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Chapter Fourteen - Learning to Trust

Toushirou gripped the hilt of Hyourinmaru tightly as he watched the Hollow soaring toward him. Razor sharp talons were being aimed toward him and there was a gleam in the Hollow's eyes that told plainly that it was out for blood.

"Put your trust in me little one… together we can do this."

The white haired youth couldn't deny the fact that he was frightened; after all only a fool wouldn't be. However he had made his decision and he would face the Hollow. Because if he didn't do it now then Toushirou fully realized that he never would.

"I have to learn to trust…" the boy thought to himself as he prepared to swing the blade. This was the hardest thing that he had ever been asked to do, far harder than learning kidou or even facing the huge Hollow that was bearing down upon him.

How do you trust when you've never been given a reason to?

"That isn't entirely true… Just think of Ukitake and the others who have stood by you since your arrival here in the Soul Society."

Toushirou's teal eyes widened as he heard the words that echoed through his mind. A mental image of the white haired captain who had taken him in appeared in the boy's mind's eye and he was forced to realize that he had been given a reason to believe that some people could be trusted.

Not many but there were a few.

This realization helped to steel the boy's resolve and, the moment that the Hollow was close enough for him to strike, Toushirou swung the blade. The bird-like Hollow issued a blood curdling scream as it sought to sink it's talon's into the flesh of the boy's arms.

"You can do it Toushirou…"

The encouraging words of his zanpaktou helped the boy more than he would like to admit and he met the sharp talons with the blade of his sword. The Hollow's attack was halted but only briefly. Flapping it's massive wings the creature moved back for a second attack.

"This isn't working out as well as I had hoped…" Toushirou muttered as he tightened his grip on the hilt of his zanpaktou.

Keeping his glaring gaze focused on the Hollow Toushirou watched as it once again dived toward him. He made a move to block the attack but wasn't quick enough this time. Knocked to the ground the child felt a burning pain as the Hollow's talons tore through the flesh of his upper right arm.

"Damn it!" the boy swore as he quickly got to his feet and whirled to face the Hollow. He knew that there wasn't time to dwell on his injury because the enemy was still intent upon ripping him to shreds.

As the blond haired captain of Squad Twelve made his way toward the Rukongai he couldn't help but notice that there were now two fairly large sources of reiatsu. One vastly out weighed the other however and Urahara actually quickened his steps.

He wasn't really one for getting in a hurry but this situation actually seemed to warrant it.

After a few attacks from the Hollow, all of which Toushirou just barely managed to deflect, the white haired youth was beginning to grow weary. "This really isn't working out so well," Toushirou muttered, gritting his teeth as the Hollow prepared for yet another attack.

"Trust in me Toushirou… together you and I can defeat the Hollow."

Swallowing around the lump that had formed in his throat Toushirou nodded ever so slightly. He would place his trust in his zanpaktou, his partner and the embodiment of his heart and soul. Thinking back to the first time that he had inadvertently called upon Hyourinmaru's powers the child instinctively knew what to do. Taking a deep breath Toushirou leapt into the air, swinging the blade of his sword in an arc in front of him. "Sit upon the frozen heavens, Hyourinmaru!"

These words had come instinctively to Toushirou and he watched as a dragon, seemingly comprised of ice and water, flew from the tip of his sword. The dragon soared gracefully through the air, circling around the Hollow for a few seconds before colliding with the beast. The Hollow only had enough time to issue a partial scream before it was frozen solid by Toushirou's attack. Falling to the ground the beast shattered in a spray of ice.

"Wow…"

It was completely out of character for Urahara to be that impressed about anything but he couldn't help but stare as the white haired kid from the Rukongai destroyed the large Hollow.

For his part Toushirou lowered his sword, staring at the blade through slightly wider than normal teal eyes. He was now fully aware of how to invoke the ice dragon's powers, at least as far as that one particular move was concerned.

"Very well done little one…"

Toushirou heard these words echoing through his mind but focused his attention elsewhere as he noticed that he wasn't alone. Inwardly berating himself for not having picked up on the strong reiatsu sooner the white haired youth turned around, his gaze falling upon the Captain of Squad Twelve. Instantly wary his eyes narrowed as he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to check on you," Urahara replied, his voice calm and detached as he gazed at the kid who was standing a few feet away. "I felt the reiatsu of both you and the Hollow and decided to check it out. Mainly because it seemed more interesting than doing paperwork."

"I should have know that was the reason behind it," Toushirou muttered as he stared at the blond haired captain.

"At any rate you should probably return to the Seireitei so that your wound can be taken care of by Squad Four," Urahara said, his expression not giving away anything about his feelings.

He was adept at hiding them after all.

"Whatever," Toushirou said with a shrug, sheathing Hyourinmaru. The white haired youth turned and walked away from the battlefield, not even bothering to glance back. He had put his trust in his zanpaktou and this had been rewarded with victory. Of course he hadn't come out of the battle unscathed but it was more than enough that he had won.

"Thank you Hyourinmaru."

"You're welcome little one…" the dragon's voice seemed to echo through his mind.

It wasn't something that Toushirou would ever admit out loud but it was actually comforting to have a reassuring voice to listen to. The partner who had always been with him had now made his presence known and was making an attempt to offer his young master advice.

As well as comfort when the boy needed it.

A/N - End of another chapter, hope that you enjoyed.