Moon Cutter 12
Toshiro wouldn't admit it, but he was nervous. What if he made it to the finals and then was drug further into the soul society? How would the team fair without him? Maybe he should talk to Ichigo. Looking to the right, he saw Ichigo sleeping soundly, he shouldn't bother him. Maybe he should try to sleep. Then again, the dream had been getting more vivid and he was starting to hear some of what the dragon was saying. What if he woke Ichigo and Kuchiki with his tossing? Maybe he should meditate a little. Yeah, that sounded good. Expanding his senses, he found the Ishida boy, who was his self-proclaimed rival, was leaving his apartment and manipulating his reiatsu suspiciouly well. Urahara and Shiohin were doing something similar to him and flared their reiatsu mischieviously, Inoue and Yosatura were approaching Urahara, so his suspision was correct, they'd become spiritualy aware. Ichigo wouldn't like that. Realizing there was no use in staying awake, he tried to get a little sleep.
Ichigo snapped awake but he didn't know why. Catching movement, he looked over at Toshiro, thinking perhaps it was him, what he saw suprised him. A man with short, silver hair that seemed to have a purple tint. His complextion was almost as pale as Toshiro's, and he had a lanky frame. He was dressed in a white, long sleeved haori over a shinigami outfit. As he watched the man's eyes changed from sky blue to blood red as they narrowed into slits and zeroed in on him as his expression changed from one of concern to a fox like one. Just as quickly, he vanished from sight leaving an icy rag on a lightly panting Toshiro. Ichigo was very confused. Was that man related to Toshiro? He was a shinigami though. Would that mean Toshiro was one? No. It was just a resemblence. It didn't mean anything. Looking at the clock, he realized it was four in the morning. Great, he'd just be woken up for the game if he tried to go back to sleep, and Rukia had said if the soul had dissapeared before the excorcism, it would cause suspicsion, so he couldn't deal with that. Though, what if that soul reaper had? What was he doing with Toshiro? Speaking of Toshiro, he better wake him up. It seemed he was having another nightmare. Ichigo sighed. He hadn't told anyone, but lately he'd noticed Toshiro's nightmares were becoming more common and aggressive. He wondered if it was something to do with his amnesia. Ichigo got out of bed as he neared he stopped.
"Who?' Toshiro muttered in his sleep. What was he dreaming about? Hearing a quiet slide, he looked at the closet to see Rukia had cracked it open and was watching.
"Is his reiatsu leaking again?" He asked quietly.
"Yes. We need to wake him before he attracts a hollow." She said. She seemed a little distracted. Toshiro must really be confusing her. He was trying to decide wether to tell her what he saw as she gently shook Toshiro awake. Lately, he'd been lashing out if Ichigo tried, he guessed he was just too ruff. Ultimately, he decided against telling her. He doubted it was bad if the man was a shinigami, and he was acting as if he shouldn't be there, similar to how Toshiro suspected Rukia was.
A few hours later.
It was time for the big game, and Ichigo was excited. His younger brother AND sister were about to play for a posistion in the championships! Toshiro seemed conflicted though, he wondered why.
In the team prep, Karin was pumping everyone up, but Toshiro was standing off to the side. After the encouragement, while everyone was preparing, Karin approached Toshiro.
"Is something wrong Tosh?" She asked casually, well aware how Toshiro didn't like pitty.
"It's nothing." Karin frowned. Recently, Toshiro had been so closed off, she was worried, and not just her. Yuzu may have played oblivious, but she couldn't get things past her twin, she was worried to. Ichigo's feelings were a no brainer, but she suspected he was the only one Toshiro would tell. Lately, the two of them had been leaving at random times and coming back exhausted. Whatever Toshiro was up to, Ichigo was in on it, and she suspected he'd just evade her attempts on finding out what it was.
"If you're worried how you'll be treated in the championships, we can decline the offer. I'm worried it'll get to everyone's head anyway." She said instead, well aware Toshiro had gotten the hidden meaning. It'd get past Ichigo, but not Toshiro.
"... There is a lot going on right now. I might have to leave." Toshiro said. Wait. Was he getting close to finding his family?!
"I understand. Highscool can't be easy." She said. Toshiro's lip twitched, apparently he was amused at something. Then he gave a grateful smile that had become so rare, and she was glad it was directed to her. She always felt great when she could help her brother.
"Thank you. It's highly possible, but I might not."
-IamnotgoodattypingsportssoIwillskipit-
After the match, Toshiro had felt relieved. Karin knew something was up, but wasn't prying, the team had got a big head so Karin had point blank refused to go to finals sayin 'we play for fun, and the official competition is already getting to everyone but Toshiro'. Though she looked a little sick, he had noticed, and when she was congratulating him, Yuzu had too. Why, was it his cold reiatsu? If he moved away, would it protect them from him? Perhaps, full time training with Urahara would help. He was so lost in thought he didn't notice the class either congratulating him or glaring at him. He also didn't notice he had slipped up on his test and got every answer right, he was trying to get at least one wrong so he could stay with Ichigo. He also didn't notice the reaction that got from Ishida, doubled his efforts in his test. He did however, notice Kuchiki was absent. Expanding his senses, he found her at Urahara's shop, apparently getting a new gigai. Then he started paying more attention to his class. Inoue had finished her test and was now writing a letter to Sora. She mentioned His and Ichigo's roles in saving them, so she remembered. Chad, as Ichigo insist he call him, was also finished and now staring ahead, likely doing his own reflecting judging by the looks he kept sending around. Ishida was reading his book again, but his reiatsu gave Toshiro a message 'I know.' it seemed to say, so he must be one of those quincy Urahara talked about, judging by his hostility to Ichigo and Kuckiki. Oh well, it didn't concern him if Ichigo didn't do anything reckless. The excorsicm was tonight, and Ishiin had managed to drag them all in to it. He should focus on that, the real one that would come after. He heard a rumble of agreement in his head that had recently been becoming familiar. If only he could hear it's name.
Ok. Just a short look into what people are fealing in response to the events of the story. Including with Gin, how many will put the situation together i wonder? Also I have a reviewer who wants me to keep the honorifics in the dialouge, who else wants me to? I will see about a poll, but last time I tried, it just didn't go up.
