Undertones
By: WhisperedSilvers
X
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A man whose heart is hollow
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uncertainty in the light-hearted
Byakuya had to remember that he was in his own house, he was the head of the Kuchiki clan, and he had everything under control. Which initially, was a lie, because he didn't have everything under control. The control spiraled out of his pristine, alabaster hands.
In front of him was a scene that he did not want to see, at all—never. He actually couldn't wrap his mind around it. It had nothing to do with his big brotherly instincts—his breathing shifted, all right; it had everything to do with his big brotherly instincts.
Captain Hitsugaya was on top of his little sister, Rukia Kuchiki, and to make matters worse, she only had a piece of a scrap of rag that covered her…frontal area, and her pants, that clung dangerously on her hips. He's seen way too much skin that was deemed appropriate for his situation of honor and suitability.
But his problem came back with white hair and a damn ocean of reiatsu. Captain Hitsugaya was still hovering over his sister, and it was getting really difficult for him to control his blood pressure, and suddenly, he didn't care anymore.
Rukia turned her to face the door; her face pale and she croaked, "N-Nii-sama,"
"Captain Kuchiki," Hitsugaya calmly greeted, he sat up and removed his long legs from the sides of Rukia's waist. His eyes were fractionally warmer, but still cool and composed.
It was either by sheer bravery or sheer foolishness that Captain Hitsugaya exited the room, brushing Byakuya's shoulder in the process, but Rukia, unfortunately, knew Captain Hitsugaya enough to know, that the man did nothing without purpose.
Her highly esteemed Nii-sama placed the tea set on the small table in the corner of her room and without a word of acknowledgment towards his sister; he slid the door shut and followed Captain Hitsugaya outside into the front yard.
Rukia did not move from her spot; wide eyes boring a hole where her brother and Captain Hitsugaya once stood.
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Actually, I'm going with you
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What ever happened that night, which wasn't quite long ago, considering it was last night—had, had her longing to know what the hell had happened. She didn't have the balls to face her brother and Captain Hitsugaya together—at the same time, because according to Renji, it was suicide.
Especially since she did not heed Captain Hitsugaya's politely worded request.
If she could call it a request, her lips twitched downwards.
"Rukia, please refrain from fidgeting." Byakuya's voice broke her thoughts, and she flinched.
"Yes, Nii-sama."
As if she needed the reprimand from her brother in front of his squad. The meeting was filling up quickly, his garden wasn't the best place to be having a Captain summit, however with the remaining spirit particles contaminating his home, the compound was looking more and more like a crime scene.
Rukia didn't need to breathe to feel his presence enter the compound. It was disturbing how effortless, how terrifyingly natural it was to feel him—to feel his presence enter her being.
His reiatsu was like thunder itself, rumbling, loud, announcing his presence to the Gods and striking like ice. It caressed her spine in a way that made her want to tremble and then the reishi rushed through her like air.
A deep breath, she needed it, badly.
Captain Hitsugaya walked with quick strides, while his face revealed the irritation and anger—his reiatsu was surprisingly calm. His hair, white as cotton, glinted eerily like silver, lining in the clouds when it rains—she hadn't realized she was staring.
It was quite difficult to not look at him actually, because his presence was just so great and it was a miracle that she pulled herself away from glimpsing at his hair.
Where the hell did her self-control go?
He sat opposite of her brother, she could feel his glare and all she wanted to do was run.
Run far—far away from this…disaster.
Because while it was appropriate for him to appear at the Captain summit—because he was a captain of course—challenging her brother by sitting in front of him, with whatever the hell conversation they had last night, was not smart. It was not.
She wasn't nervous for him.
She wasn't—frowning slightly, she looked at her fisted hands. She felt like a coward, hiding behind her brother, but that episode last night—where his mouth was, she could still feel it, on her lower back, his breath warm—far too warm for comfort, and then he was on her. He was on her, where she could feel the strong-corded muscles in his legs, the tight tissue in his chest and his arms—biceps that were next to ears and electricity—
Rukia swallowed thickly trying to wash the memories that clouded her brain; she could feel his gaze, his gaze on her.
And it was like electricity, shocking, like lightening that brightened and then disappeared—disappeared into her blood and she couldn't move. Couldn't breathe, couldn't do anything—powerless and, Gods, she shook her head internally; his eyes wouldn't leave her.
Rukia could feel him staring at her, she would not give him the satisfaction of looking at him, because that meant trouble, she tried to focus on her tightened hands and Hitsugaya wasn't having any of it.
"Rukia," Hitsugaya greeted, his tone clear and his eyes even clearer. The remaining Captains and Lieutenants while surprised, they were a bit wary of the Tenth Division's Captain, mostly because, when the infamous captain of Squad Ten called out a shinigami, it wasn't for pleasantries.
Her Nii-sama's shoulders coiled with reiatsu, tension ran over his back – he did not say anything. Rukia stiffened and her eyes snapped to his out of shock. The corner of her eyes blurred because of Byakuya's person, but she could feel Renji's fist tighten without looking back.
Those eyes of his, they stared at her, and she couldn't look away.
Rukia hesitated, briefly, "Yes, Captain Hitsugaya?"
Hitsugaya's eyes glittered like steam, his lips twitched before he asked, "Sleep well?"
And then, everyone had conveniently stopped talking and decided to look and listen to their conversation.
Shunsui couldn't seem to grasp the relationship he was presented with.
She hid a blush, by biting her tongue, using the pain to distract her from the flush of embarrassment, because Rukia Kuchiki did not blush, at all.
Byakuya on the other hand answered for her, his tone curt and clipped, "She slept fine. I made sure of it, Captain Hitsugaya." His eyes hardened, "My sister appreciates your concern."
Even Ukitake, flabbergasted couldn't seem to grasp what this tension between her brother and Shiro-chan, his head snapped back from the rebutting captains.
The ice-captain replied almost lackadaisical, haughty even, "I would appreciate it even better it if Rukia showed her gratitude," A beat passed before teal orbs flickered to her brother's obsidian ones, "After all, you should know how…charming she is, right?"
The tension in the air shifted from horror to incredulity, and every Soul Reaper within the vicinity watched with wide eyes.
Renji choked on air.
Rukia wished the ground would swallow her.
Byakuya's reiatsu wavered dangerously, coiling like metal rope and charged with thick whips of irritation. He suddenly called her out, blades sharper than metal, "Rukia,"
She responded on instinct, flatly, "Thank you for your concern, Captain Hitsugaya. I am fine."
Hitsugaya nearly snarled at her indifference. His hands fisted his pants, cotton burned the insides of his knuckles, and his jaw ticked.
She wasn't looking at him.
Why wasn't she looking at him?
He had worked hard, really hard to chip that ice mask of hers, and it worked. They had pleasantries, they shared meals together and slowly, she was becoming a part of his life—those walls were coming back up. That mask reconstructing and reconstructing until it was—was that damned Kuchiki mask.
Hitsugaya didn't understand why she was so hell-bent on keeping up this façade.
Rukia had had enough. She couldn't keep doing this—this, whatever this is. This game with Captain Hitsugaya, he was a Captain—that's it. This, her eyes narrowed as she tried to think, this unhealthy overthinking and anger—chipping at her mask, his presence and everything—everything he said, everything he did, bothered her. She couldn't keep doing this to herself—he couldn't keep doing whatever he was doing to her.
She couldn't even think properly!
Hitsugaya was a great man, she knew that with everything she had, but she was just Rukia. Those damned Menos, really screwed with her thinking process, because she was forced to remember and she needed to believe that—
The future is always uncertain.
"Captains of the Thirteenth Court Guard Squad," Head-Captain Yamamoto's voice boomed and instantly she straightened, he continued, "We have identified the mutated Menos."
Matsumoto blinked rapidly, this was highly unexpected, and she assumed that they were to talk about the attack that Rukia had faced, she grimaced, but this may be connected to the Menos.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, please begin." He nodded at the scientist.
Mayuri stood from his place and began with an irritated drawl, "I hope there won't be any interruptions, Captain Hitsugaya—Kuchiki."
Captain Hitsugaya snapped his eyes to the scientist, eyes that could freeze hell and earth.
The implication didn't leave the Head-Captain's mind, regarding which Kuchiki he was speaking about, because in this case, it could be either, and that made the tension in the garden thicker.
"Such scary eyes, boy." Kurotsuchi rolled his eyes, before waving off the thick tension with a loud cackle, "I have done extensive research on the Menos, there seems to be no problem with this race of hollows. However," His eyes flickered over to the smaller Kuchiki and it took all of her will power to not flinch, "However when the little Kuchiki over here said that there have been glimpses of time within their attacks, I decided to dig a little further."
Hitsugaya's eyes were on her and her eyes were locked on Mayuri.
"The mutation was due to the Hogyoku."
Rukia stiffened to the point where her spine could've been mistake for steel, the atmosphere dropped in temperature and she could feel herself pale at the memories of her near-execution.
Renji could see his breath and he couldn't tell if this was Hitsugaya's doing, or Rukia's so imagine his surprise when he watched his Captain grasp his sister's hand, in a calming, yet firm motion.
Rangiku couldn't seem to shake off the anxiety that filled her soul, because her Captain's control on his spiritual pressure began to waver and Rukia's ashen face. She caught Captain Kuchiki's subtle movement, the temperature warmed a few degrees, but it was still cold enough to see her breath.
"The hogyoku?" Ukitake repeated.
"Wouldn't that mean," Shunsui spoke for everyone who had the same question burning in the back of their minds. He hesitated, "That Aizen is alive?"
Soifon shifted.
Kurotsuchi corrected himself slowly, with a quick smile, enjoying the confusion and the chaos, "Another hogyoku."
Rukia spoke without waiting for permission, her voice frigid, but strong, "Another hogyoku?"
She felt multiple pairs of eyes on her.
"You're quite popular aren't you, Little Kuchiki?" Kurotsuchi hissed with amusement, she couldn't entirely tell, because his jaw was clenched.
Rukia tightened her grip on her Nii-Sama.
"Unfortunately, in this case it has nothing to do with Aizen."
Silence filtered to garden and Head-Captain Yamamoto asked, "Is this connected to the attack on Rukia Kuchiki?"
Mayuri, irritated enough snarled, "I don't know," It pissed him off that he had to admit this aloud as well, "It's possible, that the hogyoku comes from a different source. It's not the one Urahara made, because that's been destroyed. But if they are looking for the little Kuchiki, then that means they want another host. Her soul is strong enough and pure enough to withstand the pressures of the hogyoku. The mutated Menos are called zenpo—the zenpo, while it can use time in it's attack, there hasn't been enough data to collect and do extensive research on this subject."
"What does Kōga Kuchiki have to do with this?" Ukitake asked, his eyebrows narrowed and he turned to face Byakuya.
Everyone turned to Captain Kuchiki for answers.
He remained silent until Rukia asked in a quiet voice, "Nii-Sama?"
Byakuya's jaw clenched, cornered, he knew he had to speak about this topic, because if it concerned the Soul Society as a whole, this minor…family problem could very well destroy the Seireitei. "I've told you last night that, Koga Kuchiki is our uncle, Rukia."
Her eyes widened in understanding.
"He tried to overthrow the Soul Society after killing three elite shinigami. His overconfidence and stubbornness became his downfall," He spoke to Rukia as if they were the only two people within the vicinity.
"But how does he know Rukia?" Renji interjected curiously.
Byakuya's face became pinched, "I do not know. However," His eyes flickered to the Head-Captain, he continued, "I must deal with this alone—"
"No," Head-Captain Yamamoto's voice was firm, Byakuya's fists tightened, his eyes barely opened, "While I understand this a clan matter," His jaw clicked, "This affects Soul Society as a whole. Therefore I cannot allow you to take control of this situation, Captain Kuchiki."
The hand grasping Rukia's became almost unbearable, she placed her free hand on his wrist, hoping that he would receive the message and loosen the grip on her hand. He did still and his grasp loosened, but just enough to feel that protective hold.
Byakuya said nothing.
"Rukia Kuchiki must be accompanied with at least one seated officer or captain at all times," Head-Captain Yamamoto continued without looking at Captain Kuchiki, he continued, "If he's coming back for her. We must be prepared, because this is a declaration of war on the Seireitei."
The captains and lieutenants looked up in shock.
"War?!"
"What do you mean war?!"
"He attacked an unseated officer!"
"That doesn't mean—"
"Head-Captain—"
"Silence!" Head-Captain Yamamoto bellowed, the ground shook and the blades of grass trembled with the wind. It was one thing to be curious, another to be horrified, but it was completely unacceptable to be chaotic in a time of confusion, "The zenpo—there could be hundreds of them. Thousands even, if Koga Kuchiki is able to control these zenpo, then there could be an army. These zenpo have not only attacked Rukia Kuchiki, but other shinigami as well. Their attacks are erratic and unprecedented. We must proceed with extreme caution."
The air shifted once again, but it was quieter and clear.
Head-Captain Yamamoto glanced at his subordinates once over before adding in, "Be prepared. You're dismissed."
A good handful of the captains and their lieutenants didn't hesitate to leave. Rukia's knees seemed to be stuck to the ground, she remained frozen on the grass, while her brother stood on both feet; his hand was still stuck in hers. Gently, he removed his appendage from her and tried to talk—as softly as he could to his sister, because if Hitsugaya spoke before he did—he may, perhaps, very elegantly, stab that damned nuisance with Sebonzakura, until—
"Nii-sama?" Rukia questions quietly, she looked at him with wide violet eyes, they were tired and shred with insecurities that she desperately tried to hide.
"Rukia," He paused, his eyes blank and his tone bordering on indifference and exasperation, "Tea is brewing."
She blinked once before she understood what he was saying, she found the strength to stand, her knees burned and her calves were sting with pins and needles sensation, the hand that she used as an anchor to reality—her brother's hand was roughly pushed aside and another hand—rough and calloused and more importantly warm grabbed her hand.
Rukia didn't have enough time to flicker her eyes up to see Captain Hitsugaya helping her up, her Nii-Sama ready to rip the bastard apart and Renji's emotional turmoil—once her eyes locked on the new appendage holding her. It was instinct when she yanked her hand away. As if she were burnt, she took a few steps back ignoring the stinging in her legs and tried to put some fucking distance between them.
She did not have the time nor energy to be dealing with this. Her hand twitched before she crossed her arms under chest, she spoke as if offended, "I can help myself, Captain."
She refrained from saying his name.
Hitsugaya scowled. His jaw clenched at the obvious distrust she just displayed, he didn't understand why she was so hell-bent on fighting him. "I'm not going to hurt you, Rukia."
Now, how would she know that?
Rukia shrugged with indifference to hide her shaking stature, "Does not matter. I can take care of myself."
Byakuya saw what she was doing, he knew what she was doing, and no matter how much he approved of her actions, it wasn't very Rukia-like. The iciness in her eyes, he hasn't seen before—at least he doesn't think he's ever seen it before. Her composure became almost indolent and if he looked closer he could see the vein pulsing underneath her jaw.
You do not fan the flames to quench the thirst; instead it will grow and grow until it swallows you whole.
Inwardly sighing he tried to make sense of this situation, she clearly was uncomfortable with Tenth Division's Captain, he felt the need to do something, as her brother of course, and slate eyes became cool. "I assume you can show yourself out, Captain Hitsugaya?"
Whether it be a threat or a mock—he didn't respond to the verbal jab.
Hitsugaya titled his head to the side and Rukia watched the veins in his neck stretch. She blinked once as he spoke, his tone placid and eyes slightly feral, "Rukia, will I being seeing you later today?"
She didn't know what his angle was. He wasn't—wasn't demanding her or commanding or even using his authority, he was genuinely asking her if he was going to see her later.
Ukitake, surprisingly spoke up, he coughed softly, "Actually, Rukia. I have some forms I want you to look at," Brown eyes flickered over to Byakuya, "That is if your brother can spare you today."
Rukia really did miss her captain, so with hesitance she looked at her brother with wide, violet orbs, silently waiting for answer.
Byakuya inwardly sighed, his fingers twitched, but he placed his hand on her shoulder. Charcoal eyes softened imperceptibly, "I cannot lock you in the compound, Rukia," He paused, "I want you back before sundown," His eyes narrowed, "Is that understood?"
Her lips twitched, she tried not to smile—she really tried not, but her brother was the best. If anything, he understood freedom better than anyone else, because the compound was a jail, she smiled, her eyes glittering, "Yes, Nii-sama."
If Byakuya was surprised by Rukia's open expression, he didn't show it, very subtly, he squeezed her shoulder and nodded his head. He looked at Ukitake with something she couldn't define, "I trust that you will escort her to your barracks?"
Captain Ukitake smiled, "Of course."
Byakuya nodded, his eyes flickered over to Hitsugaya, there was a glint that had an off-set silver of frustration— a warning, before using flash steps, disappearing into the compound.
Captain Hitsugaya did not, absolutely not—like being ignored. It was fury that clouded his blood, his jaw clenched and teeth grinding his molars. With eyes flickering back in forth from teal to neon—he tried to keep a grip on his anger. He worked very hard to be in the position he is in now, and he will not stand for this. He was being pushed aside and Gods help him – the next person who pissed him off, he would freeze them from the inside out.
Matsumoto wasn't exactly sure what she should do. Her captain looked like he was one snap away from disappearing into the compound, stabbing Captain Kuchiki in the throat, gathering Rukia in his arms and giving the poor Captain of Squad Thirteen a coronary.
"Rukia-chan," Matsumoto started off, her eyes were warm and her tone was soothing, "Would you like to have lunch with me, later?"
Rukia's eyes widened, she wouldn't lie, she liked Lieutenant Matsumoto, a lot, and if she were going to have a strong female role model in her life, it would be her. The damned woman also knew, that if she did have lunch with her, her captain would be present. Speaking of Matsumoto's captain, she tried not to look at him, because she knew, that once she did, she would not be able to look away, and the fact that he was still staring at her.
And her brother wasn't here to help her.
Of course, Captain Ukitake sensing her inner turmoil, spoke with a certain brightness that had her internally cringing, "How about we all have lunch in my office?"
Renji nearly paled.
Rangiku, who caught on quite quickly, beamed, eyes glittering with something akin to playfulness, before replying, "That's a wonderful idea, Captain Ukitake! I know the most wonderful place that sells gyoza~"
Rukia could sense a storm, a hurricane, no—a fucking tsunami about to make way. Destroying and obliterating everything and anything in it's way—because nothing, absolutely nothing good came out of a quiet Captain Hitsugaya.
Nothing.
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I know you won't, cause we share common interests
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If Rukia were not a Kuchiki she would've banged her head against the table and scream for the Gods to put her out of her misery. The atmosphere while light and playful, she could sense the blatant coils of charged reiatsu, thrumming through the air, and she absolutely refused to look at Captain Hitsugaya. Which made the tension and reiatsu within the room, thicker and her, very, very uncomfortable—because, he was very, very angry.
"Rukia," Captain Ukitake started, his brown eyes looked at her curiously and she had to fight a flinch and the sudden sound of her name.
"Yes, Captain."
"I've gotten a report from Urahara," His tone was kind when he grabbed the small stack of papers from the counter, "Would you like to see it?"
The air in Rukia's lungs seemed to disappear, the quiet burning of flames that had yet to make way into her blood made the air dry in her nose and her fist curled into her palms without her consent. It had been months and months since she had last been in The World of the Living, the mere thought of humans made her wince.
Dry mouthed, she nodded, she hadn't realized her hands were shaking when she accepted the letters, however, her company did.
Ichigo.
His name was a curse and blessing.
It had been some time since she last saw him, last spoke to him, it had been a very, very long time. She felt her heart twist in her chest whenever she heard someone speaking about him, the paper lay like lead in her hands, weighing her down and she didn't know if she had the courage to open the papers.
When Ichigo had lost her powers from the fight with Aizen, it felt like a weight that chained her feet. She felt partially responsible for his misery and his depression. But the idiot never complained and it didn't make her feel any better.
Because it was Ichigo.
Hitsugaya watched her with careful eyes; the slight pucker in her forehead, her lips that twisted into what look liked a grimace and her eyes softer than plum petals on a spring morning. She looked like—she didn't look like herself, actually, and he felt something twinge in his stomach.
Fucking substitute.
Matsumoto felt sympathetic to the smaller woman and she was just itching to put her arms around her. She had to keep an eye on her Captain though, his budding hormones as she assumed, might have a negative affect on the little Kuchiki. She swallowed a laugh at the irritation in her captain's eyes.
Rukia opened the package, eyes widening, and she was torn between laughing, crying and growling.
Rukia:
I wasn't exactly sure if I should write to you. No doubt you'd be crying over my absence, right midget?
She muttered darkly, her hands tightened on the papers, "Jackass."
Ukitake's raised his eyebrows in surprise.
I told Jushiro to tell you this was a report from Urahara, because you're a nosy midget, you still would want to check up on me, eh?
It took her a second to realize that Jushiro was her Captain's first name.
Nothing interesting has happened since Aizen. Yuzu and Karin miss you. A lot. I don't know why, though. It's probably because they're teenagers, and they need more women in their life. I can't believe I called you a "woman," ugh. Dad's been wanting know when you will visit, which I believe was a stupid question. No doubt that damn place is probably sucking the life out of you, that's funny. You're not even human, how can you even—You know, I'm not even going to get into this.
Kon is still annoying as fuck, always crying about Nee-san. I can see why though. He's pretty much useless. Ishida, is still a jackass. Fuck his quincy crap, I don't care, we're friends and that's that. I don't get why he's still adamant on this damn shinigami vs. quincy thing. Orihime is still cooking or trying to cook—yesterday it was miso soup and a coconut glaze topped with pork. Tatsuki is still in kendo and Chad—well it's Chad. He works in the orphanage part-time; now, I think he likes it there.
Kisuke is being shady as usual, bastard; I think he's training Jinta. The bastard tried to take Karin on a date; I nearly wanted to strangle him—
Flipping the page, Rukia bit her lip trying to hide her smile.
Yoruichi is still a cat and Ururu is in the cooking club with Yuzu at school, they're always at my house, I'm not complaining. I get food.
She snorted.
As for me, I have a year of school left before I start university. Which is damn scary when you think of it. I feel like I've aged a century. Is this how you feel every year, Rukia?
She flipped the page a bit too harshly.
Are you still obsessed with Chappy? And those sucky drawings? Seriously, I think it's time you stop drawing that chicken scratch. It's terrible. Is your sweet tooth kicking in? You still owe me a shitload of money, ask your rich bastard of a brother to write me a check, seriously.
I'm thinking of going to medical school. I'm not sure yet. Dad's been a real pain in the ass with the clinic, but I can do it, blood doesn't bother me and it makes me feel really good that I'm helping someone. Stop smiling Rukia—I can feel it.
Her lips are twitching and she's really trying not to smile.
Graduation's soon. I think everyone here is a bit older and I'm not sure if I'm that excited. How's Renji? Is he still following your brother to hell and back? What about Kenpachi? Ikkaku? Shuhei? Yumichika? Rangiku? Toshiro—
She swallowed thickly.
Or even Hanataro? Have you visited Kukaku and Ganju? Stop feeling guilty, they've forgiven you, even if you haven't forgiven yourself.
Rukia inhaled shakily, trying to keep the moisture in her eyes stable. If it were anyone else she would've scowled, but Ichigo knew her. He knew her better than anyone else.
How are you, Rukia? Please tell me you haven't seen me doing something embarrassing. Because if you have, I'm going to kick your ass the next time I see you.
She wanted to tell him—that it wasn't possible.
And stop thinking that, that was the last time you'll see me. Seriously. It's me. I've broken into the Soul Society and took on nearly all of the captains; I've got skills Rukia. Melodramatic brat. Stop scowling and smile. You look much better when you smile, Rukia.
It was really hard to not listen to Ichigo.
Anyway. I know I'm a bit early, but I have no idea how this mail shit works in the Soul Society, it's probably slower than the mail here in the World of the Living. So maybe it'll be a month until you get this letter? I think? Math was never my strongest suit, you should know, you threw my textbook out the window when we were sophomores.
She rolled her eyes.
Happy Birthday, Rukia. I placed a gift within this package, find it if you can. It's much easier than that stupid coded letter you left.
Rukia could see the indentations in the paper when she flipped it over, how hard he pressed the pen against the paper, how hard had it was to write these words and how much he struggled to write—
I miss you.
A tear left her eye when she felt her heart sink.
Hitsugaya watched her blankly and Matsumoto itched to tackle her across the room. Renji was uncomfortable with the sight of his childhood friend's tears; he hasn't seen her cry in a long, long time. While Ukitake was mildly alarmed, his lungs itched at the nearly arctic temperature in his office. Hitsugaya wasn't very pleased.
Rukia gripped the letter tighter. Ichigo could always bring out the must human side of her when he wanted to do and she couldn't do anything about it.
Later midget,
Ichigo Kurosaki.
Rukia sighed heavily, her shoulders felt like they would collapse any second. She shook her head and took the package and gave it a good shake. The package shuddered, something like a box stumbled against the interiors of the box. Tossing a few pages from the sound of cardboard hitting cardboard, she finally grabbed the gift.
Opening the tinier box she grabbed a black case that had a screen that had four buttons, a pair of wires that connected with a metal top and another separate wire with a black box.
Happy Birthday Rukia, it's called an iPod. Music is inside this thing and for the love of God—please do not try to crack it open! It was expensive. I imported some music from my laptop and Orihime put some of her girly crap in it. Enjoy your day.
PS: If you need help, ask Rangiku. She used mine while she was here.
"Lieu—"
"Rangiku, Rukia."
Rukia shook her head, before holding up the iPod, "Do you know how to use this?"
Rangiku's eyes caught the flat screen and shiny buttons and squealed, before using flashing steps to reach her on the couch, grabbing the machine she grinned, "It's an Ipod! These things are great! It even came with earphones and a solar-battery charger!"
Ukitake blinked at the very strange human contraption, "What?"
Rangiku paid no mind, she spoke with enthusiasm, "Alright first, you take this wire," She held the earphones, "And plug into this port here," She plugged the earphones into the port, holding the two buds with both hands, "Then you place the earphones into your ears."
"—Wait I have to put in my ears?"
Matsumoto blinked, before replying with a quirked brow, "How else how are you supposed to listen?"
Rukia blinked this time, "Oh."
"Place this in your ear—like this. Mmhm, right. Now to put on the iPod we press this button, this is the power switch, this little battery thing here will tell you how much energy it has—when it runs low you plug this plug into the cord and it'll charge it up. Keep it in the sun, that's what the energy comes from."
"And this?"
"Volume button, up and down gives you higher and lower."
"Good. Alright, let's see what Ichigo's got for you." Rangiku cackled, she scrolled onto the playlist and saw Ichigo's track list.
"Let's try this. It's the first song too."
Rukia nodded and she could feel Hitsugaya's eyes on her. Ukitake made a sound of curiosity, but did not stop her.
The Ipod crackled to life, the static she could hear in the earphones, but she remained patient. Matsumoto clicked something and then she heard.
It sounded very…layered, the instruments that is. Drums and instruments that she's never heard of.
Beautiful morning, you're the sun in my morning babe.
Violet orbs widened. Her lips twitched.
Nothing unwanted.
Beautiful morning, you're the sun in my morning babe.
Nothing unwanted.
Rukia laughed and she startled Matsumoto so much that she flinched. Blue eyes wide she watched Rukia try to contain her smile and instantly she understood why Ukitake wanted Rukia to come to his office.
Because there was nothing better than watching Rukia laugh.
The temperature in the office dropped drastically and Ukitake had to widen his eyes, because that wasn't Rukia's doing, but Captain Hitsugaya altogether.
Captain Hitsugaya was never one to be patient, the substitute had gotten her a gift and in a span of ten minutes he had seen emotion, every breath, flicker over her face that he's never, ever seen before and it pissed him off. He's tried—tried so damn hard to crack that mask of her's and Kurosaki, even without his presence, he had got her to laugh—laugh. He had yet to make her laugh and yet she's smiling and—
Crack!
The teacup in his hands that froze to solid ice, cracked under his ridiculously strong grip, and this time Rukia couldn't stop herself from looking at him.
Renji watched from the sidelines silently itching to take cover.
Hitsugaya's teal orbs were electric and Rukia couldn't look away. So when he decided to use flash steps to meet her across the table, yanking the earphones out of her ears, grabbing her by the wrists and using shunpo to make them disappear into a different location, she couldn't do anything but yelp.
.
.
.
And you ain't leaving me behind
.
.
.
Rukia could hardly breathe between the blurring colors of places, the very quiet stumbles of feet and then whatever air that was left in her lungs was slammed out of her when she realized her back was against the tree, with a very, very furious Captain looking down at her.
She wouldn't talk. She refused. He dragged her; he should talk first.
She wasn't nervous, she swears she isn't, but the way his eyes were flickering from aqua to neon, she was just apprehensive.
Apprehensive.
Yes, that was the word.
"You know," He started off quietly, Rukia feel the hair on her arms stand, rigidly and tensely, "I've been many things in life, but I don't think respected has been at the top."
Violet orbs frosted over.
"Captain Hitsugaya, if anything," She was burning with anger, a quiet anger, "If anything, I've been nothing, but respectful towards you—"
Hitsugaya's thumb ran down the side of her jawbone, effectively cutting off her words and he had the pleasure of watching her eyes widen in shock at his slow action.
"Really? And ignoring a captain is?" His tone was dark and dangerous, completely uncharacteristic, but she could feel her reiatsu waver at the blatant power he radiated.
Rukia bristled, "I was not ignoring you! In case you haven't noticed, everyone has been cutting in—finishing my answers for you."
He stilled, she had a point, but, he continued, "And that stunt where you pulled yourself away from my grasp. Where you thought that if I touched you for more than a second your hand might fall off? Where you thought that I was going to hurt you?" Hitsugaya's voice was getting louder, angrier and his reiatsu—it was pulsing.
She looked at him flatly, calmly, despite her heart wanting to run out of he chest at his close proximity, "I told you last night, not to bait Nii-sama."
Rukia had to wonder how the hell she was managing to spin lies like silk out of her mouth. She had moved out of his grasp because she was absolutely terrified of getting anymore closer to Hitsugaya than she already was and well, she had no choice but to push back.
She was nobody's doormat.
She worked too hard and spent too long for anyone, anyone to walk over her.
Hitsugaya's reiatsu wasn't thrumming as hard it was before, but his eyes were magnetic, holding her gaze and she pressed herself further into the tree.
"Speaking of which," Rukia started off, curiosity getting the better of her, "What did you talk about with Nii-sama last night?"
Now, she was the one with the questions.
He leaned back, not towering over her like he was a few seconds ago, his eyes flickered over her form and he couldn't help but smirk, "Curious?"
She will not play this game anymore!
"Captain Hitsugaya," Rukia pulled out her most formal tone and crossed her arms under her chest, "I have made myself perfectly clear, I would have never thought you had trouble with comprehension."
Hitsugaya scowled at the implications, his eyes glinted eerily, "It wasn't anything important."
She looked at him.
He sighed, running a hand through white hair, "He asked me of my intentions."
Rukia stilled. Eyes widening, her lungs were stifling and instantly, she was dreading the answer. "Oh?"
"I said that you were my subordinate."
"And?" Why the hell was she still urging him on?
"He didn't believe me of course," He rolled his eyes, "Is it so hard to believe that I want to be your friend?"
The pain that blindsided her for few heartbeats would never compare to Aaroniero's stab in her gut—this, was much, much, more painful. She didn't think it would hurt this much, she shouldn't even from a small moment, feel a sliver of hope, because the disappointment that came with the feeling of rejection nearly crushed her lungs.
She barely knew him.
She shouldn't feel this disappointed, ever. It was just a glimpse into the future—just a small moment, and it gave her buckets and buckets of hope. Hope that maybe one day, one day—it might be true. And she knew she was foolish for believing in such human emotions, such as hope. But that's just what it was—hope.
Rukia spent a lot of time in her life thinking of the future, wasted years and wasted time thinking of the future. That's how she lived. It had started off as survival instincts at first. When her next meal would be? Who would die first? Which on of her friends would leave? Would Renji still be her friend?
Then the future looked like progression. Will her Nii-sama be home for dinner? Will the Kuchiki elders stop looking at her like garbage? Will she make her brother proud? Is she strong enough?
Then it was Ichigo. Where is he? He's late, Kon where is he? Idiot, can you stop getting hurt for once? When did you turn into a coward?
Then it was now. Where she questioned the remaining philosophical questions, which she had yet to discover the answers to. But that was life, she assumed, not knowing what you have and not knowing what you want.
Rukia had spent so much time looking into the future; she had failed to see what was in front of her.
But she knew one thing; she did not want to be Captain Hitsugaya's friend.
She most certainly did not.
And she also knew, that, Captain Hitsugaya would not take no as an answer.
Rukia's instincts spoke for her, "Yes."
Hitsugaya's eyes focused on her in matter that clearly meant: elaborate.
She shrugged, glad that he decided to give her some more space, to think, to understand—to breathe. The pain in her chest dulled to soft throb, painful yes, but not as blinding as it once was. She tried to think of something, an excuse to quickly, yet subtly maneuver her from the position he placed her in, brushing the bone on her wrist with her left hand she continued, "You're Captain Hitsugaya. You don't have friends. You have subordinates,"
He pressed on diligently, "So?"
Rukia shrugged again, her eyes averted, she didn't want him to see the pain in her eyes, replying offhandedly, "I don't see any reason to keep me as your friend."
Hitsugaya exasperated, scowled, "Why do you keep avoiding me? You're so hell-bent on playing the role of the tragic martyr! I have not done anything wrong!"
That's the problem! You haven't done anything wrong!
She was unperturbed, replying solemnly, "I'm Rukia Kuchiki. Trouble seems to follow me no matter where I step foot."
The muscles in his back tensed as he tried to keep a firm hand on his temper, he stepped closer to her, snow white hair brushing the tips of his ears, he asked quietly, "Are you trying to protect me?"
Rukia answered to quickly and a bit too honestly, "No. I just—"
"Just?"
She groaned, because not only was he going to give her a headache, he wasn't going to leave her and to that point, she wasn't sure if she was relieved or horrified. The words came strangled, "This…isn't going to be easy."
Rukia left it that, she didn't what else to say, and she thought that what she had managed to choke out, summarized her thoughts and inner turmoil quite perfectly.
Chaos came in torrents, not streams.
Hitsugaya frowned, he tried to lessen her burden as gently as possible, he reassured her confidently, teal eyes earnest, and "Kōga Kuchiki will be dealt with sooner or later, Rukia don't worry."
The fact that Captain Hitsugaya thought she was alluding to her psychotic uncle's declaration really had her slamming her head into the nearest tree.
.
.
.
You need me, there ain't no leaving me behind
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.
.
"Oh, you've been slacking Kuchiki." Hitsugaya baited, eyes glittering with ice, he slammed his zanpakuto onto Sode no Shirayuki with a force that had her teeth rattling.
Rukia didn't reply, but the twitch underneath the left side of her jaw was enough of answer for the ice-captain. Her iPod, as Matsumoto had referred to it as, was tucked safely in her bag, along with Ichigo's letters and her eyes widened when she saw the glint of Hyorinmaru in the gold of the sunset.
She jumped back, using her shinsei sainou to blow a mist that temporarily froze the humidity in the air, increasing the friction of the cut and lessening the blow of his zanpakuto.
"Good," He approved, "Freezing the atmosphere can cushion the force of an attack."
Violet eyes rolled over in exasperation. She drew her zanpakuto out before sheathing it back into her holster, she announced a bit cheerfully, "I have to go."
"Curfew?"
"You were there when Nii-sama announced it."
"Of course," Hitsugaya nodded, he wiped the hair that stuck his temples and sheathed Hyronimaru into his holster. He waited for her to exit the barracks before following locking the door.
Lots of things happened today, he concluded. He looked over his partner's form discreetly, lots of things. The zenpo for one may be connected to Kōga Kuchiki, a mutated Menos obviously meant that the hogyoku they were using was very well advanced—more advanced that Kisuke Urahara's, which meant that there was foul play.
To be able to create another hogyoku, he would need a lab and an extensive mass of hollows. Hollow sightings are uncharted in the Soul Society, yet in The World of the Living it was almost impossible to not detect. Hitsugaya furrowed his eyebrows, what in the world did Kōga Kuchiki need Rukia for?
With those flashes—flashes of time, was time travel possible? It's certainly possible, we live in a world where time and space are not exact things, but mere fabrics that unravel and unravel. With the small group of shinigami attacked by these hollows, they weren't gaining enough data for that blasted scientist to analyze and perhaps discover a method to ending this evolution.
"I saw my son. I have a son and he looked like me."
It bothered him of course, that she saw the face of her future child, not knowing whom the father is and if her son could possibly be taken away from her—that probably weighed heavily on her mind, much more than she would like to admit. And if she didn't want to talk about, that was fine; there were other ways of extracting that information from her.
He didn't bring it up.
There were too many things happening right now.
Hitsugaya did find it odd, that the Head-Captain didn't press the issue with her. If they could figure out what the kid looked like, then…then what?
He didn't know.
"Captain Hitsugaya, are you alright?" Rukia decided to speak first, he was awfully quiet, and that made her uncomfortable. "You're a good twenty feet behind me."
He raised a snowy brow, before responding with blue-green eyes, "I thought you wanted space."
Well, fuck.
"Well," She stammered not understanding what he was trying to get at, she paused, "You're never quiet."
At least when you're with me.
Not that she was going to say that out loud, anyway.
Hitsugaya shrugged, long legs stretching, easily catching up to her quiet pace, "I was just thinking of the zenpo."
Rukia blinked, "The zenpo? What about them?"
"Another hogyoku is the last thing we need," He grumbled, pink lips twitched, "Those flashes, how long were they?"
Even though she was walking, she felt her body tense up at the question, she answered after what she thought was a long time, "A few seconds, though," She paused to look in front of her, violet eyes seemingly lost, "It seemed like hours."
Hitsugaya looked at her with quiet eyes.
"I see."
You're not going to ask?
Is what she wanted to say.
Encouragement should be the least of her efforts, really.
It was awkward again, she shifted slightly, the compound wasn't that far, and her brother might have a stroke if she came back without an officer. So shooing him wasn't an option.
"What did the substitute say?" He asked gruffly and if she was surprised at the sudden animosity towards him, she didn't say anything.
Ichigo had a knack for rubbing people the wrong way.
Rukia gave what looked like half a grimace and half a smile, she said softly, "Just wanted to say hi. He got me a birthday gift."
Hitsugaya's eyebrows raised and his reiatsu, quick like lightening sent zings of spirit particles in the air, "It's your birthday?"
She shook her head and answered quickly, "Next month. It's early."
He pressed on, "When?"
"January fourteenth."
He nodded, "Mine is next week."
Rukia looked at him, with surprise, "When?"
He kind of smiled, "December twentieth."
"Oh."
Byakuya was waiting from her at the entrance of the compound, sometimes she cursed his over-protective tendencies, but she loved her brother all the same. Rukia wondered if she purposely slowed her footsteps to make the pace slower or if she was just really tired.
Hitsugaya stopped abruptly, a few feet before the main entrance of the compound, curiously she looked over to him, and he faced her with an unwritten expression on his face.
"Will I see you tomorrow?"
This time it was a question and not a demand, Rukia flickered her eyes over to her brother, who stood with arms tucked under his chest, "Yes."
He nodded, teal orbs softened, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, he said, "Get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow, Rukia."
Rukia did not say anything because as soon as she opened her mouth, he disappeared.
She tried to tell herself that this is what she wanted. This distance, this space, this friendly kind of atmosphere.
That this wasn't disappointment.
She turned her head and walked towards her brother.
.
.
.
If you want, we could be runaways
Running from any sight of love
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So Hitsugaya comes to the conclusion that he shouldn't be, well this type of affectionate or "friendly" towards Rukia. And Rukia is pretending that she isn't disappointed in his lack of "affections," so really they are both morons.
Yes, there is a lot of inconsistencies in their personalities—hence the title. Further explanations will come up in the next chapter, also we'll see what the real conversation is between Hitsugaya and Byakuya that night.
BUT HAS ANYONE SEEN TOSHIRO'S NEW LOOK—LIKE STRAIGHT OUT OF MY FANFIC DESCRIPTION AND FANGIRL WITH ME ON TUMBLR pls and thank you.
Song: Desparado by Rihanna ; Father Stretch my Hands (Part 1) by Kanye West
Has not been edited.
Stay tuned ;)
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