Thank you so much to all those who reviewed! You have made me so happy! From this chapter on, it will either begin or end, but mostly begin, with a POV from another character, in first person, because I want to try writing in that POV
Hope you enjoy this chapter!
In the Eyes of Another-Ukitake Jushirou
There have been many prodigious shinigami over the centuries. Though I do hope not to be arrogant when I say this, I must confess that I was proud to be among them. Kyouraku and I were two top students of our year. Even after becoming captains, we were regarded as two of the best, and we've even received invites to joining to Royal Guard, though we've declined.
It always interests me when another genius appears. I like to get to know them, knowing that they may turn cold and solitary from the gap between them and their fellows. It is not often, but every once in a while, a shinigami of unnatural talent would appear. And a few, I noticed, were oddly similar, and always appearing a few decades to centuries after the one before them has died. The funny thing is, they were all rumored to have the same zanpakutou, and it was the same person being reincarnated over and over again. Some say that it was a Heavenly Guardian.
Kyouraku only smiled mysteriously when I asked him once, over a 1000 years ago, when one of the "Heavenly Guardian" shinigami became my lieutenant, whether or not he believed in the legends. "We're too young to know," he'd said.
After the lieutenant's death though, there was no longer any doubt in my mind that the legend was true. That display just before his death of unrivaled power was enough to convince all witnesses.
When I first met Hitsugaya Toushirou in the academy, I was quite shocked. It felt as if it was a mixture of all the past "reincarnations" fused into one was staring at me. I marveled at the young one's skill, and his careful analysis of me even while he appeared to be doing nothing. Even if Yamamoto-soutaichou hadn't wanted me to keep an eye on him, I would have liked the boy in my division. And the fact out names sounded so similar was merely another minor thing that made me attached to him.
There have been many geniuses in the past, but I've never met one with the skill and potential I sensed in that young boy. Perhaps that was why he seemed so lonely.
When I saw his zanpakutou, it made rather painful memories rise up, especially when feeling the familiar cold reiatsu emanating from the blade. The boy had seemed sad, and rather confused on something at the time. His eyes were dull, and he looked broken by something. It seemed to have something to do with his zanpakutou. I offered him some advice, and I think he's better now. He seems to be content with being named the fifth seat.
I wonder though, how will he fit in with the other shinigami?
Part Seven
Seireitei was like a large, round city, filled with ordered streets and many similar buildings, all mostly made from white tiles and stone, which seemed to emphasize it's name, the Court of Pure Souls, though it oddly contrasted the black that shinigami were dressed in. The divisions were placed in a circle around the perimeter of Seireitei, with all the odd numbered divisions on the west side, and even divisions on the east, and the first division naturally in the center north of the circle (note: I don't know if this is the layout, but it's a diagram that I found online, so please bear with it!). Therefore, it would take quite a bit of time just walking to reach some other divisions, and since no one could be spared (meaning they've all come up with excuses to do other things), Toushirou was given the task to deliver paperwork to the sixth, eighth, and tenth.
"Don't complain, we've all been there," Kaien grinned down at the scowling boy as he handed him the stacks of papers.
"I wasn't," the boy said as he turned and walked away, ignoring Kaien's chuckle.
He'd never been to these parts of Seireitei, having only gone as far as the academy. He'd only ever seen some of the divisions on the west side. It had been months since he joined the thirteenth division, yet he had barely ever left the division. He knew that division as well as he knew his old home in Rukongai now, but other divisions were a mystery to him. He hurried on his way past the twelfth, after hearing some other shinigami tell rather terrifying tales of the captain and his reputation to experiment on anything that was out of the ordinary, which immediately put Toushirou in danger of the captain's ways.
He decided to deliver the papers for the sixth first, since they were the heaviest, and Kaien had, for whatever reason, warned him that on no account should he wrinkle or stain them. He'd rather get them off his back.
As for Hyourinmaru, he was content to just rest himself that day. There was no need for flight, and the only things happening were the tedious chores known to all shinigami. To amuse himself, he watched the other shinigami as Toushirou walked through the streets of Seireitei. Many heads turned and were put together as he went by. Most of the Gotei 13 had heard at least a fleeting rumor about the child prodigy.
Toushirou avoided most of their gazes, so he was rather surprised when he felt someone's reiatsu follow him, and turned to see the girl from the Kuchiki family he'd seen on his first day.
"Hitsugaya-san," she said, nodding slightly, a sign of respect of a lower-ranked shinigami to her superior. The gesture took Toushirou by surprise. Until now, he hadn't fully registered the fact that being fifth seat meant that he had subordinates. The thought seemed almost laughable, for the other shinigami were much older than he. Still, he nodded back. "You're Kuchiki…"
"Rukia. Kuchiki Rukia. Are you going toward sixth division? I was heading that way myself. If you like, I could help you carry the papers."
Toushirou nodded his thanks. It was strange, but Rukia didn't seem to want to shun him and talk in whispers behind his back. In fact, the few times he'd seen her in his past few months, She had always been quite alone, and also an object of gossip. Perhaps being a noble had separated her from other people, much like how Toushirou was isolated.
Reaching the sixth, they handed the papers to a shinigami there. They were told that the captain was not there. Rukia nodded solemnly, avoiding the shinigami's eyes as they kept darting furtively toward her. She bid Toushirou goodbye and wandered off.
Now for the eighth. Kaien had mentioned a little about Kyouraku Shunsui, captain of the eighth, stating that it was easier to see for himself. Toushirou couldn't help but wonder whether that was a good or bad thing.
The eighth division started out looking quite ordinary. However, he'd barely gone a few steps into the division grounds when a loud, causal voice called out, "Well, well, what do we have here? A visitor?"
Toushirou turned toward the reiatsu. Before seeing the man, he'd already deemed that this was a skilled officer, for he was able to conceal his reiatsu so well Toushirou couldn't even sense him. However, the person he saw was quite far from what he'd expected.
A man strode toward him. He wore a straw hat and a pink flowery women's kimono as a sort of cloak. He had a grin plastered over his face, and a light waft of sake reached the boy's nose. Toushirou's first impression was that this was one of those drunks he'd once seen returning to the division late in the night. Yet the man's eyes were alert, and as he moved, the boy noticed that his underneath his ridiculous kimono, there peeked out a bit of pure white cloth, indicating a captain's haori.
"Kyouraku-taichou?" Toushirou chanced. The man grinned. "That's me! You must be Juu-chan's new officer, Hitsugaya Toushirou! He talked about you."
Toushirou bowed politely, but his eyes were questioning. "Who?"
"Ah, of course, you'd know him as "Ukitake-taichou". Juu-chan and I go far back. Anyhow, why are you here?"
Toushirou remembered his paperwork, and quickly held out the stack for the eighth. The captain's face fell and he said in a dramatic voice, "But of course! Even my dear friend wants to torture me with that horrid paperwork! And I thought Nanao-chan was the only one to be so cruel!"
If Kyouraku had expected Toushirou to laugh, or at least ask who "Nanao-chan" was, he was mistaken. The boy's face did not change in the slightest, and he merely said steadily, "They are important papers. You should take a look at them, Kyouraku-taichou."
Though the captain's face remained in dramatic anguish, his eyes now regarded the boy sharply, an act the boy did not miss. He saw Kyouraku take in carefully his odd appearance, and knew that he must be feeling his reiatsu. His grin suddenly widened, as if something amused him. "Ah, white hair, turquoise eyes, icy reiatsu. Juu-chan was right."
Toushirou was confused by his words, but kept his pace impassive. "Kyouraku-tai-"
"Taichou!" came a sudden irritated voice that snapped at the two shinigami like a whip. Toushirou jumped, and Kyouraku's head snapped to the side, a look of adoration and sheepish guilt stealing over his features. Toushirou followed his glance, and was at first confused by what he saw. Surely a person like the woman walking toward them now couldn't provoke such a reaction in a captain? She was slender, with a pair of glasses perched on the bridge of her nose. She was wearing the standard shihakushou, though Toushirou did not miss the badge strapped to her left arm. Yet she only carried a thick book tucked under one arm that seemed the only truly threatening thing about her appearance. (After all, who'd want to be hit over the head by such a book?) Still, as she strode toward them now, a stern and angry light in her eyes, Toushirou could hear Kyouraku laugh nervously.
"Nanao-chan! What a splendid thing to see you here?"
Nanao's expression did not change. "So this is where you've been. Frolicking with a younger officer instead of doing your paperwork?"
Toushirou would have liked to snap at the comment, but something about the woman's aura stopped him. Kyouraku waved a hand at her, "but it's not just any officer! It's-"
"I know perfectly well who he is, taichou. And, from the looks of it, he has more paperwork for us, which just adds to the five piles still waiting on your desk?" Nanao said, fixing her glasses with a free hand, which caused it to reflect the sunlight and block out her eyes.
Kyouraku tried to appear cool, an act that was failing tremendously. "Now, Nanao-chan, every man needs his rest…"
"You have more "rest" than any other captain of the Gotei 13. Now, take the paperwork, and do it like the respectable captain you're suppose to be!"
She snatched the paperwork from Toushirou's arms and pushed them into Kyouraku's chest. Kyouraku staggered, a pout on his lips, but his eyes were twinkling in amusement. "How cruel, Nanao-chan!"
One last glare from the furious eighth division lieutenant silenced his protests. Mumbling, he walked off, calling over his shoulder, "It was nice meeting you, Toushirou-kun!"
He walked off, his gait not the smooth stiff one stereotypical of captains, but a slow, casual one. Nanao turned to Toushirou. "Please excuse my captain. He's rather childish at times. My name is Ise Nanao, lieutenant of the eighth division. Now, if you will excuse me," she made to leave. Toushirou quickly bowed to the woman, and watched her leave. She was the opposite of her captain, walking stiffly and properly.
Toushirou paused for one last second, and then made to leave.
Hyourinmaru chuckled to himself. Kyouraku was a strange man. He himself had no strong memories of the man, but knew that the man must have been there last time. After all, he had seemed to recognize Toushirou for what he was. "That was interesting, was it not?" he called up to his master.
Toushirou shook his head to himself. You'd think that a captain would be more mature, he spoke through his thoughts, and Hyourinmaru couldn't help but feel a jolt of joy at Toushirou's willingness to converse with him again.
"Perhaps. He may just be doing that as an act. You should be glad that you've met two captains already. Many are lucky to occasionally glimpse these individuals. But then again, you are of high enough seat to see them more."
Toushirou looked up at the sky. Maybe. I have yet to see what makes them so special, like Hinamori said.
"Oh my goodness!" a sudden loud squeal cut off his thoughts. Toushirou blinked, and registered that he was in the tenth, his feet having carried him here while he was lost in thought. He had only time to see the kanji "ten" printed on a nearby building before his vision was completely obscured, as his face had just been unceremoniously shoved into another's chest. His instant reaction was to struggle, but two arms clamped down on his body, pinning him in place, and effectively knocking the papers from his hands in the process. "It's you!"
"Mmrph!" Toushirou pounded his fists uselessly against the person that help him prisoner.
"Ran-chan, let the poor boy breath," came another amused voice.
The arms holding Toushirou loosened, and Toushirou leapt back immediately, gulping in much needed air, and trying to focus his vision. A smudge of strawberry blond hovered in his vision. He blinked, and it became the hair of a rather pretty, and well-endowed woman. She looked oddly familiar…
"It's you!"
"That's what I said!"
"Did I miss something?" asked the third voice.
The woman turned to an unfamiliar man who stood leaning against the nearby building. He was a rather burly man, with rather unremarkable features, yet at the same time, his appearance was not one that was easily forgotten. He was rubbing his stubby chin with a thoroughly mischievous glint in his eyes, and they way his hair stood up made him seem almost seem crazed. He was wearing a captain's haori rather carelessly, and seemed much too casual for a captain, even more so than Kyouraku had. "Taichou! This was the boy I told you about! The one I met in Rukongai with the big reiatsu!"
The man regarded the boy, while helping him pick up his fallen papers. "Really? You never said that he was so cute!"
Toushirou, who disliked being called cute in any circumstance, and especially by strangers, twitched and felt the temperature suddenly go down slightly. "Isshin-taichou, I presume?" he said stiffly, and unable to keep the annoyance from his voice. Kaien had mentioned that the man liked being addressed by his first name for whatever reason.
"Easy there," the man said, patting his shoulder. "You don't want to go losing control of your reiatsu like that. From what I heard, you have one scary reiatsu for a kid so young. You're new to the Gotei 13?" he questioned. The boy nodded.
"Oh, so you're back," Hyourinmaru suddenly heard from behind him, distracting him from his silent observation of Toushirou's encounter with the tenth division officers. His head turned to fix upon a large feline crouched delicately upon his ice plain. She had all the litheness of a panther, and all the power of a lion in her body. Her fur was an ashy grey mixed with auburn, and her eyes were a bright green. She had a mischievous look about her as she regarded the icy spirit. Why does everyone always intrude in my inner world, he thought to himself, growling.
"Hey there, are you just going to growl at me like you did last time?" the cat purred.
"Haineko," Hyourinmaru said shortly, annoyed at her intrusion. "I'm guessing you belong to that woman that Toushirou met."
"Ooh! So you're smart too! Yep, that old hag is my so-called master. Sad, isn't it?"
Hyourinmaru turned away. "I have no opinion," he growled.
"Aww, you're so cold! Can't you say a hello after seeing me for the first time in years?" the feline prowled closer to the dragon, trying to ignore the way cold rolled off of him and seeped through her thick coat.
"Hello."
"You're no fun!" Haineko complained. "Didn't you miss me at all?"
"Not in particular," Hyourinmaru replied.
"Why should he miss you?" came another voice, accompanied by the sound of bells. Suddenly, the girl that was Tobiume materialized. Hyourinmaru closed his eyes at the thought of more intrusion. "He probably didn't even remember you until now!"
"Shut up, you brat! What would you know about it! And just because your master is friendly with mine does not give you permission to speak to me!"
"You think I came to talk to you? I only came here because Hyourinmaru-san might be annoyed at you."
Hyourinmaru was surprised at the irritated tone of Tobiume's voice. He'd never thought her to be one who got annoyed at anything, as she always seemed so cheerful.
"Oh, trying to warm yourself up to him now, are you?"
Tobiume was about to answer, but Hyourinmaru beat her to it. "Enough! If you two need to argue, do it in your own worlds, not mine," he roared. His voice caused the plain of ice to shake slightly, and the two female spirits to jump. Tobiume laughed nervously, bowed, and vanished. Haineko was quick to follow, not wanting to be victim of the dragon's anger.
Hyourinmaru sighed, watching his breath disperse in the air. The other spirits could be so tiring at times.
Something wrong, Hyourinmaru? Toushirou's voice cut into is thoughts.
"No, nothing," Hyourinmaru replied.
Toushirou nodded to himself. He turned back to the shinigami who were watching him. The woman was watching him expectantly, as if waiting for something. "I'm sorry, did you say something?" he asked politely.
"I said that my name's Matsumoto Rangiku, third seat of tenth division, and this is Isshin-taichou. What's your name, kid?"
"Don't call me kid," Toushirou snapped instinctively, but answered her questions. "My name is Hitsugaya Toushirou, fifth seat of the thirteenth division."
"Oh wow! That's amazing! Fifth seat already, and you're just out of the academy! Do you know how unfair that is?" Matsumoto crossed her arms (Toushirou avoided looking anywhere near her chest), and had a fake look of annoyance.
Isshin laughed. "Aww, Ran-chan! But you'll be lieutenant soon! And then you can boss all the other poor new recruits around!"
Matsumoto grinned a mischievous grin. "Oh yes. I shall enjoy doing that."
Toushirou decided that he didn't want to know how she was going to do that. He tried to excuse himself, but Matsumoto grabbed him and said, "Not so fast! I have some questions for you!"
"What do you want?" he snapped.
"Well, I met this officer of Aizen-taichou's. I think she knows you. I don't know, because she mentioned someone like you, but called them-"
"Shiro-chan!"
Toushirou's head whipped around as the cheerful brown-haired girl ran toward him. "Hinamori! I told you not to call me that!"
"Sorry! Old habits die hard, ne, Shir- I meant Hitsugaya-kun?" she said, smiling so widely it seemed that her face wouldn't be big enough for her smile.
Toushirou would have liked to retort, but at that moment, both Matsumoto and Isshin burst into fits of unseemly laughter. "Shi…Shir…Shiro-chan?" Matsumoto choked out between giggles, while Isshin roared with laughter.
"I thought it suited him," Momo spoke, unsure of what to make of the two shinigami's laughter.
"Oh it suits him all right," Isshin said, grinning.
Hyourinmaru couldn't help but chuckle slightly as he felt Toushirou heat up slightly in embarrassment.
Not you too! Toushirou complained.
"I'm sorry, Toushirou. It is just amusing to watch them like this." Hyourinmaru spoke, amusement clear in his voice.
That's just great. Now no one will ever call me by my real name.
Hyourinmaru sensed a slight bitterness to the young shinigami's words. He calmed. "Do not worry, Toushirou. They call you that out of endearment. They do not disrespect you."
Toushirou said nothing. He directed his annoyed eyes at the three other shinigami. "Oi, I don't have all day to fool around with you!" he snapped. Momo stopped laughing and her eyes took on a more excited glint. "Shiro-chan, guess what? I just got promoted again! Fourth seat of fifth division! Isn't it great?"
Toushirou blinked, surprised. "Really?"
Momo nodded excitedly. "And now we are finally on more equal footing, ne, Shiro-chan?"
"How's fourth seat equal to fifth seat? And don't call me that!" Toushirou snapped. The tenth division shinigami were still chortling, but have finally calmed.
"Well, with your genius, you can catch up in no time, right? Anyways, I came here to deliver a message. Aizen-taicho says that he wants to meet with you!"
For some odd reason, Toushirou noticed Isshin's smile suddenly wipe off his face and his eyes grew serious. He was scrutinizing the two of them with a thoughtful and piercing gaze. Toushirou pretended not to notice. "He does?"
"Yes! You should be proud that a captain wants to meet you!"
"Why the hell would he want to meet with me?" Toushirou frowned. He didn't like how Isshin's gaze was still fixed on him, a sort of knowing gaze in his eyes.
"Well, I think that…he was curious, because I kept talking about you," Momo said, laughing sheepishly. "But it will be really cool! Please come tomorrow!"
Toushirou deliberated for a moment. "I'll ask Shiba-fukutaichou or Ukitake-taichou. I was suppose to help oversee training tomorrow…"
Momo gave him a quick hug, which shocked him so much that he couldn't react. He did not like how Matsumoto looked like she was going to burst from laughter again at his face. "Thank you! I'll see you tomorrow!"
And with that, she dashed off. "Oi, I didn't say I'll be there!" he yelled after her, but she just waved. "Tch, she never changes," he muttered to himself.
"So, I heard that you two were childhood friends, right, Shiro-chan?" Matsumoto spoke. Toushirou's head snapped to her, and he narrowed his eyes. "Don't call me that," he hissed, and felt the temperature drop slightly. Matsumoto only laughed, and patted him on the head. "Well, you go on now! Come and visit again soon!"
She gave him a small push, but Toushirou glared at her coldly. "I can walk on my own, thanks. And here," he held out the papers, which were slightly crinkled from their fall (and Isshin had tried to discreetly pass to him earlier, as if hoping he wouldn't notice it), "This is paperwork for your division that I came to give you," he added coolly before turning on his heel and marching away. As he did, he distinctively heard Isshin say, "Damn, I was hoping he'd forget about those."
As soon as he walked into the thirteenth, Toushirou noticed that one reiatsu was out of place. He was heading toward the captain's office to see if he could find either Kaien or Ukitake. But he could feel immediately that there was another reiatsu, a very powerful one that was surely a captain's. It made Toushirou feel slightly weak, but he let loose some of his own reiatsu to counter it and felt slightly better.
He deliberated, and decided to wait outside the office politely. He amused himself by gazing into the garden outside the office, and the leaping koi.
He did not have to wait long before the door suddenly slid open. He whipped his head around, and his eyes immediately met a pair of cool, grey ones. They belonged to a man with dark hair, and white kenseikan in it, a sign of nobility. He wore a captain's haori, but Toushirou couldn't see the kanji on the back to tell him which division he was from. A pure white silk scarf that was obviously very expensive sat on his shoulders. The other showed no surprise at seeing him there, only narrowed his eyes slightly at him. "Why are you here?"
Toushirou quickly bowed, wondering. Who could this man be? "I was just looking for Ukitake-taichou or Shiba-fukutaichou," he spoke evenly, lifting his head to gaze back at the man. The man frowned at his boldness, but made no comment. "Did you have to wait right here?"
"Oh come now, Kuchiki-taichou," Kaien's voice suddenly drifted from inside the room. "Hitsugaya meant no harm. I bet he just sensed our reiatsu here and decided to wait, ne?"
Toushirou nodded, his mind taking in the new information. Kuchiki. This man was a member of the Kuchiki family? Just like Rukia?
"Byakuya-kun, are you sure you will not change your mind?" Ukitake now walked to the door, his face solemn. The man, Kuchiki Byakuya, turned toward him. "I don't think so, Ukitake-taichou. Now if you'll excuse me," he gave Toushirou one last look, a look of almost challenge, which the boy held. Toushirou bowed politely, and Byakuya swept away. He watched as he moved away, and saw the kanji "six" printed on the back of his haori.
Hyourinmaru was rather surprised at the boy's boldness. Most people, he knew, would stutter and blunder in the presence of nobility, especially people of the Kuchiki family, and especially in the presence of such a powerful member. However, Toushirou kept cool, just as he had when Yamamoto had scrutinized him when he applied for the academy.
He started slightly when the faint scent of sakura suddenly hit his sharp senses. A delicate pink petal floated across his vision. He blinked. Sakura couldn't exist in his inner world. Not unless…
"So, we meet again," a deep, serious voice spoke. It held a sort of regal politeness, and was a voice that spoke of dignity and power. Hyourinmaru turned to face another intruder to his inner world. This time, the intruder was not a young woman with golden bells, nor a large ashy cat, nor playful twins. It was man that held himself with dignity found only among the aristocracy, yet at the same time, he was not haughty. He was dressed in rather fine clothing and armor, and he stood upon the ice plain as if it were nothing at all. However, a dark mask with a rather frightening face sat over what Hyourinmaru knew to be quite delicate features. This was a warrior, but a warrior with deadly grace and power. Cherry blossoms danced in the pale pink reiatsu that surrounded him, yet instead of making him seem docile, it somehow made him more dangerous.
Hyourinmaru remembered him.
"Senbonzakura,' he spoke. The other inclined his head. "It has been a millennia or more, Hyourinmaru. I see you have found your master again."
"No, he has found me," Hyourinmaru replied, folding his wings and relaxing slightly. Senbonzakura didn't answer, but Hyourinmaru sensed that the man was smiling beneath his mask. "Tell me," Hyourinmaru asked. "Was that man, Kuchiki Byakuya, your master?"
Senbonzakura nodded and stepped forward slightly. "Yes."
"He does not seem to like Toushirou much," Hyourinmaru commented.
"He neither likes or dislikes him. Byakuya has no opinion as of now. As long as the boy does not get on his bad side, he cares not."
Hyourinmaru hissed in amusement. "And do you share the same attitude toward me as Kuchiki Byakuya does toward Toushirou?"
Senbonzakura did not answer directly. "Times are changing. I feel that your return to our ranks is a mark of something to come. I would not to so foolish as to alienate you. Besides, I have my honor. I will not turn my back on my comrades. Only be warned that if you do get in the way of my honor, I will not hesitate to attack you, no matter what standing you have."
Hyourinmaru bowed his head for a moment to better survey the man. "You have not changed. You speak of me so highly, and I am merely the zanpakutou of a fifth seat officer."
"Do not pretend to be humble, Hyourinmaru. I know that you have much more power than you show. It will not be long before we are on more perfect footing. I do hope not to have an enemy, but rather a friend in you. But until the time comes when we can be put beside each other and be proclaimed of as in the same class, we remain distant," Senbonzakura spoke.
"I look forward to that time coming then. I admit that comradeship with you is more than desired. I would not want to fight you," Hyourinmaru said.
"The feeling is mutual. I will take my leave now. Perhaps we will speak again soon."
And he left, taking with him the last of the sakura scent.
Hyourinmaru was silent as Toushirou was as he watched his shinigami travel the path down the fifth division ground toward Aizen's office. Ukitake had deemed it okay for him to miss the training session. ("I see Aizen-taichou still has an interest for every single genius that appears. Go ahead, Hitsugaya-kun. It will be an interesting meeting, I'm sure," Ukitake had said.) The captain had requested that Toushirou bring his zanpakutou, as he'd like to see him train, curious as to his skill.
I'm tired of this. If everyone wanted to just see for sure that my zanpakutou's not a fake or something, can't they just come out right and say it? Toushirou said, irritated.
Hyourinmaru chuckled, knowing that there are more than a few that knew of the legend of the Heavenly Guardian, and wanted to see some proof for themselves. "I presume that they just want to see your skill after all the rumors."
Toushirou suddenly stiffened. Rumors?
Hyourinmaru quickly backtracked. "The ones of your battle in Rukongai. I'm sure that few achieve shikai on the spur of the moment like that, and so quickly."
Toushirou nodded, and, as much as he tried to hide it from Hyourinmaru, the dragon could still sense his agitation, and said as softly as possible, "Do not worry. I am sure that Central 46 has covered up what happened there very well. You can be sure that it is known to nearly no one."
Toushirou nodded, his eyes glazing over slightly from pain. Should I be glad that no one knows of what happened, or angry that no one will remember Kusaka?
"Child, you remember him. As long as you remember him, Kusaka Sojiro's memory lives on."
The white-haired boy nodded, and couldn't say anymore, for at that moment, he arrived at the captain's office. "Come in," a voice called out before Toushirou had knocked more than once.
The boy pushed the door open. He bowed on the threshold, and straightened, observing the man before him politely.
So this is Aizen, the man that Hinamori practically idolizes, he thought to himself. "Aizen-taichou," he greeted politely. The man seemed quite unremarkable. He had wavy auburn locks of hair that framed a kindly face. Large square glasses was perched on a very straight nose, and in front of a pair of warm brown eyes. He smiled kindly. "Hello Hitsugaya-kun. I'm terribly sorry to pull you away from your duties. My officer has just spoken so much of you that I cannot help but be intrigued."
Toushirou nodded stiffly. He couldn't decide whether or not he liked this man. He was unthreatening, and quite kind, yet Toushirou had yet to see what made him so powerful and special.
Aizen eyed his zanpakutou slightly. Toushirou saw the man's eyes widen slightly, and then gaze with an almost excitement at it. "So it was true, the rumors! Ah forgive me, I am getting ahead of myself. But I was so in shock when I heard you your success, and couldn't quite believe my ears."
Toushirou nodded, unsure of how to answer.
"I wonder, may I perhaps take a look at your zanpakutou?" Aizen asked politely. Toushirou deliberated for a moment, and, seeing no reason to refuse the man, handed over his zanpakutou.
This time, Hyourinmaru decided to visit the man's zanpakutou himself. He too was rather curious about this man, and wanted to know more.
Yet, even as he tried to enter the other zanpakutou's inner world, he felt…odd…numb, almost, as if something was freezing his senses.
Stop…whoever you are…it's no use. My inner world is not one to be entered. A voice suddenly rang out. It was soft, and almost hypnotic, and Hyourinmaru was not able to tell from the whispery murmur even the gender of the zanpakutou. "Who are you?" he called out.
I am Kyouka Suigetsu. You are…
"Hyourinmaru."
Ah, I see. It makes sense, then, his sudden craving to meet this Hitsugaya.
Something about the way that Kyouka Suigetsu spoke made Hyourinmaru feel a wave of unease. "What do you mean?"
Watch over your shinigami, Hyourinmaru.
Hyourinmaru felt unease rise. He hissed between his teeth, but the other spirit took no notice.
The mists dance with the flow of the wind, changing shape. Shrouded in mist, one can never tell whom that figure you see is. Illusion becomes reality, and reality illusion. Truth will be lost among lies. Be careful.
The voice faded away. Hyourinmaru shook himself. Kyouka Suigetsu spoke in an almost sort of riddle. Was it a sort of warning?
He watched now as Aizen spoke to Toushirou. "Hitsugaya-kun, I thank you for letting me see your zanpakutou. Before we go out and do some training, there is something I wish to speak to you about."
Toushirou raised an eyebrow, but inclined his head politely for Aizen to go on.
"You and Hinamori are good friends?" Aizen asked. Toushirou nodded, confused on why Aizen was asking him this. Aizen sensed his confusion and explained. "Forgive me, I just wanted to ask you to watch over her. I am quite fond of her, and I would hate for something to happen to her."
Toushirou bristled slightly at the man's words. Doesn't he know that Toushirou has always done that?
Aizen noticed the action, and said kindly, "Do not be offended, Hitsugaya-kun. I'm sure you already do what I ask of you. Hinamori-kun also prides herself in her care for you. I just have feelings of unease. I have a feeling that something sinister may be not too far in the future. It will be good to keep those who you trust close."
Toushirou stared at the man, trying to decide whether or not the man was merely trying to be funny, though it didn't seem that way. His eyes were serious, and filled with a sort of…weariness of a man burdened with too many secrets. The boy nodded.
As for Hyourinmaru, he felt a chill run down his frozen body. Several words of the past came to mind.
Illusion becomes reality, and reality illusion.
You return is a mark of something to come.
One day, another evil will come. Because of that, I will be back.
Three different souls, all speaking of the same thing. Could it be possible that the Guardian's prediction will come true? Could it be possible that with the rise of this reincarnation, that the evil that she had prophesized will come this time?
Something worse than the hollow invasion of last time? Senbonzakura thought so. Kyouka suigetsu implied so. Aizen felt so. The Heavenly Guardian had told him so.
As Hyourinmaru watched Toushirou leave the office now with Aizen to go to the training grounds, he felt a jolt of fear and panic. Toushirou was only a boy, a child, with powers still underdeveloped. He was not ready for this.
Hyourinmaru gnashed his teeth. No, he will not fail this time. He will make sure the boy will be equipped to survive.
He could only hope that this malevolence looming in the future would wait to show itself. Then, he could prepare Toushirou for the day his destiny overtakes him.
Ooh, Aizen and Kyouka Suigetsu are mysterious, ne?
Haineko, I used to think that she was a cat, so…I'll go with that. It's not like all the zanpakutou are always in human forms. Some have both, and some only human forms. I'm assuming they can all assume a human form due to the recent anime arc, so I hope that you'll put up with it. Of course, this means that some zanpakutou may actually have an anime form, which will be revealed later (and of course, it won't be canon, but be what I thought or wish were their spirits). As for Senbonzakura, well, I used to think that Senbonzakura was female, and I still do wish he was sometimes, but he will be male in this story, unless some people protest strongly.
Hope you enjoyed that chapter. I'm sorry for the lateness. Review? Please? I beg of you! I would be very grateful *nodnod*
