Hello Readers! As always thank you to everyone who favourited/alerted this story and also a big thank you to the readers who left me a review for the last chapter ^_^ This chapter contains lots of fluff which acts as the proverbial calm before the storm which will be the next upcoming chapter. Until then Happy Reading!
Someone To Watch Over You Chapter 14
Toushiro was kneeling down on the floor with his right arm wrapped tightly around Kotaro's middle. His son had wrapped his arms tightly around his neck and was squeezing the life out of him in a suffocating hug.
"Daddy when did you get home?" Kotaro's voice was muffled from where his face was pressed against Toushiro's neck.
"Can I breathe little man?" Toushiro asked prising one of Kotaro's arms away from his neck.
"Sorry Daddy," Kotaro grinned while loosening his grip slightly. Kotaro peered at Toushiro and his smile turned into a frown, "Where's Mummy?"
Ukitake cleared his throat, "Toushiro, Kotaro would you like to come through to the other room?"
"Sure, thank you," Toushiro replied, scooping Kotaro up with his right arm and getting to his feet.
"But where's Mummy? Why isn't she here Daddy? Why is your arm like that? Did something happen?"
"I'll tell you in a minute Kotaro, I promise," Toushiro replied as he followed Ukitake through into his dining room. He settled himself down on the floor tucking his legs under the low table, Kotaro clambered onto his lap once he'd released his hold on him.
Toushiro plucked a tissue off the table, "Hold still Kotaro," with his one arm he awkwardly held Kotaro still while he used the tissue to wipe Kotaro's nose and pull the noodle strand free, "There, much better."
Kotaro tilted his head back, "Daddy, will you tell me now?"
"Here Toushiro," Ukitake placed a bowl of noodles on the table in front of him, "I'm sure you're hungry."
"Thank you," Toushiro happily accepted the bowl.
"DADDY!" Kotaro shouted crossly, while grabbing a fist full of his uniform, "Tell me!"
"Kotaro Hitsugaya," Toushiro wrapped his hand around Kotaro's wrist and prised it off his uniform. Keeping his hold on Kotaro's wrist he looked his son in the eye and said in a firm voice, "You do not speak to people in that tone of voice. And you do not grab people like that either. Its rude. I know you want to know where Mummy is, but you have to be patient for a minute. Do I make myself clear?"
Kotaro stared at him with shiny eyes and a wobbly lip, slowly he nodded his little head, "Sorry Daddy," he mumbled inaudibly, but Toushiro still managed to hear it.
"Come here little man," Toushiro pulled Kotaro into a hug to show that he was forgiven. Kotaro had a habit of getting upset whenever he or Rangiku had to go away on a mission. He also got equally upset when they returned. Toushiro felt Kotaro's body shake and knew that he was crying quietly into his shoulder. They sat in silence for several minutes and Toushiro ran a soothing hand up and down Kotaro's back. Once he was satisfied that Kotaro had calmed down he adjusted Kotaro so he was sitting comfortably on his lap.
"Me and your Mum got back from our mission a few hours ago Kotaro," He began. Kotaro lifted his head to look at him as he spoke, "As you can see, it didn't exactly go as smoothly as we'd hoped it would," Toushiro wiggled his bandaged fingers that were poking out from the sling.
"Is Mummy hurt too?" Kotaro asked a little sadly.
"Yes she is little man," Toushiro answered honestly, "And she will need to stay at the Fourth for a little while, until she is feeling better again," He saw Kotaro's bottom lip begin to wobble again so he hugged him, "Don't worry little man, Mummy is in good hands."
Kotaro nodded, "Is Gran-Gran looking after Mummy?"
"Yes she is Kotaro."
"Mummy will be fine then if Gran-Gran is looking after her," Kotaro mumbled into his neck, "Gran-Gran makes everybody feel better again."
Toushiro smiled, "Exactly little man, she will be fine."
Kotaro stared at him for a very long time, Toushiro smiled back at him and noticed that his eyes kept straying to his strapped up arm, "Daddy got hurt too."
"A little bit, I did this while I was protecting Mummy."
"How did you and Mummy get hurt Daddy?" Kotaro asked, curiosity was starting to get the better of him, Toushiro decided it was time for a change of subject.
"Its not important Kotaro, the point is we both got back home to you. Now enough about us what have you been up to with Grandad Ukitake while we've been away? I want a full report little man."
"Can I tell you after my bath Daddy?" Kotaro glanced at Toushiro, then over to Ukitake before yawning loudly, "Am I still allowed to sleep here tonight Grandad?"
"Of course young man, you're welcome to stay here any time you want for however long you want," Ukitake smiled, "But its up to your father."
"Daddy can I please stay here," Kotaro opened his mouth in a wide jaw cracking yawn, "I'm very tired."
"Tired already Kotaro?" Ukitake asked grinning, "You had a five hour nap earlier."
Toushiro's ears pricked up at that, the last time Kotaro went off sleeping for long periods of time during the day was when he wasn't sleeping well at night. He reminded himself that back then, Kotaro had been dreaming about monsters. But that had only turned out to be his Zanpakuto spirit and Hyourimaru, since then he'd been fine. Hyourimaru had been keeping him posted on the situation and Kotaro's spirit had been dormant ever since.
So he could rule that possibility out. The only other times Kotaro would sleep a lot would be when he was ill, or coming down with something.
"Kotaro," Toushiro looked closely at his son frowning.
Kotaro turned his gaze to him, "Yes Daddy?"
He seemed well enough and he knew Ukitake would have mentioned something if Kotaro had been feeling a bit off. He realised he'd been frowning so he straightened his face out into a smile, "Nothing little man, if you want to sleep here tonight, that's fine," he glanced at Ukitake, "Although I think Grandad will have to bathe you again instead of me," Toushiro indicated his left arm.
"Okay Daddy! I'll tell you everything afterwards," Kotaro beamed while jumping to his feet and hurrying over to Ukitake. He latched onto Ukitake's hand and began dragging him towards the bathroom. Kotaro was halfway through the door when he paused and looked back towards Toushiro, "Daddy are you staying for the night too?"
Ukitake grinned down at Kotaro and scooped him up into his arms, "Yes of course your father is staying for the night too. Toushiro I'll set up an extra futon for you next to Kotaro's." With that said Ukitake swept out of the room before Toushiro could have any say in the matter.
Toushiro chuckled to himself. He didn't mind where he stayed for the night, just as long as he was with Kotaro.
Dark shadows were all that surrounded her in this strange place. She didn't even know where or what this place was. All she knew, was that it was a very strange place.
The darkness gave it a heavy, claustrophobic feeling, yet as she placed one foot in front of the other, she could have sworn the ground beneath her feet was soft and springy like grass. So maybe she was outside somewhere?
She thought she could sense movement behind her, so she spun around quickly only to find nothing.
"Hello!" she called out, her voice echoing loudly, "Is someone there?"
She heard a small giggle and whipped around to her right, once again she saw nothing.
"I know you're there," She called out again, "Show yourself!"
She strained her ears to pick out any sounds, no matter how small. She just needed a small clue to help her figure out who was giggling and where they were.
She wasn't aware that she'd closed her eyes until she felt a light tap on her left shoulder and her eyes snapped open. She spun to her left, eyes roaming around for the person who'd just tapped her shoulder.
"She nearly saw you!" Came a sing-song voice from behind her which sounded distinctly girlish.
She rotated slowly on the spot so she was side on towards the girls voice, and side on to where she'd felt the tap on her shoulder.
Someone was here, and that same someone clearly wanted to toy with her. Well they had another thing coming, because she disliked playing games. Sighing heavily she put a little venom into her voice, "Either show yourself or I'm leaving."
"Shut up! You're making her mad, I don't want her to leave yet," This time the voice was definitely boyish and it came from the same direction as the tap on her shoulder.
So she was being double teamed, brilliant. As if it wasn't already hard enough to see in this place, now she had two unseen 'enemies' to worry about. She realised using the word 'enemies' was a bit strong, but until she knew who she was up against, that's what they were to her.
"She cant just leave like that," stated the girlish voice, "Its against the rules."
"Does she even know how to leave?" Asked the boyish voice.
"Probably not," replied the girl again, "But then again."
"It makes it more fun for us!" The boy concluded.
"ENOUGH!" She yelled back at the two children. Were they children? They certainly sounded like it, "I'm leaving right now!"
She began walking briskly away from the two voices, determined to put as much distance between them as possible. She'd managed six steps before she felt two weights latch onto each of her arms.
"You cant leave!" They both chorused at her, "Its against the rules."
She stopped abruptly and felt the two weights on her arms bump into her back. She reached out with her fingers and managed to grip both of them in each of her hands. She spun them around in front of her and was surprised to see two child like shadows standing before her. They barely reached her waist and she could tell from their outlines that they must be twins.
"Uh oh!" The boys shadow on her left mumbled lazily, "She got me."
"At least she isn't leaving us now," The little girls shadow on her right flicked her head revealing two pigtails.
"Look," She frowned deeply as she looked back and forth between the two children, forcing a calm patience she didn't feel, "Can you tell me where I am?"
The two children looked at each other before chorusing, "We cant tell you that!"
"Fine," She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, "Then maybe you can tell me who the two of you are?"
The two twin shadows grinned back at her, "We cant tell you that!"
Grr! She was really starting to feel frustrated now, "You say its against the rules for me to just leave here. So tell me then, how can I leave?"
The two children stared at each other, it seemed like they were communicating between themselves silently.
"We can tell her that... right?" The boy asked the girl uncertainly.
The girl shadow began absent-mindedly twirling one of her pigtails around her finger, "I guess so... but I bet she wont do it."
"Do what?" She demanded impatiently.
The boy shadow cleared his throat and stared back at her, "You can leave if you play a game with us and win."
"I do not play games, I don't have the time," she replied primly.
"I told you she wouldn't play with us," The girl shadow said sulkily pulling on her pigtail.
"I told you she was boring, all she ever does is Work! Work! Work!" The boy shadow yanked his arm free from her grasp, "She's suppose to follow the rules like she always does."
"Yeah! And the rule is she's got to play with us if she wants to leave!" The girl grumbled back, before mumbling quietly, "I bet he would play with us."
"I bet he would," agreed the boy.
"Whose he?" She asked sternly.
The two twin shadows folded their arms across their chests and glared at her before yelling back, "WE CANT TELL YOU THAT!" They both spun on their heels and began walking away from her.
"Hey wait! Come back here!" She called after them. They just ignored her and carried on skipping away.
She hurried after them, walking briskly to close the gap between them, "Look I'm sorry if I upset you, clearly there's been a misunderstanding here."
The two twins stopped and turned to face her, the girl shadow spoke up first, "All you have to do is play one game with us, why is that such a misunderstanding?"
"Just the one game?" She asked, "Okay, I'll play with you. Right now."
The boy shadow shook his head slowly, "You cant now, we have to go."
The girl shadow looked at her twin, "Already?"
The boy shadow nodded, "Cant you feel it? He's coming back and we cant let him know that we're here."
"No, I suppose you're right," The girl gazed around her before adding, "We should find some place to hide again."
"You should find somewhere to hide too," the boy advised, "You don't want to get caught here."
"Caught? By who?" She glanced around her, "Why do I need to hide?"
"We cant tell you that!" The two twins turned their backs on her and joined hands, before skipping away from her once again,
"Hey wait!" She called after them.
The twins paused and looked over their shoulders at her, the boy gave her a little wave before shouting, "Will you play with us next time then?"
"Yeah! The girl called back, "Will you play with us next time?"
She stared back at the twin shadows a little dumbfounded. Just what was going on here?
"Play with us Nanao-chan!" They both chorused before completely disappearing from her sight.
Nanao stared at the empty space the shadow twins had been been occupying, before sweeping her eyes over her surroundings. She felt an odd sense of loneliness creep over her and she couldn't help but shiver. This truly was a dark, lonely and barren place, she'd never known any place like it before. And what were children doing here of all places? Who were they and how did they get here?
After rotating slowly on the spot several times and seeing nothing, she decided to start walking. It didn't seem to matter which direction she went, so she began by placing one foot in front of the other.
It was hard to tell how far she'd gone but she came to an abrupt halt when she could feel someone's gaze burning into the back of her head. Goosebumps erupted on the back of her neck and travelled down the full length of her back. She felt frozen in place and she could distinctly feel several beads of cold sweat trailing their way down the side of her face and her spine.
She swallowed down the lump in her throat then pivoted on her heel to face whoever was lurking behind her.
Before she could react, a large shadowy hand shot out from the darkness and latched firmly onto her wrist. She managed to stifle the scream that wanted to escape her lips and instead it came out more like a strangled yelp. She squinted her eyes and through the gloom she could make out a large, bulky, shadowy demon standing before her.
The shadowy demon turned and began dragging her away, walking towards a considerably black portion of this already dark place.
She dug her heels in, trying to prevent the shadowy being from dragging her any further towards the looming darkness before her.
"Let go of me!" She demanded, allowing her spiritual pressure to swirl angrily around her. She quickly produced a red ball of kido aiming it at her shadowy captor.
The shadowy demon batted the kido spell to one side with a casual flick of its wrist and laughed loudly, while carrying on with its relentless pace.
Nanao began to struggle even more, knowing deep down that she could not allow this demon to drag her further into the darkness. If it did, she knew deep down that she would be lost.
"Nanao-chan!" Shunsui's voice sounded so far away and a little bit distressed.
"SHUNSUI!" She shouted back, glad to hear at least one familiar voice in this lonely place. Where was he though? She craned her neck in all directions trying to catch a glimpse of Shunsui, sure that he was here somewhere. She gritted her teeth and began redoubling her efforts to get away from this strange shadowy demon. The demon merely grinned back at her in amusement.
"Let go of me!" She demanded for the second time.
In response the demon tightened its grip around her wrist and dragged her more forcibly away with it. Nanao felt her feet lift up off the ground as the demon yanked on her wrist.
Fear and panic began to coil tightly in her chest and stomach, as she desperately tried to prise her arm free from the demons unyielding grip.
"Nanao-chan!" She felt an odd jolt run through her body, "Wake up damn it!"
She stared back at the shadowy demon. Wake up? Was she dreaming?
"Nanao!"
The demon stopped and turned back to face her. With one sharp pull Nanao stumbled forwards and the demon grabbed her by the throat with its spare hand. It hoisted her up so her feet were dangling several metres off the ground. Her wrist was free from the demons hold and she automatically began trying to prise the demons hand away from her throat without much success.
The demon chuckled and pulled her closer so their faces were only an inch apart and in a soft, low voice which Nanao was shocked to hear was very feminine, it said, "I'm curious to see how much longer you can go before you completely break," it began with a sneer, "The moment you fall asleep again, I'll be back for you."
"NANAO CHAN!" She noted that Shunsui was sounding rather desperate now.
Her vision was blurry and black spots were blooming in her eyes, which were streaming with tears. She couldn't be sure whether it was because of fear or if it was the lack of air to her lungs. The demon stared at her for a few more seconds then with one quick strong movement, it shoved her away and launched her through the air.
Nanao expected to hit the ground any second, knowing the impact would be painful, however no such thing happened. Instead she sunk through the ground and began to free fall. She tried to twist herself over onto her stomach. Her hands brushed against the sides of the hole she was apparently falling down. She tried anything just to slow herself down but nothing was successful. The only change around her was the rush of air in her ears and the increasing darkness. She opened her mouth to scream but no sound would come out.
"Tilt your head back and close your eyes Kotaro," Ukitake instructed as he reached up to pull the shower head free from the wall.
Kotaro complied and Ukitake turned the water on, spraying it over his hand for the right temperature, "Okay here we go."
He placed one hand gently on Kotaro's forehead to prevent any water from streaming into his eyes, he brought the shower head up with his other hand and began to wet Kotaro's hair through with the spray.
"Here, hold this for a second Kotaro," Ukitake asked while handing him the shower head. He reached over to the shelf and pulled down his bottle of shampoo. He flipped the lid and poured a tiny amount onto the palm of his hand, then returned the bottle to the shelf. He dampened his other hand then rubbed both of his palms together to lather up the shampoo, before placing them both on Kotaro's head and gently massaging it into his hair, "Once I've done your hair you can have a splash around if you want."
Ukitake was waiting for the outburst of excitement that Kotaro would usually display whenever the word splash was mentioned in the bathroom, however the lack of response was slightly puzzling for him.
"Kotaro, did you hear me? I said you can have a splash around once your hair is done," he tried again.
"I don't feel like it Grandad," Kotaro answered quietly.
Ukitake paused and peered at Kotaro's face, "What's wrong Kotaro? Are you feeling okay?"
Kotaro pressed his lips tightly together and shook his head, "Can I get out Grandad? I've got a headache."
"Oh I see," Ukitake felt concerned, "Here let me rinse your hair off first."
Kotaro nodded and tipped his head back and closed his eyes again.
"I suppose it has been a long day for you today," Ukitake retrieved the shower head from Kotaro and just like before, he placed a gentle hand on Kotaro's forehead. He had to admit Kotaro's forehead did feel a bit warm to the touch and peering at his face his cheeks seemed a little flushed too. "Kotaro how long ago did your headache start?" Ukitake asked as he rinsed the soapy suds from Kotaro's hair.
"I don't know, not long."
Ukitake frowned, he knew from extensive experience how quickly a fever could take a hold of you, "There we go, all done Kotaro," Ukitake reached up and switched the water off then replaced the shower head back on the wall.
He then dipped his hand in the water and pulled the plug out. Kotaro lifted his arms up and Ukitake lifted him out of the bath by his armpits. He placed Kotaro down gently on the floor then walked over to a small cupboard where he kept the towels.
"Grandadddd," Stuttered Kotaro. Ukitake glanced over to see him clutching his arms tightly around his small body shivering, "Itttsss coldddd," he said through chattering teeth.
Ukitake hurried back over to him and placed the large towel over his head and wrapped the rest of it around Kotaro's body, Ukitake then scooped him up and carried him out of the bathroom and back down the hallway to the room where Toushiro was sat sipping on a cup of tea.
Toushiro looked up as they entered the room, "Is my little noodle head all clean and ready for bed now?"
"I'm not a noodle Daddy," Came Kotaro's muffled reply from under the towel.
Ukitake placed Kotaro down on the floor, "I'll be right back with your pyjamas Kotaro."
As Ukitake left the room, Kotaro padded across the room to Toushiro, "Daddy can I have a cuddle?"
"Of course little man," Toushiro guided Kotaro onto his lap, as Kotaro sat down the towel slipped further over his eyes.
"Daddy I cant see," Kotaro squirmed around on his lap frustrated.
"Stop squirming around and give me two seconds," Toushiro adjusted Kotaro so he was sitting more securely, he then pulled the towel away from his face and began rubbing at Kotaro's hair to dry it off. As Toushiro tended to his sons hair, Kotaro sat on his lap shivering in silence, while occasionally yawning.
"There all done Kotaro," Toushiro pulled the towel away from his head and draped it around Kotaro's shoulders, he then pulled him closer into a cuddle while he ran his hand up and down Kotaro's back for warmth, "I think we'll get your pyjamas on then get you all tucked up and warm in bed."
"Daddy."
"Yes Kotaro?" As Toushiro sat cuddling Kotaro on his lap, he became aware of two separate spiritual pressures flaring and spiking on the edge of his awareness taking place somewhere across the Seireitei. He drew in his awareness and filtered it out, the last thing he wanted was to feel somebody else having a dispute. Instead he wrapped his presense around Kotaro in a comforting gesture.
"I don't feel so well."
Toushiro glanced at Kotaro's face which did seem a little pale and his cheeks were a little bit flushed, "Is it because you're tired little man?"
"Yeah, but I have an headache and I feel cold," Kotaro lifted a hand and rested it against his chest, "And my chest hurts too."
"You're probably coming down with a cold," Toushiro planted a soft kiss on Kotaro's forehead, "Don't worry little man, I'll look after you."
Kotaro sniffed and Toushiro saw tears begin to fall from his eyes, "I miss Mummy."
Toushiro hugged him, "I know Kotaro. I miss her too."
"TOUSHIRO!" Ukitake called as he hurried into the room clutching Kotaro's pyjamas in one hand and Yori in the other.
Toushiro jumped slightly at the sudden intrusion of noise, "What's wrong Ukitake?"
"Cant you feel that pressure?" Ukitake asked looking a little worked up.
"Yes I felt it, but I tuned it out," Toushiro saw the uneasy expression on Ukitake's face and frowned. He then extended his awareness out and quickly came across the two pressures again. His eyes went wide, "Wait that feels like.."
"Shunsui and Nanao," Ukitake confirmed.
"Feels like they're having a dispute. Why though?" Toushiro asked a little curious. Sure Shunsui was well known for winding Nanao up and yes she would often throw a book at his face, but for them to actually lose control over their pressures like that.
"Toushiro, I think I should get over there. While you and Rangiku have been away, things have been a little odd between the two of them."
"Odd? How?" Toushiro asked quirking an eyebrow.
"I'll fill you in when I return okay?"
"Sure," Toushiro nodded, "I'm going to put Kotaro to bed, he's not feeling so well," Toushiro rose to his feet and crossed over to the door.
As he passed by Ukitake, the older Captain clapped him on the shoulder, "I'm sorry about this Toushiro."
"No don't be, its okay," he adjusted Kotaro and retrieved Yori and the pyjamas from Ukitake, "It must be something serious, because its not like either one of them to pick a fight with the other. Right?"
"Right," Ukitake for once had a very serious expression on his face, "I'll be back soon Toushiro." With that said, Ukitake turned on his heel and swept away down the hallway.
"Daddy what's happening?" Kotaro asked, "Where's Grandad going?"
"Don't worry little man, lets get you to bed now," Toushiro began making his way to Ukitake's guest room, "You still haven't told me what you got up to while I've been away. So instead of me telling you a bedtime story, maybe you can tell me what you did?"
"Okay," Kotaro agreed quietly, "Daddy.."
"Yes Kotaro?"
"When will I be able to see Mummy?"
"I don't know little man. I suppose when she is feeling better again," Toushiro saw a sad expression settle over Kotaro's face, "I'll check how she's doing with Unohana first thing in the morning all right?"
Kotaro perked up a little at hearing that and nodded, "And if Gran-Gran says its okay, then can I see Mummy?"
"Yes Kotaro, you can," Toushiro placed Kotaro down on the futon, "Now lets get you dressed and into bed." Toushiro chuckled to himself, Kotaro was a sweet kid but he certainly had a stubborn side to him too. It was hard to tell whether it was inherited from him or Rangiku, but it was certainly there.
Ten minutes later, Kotaro was settled into his futon and Toushiro was lounging sleepily on the other futon next to him, "And then the jelly beans exploded everywhere Daddy!"
"Wow that's amazing, how did he manage to smuggle all of them into your crayon box like that?"
"I don't know Daddy, but Auntie Nan-nan let me have a few anyway."
Toushiro yawned loudly and stretched his good arm out above it head, "Sounds like you've had a lot of fun little man," he closed his eyes to and allowed his arm to fall back onto the futon.
When he felt a small weight pressing on his stomach he snapped his eyes open to find Kotaro's face hovering a few inches away from his own, "Kotaro?"
"Daddy fell asleep," Kotaro whispered in a soft voice, "Is Daddy tired too?"
"I guess I am little man," Toushiro watched in amusement as Kotaro shuffled around on his futon to find a comfy spot. Once Kotaro was settled down and snuggled up against his side, he allowed his eyes to close again.
"Daddy.."
"Hmm?" Toushiro mumbled sleepily.
"Can you remember when I was dreaming about those monsters?" Kotaro asked reluctantly, "And you told me to tell you if I started having them again?"
"Hmm."
"Well the orange one keeps talking to me now."
"..."
"Daddy?" Kotaro frowned peering into Toushiro's face, "Did you fall asleep Daddy?"
A soft snore escaped from Toushiro's mouth and Kotaro pouted, "Oi! Its suppose to be my bedtime, not yours!"
Toushiro shifted on the futon and wrapped his good arm around Kotaro pulling him closer, "Its too early little man, go back to sleep for a bit," Toushiro mumbled before drifting off back to sleep. Kotaro snuggled into Toushiro's side and he too fell asleep within seconds.