Child of the Hogyoku

Chapter 51

It had been hours on the other side of the door. Unohona was forced to tend to patients but came back when she could. Matsumoto hadn't moved from the spot and was there to greet the people who came and went to check on the situation. There was Ikkaku and Yumichika although they didn't stay for long. Then there was Kyoraku, Nanao and Ukitake who treated her to some tea and assured her that between them they had all three of their squad still running although a need to make sure this carried on made them leave.

Rukia and Renji were the last to come. They made small talk and had more tea all freezing at the sound of shuffling.

The door was pulled open to reveal the tall orange haired man closely followed by the small smiling white haired boy who, as soon as he was out enough, had Rangiku's arms fly round him in the blink of an eye.

"R-Rangiku." He nearly fell over.

"Finally up sleeping beauty," Renji didn't stand up.

"Renji!" Rukia scolded as she stood and smiled, "You alright?"

He shot Renji a playful glare knowing that was just is way of saying the same thing.

"Feel better than ever," He replied looking over to Tosuhiro who was struggling to get away from Matsumoto.

The strawberry blond and a smirk on her face and kept saying about May's once a day rule.

"I know you are relieved to see him but I would prefer you refrain from doing any more damage, Captain Matsumoto." Said a calm and familiar voice.

"Captain Unohona," She released the boy in surprise.

"How are you both feeling?" She asked them,

"Fine," Toushiro replied his cold and depressing air gone now Ichigo was alright.

"Better than ever," Ichigo replied the same.

"If I could direct you to another room so I can check for myself," She said, "I would also like to ask you some questions so I can make a report."

"But we're fine," Toushiro was honestly a little annoyed he hadn't seen much of the soul society bar the 4th division.

Everyone else froze as they waited for Unhona to teach the boy why no one questioned the 4th captain. Unohona opened her eyes slightly and said in her sickly sweet voice.

"I would like to check for myself, Hitsugaya."

The boy had now decided this woman was now scarier than any thug or policeman or anything he'd met.

"Okay," He retreated his eyes to the ground utterly defeated.

"Follow me then," She turned.


The two were sat down and checked over to find no physical injury though their reatsu's were low. As she did this Toushiro explained that in all honesty he wasn't sure what he was doing. Yoruoichi hopped through the window in time to hear the explanation and when Ichigo told them what he really did.

"Re-wrote the rules of his soul," The jumped at her sudden masculine voice eyes licking to the black cat licking her paw, "Impressive Toushiro. Considering the Hogyoku isn't fully developed."

He flashed a smile but didn't say anything. To him it would have been more impressive if he knew what he was in the first place.

"May I see it?" The cat jumped onto his bed.

"I guess…" He didn't like taking off his bandanna and he hated how all eyes turned to him in curiosity but Yoruichi wouldn't ask it randomly…well she might.

He looked a little surprised himself. The shielding was cracked to the point there was hardly a clear area to get a good look at the powerful object.

"Hmm…" Was all she said.

"Why is the shielding cracked Yoruichi?" Unohona pushed for an explanation.

"Kiske said that when the shielding finally breaks the Hogyoku will be fully developed," She replied.

"What'll happen when it develops?" Toushiro asked.

"He said when it is getting close it will start taking more power from you than normal so you'll begin to tire quicker and when it is at the end it will suck out a lot of power very quickly leaving you almost completely drained." She saw a worried expression and laughed, "Don't worry, it's won't kill you you're too compatible to the Hogyoku but you won't be 100% afterwards."

He just nodded and tied the bandanna back round. They boy let out an unexpected yawn and Unohona smiled.

"I suggest the two of you get some rest," She told them, "I will make sure this is all reported to the head captain."

"Thanks Captain Unohona," Ichigo pushed from the wall he was leaning on.

Toushiro had said nothing until Ichigo glared at him

"Yeah, thanks…" He said quietly.

She softly laughed, "It is only my job."

With that she left.

"You never left did you?" They boy's teal eyes wandered to Rangiku.

"I wanted to see you when you came out," She replied with a shrug.

He looked over her a moment but smiled, "Guess you were a good lieutenant if you're still trying to look out for me."

"No," She shook her head, "You were a good Capatin."

He shrugged at the compliant. She was complimenting him but at the same time not him.

"You should get some rest too," He changed the subject, "You probably tried out all you're worry reserves."

"You're right Ca-." She covered her mouth completely shocked that was just about to come out.

Toushiro hadn't missed it but before he could talk Ichigo had lifted him from the bed it was sitting on into a piggy back.

"Woah, what?" The boy took a moment to realise what just happened.

"I'm paying you back for saving my ass," He replied, "And before you complain you look pretty tired so nothing you can say will make me let you go."

Toushiro gave a frustrated sighed and relaxed.

"C'mon Rangiku I'll walk back with you," Renji offered as the strawberry blond silent thanked for the save.

She followed Renji out after turning and saying bye to Hitsugaya.


Toushiro Ichigo and Rukia were quick to leave afterwards but met an unexpected person.

"Brother," Rukia greeted considering at the moment they were off duity.

"Byakuya," Ichigo smiled.

"Must you always refer to me by my first name, Kurosaki?" The man replied.

"Jeez, you sound like he used too."

"Hey," The boy growled when Ichigo bounced him.

"Hmm…" He observed them, "I was coming to see the situation but it seems things have already been resolved. I shall accompany you back to the Kuchiki mansion."

Rukia ran forward to walk with her brother leaving Toushiro and Ichigo to trail on behind.

"How is he?" Ichigo broke the silence.

"Huh?" The boy blinked.

"Nieve." He told him.

"Oh," He closed his eyes a moment,

Do not worry boy, Hyorinmaru assured him, For the moment he has not regained consciousness but he will recover.

"He's not woken up," He opened his teal eyes the relay the message, "But Hyorinmaru said he'll be fine."

"Good," Ichigo nodded

"We'll have to do some training with him when he is fine," They jumped and looked down at the black cat.

"Forgot you were with us Yourichi," Ichigo said honestly.

"You I'm not surprised at," She replied, "But Toushiro, I wasn't exactly hiding myself."

"Go away, I'm tired." He moaned very childishly.

She laughed, "Alright grumpy guts." She jumped onto a wall, "I'll see you tomorrow."


Authors notes: I do not own bleach or the character bar Nieve

Had to do a bit more planning lol. Think I might have finally figured out how this is going to end...maybe...we'll see ne?

I thank everyone once more for reviews and things I aprciate all the comments i've been getting. thank you thank you