ONE WEEK LATER
"Captain Yamamoto, I request permission to join team Hitsugaya in the living world. I know we are already short in high ranking shinigami, but it is inevitable that if the enemy were to attack, which I suspect they will within the next few weeks, it would be in the living world, not soul society. As chief war strategist, it will be impossible to successfully carry out my duty without experiencing battle against our opponents first hand."
"Permission granted, Captain Nuyaka. I will make all of the necessary arrangements. I suspect you've already made preparations to make sure you're squad will be in working order during your leave?"
"But, of course. Kagame will be acting as squad fourteen captain. He is more than qualified."
"Alright, and you will be staying for one battle and returning."
"Well, lets not jump to conclusions. We cant be sure how this will pan out, but yes, if everything goes as planed, which I doubt it will, then I will leave shortly after the battle."
"Why do you doubt
your own plans?"
"I don't doubt anything. I'm just putting
my faith in the instability of the situation."
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning"
"You don't have to act upset around me. I know you're overjoyed."
"Oh Kagame-kun" she smiled giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Does he know you're coming?"
"I don't see how he could"
The gateway opened into the living world and she took her first steps on earth.
The streets were wide, the buildings short, and the people all oblivious to her presence.
How interesting…
Accessing the mental note she took of directions, she make her way to the Urahara shop. This alone made her excited. Kisuke Urahara, the one and only. She always wanted to meet him. He was one of the few people she admired and had respect for, and above all, she wanted to play Go against him more than any other person.
"knock knock" she said as she walked into the fun little shop. "Captain Nuyaka! Welcome!" the tall blond enthusiastically yelled, walking into room waving a white fan. "Urahara-san, it's an honor to meet you"
"well that's not something I hear every day! How wonderful to meet you as well! I suppose you'll be wanting your gigai?"
"hai."
He lead her into a room in the back where a perfect replica of her body was slouched in the corner.
"Now, it's going to be stiff for a while, but it will wear off after an hour or so."
"Ugh, now I know why Rukia always complains about these things" she said frowning as she stretched her limbs.
"Although I must say, you seem awfully limber for having just put it on."
"Well, I've always been "freakishly flexible" for lack of a better term" she smirked.
"Urahara"
"Hm?"
"Where
did you get these clothes?" she asked looking down at her attire.
It was a simple orange sweater, which clashed beautifully with her
bright purple hair, and jeans. It wasn't the clothes that shocked
her, it was how perfectly they fit. She had naturally expected the
clothes to either be large, or come from a children's store.
"Oh, Ishida made them. I also had him make you a few more outfits also, considering-"
"-how very tiny I am?" she beamed. Her smile gave a hint of pride.
"Ah! I see you take your size a bit better than Captain Hitsugaya"
"I should hope so. Speaking of that, where does Ichigo live?"
She didn't want to go to ichigo's right away. Instead she decided to roam around the town for a bit, to get into to flow of the living world. Humans act so strange she thought as she saw a family walk by, the mother and father holding hands following two small children. It always fascinated her how humans could reproduce. Even though she couldn't ever understand why someone would want to, she was in awe of the living woman's ability to create life. She took a deep breath. It smelled wonderful. When she left Soul Society it was early in the morning and a hot summer day, but here it was evening late in autumn. Beautiful. Putting her hands in her pockets, a gesture she was not use to doing, she strolled through the streets admiring the animals, humans, scenery; any thing she could see. Her mind, like always, was at play; eaves dropping, and as always, analyzing.
There was a bridge coming up on the path and as she looked over to her left she was taken aback by the beautiful pink and orange sunset. It was the kind you don't see in Seretei; the kind you have to travel to Rukon to see. It was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. Then her eyes shifted direction ever so slightly and suddenly the sunset was nothing.
Leaning on the railing further down the road, staring at the view obviously in as much awe as Keiko had been, was Hitsugaya. Not in his formal captain's yukata, but in a long sleeve black shirt and jeans. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly as she took in the image and stored it permanently in her mind. The look on his face was so serene, the scowl barely there. And his body ; she had never seen him in anything other than his uniform. She had to get closer, but first she had to calm herself. She just couldn't get over how beautiful he looked. Inwardly laughing at herself, she thought of all the times in Seretei that she got this excited just because he would wear a scarf. That was nothing compared to this. Knowing that he was in his own little world, she walked closer until she was about fifty feet away, and then she let just enough reitsu out that he would be able to easily identify her presence.
Little did she know that the whole time they had been standing there, he was thinking about her. The sunset reminded him of all the times they had sat on her roof in the morning, staring at the skyline, talking about irrelevant events, and overall, cherishing each others presence.
As he sharply inhaled , he could have sworn he smelled her; that all too familiar scent of fresh ginger and lemon. Then it hit him, that small, yet perfectly controlled wave of reitsu, like smoke in the wind. His eyes shot open and he turned around, seeing the most beautiful image that far surpassed the sunset.
"Keiko" the name barely made it past his lips.
There she was, the amber sunlight falling gracefully across her body, wind blowing her hair across her pale, delicate face, and a smile that was a million times more beautiful than any he had ever seen.
"hey" she said, taking a hand out of her pocket to give a small wave. She walked over to him in silence as he just looked at her in shock.
"what are you doing he-"
his question was stopped by a hug. Normally he wouldn't tolerate her signs of affection in public, right now he couldn't help but hug back. He knew it was pathetic, and that they had only been apart for a week, but she had no idea how much he missed her.
They pulled back and looked at each other.
"I'm here because I need to fight"
he sighed
"It's the only way Shiro"
"But-"
"Are you implying that I am not capable?"
"no-"
"you better not be!"
"I'm not-"
"how many times do I have to tell you I can take care of myself-"
"I never-"
"My best friend, yet the only one in Seretei who doubts my fighting abilities-"
"I'm just worried."
Sigh
"I really missed you"
"me too"
"where are you
staying?"
"I haven't got the slightest idea, you?"
"Orihime's, but something tells me you'll be jumping around from place to place"
"probably"
'Do
you want to meet up with the rest of the team?"
"yeah…but
lets just stay here a while…"
"Hn"
they stared at the sunset for a few minutes.
"Thank you for the other night"
"…"
"I had fun"
"yeah"
"You're a good guy.
I cant even get Kagame to clean off my bed."
"If you wanted in
it, why didn't you clean it yourself?"
"ha! I wasn't cleaning that thing!"
"You made the mess"
"I don't have the initiative to clean such things, plus, I didn't have that large a need for a bed. Up until now, you're couch has been making a wonderful substitute."
"Hmph"
She slid her arm around his waist. He tightened up for a second, but then relaxed, leaning up against her.
…
"Oi! Toushirou! Who's your friend?"
The voice brazenly rang out, destroying their moment together.
they turned around and Keiko immediately took her arm off of his waist as they saw a girl running towards them.
Keiko gave Hitsugaya a questioning look as if to say do you know this kid??? And the girl stopped short when she saw the position the two were in. She gave a long dramatic gasp "awww! Toushirou, is this your girlfriend?!"
Hitsugaya's eyes got wide and a blush creeped across his cheeks.
"She is not my girlfriend!"
Keiko just stood back and enjoyed the humor of the situation with a smirk on her face. This kid obviously thought Hitsugaya was her age.
"sure she's not. You don't have to lie, I wont tell anyone!" the girl added.
"She's not my girlfriend!" he yelled furiously."
"Man, Toushirou, your so cool! And so accomplished! Captain, subordinates, and a girlfriend and you're still in elementary school!"
Hitsugaya looked like he was going to explode.
"I am not in elementary school!!!!!"
At this point, Keiko was crying and doubling up in laughter. This was too funny!
Wait. Captain? How would she? – she must have see him- he would had to have told her- but why? Who is this kid?
She stood up strait and looked at him. "Toushirou." She said strictly, snapping him out of his anger. He looked over at her and calmly said. "Keiko, this is Kurosaki Karin." Her eyes grew wide. "well that explains it. Karin-Chan, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name's Keiko. I'm a friend of you're brother." Now it was Karin's turn to be shocked "You know Ichigo! Are you a-"
"shinigami? Yes"
"wow! So, do you work for Toushirou?"
"Hahaha!!! No. not in the least. I'm actually a captain also."
"Do you really think you should be telling her all of this?" Hitsugaya said cautiously.
"why not? she's not going to tell anybody"
"still-"
"-oh
loosen up – "
"last time you told me to do that-"
Karin just stood there watching in amusement as the two argued.
Yeah. Theses two are definitely a couple.
