brave front, she was trembling. To show that he was completely harmless, Hisagi got down on his knees and sank to the ground, keeping his hands where they could be seen. Hitsugaya didn't even growl this time. The gesture must have been working.
As Hanataro worked, Hisagi spoke and Lavender listened.
"If you're not our enemy, then why have you come here?"
Lavender didn't meet his eyes. After a moment's hesitation she answered, "We're looking for my baby sister."
"We?"
"She has a big sister named Sapphire," Ichigo answered.
"I'm asking her!" Hisagi barked over his shoulder.
Lavender bit her lip. "He's right, though."
"But if that's the case, then why didn't you just ask for help?"
She looked away. She gave no answer.
"Please tell me. Maybe then I can help."
Her answer was like a faint whisper. "Because I'm scared… I'm afraid of Soul Reapers. I…" Tears welled up in her eyes. "… I… I don't want to die!"
Ichigo expected her to start crying at that point, but she didn't. She was fighting it back, never allowing her tears to spill over. She tried to remain strong. But her body shook, wanting to let it out.
"I don't want to die like the others! I'm scared! I'm afraid you'll kill me!"
Hisagi kept his voice gentle. "Why would I ever do something like that?"
"Because it's happened before!" her voice shook with emotion. "Soul Reapers attacked our village and killed everyone! I saw it all! I watched! At the next village it happened again! And again! Then our village was attacked by Hollows and you never came to save us! When we asked for help rebuilding and healing the injured, you did nothing to help but attacked us and finished the job! How can I not be afraid of you? How can my sister not hate you? Soul Reapers are the enemy!"
"Then why do you have him?" Hisagi pointed to Hitsugaya and then to Hanataro.
She hesitated to answer. "Because them we can control. They're at our command. They'll do as we say and never do anything to hurt us. And we need protection. That is why."
Hisagi sat there and watched her body shake with emotion, holding in her sobs. No matter how hard he tried, he knew he could never know how it felt to them. He had never suffered like that. He wasn't a young girl with two other sisters. Even if he were to see it through their eyes, it wouldn't be the same. Where others would simply roll their eyes and say 'oh, well, get over it', they didn't know how it felt. They could never know unless it happened to them. Then see how easy it was to 'get over it'. Some things are just too hard to let go.
Now he could see that they weren't the bad guys. They were just frightened little girls looking for their baby sister lost in a place that they feared. He understood what had to be done.
Hisagi inched closer and mustered up as kind and sweet look as he could and looked straight at Lavender. "I understand. And believe me; I'm not going to hurt you. I can see now that this was all a huge misunderstanding. I promise you, that I'm going to make this right."
This was the first time that she looked him in the eyes. They held nothing but truth. His words were from his heart. She believed him. She trusted him. This Soul Reaper was not like the ones who attacked them before. He was kind and meant what he said. He had a good heart.
But seeing him move closer, Hitsugaya protectively thrust an arm out to keep him from coming any closer. And just like before, Lavender stopped him. She put her hand on his elbow and forced his arm down. When he looked at her, he met her sweet, trusting eyes. She gave him a smile, assuring him that this was what she wanted. And so he backed down.
She reached for Hisagi's hand. He took it in his.
"If this is the truth," she told him. "Then I will not look upon you as a threat, but as an alley. Please… Please help us find our sister. That is all I ask. Won't you please do us that kindness? Once she is with us, we can leave and never have to return to this place again. We just want to find her."
Ichigo allowed himself a smile as he watched them.
To seal the promise, Hisagi wrapped his pinky around Lavender's. A pinky promise.
"I promise that I will help you in any way that I can. As long as you promise that you are not a threat yourself. We will not harm you if you do not harm us. Is that ok?"
Her hazel eyes, still sparkly with tears, danced. She smiled hopefully and nodded her head. After doing so, she lowered her head, hiding her eyes behind her bangs. "I… Never thought that I… would ever ask a Soul Reaper for anything again. Not after all that we…" She trembled. "I don't know what to say. I don't know… what to do. There has never been..."
Hisagi held her hand as she sniffled. She was a lot stronger than he had thought. She was sensitive, but strong. To hold in all this pain, all this emotion. He couldn't fathom what it must be like to ask help from a person who you feared and hated so much. It must have been hard for her to trust him, but she did.
"I promise I won't hurt you. I swear I'll help you."
She sniffled, still holding back the tears. "… I've never had the opportunity to thank a Soul Reaper before… But…" Her mouth struggled to form the words. "Thank-"
Before the words could come, before anyone could move, someone else had come to join them.
Everyone looked up and saw the eldest sister, Sapphire, standing just a few feet away from where they were on the ground. Had she been there just a few seconds earlier, she would have known that they had just agreed to help each other out. But instead all she saw was Lavender sitting on the ground with a bloody leg and a Soul Reaper's blade not too far away. In fact, the Soul Reaper had a hold of her sister's hand and she looked as if she were about to cry.
Her deep blue eyes widened in shock. Her breathing became shallow and quick.
"Sis… Sister…"
Hisagi looked from Lavender to Sapphire, unsure of what to think. But seeing Sapphire's hands curl into fists, he knew what it must have looked like.
She hadn't taken her eyes off the blood for an instant. She grit her teeth, unable to swallow her rage. "Damn you…"
Hisagi shook his head. "N- no. This isn't what it-"
"Get away from her! Get away from my baby sister, you bastard!" Sapphire screamed and tore down the street towards them. She slapped his hand away and cradled her sister in her arms. "How dare you touch her!"
"But sister, this isn't-"
She wouldn't hear it. Her mind was made up.
"I was only trying to help-"
Sapphire didn't let him finish. "Help her die, is that it? You wanted to finish the job, huh? What, killing our friends wasn't enough for you?"
"Big sis-"
Sapphire stood up, fists clenched. "Hitsugaya, this is an order! Take Lavender and get out of here! Hanataro, you follow them."
"But, sister, what about Ruby?"
"She isn't here. I just got word that she was taken to the World of the Living with two other Soul Reapers."
Hitsugaya hadn't moved yet.
"Are you deaf, Hitsugaya? I said get her out of here!"
"But sis-"
"NOW!"
Hitsugaya picked her up bridal style and carried her off. Lavender reached over Hitsugaya's should as if to pull herself back to where her sister stood, ready to square off against the Soul Reaper. "Sister! Sister!"
It wasn't long until they were out of sight.
Sapphire stood before Hisagi, eyes full of hatred and vengeance. Though aware of the treat, Hisagi didn't reach for his sword still lying on the ground. That would only prove that he was a threat. All he could do was stand and try to talk her down.
"I didn't do anything. I wasn't the one who hurt her. She slipped and-"
"Stop lying to me! I'm not so easily fooled!" She raised her right hand.
Rangiku moved closer. "Please, wait! He's telling the truth!"
"Like I'm going to believe a Soul Reaper!"
"But he-"
"I said shut up!" Sapphire charged, hand outstretched.
Unable to do anything else, Hisagi shielded the others from harm and took her palm to the forehead. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and fell motionless to the ground.
"Hisagi!"
As Sapphire moved to finish the job, another Soul Reaper came down from above. Rukia stood over Hisagi's body, her own sword raised and ready. Knowing when she was beat, Sapphire counted her loses and fled.
Ichigo knelt over Hisagi and shook him. "Hey, Hisagi! Can you hear me? Say something!"
Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked Ichigo in the face.
Ichigo let out a sigh. "Oh, thank God. She must've only knocked you out. Are you alright?"
Hisagi said nothing.
He grew concerned. "Hisagi?"
The Soul Reaper uttered one word and one word only.
"Master?"
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