"Chapter Three;
Ice Counselor"

There were many ways to describe how he was feeling. If anything, the thirteenth captain was very worried. He had reported about Kai, like his orders were, but he knew he had to explain why he thought it best that he stay with him, at his home. Trusting other people was the main reason, but the commander wouldn't care about family like that, he'd just want him to leave. Of course, having the boy stay with him for a couple hours was enough to tell him, unless he felt secure, Hiwatari wouldn't have control of his abilities, and he needed a secure environment in order to be of any good.

Now, this was understandable, and most of the captains understood that, but Soi Fong, and Byakuya spoke up on this settlement, arguing that if he was to stay with Ukitake, he would be of no use to the Gotai 13, and would get too attached in order to obey orders. They also had a strong belief that Kai would abuse the pleasure he was given, and wouldn't work right, so they demanded a different household.

However, one person argued over this, and that person was our youngest taicho, Hitsugaya Toshiro. "A secure home would be needed if someone with his abilities were that out of control; I don't have any doubts that Captain Ukitake can provide this! Besides, being how he is, this Hiwatari character, more or less, will become stronger with proper guidance; another thing that Ukitake will be able to do more easily than others." This one sentence was very helpful in the debate against the other two, but not by much.

Although, what he said next definitely did more work. "Kuchiki Rukia is part of your division, correct?" This question was directed to Jushiro, which he only nodded. "She's an unseated officer, right?" He questioned. Again, a nod. He then looked at the rest of them. "I think we all recall that Kuchiki Rukia is your younger step-sister, Kuchiki!" He reminded him. Byakuya nodded at the fact, both he and the others confused as to where the dispute was going. "Has she ever bragged about this fact to make her work load easier?" He asked the older taicho.

After shaking his head, the youngest captain made it clear that Byakuya was in the same spot, and that his sister did nothing of the sort, so what would make him believe that Ukitake would direct him as to become an obnoxious child; especially when he reported that Kai acted like an adult. Of course, this started a rouse, until our lovely Captain Gin decided to speak up (yes, this is before Ichigo's in the story): "I'm not interested if Ukitake is capable, more or less, if he can prove this child to be what he claims."

By that point, everyone else was in agreement, and it lead to another meeting to be held the next day at none other than the small residence that the thirteenth's captain resided in.

Jushiro didn't have a clue as to how he was going to get Kai to prove what they wanted, and he just wanted him to feel at home. He hadn't been dead a week, yet, but the Gotai 13 still wanted him to prove how strong he is, and after all that trouble he had before, Ukitake didn't want Kai to be pushed towards something he knew he wouldn't want to do.

Ukitake cared a lot about his well being, and even after trying to defend it, they wouldn't listen. A long sigh escaped his lips as he wondered how he was going to do this. "Uneasy, Ukitake?" A youthful, but deep voice asked. The silver-haired captain turned his head only to see the young taicho who defended Kai before; Hitsugaya Toshiro. "Can't say I'm surprised; a boy with his troubles won't be all that willing to do this without first believing either you were lying to him or avoiding us by all means."

Another sigh escaped the thirteenth's lips. "What do you think I should do?" He asked, now completely lost, placing a hand on his forehead. He had no clue how the child at his home would react to such high expectations, but he knew for fact the subject would either not go well or it wouldn't hold its ground, for the teenager would shunpo away to his room, and lock the door.

Hitsugaya gave him a blunt look. "For starters, calm down! Getting frustrated will only make it worse for you, and it won't help Hiwatari." He started off. Ukitake, though a bit surprised, took in a few breaths as he leaned against the wooden railing he was near. The younger captain sighed. "As a second thing, you need to remember that entering the Gotai 13 is his choice, not ours! Even if he does have skill, we can't force him to go where he doesn't wish to be." He reminded the thirteenth captain.

A let out a breath of relief, before speaking. "If you've ever met him, Toshiro-"

"Hitsugaya-taicho." The young albino persisted.

"Gomen!" The elder one quickly said before turning around, and staring out at the courtyard. "Like I was saying, if you've ever met him, you'd realize how far he carries trust. How long it takes for one to gain it, and how quickly one can lose it. Nobody I know takes this any farther than Kai-san." He told him, taking a glance at him through the corner of his eye.

The taicho crossed his arms, and took in the information, and went through what he remembered in Ukitake's report. Remembering that the men were as quick to label him, and that Hiwatari was just as quick to give up on the company of others. He also reminded himself of what Ukitake did to gain his trust before even bothering to tell him of his mission. What Kai had said and done before even giving out his own name, of all things. He did understand, and he understood the mess the other was stuck to deal with. "Let me talk to him before the meeting!" He told him

Of course, Ukitake looked over his shoulder, a bit surprised with what the tenth's captain had just insisted. But once seeing that Toshiro was dead serious, he nodded, a grin on his face.

- Toshiro's POV

Was I looking forward to meeting Hiwatari? That was a question that drew a long blank with no words. I was certain that he was a great character, and a great judge of one; this made me interested. Now, to the fact that he was disturbed ever since he got to Soul Society, I knew that he was going to have trouble even wanting to see people, besides Ukitake. This would give us some trouble with him...

...And to be more honest; for some reason I wanted to have his trust, too! I didn't know why, but I did, and I believed the only way I'd get that is if I talked to him before the meeting. I assumed I wanted it because I was in his shoes before, and I knew what he'd decisions he'd be forced to face, and to me, it fit. However, something told me it was something different, and I didn't need Hyorinmaru to tell me that!

We arrived at his home. It was a nicely kept one, but not too big. A good home to hold guests, and a certain amount of occupants, and since Ukitake was home so often, Hiwatari made for good company. Instead of living in a large home, with his entire family, Ukitake moved to a small middle class home, off on a hill, with a brook and small sized wood following behind it.

He allowed me inside, taking off his sandals before heading to the staircase a few feet ahead of us. "Kai-san!" He called up the staircase. "I'm home, and you've got a guest!" He called out again, his voice enticing the other to appear. I wasn't exactly sure if he wanted to meet anybody or if he didn't, but I knew that the other wasn't going to be happy with my presence, either way.

I heard a sudden rush through the air before hearing a kettle beginning to whistle. "In here, Ukitake-sama!" A deep, strict voice replied from a different room on the bottom level. Said man led me around the staircase, and into a small dining room area that had a table within the middle of the room, and two doorways; one on the opposite wall, and the other to our left, both near the left corner on the opposite side of the room.

The door across from where we stood slowly opened, and a teenager came out with a tray that held three cups of tea. I found myself practically staring at him, his features unnatural. We were given a brief description of the male, but I hadn't thought it was so unnatural. His hair was navy blue, like described, but had some length to it, and his bangs were silver, flaring out wildly. Pale skin tone and naturally crimson eyes, that seemed to only burn flames along with sky blue triangles on his cheeks; two on each. The teenager was muscular and fit, currently wearing a navy blue hakama, white socks, and a tight black shirt, whose sleeves flared out at the elbows.

You don't see red eyes as something common, so I supposed it was one of the reasons he was outcast-ed by the villagers, but I knew there was more to it than that, but I didn't know if asking him would be a good idea. What I understood then was that, according to that look in his eyes, rank especially didn't matter to him, meaning even if the captains were coming over the following day, I highly doubted he would care for what orders they may have, or for the words they'd say to him; this was a fact I knew would lead to chaos.

"Who's this?" He questioned, staring at me, his voice barely leaving the strict tone he held, firmly, and staring back at me with curious, and somewhat threatening eyes. When we were told he doesn't trust people easily, I didn't think that he'd hold it as far that a guest was automatically considered an enemy. Best to turn out a friend, in my case.

I cleared my throat and gave off my own serious tone as I answered him. "I am the captain of the tenth division, Hitsugaya Toshiro!" I proclaimed. The teen smirked, repressing snickers from rising up his throat; Ukitake obviously has talked to him about me. "And it stays as Hitsugaya-taicho; the nickname you heard out of your stepfather's mouth is unacceptable." I added in, before he even had the chance to call me by that wretched name Hinamori gave me when we were kids.

He only rolled his eyes as he sat down with Ukitake. After a few brief moments, I joined them, being passed a cup of black tea. After I took a sip, the red-eyed teen spoke, again. "What can I do you for, Shiro-chan?" He questioned me, his face showing shear pleasure through the clear way of torturing me.

I could feel a vein pop in my head but I repressed a glare, knowing full well, already, that he wouldn't care if I had complained, and that it would only amuse him further, so I merely answered the question asked. "I've come to speak with you because of the previous mission Ukitake was on, and you may want to listen." I guaranteed, watching him sip tea. He gave me a hand gesture, which clearly told me to continue. "As you might have guessed by my reference a few moments ago, the Commander has allowed Ukitake to adopt you, which means this is now your permanent home." I started.

He looked down, his eyes relieved, and a small smile creeping its way onto his face. Only a natural reaction; I felt a similar way when Granny took me in, so the teen's relief wasn't surprising, but it did bring back some good memories. I almost smiled, myself, but I stopped, clearing my throat as to indicate there was more to what I was saying. He looked back at me, forcing neutrality to return to his face, and nodding at me so as to tell me to continue.

I obliged. "I don't normally speak about things within Captain's meetings unless it was general business, but you are one of the few exceptions I've made, but I'll tell you this now: what I'm about to say is going to turn that good mood of yours sour." I guaranteed. He raised an eyebrow, his eyes challenging me to try; I wish I had to. "The Captains were all told that you were the source of reiatsu that entered the seireitei; I'm pretty sure you're aware of the fact because of Ukitake, but that's not the reason for me sitting here." I started off, feeling my own seriousness soften somewhat within knowing of what was coming the next day. I looked at him, allowing my eyes to lose a small amount their coldness. "The Captains are coming here, tomorrow, and are expecting you to demonstrate your abilities, and if you do fit expectations, they will want you to join the Gotai 13." I explained, calmly, almost regrettably.

He seemed alarmed, panic evident in his eyes. I could feel his spiritual pressure release within a short second of that panic, yet surprisingly enough, it was well restricted, and suppressed to just the room. It was hot, much to my annoyance; it felt like the burner on a stove when you were the kettle of tea, and he was the flame turned on high, only this was hotter than that.

I released some of my own pressure just to cool down the room before saying more. "I understand, you have plenty reason to be nervous, honestly. They expecting so high of you without your say in the matter, even after you've been through such treacherous events within four days time. I understand, that's stressful on its own, but trust me when it's said; it's not something you should worry over." I assured him. He arched a brow, his spiritual pressure begin to lighten, and the temperature returned to normal as my pressure merged with his, much to a sweating but silent Ukitake's relief. "You simply have to do your best; the Commander expects no more of you, than that, and neither do most of the Captains; although I will admit, a few of them are a bit judgmental." I told him, truthfully.

He didn't seem all that calmed by it, but well enough to suppress his spiritual pressure, and to allow mine to cool the room further, which I only allowed to remain for but a few moments longer. I sipped some more tea, before looking at him, again, seemingly worried still. "Besides," I started, sternly. Hiwatari turned to me with a curious eyes, obviously wondering what else I could say, "even if you were to meet their expectations, entering the Gotai 13 is a choice you have to make; not the Commander's, the other captain's, not myself, and not even Ukitake can control that choice; in other words meaning that if you don't want to enter, you simply have to say so." I further explained, smiling at him for reassurance.

He stared at me for a long while. He was far from uncertain of me, and he already had many doubts spinning through his mind, that much was easy to tell. He was searching for something, but that was hard to tell, however, he was staring at me in the eyes, determined to see if it was there, but how he'd react was beyond me.

Pretty soon, though, he relaxed, a smile making its way back on his face, and his eyes softening. "Thank you,...for telling me that." He said to me, seemingly a bit lifted from the weight. I only nodded in response to him, and took another sip of tea. He turned to the thirteenth captain, his smile only becoming bigger. "So, how was your day, Ukitake-sama?" He questioned the man.

The eldest male sat straight, a grin appearing as he began the conversation with us. I had to hide my smile; too many memories came from these two...

i took forever, but there ya go! hoped u enjoyed it!

Sayonara!
~ K. Fang-sama