Confined Ice

Chp # 20- Endurance

Ichigo retold his recent mission to captains Unohana and Ukitake. The healer did not like the situation, of course Ichigo left out some details like the memories he witnessed but he tried to explain the best he could about when he found Toushiro and what the young captain was like when he awoke. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't get the young captains death off his mind.

Ichigo wasn't one to pry into other peoples lives or deaths in this case, but this just wasn't right, something had to be off, it's the situation the death occured in.. He had so many questions, the thoughts were like a plague. Why the hell would a four year old be out in the middle of a winter night? Where the hell were his parents? Why wasn't he even wearing proper cloths, on such a cold night?

And the biggest one why the hell was he bleeding so badly ? I mean gosh he was just a little squirt in the flash back, nothing but skin and bones.

Curiosity plagued the 5th division captain, although Ichigo was sure he wouldn't like the answer , he still wanted to know. Trying to push those thoughts aside he left fourth division to find Kanna and Rangiku both women deserved to know what he had found out, after that he was going to left fouth division around an hour later .

Almost immediately after Ukitake left, Toushiro began to get much worse as his wounds re-opened. a high fever plagued his small damaged body and much to Unohana's horror new wounds were appearing out of nowhere at an astonishing rate of speed. Most of them were in the shapes os slash. Blood began to soak his body.

It had already been twenty minutes and Unohana couldn't stop it, she called for both Isane and Hanataro to help her try to close his wounds that kept appearing. It was obvious to the healer he and Hyourinmnaru were fighting off the invader to his soul, and she prayed for his success.

----------------------------10th Division-------------------------------

Sitting behind her captains desk certainly did feel strange, she was just so used to him behind it, diligently working on the paperwork with his creased eyebrows. A stack of paper work before her, an inkwell and a brush she knew of her task the dreadful and constant piling paperwork. However the busty, excitable blonde just couldn't focus enough to do it.

Her mind was on her small captain. She was so worried, Ichigo had already stopped by to tell her about the news. Although the news only increased her worry she was still glade Ichigo had told her. Besides even if her worry scale had hit its peak she was still feeling a little happy, because even though her captain was in so much pain right now and on the verge of loseing himself he still cared enough to ask Ichigo to watch over her while he could not.

But than that was her captain, and was who he was always going to be. The women toke some comfort in that knowledge. Aizen had been defeated with only two deaths which was surprising to say the least, plus she had gained two more friends, however if her captain died than she didn't know what she would do. If she could, if she had the power, Would she wish that time be reversed so he was alive and Aizen as well, and lose her new friends. Not that it's possible but still, though she hated to admit she probably would wish that.

She couldn't help it her captain was more like a little brother whom she loved dearly, and right now she was once again powerless to help him. The strawberry blond played with her shiny necklace as she prayed silently with tears falling down her smoth skin.

-------------------4th division------------------------------------------------------------------

Unohana had hoped this would end quickly his injuries were being sustained at a rapid rate. The blood soaking his body was getting critical. The wounds he obtaining were all slash's, burns and stabs. Just now before her very eyes his shoulder was savagly ripped open, his breathing was labordered and his small battered body was begining to convulse . Whatever battle he was fighting, it was apparent he was not on the winning end.

---------------Toushiros inner world---------------

Toushiro squated on the musshy iced ground panting heavily. Sweat streamed down his face mixing with blood. His whole body felt heavy. He had no reiatsu at all at the moment and he was still exsausted from the other battle, plus his time with Aizen hadn't done him any favors.

he gripped his shoulder in pain, as stickly crimson blood flowed out from the wound, inbetween his finger. It fell slowly ryhmicly on the wet ground making ploping noises as it struck the not so hard surface.

The skeletal version of Hyourinmaru laughed at the pair " I dont know why you continue to fight on. You obviously can't defeat me little child " its voice was filled of malice and held a mocking arora to it. Toushiro glared at it, he didn't just face all thoughs nightmarish memories to lose, plus it just called him a child. Hyourinmaru seemed to agree as it lunged at its undead counterpart.

The dragons once again collided with each other, however Hyourinmaru was at a disavantage he was also out of reitsu and his naturel wepons did no good against a creature made from bone. However the bone based creature could do damage as it slashed mercilously at Hyourinamaus dull tender hide, with its sharp powerful claws.

Blood began to streamed from the ice dragons body.

Hyourinmaru did have one advantage on his side his weight, bone would weigh less than mass and muslce so Hyourinmaru body checked the beast backwards. He looked at his distressed wielder with worry 'Young one, this will not work. even though we are united we are both fatigued our power grows thiner ' Hyourinmarus deep voice echoed through Toushiros mind. " I know ....Damn it. I wish I wasn't so exsausted. If only I had gotten to you sooner, you would still have strength left ". ' Young one do not blame yourself, we must not dwell on what has already passed ' Hyourinmaru reminded.

Toushiro let his eyes travel over the area, his soul was nearly dead. That pain was much worse than that whish was inflicted to his body. He found it hard to concentrate. his body had numerous wounds, his shoulder left shin, stomach and back were all severyl wounded. " hyourinmaru can you fire an ice based attack srong enough to freeze him solid ? ". Hyourinmaru paused for a moment before responding ' No... I would need a few minutes to gather the strength necessary and that would be the only time I could fire off an attack involving reitsu '

Toushiro closed his teal eyes, so in other words the dragon was telling him it was their very last shot. " A few minutes....well than I'll just have to hold out that

long ".

' Toushiro I do not approve of this plan ' Hyourinmaru growled out his worry. The dragon was not answered for a long moment. they could hear their enemy taunting them in the background noise

" Hyourinmaru Im going to take my place in the sky. I need your faith to fuel me. I have been without you for far to long and I would rather die hear with you than with out you. We are a team, and this is our only shot my friend are you with me ? ". Hyourinmaru's mighty jaws turned upwards slighty in what could only be a proud smile as it turned its lithe body to face its young wielder.

' Toushiro I have been waiting a very long time for this day. The day when you truley sore, you have proven yourself to be a true dragon my friend. I will always be with you, be careful young one '. Toushiro stod shakily while blood dripped from his numerous wounds. He couldn't believe it, he finally sored according to Hyournmaru. That ment hyourinmaru no longer thought he was in need of training.

When he had first achieved his shikai Hyourinmaru told him the day he truly sored would be the day they were truly complete as a team. Whice also ment if he should survive this his Bankai would also be complete.

With a stong will and heart guiding him he ran towards the intruder, his legs burned with pain, with each step. " Foolish whelp " the skeletal dragon roared as it lunged for the tiny captain. Toushiro barly dodged the huge claw. Ice chunks were knocked everywhere causing him to lose balence on his already worse for wear legs and fall to the ground. The intruder seemd to take the bait and lunged again ignoring Hyourinmaru completely.

From his postion on the ground the only way to dodge was to roll out of the way, once agian ice chunks were torn from the soggy ground. They hit the captain with incredible force one sharp piece imbedded itself deep within his thigh. Toushiro grunted in pain as he pulled the ice chunk fom his flesh and quickly got back on his feet. The enemy was continuing its asult, lunging for him, sweeping the ground trying to get him while at the same time causeing more damage to the inner world.

Toushiro was slowing, his body was so tired and his vision was getting blurry. As such he failed to see the giant claw coming at him, and it was too late as it pirced his abdomen. He screamed out in pain as a single talon pirced him all the way through his body, blood was flowing out of the new wound like a river. All the while Hyourinmaru watched silently gathering his remaining power.

The undead dragon removed its talon causeing Toushiro to cry out in pain again and fall with a lod thud to the ground. Than it picked his body up in its boney hand and squeezed tightly. Toushiro roared in agony as all his wounds were strained and blood was literaly being forced out of them. ( Kindda like when theres a small hole in like a gogurt wrapper and than you sqeeze it xD )

Than he had the distinct pleasure of hearing his bones buckle and crack.

-----------4th--------

Unohana feared the worst as she looked down at her newest patient. Nearly every bone in his upper body just broke and or cracked infront of her very eyes. The young captain shoke violently as he let lose an ear sahttering pained cry. Blood was gushing from him and overflowing falling on to the floor. It would only take another two minutes for his body to be drained of blood.

Almost all of the wounds that hadn't been healed from the battle a week ago and the torture had re-opened plus these new wounds. She honestly didn't know if he could last much longer. " Captain Unohan His respiratory system is failing ! " Isane warned. Unohana nodded and started to use her reitsu to heal his lungs which had been punctured.

-----inner world-----

' Toushiro Im ready you must get away fom him ! ' Hyourinmaru roared. Incredible pain, that's all he could register at the moment. He couldnt breath or speak all he could do was scream as the intruder continued to literally squeeze the life out of him. Toushiro squeezed his teal eyes shut. He couldn't give up, not now. Not after how far he had come, after everything he endured it was his time he finally sored through the sky and obtained his freedom.

Everyone had always said that his intelligence or speed was his greatest strength, but he disagreed it was his endurence, his will to live. With that thought in mind he scavenged the last speck of reitsu he possed and forced it aound his body. The skeletal beast roared in pain as its bones were being burnt by the accumulated reistu, it immediately through Toushiro to the ground.

As soon as Toushito hit the ground Hyourinmaru sprang towards the enemy dragon with incredible speed, he shot the highy concentrated beam of ice at the undead beast which hit it directly. The enemy froze instantly, and Hyourinmaru rammed into the frozen enemy causeing him to literally break and crack into pieces. The Ice dragon than landed beside its wielder.

Toushiro was quickly losing conconiouness, the ground was beginning to colour red from his blood. It was hard and painful but the small captain manged to turn the sides of his mouth upwards. It was small and a little akward, but a smile none the less, it has been so very long since he had a reason to smile. " Ne Hyourinmaru, Im real glade that we are togther again " he mumbled his voice was no better than his vision at this point. Hyourinmaru smiled fondly at its young wielder " Young one, I am so very proud of you. You rest now and I will be here waiting for you to wake. So we may piece together this place once again ". That was all Toushiro heard before he fell asleep.

------------ 4th division--------------------------

Unohana smiled at the young captain, his wounds had ceased appearing and his breathing slowed down to a rythmic pace. This confirmed he had finally won. All though he was still in critical condtion and the three shikigami were still desperately trying to keep the prodigy stable the fact was, he had finally concurred his nightmares. Unohana was so very proud of him at that moment. She had always been rather motherly it was her nature, but these feeling were stronger towards Toushiro Hitsugaya than any other shikigami. And she would do what ever it toke to make sure that he did not die. She couldnt fail him, not after he had done so well.

= 4 months later 10th division

Rangiku sighed heavily as she willing filled out the dreadful paperwork. Ichigo had said to not expect him back for a while but this was ridiculous, he had gone into a coma. It killed her, but Unohana was working her healing magic and almost all of his injuries were healed now, he wasn't in critical care any more. Thats right Unohana was still healing him and it had been four whole months and he was just declared stable a month ago. Unohana was working for hours on end healing him.

He was going to be fine, Unohana had constantly reassurred her, so she was defentitly happy about that, but now it was the waiting. " Knock, knock " a voice brought Rangiku from her museings. " Oh Kanna-chan please come in " Rangiku smiled brightly at the newest captain. Thats right, Yamamoto went to see the central 46 personaly.

And both Kanna and Corina were accepted as Shikigami, though Kanna was the only captain in history to not even own a sword. But than changing into a powerful yet beautiful beast made up for that. Plus her srength equled Ichigo so they couldn't have her just roaming around to do as she pleased. So she was made captain of squad two and Corina her vice-captain. Corina was her same cheerful self, needless to say she got along well with Yachiru much to the rest of soul societies dismay.

She could often be found in four places 11th division, 5th division, 10th division and her own 2nd division. Today she was at Ichigo's heal .Yamamoto also annoced that Toushiro would be able to keep his captains postion seeing as how he hadn't betrayed soul society.

" I cant believe it Rangiku, your willingly doing paperwork " Kanna was truly amazed " So I guess I owe Ikkaku some money ". Rangiku immediatly put on a pouty face

" Ne Kanna-chan your mean. I can work its just sooooooo broing. The only reason Im doing it now is because I dont want Captain to have to do 14 stacks of work when he wakes up " the blond replied while glaring at the formentioned work.

Kanna walked over to the couch and sat down silently " I cant believe Rukia asked me to be a bridsmade at her wedding. Iv'e got to admit Im a little nervous ". Rangiku smiled at the girl and decied to hold off on the paper work as she joined the younger Vargain girl on the couch. " Kanna-chan your such a silly girl. Rukia-chan likes you, everyone dose your a very likeable person. And you'll be great at the wedding your our great new friend and dont forget it " Rangiku hugged the other women tightly.

" Rangiku......thankyou " Kanna wispered softly. Rangiku released the girl so she could look at her. " For what Kanna-chan " the blond blinked in confusion. " for everything.......but most of all for takeing care of Toushiro " she smiled softly looking at her hands, a lite shade of pink dustig her pale face. Rangiku's face cracked with a huge knowing smile. I have a feeling that I might be attending another wedding in the future....But with them it might take awhile. Their both so stubborn well I guess I'll just have to endure it.

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Thanks To : Dominican Kitsune , kbookworm3 , White Alchemist Taya , ToushirouLover , Funnyjunkie , MoonDrake