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Chapter Seven - Resolve
"Head Captain Ukitake," Captain Unohana said in a quiet voice once the Head Captain had succeeded in calming the white haired child. "May I have a word with you?"
Ukitake nodded and together he and the kind Captain of Squad Four stepped out of the room. Once they were out in the hallway Ukitake turned his gaze in Unohana's direction. "What is it that you wished to speak to me about?"
"The child's reiatsu," Unohana said, her voice low. It was obvious, by both her tone and expression, that she was concerned. "His inability to control such tremendous reiatsu could do damage to his young body."
Ukitake nodded, having thought about this outcome before. "So what do you propose we do?"
"I think we should seal at least a portion of his reiatsu," Unohana suggested. "Then you can work with him on controlling it without the risk of injury… to him or anyone else."
Ukitake thought about this suggestion for a few minutes, having mixed feelings about it. But in the end he reached the conclusion that he had to do what was in the best interests of both the child and Soul Society. And the truth was that until the boy could fully control his powers he was both a danger to himself and to others. So, although he was somewhat reluctant to do so, he nodded his head. "Do what you have to do."
Captain Unohana nodded.
After a brief stay in the Squad Four infirmary Toushirou was released, which was a good thing because the boy was beginning to grow irritated with the situation.
Head Captain Ukitake was there when the kid was released of course, having spent most of his time at Squad Four, and the two made their way back to the Squad One barracks together.
Most of the trip was made in silence, with each lost in their own thoughts, however the silence was broken when they entered the courtyard. Ukitake continued walking toward the entrance but Toushirou came to a stop several yards away.
"Shiro-chan," Ukitake said, noticing that the boy was no longer following along behind him. He turned a questioning gaze toward the child.
"I want to train," the white haired youth said, determination shining bright in his teal eyes.
"Don't you think that you should rest for awhile?" Ukitake asked the boy, concern evident in his kind eyes. "You were just released from the infirmary so…"
"There's nothing wrong with me," Toushirou said, interrupting the words of his surrogate father. "Except for the fact that I can't control my powers."
Ukitake wanted to further protest the fact that the kid already wanted to train, less than an hour after being released from Squad Four, but there was something about the boy's demeanor that caused him to change his mind. The look in his eyes made it apparent that the child wasn't going to take no for an answer on this which meant that he was going to have to give in. If the child was so resolved to train then perhaps it would be for the best if he helped the kid.
"Alright Toushirou," he said, turning away from the front entrance and walking back across the courtyard toward the spot where the white haired child was standing.
"Thank you," Toushirou said quietly.
Ukitake nodded, hoping as he did so that this training session would end better than the previous one. With a portion of Toushirou's reiatsu sealed he should be better able to control his powers.
Or at least that was what the Head Captain was hoping for.
Together Ukitake and Toushirou walked over to the edge of the courtyard, where a target had been placed. The Head Captain gazed back and forth between the target and the boy for a moment. "Alright Toushirou. Do you remember the spirit chants that I taught you?"
Toushirou nodded, determined to practice until he was able to perform the kidou spells that Ukitake had taught him.
It hadn't worked so well the last time but the child was determined that he would do it this time.
No matter how much he had to work at it.
Toushirou held out his hands and whispered the spirit chant, a look of concentration in his teal eyes. For his part Ukitake stepped to the side and kept his eyes focused on the child.
He wanted to be prepared should anything happen.
"Red Flame Cannon!"
Ukitake's eyes widened as he watched the red burst of reiatsu erupt from the white haired youth's hands and fly toward the target. He was completely amazed when the target exploded and he couldn't keep a smile from spreading across his face.
"Well done Toushirou."
Toushirou smiled despite himself as he gazed back at Ukitake. He had known that he could perform the kidou spell but even the child was surprised that he managed to do it on the first try this training session.
Unfortunately now he felt completely drained and this fact was proven by the sudden slump in his posture.
"Alright," Ukitake said, noticing the change in the boy. "I think that's enough for today Toushirou."
"But…"
"No buts," Ukitake said, holding up his hand to halt the boy's protests. "Come along Shiro-chan."
Toushirou would have liked to protest further but he realized that he didn't have the energy to practice further. So he reluctantly fell into step behind Ukitake and followed the Head Captain into the Squad One barracks.
Once inside Ukitake led the way down the corridor to his office and, once inside, he turned to face the boy. Reaching into the sleeve of his haori Ukitake pulled out a handful of sweets, which he pressed into the arms of the protesting kid.
"Wait… but I…"
Ukitake ignored the boy's protests. This time he was the one who wasn't willing to take no for an answer. "You should go up to your room and get some rest. I have work to do but I'll check on you later."
Toushirou sighed and then nodded. Turning away from the Head Captain he left the office and made his way up to the room that had been his since his arrival here in the Seireitei.
"That man's hopeless…" he muttered as he sat down at the small desk that was positioned at the far end of the room.
And yet there was a small smile on his face that he was glad that no one could see.
Toushirou sighed, the smile leaving his face as he thought about the powers that he supposedly possessed. It seemed strange to him that he had been able to control them this time when it had been completely impossible the first time.
"I wonder what was different about this time?" the white haired youth thought to himself.
Something must have changed; that was the only way to explain his sudden ability to control and harness his powers.
"Hmm," the boy said thoughtfully as he gazed across the room. His eyes weren't really focused on anything, he was merely staring blankly. There were so many things that didn't make sense and he wanted to know why that was. "I guess things will eventually make sense."
"Fear not little one… Things will get better and then you will be able to seize and control your full power."
"Full power…" Toushirou repeated, his voice low as he thought about the words of the voice that echoed in his mind.
A/N - hope that you enjoyed this chapter. Please be kind and leave a review.