Hello! Thank you to everybody who read and reviewed the last chapter. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Happy Reading ^_^
Someone To Watch Over You Chapter 29
When Rangiku arrived back home she could hear Kotaro crying and wailing before she'd even opened the front door. She stepped into the hallway and closed the door quietly behind her. From the sound of it Kotaro was having a full blown meltdown and Momo was doing her best to calm him down.
"Calm down little Shiro-chan," Momo tried to placate him, "Come and sit down."
"I don't want to sit down," Kotaro half wailed and half cried back.
"You're getting yourself all worked up over nothing."
In between his tears and upset wails, Kotaro mumbled an incomprehensible reply.
Rangiku had heard enough. She walked a few steps down the hallway and stood in the doorway of the living room. There were already several cushions scattered about the room. There was an overturned beaker of juice on the table that was slowly beginning to drip onto the carpeted floor. There were discarded crayons and doodles everywhere, and then there was Kotaro. Who was clutching his stuffed dragon Yori tightly to his chest, which he suddenly launched across the room.
As Rangiku was about to step in, she felt a flicker of spiritual pressure and then heard the slight whistling of the wind. Glancing at Kotaro she saw his tiny body glowing a soft green colour.
"Kotaro stop!" Momo shouted as a gust of wind kicked up and scattered a small pile of paperwork that Toushiro had placed to one side. The pieces of paper got picked up by a current of air and then got sucked into the growing whirlwind that was beginning to swirl around Kotaro.
Rangiku marched into the living room and raised her own pressure, instantly sweeping away Kotaro's tantrum induced tornado. She planted her hands on her hips and yelled, "Kotaro Hitsugaya, that is ENOUGH!"
Kotaro froze and all that could be heard was the rustling of papers as they fell to the floor, "Mummy.." he whined.
"No!" Rangiku held up her hand to silence him, "I'm speaking not you. So you better be listening."
Kotaro stared back at her through red watery eyes, he was panting slightly from all the screaming and wailing he'd been doing, "Mummy," he wailed again.
"Now then," Rangiku crossed the room and calmly scooped him off the floor, "You are having a time out mister," she stepped back out into the hallway- Kotaro kicking and screaming as she went- and placed him down in the designated naughty corner. As soon as Rangiku had sat Kotaro down, he began to cry while he angrily beat his fists against the floor as he kicked his legs out, "I will be back in five minutes."
Rangiku walked back into the living room, ignoring Kotaro's wailing and whining and his cries of "Mummy."
She closed the door behind her cutting off the noise and took in a deep breath. A quick look around the living room and she determined nothing had been damaged. There were just a few things out of place, plus the paperwork scattered around the room.
"I'm sorry Rangiku-san," Momo rushed to apologise, "I couldn't get him to settle down."
"Its okay Momo you don't need to apologise. If anyone should be apologising its me. Kotaro knows better then to act that way," Rangiku dropped down to her knees beside the coffee table and picked up the overturned beaker. She reached for the box of tissues and began mopping up the juice.
"He seemed quite upset when Toushiro left and he kept asking for you," Momo had started to gather up the scattered paperwork, "I tried to keep him busy and distracted."
"Thank you Momo," Rangiku smiled back, "For doing what you could. Its rare for Kotaro to have a tantrum like that. But when he does, he can be quite a handful."
"Its probably the shock of his power emerging," Momo placed the small stack of papers she'd gathered onto the low table, "Besides, I've seen Toushiro throw much worst before. Especially when he got really worked up."
"Father like son I guess," Rangiku sighed, "But still. I should have come home sooner. I should have insisted that Toshi went with Captain Unohana to find Nanao and I should have come home to sort Kotaro out."
"Well," Momo began but hesitated.
Rangiku glanced at her curiously, "What is it?"
"Well, Nanao-san looked very ill and very upset," Momo pointed out, "I cant think of anyone better then you and Captain Unohana to go after her, to help her out. I just cant imagine Toushiro being able to calm down a distraught woman that isn't you. But calming down his distressed son, well that would come naturally to him. Don't feel bad Rangiku-san, you were both where you needed to be the most."
"When you look at it that way, I guess you're right," Rangiku scooped up the sodden mess of tissues and tossed them in the bin.
"How is Nanao-san? Is she going to be all right?"
"We were still waiting to hear something when your message arrived," Rangiku padded around the room picking up cushions and tossing them back onto the couches, "Shunsui was having a massive argument with Captain Unohana. I couldn't tell what they were arguing about, but its obviously something significant."
"Oh no!" Momo clapped her hands over her mouth before saying, "Nanao-san and Captain Kyouraku aren't in trouble are they?"
Rangiku flopped down heavily on the couch and began kneading at her temples, "Toushiro was ordered by the Head-Captain to place both of them under arrest."
"But that's unfair!" Momo cried out in alarm, "It was obvious to everyone in that meeting that Nanao-san was unwell."
"I know," Rangiku got to her feet and plucked a few tissues from a box on the table, "We all did what we could to get them to the Fourth as soon as possible. Just to help delay things."
Momo nodded in approval, "I really hope Nanao-san will be okay."
Rangiku stepped over to the living room door and slid it open, Kotaro looked up at her sadly from his place on the floor, "Have you calmed down now young man?"
Kotaro gave her a little nod and fresh tears began to pour down his face, "I'm sorry Mummy," he apologised, wiping at his tear stained face with his sleeve.
"Come here Sweetie," she replied softly, accepting his apology. She bent down and scooped him up into her arms before returning to the living room. She sat on the couch and perched Kotaro sideways on her knee then began mopping at his face with the tissues, "You owe Momo an apology too Kotaro," she commented as she wiped at his gooey nose.
Kotaro flopped heavily against Rangiku's front and quietly mumbled, "I'm sorry Auntie Momo."
"That's okay little Shiro-chan," Momo smiled back kindly before fishing behind her back for something, "By the way, I don't think Yori can actually fly," she said producing the toy from behind her back.
"Yori!" Kotaro jumped off Rangiku's knee with a thump and went padding over to Momo reaching his hands out for his favourite toy. Momo handed it back to him and Kotaro clutched it tightly to his chest, "I'm sorry Yori, I didn't mean to throw you. I forgot you couldn't fly. Did you hurt yourself?"
"Hey!" Rangiku chirped in pretending to sound hurt "Why does the dragon get a better apology then me and Momo?"
Kotaro looked at her and shrugged. Rangiku just sighed, that was typical.
Toushiro was the first to arrive outside the First Divisions Headquarters. Glancing over his shoulder he saw Ukitake, Unohana and Shunsui approaching slowly several meters away. Before leaving the Fourths infirmary, they'd all decided on walking rather then using flash step. It had been a silent agreement between them. They all needed to use the extra time walking would produce to think things over.
Toushiro still didn't quite know where he stood in all of this. The first he'd heard about what had been happening, had literally been that same morning before they'd gone into the meeting. So its not like he'd been involved in anything from the start. Although Rangiku knew exactly what had been transpiring and had informed him, he didn't want to drag her into this. If the Head-Captain asked him what her involvement was in all of this, he'd just simply state that Rangiku at the time was just concerned for her friends obviously declining health.
He heard a slight clearing of a throat and glanced back over his shoulder to see that the three senior Captains had caught up to him. Unohana had her hands clasped in front of her, she'd closed her eyes too, yet her face had a calm and serene look about it. Shunsui who couldn't meet anyone's eye, had a very morose look about him. Toushiro had no doubt in his mind that Shunsui was worried about the outcome of this meeting. He wasn't worried for himself though, he was worried for Nanao. Then there was Ukitake, who had a very serious look on his face and generally looked uneasy.
Toushiro could sense all of their hesitations about facing the Head-Captain. He could understand why Shunsui would feel that way, but he wasn't quite sure why Ukitake and especially Unohana were feeling the same way too.
Unable to help himself, he voiced this thought out aloud, startling the three Captains out of their private reveries.
Ukitake sighed heavily before giving him the answer in a nutshell, "The Head-Captain knew that something was going on with Shunsui. He asked me and Retsu to get to the bottom of it, he left the matter and I quote, 'In our capable hands,' I think the Head-Captain wanted it dealing with discreetly," Ukitake paused for breath before continuing, "I think its safe to say that we've failed miserably."
In Toushiro's eyes that seemed like a fair point. However he couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling that there was something more at stake. Something that they weren't telling him. He decided to call them out on it, "But that's not all is it? There's definitely something else going on here." When neither of them answered him he carried on, "That much is obvious. Why else would the two of you," he indicated Shunsui and Unohana, "Of all people be arguing. I find it hard to believe that the gentle, softly spoken Captain of the Fourth and the laid back and relaxed Captain of the Eighth, has much to argue about. Unohana has obviously gone to great lengths to ensure Nanao would remain safely in the Fourth, she even went as far as to make it appear like Nanao was in a coma. What is that all about? Then there's you," he pointed at Ukitake, "Why were you so determined that Shunsui should wait at the Fourth while you and Unohana smooth things over with the Head-Captain first? I also saw the look of pain on Shunsui's face when he emerged from Nanao's room before we came here. That's the look of a man whose about to lose everything. Its obvious there's something more at stake here," Toushiro hadn't even realised he'd been shouting at them until he'd finished.
After a very long silence Shunsui stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder, "You're sharp kid, I'll give you that."
"It doesn't take a genius to figure out that you three are up to your necks in it," Toushiro replied dryly.
"The thing is Toushiro," Ukitake spoke up, "For once, neither one of us knows how the Head-Captain is going to react in this case. Yes Shunsui's disobeyed orders, neglected his duties has a Captain, withheld information that could have potentially proved fatal, and failed to ask for help when it was obvious he was in way over his head. But me and Retsu are to blame just as much as Shunsui is. Me for failing to be there for him when it was obvious he needed me, and Retsu for standing back for so long and allowing things to worsen. I know Shunsui didn't make it easy for us, but we are his friends and should have known better and been more persistent with him."
"Juu this isn't yours and Retsu's fault. This is all my doing, so stop blaming yourself."
"We're in this together Shunsui!" Ukitake argued.
Unohana let out a soft sigh and interrupted them both, "There's no use arguing about this now. Lets face it, we're all simply just delaying having to go in," Unohana had been walking towards the entrance of the First, she paused and glanced back at them, "Let us not forget why we are all here, and that's to ensure that we get the best possible outcome for Shunsui, Nanao and their child," Unohana turned on her heel and disappeared through the doorway.
"Child?" Toushiro asked turning to Shunsui and Ukitake.
"Yeah Kiddo," Shunsui dropped his hand from Toushiro's shoulder and brushed past him, following Unohana's lead by going inside and leaving him with Ukitake.
"I only just found out too Toushiro," Ukitake sighed and made to go after Unohana and Shunsui, "It certainly changes everything doesn't it?"
"It also complicates everything too," Toushiro replied following Ukitake inside.
Ten minutes later they'd all been escorted to the Head-Captains office by Sasakibe, the Lieutenant of the First Division, "The Head-Captain is expecting you. Go right on in," he instructed before turning on his heel and heading back to his own office.
They all shared a glance before Toushiro lifted his fist, "Here goes," he knocked against the thick wooden door and awaited for a reply.
"ENTER!" The Head-Captains gruff voice bellowed literally two seconds later.
Toushiro braced himself then pushed the door open and stepped inside. Ukitake, Unohana and Shunsui all filed in behind him without saying a word.
When Toushiro stepped into the large spacious office, he noticed that the Head-Captain was sat in his chair, facing the open wall of his office that overlooked the vast complex maze that was the Seireitei. The Head-Captain had showed no sign whatsoever that he'd heard them enter, yet the proper etiquette dictated that they had to wait for him to acknowledge them first.
Toushiro stepped forward and came to a stop a couple of metres in front of the Head-Captains desk. He could sense that Ukitake, Unohana and Shunsui had lined up side by side roughly a metre behind him.
After what felt like an age, the Head-Captain finally turned his chair towards them all. He swept his heavy gaze over the three senior Captains, pausing and staring at each of them in turn with much contempt and disdain.
Toushiro didn't dare to glance behind him, but he could tell from the Head-Captains look of disgust that Yamamoto was displeased with what he was seeing. Very displeased.
"Deliver your report, Captain Hitsugaya," The Head-Captain finally grunted without taking his eyes off the three Captains standing behind Toushiro.
Toushiro skipped right on ahead to his actions after receiving his orders to bring in Kyouraku and Ise after the meeting had ended. He omitted a few facts and was just explaining how he'd ordered Rangiku to accompany Unohana to the World of the Living to retrieve Nanao, when the Head-Captain suddenly slammed his hands down on the desk and roared "LOOK AT ME!"
Toushiro felt a jolt run through his body which was quickly followed by a moments confusion. He'd been keeping eye contact the whole time and had only looked away for the briefest of a second. Glancing back at the Head-Captain, he realised that Yamamoto's gaze wasn't levelled on him, and was in fact looking right over him at his fellow Captains behind him.
"How dare you stand before me with such disgraceful expressions on your faces. Doesn't either one of you have the balls to look me in the eye! And you call yourselves Captains. You all disgust me! This is beyond disgraceful," The Head-Captain slammed his fist down on his desk again before bellowing, "DISGRACEFUL!"
"Captain Hitsugaya," the Head-Captain boomed a few seconds later.
"Sir," Toushiro snapped back to attention.
"How much do you truly know about the situation? How long have you known what's been going on?"
Toushiro discreetly swallowed the lump in his throat, he could feel several beads of sweat trickling down his back, "I didn't know anything about the situation until five minutes before the meeting this morning, Sir."
"And so you've been covering for these three incompetent fools ever since?" Yamamoto yelled pointing an angry finger at the three behind Toushiro.
"No sir," Toushiro replied with an even voice, "The actions I've taken have been based solely on my own judgement of the situation."
"And what exactly was your judgement of the situation?" Yamamoto shot back hotly.
"That I shouldn't immediately jump to conclusions. I deemed the best course of action was to take no action for the time being," Toushiro was feeling uncomfortably hot, he could sense Hyourimaru's displeasure in the back of his mind.
"Is that so?" The Head-Captain asked in a dangerously low voice. Toushiro wasn't exactly sure whether or not the question was rhetorical. He had to resist the urge to fidget and pull at the collar of his uniform.
"Get out," The Head-Captain quietly said after a few long minutes of silence.
"Excuse me?" Toushiro asked somewhat dumbly.
"YOU HEARD ME, GET OUT!" The Head-Captain roared back, "ARE YOU DEAF OR SOMETHING, YOU'RE DIMISSED. NOW GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE CAPTAIN HITSUGAYA."
Toushiro didn't need to be told twice. He turned on his heel and headed straight for the door. He didn't spare the three remaining Captains a look. He even skipped formalities and didn't bother to bow respectfully before leaving the room.
Once he'd clicked the door shut behind him, he slid his eyes closed and took in a deep breath and counted to ten. He then slowly released the breath he'd been holding and slowly peeked his eyes open. He was surprised to see Lieutenant Sasakibe standing before him, waiting to escort him back outside.
"Sasakibe," he acknowledged.
"This way please Captain Hitsugaya," Sasakibe politely indicated for him to follow.
They'd made it a few metres down the long corridor when they both felt the Head-Captains reiatsu spike and the temperature of the surrounding areas hiked up several degrees. The paper walls of the corridor took on an orangey glow and Toushiro paused to glance back over his shoulder. Through the paper walls he could make out the Head-Captains fiery form glowing red hot with rage, which cast three distinctive shadows of the senior Captains against the paper wall. Just as Toushiro remembered that Shunsui's reiatsu reserves had been drastically drained and that he also had a reiatsu sealing band on. He saw Shunsui's massive form fall to his knees then slump forward to the floor.
As Toushiro turned away and began walking again the Head-Captains voice boomed like thunder, "INCOMPETANCE! NEVER BEFORE IN MY LIFE HAVE I SEEN SUCH INCOMPETANT FOOLS AS THE ONES STANDING BEFORE ME!" Toushiro heard a loud thud as the Head-Captain slammed his wooden staff against his office floor, "INCOMPETANCE!"
A shiver ran down Toushiro's back and he couldn't help but feel glad that he wasn't in there with them at this current moment.
All was quiet in the Hitsugaya's home. Momo had returned to the Fifth Division and now Rangiku was curled up on the couch cuddling Kotaro while he had a much needed nap. Rangiku wanted to have a good talk with Kotaro, to find out exactly what had happened moments before his power had emerged. But Kotaro was so tired out with having a meltdown that Rangiku determined it would be for the best if he had a rest first.
Kotaro had been sleeping soundly for a good half an hour and Rangiku had no intentions of waking him up yet. He was draped over her chest and she couldn't move very far without waking him. So instead of trying to move, she decided to stay put for awhile. Listening to his gentle breathing and the odd snuffling noise, Rangiku soon found herself nodding off too.
It wasn't until she felt another weight pressing against her side, did she wake up again. Peeking her eyes open she saw Toushiro perched on the edge of the couch gazing down at them.
"Hey," he greeted softly and brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face before crushing his lips against hers, "Sorry if I woke you," he added once he pulled away.
"Its okay," she smiled back. She glanced over to the clock, expecting it to be quite late. However she was surprised to see that Toushiro had arrived home quite early, "I wasn't expecting you to be back so soon. I thought you needed to report in to the Head-Captain?"
Toushiro broke his gaze away from Rangiku, "I already did," he replied as he rested his hand against Kotaro's head.
"How did it go?" Rangiku reached her hand up and cupped Toushiro's chin in her hand and turned his face back to hers. She caught the expression on his face and knew it hadn't gone well, "That bad then," Rangiku got a better grip on Kotaro and carefully lifted and shuffled herself back further into the couch, creating a bit more room for Toushiro.
Toushiro took the offered room and settled down beside her on the couch. He wrapped his arm around Rangiku's shoulders and planted a few more kisses up and down the column of her neck. He broke off his kisses and rested his head against hers, "Yeah it was pretty bad. The Head-Captain had no interest in what I had to say. He just wanted to get Shunsui, Ukitake and Unohana together. I wouldn't like to be in their shoes right now."
"What about Nanao is she," Rangiku began but Toushiro cut her off with a kiss.
"Safely in the Fourth still," he mumbled against her lips, "Unohana made sure of that."
"I don't suppose you know what's wrong with her yet then?" Rangiku asked as she played with a strand of Kotaro's hair.
"Not fully," A slight frown worked its way onto Toushiro's face, "But I do know one thing."
Rangiku raised a perfectly groomed eyebrow, "What is it?"
"Nanao's pregnant."
Rangiku's eyes went wide and her whole face lit up, her mouth opened into a quiet 'Oh' but before she could say or do anything, Toushiro's hand came up and covered her mouth, "Don't scream the house down, you'll wake up Kotaro."
"This is great!" Rangiku said in a hushed whisper, "Do they know if its a boy or girl?"
"Rangiku," Toushiro gave her a serious look, "I found out literally moments before we went in to see the Head-Captain. Ukitake had only just found out too. There wasn't exactly time to stop and have a friendly chat about it. I'm not even sure whether or not Nanao knows about it either."
Rangiku sighed, "I hope everything turns out all right for them."
"It now all depends on how the Head-Captain reacts and what he decides to do about the situation. We've tried to help Shunsui and Nanao as best we can, but unfortunately the matter is out of our hands now."
They both fell into a contemplative silence. Rangiku was secretly wondering whether the baby would be a boy or girl and who it would look like the most. While Toushiro was secretly running over all the possible punishments the Head-Captain could dish out to Shunsui and whether he could find a loophole in any of them.
They were both pulled from their thoughts when Kotaro stirred from his nap and let out a sleepy yawn.
"Hey sweetie, did you have a nice nap?" Rangiku leant forward and planted a kiss on his forehead.
Kotaro grinned back at her and nodded, "I had a dream about a dragon Mummy," Kotaro's gaze fell on Toushiro and his grinned widened, "Daddy's home."
"Yes I am little man, and I want to have a word with you," Toushiro straightened up from his slouched position and levelled his serious gaze on his son.
"About what Daddy?" Kotaro asked sweetly.
"About your behaviour towards Momo today," Toushiro replied sternly.
Kotaro's happy grin fell from his face to be replaced by a sad frown, "Mummy already told me I was naughty."
"And now I'm telling you again," Toushiro replied, in his full on dad mode, "You should have known better then to behave that way. I am very disappointed in you Kotaro."
Although Toushiro hadn't raised his voice and certainly wasn't shouting at Kotaro, Rangiku could see Kotaro's eyes shining with unshed tears.
"Don't ever do that again," Toushiro said in the same low stern voice, "Do I make myself clear?"
Kotaro lowered his head in shame and gave a little nod.
"Kotaro," Toushiro repeated, "Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Daddy," Kotaro answered quietly, "I'm sorry."
"Thats okay," Toushiro accepted his apology and let the matter drop, "Now come here and give me a hug little man," Toushiro got to his feet then swept down and scooped Kotaro off the couch. They shared a hug then Toushiro raised him high above his head and began flying him around the living room like an aeroplane.
Rangiku watched them with a fond smile on her face, so much for trying to talk to Kotaro about his emerging powers. Maybe she'll get the chance later on. Her stomach growled and glancing at the clock again, she decided it was about time they had something to eat. She got to her feet and called loudly, "Well seeing as you two are playing I guess I'll have to eat all on my own then."
"Oh oh I'm hungry too!" Kotaro wiggled in Toushiro's arms wanting to be put down, "Can I have a sandwich Mummy?"
"Sure but I expect you both to come and help me make them," Rangiku replied as she stepped out of the living room and through into the kitchen.
"Can I spread the bread Mummy?" Kotaro asked as he came running into the kitchen behind her.
"Yes Kotaro, just make sure the butter goes on the bread and not the floor this time," Rangiku grinned at him then placed the bread and butter in front of him, "Wash your hands first sweetie."
"What's Daddy going to do?"
Toushiro who'd been rummaging in the fridge closed the door and answered, "Meat."
"Okay, looks like I'm doing the salad then," Rangiku chirped cheerfully.
They all settled down into their various tasks and Rangiku couldn't help but smile in amusement at Kotaro. Who would tell Toushiro off every time he saw his Daddy sneak some meat into his mouth, "Mummy! Daddy's eating all the meat again. Daddy don't do that, its bad manners!"
"I'm hungry, I haven't eaten since breakfast," Toushiro defended himself.
"Its still bad manners," Kotaro argued back with a grin on his face, "Isn't that right Mummy?"
"That's right sweetie, you tell Daddy," Rangiku grinned back, as she began slicing up the tomatoes. It was always fun teasing Toushiro.
"See Daddy even Mummy says its wrong," Kotaro grinned back at him. He waved his butter knife triumphantly and a huge blob of butter went slop onto the floor.
"Kotaro!" Toushiro called in his stern voice, "You do not wave knives around like that, and look at the mess on the floor."
"Clean it up sweet-" Rangiku gasped and then cried out in pain as she felt the knife she'd been using slip and slice into her hand. She dropped the knife instantly and as she brought her hand up she saw blood streaming from the cut on her palm, which was flowing down her wrist.
"Rangiku!"
"Mummy!"
Rangiku clutched her injured hand in her good hand and stepped away from the kitchen counter, "I'm okay."
"Let me see it Rangiku," Toushiro said as he stepped over to her.
"I'm fine really, its just a little nick," Rangiku protested and backed away from Toushiro.
"No you're not Rangiku," Toushiro frowned when he saw the amount of blood dripping onto the kitchen floor, "Now don't be childish and let me see it."
Toushiro grasped her hand and gently prised her good hand away, he quickly ran his eyes over the wound and saw that Rangiku had a long, deep slice running from her thumb and diagonally across her palm. He grabbed a nearby tea towel and pressed it against the wound.
"Here hold on to this while I grab a towel," As Toushiro hurried out the kitchen he called over his shoulder, "Kotaro keep an eye on Mummy please."
Kotaro nodded and hurried over to Rangiku and wrapped his arms around her leg, "Mummy are you okay, does it hurt?" He asked full of concern.
"I'm okay sweetie," Rangiku lied. In truth she was feeling a little sick and faint. She sank down to her knees.
"Does Mummy want a hug?" Kotaro asked as he stepped behind her and latched his little arms around her middle, "I'll make you feel better."
Rangiku was about to thank him, but she'd started to feel a little strange. Her whole body felt cool and a little numb and her skin felt like it was tingling and prickling. The cut on her hand was throbbing painfully and was the only part of her body that still felt warm.
Toushiro returned and stepped back over to her, "Come out the way please, little man," he instructed as he crouched back down next to her, "Here let me see it Rangiku," he grabbed the blood stained tea towel and discarded it to one side.
Toushiro pulled in a surprised gasp and uttered, "What the hell?"
Rangiku sighed, "Does it really look that bad?"
"Give me your other hand Rangiku," Toushiro instructed again.
"What? Why?"
"Just let me see it," he replied sounding a little annoyed.
Rangiku held her other hand out to him and he started checking her other palm over.
"I don't get it," He said a few seconds later, "Are you sure you cut yourself?"
"No Toushiro, of course I didn't cut myself," she replied sarcastically, "I just thought I'd bleed all over the place just for fun."
"Then why has your cut just magically disappeared then?"
"What!" Rangiku snatched her hand back and had a good look. Her hand was covered in blood, yet where the long deep slice had been literally minutes before, had now vanished, "What the hell?"
"MUMMY!" Kotaro screamed loudly. Both Rangiku and Toushiro whipped their heads around to see him clutching his hand and shaking, "IT HURTS," he cried out.
Toushiro hurried over to him and Rangiku was on her feet in seconds, "What is it sweetie? What hurts?"
"My hand," Kotaro replied starting to cry.
Toushiro prised Kotaro's hand open, just like he'd done with Rangiku. They were both very surprised and very shocked to see his hand covered in blood. But what was even more surprising to them, was the cut on Kotaro's palm. It was the exact same cut that had been on Rangiku's palm only minutes before.
"Toshi.." Rangiku stared at him completely dumbfounded.
Toushiro just stared back at her looking equally shocked and confused.
