Chapter 8


"So, are you ever going to explain what happened?" Unohana asked softly with a quick glance at Hitsugaya to make sure he was still asleep. "You only told me Jushiro had had a bad attack."

Shunsui eyed Unohana warily. "What else is there to say? He had a bad attack."

Unohana sighed. "You know what I mean, Shunsui."

Shunsui stared at his feet. "I made him laugh. And he overexerted himself and the consumption flared up. It was a bad attack, Retsu. Really bad. It's been a few years since he's had one this bad."

Unohana dark blue eyes softened. "It wasn't your fault, Shunsui."

"I know."

Unohana stood, carefully brushing off her skirt. "I'll be back in a moment." She walked quietly from the room and spent several minutes talking with a nurse outside.

"Blankets and a pillow for him," she said softly upon her return, gesturing at Hitsugaya. The young sophomore was curled up, sleeping, in the chair he had claimed since he had arrived in the room. "I have a feeling he'll be sleeping here tonight."

Kyoraku nodded. "Good thinking. Wouldn't want him to freeze to death, now, would we?"

Unohana smiled slightly and turned to greet the nurse who had slipped silently into the room holding a pillow and a thick white comforter.

"Thank you."

The nurse smiled as she handed the supplies to Unohana. "You're welcome. Goodnight." She half-bowed and left the room a silently as she had entered.

Unohana unfolded the blanket and tucked it around Hitsugaya, who unconsciously snuggled into it. She placed the pillow next to his head and carefully brushed dried tears from the corners of the young boy's eyes. She smiled as Hitsugaya hugged the pillow and snuggled deeper into the blanket.

'He's still just a kid,' Retsu thought as she straightened to an amused look from Kyoraku. "Yes, Shunsui?"

The man shook his head. "Nothing, nothing. It's just amusing to watch you treat him as if he's your own."

Unohana laughed softly. "He's lost without Jushiro's guidance."

Kyoraku nodded solemnly, looking to where Ukitake lay unconscious. "Did he talk to you? About his present for Toshiro?"

Retsu nodded. "Yes, he did. He thinks Hitsugaya-kun will accept his offer."

Shunsui looked between the unconscious form of his best friend and the sleeping one of his charge. "I imagine Toshiro will. They are both so alike. They both lost much at a young age."

Unohana nodded. "Right now the only thing we can do is support Hitsugaya-kun and hope for the best."

Shunsui grimaced. "Yeah. The attack was pretty severe though, and Juu's not as young as he used to be. I only hope he's strong enough to pull through. For both of their sakes."


Day 1

Hitsugaya was woken by the soft murmur of voices.

Three distinctly male. Three distinctly female. He could pick out Unohana's soft alto, and Kyoraku's deep bass, but the other four were unfamiliar.

One of the females was a soft soprano, while the other was a younger-sounding alto. The two male voices were both altos, but while one was spunky and slightly accented, the other was cool and calculating.

"Who is the boy?" The cool voice.

"He's Juu's charge." Shunsui's voice.

"I didn't know that Ukitake had taken in an orphan," the cool voice mused.

"Ha! Guess ya don't know as much as ya think you do, Byakuya!" The unruly alto this time.

"K-Kaien-dono!" the younger-sounding female voice yelped indignantly. "Don't disrespect Byakuya-nii-sama!"

"I'm not!" the voice that belonged to Kaien growled loudly.

Both of you, quiet down," the cool voice ordered. "This is a hospital."

"Yes, Byakuya-nii-sama. I apologize."

"Feh, whatever."

There was a long silence, broken only by the steady beeps of the machines that were measuring Ukitake's vitals.

"So, how bad was the attack?" It was Kaien.

"Pretty bad," said Shunsui gravely. "Doctor Yamada said it sent him into a coma, but Toshiro doesn't know that yet."

"Shunsui." Unohana's voice was quiet, but it caused the other talking to stop. "We're going to be late if we don't hurry."

"Yama-jii's used to me being late," Shunsui's voiced drawled lazily. "Besides, Nanao-chan'll cover for me until I get in."

"Shunsui." Unohana's voice was laced subtly with a dangerous tone of annoyance.

"Okay, okay, I was joking, sheesh," Shunsui sighed. "We'll be back after work. Call if anything major happens."

"Sure thing."

Hitsugaya peaked out of the covers and watched Shunsui and Unohana exchange goodbyes with the visitors.

"I expect we'll be in contact soon, Kyoraku-san," said the owner of the cool, formal voice. He was a stern-looking man with slate-colored eyes and bone-white tubes clamped to his jet black hair. He wore an expensively-tailored suit and tie as well as a silver-white silk scarf.

Standing beside him was a short girl who looked to be about fifteen. She was pale and had shoulder-length black hair that framed her face, with a stray bang settling between two dark purple-blue eyes. She was wearing a black pinafore over a baby-yellow blouse and was currently glaring at a man with spiky dark hair, dark blue eyes, and a tattoo on his lower left arm that started in a swirl near his wrist and ended with a jagged line near his elbow.

The man was dressed in jeans with holes ripped in the knees, sneakers, and a black t-shirt embossed with a rock slogan. A jean jacket with cutoff sleeves rested on his broad shoulders and he sported a wide but slightly lopsided grin as he talked to Shunsui about trivial things.

His hand was entwined with that of a beautiful woman with long dark brown hair pulled into a ponytail. She wore a knee-length black dress and high heels. A gold ring sparkled on her hand, and another ring graced the hand she was holding.

"Shunsui," Unohana repeated, a little more forcefully, breaking the conversation the long-haired man was having with the unruly-looking one.

Kyoraku sighed. "Coming, Retsu-chan."

The spiky-haired man looked around the room and caught Toshiro's eye. He winked.

Hitsugaya blinked, but when he looked at the man again, he was talking to his wife. But then the man turned and caught his eye again and grinned lopsidedly.

Histugaya scowled then sunk under the covers, not wanting to have his presence known.

'How did he know?' the boy wondered as he slowly drifted back to sleep. 'And why didn't he say anything to anybody? More importantly, who is he?'


Day 2

The man's name was Kaien Shiba.

Hitsugaya had learned this when the black-haired man had plopped down next to him on the second day of Ukitake's hospital stay. Byakuya and Rukia had left and Miyako, Shunsui, and Unohana had gone to work.

"Stop lookin' so depressed, dammit," Kaien drawled. "Ukitake'll be okay."

Hitsugaya eyed the man dubiously and asked timidly, "Are you sure?"

"'Course I'm sure," Kaien growled. "He always is."

"Really?"

"Yeah. So chill."

There was silence, filled only with the sounds of beeping coming from the many machines Ukitake was hooked up to. Kaien slouched in his seat and glanced at the soccer ball decal of Hitsugaya's bag.

"So, ya like soccer?"

Hitsugaya nodded absently. "Yeah."

"What position do ya play?"

"Foreword."

"You any good?"

"I guess."

Kaien grinned his lopsided grin. "C'mon, stop makin' my job hard and stop answering with one or two words!"

Toshiro flinched. "Sorry."

The man sighed. "What's your name, kid?"

"Hitsugaya Toshiro."

"Toshiro, eh?" Kaien raised an eyebrow. "White winter? Strong name."

"Thanks," Hitsugaya muttered. "What's your name?"

Kaien grinned widely. "Why, I'm glad you asked! Shiba Kaien, older brother to fireworks expert Shiba Kuukaku and an offensive player for the Gotei 13. Nice ta meetcha!"

Toshiro's eyes almost fell out of his head. "You're a professional soccer player?"

"Sure am!" Kaien grinned. "Why?"

"My friend said you were an assistant teacher for Ukitake-san," Hitsugaya said slowly.

Kaien rolled his eyes. "Oh, that. I taught for a year, but it wasn't my style and I got offered a contract to play for the Gotei and I couldn't resist. Rukia tells me you're good, as Renji's always houndin' you to join the team. I wanna see your skills, so you wanna play a game?"

A—a game?" Hitsugaya looked shocked. "Really?"

"Sure." Kaien grinned again. "I've got a ball out in m' car. We could get it and play a one-on-one game."

Hitsugaya glanced at the unconscious form of Uktiake. "But what about—"

"He's not goin' anywhere," Kaien said shortly. "If he wakes up, you'll be among the first informed. C'mon, let's play a game. If anything, it'll help get your mind off things."

Hitsugaya hesitated, torn. He sighed and said, "Fine. Let's play."

Kaien grinned. "Excellent. Let's go." They stood, and after a brief explanation to the nurse, went to retrieve a soccer ball.

There was a field next to the hospital and Kaien wasted no time in setting boundaries for the game field.

"The tree behind you is your goal, the tree behind me is my goal," he said. "Easy enough. You ready?"

"Y-Yeah," Hitsugaya stuttered, nodding.

"You start with the ball," Kaien said, throwing the ball to Hitsugaya. "It's only fair."

Toshiro caught the ball and carefully placed it on the ground. He had the ball, was dribbling it towards Kaien, but then it was gone, and he was kicking air. He turned and was shocked to see the ball already way past the tree Kaien had designated to be his goal.

Kaien was wearing a triumphant grin on his face. "From what Rukia said, I though you were better'n this. I guess I overestimated your abilities."

Hitsugaya felt his temper, already fraying with his worry for Ukitake, flare dramatically as he scowled. "Just give me the ball."

"Ooh, I like that face!" Kaien teased "Hit me with your best shot, Toshi!"

Kaien got back in place and threw Hitsugaya the ball. In seconds, Toshiro was gone, nothing but a white and black blur. He weaved past Kaien and stopped past the tree the pro was guarding. Hitsugaya glared defiantly at the black-haired player.

The pro raised an eyebrow. "Good, good. So you actually can play."

Hitsugaya silently fumed and he hurled the ball at Kaien. The pro caught it with ease.

"Let's see if you can steal it now," Kaien said, holding out the ball. "No boundaries. Just steal it from me, 'kay?"

Hitsugaya nodded. "Easy!"

Kaien grinned. "Glad you think so. Let's begin." And he was gone, streaking down the field, kicking the ball. Hitsugaya tore after him, catching up despite Kaien's head start and considerably longer legs.

"C'mon, you can do better'n that!" Kaien shouted as Hitsugaya tried, futilely, to get the ball. Kaien performed a sideways reverse pass that left Hitsugaya confused and disoriented.

"You've gotta watch the ball at all times!" Kaien ordered, pulling himself and the ball to a stop and kick-flipping the black-and-white-checkered sphere into his hands. "I'm surprised at your speed and agility though. You almost got me there!"

"I'm trying!" Hitsugaya spat through clenched teeth. He was doubled over, panting, while Kaien stood tall, breathing easy.

"You need to succeed," Kaien said shortly. "Want to try again?"

Toshiro nodded and pushed himself from his knees. "Let's go."

Kaien threw the ball and started after it, Hitsugaya in hot pursuit. They ran for a few moments, and then Kaien suddenly stopped and reversed passed it. Hitsugaya tried to steal, but he was too slow, and Kaien jogged away, dribbling the ball.

When Kaien returned to where Hitsugaya had stopped running, he was scowling. "I can't believe you didn't steal that! It was an easy steal!"

Hitsugaya frowned. "For you! You're too damn fast for me!"

"It doesn't matter!" Kaien said sharply. "The time when the ball's weakest is when it's being passed between players! You need to utilize that time, slow or not! C'mon, let's do it again."

"Fine!" Hitsugaya snapped. Kaien once again tossed the ball away and took off after it. Hitsugaya followed him closely, and Kaien once again reverse passed it. And, once again, Hitsugaya was too slow to steal it.

The young teenager flung himself onto the dead grass, too frustrated to think straight. Kaien returned with the ball, pity in his eyes.

"Hey, Toshi, lighten up. Ya did a good job, considerin' it was your first time up against a pro. Why don't we go inside? It's kinda nippy out here, ya know?"

Hitsugaya stood, too tired to argue, but had enough energy to mutter, "Wimp" under his breath. Kaien simply laughed and the two walked towards the hospital, Kaien dribbling the ball along the field.

Suddenly, Hitsugaya shot foreword and nabbed the ball as it was kicked away.

"Who says I can't steal anything?" he growled, wearing a grin of triumph. Kaien looked surprised, then started laughing seconds later.

"Kid, you're good!" he crowed, wiping tear from his eyes. "I might just like to play with ya again after this whole fiasco blows over."

Hitsugaya sobered slight and handed the ball to Kaien.

"I'd like to play with you, too, Shiba-san."


Day 3

Hitsugaya woke to quiet laughter.

He peered blearily over his covers to se what was disturbing him. Kaien, Shunsui, Rukia, and Byakuya were playing cards at the table in the corner of the hospital room. Miyako and Unohana were talking quietly as they watched the game's progress.

Shunsui had just cracked a joke; everyone, even the cool and stoic Kuchiki millionaire, was smiling to some degree, some more than others. Kaien's grin was the biggest; he said something that made Rukia blush, and Miyako reprimanded him with a few words and a mock-stern glare.

"Hey, he's awake!" Kaien had looked from his cards to see Hitsugaya peering owlishly over his cards. "Mornin' there, sleepy head!"

Hitsugaya blinked and rubbed his eyes. "Mornin', I guess."

"Care to join us?" Shunsui asked, gesturing at the table covered with playing cards.

Hitsugaya shook his head. "No thanks."

"Have it your way then." Shunsui turned back to the game and put a card on the table. "Twenty-one, Shiba. You're out."

As Kaien gave a dismayed cry, Hitsugaya turned and set his eyes on Ukitake. He still looked pretty horrible, but the color had returned somewhat to his face and his black circles had dramatically reduced.

His heart-and-breathing monitor beeped along steadily, and Hitsugaya watched his guardian's chest rise and fall slowly. The ends of Ukitake's hair were still tinted pink from the blood, but that was the only sign he had had an attack.

He looked so peaceful, and if Hitsugaya didn't know any better, he would have said his guardian was sleeping. But he wasn't, and Hitsugaya knew that.

He shifted his gaze to the window, where outside it was overcast and gray. The grass was brown and the trees leafless. It made Toshiro feel even worse to look at the barren landscape outside, so he turned is gaze o his backpack.

Time passed; Hitsugaya spent the entire morning staring at his backpack, tracing the soccer ball patch in his mind.

Finally, Kaien couldn't stand it.

"Hey, Toshi, stop bein' so depressed! Get out of your little emo corner over there and come join us!"

Hitsugaya snapped from whatever reverie he had been in and said loudly, a little too loudly, "I'm perfectly fine sitting over here and being depressed, thank you! Just leave me the hell alone, Shiba!"

There was a ringing silence and then a hoarse, "'Shiro-chan, stop being so negative."

Hitsugaya looked up. That wasn't the voice of any of the hospital room visitors. It could only be—

"Ukitake-san!" Hitsugaya jumped from his seat and rushed to the side of the hospital bed. Unohana and Shunsui were on their feet as well, but they kept their distance.

Ukitake looked up at his charge with heavy eyes. "Hey there, 'Shiro-chan. How's it going?"

Hitsugaya, all dignity abandoned, flung himself at Ukitake, hugging him tightly. Ukitake's eyes widened slightly, but he put an arm on Hitsugaya's back, holding him as the young boy sobbed.

"I'm sorry I scared you," Ukitake said softly.

Hitsugaya raised his head and smiled, even through the tears. "It's okay. Just please don't do it ever again!"

The whole room, including Ukitake and Hitsugaya, burst out laughing.


A/N: I'm baaaaack! With Life is a Ball goodness!!! Who's happy my computer is virus free?! I am!!! ((shot))

Ahem... right...

Anyway, after this there's only one more chapter to go, and then, (hold onto your hats, folks) THERE WILL BE A SEQUAL!!! ((cheersplz)) And it's going to be darker, have death, action and TONS of plot!!!! Oh yeah, and spoilers for the Arrancar, Hueco Mundo, and possible the Fake Karakura Town arc... Sorry.... But its mostly going to be names and stuff, nothing major... I hope...

And we get to see EVERYONE's favorite Espada! (I'm not telling who! You have to wait! =P) AND A familiar Hollow.... and there MIGHT be some ryoka action in there too! Actually, there's almost DEFINITELY gonna be some ryoka action....

and tons more characters are going to be introduced!!! So get your author alerts now while they're cheap! ((shot))

Oh and BTW to all you Kaien fangirls out there who squeed at this chapter, my beta, Kit, has claimed him as her own. xD

But YAAAAY, Uki is OK!!! I LURVED writing the end. xD

Now, turn to the penguin next to you, and give him a hug!!!! ((turns to Ichiberry and squeezes him tightly))

Ichigo: WTF?!?

((Let's go)) Erm, sorry, inside joke w/ my sister.... moving on...

My beta (the lovely Desert(dot)Moon) has beta'd both chapters, so next week I'll be updating the story one final time! Can't wait to see you there!!!

Reviews are like crack!!! Review so I can support my addiction!!!

-Love, Toasty