Of Sweets and Flurries

Rekindle

By: MissMadameMina

He started off as a lone speck in her mind. He was just a mere boy that thought that he was better than everyone else. But then, she dared to delve deeper into the enigma that was Hitsugaya Toshiro. She wanted to know everything. What made him tick? What made him happy? What worries him?

Slowly but surely, she was ripping down all those carefully placed walls and became besotted. The mere speck that he was now took up a large portion of her mind. She always thought about him. Even if she was at home; she'll be watching a show and wonder, would Toshiro find this amusing? She imagined him with her as she shopped, ate, and slept. She was madly in love with the image of shining knight in white armour that she had pinned onto a poor antisocial boy.

It wasn't like he minded. Despite his protests and grumbles at her company, he really did appreciate her being there. He liked the fact that thanks to her, people see him as more approachable. People actually tried harder to include him, following the example of the odd transfer student from Rukongai High. He liked that she was just his. Although she had a large circle of friends, and she spends a significant portion of her time fluttering around her circles, she always returned to him.

She was a constant companion throughout their years in high school, and even once or twice, Toshiro had contemplated a future with her. They weren't officially going out but everyone had already assumed they were together. And to be honest, Toshiro wouldn't have minded. Yachiru was someone who didn't just see him as an answer key to the teacher's assignments and Toshiro didn't mistreat Yachiru like teenaged boys often do to girls.

But as graduation rolled by, things began to change. She was accepted at Kamakura U. but he was accepted into an illustrious foreign university. Despite his promises of them always staying close, she was not appeased. He left two days after graduation. They never saw each other again. The only things that remind them of one another would be the occasional holiday cards.

Almost fifteen years later, he returns to Kamakura High for a reunion. Yachiru was sitting idly by the bar, chatting with Kuchiki Rukia and Hinamori Momo, when she spotted a shock of familiar white hair. Immediately, she felt the instinct to rise, excuse herself, and seek him out, but commanded herself to stay put and watch. Fifteen years have passed, and she wonders if he still remembers her.

"Hey, Yachiru, isn't that Toshiro-kun?" Momo murmured softly. "He looks so impressive! Look at him!"

Yachiru nodded tightly, her hands gripping her drink with steely intensity. Her critical crimson eyes trained onto his form, watching for differences. He was taller now, although not as tall as Ken-chan and if even possible, he looked even more handsome and refined. The cloak of sternness and maturity that had made him an outcast fifteen years ago only drew more eyes to him now as he…walked…towards them?

"Hello, Toshiro-san." Kuchiki Rukia, as always, was the first to regain her wit. "How have you been?"

"I've been well, thank you, Rukia-san." He paused and took in the two other women beside the petite brunette. "Yachiru-san, Inoue-san." He nodded neutrally, and smiled. "Excuse me."

Something clinched her heart, and it throbbed painfully in her chest. What the hell was that? They had been so close during high school. She had been so sure that their feelings wouldn't have waned over time. But fifteen years is such a long time, a traitorous voice whispered in the back of her mind. Regardless, it breaks her heart to see him smile such a distant smile at her.

"Can you believe him?" Momo asked, shocked. "He brushed you off!"

On her other side, Rukia also joined the commentary, "He can't possibly treat you like that. You should go tell him off Yachiru."

Yachiru had already shoved her drink to Rukia and was already out of her seat and halfway to the man.