I'm SOOOO SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG!!!
I apologize *bows* But I've been sooooo busy lately. I swear the teachers were trying to kill me, and I've had no time at all in the last two weeks for fan fiction. Tests, essays, concerts (performing them, so I wasn't slacking off), thunderstorms (yes, thunderstorms. It when on for hours so I couldn't use the computer), more tests, lessons…I'll shut up. So in apology for the long wait, here's an EXTREMELY long chapter to make up for it! Thank you to all the kind people who reviewed! I really appreciated it!
Warning, there will be some romance in this chapter, so if you don't like the pairings, you have been warned. The end of this chapter is dedicated to Byakuxhisa4eva, who convinced me to put it in, and I'm sure you can all guess what it is from her name.
Chapter 10
The day had dawned crisp and cool, with gray clouds gathered in the sky. Soft flakes of white were falling steadily, blanketing Seireitei in a layer of white. It was the first snow of the season.
Yamamoto had decided to put off Kurotsuchi's experiment for a while longer. He seemed to think that it wasn't wise for the dead of winter. Because of this, Ichigo had taken the first chance to go back to the human world to visit his family for a while.
A delicate flake of snow danced in the air, drifting slowly to the ground, trying in vain to defy gravity for as long as if could. It's descend was unhindered as it made it's way toward the earth.
However, the flake suddenly hit a pale cheek. A hand reached up and brushed it back toward the ground.
Toushirou looked up into the sky, and the snow falling around him. The forest on the outskirts of Junrian was empty, not a soul in sight, likely due to the snow. He was deep enough that it would be difficult to sense him from even the edge of the forest. It was perfect.
Unhurriedly, he reached back and drew his zanpakutou. He felt the dark blue sheath melt and shimmer away as the blade left its cavity. He held the long sword in front of him, blade perpendicular to the sky. His eyes were closed as he concentrated.
"Are you ready, Hyourinmaru?"
I am always ready…
Ice began to blossom from beneath Toushirou's feet. Frost crept up the nearby trees. They sky darkened slightly, and the clouds thickened, as did the snow. But Toushirou didn't see any of it. He didn't even notice the air growing colder, cooling beneath freezing.
"Soten ni Zase…Hyourinmaru!"
He could feel the sword in his hand grow cold, but the cold didn't bother him. Eyes still closed, he slashed the blade down. A roar reached his ears, accompanied by scraping ice, and Toushirou knew that the dragon had materialized. He heard the clinking of a chain, and the whistling of a sharp blade slicing through the wind. Still he didn't open his eyes. He was lost in the sudden rush of power. After working to keep it at bay for so long, he never realized just how free he would feel if he let it all go. Now, with wind buffeting his unruly white locks, and ice surrounding his body in the form of frenzied snow, a thrill of exhilaration shot through his being.
His reiatsu began to mount, and the wind grew stronger. Snow turned to hail, hammering against his body. The cold air turned freezing, but the cold didn't bother him. He could barely feel it. He was lost in the ecstasy of power rushing through his body, and it was only when he heard an earsplitting crack did he open his eyes, and remember why he had come here in the first place.
The area was coated in ice; a thick layer of ice covered the soft blanket of snow. Every tree was frozen, with the ice covering them thickening still. The sky was almost completely black. The snapping noise had been a young oak that had shattered. Toushirou leapt back as the shards of ice flew in all directions, and he saw with a mixture of awe and horror that every last bit of the tree had been frozen.
The dragon flew down, and settled on the ice. At the same time, a voice in the back of his mind spoke.
You lost control again…
Toushirou hissed in frustration. He viciously reined in his reiatsu, which proved a hard feat as his reiatsu was also spiking due to his annoyance. Slowly, the winds calmed slightly, and the hail slowed back into snow. Toushirou frowned in concentration, trying to keep his shikai controlled. As soon as the ice stopped thickening, Toushirou dissolved his shikai, and the dragon dissolved into sparkling ice dust. Taking deep breaths, Toushirou calmed himself and brought his reiatsu back under control.
He had been training here ever since Kurotsuchi had come up with the experiment. No matter the purpose of the experiment, he wasn't going to risk trying to release shikai and control it without training. It was in his nature to do everything with at least a moderate amount of control. He couldn't stand the thought of completely messing up, especially in front of all the captains. Another matter was that if he could barely exercise control over shikai, what would happen when he attempted bankai?
You are expecting too much of yourself, Hyourinmaru said gently. It is not a simple feat, and you have only been training for a short time.
"I know," Toushirou said. "But it still gets on my nerves."
The dragon let out a hiss of laughter. You have progressed far within the short time you've trained. At least you can pull yourself together faster and try to take control now.
Toushirou didn't reply. Control wasn't hard just due to his powerful reiatsu. Every time he released, he would always be lost in the thrill of power coursing through him, and forget that he was trying to bring it under control. It felt wrong to rein it in. It was an instinctive thing to just release himself completely.
Before either company could make another comment, however, there was the sound of cruching snow. Toushirou's head whipped around as a familiar reiatsu hit his senses.
"Shirou-chan! I found you! Not that you were hard to find once I knew where to look!"
Momo's cheeks were flushed red from the cold, but the warmth in her eyes still sparkled as brightly as ever, not dimmed by even the freezing atmosphere created by Toushirou's shikai.
"Were you training? This is a great place to train without being detected, though I'd thought you'd have preferred it more by the river," Momo said, smiling warmly, remembering the river just outside the outskirts of Junrian.
"Idiot, the river's too close to the were the people live!" Toushirou said, rolling his eyes.
"Oh right! And you'd be caught, right?" Momo said, giggling.
"Not just that. Imagine if I lost control. I don't think anyone really wants to be frozen."
Momo laughed again. "People are beginning to miss you. I thought you might want to get back before a whole bunch of people start looking for you, and Rangiku-san runs off."
"Hmm," Toushirou said, frowning slightly. "I suppose." Sighing, he allowed the sheath to reform over Hyourinmaru, and strapped the long sword back onto his back, and followed Momo out of the forest.
*
"Is something wrong, Kuchiki-taichou?" a kindly voice asked. Byakuya turned, a frown on his face still. In his hands, he held a report.
"Unohana-taichou. Shouldn't you be at the fourth? Some shinigami have just come in," Byakuya replied to the woman. Unohana smiled sadly. "Ah yes, that incident was rather tragic. Still, no one expected that hollow attack. Adjuchas-class hollows running around should have merited a lieutenant or even a captain to investigate."
Byakuya wrinkled his nose disdainfully. "We should have been more prepared, and the hollows should have been identified before sending officers at it."
"You lost someone?" Unohana questioned.
Byakuya strode past her, not looking at her. He replied as he brushed past her. "My fifth seat died at the scene, and my sixth seat is wounded."
Unohana gazed after the stoic captain. She sighed. Though the man seemed uncaring toward his subordinates, but he did take account their deaths. And a high-ranking officer's death likely disturbed him. He is analytical, and knew that with the loss of his fifth seat, his division isn't in the best of shape.
Unohana made her way to her own division. As she walked down the halls, she was lost in thought about the state of Soul Society, and almost didn't notice it as one of her own officers exited the room where the injured shinigami were being treated.
The young woman walked right into Unohana, also preoccupied. She nearly fell from the impact.
"Forgive me, Unohana-taichou," she said quickly and politely, her long waist-length ebony hair covering her face. "I wasn't looking where I was going."
Unohana smiled kindly. "That is all right. It was my fault as well."
The woman nodded and proceeded to walk away, when a sudden idea hit Unohana.
"Wait," she called out. The woman stopped, and turned to look at Unohana questioningly. Unohana smiled. "You've achieved shikai, haven't you?"
The other looked confused. "Yes…you've seen it…"
"Yes, and it seems more suited for combat. You are a good healer, but I think another division would benefit from you," Unohana said. The girl seemed to slowly comprehend, but Unohana continued. "You heard what happened to the sixth division officers?"
The girl nodded, her hands clenching, and her body tense. "I was just treating the sixth seat. He told me that the fifth seat died."
Unohana nodded sadly. "Yes. Kuchiki-taichou was upset. He needs a new officer now."
"Unohana-taichou…"
"I think it's time that you got promoted."
*
Days melted to weeks, and soon, the whole of Seireitei was buried under deep layers of snow, of which few found enjoyable.
"H-have you b-been t-training again, t-taichou?" Matsumoto said when she woke one morning to find the office as cold as an icebox. Her captain, of course, was unfazed by the cold and sat at his desk. Toushirou looked up, irritated. "I don't train in the office, Matsumoto."
"R-right. I-it's just so c-cold in here," Matsumoto said, shivering still. Toushirou rolled his eyes. "Then put something on. Don't blame me," Toushirou stood from his desk as he spoke, sweeping a pile of papers from the desk while he was at it. He handed them to Matsumoto, who flinched slightly at his cold skin. "Do your paperwork, Matsumoto."
"Aw, Taichou! Why are you always so cold?" she asked, her words fitting for both his body temperature and attitude. Toushirou ignored her and slid open the door of the office. "Take care of the office. I'm going out," he said as he left. Matsumoto groaned.
*
"Shirou-chan, you came!"
"Idiot, I said I would," Toushirou replied. Momo giggled as she strode toward him, pulling him into the clearing. The snow had let off for a while, and the sun's rays of light sparkled against the snow. The soft powder clung to the fabric of their shihakushou, and Momo shivered.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Momo? Maybe we should wait for the snow to melt before-"
"No, it's good," Momo said, smiling. "You're not releasing your sword exactly, and I'm only working on sword, and possibly shikai."
Toushirou still looked as if he wanted to disagree, but Momo's determined face stopped him.
And so they began, first starting slow, and going harder and harder at each other. Toushirou had to admit that when Momo goes full out, she could be very difficult. After a time of just sparring, Momo decided to release her shikai. Toushirou was impressed by her reiatsu. It was certainly more powerful than in the old days. She must have kept a very good damper on it.
With a wave of her sword, Momo sent a large ball of fire right at Toushirou. Toushirou narrowed his eyes and concentrated his reiatsu, surrounding his sealed blade with it and blocked the attack. He let it push against him for a moment, evaluating its strength, before releasing more reiatsu and slicing through it.
"That was strong," he commented, and Momo beamed. "Well, I thought we should call it day. We better head back before anyone realizes that we're gone."
Toushirou looked up. The sun had rose in the sky and was directly above them. Toushirou was pleased that it hadn't started snowing again, which meant that he had been successful in keeping his reiatsu in check during training, and even releasing his reiatsu. It was a start.
Hyourinmaru chuckled. But snow is still on the way. I can taste it.
Momo grinned mischievously. Toushirou seemed lost in thought, not even realizing as snow began to fall and gather in his lashes and hair. Then, before Toushirou could react, she raised her hand and whispered, "Hadou 31, Shakkaho!"
Toushirou jumped as the red flame shot toward him. He quickly leapt to the side, his hair fluttering as the blast of red flame blew a large crater in the ground. "What the, I thought we agreed to call it day!" he accused.
"Oh, but you were so distracted. I couldn't resist!" Momo grinned and shot several more flames of Shakkaho at Toushirou. The boy frowned and drew his sword again, slamming it into a particularly large blast. The blast hit the sword, and suddenly stopped moving as a layer of ice surrounded the flame freezing it in its tracks. "Sheesh Momo, we should really head back."
Momo nodded, still grinning for a moment. Then suddenly, her grin faded, and she frowned. A sigh escaped her lips against her will.
Toushirou looked at her curiously. "What's wrong?"
Momo bit her lip. "You're so strong, Shirou-chan, and so different! You're much more…extraordinary than me. Look at you. You're a captain, a Heavenly Guardian. You have all this power, and you even glow. I feel so…inconsequential. I'm not special at all…"
Toushirou looked at her, and shook his head. "Not special? Momo, stop degrading yourself. You are strong. You are special."
"I don't know. All the captains are so powerful. Can I ever possibly be a captain? Maybe it's all a wild dream." Momo looked down sadly, sighing heavily again. "I don't know if I can do it."
Toushirou said nothing for a moment. Then he turned away. "Then you just need to start believing that you can do it. If you don't believe in yourself, no one will. If you really want to be a captain, work hard, and don't give up. It will be fine, trust me," he turned his intense eyes on her so that any word of protest that may have rose onto her tongue died. He was so sure of his words. She know that his stubbornness would never let him even consider her arguments.
"But…"
"No buts, Momo. You never know until you try, got it?"
Momo just nodded. Toushirou's expression softened, and he closed the distance between them. Hesitantly, he placed a hand on her shoulder, resting it there softly. "Besides, I don't think you're at all inconsequential. This power I have, it's nothing that anyone could have done. I was born with it. It doesn't make anyone else less special. Actually, sometimes I wonder how nice it would have been to be normal. But I chose this path. You should choose your own as well, and without bias. Do what you really want, Momo. You're strong enough, you just have to do it."
Momo looked up, slightly amused by the fact that their eyes were finally on the same level. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Thank you Shirou-chan," she murmured. Toushirou frowned. "Jeez, would you stop being so emotional? You shouldn't cry over little things."
Momo pouted. "I try not to, but it's harder with you."
"How so," Toushirou said, crossing his arms. Momo hid her disappointment of the loss of his cool touch.
"Well, for one thing, you can read me like an open book, so there's no point in hiding my emotions," Momo pointed out. Toushirou grunted in agreement.
"Also, because I know you will take my feelings seriously," Momo said, looking embarrassed. Toushirou smiled slightly. "That, you don't even need to state. Of course I'll take your emotions seriously. I always have." Absently, he brushed his hand against hers and gripped her fingers. The contact from his cool skin sent jolts of energy shooting through Momo's veins. Momo smiled and squeezed his hand back.
"There's something else I wanted to add. No matter how inconsequential you or others may think yourself, you will always be the most special person to me," Toushirou whispered in her ear. Momo felt a shiver run down her spine at his words, and as well as from his cool breath on her ear. She smiled slightly and looked into his eyes. His icy blue-green orbs, usually so guarded and kept carefully masked with a screen of ice, were clear, his emotions shining for her to easily see. He was never one to speak too many words, or to articulate his feelings with words. Now Momo knew why. Words were superfluous when he gazed at her, for with his eyes, he communed every single word that was needed to describe the indescribable intensity of his feelings.
Momo felt her heart pound in her chest, and her own emotions shining brightly in her own eyes. The snow and world around her seemed lost and she was drowning in pools of bright turquoise. She stood frozen as he raised a hand tentatively and this time rested his cool skin against her warm cheek. "Momo…"
Heat shot through her body at his cold touch, but she still stood immobilized. "Toushirou…" she murmured.
She didn't know who moved first. All she knew that the next moment, her body was pressed against his, their lips moving in synchronization. Though he had her locked in an iron grip, she couldn't help but pull him closer still. Her eyes closed, and she felt momentarily lost in the intense passion of the kiss. Never had there been so much passion between the two lovers.
Momo felt unreal. How could it be possible? How could she, a plain girl, be with such an amazing being? Even now, through the heat of the kiss, se could feel dense coils of cool reiatsu wash over her, enveloping her. Even through her closed eyes, she could see the faint glow of his body. He was strong, young, and handsome.
But she knew, as Toushirou drew her closer, that the boy didn't care at all for all that. He wouldn't care if she were only a normal soul, and plain. He loved her for who she was, and she felt the same way. He knew her better than she knew herself at times.
And that was why he believed in her. That was why he was so confident in her abilities, because he knew that she had it in her. That was what he was trying to convey to her.
And with his belief in her burning strongly through her being, Momo felt as if anything was possible.
After finally succumbing to their need for oxygen, Momo feel against his body, panting, face flushed, but eyes shining. "I never knew that it could be like this…I've wanted that for a while."
"Mmm," Toushirou replied, content to merely hold her. "It's hard holding back all the time."
Momo giggled. "Why don't we just tell the others?"
Toushirou grinned. "It's just fun to see Matsumoto and the others try to figure it out."
"Mou, I thought you didn't like to have fun?" Momo teased, breathing normally. "You're such a workaholic, and so serious all the time."
"So, I can have fun, if I wanted to," Toushirou defended.
"And even now, as a Guardian, and captain, plus genius?"
Toushirou laughed for the first time in a long while. "Even Guardians, captains, and geniuses can have fun sometimes."
Momo sighed, her breath creating a white mist in the cold air. "Toushirou, can you release your shikai against me?"
Toushirou instantly let her go. "No way!"
Momo looked slightly hurt. "But I thought you said that you think I'm strong."
Toushirou shook his head. "Yes, I do, but I don't want to test my poor control against you. I'm sure you'd be able to handle it, but I can't bear the thought of even the slightest potential for you to be hurt. Please, Momo. Wait until I'm under control, and maybe when it isn't winter."
Momo still looked upset. "I just wanted to test myself…"
"I know. After winter, I promise. I think I can get more control by then."
"And you'll help me practice for the captain's exam and not hold back all the time?"
Toushirou hesitated, and Momo narrowed her eyes.
"I promise I will help, but I will hold back as much as I need to," Toushirou said, and before she could be upset, he added, "but I promise I won't hold back more than you deserve, and I will release my zanpakutou, I promise."
Momo considered it, and then brightened. "All right, I'll hold you to your promise. Just don't be surprised if I force you to use more power than you expected."
"I'll look forward to that," Toushirou smiled and reached out and pulled her close again. They stayed that way for a long time, while snow fell about them softly, blanketing the world in a blanket of pure white.
*
Unohana strode slowly down the halls of her division. She nodded and smiled her usual kind smile at all the shinigami that passed her. They all stopped and bowed to her respectfully, or if they were in a hurry, nodded with a quick but polite greeting.
At last, she walked into the deserted halls of her private quarters. Striding into a private room, which opened into a private garden, she smiled to see someone already there.
"I'm glad you had time to meet me," she said to the young woman. The woman turned around, her long dark hair falling over her face slightly. "Yes, thank you for inviting me here."
"It was no trouble. I just wondered of your decision. I have spoken to the Soutaichou, and he feels that it is time that your situation was no longer kept in the dark."
The woman lowered her head. "Thank you. I have thought about it, and I think I've decided."
Unohana smiled, "And that is?"
"I think," the woman said, lifting her head, and shaking her black locks from her face to stare at Unohana with her bright violet eyes, "that fifth seat of sixth division is the perfect place for me."
Unohana strode forward and patted her on the shoulder. "That is good. I was hoping to hear that. I wish you luck, and will miss having you as my officer. When would you like to move?"
The woman paused for a moment, and shifted her weight. Then she spoke slowly, "When the first plum blossoms bloom…"
*
The winter months had passed quickly. December was a blur. On the twentieth, Toushirou had woken up to his lieutenant's loud yell of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAICHOU!!!!!" and a face full of confetti. It must be confessed that Matsumoto spent a greater part of the morning trying to get chunks of ice out of her hair. He spent the day mostly with Momo and his other friends, trying to ignore people wishing him a happy birthday everywhere he walked, and avoid Ukitake, who seemed to be loaded with a whole new set of snacks (how does he carry all of that with him all the time?), which failed, and he was forced to find a new place to keep his new stash of various sweets and snacks. Ichimaru Gin had taken the liberty to tease him about that, and had to run quickly to keep from being frozen for a week.
Christmas hadn't been much of an event, though Rukia had dragged a disgruntled Ichigo back to Soul Society and attempted to throw a Christmas party. She had decorated the thirteenth so lavishly that one felt as if they were walking into an explosion of red and green (Christmas colors, according to Ichigo). She had been thoroughly confused as to why Ichigo had backed away when she had tried to walk in through the door of the party with him (there was only an innocent sprig of mistletoe hanging over it, courtesy of Matsumoto), and why he wouldn't explain why he had gone red in the face, nor why Matsumoto looked ready to burst in laughter.
"Matsumoto-san, are you okay?" Rukia asked suspiciously.
"Y-yes, I'm fine!" Matsumoto said through fits of laughter. Her laughter rose as she saw Ichigo looking furtively right and left before dashing into the room, a small pink tinge still in his cheeks.
"Oi Ichigo, what was that about?"
"Umm…well, it's tradition that if you walk under mistletoe with someone…oh forget it, it's not important."
"So? I want to know! What's so bad about it that you won't walk through with me?"
Ichigo blushed again. "Umm, well. You…uh…you…"
"Does it mean you have to punch me or something, cause I'd like to see you try!"
"Not exactly…" Ichigo said, trying to ignore Matsumoto, who looked positively ready to explode from silent laughter, watching as Ichigo tried to avoid explaining mistletoe to and increasingly impatient Rukia.
Matsumoto had clearly been trying to catch another boy off guard as he walked in, but the white-haired prodigy of Soul Society had been much too keen of her tricks and had sent Momo ahead with Nanao, appearing five minutes later.
And so, the old year passed quickly, and the New Year came. Soon, January came, February past, and March was coming. It was this time, when the snow finally began to recede (late. Winter had hung around for an oddly long time), that Toushirou's training exercise was brought up again.
"Soutaichou, don't you feel it high time that we begin the training? Winter's gone, so there's not much chance of damage any longer," Kurotsuchi said, disgruntled at one captain's meeting. He had been itching for the chance to observe the young prodigy for ages.
Yamamoto considered his words for a moment. "Yes, you're right, Kurotsuchi-taichou. The danger has passed, somewhat. I think that we can stage the exercise next week."
"Good! High time that we did!" Kurotsuchi stated. Gin grinned at the captain's impatience. "Ara, where are we gonna do that?" he questioned.
"I suggest the Soukyoku," Unohana spoke up. "It is a nice clear space, and is far enough that we won't affect too much of Seireitei."
Yamamoto considered her words. "Yes, I think that is wise. Very well, the exercise will take place in a week and Soukyoku. I expect all captains to be present, and as well, someone should inform Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Rukia can, seeing as she is coming back to Soul Society next week anyways," Ukitake said, reminding them that it had been a month since Rukia had gone to the human world with Ichigo.
"Then it is settled. Kuchiki-taichou, please inform your lieutenant of the developments."
"Yes sir"
"Dismissed."
The captains filed out, each conversing with each other. Toushirou seemed thoughtful, and others could tell that he was probably going to train by himself again before the exercise. Byakuya had the faintest of smirks on his face as he swept out of the room.
Unohana also began to leave when Yamamoto called her back. "Unohana-taichou. Your tenth seat…"
"Ah yes. I think that we will make the transfer on the same day as Hitsugaya-taichou's training exercise. After all, I think that the flowers are ready to bloom at last."
*
Unohana knocked politely at the door of the room, and let herself in after a small call of consent. She blinked in surprise.
A young woman stood there, her back to her, sliding her zanpakutou into her obi. Around her were several parcels of personal belongings, all neatly wrapped and packed. But what shocked her were the locks of ebony hair that were swept into a neat pile on the ground.
The woman turned, laughing slightly. "I guess I decided that it was time to get rid of it," she said, pointing at her hair, which fell just a little over her shoulders. She had swept the hair out of her eyes, save for on lock that fell across the center of her face. The ebony locks framed her face in graceful disarray, and emphasized her delicate features. Her blue-violet eyes shone.
"You look quite nice. It will be a shock to him."
The woman let out a tinkling laugh. "Yes, I suppose. I've hid long enough."
Unohana smiled, and nodded in agreement.
*
The day of the exercise dawned crisp and cool. As soon as the first rays of light struck Renji's eyes, he bolted from the bed, panting and shaking from nightmare of being permanently frozen in a giant pillar of everlasting ice. After checking profusely that he hadn't the faintest trace of ice on his body, he got out of bed, trying to calm himself. Why are you so freaked out? It's just a training exercise! It's not the War all over again. Besides, there are captains there to monitor it and you're with Ichigo, and it's not like Hitsugaya-taichou is going to kill you…
Ichigo, meanwhile, had a similar awakening, though he didn't freak out as much as Renji, for he hadn't actually had that much experience with Toushirou's abilities. He had arrived a few days ago with Rukia, and this time stayed at the thirteenth. Still, he felt nervous, because he couldn't deny that Renji's fears had made him ever so nervous, and he also couldn't deny that Toushirou was powerful, form the display at the final battle.
It's gonna be fine. Geez, why did I get myself into this again? Oh right. Byakuya tricked me into it. Darn that freaking-
"Ichigo, you awake?"
Ichigo jumped at Rukia's voice. He looked out and saw with shock that the sun had long since risen completely. How much time had past?
"Ichigo?"
"Yeah, I'm awake. Come in."
Rukia pushed his door open. She was already dressed in full shinigami outfit, and was strapping her zanpakutou into her sash. "I have to go on a quick patrol. Nii-sama says that he wants to see you as well, so get your butt to the sixth now."
"Geez, what a nice morning greeting," Ichigo said sarcastically while Rukia grinned impishly.
After Rukia left, Ichigo quickly got dressed and, picking up his own zanpakutou (the exercise was going to start soon), he made his way to the sixth.
"Kurosaki Ichigo," Byakuya said in his severe voice as a way of greeting. Renji was already there, looking nervous and jumpy.
"Yamamoto Soutaichou is already at the Soukyoku, and asked me to speak with you. As you know, the exercise is in a quarter hour. You are to arrive on time," he turned his piercing gaze to Renji for a second, "and ready to begin. Remember that this is just a training exercise, so do not get too violent. Captains will be present, so don't make a fool of yourselves. You shouldn't need their assistance."
The last part seemed more like Byakuya's own threat rather than the Soutaichou's message, but both Ichigo and Renji nodded. Renji seemed more nervous than before, knowing that if he did embarrass himself, he'd have an extremely angry Byakuya on his tail, that is, if he were unfrozen enough to worry about it.
Byakuya gave them one last glare, before looking over their shoulders. "Rukia…"
Both Ichigo and Renji's heads snapped back to see Rukia striding toward them. She bowed. "Nii-sama. I was just wanted to see Renji and Ichigo for a bit."
Byakuya nodded. "Of course. However, it seems that there are more people here to see you."
He had felt their reiatsu long before, and was not surprised at all to see Toushirou and Momo walk into view. Toushirou was wearing his trademark scowl and guarded expression, and Momo her usual cheerful front.
"Ah, Hitsugaya-taichou, Hinamori-fukutaichou," Rukia bowed respectfully again. Renji positively paled at the sight of the icy tenth division captain, and shuddered when he felt the faint brush of his cold reiatsu, as tightly in check as he was trying to keep it.
"Yo Momo, Toushirou!" Ichigo said. Momo smiled, while Toushirou glared and said with slight menace "It's Hitsugaya-taichou, Kurosaki." Normally Ichigo would have ignored him, but the iciness of his glare sent strong reminders of what was coming.
"Hitsugaya-taichou. What brings you and Hinamori-fukutaichou here?" Byakuya asked, striding past Ichigo and Renji to greet his fellow captain. Toushirou turned his gaze to the stoic captain and replied, "Hinamori wanted to see Kuchiki-san," he nodded toward Rukia, "and Ukitake-taichou said that she was heading toward the sixth. She just decided to drag me along with her," he reeled off as if reciting facts from a textbook.
"I see," Byakuya said in an equally emotionless voice. "Rukia, see what Hinamori wants."
"Uh, yes Nii-sama…" Rukia said, slightly unnerved by the way the two captains were speaking in the exact same tone. She turned to Momo, who was smiling brilliantly. "I just got permission from Yamamoto-soutaichou that we can watch the event. He said that all lieutenant class shinigami may be present, if they wish. So I asked him if you could come, since you're pretty powerful and all, and he said that since you have the reiatsu of a lieutenant, you can come!"
Toushirou's eyes flickered to Byakuya when he felt a sudden shift in his reiatsu. Byakuya was frowning at nothing in particular, suggesting he was irritated at something, and Toushirou could only guess it had to do with Momo's words of Rukia's power.
"Really? Awesome. I've always wanted to see Renji and Ichigo get beaten up by a captain," she grinned mischievously.
"Oh thanks for the moral support Rukia," Renji and Ichigo both retorted at the same time. Byakuya's eyes flickered to them, and the faintest, almost imperceptible smirk flashed across his face. "Oh yes. Abarai, Kurosaki, you should head to the Soukyoku now," he said. Perhaps he too shared Rukia's thoughts on Ichigo and Renji being beaten by a captain.
Ichigo and Renji paled slightly, and without a word, both stiffly began to move away. They could feel the coming dread of what was coming, and frankly, they thought that their chances of escaping unscathed were next to none. If they were lucky, they'll still be in one piece…more or less…even if they were frozen.
Rukia watched them go, a smirk on her own lips. She couldn't help feel the smallest amount of worry for them, especially for Ichigo, but she also knew that the exercise was being closely monitored, and they wouldn't be hurt too badly. "We should go too," she said. Momo nodded, and together, the two girls began to move away after a respectful bow to both captains (Rukia noticed both Momo and Toushirou smile secretively as if sharing some private joke when she bowed to him). As they left, Momo called over her shoulder, "Don't hurt them too badly, Hitsugaya-kun! They're our friends!"
"It's Hitsugaya-taichou to you!" he retorted as she waved cheerfully back.
"You enforce that as an act," Byakuya stated, causing the other captain to jump. The older captain had a knowing smile on his face. "Even if others are blind, I can tell that you don't care what she calls you. You two compliment each other quite nicely."
Toushirou was startled for a second, and then allowed himself his own small smile. "Hn, guess I shouldn't put it past you to figure it out with no clues."
"Oh, there wasn't much to figure out. It was painfully obvious, from the way you protect her so fiercely, the way she sat with you while you were in coma, and just the aura around you two when you are together. I am surprised that even someone as dull as Kurosaki or Abarai couldn't see it. But then, that is the definition of dull."
Toushirou fought back a small laugh. It was rare for the sixth division captain to use humor. They began to walk away, passing several private rooms.
"I hear that you haven't found a replacement for your fifth seat yet."
Byakuya frowned. "Yes. It is rather deterring. I usually would not be bothered with such matters, but we were recently in such peril that I think it would be prudent to have a decent amount of high seat officers. Seated officers with satisfactory talent are hard to come by, however, though not as hard as captain and lieutenant material. You are training Hinamori for her captain's exam?"
Toushirou began to reply, but stopped as he suddenly felt a familiar reiatsu that was rather out of place among the halls of the sixth division. He paused as it drew closer, moving their way. He turned.
Byakuya looked curious for one second, but he immediately noticed the reiatsu as well. Turning, he greeted the woman as she approached them, also obviously on route to leaving the division barracks.
"Unohana-taichou, what brings you here?"
Unohana stopped and smiled warmly. There was an odd light in her eyes, and her smile spoke of mystery and secrets. "Ah, Kuchiki-taichou, Hitsugaya-taichou. I was looking for you. I was also foreseeing the transfer of my tenth seat. I took the liberty of moving her to your division, Kuchiki-taichou. You needed a fifth seat, and she is more than capable, and I had no empty seats to merit her abilities."
Toushirou found it ironic how they were just discussing this topic, and thought that it was good luck that Byakuya finally found a fifth seat. Byakuya, however, frowned. "Your tenth seat?" he said with a hind of perplexity. How could a mere tenth seat be suitable to a fifth seat position? And why was Unohana the one foreseeing the transfer, and he wasn't even informed about it. "I wasn't aware that you oversaw the transfer of mere officers."
"I had some time on my hands," Unohana said, her odd enigmatic smile widening. "We should be heading toward the Soukyoku. The exercise is about to start."
She swept past them. The two captains were still for a second. "I suppose she's right. We should head to the Soukyoku," Toushirou said.
"Yes. I'm puzzled at Unohana's motives, but I suppose it's good I have a fifth seat now," Byakuya said, still frowning. Then he sighed. "We should focus on the matter at hand. Do you think you can control yourself?"
"I think so. I've been training. Still, are you sure you want to use Abarai for this? And Kurosaki. I don't know if I have complete control over everything," Toushirou said, shooting a sideways glance at the other captain.
Byakuya's answering voice held a hint of humor. "I think it's high time that I taught them a lesson in the strength of captains. Abarai is getting too ahead of himself. And Kurosaki, well, I want to make sure that he's more than capable of taking care of Rukia. And, I think it also a good chance to teach him a lesson in respect."
"In other words, you admit you blackmailed them," the younger captain pointed out, smirking.
"I see it rather as convincing them, if you will," Byakuya said, his humor more evident. His face remained smooth, but Toushirou could detect a small twitch of a smirk at the corner of his lips.
"Hn. Well, don't blame me if your lieutenant is out of commission for a while after this."
"Oh, I wouldn't."
The two captains strode on briskly, Toushirou walking slightly ahead. However, as they passed by one of the gardens of the sixth, Byakuya paused.
There, in the center of the garden, a tall tree stood, it's branches bare from the winter. Yet even from this distance, he could see that fresh buds had begun to fight the last remnants of winter. One bud already had delicate pink petals beginning to peek out.
50 years…
He shook the thoughts from his head. Right now was not the time to grieve, especially a few feet away from one f his fellow captains, no matter how friendly they were. Keeping his face smooth and cool, he once again resumed his brisk pace.
*
A slight breeze blew through the Soukyoku. There were many more people gathered than anyone had initially anticipated. The captains stood in a large circle near the edge of the precipice, with the exception of Zaraki Kenpachi, who was there, it seemed, only if things got out of hand (since he was a large reiatsu, it will be useful to counter Toushirou's. Also, he couldn't really use Kidou).
But aside from the captains, it appeared that all the lieutenants had gathered there as well. Yachiru was in her spot on Zaraki's shoulder. Matsumoto flicked her hair back, and almost as if by accident, slapped Momo and Rukia, who were standing beside her. The latter yelped in shock and all three burst into laughter. Most looked excited or calm interest because of the whole affair. Kurotsuchi was positively quivering in anticipation, with Nemu standing near him ready to take notes and memorize everything that happened.
Only two people did not share everyone else's excitement. Renji and Ichigo stood near Yamamoto at the far edge of the Soukyoku, who was looking around to make sure everything was in place. They too were quivering, but in apprehension. Both considered the consequences of what might happen if they ran for it right then and there.
There was a sudden disturbance in the air, and two new reiatsus entered the area. The company turned to see Byakuya suddenly appear, with Toushirou stepping out of his own shunpo just behind him.
"Ah, Kuchiki-taichou, Hitsugaya-taichou, you have arrived. We can begin."
Byakuya nodded to Yamamoto, his eyes flashing to Renji and Ichigo for a moment. The two gulped as they read Byakuya's barely concealed warning that he would be watching them carefully.
"Captains…"
The other captains, apart from Zaraki and Toushirou all took a step back, widening the large circle. As one, they raised their palms, and each concentrated. Golden reiatsu burst from their fingertips, twisting together and expanding like a thin membrane. In a moment, a large golden barrier finished forming over Toushirou, Ichigo and Renji. It pulsated, and glowed for a second, before the golden light dying off, leaving nothing behind. In fact, if it weren't for he captain's continued look of concentration,, it would be as if the barrier was not there at all.
"Hitsugaya-taichou," Yamamoto spoke from the outside. "Abarai-fukutaichou, Kurosaki, the captains will maintain this barrier for as long as needed. You may begin."
Toushirou just nodded, looking absently to the side. He caught Momo's encouraging smile, and smiled back ever so slightly, all the while keeping both Renji and Ichigo carefully in his peripheral vision.
Renji and Ichigo, meanwhile, didn't move. "Renji," Ichigo hissed, "go on and get him!"
"Are you nuts?" I'm not going to go at him! You go!" Renji snapped back.
"What! But I'm a melee fighter! I can't just go at him!"
"So am I!"
"Well, at least Zabimaru can extend!"
"Oi, are you two done chit-chatting?" came a sudden call. They turned to find an annoyed Tenth division captain, who was still not looking at them. "We haven't got all day. If you're not going to make a move…"
Suddenly, he was gone, and both Ichigo and Renji quickly drew their zanpakutou's, ready and on alert.
"…I will." Renji suddenly felt a stab of reiatsu behind him and quickly slashed out. His zanpakutou met steel, and for a moment, he and Toushirou were locked in a fierce pushing match. Then, the captain's eyes suddenly narrowed, and suddenly, he vanished again, and instead of Hyourinmaru, Renji suddenly found Zangetsu clashing against his zanpakutou.
"Ichigo you idiot!" he shouted as he pushed Ichigo back. "Why are you attacking me?"
"I wasn't you stupid pineapple!" Ichigo retorted. "I was trying to help you, because your fight wasn't going anywhere.
"You call that helping?" Renji fumed.
"He moved, okay?"
"You should have known that I would sense you, with your poor control," came a voice a little ways off. The two turned to see Toushirou standing there, leaning casually on his right leg. Ichigo scowled, but Toushirou just smirked. "And you should know not to argue in a fight. It leaves openings."
There was a spike in reiatsu, and suddenly, Toushirou slashed his zanpakutou against the ground. Ice and water erupted from the tip and raced along the yellow dirt of the hill. Both Ichigo and Renji leapt to avoid the fast moving ice.
"Oh my," Kurotsuchi said, eyes glinting. "It would seem that he is able to summon ice without releasing his zanpakutou…"
"Hasn't he always been able to do that," Kyouraku remarked form beside the eccentric captain.
"Not to this level. Look."
The captains looked to see that indeed, the ice seemed to be moving with too much control for unreleased attacks. As Ichigo and Renji leapt, it rose in height, reaching for them.
Ichigo frowned and raised his zanpakutou. With a grunt, he slashed at a small arc of ice and water that was about to overtake him. It shattered at once, and stopped moving. Next to him, Renji yelled out "Hoeru, Zabimaru!"
His blade extended, shattering through the ice and heading directly for the small captain. The latter didn't flinch. He merely raised Hyourinmaru and deflected the attack. Then he shunpoed forward, and suddenly appeared in front of Ichigo, and began attacking him with furious swipes.
"Just release already!" Kurotsuchi said impatiently. He was put out that the captain seemed content to drag this on.
"Relax," Kyouraku said, tipping his hat with one hand. "The boy's a genius. He's not going to release until he needs to, and he definitely doesn't need to at the moment," he said, nodding toward the fight. Ichigo and Renji had each tried to go at Toushirou in turn, yet the captain fought them off each time. Even though they came at him without pause, he didn't even seem tired. Renji had just tried to attack the small captain while he was occupied with Ichigo. Toushirou swerved to the right and pushed Ichigo toward Renji, causing them to get in each other's way. He then took the moment's distraction to avoid them both and shunpo back.
Ichigo, having gotten around Renji again, hissed out, "I'll keep him occupied. You use Zabimaru and come at him from the behind!"
Renji nodded. After starting the fight, he felt all his fears melt away from the adrenaline. It's just another fight, he told himself. No need to worry.
Byakuya observed quietly. He had to admit that he was impressed with the level of skill Ichigo and Renji had gotten, even if they had made fools of themselves once or twice.
They could very well be captains of the Gotei 13. Strong ones too. However, next to Hitsugaya-kun…I wonder how Kurosaki's plan will work.
Ichigo struck out at Toushirou. Toushirou blocked it, his eyes narrowed. He knew that the latter had a plan. However, Ichigo left him little time to dwell on it. He showered him with relentless strikes, forcing him to keep his attention fixed on him.
Good, it's working, Ichigo thought with a small inward smirk. Toushirou narrowed his eyes as the smirk forced its way onto Ichigo's lips. He vanished in a sudden shunpo, but Ichigo quickly spun around and blocked his attack. "Nice try, Toushirou, but I saw that."
"It's Hitsugaya-taichou to you, Kurosaki," Toushirou said, closing his eyes in irritation. At the same time, he tightened his grip on his zanpakutou's hilt. Ice burst from the blade, and began to coat Ichigo's. Ichigo realized it with shock and quickly broke contact with Toushirou's sword. Toushirou sent another torrent of ice at Ichigo, who quickly swung his zanpakutou in a wide arc, yelling, "Getsuga Tenshou!"
Toushirou's eyes widened as the black crescent shaped blast of energy cut through his ice and shot at him. He had never been face to face with Ichigo's famed attack, but he'd seen in performed many times to know it's level of power. This particular blast didn't seem quite as powerful as some other ones. Calmly, he forced reiatsu into his zanpakutou, feeling it pulse in response. Then, with a small grunt, he slammed his zanpakutou against the crescent. He held for a moment, analyzing its power. Then with another burst of reiatsu, he slashed through it, ice and reiatsu scattering from his blade as he did so.
Ichigo smirked. Excellent, Toushirou hadn't noticed a thing. He watched now as a thin shadow rose from behind the captain.
Toushirou felt the reiatsu a second later. He whipped his head around to see Zabimaru rise up behind him. So that was their strategy.
There was a blast of reiatsu, and Renji and Ichigo's eyes met, wondering the same thing. Could they have actually hit the captain? All gathered waited with baited breath for the outcome.
The dust began to clear, and there were gasps. Toushirou's eyes flickered to the shocked faces of Renji and Ichigo, and a small smirk formed on his lips. "Nice try, Abarai."
His fingers clasped around the foremost segment of Renji's zanpakutou, and with a small flick, he threw the extended whip to the ground. And flexed his hands. Renji saw that the skin was still pale and smooth.
"What the heck?"
"Oho!" Kurotsuchi said. "Now that's interesting. So his power has made his body more durable, like Zaraki's! It will be hard to cut him!"
"Oh please," Zaraki called out. "It's nothing special. The rest of you are just weak, allowing yourselves to be cut so easily."
"What did you say?" Kurotsuchi said venomously.
"You heard me. Now, why don't you go back to you analysis of the kid's skill? I want to fight him next, so I want to know if he'll be able to stand up to me," Zaraki grinned. Kurotsuchi muttered something that sounded like "fighting fools" before turning back to the fight.
"This isn't good," Renji hissed, shunpoing next to Ichigo. "He was able to stop that Zabimaru with his bare hand, just like Aizen."
"C'mon, are you surprised?" Ichigo said. "He did that once already with an arrancar."
"Yeah I know, but that implies that he's at least as powerful as Aizen was before he absorbed the Hougyoku, and that was pretty powerful. I don't think Shikai will be enough."
"Then switch to bankai!" Ichigo snapped.
"It's just, he hasn't even released his zanpakutou yet. I just feel…"
"We're not going to get anywhere with shikai, so there's no point," Ichigo said. He stepped forward, and pointed his zanpakutou at Toushirou. "Okay, Toushirou. Time to get serious. Bankai! Tensa Zangetsu!"
Toushirou cocked a brow at the sight. Renji was not far behind Ichigo. "Bankai! Hihio Zabimaru!"
Toushirou shunpoed back as the reiatsu from the bankai release began to reach him. His sharp eyes squinted through the reiatsu at their bankais, and his senses alert from the peak in their reiatsu.
The reiatsu finally cleared, and a black blur suddenly shot toward Toushirou. Toushirou narrowed his eyes as he was pushed back a few paces. He glared into Ichigo's smirking face.
Ichigo slashed at him, causing him to skid back a few paces. He felt a slight pressure, and quickly leapt as Renji's bankai came crashing upon him.
"Wow, Abarai-kun's bankai is so amazing up close! Ichigo-kun as well," Momo exclaimed.
"Psh, I think I like my bankai better," Matsumoto said.
"But Matsumoto-san, you don't have bankai yet," Rukia pointed out.
"I was referring to when I do get my bankai. It'll be awesome and be way cooler than Ichigo-kun Renji-kun's"
Toushirou leapt up as Zabimaru's jaws snapped at him. Suddenly, a red glow appeared in their depths.
"Hikotsu Taiho!" Renji shouted. Toushirou's eyes widened as a blast of condensed, red, spiritual energy shot at him.
He twisted his body and used his blade to block as he tried to dodge. He just managed to keep the energy from striking him, but Zabimaru retaliated and slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. He managed to land on his feet, albeit heavily. Yet as soon as he did, Ichigo suddenly appeared in front of him, his speed so quick Toushirou had only sensed him before he struck at him. His strike sent the captain skidding back a few paces.
His bankai gives him high speed and strength. Well then, I'll have to match that speed. I'll have to release. Are you ready, Hyourinmaru?
I am ready when you are ready…
Toushirou bit his lip, tensing his body and preparing himself. Renji took the opportunity on his pause to send Zabimaru at him again. The segments separated themselves slightly, but were still connected by red reiatsu. The thing gave a cry and shot straight at the captain. At the same time, Ichigo yelled out "Getsuga…"
"Soten ni Zase…" Toushirou said quietly, willing every fiber of his body not to lose control.
"…Tenshou!"
"…Hyourinmaru!"
There was another huge blast of reiatsu. The captains narrowed their eyes as immense blasts of reiatsu pushed against the barrier of the shield. The put much reiatsu into strengthening the shield, making sure that it would not break. Their eyes narrowed as they stared into the shield and the swirling reiatsu. Clouds began to roll in, and the sky darkened. Soon, hail was falling, battering the bodies of the fighters, cutting through the shield easily.
"Did we get him?" Renji asked. Yet his question was answered as a roar reached his ears. A moment later, he was nearly blasted off his feet as a strong blast of freezing reiatsu hit him. He skidded back, pushing against the reiatsu, trying to move through it. As he struggled, he saw the large form of Zabimaru thrown up into the air, ice coating almost every inch of it. Damn it…
Ichigo leapt back, squinting against the cold wind and reiatsu. He could see through it what looked like glowing blue ice and water that was slowly coiling. At last, the reiatsu cleared, revealing Toushirou, standing calmly, and without any injury. Hovering over him protectively was the large form of Hyourinmaru's shikai, it's glowing crimson eyes trained on the two shinigami. Ice was already blooming from Toushirou's feet, quickly covering the entire area with ice.
"Oh my!" Kurotsuchi said, letting out an amused laugh. "That power is incredible!"
"Yes," Byakuya agreed. "This power seems ten times his usual shikai."
"Ten times stronger…interesting. His sealed state is equal to his shikai, his shikai bankai. But in that case, what of his bankai? And beyond that?" The twelfth division captain was barely able to contain his excitement. "Oh how I want to examine it all in closer detail! Nemu, are you recording this down?"
"Yes master, every detail."
"Good!"
"I daresay that our youngest captain is certainly the most powerful shinigami we have ever seen in history, ne, Jushirou?" Kyouraku said, grinning.
"I feel like I need more training now," Ukitake smiled back, wincing as hail hit his body.
Toushirou stared hard at Ichigo and Renji. All his training had paid off. He was able to stop himself from losing control to his instincts. Though he could easily feel that his reiatsu was beyond his normal shikai state, he decided that at least he didn't freeze the two to death as soon as he released, which was a good sign. They didn't seemed to be having trouble, other than being freezing cold and having their movements hindered.
"Renji…" Ichigo said, teeth chattering, his breath making small puffs of white mist. "Can you hit him again? Get rid of that dragon, and then I'll hit him."
"I have a better idea," Renji said. "I'll use Hikotsu Taiho to shatter that dragon. Then I'll use Higga Zekko to distract him, and you strike from above."
"Got it," Ichigo said, shivering. "Hurry up, I think I'm gonna die!"
"Right," Renji said. C'mon, Zabimaru.
The broken pieces of his zanpakutou glowed and pulsated with reiatsu. They rose up, and as they did, the ice exploded off of it. "Hikotsu Taiho!"
The previously grounded Zabimaru rose up again, and fired another large blast of energy at the young captain. The blast was so huge and had used so much energy that Zabimaru's segments broken apart as soon as it was released. The captain didn't move, and the dragon, almost as if it was moving on it's own accord, shot toward Zabimaru. It's jaws opened, and too everyone's utter shock, swallowed the blast whole. The blast shot through the body of ice, and it exploded, sending ice and water flying in all directions.
Gritting his teeth, Renji summoned his reiatsu once again. The broken pieces of Zabimaru began to glow, and suddenly, the blades rose into the air and sharpened. They whizzed toward the now unprotected captain, red reiatsu flaring off of it like flames.
Ichigo leapt into the air after the blades. He saw them strike, sending up dust and reiatsu. Without hesitation, he slammed his own zanpakutou down…
…and was met with steel. His eyes widened in shock as he stared into Toushirou's turquoise ones. "Sorry, Kurosaki. You should have learnt that it's not smart to charge into things blindly. You should have come at me once you were certain of which opening to use, and control your reiatsu so I can't sense you."
The dust and reiatsu cleared, and Ichigo saw with shock, ice rising around Toushirou in tall arcs like the petals of a flower. Renji's Zanpakutou segments were frozen in the thick "petals" of ice. Renji also gawked in shock.
Toushirou slashed against Ichigo's blade, pushing the orange-haired shinigami back. In the same slash, condensed reiatsu formed water and ice that twisted together again to form another dragon. Toushirou's reiatsu peaked, and the dragon's eyes glowed brighter. It shot through the air, it's nose butting into Ichigo before he could move, and moving on, slamming him into Renji. Its body broke apart as it hit the ground at Renji's feet, sending water and ice shooting in all directions. Water froze to ice mid motion, the ice sending dust and mist billowing into the warmer air. Ichigo and Renji, expressions of shock plastered to their faces, were frozen together in a tall block of ice.
There was a pause, and then Toushirou let out a breath and sheathed his sword, dissipating his shikai. The skies cleared, and the hail stopped.
Yamamoto lowered his hand, and the barrier let down. A small sigh escaped his lips as he sent a burst of his burning reiatsu at the block of ice. The ice melted a bit, but not much.
Momo rushed at Toushirou, a disapproving frown on her face, though she was smiling at the same time. "Shirou-chan! I asked you not to hurt them!"
"Why won't anyone call me by my title?" he burst out. The other captains laughed. Byakuya strode forward, a smirk on his face. "I congratulate you, Hitsugaya-taichou. That was very impressive."
Toushirou shrugged. It was nothing. I just strategized, and caught them off guard."
"Oh stop being so modest, taichou!" Matsumoto said. "That was amazing! I'll feel sorry for the next person or hollow that pisses you off!" she said as she watched Unohana and Isane walk over to help Yamamoto melt Ichigo and Renji from the ice. "They'll be in fourth division for a few hours at the very least.
Rukia nodded. She looked a little worried as she watched Ichigo slowly thaw out. She sighed in relief as he gasped and began shuddering, panting "C-c-c-cold…"
"Kuchiki, I'm sorry," Toushirou suddenly said. Her eyes snapped to the captain in shock. "Hitsugaya-taichou?"
"I didn't mean to hurt them that bad. I'm sorry about Kurosaki."
Rukia looked curious. "No, that's okay. They volunteered for it, right?" she heard Byakuya cough almost inaudibly. "Besides…wait, why did you only apologize for Ichigo?"
"I thought that him being hurt might affect you more," the captain replied absently and began to walk away. Momo followed him, giving Rukia a smile. Rukia flushed a pale pink as Matsumoto tried to suppress giggles and Byakuya frowned in disapproval.
*
"Nii-sama, did you blackmail Ichigo and Renji into this?" Rukia asked as she walked toward the sixth with Byakuya. Byakuya paused, and turned. "No. I merely influenced them to make the decision," he said. Rukia noted his emphasize on 'influenced' and smiled slightly. She couldn't help it. The thought of Byakuya doing anything such as blackmailing Ichigo and Renji was so outrageous that it was comical.
"It seems that they won't be able to get out of bed for a few hours at the very least," Rukia noted. They were just out of the fourth division and entering the sixth. Byakuya suddenly stopped. Rukia noticed the smile slide off his face, to be replaced by a frown. He stared at something in the distance, his eyes clouded over.
"Nii-sama?"
"Rukia," Byakuya turned to look at her, a pained look flashing across his face. "Go and see whether Kurosaki and Abarai will be okay or not and how long it will take for them to recover…"
Rukia looked confused, but nodded. Byakuya seemed to be in need of some privacy, though she had no idea why. Her eyes traced for a moment the direction Byakuya was staring. In the distance, she could only see a plum tree, with small buds beginning to bloom. Something stirred in her memory, and she hurried to leave.
Byakuya walked, almost dreamlike toward the garden. It was near the captain's office. Ignoring the bows and respectful greetings of his officers, he walked on, eyes only focused on the plum tree.
Now that he was alone, he had no reason to hold it all in. That one look at the plum tree sent any euphoria he had been feeling down to the farest reaches of his soul.
50 years. Today, it made 51 years.
51 years since he's heard her voice.
He stood beneath the tree, his grey eyes fixed on the blossom that was struggling to bloom against the cold and snow that still clung to the ground. Spring was fighting winter…
Not for the first time, he wished…wished that Hisana could have fought the sickness like the plum blossom was fighting the snow. Winter had been when she fell sick. The end of winter, when spring came and everything came back to life, had taken her life. It had seemed hideously ironic.
Winter had been long that year as well…
He wondered. If she had been here, if she had seen him find Rukia, what would he have seen on her face? He could only imagine the smile of happiness that would alight her delicate face. She would be healthy. She would laugh. She would have been happy.
But would she have been happy if she had seen what happened last summer, when Rukia was sentenced to be executed?
No. Byakuya had failed that part. Every year, at this time, Byakuya had grieved. But this year, he grieved more than ever. With the training exercise out of the way, he no longer had any other emotion to feel.
This year, he had been forced to come to terms with her death. He had failed, and broken all her promises to her. This year, the sharp pain of her death weighed on him heavier than ever.
He had thought that the pain would ease with the years. But never once in all the years did the pain ease. And this year, on the anniversary of her death, it was stronger than ever.
There was a faint reiatsu approaching him, but he did not move. He continued to stare at the plum blossoms.
50 years ago, before the first plum blossoms bloomed, I lost my wife…
The first blossom had bloomed as she died. How ironic. How cruel. She had not even seen then bloom.
The last moments he spent with her played over in his mind once again, the memory as sharp as if he was experiencing it once again. He closed his eyes, and could see with perfect clarity her face, pallid with sickness, but no less beautiful and bright. Her eyes were glowing and pleading.
Even now, I'm causing you trouble.
Hisana…
I'm sorry, I cannot repay the love you have given me.
Look, one has bloomed.
Byakuya flinched, reliving the memory. Her last moments were burned into his mind as if etched there permanently. He could never forget the feel of her hand, hot with fever, clasped within his. He could never forget the tears that had gathered up in her eyes, or the expression of love and gratitude and regret on her face. The light in her eyes, shining with love. It faded, her eyes closing with the blooming of the first spring blossom.
Her last words rang in his ears, spoken in a soft, barely audible voice, quivering with emotion. Her last words, he could never forget. No matter how many years passed, it will always ring in his ears as if she were speaking them right then and there.
"These last five years that I've spent with you…have been like a beautiful dream…"
"Byakuya-sama…"
Cliffhanger! Yay for Byakuhisa love! To my byakuhisa loving friend, there will be more in the next chapter, and I'll post that short story I was writing! Hope you enjoyed that! I just had to add a Hitsuhina moment, though. If anyone else thought that it was odd, well, I did promise her I would write it, and since she was the person who first introduced me to fan fiction and the awesome world of Bleach, I had to put it in.
I found a map of Seireitei that says that the divisions are arranged in a large circle, with odd numbers on one side, and even on another. I'm going to go with that. Also, I hope no one through the hitsuhina moment awkward or anything. I'm really bad at intimate moments…
Anyhow, to all my readers. I'm very sorry again for taking so long. Thank you again for all your support and reviews! Thanks for reading, and please review!