Matsumoto returns to Soul Society. Trouble stirs up on thehorizon.

YAY! I've received more than 100 reviews now!! And I received the most so far on Ch10. Yes, bit of breakthrough chapter. I was little worried the whole description of emotions and stuff went little overkill but it seems people didn't find it too bad… Phew.

Please continue to RxR, if there's anything you think I should improve on, please let me know. It's great to hear how much you like the story too, so keep the support going for me please… Honestly, this story's eating my life, I haven't done anything else apart from writing for weeks now. My friend's been telling me he's surprised I'm still going on with it but with all these reviews, there's no way I can stop, haha.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed/added the story to their alert/fav list. It makes my heart sing. Hehe.

Enjoy!

Empathy by HeukYa Ch.11

The next morning was hell for Ichigo and Matsumoto. The vice-captain had succeeded in getting alcohol intoIchigo's system in the end and the party just went on all night. It was already nearing two in the afternoon when Matsumoto first opened her eyes with anenormous but familiar hangover. She rubbed her eyes, looking around the room with ablank expression on her face when the irritated voice reached her from behind and somewhere above (which happened very rarely given their heights).

"Are you finally up, Matsumoto?"

"Ah, taichou I've got areally bad hangover…"

Hitsugaya just crossed his arms, looking down at the sagging vice-captain with impassive eyes. There were times he wondered what it would be like to have someone like Nanao or Hisagi as his vice-captain. But then his life would probably be very quiet and boring. He smirked as Matsumoto slid down the sofa she slept on like some melted wax.

"I can't even pity you with all those cans on the floor."

"Ah, but I'm always ready as ever, tada"

Matsumoto pulled out a black bottle from inside of her shihakshou. Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow.

"What is it?"

"Hangover medicine, hehe."

"THAT's what you carry around in your shihakshou?!"

Hitsugaya glared at Matsumoto who was now draining it, easily ignoring the irritated captain. When she hadfinished it, she looked around the living room, now quite thoroughly trashed, with the owner sprawled out on his back, still deeply asleep. Ichigo would probably not wake up for some time, not to mention themonster hangover he would have. Then Matsumoto saw her captain staring at the orange-haired boy with uncertain look on his face. He seemed to be in great conflict trying to decide something.

She smiled inwardly. So she was right, the captain was indeed awake when she and Ichigo had hadthe conversation.

She decided to stay quiet unless her captain needed her. It was a private problem and she knew how sensitive the prodigy was when it came to hispersonal business. And from the look on the captain's face, it looked like Ichigo might have luck on his side. She knew she could trust Kurosaki Ichigo and if things worked out, it would probably do a great deal of good to the prickly captain as well. However that didn't mean Matsumoto couldn't have her fun.

"Taichou, you went to sleep a lot earlier than us but you don't look much different from us."

She smiled innocently when Hitsugaya sent daggers at her with alook that said 'Don't you dare start it'. She would have to step around carefully, she told herself when she caught the scowl, more irritated than usual. She bounced out into the bathroom, leaving Hitsugaya trying hard to stop himself from pinching the bridge of his nose. He sighed as Matsumoto disappeared from his view, humming some random tune. The amusement coming from her clearly told him she was doing it on purpose and he knew this was not over until Matsumoto returned to Soul Society. He wasn't sure if that would even be the end actually.

It was just then that Ichigo decided to wake up. He let out a strangled noise, his head was throbbing, his eyes were blurry and he was feeling slightly nauseous as well although it wasn't too bad. Then he saw awhite mob in his hazed vision and tried to focus his eyes properly, whilstsmiling sheepishly.

"Ohayo, Toshiro."

"………Ohayo."

There was adelay in Hitsugaya's reply but it took Ichigo even longer to process the fact that something was missing; his brain was still drunk. When it finally hit him, he shook his head, trying to clear his vision and gaped at the white-haired boy.

"You not gonna tell me to call you taichou any more?"

Hitsugaya stared at the dishevelled state of Ichigo, who had the typical 'I was trashed' look on his face. He turned his back on him, those brown eyes looking up at him so earnestly reminded him of last night.

"I took pity on your alcohol-soaked brain which would no doubt be working even less than usual."

Ichigo sulked; damn, he thought he had managed to get the kid togive in with that stupid affix. The small captain was brilliant when it came to verbal torment. He tried to get up but fell back almost immediately, grunting, massaging his head.

"……Is it bad?"

Ichigo turned his head at the question, startled at the low voice that suddenly sounded so near. Toshiro was sitting down next to him, with something Ichigo couldn't read on his face. He swatted his hand.

"Just a hangover. I'm never drinking with Rangiku-san again though, who the hell pushes afirst-timer this much?"

Hitsugaya smirked.

"That's what you get if you don't keep your head on around her."

"Is that advice from an expert?"

"Or just telling you that you are an idiot for letting her get her ways."

"Oi!"

Ichigo temporarily forgot about the hangover and bolted upright only to have the thumping in his head worsen. Hitsugaya watched Ichigo scrunching his eyes with head in his hands and stood up with a barely audible sigh escaping his lips. He knocked on the bathroom door where he could hear the shower on and Matsumoto singing something he had never heard of.

"I'm taking ashower!"

"Matsumoto, we need the hangover medicine."

"Ah, is Ichigo-kun awake? Yeah, sure, it's in my shihakshou!"

Veins threatened to pop on Hitsugaya's head.

"Which is in the bathroom. Get it and just give it to me!"

The shower soon stopped and after afew seconds, Matsumoto, wrapped in atowel, opened the door and passed a bottle to the irritated captain. She pouted as Hitsugaya snatched it out of her hand.

"Taichou, you could have come in and got it, I was having really nice shower!"

"Shut up! Go back to shower, Matsumoto."

"Hai, Hai"

Hitsugaya reminded himself to request for someone else next time they wanted another check-up on him as he returned to Ichigo who still hadn't managed to get up yet.

"Oi."

"What is it?"

"For a hangover."

Ichigo looked at the -rather suspicious looking- black bottle, little surprised that Hitsugaya actually bothered to get one for him, not to mention from Matsumoto. The petite hand that held it was almost thesame size as the bottle. Even though Hitsugaya had spent much more time fighting than he has so far, the hand seemed perfectly soft with its ivory skin. Ichigo looked at his own hands, much bigger than Toshiro's with calluses here and there. He wondered what it would be like to hold those small hands in his own when Toshiro shook the bottle in front of his eyes, startling him.

"If your hangover isn't that bad, then get up. It's well past midday already, if you haven't noticed."

"Of course it's bad… you should experience what it's like, and then you wouldn't be so harsh."

"God forbid."

Hitsugaya replied in atotally Baykuya-like voice, sounding deadpan. He stood up, planning to go into the kitchen to comply his empty stomach's request, he had woken up much earlier than the other two and hadn't eaten anything yet. However he stopped dead in his tracks when Ichigo stopped him, grabbing his wrist. Hitsugaya stiffened before he could stop himself, thememory of last night flooding in again. Ichigo was surprised at Toshiro's reaction and wondered if even grabbing his wrist was out of order for the young captain. Still keeping his hold on the thin wrist, Ichigo stared with wide eyes at Hitsugaya's back who had yet to turn around to face him.

"Hey… I was only going to ask you if you slept alright, I think we made quite bit of ruckus and you look like you didn't get much sleep."

"I'm fine."

Ichigo looked at the boy for a minute at thesomewhat cold respond then let the wrist go. There was wariness in those emerald jewels that Toshiro failed to hide completely although the boy did not give anything away in his irritated scowl or the indifferent demeanour. Ichigo scratched his head, he really couldn't remember much of what they did after he got drunk. Then the smaller boy's head lowered a little, his hand holding the wrist Ichigo had just let go.

"I'm fine."

This time, Hitsugaya's voice was a lot quieter and softer. His eyes were down casted and it sounded like he was talking to himself than to anyone in particular. Ichigo frowned and was about to reach out for the captain again when Matsumoto literally leapt out of the bathroom, back in her shihakshou. Ichigo and Hitsugaya both had almost jumped out of their skin at the sudden disrupt and Matsumoto's eyes darted between them.

"Why are you so surprised?"

"Nothing, it's nothing. Ah, Rangiku-san, thanks for the medicine, it really works well."

"I know! It's amazing, isn't it?"

Ichigo got pushed into the kitchen as soon as he managed to stand up by the buxom vice-captain who was complaining about her rumbling stomach. Hitsugaya remained where he stood, looking very much like a wax statue. Only the tired teal orbs showed the intensity of his confusion and frustration at the indecisiveness. Ichigo's touch had reminded him of the strong emotion he had felt last night, making him involuntarily shudder, as he remembered the conversation he had with Hyourinmaru after overhearing Ichigo and Matsumoto.

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He had wandered into his inner world without the intention to do so. It surprised him as it had happened rarely even before he achieved his bankai and never since then, and it was a sign of just how much confused he was. The blizzard was fierce and the wind, gusty. The sky was covered with grey clouds that seemed to fly across dark canvas because of the strength of the wind.

'Toshiro.'

'Hyourinmaru.'

'Do not think of it as being weak.'

Hitsugaya didn't even have to explain; the dragon already knew his emotional turmoil. He sat, or rather, flopped down onto the ground, covering his face with his hands. The dragon curled around him and gently nudged him with his head, encouraging him to say out what was in his mind.

'……I… it's just… what I feel from him… is…'

'………….'

'I've never felt anything like it from anyone before, not even Hinamori.'

'Because what each wants from you is different.'

Hitsugaya took his hands off his face and met the dragon's eyes with his. The legendary creature had one of its wings over him, safely protecting him from the blizzard he himself had caused.

'The girl was someone you had to protect. Kurosaki Ichigo does not need protection. He simply wishes your presence in his and your happiness.'

'…………He makes me remember things I have forgotten long ago and turns off all my controls that… it's almost like I'm not myself.'

'I sensed you almost loosened completely.'

'………'

'Does the affection trouble you?'

'…I…'

'………..'

Hitsugaya had to think for along time. Yes, the affection, the love he felt from Kurosaki troubled him, just not in the way he would have thought it would. It threw him off when he realised how much he wanted that warmth to envelope him and never leave him. It had felt like a safe haven, no one to protect, no duties to worry about, no bloody vengeance to seek, just soaking in the love and trust provided.

'It is not that you are weak, little one. However everyone needs someone to complete their lives; especially those who have already lost their precious ones. You are too hard on yourself, someday you will break.'

Hitsugaya visibly flinched at the dragon's words that reminded him of his painful fallout with Hinamori but he knew Hyourinmaru spoke of the truth. It didn't mean it was any easier to accept it. He bitterly smiled.

'I wonder what would have happened if I wasn't empathic.'

'It does no good to wonder about what has already happened and will not change.'

'But Hyourinmaru, I've never had… those moments like Kurosaki had.'

'Even in the park?'

'…………'

'You have much more control over yourself, Toshiro. Kurosaki freely follows his feelings. The path to love you take will be different from his.'

'………I never thought I would be talking about this kind of things with you.'

The dragon's soft but deep laugh resonated around Hitsugaya, who sighed and got up to leave. However much he felt that his mind needed the safe haven and wanted to feel that comfortable warmth again, he definitely wasn't ready to accept it. He needed more time. The dragon uncurled itself without saying anything else. He just repeated what he had said before as Hitsugaya took his leave.

'Everyone needs someone to complete their lives; especially those who have already lost their precious ones.'

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"I'll be going now then, taichou. Ichigo-kun."

"It was good to see you again, Rangiku-san. Say hello from me to the others as well when you see them."

"Sure."

"Get going."

"Ah, I know you will miss me, taichou."

Hitsugaya ignored the pout just as easily as Matsumoto ignored his glares. They had woken up so late that there was barely enough time to finish the report for Unohana before the door to Soul Society opened. The forth division captain was to be reported that his empathy has improved although not by much and that it would still be some time before any visible recovery. Matsumoto gave onelast goodbye wave then as suddenly as when she arrived, Matsumoto was gone along with the door. Thesilence that had left the flat for past 24 hours returned again, this time, with aslight tension in the air. Ichigo coughed to cover the awkwardness, feeling a little unnerved for some reason.

"Well, that was one hell of 24 hours."

"……………"

When he didn't receive any reply, Ichigo turned around to face the captain, who was sitting on the sofa, staring at the wall. Ichigo grew alittle worried, Toshiro had been going off like that afew times already and it was so out of character that now it was just getting uncanny. Has he heard something from Matsumoto about Soul Society?

He doubted though. He had been around Toshiro pretty much all the time except last night when the boy went to sleep ahead of them. He raised a brow but decided to leave the captain with his thoughts. Toshiro had given him time alone when he needed it, it was his turn. He was still feeling a little worn out from all the drinking last night anyway and it felt like ashort nap would do him well. No wonder Toshiro would never join his vice-captain for her 'dinner' with friends.

"Toshiro, I'm going to sleep for a bit."

"Ah."

Ichigo tilted his head sideways, he was sure Toshiro hadn't caught a single word of what he had just said. Whatever it was, he must be thinking really hard about it. Ichigo pondered once again, if he should ask what was bothering the white-haired captain but he didn't have to think much on what answer he would get even if he asked.

With a shrug, Ichigo returned to his bedroom and sprawled on his bed. It had been a long time since he slept on it and Hitsugaya's scent from the beddings prodded his nose. He set the alarm for two hours later and closed his eyes, burying his face in the pillow.

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Hitsugaya sighed. AGAIN. Even if someone was counting how many times he sighed, that person would have surely lost the count by now. The idea of wanting someone on apersonal level was just completely foreign to him. He didn't think any less of love by no means; he believed it was something that was fragile but could be very beautiful when it was right. He just never contemplated about it with him in the context. He wasn't used to this affection or the comfort despite how much his body and mind seem to scream for it now that he had taste of them.

But was this love? He didn't want to be involved in a relationship out of needs. For him, a captain of Gotei 13, to be in a relationship was risking a lot of things and it would definitely not be easy to juggle his duties and his personal life, especially with Ichigo over here and he back in Soul Society after his recovery.

Then Hitsugaya held his thoughts. It sounded like he was already thinking about getting involved with Kurosaki. Frowning, he ran a hand through his hair and stood up. He needed to get some cold fresh air and clear his head a little. It was then that he noticed the flat was oddly quiet and Kurosaki was nowhere to be seen.

'……Has he gone out? No… he seemed to have taken Unohana taichou's words to heart and never left me alone unless we were in one place together.'

He didn't want to have to argue with Kurosaki later for having left without telling him, that really was something unnecessary in his situation right now. He walked into the bedroom, trying to find a pen and paper when he saw the one he was looking for sleeping on the bed. He stood at the door for a bit, staring at Kurosaki's slumbering form with tentative eyes. Then he silently closed the door and crept up to the bed.

'…Now I think about it… It does seem Kurosaki said something soon after Matsumoto left.'

He remembered Ichigo's words last night and sat down on where Ichigo usually studied. With his chin in his hand, he gazed down at the orange-haired boy, who was either in discomfort or frowned even in sleep. Hitsugaya scoffed.

'He frowns even in hissleep…? Baka.'

Seeing Kurosaki asleep brought his mind to what Ichigo said about himself. He wondered what he looked like when he was sleeping. Was he …… Hitsugaya blushed (and scowled at same time) at the thought of the word. Was he that… 'cute' when he was asleep? He was glad Ichigo wasn't awake to see his heated cheeks, tinged with red. Just then, Ichigo shifted a bit, startling Hitsugaya. With that little movement, the blanket was pulled down a bit to Kurosaki's waist, who was wearing awhite sleeveless top. When Hitsugaya was sure Ichigo was back to his deep slumber, the cerulean eyes started to travel its way down from the top of Ichigo's head.

The messy orange hair on sky-blue pillow made Hitsugaya smirk, they were rather brilliantly mismatched. Soft hazelnut eyes had hidden themselves behind the closed eyelids and every time Ichigo breathed, the toned chest rose and fell. The usually strong shoulders were completely relaxed and his muscular arms were spread across the whole bed on either side. There were quite afew scars that Hitsugaya could see and he was sure there were a lot more under the white clothes. Ichigo was just lucky that he usually had a healer nearby whenever he went into afight or his physical body would've been covered in very grim-looking scars long time ago.

I'll never know how he manages to survive getting cut up like that every time, Hitsugaya thought, not realising he had survived just as gruesome injuries as Kurosaki, probably more times than the orange haired boy given the length of time each had spent as shinigami. Tracing the outline of Ichigo's features with his sea-green eyes, Hitsugaya did not move at all. With the still air in the room and silence that was broken only by Ichigo's regular breathing, it felt like he was part of a motionless picture, not allowed to break the serenity.

Then Hitsugaya's small hand reached out slowly towards the bright orange hair. The action oozed of uncertainty but at thesame time, curiosity and needs. But just when it was about to get its first touch, Hitsugaya jumped and pulled his hand back. The teal eyes were wide, looking at his hand that had moved without his command.

Then as if it thought that was the perfect timing, the alarm Ichigo had set started to go off, making Hitsugaya almost jump to the ceiling. When Ichigo stirred at the sound, coming out of the slumber, Hitsugaya quickly stood up and left the room. He sat back down on the sofa, trying to get his usual look of collected calm back on the face before his host came out. He breathed in deeply and closed his eyes, counting to ten, attempting to slow down his heart which was thumping at 100 miles an hour. Hitsugaya heard the door open and Ichigo coming out with a yawn. Ichigo stopped when he saw the captain in thesame position as when he had first gone into the room two hours ago.

"Oi, did you actually move at all?"

"………Whatever."

"You know, I might not be able to give really clever answers like you do, but if you want, I can at least listen."

Hitsugaya didn't say anything. Ichigo didn't know he knew about his feelings and that dumbass definitely did not know how they were affecting him. Sensing Hitsugaya wouldn't take his offer, Ichigo sighed. Oh well, he thought to himself, it was Hitsugaya Toshiro he was dealing with, one who was just as private as he was, both as stubborn as a mule. Honestly, sometimes he knew just exactly how the small boy would act without having to think so hard about it.

"Hey, c'mon. Let's go out for dinner."

"Out?"

"Yeah, for dinner. I can't be bothered to prepare anything. It had been awhile since we ate out anyway."

Then Ichigo returned his room without giving Toshiro any chance to speak of the matter. Hitsugaya considered for a while then soon got up to get changed. He needed some fresh air and maybe a night walk after dinner would do him some good.

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"Ah? He wasn't there?"

"Nah, didn't see him."

"Where's that brat gone… I'm gonna find him and KILL HIM! I'll make him pay…"

A burly man who seemed to have just returned from some fierce battle smirked as the girlish looking (yet a guy for sure from his voice) man with sleeves long enough to cover his hands stomped out of the room.

"Hey, we'll see him sometime sooner or later."

"I. DON'T. FUCKING. CARE! Yami, if you keep getting in my way, I'll kill you first."

They stared at each other for a while then Yami just shrugged and left the room, looking for a healer. The other guy took off in anopposite direction, his lilac eyes blazed with revenge. Despite his lithe appearance, the reiatsu he gave off was much stronger than big muscular Yami. His black fringe was short enough to show three pink diamonds above his left eyebrow. When he reached the communication department, his mocking smile was back as he looked at the terrified arrancars, their only worth being their knowledge and skill with these machines.

"Find a shinigami."

"Who… Who would you like to…"

The lilac eyes narrowed.

"Gotei juusan tai Juu ban tai taichou, Hitsugaya Toshiro." (AN: Gotei 13 10th division captain)

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Omake

Ichigo: (running out in Tensa Zangetsu) Don't worry, Shiro. I'll protect ya!

Toshiro: Kurosaki!! ...(turns around to HeukYa and whispers) If anything happens to that baka, I'll personally perform konsoh (AN: soul burial) on you. (runs out after Ichigo)

HeukYa: ………Hmm. I'm getting used to them running out on me now. Anyway, come and see what happens because we'll get visits from old faces too. And maybe something else will happen too. Who knows. (smirks)