Free Talk- This chapter came out of my head rather quickly. It's a more relaxed, dialogue-rich chapter, but it had to be written. After all, there are two other people in this love polygon… I'm referring to Izuru and Toushirou now… I think of them as Hinamori's Knights. Aizen is her Dark King… heheheheh… When I was writing the conversation between the two "knights" I got this strange sense of deja vu hearkening back to Naruto and Sasuke in my last fanfiction. Maybe I just really like to imagine that guys sit around and talk about their feelings… Maybe I'm just a really mediocre writer (more likely). Anyways, I'm glad the story is progressing so nicely and I'm very grateful for the comments and support. Every comment is like a piece of chocolate. When I first started serializing this story some crazy (scary crazy) fangirl started sending me all these messages giving me a hard time because Aizen is one of my favorite characters. I'm happy that not everyone is like that. Keep reading and (hopefully) enjoying. And, as always, please comment and tell me what you think.
Sympathy
For the Devil
By Miss
Angel Maxwell
ninth chapter
SOMEONE ELSE'S BODY IS A PLACE FOR YOUR MIND TO GO
An ordinary human or shinigami wouldn't be able to hear the gentle sound of bare feet padding on roof tiles behind him, but Hitsugaya Toushirou did. Like so many other times before, his fortress of solitude was being invaded. He could tell from the subtle nuances of the noise, however, that it wasn't one of the usual suspects this time.
"How's your arm doing?" he asked without turning around. Then he waited for the familiar sound of Kira Izuru's nervous voice.
"Um… it's getting a little better every day," the interloper replied, audibly surprised by the young captain's sharp hearing. "I still have to keep it covered with bandages, and I'll have a scar for the rest of my life… But I've already told you all of this. You clearly just asked to show off that you knew it was me… didn't you?"
"Clearly," Toushirou answered coldly. "What do you want, Kira?"
"I just thought you might like some company is all," said Izuru, taking a seat next to the white-haired boy. "This is the most nerve-wracking part of the plan, huh? All of the components are in place, so it's up to Aizen to make the next move."
Captain Hitsugaya simply gave a noncommittal grunt of a response. Today it was out of tiredness rather than disdain that he was being so aloof. He didn't dislike the blonde shinigami. Over the past several weeks, in fact, he had actually come to consider Kira as something of a friend. Though he would never readily admit it to anyone. It was Kira who had done the research and found a potential way to capture Aizen and reclaim Hinamori Momo. The two of them were linked by a common cause. And with the help of Urahara Kisuke and the other shinigami, they had completed every detail of the plan except one. "We need bait," he finally said.
"What?" Izuru asked, tilting his head. The sun was starting to go down and his pale facial features were highlighted orange, making them easy for Toushirou to read.
He let out a small, cynical snort of laughter. It didn't really surprise him that he was higher ranked than this man. "Aizen should have made his move by now," he said. "According to our sources within Soul Society, his big attack should have come last month. For some reason he has chosen to wait and that's time we can't spare. We need something to lure him into our trap at this point."
"But what could a man like that possibly want so badly that he'd come all the way here to get it?" Izuru asked. "The only thing I can think of…" he paused and his voice became tinged with sadness. "He already has in his possession."
Hitsugaya knew, of course, what his companion was referring to. "Momo," he breathed, more to himself than his company.
The older boy sighed. "I guess if she were here with us, there would be a lot less reason to go through with this plan."
"For you and me, yes," Toushirou said thoughtfully. "Getting Hinamori back is my main goal right now as well as yours. But capturing Aizen is ultimately a higher priority. He's an enemy of humans and shinigami alike. He must be stopped before he commits any more irreversible atrocities."
There was a brief silence before Izuru said anything. "Do you think she's okay?" he asked. "I mean… do you think she's still alive? And do you think… do you think he's treating her alright?"
"This is the real reason you came up here, isn't it?" the young captain asked. "You wanted to talk about her."
The blonde went into a small, nervous panic and his voice stuttered and croaked. "I didn't… that is… not if it makes you uncomfortable! I just… I just thought… if there was anyone I could talk to…"
Hitsugaya rolled his blue-green eyes at the man's ridiculous overreaction. "You are one strange shinigami, Kira. Sometimes I think having Ichimaru for a captain messed up your head." He let out a sigh, knowing that the looming conversation was inevitable. "I know that you love her, too, so there's no reason to be so neurotic around me."
Izuru was visibly relieved. "Actually," he said. "I've always been a bit highly strung, ever since my parents… well, since before I started my shinigami training. Is it really that obvious, though? My feelings for Hinamori, I mean?"
"It is," Toushirou answered flatly. "I've known for a long time." Then he said something that felt like the right thing, even though it was a lie. "It doesn't bother me, though. You can talk about it if you really want to."
"I guess you're more perceptive than I am," Izuru sighed. "I didn't realize how much she meant to me until the whole incident with Miss Kuchiki's execution and the intruders in Soul Society. Before that I was so wrapped up in following orders and all the pomp and circumstance of the Thirteen Companies… The worst mistake I ever made was to raise Wabisuke against her. If you hadn't intervened, Captain… well, I don't even want to imagine what might have happened. I still haven't forgiven myself for that and I wouldn't blame you if you haven't forgiven me either."
"Pfft," Toushirou huffed. "I don't really see what I need to forgive you for. It's pretty obvious that Ichimaru had you programmed. No offense, but you seem like the type who would not be difficult to brainwash."
Izuru's shoulders slackened. "I'm not offended," he said solemnly. "I'm ashamed because it's true. I'm weak-willed and weak-hearted. You know, I'm a bit embarrassed to say this, but I really admire you, Hitsugaya. You've always stood up for Momo and protected her… and ever since you stepped in and stopped that fight between us, I've made it a goal to be more like you."
Toushirou shifted uncomfortably in his place. He wasn't accustomed to being around people with this kind of emotional honesty. And yet, there was a part of him that truly wanted to reciprocate with the same openness. After all, Vice Captain Kira did have one big thing in common with him. "You don't have to look up to me," he grumbled hesitantly. "To be honest, I've probably been a bit overprotective of her. I treated her like a little kid even though she's older than me and a very competent shinigami."
"Maybe you were a little overprotective," Izuru replied. "But I think it's chivalrous. Her smile, her eyes, her voice, her gentle words… they're all precious things and all worth protecting."
"I don't know," the young captain said. "Lately I've been reevaluating my attitude towards Momo. When she and I were little, we were closer than siblings. Neither of us needed anybody else. She was older than me, though, and went off to Shinigami Academy before I did. I was jealous of her new found independence. You know, the more I think about it, the more I realize that I've always treated her like a child because that's how I wanted to keep her."
"But she never stopped caring about you," the blonde reminded. "Momo still visited you every weekend when she was in school, didn't she?"
"Yeah," Toushirou answered. "But she always wanted to talk about her classes and her new friends… the cool red-haired guy and the funny uptight blonde…" Izuru chuckled a bit at the descriptions of himself and Renji. "That I could handle," Hitsugaya continued. "I knew she was bound to make new friends, being so sweet and lovable. But then that man visited the school, and afterwards all she ever talked about was Captain Aizen of the 5th Division. How he was so cool, and so handsome, and how she wanted to join his division as soon as she graduated. Nobody suspected that he was evil back then, but I already hated him. I hated him for taking Momo away from me."
"That's why you worked so hard to become a captain," Izuru said.
His younger colleague was surprised by his insight and replied. "I hoped that if I became a captain like Aizen, I might replace him as the shinigami she admired most. It was a selfish reason, really, and it didn't work. Momo still idolizes Aizen and just thinks of me as a little brother. But you, you treat her like an equal, Kira. At least you did before you became Ichimaru's vice captain. And she sees you like an equal. Heh, if anything, I should try to be more like you."
"You don't have to say that," Kira said modestly.
"I really mean it," Toushirou said. "You should try to keep that attitude. Don't ever smother or patronize her like I have in the past." Then, having revealed all the personal information he wished to share, he felt he had to restore his image before the two of them parted ways. "If you ever tell anyone any of what I've said today, though, I will have to kill you."
Izuru scratched the back of his neck and smiled meekly. "Fair enough," he said. "But I am glad we had this conversation. I think I understand you a lot better now, Toushirou."
"It's Captain Hitsugaya," the boy interrupted gruffly.
"Right… sorry," Kira apologized. "I hope you can understand me a bit better too, Captain Hitsugaya. I know I didn't really share that much… But I think you know what I was trying to express. I'll try to think about that bait idea, too. It's getting late now, so I should probably get going. I have to get up early because I promised Mr. Kurosaki I'd help him in the clinic tomorrow."
"Oh yeah," Toushirou replied, sounding rather indifferent. "You're apprenticing to the doctor in exchange for him letting you stay there. How's that going?"
"Pretty well," said Izuru as he stood up and dusted himself off. "I don't think I'll be transferring to the 4th Division anytime in the near future, though. Well, I guess I'll see you again sometime soon. Take care."
"Yeah, whatever," the younger boy said coldly, without turning to watch Kira descend back down into the house.
He really was grateful to have Izuru here in the Living World, because that young man forced him to rethink his earlier statement that nobody but himself cares about Hinamori. Even though there was nobody around to witness it, an embarrassed frown found its way onto Toushirou's face when he imagined how Momo would react to the situation. She would probably giggle and cheer about how great it was that little Shiro had made a new friend and even better because his new friend was her friend too. He missed her so badly it hurt.
Izuru took his time walking back to the Kurosaki home. It was true that he promised to get up early and help at the clinic, but Ichigo's dad was pretty lax about punctuality so he wasn't that worried about getting enough sleep. Also, the weather was surprisingly warm for winter and he enjoyed being able to walk outside without a jacket. As he did, he thought about the trap that had been so carefully set and wondered if it would work, with or without bait. He thought about his conversation with Hitsugaya and how the white-haired captain was actually much kinder than he acted towards most people. And of course, he thought about Momo.
I wonder what really is going on between her and Aizen right now… Is it really something sexual? It's possible that he killed her as soon as she got back there… No! Don't think like that, Izuru! Just assume right now that she's okay. Assume that Aizen is at least compassionate enough not to hurt her… though he has hurt her before… Okay, I gotta stay positive. I have to keep picturing her smiling face. Heh… her eyes always get so big and cute when she's happy. That's how they got whenever she used to talk about Captain Aizen. I wonder if she's happy now…
He couldn't help feeling a little bit giddy when he thought about Hinamori's cheerful face. Back in their school days, she had always found ways to stay optimistic. She was so tiny in size compared to the other students, but she tried three times as hard as they did. Hinamori always put her whole heart into everything she did.
Maybe she's succeeded. Maybe Momo was able to touch the heart of the shinigami who supposedly doesn't have one. That could be the reason why Aizen hasn't made an attack on the Living World. If he can treat her the way she deserves, redirect his energy into making her feel happy and loved… Then I can't hate him like Hitsugaya does… Just as long as Momo is happy… He sighed out loud in the middle of his thoughts. Even if she didn't care so much about Aizen, I still wouldn't be the guy she'd want to be with…
"Izuru," a small, sweet voice spoke from somewhere behind him. He stopped walking. It sounded just like her but he didn't turn around, too afraid that it was his imagination or a trap. "Kira Izuru," the same voice said, closer this time. "I know it's you, I'm right behind you. Please, turn around so I can see your face."
Taking a guarded breath, the young man made an oddly graceful maneuver of his feet that turned him around 180 degrees. It was her, standing right in the middle of the street. She wasn't even dressed in shinigami clothes, and instead wore a very pretty pink dress. Her feet, in little pink shoes, were turned inward and her hands fumbled nervously with her hem. Why was she acting so shy?
"H-hello, Izuru," she greeted softly.
"Hinamori," he replied, not sure what else he could say.
"I've come here to talk to you," she continued.
The boy was baffled and he knew it probably showed on his face. "Me?" he asked, pointing to himself to further clarify. "Me as in… not Hitsugaya?"
"Not Hitsugaya," Momo confirmed.
To be continued…
