Undertones
By: WhisperedSilvers
X
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I remember
Like lightening to the heart, I saw things clearer
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won't you dance for me
She couldn't eat. Her stomach was a mess of nerves, she felt sick. The smell of tea made her sick. Her brother looked at her with a silver of concern, she only drank water and ate a few chestnuts. She needed to have a talk with Captain Ukitake, for reasons unknown—he had requested that Captain Hitsugaya train with her to develop and expand her new ability.
Why?
That was the question.
He did say to think outside the box—which indicated that she should use other methods besides having a teacher—but Hitsugaya wasn't going to be teaching her—he was going to train with her.
But the question that was bothering her the most was—why did he agree?
"Rukia." Byakuya brought her back from her thoughts, his tea in his hands.
"Yes, Nii-sama?"
"I have been informed that Captain Hitsugaya will be training with you for an unfixed amount of time."
Rukia hesitated. She was careful to not display any emotion of horror, fear and irritation. It made her uncomfortable when she realized that she would be alone with him—for the Gods' know how long, and she wasn't quite sure what her brother was trying to pick up on.
"Yes."
His charcoal colored-orbs narrowed ever so slightly, his lips thinned. It wasn't that he was displeased with this setting; he didn't like the thought of Rukia being put under that amount of strenuous training—she wasn't even a ranked officer.
But to Rukia, she wanted to prove that she was worthy of being a Kuchiki.
"Be very grateful that Captain Hitsugaya is taking time out of his schedule to train with you, Rukia. Captain's have only so much spare time." His voice was a shade of cool, he was slightly dismissive.
She bit the inside of her cheek; it wasn't like she wanted this to happen. "I understand."
Byakuya nodded, "Eat some fruit. You don't want to eat full meal before training."
She raised an eyebrow as she plopped a grape into her mouth.
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The day you came inside, I felt brand new
So what am I supposed to do now?
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There were three things that were on Captain Hitsugaya's mind when he stepped into his office. The first: where the hell was his lieutenant? There was an enormous stack of paperwork towering at least two feet. He thanked the Gods that he finally had his growth spurt. A towering five ten—a few inches shorter than the substitute soul reaper—but at least he was at a respectable height now. The stack brushed the middle of his ribs when he sat down.
He sighed internally; at least it was quiet.
"Captain!" Rangiku sang bursting through the doors, her grin was a million watts and her blue eyes sparkled.
He spoke to soon.
"Matsumoto," He cocked an eyebrow, "I must say I'm impressed that you aren't drunk."
She scowled with good nature before she responded cheerfully, "It is morning. Shuhei is on medication—so he can't drink." She sighed dramatically, "I can't go drinking alone—it's so pathetic." Her eyes flashed with mischief before she added, "Say Captain—"
"No." His answer was flat and he dipped his brush in ink.
"But you don't even know what I was going to ask!"
Hitsugaya crossed out a section in the paper, before checking off the requirements, "I have a pretty good idea."
She huffed before her eyes floated to the window. She watched Renji slap Ikkaku against the wall; his zanpakuto in it's sealed form against this throat. Matsumoto frowned, "Say Captain, do you think the Menos will be coming back?"
Hitsugaya's brush paused, "What do you mean?"
That was the second thing that was bothering him. The Menos appeared out of nowhere. It was a miracle that Kenpachi's team intercepted the group before it could enter the lower realms of the city. The attack was random, unplanned and sudden.
She sighed noisily, before dropping herself onto her Captain's couch, "Well according to Rukia, the Menos seemed to be able to manipulate time into a display."
The word sounded funny in his mouth, "Rukia?"
Matsumoto went on without noticing his slip, "Mmhm. She said that they showed up randomly. Like there wasn't even a Kumon." She stared at the ceiling before finishing her thought, "I asked her if it was possible that the Menos can use a form of time travel."
"And why do you think she would have the answer?" His brush felt slightly heavy in his hand when he twirled the tool into the ink.
"Well, she was the one who was hit twice—not to mention she was the one that figured out what was happening." Rangiku explained, her hand pressing against her forehead, "She looked pretty shaken when she thought back to the attack—I mean she saw Kaien Shiba—the lieutenant that she killed."
His reply was immediate, "She didn't kill him, Matsumoto."
Blue eyes flickered to his teal ones.
"I read the report."
Rangiku shrugged, "I know she didn't actually kill him, Captain. But can you imagine watching someone die in you arms for the second time?"
Hitsugaya looked at his papers blankly, he couldn't. He couldn't imagine it. If he were to re-watch himself stab Momo again, he didn't think he would be able to live with himself.
"Still she looked pretty bad. Can you imagine if they show up again and we have to fight them? Would we be able to handle it?"
He slammed his fist on the table and scowled, not liking where her thoughts were headed, "Are you doubting yourself, Matsumoto?"
Rangiku scoffed, "No." She glanced at her desk, "I'm just wondering if they can see through time, should they know of our strengths and our weaknesses—could this be just an evolution of Menos? Or could it be that someone is doing this purposefully."
Hitsugaya looked at her considerately. She put a lot of thought into this to come with these theories. Most of these were highly probable. She was focused and she sounded worried.
"Why is this bothering you?"
Matsumoto looked at him, a frown twisting on her lips, before she sighed and lay back onto the couch. "Rukia was so bothered with those flashes. I don't want anything to happen to her."
There it was. She was worried about Rukia.
"She can handle herself, Matsumoto." Hitsugaya sneered before flipping to a new page of the packet, "Have she forgotten that she's Captain Kuchiki's younger sister."
Her eye's softened, "Rukia's been through a lot. She gave up her soul reaper powers to Ichigo, was nearly executed and had the Hogyoku ripped out of her by Aizen no less—"
His brush snapped at the sound of that monster.
"She still hadn't regained her powers after the Bounts and when she finally did—the Espadas, Arrancars—had came and made a mess on everything. Poor girl couldn't catch a break."
Hitsugaya knew of Matsumoto's motherly tendencies, it was one of the very few things he noticed when he met her—when she attached herself to the young Kuchiki, she became even worse.
"And why are you telling me this?"
Hitsugaya knew about the little Kuchiki. He knew how her brother pulled some strings, just so his sister wasn't made a ranked officer. Despite the fact that she was too skilled to not be a ranked officer—didn't matter. He knew about Uruhara planting the Hogyoku in her body, he also knew that people actually blame her for all of these events.
This was the third, the third thing—person that was bothering him. Captain Ukitake had cornered him yesterday with chocolates and a stuffed rabbit. He had formally asked him to train with Rukia—his unseated officer.
"Shiro-chan!" Ukitake's voice was sunny and shining with gold when he cornered Captain Hitsugaya. He carried a small white rabbit in one hand and in the other a basket of chocolates.
"Captain Ukitake." Hitsugaya sighed, reluctantly opening his arms to accept his offerings. He stopped in the middle of the hallway and waited for the other white-haired captain to reach him.
"Here you go, Shiro-chan!" He shoved the treats in his face.
With a grunt he grabbed the ridiculous looking stuffed animal—what the hell was it? A rabbit? And grabbed the basket of chocolate. He noticed with some surprise that the basked was nearly ten pounds of chocolate, "This is a little much, Captain Ukitake."
The green-eyed man smiled charmingly, "Well you see Little Shiro, I wanted to ask you for a favor."
He raised a snowy eyebrow and cautiously he inquired, "A favor?"
"Well, it's not really a favor. Just a request, you are free to reject it, of course."
A pause. "What is it?"
Ukitake looked at him, his face completely serious and his eyes hardened, "Would you be willing to train one of my officers?"
He couldn't stop the word from flying out of his mouth even if he tried, "Who?"
"Rukia Kuchiki."
Teal eyes widened. Why her? She could fight fine, well enough actually—she probably told him how he caught her reiatsu leaking onto her hands unconsciously.
"Why?"
Ukitake smiled, "Well, I've been meaning to thank you for catching her elemental reiatsu leaking. And what better person to train with her than you, Shiro-chan?"
Hitsugaya didn't like that smile of his; it was demeaning and pressuring. "Why didn't she ask me?"
He shook his head, "Rukia doesn't like to trouble anyone. Nor will she ask for help—it's not a matter of pride for her—she doesn't like to inconvenience people. She's very selfless."
"Most people would have jumped with the chance to spar with a Captain."
"Rukia isn't most people."
He said yes, of course. Ukitake was a respectable man, he had high hopes for the Little Kuchiki—he wouldn't have requested his services for something that wasn't worth his time. Hitsugaya inwardly smirked remembering last evening, how that scene played out was most unexpected. Despite, her cool, indifferent behavior—she wasn't going to lay still and let him walk all over her.
But what he didn't like was how on edge she was with him—it was almost as if she were wary of him.
He was a Captain—he wasn't going to harm her—he thought for a moment—at least not maliciously.
"Because I know that you're going to training with her." Matsumoto's voice was curling with mischief; her blue eyes twinkled coyly at his scowl.
"And?"
"And," She paused, "And I want you to look out for her." Her mouth twitched into a soft smile, "I'm asking you as your friend, not as your lieutenant."
Hitsugaya looked at her. It was a low blow—that was a low blow. He sighed, she didn't need to tell him—ask him—he knew from the moment he met Rukia—with everything falling around her—the betrayal of Aizen—the substitute soul reaper—that it would be impossible to get rid of her after.
He was stuck with her.
"You don't have to ask me."
Matsumoto smiled.
It was going to be a great day.
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That for once I have escaped the fakes, the snakes
Waste of time face to face
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Rukia leaned against the tree in the barracks of the Tenth Division. It felt uncomfortable to be in Squad Ten's training grounds. It was the underground barracks she was asked to meet. It wasn't like a dojo—it was a field—built like an arena. She felt like she had no right to be here, waiting for their Captain no less—it was awkward.
She thought back to the Menos attack yesterday, she could see the way his lips burnt the corner of her mouth, how achingly soft his lips were and despite how fast the kiss was—it was the intensity that made her heart hammer. Out of all the people in the world—why did it have to be him? She didn't even know him. It didn't make sense how the future played out—how the hell did she end up there—with him?
She thought of her son—her little boy, Kei. His eyes were bright aqua, twinkling with tints of darker blues—it was his eyes. His hair dark like hers, brushing his chin—a dimple on the side of his face—her heart shuddered when she saw him run up to her and hugged her legs.
It was so peaceful.
It terrified her.
Just how much bloodshed would she have to witness just to get there?
"Kuchiki."
Rukia flinched. She didn't even feel his reiatsu. Captain Hitsugaya stood a yard away from her, his arms crossed under his chest and his signature snowy eyebrow raised. Just how long was he standing there?
"You're on time," He didn't sound surprised, "I would have thought you would have picked up on Abarai's habits."
"Of course not, Captain Hitsugaya." Her voice was polite, flat.
Her tone of voice irritated him and what irritated him more, was that he didn't know why.
He walked into the middle of the field, silently motioning Rukia to follow him. He stopped a respectable distance away from her. He grabbed his zanpakuto and placed it against the wall of the barracks.
"I want to see how skilled you are in hand-to-hand combat." Hitsugaya started, removing his captain's haori placing it on the side of his zanpakuto. He wore a black sleeveless shirt, carelessly flaunting his toned, well-muscled arms—his pants a shade off charcoal—not the standard shinigami wear—which surprised her.
Rukia nodded as she removed her zanpakuto, placing against the wall as well.
She had to swallow a smirk; he was in for a surprise.
With the arrogance of a Captain, his lips twisted into something akin to a sneer, "Come at me, Kuchiki."
Rukia didn't hesitate. She used Flash Steps to reach him, her fist coming towards his face, his eyes widened in surprise, his forearm tilted slightly, blocking the blow and using the force of it to push her back a few feet. She came at him again, her foot sliding upwards toward his chin, he ducked and Rukia bent down, digging her fingers into the dirt and twisting her torso to plant a kick with her other leg, just barely managing to knick the underside of his jaw as he pulled back.
Teal orbs were smoldering with adrenaline. She was good—she was really good. He hmm'd with interest, this time he went on the offense. Hitsugaya threw a fist near her jaw, she blocked the blow with the back of her hand and another fist came towards her stomach—she inhaled sharply and twisted slightly—quickly using her other hand, with the heel of her palm she shoved the appendage under his jaw.
She visibly smirked when she heard a small crack.
Hitsugaya's eyebrows raised—she actually managed to dislocate his jaw. Hissing lightly, he pressed his hand to his jaw and forcefully he pushed it up—hearing the joints click back into place. "Heh."
And she was smirking, her cool, calm and collected mask was slowly cracking—his eyes narrowed with determination.
Let's see how far I can crack your mask, Kuchiki.
Rukia swept her foot against his feet, using shunpo in a dizzying pattern; she swung her foot towards the left, intent on damaging his shoulder—she gasped when he grabbed her by the ankle, using the weight of her body—he flung her forward—stumbling, she managed to land on her feet, sliding on the ground, steam rising and she finally stopped moving.
"You're combat skills are note-worthy." Hitsugaya praised, a small smile twisting on his lips—from her point of view, it looked like a grimace.
Rukia blinked at the compliment, "Thank you, sir."
"Grab your zanpakuto. Let me see your swordsmanship."
Grabbing Sode no Shirayuki, she kept her in sealed form. When she went back towards the field—he used shunpo to meet her—less than a foot away from her. She swallowed at the closeness, itching to put some distance in between them.
"Keep your zanpakuto sealed," Hitsugaya raised he zanpakuto and struck her vertically. She maneuvered her zanpakuto horizontal metal on metal hissing—white sparks clashed.
"Lock in your shoulders, keep your elbows in and use it to push me back!" He commanded, increasing the weight on his zanpakuto. Rukia straightened her shoulders and pulled her elbows inward—she was panting from exertion—she pushed forward and knocked him back.
"Because of your height, your defenses must be strong." He explained, grabbing the hilt of his zanpakuto and bringing it down towards her, she rotated Sode no Shirayuki upwards holding his blade and she inhaled sharply—so sharply that she could smell his breath. Like cool mint and warm rain—it danced across her face—she was startled at how close their blades were and how close their faces were, he whispered, "Use it to your advantage."
Hitsugaya pushed her back and Rukia stumbled back. Internally cursing at her clumsy footwork. "Come at me, Kuchiki."
Rukia did something different, she twisted her feet into a slight leap—slashing her blade sideways and he raised an arm to block the slash, again she slashed him.
The loud clang of the metal zanpakuto's scraping against each other drowned out in both of their ears. All they could hear was the sound of metal clashing and each other's harsh breaths. She slid her zanpakuto into a cross, effectively cutting the bottom of his shirt—now a silver of skin was flashing—this was enough to distract her, because then Hitsugaya slashed her left sleeve—cutting the sleeve off. Now one side of her sleeve was long while the other was sleeveless—like his.
"What the hell!" Rukia blurted out in a fit of irritation. Nii-sama didn't like when her clothes were torn, it made her look like she still lived in Rukongai.
Hitsugaya's eyes glimmered at her outburst, a zing of mirth washed over him, "I think we're even, don't you?"
"I slashed only a piece of your shirt." She sighed, before scowling, "You slashed a sleeve."
"Clothes are clothes." Hitsugaya replied casually, he came at her again and this time harder—she struggled to stay up—he was taller and the weight of his zanpakuto was heavier—that made it much more difficult. She wondered if she twisted her hips like so—her grip tightened and she managed to shift the weight of his zanpakuto to the tip of hers. She slid her zanpakuto over his and managed to shift her weight—so now, so now she was on the offensive, with a soft grunt she managed to push him back.
Hitsugaya was mildly impressed, even without him telling her how—she managed to throw him off. She had the potential to become a very good shinigami. His eyes narrowed, he came at her had and fast.
Rukia blocked each slash, he was coming at her aggressively, he was coming at her seriously—she felt like her life was in danger. He was relentless; power drenched his zanpakuto, insistent and strong. Each clang of metal was deliberate and she could see why he was chosen to be a captain.
Without even using his shikai he was tough. Rukia was panting from each blow, she couldn't even find an opening to go the offense, sweat mapped onto the back of her neck, beads running down her sternum and temples. His breathing was harsher, but it didn't look like he was putting much effort into his strikes, while she was gasping for air.
She didn't notice at first—but Hitsugaya's blows were pushing her back.
Rukia was near the tree she was leaning on earlier. Just a few steps away and Rukia eye's widened when she realized what his plans were—he was going to back her into a corner!
Hitsugaya brought his zanpakuto harder onto hers—he was so close to her face—that the anxiety in her heart ran threw her veins, swimming into the ocean of blood—she didn't think—she just moved.
Quickly, so quickly he almost didn't see her do it—she removed one hand from the hilt and her small arm quivered against his blade—but it was only for a second, she cupped her chin and she blew hard and slow. She had to control her breathing, because she didn't know what would happen to him if she let her emotions run wild.
He flew back, an icy wind forced him back a good enough distance, the grass cooling into frost and Rukia used shunpo—in front of him, she released a fighting cry bringing down her Sode no Shirayuki down onto his Hyorinmaru, she used all of her weight into the blow, he grunted in response—he used Flash Steps—he was behind her and because she put all of her weight into her zanpakuto—she was flying downward, she gasped and back flipped—misjudging her footwork she fell to the ground with a curse under her breath.
"Dammit," She hissed, she was going to bruise—her arms felt far too hot and she was sticky. Rukia stood up, eyes blinking—trying to focus on him.
Hitsugaya looked at her, a smirk fighting to stay on his lips, "Ironically enough, your combat skills are much better than your swordsmanship."
She didn't find it ironic; she did leave on the streets—but he didn't know that—everyone except her brother didn't know that small piece of information.
"I know," Rukia, said, her fingers brushing her slightly damp bangs.
"But you were able to fix your mistakes when it was appropriate," He assessed, his tone arrogant and she felt annoyance twitch into the form of her eyebrow, "You lack stamina and strength."
She didn't like that smirk. She didn't and she didn't know what possessed her to goad him, "When you twist your zanpakuto towards the right in a strike, you leave the left side of your abdomen exposed." The smile left his face, now it was Rukia's time to smirk, "If I wasn't so focused on using my zanpakuto to block your attacks, I could have used kido to blow a hole into your side."
Rukia had discovered a weakness and Captain Hitsugaya's swordsmanship's style.
Teal eyes narrowed in irritation, he grabbed Hyronimaru raising it to strike her towards her right, while replying hotly, and "I do not—"
Rukia cocked her arm back sliding his zanpakuto up, boldly—she didn't know where her courage was coming from—because she could honestly use it more often—and curled towards the side, she crouched low swiftly, her face near the side of his ribs and she jammed two fingers into the side of his left abdomen lightly—he froze.
"Right there." She exhaled lightly; her warm breath caressed the sliver of skin she uncovered from her sharp cutting.
Hitsugaya, for the first time, he couldn't form a single thought. This no-chair officer caught a flaw in his fighting style. That took months and months of exposure into the field for that skill to be obtained. Matsumoto hadn't even picked up on it. He should've expected it—he really should've, she was Captain Kuchiki's younger sister after all. But then she called him out on it, and practically demonstrated where his error lay.
"Training goes both ways, Captain Hitsugaya." Rukia said almost smug, she removed her fingers slowly, almost like a caress—she could feel the solid muscle under his tight black shirt—she needed to burn that image from her head, and sheathed her zanpakuto.
Hitsugaya was still staring at her.
Rukia blinked and tilted her head to the side, "Captain?"
Then he smirked.
And her mind went blank.
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I'll be bold enough to throw
All it is I've longed to say
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Rangiku was nosy. Extremely nosy, she had asked Captain Hitsugaya to look of for Rukia—the sweet little girl, she sighed happily. Her motherly instincts were nearly overwhelming—she silently thanked Renji for introducing them. She was so small and so, so cute! She felt sorry for the girl; her brother was Byakuya—one of the most stoic and emotionless men she had the displeasure of meeting—polite in a way yes, but the little Kuchiki didn't have any female companions. So she had decided—no, resolved to take her under her carefully, feminine and nurturing wings.
"Why are we doing this?" Renji groaned, he was hungry and that noodle house looked really good.
"Aren't you curious?"
"It's Captain Hitsugaya." Renji deadpanned, "I can guarantee you she's going to bitch and complain about her sore ass tomorrow."
Rangiku scoffed, "Yes. Well we know my Captain is a sadist when it comes to training," She was very solemn about this fact it was almost laughable, "I just want to make sure he's not pushing her too hard."
"He's going to push her—hard." He snickered at the implications and she tripped him.
"I see now why Rukia enjoys thrashing you."
He scowled before standing up, he grunted when she shoved something into his hand.
"It's a reiatsu bracelet. It'll mask your reiatsu, so even when you're emotions go into a frenzy—even by accident, no one will notice." She explained slipping on hers, "But make a note that it disintegrates after an hour."
Renji looked at her warily, "Where did you get this?"
She beamed, "Well, you see I went shopping in the world of the living. I ended up passing by Uruhara's shop and it was just too good to pass up. I knew I would need something like this later on."
He shivered, but slipped the small accessory on.
"Just follow me and don't speak." Rangiku said quietly, she walked down the stairs into Squad Ten's underground barracks; she motioned him to follow her up into the arena aisles. The shadows of the overhead seating hid them from the performers eyes.
"I should've brought some snacks."
"Shut up Renji."
The smirk on Hitsugaya's face was slow and deliberate. He wanted her to catch the slight tilting of his lips. He was pleasantly surprised, a touch of irritation brushed him when she managed to catch his weakness—he was glad that he agreed to Ukitake's request—because things were becoming interesting.
Rukia's lips were moving before she could think, before she could stop them. "You did say you were going to train with me. You clearly emphasized last night that training with meant expanding and strengthening your skills—meaning that I'm not the only one who has skills that need sharpening."
Teal eyes glimmered with a flash of—what was it—she couldn't place it—but it was almost feral-looking.
"Sit upon the Frosted Heavens: Hyorinmaru!" Hitsugaya bellowed, his eyes glowing sapphires as he released his shikai. His spiritual pressure increasing dramatically, water twirling into the sky—icing into a dragon—a roar shattering her thoughts.
Rukia's eyes widened, she unsheathed her zanpakuto, rotating her zanpakuto, drawing a circle onto the ground, "Dance: Sode no Shirayuki. Some no Mai, Tsukishiro!"
Using shunpo she quickly removed herself from the deadly area. She calculated the timing correctly, as soon as his Hyorinmaru hits her ice pillar—the destruction would cause frost to cover the training field. The loud booming of the dragon hitting the ice pillar caused a heavy gust of wind to explode onto the training area, Rukia hissed lightly before bringing Sode no Shirayuki close to her.
Where was he?
She felt a prickle of reiatsu behind her neck—behind her—her breath quickened and she used Flash Steps to put enough distance in between them—the frost on the field gave her an advantage—but it also gave him an advantage—but what to do?
Rukia had to act fast, quickly stabbing the ground, she cried out, "Dance: Sode no Shirayuki. Tsugi no Mai, Hakuren!"
A white ripple of wind, frost sparkling and shimmering in the warm sunlight—blasted from the tip of her blade and aimed it towards Hitsugaya. He twisted his zanpakuto in front of him, "Shinku no Kori no Yaiba!"
Gathering ice in the tip of his zanpakuto, blue ice detonated from the point—colliding with Rukia's white ice blast—the arena was bright—brighter than the sun and colder than tundra.
Hitsugaya was increasing his spiritual pressure, pouring it into his attack and Rukia felt the blast weaken—was he for real? Rukia honestly felt so overwhelmed from his attack—she had to do something.
It was an idea that she formulated last night, she didn't have enough time to try it out—she didn't even know if it would work and she was panting—his spiritual pressure was just incredible!
She didn't have a choice.
Rukia tightened the grip on her hilt; she felt her reiatsu coil into her arms. Slowly, Sode no Shirayuki had warned—control. Like the cool whisper of the wind, she allowed her reiatsu to slid into her arms—like silk threads they wove into her veins. Ice ribbons enclosed onto her arms. Inhaling, she twisted her feet into a gentle spin; she was dancing, graceful and light on her feet. The blast from her Hakuren intensified, but it wasn't directed towards him anymore—it was spinning around her, like a top—a dome of pure ice.
Hitsugaya's vacuum ice blade blasted against her ice dome, but it didn't crack. She was still spinning—still dancing; she extended her Hakuren into a defense technique. Rukia didn't open her eyes—scared that she would lose control—become dizzy. The attack stopped and Rukia let the ice from her arms melt slowly—once the water dripped off of her she slashed her zanpakuto into an x formation—the dome shattering and ice glittering like crystals.
She was breathing so hard she felt sick—she silently thanked her brother for not allowing her to eat breakfast. Rukia was exhausted, her arms were quivering but she wouldn't stop until it was over.
Hitsugaya was fast on his feet because then he was using shunpo and he was in front of her—she felt her heart stop. His nose brushed hers—eyes still glowing aquamarine—adrenaline pumping fast into his blood—Rukia swallowed. He was so close, so painstakingly close—she felt his breath—a cool breeze onto her overheated skin and she looked at his mouth. His lightly pink lips—in contrast to his lightly tan skin—his mouth was parted for air, tickling her cheeks.
Two hands, rough and callous—grabbed her shoulders. His bare hand scrapping deliciously on her soft skin that was exposed from his deliberate slashing, his pulse beating against her delicate shoulder-bone and his other hand scalding her through her clothing.
Appalled and flabbergasted at his actions she squawked, "Captain Hitsugaya—"
Hitsugaya removed the hand on her clothed shoulder and placed a finger against her lips, just barely brushing the hypersensitive nerves that lay there, amethyst orbs flickered to the appendage, shock released into her stomach like liquid poison.
"Shhh."
And he had the nerve to shush her!
The man with snow-colored hair didn't move his finger He merely looked at her—intense was the perfect way to describe his gaze. He stood there with waterfall blue eyes piercing into her mauve-colored ones—just breathing, his finger on her mouth—his hand on her shoulder—nose to nose.
She was trembling and she didn't realize she was trembling.
"Breathe slow," Hitsugaya finally responded; his blue ice had melted into small puddles of water, "Melt the ice slowly."
It was then did Rukia notice the ice she shattered, the ice from the first dance, and the frost that still covered the area. Closing her eyes she inhaled shakily, she exhaled slowly—the ice steaming into streams of water—soaking the grass—creating a slippery floor.
"Good," It was soft-spoken, almost gentle and light like the ice she summoned. He removed his finger slowly, brushing the nerves of her soft flesh and she couldn't help the small twitch of her lips.
He stepped back and she could breathe again.
Hitsugaya strapped Hyorinmaru to his waist—now that his height had allowed him to carry his zanpakuto—normally.
"I think that's enough training for today." It was almost sunset—she hadn't realized how long they were sparring. She nearly wilted in relief. Her arms felt rubbery, grimy and she was sweating in places—where she normally didn't. "You're not bad, Kuchiki."
Despite her exhaustion, her left eye twitched. She didn't reply. She sheathed Sode no Shirayuki and sighed.
"Come."
Rukia was startled by the command. She looked at him and raised an eyebrow. Cautiously, she walked toward him, she was at least two feet away before adding in a hesitant question, "Sir?"
"Are you hungry?"
She blinked. She fought through lunch and she skipped breakfast—she was starving. Dinner would be prepared in a few—so she should start her journey to her home, even though she really wanted to stuff her face with so much food—she would be forced to eat as elegantly as her Nii-sama.
"Well?" His tone was impatient.
Rukia replied quickly, intending to get the hell out of here. "Yes." She paused, "Nii-sama, will be expecting me soon. I will have to prepare for dinner—"
"You will have dinner with me."
If Rukia wasn't trained to be a Kuchiki—she was pretty sure that her jaw would have implanted itself on the ground. She didn't want to spend any more time with him than deemed necessary.
"Captain Hitsugaya, Nii-sama wouldn't—"
Hitsugaya ran his hand threw his messy locks before scowling tiredly, "Your brother won't mind. I will speak with him after I escort you home."
Her life was a joke. A horribly played out joke and because the Gods above think her life is so freaking amusing—she couldn't think of a reply. She stood there stupefied.
He cocked his head to the side amused, "Can't think of anything to say?"
Rukia scowled visibly, mannerisms be dammed. He abused his Captain status. "No, sir."
"Let's leave, I'll send people to clean up here later." Hitsugaya began to exit the arena. Rukia followed—a few feet away—she felt him stop and grab her by the arm—pulling her—walking with her.
She sputtered, "Captain Hitsugaya, what are you doing?"
"I am not someone who thinks lowly of people, Kuchiki—regardless of their status, either walk in front of me or beside me." He grounded out irritated, his hand still gripping her forearm.
She snapped, "Alright."
Rukia yanked her arm back; she didn't understand why people like to manhandle her—men. She wanted some distance—needed some distance—space, lots of damn space. She walked with him, at least six footsteps away from him and why was this bothering him?
They exited the barracks; he was heading towards the west, where restaurants, bars and other night-places were located.
Hitsugaya sighed, obviously annoyed with the way the little Kuchiki strayed from him, "I'm not going to bite you, Kuchiki."
She rolled her eyes discreetly before mumbling to herself, but the young Captain caught her words, "How can you be so sure?"
He smirked and their was a pearly highlight, indicating that yes, there was teeth in that smirk.
But nevertheless, she stepped a bit closer to him, a respectable distance between them. Hitsugaya stopped in front of a restaurant named, Imperial.
He opened the door and ushered Rukia inside.
Matsumoto stood in front of the arena, her blue eyes wide and she was pretty sure her jaw was hanging. Renji was looking at the area where the young captain and his best friend were standing in disbelief; maybe if he blinked a few times he would wake up.
"Oh Gods." She murmured, her eyes light with anticipation.
"What—when—he has hormones?" Renji shrieked, his voice at least a few four octaves higher.
"I-I-I," Rangiku couldn't even formulate a sentence, "What the hell is going on?"
"This is bad," He moaned, his hands rooting in his hair, "Captain Kuchiki—I can't even imagine Captain—hell I can't even imagine Ichigo."
She blinked, was it cold or was the wind picking up, "Ichigo?"
"You do know that there is something there, right?" He implied with incredulity.
"But didn't Rukia—"
"Even if Rukia doesn't have feelings—Ichigo feels something. I-I mean he doesn't know it yet—let's face it, its Ichigo. It was just today, right? This thing, this—whatever the hell that tension was—it's going to go away right?"
She looked at him and she didn't have an answer, "I don't know." She looked at the golden sunset; drops of sun lit the white back of the arena, "But I can tell you,"
Rangiku grinned wickedly and Renji paled—knowing exactly what that look meant, "That things are going to get very interesting."
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From the beautiful ruins you made her
What a beautiful woman you've made of me
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Finals suck. Songs used: Jhene Aiko - Beautiful Ruin and Eva Simons - I Don't Like You.
Question: Should I bump the rating to M or keep it T?
Please Review!