Chapter 10: Never Look Back
If you were to ask the young frosty captain what turned him on, you would have received nothing short of an infamous scowl, a bulging vein in his forehead and a curt, "I shall not grace such lewd inquisitions with an answer."
As such, that was exactly what was occurring. He silently scowled at the cherub face of his voluptuous Vice-Captain with a moody contempt following his sharp answer. "Aww…but Captain. Everyone else is telling. It's only right that you should join in on the fun as well!" the redheaded woman whined.
"I care not for your silly adolescent party games. I have paperwork to finish, which is something that you should consider doing unless you would like to be up to your nose in it for another two weeks…" The young tendo rolled his eyes and made his way to his desk across the room, his thoughts becoming slightly unsettled.
Such was the atmosphere of a Meeting After-Party in the 10th Division Headquarters. Many had gathered in the cozy office, and consequently the saké was flowing and the verbal diarrhea had commenced. There was quite a crowd clustered in the center of the room. Renji and Kira were leaning over the coffee table pouring more saké to the masses. Ichigo, Rukia, and Shunsui were playing some ghastly drinking game on the loveseat. Shuuhei, Ukitake, Amagai, Yoruichi, and Urahara were all packed together on the couch discussing trivial things and laughing hysterically at something the young captain cold not make out. He wouldn't deny it that this setting was not his favorite. He rather detested the frivolous acts of his Vice-Captain, who was currently starting a keg stand with Ikkaku, Yumichika, and some seated officer from the 11th Squad. It was going to be more difficult to concentrate than he initially thought. And this paperwork was the most important that he would ever do for this squad. It was the last paperwork that would ever be signed by his pen for the 10 Division…
Assuming that this was a better time than later, he allowed his thoughts to travel back the meetings that had taken place no more than an hour ago…
"Damn, this place is freaking huge!" Karin gawked at the sight of the enormous gate that surrounded the city.
Toushirou led the group to the entrance hall where they all dispersed, going their separate ways. He led Karin to the 10th Division headquarters in silence. Upon entering the small office, he sat behind his desk as she plopped down on the couch. "Cozy little place you've got here, Toushirou."
He sighed and picked up his pen to begin the paperwork that was already piling up in his absence. "There are a few things that you need to know before you go into these meetings and completely humiliate yourself. First, you are going to have to refrain from calling the Captains and Vice-Captains by their given names. It is considered a sign of disrespect to not use honorifics for superiors. So from now on, it's Captain Hitsugaya to you until I instruct you otherwise. The same will go for Vice Captains Matsumoto, Abarai, and Kuchiki, and Captain Shihoin."
Karin leaned back against the back of the couch, arching her back and back-bending upside down to lock eyes with the snowy captain, "Ooh…back to all of that elite stuff from way back when I first found out about you."
Not looking up from his paperwork, Hitsugaya replied, "Exactly. Now hush. I don't want to be buried in this paperwork all night. I'd like to be rid of it before the meetings."
As he attempted to finish the small stack of papers, he noticed that, though Karin was succeeding in being quiet enough for his needs, she was still managing to be extremely distracting. He glanced up to see her playing rather conspicuously with the threads on the pastel colored couch. Then, much to his surprise and amusement, she dug in her small hand bag and extracted a small sewing kit. Watching silently, he peered at the way she popped a piece of thread through the needle and tied it in a knot with her tongue, snipping the thread with her teeth. He frowned slightly as she began to quickly stitch up a frayed tear in the corner of the couch. His eyes widened slightly as she moved at lightning speed and stitched the tear in a matter of seconds. "What are you doing?" he voiced softly.
She rolled her eyes and replied, knotting the end of the stitch and biting the remaining thread off, "Building a drawbridge… what does it look like I'm doing?"
Hitsugaya rolled his eyes back at her comment before speaking, "You know what I mean. How did you learn to do it that fast."
At this she smiled and cocked her right brow, "Just a few tricks I learned from a friend of the family."
After putting away her needle and thread, she stood and walked over to the window across the room, overlooking the sakura trees and small pond outside. He followed her movements as she sat on the edge of the window ledge and propped her feet against the left part of the sill. Crossing his arms across his chest, he let out a sigh. "Is something the matter?" he asked.
"Tch…nah…just a little tired, I guess." She replied, staring out at the pink blossoms fading slowly from the trees as the cool breeze nipped at her skin, foretelling the approaching cold weather.
He frowned slightly as he realized that she was lying. He sighed in exasperation, "Ok, well why don't you tell me the truth now…?"
She looked at him quickly, startled slightly at the unspoken accusation. After a few moments she recovered, letting a small smirk play on her lips, "So, you're an intuitive little bastard, too I see…"
Hitsugaya didn't know whether to be angry, shocked, or amused by her brash comment. Settling for the least violent of the three he retorted, "So I see that you are a cheeky little brat…"
She smiled slyly and resumed her reverie as he returned to the abandoned paperwork. Time had passed by slowly until the meetings commenced. Hitsugaya escorted Karin to the Meeting Hall where all of the other seated officers that cared to attend had gathered.
Small round tables were set up with clothes the color and flower of each squad. Hitsugaya glanced around the room taking a silent attendance in his mind. On the far right was the 13th squad with Captain Ukitake, Vice-Captain Kuchiki, and Third seats Kiyone and Sentaro. From the 12th division sat Captain Kurotsuchi and Vice-Captain Nemu at the purple table. The 11th squad provided Captain Zaraki, Vice-Captain Yachiru, and Third Seat Ikkaku Madarame.
As Hitsugaya and Karin seated themselves beside Matsumoto at the emerald green table, Hitsugaya continued his mental checklist. The 9th squad consisted of Captain Yoruichi and Vice Captain Hisagi. The 8th squad was incomplete, though he could see Shunsui being led in by his Vice-Captain Nanao. The 6th division table sat Captain Kuchiki and Vice-Captain Abarai in their usual silence. Captain Unohana and Vice Captain Kotetsu occupied the 4th Division table and the 3rd Division aquamarine colored table was filled with Captain Amagai, Vice-Captain Kira, and the new Third Seat Akiko. The 2nd Squad leaders Captain Soifon and the newly appointed Vice Captain Yumichika sat in friendly chatter at the orange table. The 7th and 5th Division tables sat eerily empty as a memorial, for they had neither a captain nor a vice-captain following the War against Aizen.
As he wrapped up his mental count, he noticed that Urahara was seating himself beside Yoruichi as he watched Ichigo make his way over to the 10th Division's table, taking a seat beside his sister, who was shifting anxiously in her seat. "What's wrong Karin, you seem a bit agitated." Kurosaki inquired as he placed a hand on his sister's shoulder protectively.
Hitsugaya watched as the two talked themselves through the day and caught up with the other's activities. Silence began to spread through the hall as the Head Captain Yamamoto entered the room, taking a seat at the Head table. "Good evening to all of you. I trust that those have recently returned from the material world have settled back in accordingly and that the newcomers have adjusted well. Now, to commence this meeting I ask that Ichigo Kurosaki please step to the front."
At his name Ichigo winced slightly, but stood and did as instructed, "Here goes nothing…"
Standing before the Head Captain and the rest of the Court, he breathed deeply, pushing away the nerves at what was to come. The Head-Captain stood and took a few paces forward, leveling himself with the young man. Placing his staff in front of him he called the Courts attention with the announcement, "Tonight we gather together to discuss a matter of appointment. It has come to the elite's attention that this young man, Ichigo Kurosaki, has shown an extraordinary amount of talent and power throughout the recent wartime. Because of his immense power and latent abilities, I move that we do something that has never been done before in the history of Soul Society. I request that we consider the appointment of this Substitute Soul Reaper, Ichigo Kurosaki, to a seated officer position in the 13 Court Guard Squads."
At the announcement there were a variety of reactions, some catcalls from the 11th Squad and gasps from the 2nd Squad. Applause erupted from the 13th squad and Karin whistled in agreement. The Head Captain raised his hand to silence the masses before continuing, "All in favor of the motion please stand."
At that, all in the room rose from their seats except Captains Kurotuschi and Soifon who still believed he was too rash for consideration. At the acknowledgement, Yamamoto dropped his hand and announced, "You have voted to appoint Kurosaki to the 13 Court Guard Squads. I shall discuss this with the captains and decide upon a seat for this young man. Kurosaki, you may be seated."
As Ichigo made his way back to his seat, applause began to fill the hall as several tables showed their support for the orange haired Substitute. Hitsugaya could see that the young human was trying desperately not to display the proud smile that tried to touch his features. As Ichigo sat back down beside his sister, she grabbed his arm and shook him a bit, "You know, you CAN smile… I promise they won't go Bankai on you."
Ichigo chuckled at the statement and allowed the boyish smile to grace his face. Karin smiled back, her white smile glittering in the candlelight. Distracting himself from the pretty sight, Hitsugaya glanced back at the Head Captain, awaiting the next topic of business. Yamamoto brought his staff back to his side and took his seat as the hall became silent once again. "I now wish to address a more lighthearted subject. It seems that we have an important holiday approaching in the next few weeks. Two weeks from today there will be a celebration in honor of all of the current and former captains and vice captains of the 13 Court Guard Squads. An invitation is extended to all current and former members of the 13 Squads as well as a few special guests from the Material World. The invitations will be delivered within the next week. I hope to see all of your bright shining faces there. And with that, this meeting is adjourned. All captains and special guests please remain. All others, you are now dismissed. Have a safe night."
As the older man took his seat, all of the vice captains and seated officers rose and began to leave the hall. Rangiku walked over to Karin and hugged her tightly, "Good luck, Lil' Kuro…I hope everything goes well. You have to tell me all about it at the party later."
As she turned to leave, the red head turned to Hitsugaya and cocked her brow, "Try to play nice, Captain. Remember, she's new here."
The young white haired captain rolled his eyes in exasperation and shooed his vice captain out of the hall. "That woman… why I've never had her transferred is a question that still remains a mystery to me."
Karin giggled at him slightly before having her attention drawn by the movement of all of the Soul Reapers in the white haori forming two single file lines in front of the Head Captain. She looked over at Hitsugaya for instruction as he nodded for her to wait on the side as he took his place between the 8th and 12th Division captains. As the Head Captain stood once more, he motioned for the young girl to take her place at the front of the 'throne' at the end of the two lines. She hesitantly took her spot, looking slightly out of place with her tattered black training robes that she had appeared in as a Soul Reaper in spirit form.
Hitsugaya heard the voice of the 8th Division captain whispering in his ear, "That one's a real looker. You should probably hold onto her. You shouldn't let something like that get away from you."
The young captain bit his lip before answering to the older man beside him, "It's not my place. We are of two different worlds and two very different personalities. Besides, I'm not ready or looking for a romantic relationship at the moment."
He heard the man beside him snicker slightly, "Suit yourself. But I'm not worried. You'll change your tune. And I'll say 'I told you so' when you do…"
Hitsugaya sighed and shook all negative thoughts from his head, this was not something that deserved the energy of concentration at the present moment. He reverted his attention to the meeting at hand, watching as Yamamoto took a few paces forward and called the meeting to order. "As some of you may not know, this young woman standing before us has been summoned because of our decisions regarding Ichigo Kurosaki. Young lady, will you please state your name, age, and status?"
She nodded, taking a deep breath before lifting her chin slightly, much like her brother, "I'm Karin Kurosaki, age 18, an Earth-bound Soul Reaper."
At those words the captains burst into chatter. "Kurosaki! What relations does she have to Ichigo…?" "An Earth-bound Soul Reaper…those haven't been seen in several hundred years…" "Why is she here…?"
A sharp thumping of the staff on the marble floor silenced the commotion. "I suppose we should answer some questions before we begin here. This young woman before us is the younger sister of Ichigo Kurosaki. She is what we call an Earth-bound Soul Reaper, in that she was born a Soul Reaper and attained her powers in much the same way that one attains them here in Soul Society. However, she is still a human, alive in the World of the Living, making her much like her own brother. You are all correct that it has been several hundred years since there was another Earth-bound Soul Reaper, but it is not a dangerous or negative thing at all. It just means that she was born with an extraordinary amount of spirit energy that has somehow managed to manifest itself in the form of spirit power and allotted her special powers and abilities. Now for the bad news…"
At this, the captains began to chatter once again, Hitsugaya's heart dropping slightly at the notion of what was to come. "I ask that young Hitsugaya please explain the latter."
The young Captain took a deep breath, pushing away all irrelevant thoughts as he averted his eyes to the beams across the walls of the hall, "She is what we call the 'Millennial Guardian,' a Soul Reaper that comes around once every few centuries as an omen of imminent war or danger. In old texts, it is written that the 'Millennial Guardian' will bring about the end of the traditional ways of the people. She brings forth a new way of living and fighting, proving that the familiar ways are insufficient and outdated. If she is received with acceptance and open minds, the Seiretei can benefit extremely, but if not, then she will cease to be the 'Millennial Guardian' and fall back into the ranks as a forgotten Soul Reaper and negative repercussions will occur…"
The Head Captain smiled as he bowed his head slightly, "Spoken by the true heavenly Protector Guardian, also born every few centuries…"
Many Captains gasped sharply at the latter comment as Hitsugaya's eyes widened slightly as he averted them to the floor, not knowing how to address that. "Yes, Captain Hitsugaya, you know what I speak of. Why do you shy away? You've known this for a long time."
The older Soul Reaper regarded the other captains, "Yes, The Protector Guardian, reborn into Soul Society from the soul of a Royal Guard of the King. His existence is an omen of the arrival of the 'Millennial Guardian,' and his purpose is the location and protection of this being."
Hitsugaya could feel his breath catch in his throat as Karin's eyes met his from across the floor. He saw not fear or anger in her eyes, but understanding and resolution, awe and wonderment. He mouthed a silent 'I'm sorry' to her before turning back to the Head Captain. The old Soul Reaper motioned for him to move, "Hitsugaya, please come to stand beside Miss Kurosaki."
With a sigh of submission, Hitsugaya walked slowly down the two columns and took his stance next to the young woman. They looked at each other for a moment as he opened his mouth to say something, only to swallow his words in his throat, turning back to face his colleagues. "Some of you are asking yourselves, 'What does this mean?' Well, this requires that Miss Kurosaki be moved into the 13 Court Guard Squads immediately. I already have a plan set up for the arrangements. Captain Soifon, will you please summon Vice-Captains Abarai and Matsumoto and Kisuke Urahara and Ichigo Kurosaki? Their presence is required for the next step."
As his vice captain exited quickly, Yamamoto turned to the remaining captains and announced, "For the remaining decisions I ask that only Captains Hitsugaya, Ukitake, Kyoraku, and Unohana remain, as well as Miss Kurosaki. The remainders of you are dismissed."
As the other captains exited the hall in a muttering frenzy, the remaining few gathered in a single file line in front of the 'throne' as Hitsugaya turned to Karin, "I apologize for not speaking about this to you sooner. I only just found out about this myself earlier today–"
He was silenced by her smooth index finger over his lips, "Ssh… it's okay. I'm not angry. We'll talk later."
He was taken aback both by her sudden movement and her lack of contempt. Though, he didn't have much time to think about it as the summoned were now entering the hall. Matsumoto, Urahara, and Abarai took up positions on the left of Hitsugaya and Ichigo stood beside his sister, "What's going on?" he whispered to the two.
A tap of the staff on the ground once more silenced the crowd. "Attention. You all have been required here for various reasons. First and foremost, Hitsugaya and Karin, you are the subjects of this topic. Veteran Captains, you are the last of the original 13 Court Guard Squads and your opinions are vital to this appointment as well as your rights to be the first notified to changes. Abarai, Matsumoto, Urahara, and Kurosaki, this will directly effect your positions within your squads. Now, to begin…"
Murmurs were heard vaguely amongst the vice captains and Ichigo, but were soon silenced by Yamamoto, "Here is my decision. Kisuke, you will be currently assigned to the position of Captain of the 7th Division with Ichigo Kurosaki as your Vice Captain. I trust that this will be a smoothly operating placement?"
Eyes widened and heads nodded as Karin grasped her brother's shoulder and Abarai gave a 'Welcome back…' to Urahara. After the short bout of congratulations and pleasantries, Yamamoto cleared his throat once more, "Now for the tricky part…Hitsugaya, it is with both pride and apology that I inform you that you will no longer be Captain of Squad 10."
Gasps were heard throughout the space, but were soon silenced when Yamamoto shocked them all, "You are being transferred as Captain of the 5th Division."
Hitsugaya's eyes grew and widened considerably, and he could hear the faint sigh of defeat from his vice captain to his left as she realized the meaning. What was said next even deepened everyone's shock, "Vice Captain Abarai, you are now being promoted to Captain of the 10th Division and Matsumoto will remain as your Vice Captain."
The silence was suffocating as several emotions played on Abarai's face and Hitsugaya was rendered speechless. As if the situation couldn't dumb them anymore, Yamamoto put the cherry on top, "And Karin Kurosaki, you are to be seated as the Vice Captain of Squad 5 under Captain Hitsugaya…these changes will be effective immediately, starting tomorrow the move will begin. That is my decision, and if there are no further questions or concerns, we will begin the Haori ceremony in private…"
Silence filled the hall, answering the posed question, until Hitsugaya whispered, "I don't know if I can do that, Sir."
Before the Head Captain could respond, Matsumoto cut in gently, "Of course you can, Captain. It's not only your duty under orders, but the 5th Squad needs you. Don't let the past events with Aizen deter you from your destiny and surely do not consider me as a reason. I will still be around, whether you like it or not. I was the one who discovered and prompted you, when you were but a small child, was I not? So go on, Captain, I was proud to call you such while you were mine, but now it is time for you to move forward and accept a new beginning. Move forward and never look back…"
Hitsugaya was pierced by the words, straight through to his very core. This was the voice of his stubborn, lazy, drunkard, and procrastinating vice-captain. But he'd be damned if she didn't speak the honest-to-God truth. With a soft 'Thank you, Matsumoto,' he allowed himself to nod in reply to the Head Captain.
As the final nods of agreement were displayed, Yamamoto motioned for four servants. As they appeared, they each held white linens in their hands. Atop the linens were captain haori and vice captain badges. As the servants formed a line beside the Head Captain, he began the ceremony, "Before me stands the past, present, and future of the Seiretei. Each of you has earned your position in many different ways than the others. So, it is with great pride that I open this inaugural tradition. Kisuke Urahara and Ichigo Kurosaki, will you both please step forward."
As the disheveled man with the clogs and the upright young orange haired Substitute walked forward, the servants approached them slowly, kneeling and placing the linens on the floor. "Accept these symbols as reminders to all that you are the new protectors of the Court of Souls and all that is good and just. Kisuke, I welcome you back after many long years of misunderstanding and unfair treatment. Kurosaki, we welcome you into this court with full trust and faith in your abilities and judgment. May the both of you show these outward symbols with both pride and humility."
As the words were flowing, the servants picked up the haori and badge and placed them onto the appointed man. After the task, they both stepped back into rank beside the Head Captain.
Next, the Captain called Renji and Rangiku to the front. "Hitsugaya, I will be needing that haori you now possess."
With a nod, Toushirou slipped the white and emerald garment from his shoulders and walked over to the Captain-to-be. "Here you are, Renji, where it with care and don't disgrace the name of my squad…"
Renji smirked and patted the young captain on the shoulder as he made his way back to his waiting spot. As the Captain repeated the same speech, only shorter, the two newly appointed walked back to their original spaces. "And now finally," the Head Captain announced, glancing over at young Hitsugaya and Karin, "Toushirou Hitsugaya and Karin Kurosaki…"
The two moved simultaneously to the same spots as the previous four and waited their turn. "Hitsugaya, you have more than proven your worth in this court several times over and are living testament that hard work and instinct both factor into success and respect in this 'business.' Karin Kurosaki, you are still a young lady, but the awesome power you possess cannot be denied. Both of you are prodigies and rarities of your time and should take pride in that fact. And it is with both sorrow and joy that I bestow upon you the haori and badge of the 5th Division that have long been sitting in a dark mausoleum of the Captains Archives. I don't even have to wonder if you will wear them well…"
And with that, Toushirou could feel the cool cloth of the white and teal haori slipping over his shoulders. He glanced over at Karin, noticing the servant in front of her had yet to move. The Head Captain explained with a simple request, "I am aware, Miss Kurosaki, that you have yet to obtain proper Soul Reaper hamaka. No worries."
With a small wave of his hand and closing of his eyes, a soft mist surrounded her, and as it cleared it was apparent that she was cloaked in the clean and new, traditional hamaka, her zanpakuto on her hip, looking exactly as she had the day that Hitsugaya had seen her train. "There, much better."
She glanced at herself, moving her arms to take in her own appearance, quite surprised at the sudden transformation. All eyes from the crowd averted themselves to the blood red hilt of the zanpakuto on her hip, as it was the first time for many to witness it. Having seen the new outfit, the servant proceeded and slid the 5th Division Vice-Captain badge up her left arm, resting it just above her elbow before retreating back to his place.
After the servant had returned, Yamamoto concluded to ceremony with a few words, "Now, go forth and display your new ranks to the masses. Go and celebrate yourselves for this night alone, for I cannot promise that other days from here on shall be as forgiving and kind. Good evening and thank you for your understanding a cooperation."
After his words, he exited silently to his chambers, leaving the newly appointed members and the veteran captains to their thoughts. Rangiku and Renji embraced and reacquainted each other; "I guess this means I have to call you Captain now…" Matsumoto teased.
Urahara and Ichigo spoke amongst themselves, "Well, it looks like we ended up working together again after all…"
Finally the silence came to Hitsugaya and Karin who were currently just staring off into the space in front of them, lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Hitsugaya turned to the young dark-haired girl and extended his hand, "Congratulations, I look forward to working with you, Kurosaki."
As she placed her hand in his, he grasped it firmly, holding it still for a moment, contemplating the warmth that emanated from it onto his cool palm. After moving it slowly up and down once, holding her gaze if only for a moment, he dropped it and turned sharply, exiting the hall briskly before anyone could say a word to him.
As he hurried down the dimly lit walkway to the 10th Division office, he sighed and placed a hand over his forehead, running his fingers through his snowy white mane. He hadn't realized how much this would affect him. It had all gone by so fast and so unexpectedly that he was having a hard time taking it all in and processing it properly. Things were going to get very awkward soon. He just had a hunch…
So he ended his thoughts as he averted his eyes sharply back down onto his paperwork. The soft brush of his pen was caressing the last bits of paperwork that he would ever do for the 10th Division. He allowed himself to sigh as the party was beginning to disperse and several members began to leave for their chambers. All that remained besides his Vice Captain were Renji, Ichigo, and Rukia. Rising from his chair and stretching his arms to the sides, he made his way over to the window, looking out at the same tree that the Kurosaki girl had admired earlier that day. It really was fading quickly. Winter must be fast approaching…good…I could use a little stress-free enjoyment right about now…
He was pulled from his thoughts by the hand of his soon-to-be-former Vice Captain as she stood beside him silently. "What are we going to do, Matsumoto? This just feels so wrong for some reason…"
He could feel the older Soul Reaper squeeze his shoulder softly as she exhaled, "We are going to meet this head on and do what we must. I know that this is going to be exceptionally hard for you. I don't blame you, for it would be hard for me to wear the haori of a traitor and see daily the badge of the one you loved and lost. It will be very painful to be reminded constantly of your failures and losses, but you must be strong about this, like the man that I know you to be inside. You have never given up, Captain, and I don't believe that you have it in you to do so now."
Hitsugaya sighed deeply and placed his right hand firmly atop the larger but feminine hand that rested on his left shoulder, squeezing it tightly. "Besides, Hitsugaya, you will always be 'Captain' to me…and don't let anyone tell you otherwise…"
At those words of comfort and reassurance, Hitsugaya allowed a small grin to appear on the corners of his lips, "Thank you, Matsumoto…Thank you…"
After a few moments of silence, Matsumoto removed her hand and walked over to the couch, "Your welcome. Oh… and I think I'll put on some tea. You have someone coming that wishes to speak with you. She said it's very important…"
Hitsugaya allowed his head to drop slightly, for he knew exactly who it was going to be. As if to taunt him further, there was a light wrap on the sliding door to the office as Rangiku stood to open it. "Of course, come on in and make yourself comfortable. He'll be with you soon."
It was several minutes before Hitsugaya decided to finally turn around and face the young girl with the red zanpakuto. Staring at her for a few moments, he finally walked over to the couch and sat beside her, his eyes purposefully avoiding the badge on her left arm. She was the first to speak, breaking the tense silence, "You left so quickly that I didn't get to tell you that I was glad to be working with you too. I'm sorry if I have caused you any pain or stress, for it is not my intention to hurt you in any way. If there is anything that I can do to make you feel better, let me know. I only want to help you. You're my best friend and I can't stand to see you moping around or feeling bad…"
As she spoke, she silently reached for his hand, only to have him move it quickly to run his fingers back through his ivory hair. She frowned slightly, but covered her reaction quickly, pushing the hurt away from her. We can't both feel bad right now…
"Look, Toushirou, I'm not sure what happened to you in the last 24 hours, but you aren't yourself…"
He sighed and exasperated sigh before turned sharply to face her, "You apparently don't know me very well. This is the way that I am. The man that you saw back in the World of the Living was just a sad soul in a gigai. I was going through some lapse in character and resolve. That young teenager is no more. I am Captain Hitsugaya, wielder of Hyourinmaru, Captain of the 5th Division…"
She noticed his voice trail off softly at the end in an almost unsure tone. She didn't know what it was that had him so disenchanted with the 5th Division, but she knew that it was extremely painful for him and he wasn't going to broach the subject on his own. She was just going to have to do this manually…
"Toushirou, why are you having such a hard time with this…?"
Silence ensued for a few moments before the white-haired captain finally answered, "This squad is unstable. Our new squad is unstable. There hasn't been much success with being Captain of the 5th Squad by any means. Misfortune and betrayal are the only notable things that have ever come out of this squad…"
Another bout of silence, though shorter, followed the comment, "Then I guess we are just going to have to turn that around, aren't we? Look, they didn't put you in this position to fail. They put you in it to make this squad stronger and reclaim the dignity that once surrounded it. Don't let a dark past tarnish any hope for the future of this squad. Give it a chance."
With a sigh, Hitsugaya stood to leave, but not without stealing a painful glance at the badge that adorned the arm of the young girl before him. Tearing his eyes from the sight, he turned and took a step forward, only to feel the familiar feeling of warmth on his left forearm. A warmth that he recognized from years earlier when this same girl had once grabbed his arm and attempted to stop him from going after a hollow as they stood on that edge of the ravine. As they stood on the edge of the same ravine that he had shared an angst-filled night of pain and pleasure with the same girl grabbing onto his arm at that moment. The way that these years had gone full circle was enough to make him want to scream and laugh at the same time. "No, you aren't going anywhere until you tell me…"
Hitsugaya attempted to jerk his arm free, but was met with a firm grip, "Tell you what, Karin, what is it that you absolutely have to know that can't wait until tomorrow?"
Her eyes met his, piercing through his resolve and taking his attention hostage. Her eyes softened slightly as she glanced down at her badge at then met his gaze once more. She dropped his arm and slowly moved her hand to trace the soft engraving of the flower on the lightweight stone crest. Returning her stare back into his deep emerald eyes, she sighed and asked, "Who is she?"
Hitsugaya's eyes widened suddenly before he forced a look of indifference onto his features. "What on Earth are you talking about? Who is who?"
She sighed in exasperation before standing and taking a hold of both of his upper arms, tightening her grip on his toned biceps to stay him. "Who is she...? The one who wore this badge before me that hurts you so much to remember…"
At those words, Hitsugaya felt himself die a little inside. He had known that his would come up eventually, but he had hoped that it would be at a later date. As his mind raced, trying to think of a way to avoid this, he knew that it was futile. He closed his eyes and bowed his head in defeat. Letting out a breathe that he didn't even know he had been holding, he whispered barely loud enough for her to hear and still understand, "Her name was Momo Hinamori and she was everything to me…"
A/N: Well there is the end of Chapter 10. I am sorry that it took forever to get it up, but I've been stressing over college. I move out on Saturday and I have been getting everything in order so things will be a little slow for the next week or so, but I will get things updated. Have faith in me! So, how does everyone like it so far? I'm trying to ease into things because I really want to stay as true to the characters as I can without going to OOC. If you have any questions, suggestions, feedback, or anything constructive let me know. I am anxious for reviews. Well, I'm going to go to bed, seeing as it is 3:00 A.M. here in the U.S. and I am about to fall over. So R&R and give me some love while I sleep.