In honor of the completion of Bleach, I have decided to publish my re-written chapter for Life and Death - and by that I mean I was going to rewrite the story and this is the chapter I'd written for it. It'd actually been a long-time project of mine considering how much I disliked my previous 1st point-of-view writing style. I had a lot of self-arguments involving what I should keep and discard, details I wanted to include but didn't. The truth is, one thing I've noticed heavily over the years is that long, arduous writing projects tend to never reach completion. Oneshots or collections of oneshots, I've discovered, are more of my nectar. I debated discontinuing this story once I lost inspiration but I've had so many people encourage me I never had the courage to do so.
However, it's been years and I've accepted that I'll never get around to finishing this story. Perhaps one day I can come back to re-boot this but as of now, this story is finished. I'm enclosing, as I've said, the re-written chapter for Life and Death and an extra chapter in which I'll detail my plot ideas for the rest of the story I never got around to finishing. These are my ideas so please don't steal them just because I didn't put them down formally. I originally only planned to write this fanfiction to cover all of the Aizen arc (which, personally, makes a lot of sense since he's over 2 / 3 of the manga) and so that is where my plans (next chapter) end. I hope I covered everything I meant to. I hope you enjoy.
...xXx...
"Toshiro-kun, are you busy?"
He turned around, biting back an "It's Hitsugaya!" at recognizing who it was. Tension visibly left his shoulders as he sighed.
"Hyuga, you startled me," the male blandly admitted. His sharp green eyes took in her appearance, her slender but healthy frame partially hidden behind the stack of papers in her arms. The black shinigami uniform contrasted greatly with her pale skin and lavender, almost-white eyes. She had pinned her waist-long midnight hair up to be practical but a few of the shorter strands were loose, framing her face. Given her height, she looked endearing, like a doll except for the two swords - sharp and deadly - hanging from her waist.
She laughed and he gave a small smile in return, unable to help the gesture as the two began walking down the halls. He thought about offering to carry her papers but experience told him she would deny his assistance; he offered his assistance still but received a firm decline as expected.
"Don't be silly Toshiro-kun. You're brilliant for a third-seat so you were obviously expecting me," she admonished, eyes twinkling. He didn't retort since she never believed anyone when they told her that her presence could be invisible at times, even undetectable by captains. Her aura was soothing but soft, her reiatsu too well-controlled to warn anyone of her arrival, and he had seen higher-up captains startle at her sudden appearance more than once.
"What did you need me for Fukutaicho?" he questioned instead, teasing her lightly as he gestured towards the armband around her upper left arm, snowdrop and 十三 carved into its face. She pouted, as he expected, a light pink brushing across her nose.
"Just some paperwork," she answered, looking pointedly at the stack in her arms. "And don't call me Fukutaicho Toshiro-kun. You're just mocking me."
He rolled his eyes at her accusation.
"It's always paperwork," he muttered under his breath, sighing once more. "How's your division?"
This time, she sighed.
"Tiring," she admitted, giving a weak smile. "Jushiro-taicho hasn't been feeling well lately and Kiyone-chan and Sentaro-kun fight too much rather than get things done. I've been saddled with all the paperwork to be honest."
"And yet you do it still, fulfilling your responsibility unlike certain lazy individuals," he complimented with a wry smile, thinking of his own squad's lieutenant and captain in particular.
"I'm only doing my duty Toshiro-kun," Hinata modestly denied, another blush blooming on her cheeks. The two reached the 10th Division's office and continued talking as he held the door open for her politely.
"So are you permanently Ukitake's fukutaicho?" Toshiro asked, raising an eyebrow. "Everyone knows you didn't want that attention nor position."
"For now, I'm helping everyone out to be honest," Hinata stated, entering the office comfortably. "I'm just focusing on the 13th Division because of Jushiro-taicho's illness. After that...well, I'll figure it out later I suppose."
He shook his head with a small grin at her honesty, shutting the door behind her.
"If you say so," he amiably mocked, getting a scolding look in return. He changed the subject. "I heard you were going to demonstrate for the Shinoreijutsin (Spiritual Arts Academy) students later on today."
She made a face as the two took a seat at his captain's desk, a wooden chair pulled up beside the office seat, though everyone knew that Toshiro sat in the seat and worked more often than the actual captain did.
"Unfortunately," she confirmed, grimacing. "I still hate the spotlight and I'm not exactly sure if my old classmates will be there or not...but there's something I've been wanting to try out."
"Try out?" Hitsugaya repeated, raising an eyebrow as he picked up the pen. He multitasked, reading the report while conversing. "I hope this doesn't get you in trouble...again."
"I'm not that bad," Hinata retorted though her mischievous smile said otherwise. "And it shouldn't affect students too much...even if they are my ex-classmates."
"Hopefully not," he added, giving her a pointed look. He knew bits and pieces of her school life in the Spiritual Arts Academy especially since he stopped by once a month as the one responsible for enrolling her. She had only stayed in the Academy for a few months, having flown through the courses with ease. She had had social issues, though he didn't know it then, only friends with her roommate at the time, a female by the name of Amaya Shizuko, and bullied by all other students. Due to...unfortunate circumstances, the female had passed away. A week later, Hinata had left the Academy and drafted to different divisions immediately.
Hinata glanced at the clock before standing.
"I have to go now. I'll see you later Toshiro-kun," she excused, waving before disappearing out the door.
"Ja ne Hyuga," he threw after her, shaking his head at her antics. Hopefully there wouldn't be trouble.
But of course there would be, he mused, searching for her a few hours later.
He spotted her from afar, spotting her familiar figure long before she was within earshot. She stood on top of the Senzaikyu, the tall white tower in the center of the Seireitei, staring absentmindedly at the sky, hands intertwined behind her back as she faced the sunset with reminiscent eyes. He approached her slowly.
"Do you enjoy sitting on top of the building with the most sorrow?" Hitsugaya questioned, smirking when she startled slightly. She turned to him with a pout.
"It's the place with the best view for the sky," Hinata stated simply as she always did when he teased her about picking this spot of all ones. He recognized the look in her eyes, the one when she thought about her life - one of both hope and disappointment, the hardships she endured and the relationships she maintained, the mistakes she corrected and the effects she caused.
The sky was a red-orange, quickly darkening, and glancing at her expression, he found himself breathless as always at the bittersweet expression on her face. She told him about them often, comrades she had left behind though he could only recognize their names rather than their faces and traits.
"The sunset...is like their passion," she whispered, stepping a bit closer to him, eyes lingering on the colors of the sky. He had heard this before but he listened again as always; she needed to let it out.
"Naruto-kun, Lee-kun, Kankuro-kun, and Kiba-kun were always willing to push themselves too hard for their goal," she mused though her voice held a bitter tone. The names were familiar to him like characters of a story, not quite fantasy but not quite real either. "They pushed themselves too hard at times...What should I have done? What could I have done to help them and stop them from hurting themselves? The bleeding blisters and splintered bones...I couldn't do anything for them back then."
"But you can do something now," Hitsugaya reminded, comforted, but she was too deep in her memories to respond by then; she always was.
"The sunrise, though, is more subtle and the rare kind of sweetness," Hinata continued, venting almost but he knew that she was barely aware of the words slipping from her mouth so naturally. "Like Chouji-kun and Shino-kun. Shared cookies and calmed butterflies...the good memories of small smiles...the kind you have to work hard to see, warm up early on and be aware of. I was lucky in that way to see it. I wish I could have shared it."
She gave a small giggle but he could hear the tinge of sorrow.
"In a way, like Shikamaru-kun too with his lazy and supposedly-uncaring attitude...but his loyalty and genius knew no bounds," she added, memories playing before her eyes of clouds, shadows, and sunlight. She tilted her head to the side, leaning a little closer to him. She raised her head, staring at the sky above. She reached a hand out and grabbed an invisible object, sighing.
"The confident mornings...Ino-chan, Tenten-chan, Temari-chan, and Sakura-chan each with their own convictions and methods...but all with the same headstrong and honest attitude," she muttered with admiration and slight envy, hand lowering back to her side. "Why couldn't I have been like them? Why not? But then again, it was them and I...I'm just me."
He wanted to reassure her, tell her "Being you is just fine," but he didn't; she was still too caught up in her own mind, remembering and regretting.
"Then the evenings, cool and calm but with its own secrets...Neji-niisan, Sasuke-kun, Gaara-kun...I wonder how they're doing," she mused, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "And the nights-"
She stopped abruptly, lips pursed into a thin line.
He didn't push her further. He knew it had to do with Amaya Shizuko but he didn't pry; she would talk to him when she was ready and not a second earlier.
She turned to him then, pulled away from the past and focused on the present again.
"What did you need Toshiro-kun?" she asked, eyes gently shining in the last of the setting sun.
"Yamamoto-soutaicho was asking for you," Hitsugaya informed, raising an eyebrow. "What'd you do? Does this have to do with the Shinoreijutsuin presentation?"
"Partially," Hinata admitted with an apologetic smile. "I found two by the way."
"For your experiment?" he clarified. She nodded and he sighed.
"What is it for anyways?" he asked, curious.
"If it succeeds, you'll find out," she lightly teased, beaming. "I should get to Genryuusai-soutaicho now then."
Hitsugaya nodded in acknowledgement.
"Oh, and he mentioned something about directing you to...your ancestors?" Hitsugaya added. Her eyes widened, shining brightly and before he could question her, she was off, falling down the tower. He watched for a moment with worry but she landed lithely on her feet and rushed off towards the First Division Barracks without pausing.
He stepped off then too, buffeting his landing with his reiryoku and meeting the ground. He stood, frowning slightly when he could feel his foot stinging from his harsh landing. He took a step towards the 1st Division Barracks then paused.
He would eventually hear about the meeting if it was relevant, whether from the gossip mill or her own mouth, so he decided to busy himself instead with searching for his own Captain and Vice Captain.
-oOo-
He sat casually by the window with a table in front of him, running his fingers absent-mindedly along the handle of the cup that sat untouched. He looked vulnerable, too casual really, but there was a sharp glint in his playful brown eyes.
"Your tea is getting cold," a voice reminded him sternly. He looked up at his younger brother, taking in his white hair and knowing eyes.
"It'll taste fine cold," he couldn't help but retort if only to bicker with his brother. He twisted a few strands of his long hair around his finger. "Should I get my hair cut?"
"For the last time," his brother stressed, rolling his eyes. "Cut it if you want. I have no control over your actions."
"Oh lighten up," he teased, chuckling. "I'm just asking."
"You've asked that daily for the past 987 days," his brother reminded dryly. He laughed again.
"So I have," he admitted, sighing. He took a sip of his tea, grimacing when he found that it had indeed, as his younger brother pointed out, cooled while he wasn't paying attention. He sighed.
"Well you can't blame me," he found himself explaining although he was sure his brother knew better; his brother was always more sensitive after all. "That reiatsu that's been swirling around lately...It's...familiar in a way...but..."
"Maybe it's a new Konoha shinobi or kunoichi in the neighborhood," his brother suggested though they both knew that even then, the reiatsu was still too...The reiatsu was just too everything. It was unfamiliar but familiar, calm but wild, free but controlled, whimsical but driven, far but close-
"It's getting closer," he voiced aloud, blinking. There was a knock on the door and the two brothers looked at each other.
"You want to get it and deal with whatever idiotic crook outside?" his brother asked dryly, his own sense of sarcastic humor lining his voice.
"Nah," he teased, a grin lighting his face like he knew his brother aimed for. "You can deal with it."
His brother rolled his eyes but went to answer the door anyway, swinging the wooden door open quickly to assess the opponent - two men no older than 40 but no younger than 30, obviously hungry, grimaces with cruel slants of their eyes, large branches in their hands. The closer swung his wooden weapon first. He stood as his brother threw a well-aimed punch while dodging but both movements were unnecessary.
A well-placed hit on the neck immediately had the man behind collapsing while a good leg sweep forced the closer man to fall, hitting his head on the doorframe and knocking himself out.
In the males' place stood a female. She was short and lean but years as a ninja - and a hokage to boot - had the two take in her appearance within a matter of seconds: Shinigami outfit, Vice-Captain armband, midnight-colored hair in a bun, two swords hung over her shoulder and across her back from her right shoulder to left thigh (maybe longer), pale eyes - Hyuga eyes.
"Hyuga," he breathed aloud, surprised. The female squeaked then, turning pink and averting her eyes to the dent in the doorframe but then looking towards them once more. She bowed.
"Hyuga Hinata," she introduced lightly, awkwardly. She looked up hesitantly. "...Yoroshiku?"
The two males looked at each other, smiled, then turned back to her.
"Yoroshiku," they chorused, offering a hand and inviting the female into their home. She stared at them nervously for another minute then took both their hands. They beamed and welcomed her inside.
-oOo-
"So how was it?" Toshiro asked casually, watching the female bend backwards and stretch her back.
"How was what?" Hinata questioned with a yawn, covering her mouth with her hand. She stretched by routine rather than conscious effort.
"Your visit to the Soutaicho," he elaborated, raising an eyebrow at her. She had been asleep when he had walked in and experience had taught him not to touch her to wake her up, calling her name instead from a safe distance; she had stirred immediately.
"It was fine," she admitted, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She stretched her arms. "I came back here after I visited Rukongai and finished up the paperwork I missed."
"It wouldn't kill you to be behind on paperwork by a day," he admonished, hiding his worry with the excuse. She turned to him, giggling lightly.
"But you don't let the paperwork back up even by a day," she pointed out, rolling her neck.
"I have to take care of the entire division. You have Ukitake to back you up," he reminded, tilting his head to one side and offering a shoulder.
"I don't want to stress Jushiro-taicho anymore than necessary," she stated firmly, gratefully taking his offer and placing a hand on his shoulder to balance as she stretched her legs out. "Besides, I only lost a few hours of sleep. I'll just sleep a little earlier tonight."
"You better," he warned, showing his worry. She beamed.
"Toshiro-kun thank you," Hinata muttered, hugging him suddenly.
"What for?" he asked, startled and bewildered as he awkwardly returned her embrace. Teeth clamped over his ear and he jumped away, shooting a glare at the female as she chuckled.
"And what was that for?" he questioned, rubbing his ear with pink cheeks.
"Punishment. If you don't know then it doesn't matter," Hinata teased, smiling as though she had done nothing wrong. "Was there a reason you were looking for me?"
"Unohana wanted you to come in for a check-up," Toshiro informed shortly, giving her a knowing look. "Skipping out on appointments again?"
"Every now and then," she answered with a sheepish grin. "I keep on forgetting."
"Whatever you say," he mumbled, rolling his eyes. She wasn't the kind of person who simply "forgot," he knew, but he wouldn't press her. "So are you going?"
She looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I guess so," she beamed. "I wasn't going to remember this time either, but since you went to the trouble of reminding me, I'll go. Come with me?"
"Can't today," he answered immediately. "Today I'm forcing Shiba and Matsumoto to do all their paperwork on their own."
"Good luck finding them then," she teased, giggling. "I better get to my appointment then. Oh, and try visiting Ikkaku-kun. I heard Matsumoto-fukutaicho mention something about drinking with him earlier. Ja ne Toshiro-kun."
"Ja ne," he waved off as she disappeared out the door. He looked around the room once more then left, searching for his own lazy Captain and Vice Captain.
-oOo-
"You know, when I said later, I didn't mean this soon Toshiro-kun," Hinata teased with amusement as the male sat one of the many beds of the Coordinated Relief Station.
"I didn't expect to meet you at the Sogo Kyugo Tsumesho (Coordinated Relief Station) either Hyuga," Toshiro commented dryly. She chuckled.
"Difficulties with the paperwork?" she asked, only half-joking as she approached him, assessing his injuries with practiced movements.
"No. Matsumoto was dead drunk. I took my eyes off of her for a second to help Madarame to the couch and she threw empty saké bottles at me," he snorted, rolling his eyes. "I couldn't dodge without dropping Madarame so I just let myself get hit. Where she learned that from I don't want to know."
"Well, it's because of her we got to meet again today," Hinata pointed out, smiling. She held Hitsugaya's chin with one hand, lightly probing the wound on his forehead with the other. She muttered an apology when he winced.
"We could have met in better circumstances," he retorted shortly. She let him go, rummaging through the cabinets of the room.
"They could have been worse too," she countered, giving him a knowing look. She pulled out a small container, motioning for him to strip his top. He obediently did so, wincing slightly as they brushed against a tender spot.
"Is it bad enough that I'll need to stay here longer?" he asked, half-hoping to spend a bit more time with her but keeping his voice neutral.
"No. You have a few bruises on the back of your head and on your back. There's one scrape on your forehead and a random bruise and scratch on your arm," she answered with a gentle smile, stepping between his legs for closer access to him. She unscrewed the lid to the container and applied the concoction inside on the scrape on his forehead, becoming silent as she became devoted to her task.
He stayed silent, watching her eyes focus on her own fingers, making sure not to prod too roughly and blowing lightly over the wound as she always did - her own personal touch. She naturally pulled his head towards her chest, looking over him to rub some of the ointment over the bruises on his head. It was cool if not a bit sticky, but it did its job and was good for all sorts of basic injuries; it was one of her own creation and she was rather proud but modest about it. He closed his eyes, ignoring the light pink definitely across his features as her hands traveled down his back, placing cool and gently touches on his injuries.
He kept his hands firmly on the bed, unsure where was deemed 'appropriate' to put his hands on her body without startling her. He had, the first time, barely brushed against her side when she had shot across the room, red in the face. It hadn't been a conscious action and since then, he had been careful when touching her. She was nervous and very careful who she allowed to have physical contact with her; he unfortunately learned only after a few bruises from her conditioned responses.
"Hyuga," he called slowly to catch her attention.
"Hm?" she responded, sounding distracted though he knew he had her full undivided attention.
"Do you remember how we met?" he asked, gauging her action.
"Of course," she answered immediately, chuckling. "How could I forget nearly jumping out of my skin after my death?"
"You? I nearly had a heart attack," he pointed out with a snort. "I should have ditched you where you stood. You're a lot of trouble."
"But aren't you glad you didn't? I'm here like this now after all," she threw back, smiling endearingly. He blushed lightly.
"Yeah," he muttered, his eyes dropping to the ground. There was a moment of silence between them. She didn't ask why he brought it up; she always waited for an answer but never pushed for it.
"I was just thinking back on it," he started slowly. "And I was wondering-"
The door slammed open.
"Was I interrupting something?" an unfamiliar voice questioned. Hinata pulled away, turning to the male with bright eyes.
"Ah! Haku-kun," she recognized, smiling. "Where's Zabuza-kun?"
"It's just me today," Haku answered, winking. His long hair was pushed into a bun that somewhat resembled Hinata's, held by two senbon rather than one.
It suited Hinata better, Toshiro decided, blushing upon realizing his train of thought.
"I told you two to wait until my shift was over," Hinata scolded, putting away her different ointments.
"I wanted to see you sooner," Haku declared, walking over and wrapping his arms around Hinata's neck. "It's so boring with just us boys-"
"Who's this?" Toshiro interrupted, dressing himself. He refrained from looking at the duo; they looked close. Too close, like a couple.
"Ah. Toshiro-kun, this is Haku-kun. He's...a friend," Hinata introduced, thinking for a moment on it.
"We're more than friends," Haku declared, giving Toshiro a sly gaze. "Aren't we Hinata-chan? After all, we're going to live in the same rooms soon."
"Haku-kun," Hinata scolded, turning red. "That's confidential!"
"Erm...Hyuga-san? There's another patient waiting for you," one of the many other members of the Fourth Division informed, letting his questioning eyes land on the two males inside. Hinata ran out, throwing a quick "See you later" over her shoulder to the two boys. Toshiro looked to Haku, reigning in his bubbling anger as silence filled the room.
"Don't hurt her," Toshiro finally stated, walking quickly out of the room.
"Whoa hold up there," Haku called out, wrapping an arm around Toshiro. "I finally found you. You can't leave just yet."
"Found me?" Toshiro repeated, confused. "You just came here for Hyuga."
"Oh gosh. You call her that?" Haku recognized, blanching. "Come on. Zabuza-sama wants to meet you."
-oOo-
"Ok Hyuga. I'm going to ask once before my mind explodes," Toshiro declared between gnashed teeth. His fingers turned white from the pressure against the wall as he leaned closer to the trapped female. "Who in the world are they?"
"Who?" Hinata asked, slightly red at their close proximity.
"Those two spawns of the devil," Toshiro recalled, growling. "The two Momochi."
"It's a secret for now," Hinata answered, eyes dropping to his arms. "Erm...Toshiro-kun, could you back up a bit?"
His hand caught her wrist.
"Answer me Hyuga. If they aren't important I'm going to hang their heads right now," he threatened, eyes burrowing into hers.
"They'refortheexperiment," she stated quickly, eyes shut.
"The what?" Toshiro repeated, confused. He backed up slightly then let her go upon realizing just how close they had been. He had been furious after the meeting - interrogation - with the two Momochis - Haku and Zabuza - and he had immediately cornered Hinata afterwards to interrogate her, pushing her against the wall and trapping her in between his arms. He had completely lost his cool; this was why he was not a taicho yet.
"Sorry," he apologized. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm just...stressed."
"They're part of the experiment I've been working on," Hinata explained, straightening up. Her cheeks were still pink but she looked less nervous than before. "It's nothing but a professional relationship. Were you worried Toshiro-kun?"
"He was acting too familiar," Toshiro admitted, frowning.
"Haku-kun? It surprised me too. He always addresses me as Hinata-sama so I was happy when he had dropped the formalities before," Hinata stated sheepishly. Her eyes widened. "Were you feeling upset because I ignored you?"
She put her hands together, bowing.
"I'm so sorry that I was carried away. I didn't mean to ignore you Toshiro-kun. Forgive me," she apologized fervently.
"I'm not angry about that," Toshiro cried with embarrassment.
"You aren't?" Hinata realized, straightening up. Her face twisted into confusion. "Then what were you upset about?"
"Never mind," he mumbled, sighing. He felt a migraine coming on. He began to walk away, feeling exhausted from interrogation to near confession; this girl was dense. "I still have paperwork to do."
"Eh? Toshiro-kun!"
-oOo-
The clock ticked oppressively, strangely loud in the almost silent hallway. She felt frozen, stuck in her own abyss as time didn't seem to pass quickly enough and yet was too fast as well.
"Relax," a familiar voice comforted from beside her. She took a deep breath in and exhaled before turning to the speaker.
"It's a bit difficult under the circumstances Toshiro-kun," she pointed out, giving him a strained smile.
"You chose to go the long way," he retorted and she pouted.
"I did," she admitted amicably. "But still."
She felt his eyes on her form and immediately her cheeks heated up, warmth almost uncomfortable.
"Is something the matter?" she brought herself to ask, glancing to him.
"Your bun," he stated off-handedly. "I was wondering what happened to my present. It's been a month."
Her hand automatically shot up to her hair, the blush burning into a darker color.
"I was afraid I'd break it," she blurted out, feeling the metal of the senbon in her hair. The ornamental chopsticks - made of ice and carved into dragons at the ends - had been beautiful, almost too much for a simple birthday present. She glanced up, catching his eyes - thoseeyeswouldbethedeathofher - shift from one side to the other.
"It's made from my ice," he reminded, taking the seat beside her casually. He slumped against the seat in a way he wouldn't let others - besides herself and Momo-chan - see. "The only way it'd break is if I was in danger."
"But they're so pretty," she argued, recalling the detail in the scales, the red of the eyes, the gentle edges and unpointed ends.
"I gave it to you to wear Hyuga," he retorted, rolling his eyes. "Of course I took into account that you'd go into battle."
She blinked and he paused, as if waiting for her to reply.
"Really?" she finally stated, smile lighting her face. There was a beat where their eyes met and there was silence.
"Shouldn't that be obvious?" he snorted, breaking the moment as he looked away. "With someone like Momochi on your team, of course I did."
She chuckled.
"You're right," she agreed, reaching into the sleeves of her shirt and pulling out the chopsticks. She undid the senbons, letting her hair fall and slid the senbons into her sleeve before redoing it, the chopsticks held between her lips as she rearranged her hair.
"You kept them in there?" he asked incredulously, his gaze upon her again.
"Well they're important," she admitted, not daring to meet his eyes as she stuck the chopsticks to keep her bun in place. "Of course I'd keep them on me."
He huffed though sounding amused more than anything.
"Whatever," he ignored, coughing lightly to clear his throat. "So I've been voted by, well, everyone to wish you luck so...good luck."
"Everyone?" she repeated, raising a brow and turning to him.
"Matsumoto, the two Momochi, the younger Kuchiki, Hinamori, Abarai, and Ukitake," he listed, counting them off on his fingers. "There's probably more but it's not like it matters."
She frowned, confused.
"How could it not matter?" she questioned seriously.
"You'll do fine without it," he reassured, giving her a smirk that made her avert her gaze and blush immediately; that look was so cheating.
"If you say so," she finally countered lamely, leaning back on the seat.
The door opened.
"Hyuga-san," the one at the door called in monotone. "You have been called."
"I don't think I'm ready," she squeaked, turning to him in a panic.
"You were fine two seconds ago," he pointed out.
"But that was two seconds ago!" she retorted, wringing her hands together. He pulled them apart, his fingers wrapped around hers - strong and firm but gentle.
"You'll be fine," he stated, his tone more than confident enough for her. "Now get out there. It's rude to keep the audience waiting."
"Mean," she complained though she stood, hands still linked together. Her expression softened, back facing the messenger. "Thanks."
The word was a mere whisper and before she could lose her courage, she pressed her lips swiftly and softly to his forehead and left, hands leaving his and eyes resolutely not turning to see what he thought.
The messenger had not, she ascertained with relief, seen the movement.
She had a request to push through.
-oOo-
It was one of those moments that, two seconds after acting, she realized how idiotic of a move she pulled.
The crowd of over 200 was deafeningly silent and her words remained up in the air, up to interpretation - eagerness, arrogance, courage, stupidity - when laughter cut it.
"Never do days go without the unexpected with you," Genryusai-soutaicho stated, almost teased, before tapping his cane against the ground. "Then, Hyuga Hinata, shinigami from the Elemental lands, I grant you your request. With the recommendations-"
Of Isshin-taicho (who lived and laughed, always trying to do better), of Byakuya-taicho (who smiled with his eyes but not his lips), of Jushiro-taicho (who never let his own body betray him), of Kenpachi-taicho (whose smile was of knives and blood but warmth and living), of Sajin-taicho (who was large and scary but still so kind), of Aizen-taicho (who always bringing a touch of wariness underneath the warmth because how did he always-)
"-and approvals-"
Of Shunsui-taicho (who was soft under his casual swagger), of Kaname-taicho (who was warm but cold in a way that was familiar but dangerous - Neji-nii-), of Genryusai-soutaicho himself.
"-of enough Taicho, you could have skipped the process considering you have shown three of us-"
Genryusai-soutaicho, Shunsui-taicho, Byakuya-taicho, Jushiro-taicho. Four, not three.
"-your Bankai. However, since you insist, you will, at your request, battle two Taicho - Zaraki Kenpachi of the 11th Division and Komamura Sajin of the 7th Dvision - until one side is able to capture all bands from the other," he completed, tapping his cane twice once more.
The crowd was brought to life, shouting for the match with unbridled glee. The called Captains jumped down to meet her, the drop seemingly negligible with the ease they landed, barely raising a cloud of dust despite the distance from the spectators' seats. Both taicho had chosen to wrap their white band around their foreheads, its string fluttering lightly in the wind, while hers were wrapped around her arm, both of them - a one shot, two kill.
"We'll give you a 5-second pause to release your shikai before we attack," Kenpachi-taicho warned. Sajin-taicho shot him a look, obviously uninformed about the matter but willing to follow through.
"Jimen ni shikkari to tatte imasu, Yoganudewa (Stand firm upon the ground, Lava Bracelet)," she stated immediately, drawing one of her blades from its scabbard. The blade shifted and she released a deep breath slowly. "I thank you for the opportunity and the battle. Shall we begin?"
The two Captains charged.
...xXx...
He stared down at her from his place in the audience, suddenly taken back to their first meeting.
"I'm not here to deal with stubborn souls like you right now. I'm looking for something. Move it." He had barely looked at her, turned to truly see her.
"S-Soul?" she had replied, the shock evident in her voice. He looked to her then, watching acceptance quickly - almost unbelievably - overtake her shock. In the back of his mind, he noticed her kimono, light blue with a white obi, suited her. "Wait. Are there souls that look like monsters? With a white mask and a hole in its chest?"
"Where did you see it?" he asked firmly, no doubt in his voice as to what he is searching as he turned to face her fully.
"I...blacked out. I suppose that was how I died," she answered softly. "It was only a few hours ago if you're in a rush...and before you deal with me..."
She trailed off. He blinked.
"How do you know it's a part of my duty?" he questioned flippantly, eyeing her. She shifted nervously, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You did. Or I inferred you did since you stated 'now,' which mean that later you will, or before you did, deal with souls such as myself," she pointed out. He recalled his first sentence.
"Ah."
"So before you deal with me - however that is - let me attend my funeral," she requested, looking up to him those last few inches. "Onegai."
A Kido attack - Hado #04 Byakurai - flew towards him in the audience, the bright blue breaking him from his reverie. The rest of the crowd panicked but he simply countered with his own, seemingly calm but inwardly cursing himself for dropping his guard no matter how slightly; she was stronger than before and two Captains were down there with her.
In the time he had reminisced, Komamura-taicho had gained a gash on his arm, light but still bleeding. Zaraki-taicho had discarded his eyepatch after ascertaining Hyuga was still strong enough despite fighting two Captains but no other injuries while Hyuga, blade still in hand as she parried the two, was sporting a blooming bruise on her jaw.
Her first zanpakuto, Yoganudewa, was normally only as long as his forearm with a wide, straight blade. The tsuba was a flower with six curves of petals while the hilt was a muted white.
It was her first blade and recalling the first time - the bold and almost daring reveal - always brought amusement into his features.
"The shinigami who performed konso," she recognized, her head tilted slightly as if in thought. "Hitsugaya...Toshiro-kun?"
"Glad to see that you remember. The Soutaicho will see you now," he informed, stepping back and giving her room to stand. "Only an hour since I've sent you and already you garner the attention of many people."
"You were the one who informed me," she reminded, her voice gentle but eyes giving a flash of irritation. She wrung her hands together with nervousness. "I would have come sooner if I hadn't ended up in the farthest District."
"Which one?" he asked out of actual curiosity rather than pleasantry as they walked down the corridor.
"80 West," she answered simply as he opened the door, holding it for her. As she stepped through the doorway, he saw and felt the change in her demeanor - the straightening of her shoulders, the still of her fingers, the calm of her reiatsu.
"Sir," she greeted, bowing carefully - respectful but wary.
"Hyuga Hinata," Yamamoto-soutaicho returned, a light smile in his features. "No need for such formalities. You are not enrolled in the Academy as of yet."
He felt the second shift before he saw it; so did the Soutaicho.
"Who are you?" he asked, coming in front of the Soutaicho with his blade drawn.
"Peace," the spirit stated, clear amusement in her eyes and a relaxed grace in her step. "I am her zanpakuto and I am here to negotiate without violence. See?"
She pulled out her blade, pointing it at the males. He tensed.
"Jimen ni shikkari to tatte imasu, Yoganudewa," she stated with Hyuga's lips. The blade shifted, longer now. The tsuba was sharper, the petals thin and pointed. The hilt was no longer white but a dark green.
Her smile too had changed, more battle-ready and toothy.
"Does that not pique your interest? Only an hour after my formation and here is a shikai that she can do without strain," the spirit proposed, tilting her head slightly in a movement that was wholly familiar yet foreign. "My stay has been overrun."
The blade reverted and she sheathed it.
"At the very least, consider it," she ordered - not a request or suggestion but a clear order - with a grin, full of sorrow this time. Then her features shifted for a second back to Hyuga - a mix of surprise and apology - before she fainted.
"Saisho Tachiba: Tengai Iru (First Stand: Horizon Hit)," Hyuga declared, pointing the blade of her sword at her opponent. From the tip, a concentrated shot of reiatsu shaped as an animal - a wolf - shot at Komamura-taicho. He raised his blade to defend, the creature exploding upon impact but, fortunately, harmless. He raised his blade just in time to parry hers, Hinata jumping back when Zaraki-taicho attacked her from behind.
She gave a small half-smile.
"And this, my friends, is why I wanted my own division," she explained, putting her hands together in several positions that no one could quite recognize.
There was a smokescreen though he couldn't see her throw anything down. From the cover, two blurs moved, slashing down at the two taicho. They were both of her - an exact, tangible copy. The shock was enough to allow cause both taicho to freeze for a fraction of a second. It was long enough for her to flip over their heads, pulling on the string of the headband and stealing it away.
"I win!" the two Hyuga shouted in unison, running up to each other and sharing a high-ten. There was another smokescreen and once it cleared away, there was once again only one.
The entire stadium was dead silent.
"That was awesome," someone in the audience whispered on his left. He rolled his eyes and clapped slowly, a smirk on his face when he saw her look in his direction. Others joined in and before long, the entire crowd was cheering. The...double technique was strange and unknown but it had worked.
And she was successful.
-oOo-
"Toshiro-kun!" a familiar voice called, grabbing his attention. He turned to her, pausing long enough for her to catch up to him. He did not expect, though he did welcome, her arms coming around him in an enthusiastic embrace.
"Wha-"
"I did it," she near-whispered, voice quivering in a way he had come to anticipate meant tears - usually, thankfully, of joy. He sighed, returning the hug, hands spread on her back politely but warmly.
"I told you that you'd be fine," he replied, letting her go when she made the movement to; already, her warmth was leaving him but she was beaming and he returned her grin slightly, the corners of his lips held upward with mirth.
"This is...This is amazing. I didn't think I would actually succeed," she near-whispered, awe touching her voice. "I just thought I'd be able to get the necessity for a separate division for us out there and-"
"You did fine kid," Zabuza reassured, coming up from behind with Haku at his side. "We knew you would."
"It was inspiring," Haku agreed, wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulders and pressing a light kiss on the top of her head. He could have sworn Haku glanced at him over her head but if the male did, he was pointedly ignoring it. "We should go out and celebrate!"
"Really?" Hinata asked, her excitement uncontainable. "You mean it?"
"Yeah. We'll finally go on that trip you wanted," Zabuza huffed, looking down at the girl and ruffling her hair. "Just let us know where."
She turned to him, eyes sparkling.
"Toshiro-kun, you're coming, right?" she requested, lips curled upward and hands tugging lightly on his wrist.
He didn't stand a chance.
-oOo-
"You would think," he stated, carefully enunciating each syllable, "that after two years of your death, you'd have gone back at least once before."
"First time," she replied, her words muffled as her face is currently pressed against a pillow.
A pause.
"How was it?" he asked carefully, signing a report off.
"There was a death," she stated, sitting up on her elbows. Her expression was not quite melancholy but close. "But he - Gaara-kun - ultimately lived."
"That's...good," he questioned, looking up from the pile of papers to gauge her expression.
"I guess," she agreed, sighing and sitting up. The couch of the office - of her office - is simple but large, dwarfing her in its frame. "It's just so strange that I started thinking of here...as home."
He let the statement sink into the atmosphere before standing and walking around the table to sit at her side. She gave him a questioning look but he ignored it, reading the same mission report with feigned ignorance. She chuckled, leaned against his side, and rested. He stared at the mission report in his hands, frowning. This...
"Naruki City? Again?" Hinata questioned, reiatsu still suppressed as if asleep; at least he was used to it at this point.
"Yeah," he answered instead, frowning. "I'm going to go deliver this. Sorry I can't stay."
"It's important," she understood, standing. Her brows were furrowed which meant-
"Don't do something stupid," Haku admonished, walking in and taking one look at her face. "I know that look. That's the look right before you do something absolutely ridiculous to help other people."
"Does she have that look?" Zabuza asked, peeking inside before leaving with Haku right on his tail, his voice still audible down the hall. "Nope. She has her stubborn face on too. I'm going to go fight Zaraki. I'm not a part of this. Plausible deniability."
"Can they really tell what I'm going to do from my face?" she questioned, turning to him. He held up his hands in surrender.
"Plausible deniability," he stated, an answer in of itself. She pouted.
"I'm going with you."
