Breath of Life
Up and Down~

Toshiro stared at the ceiling of the clinic as his mind tried to process the information he had gleaned. Every so often he would take a deep breath, thankful that his former taicho had taken the time to heal him up. The boy still felt a slight pain despite this and finally he closed his eyes in frustration. "Does taicho not trust me?"

"What do you mean?"

"He didn't tell me that he was alive and it was rather obvious he didn't want me to know about Kaien-dono."

"I think he was just trying to protect you."

"I can take care of myself."

There was a period of silence and the small taicho was quite sure that his dragon was thinking just like he was about the fact he had to be rescued by one of his former mentors. "I think you need to ask him why he didn't tell you. That said, what about how you blew up at Karin? That isn't like you."

Toshiro turned onto his side. "It isn't like me? Well, what is like me?"

"Young master." The dragon took a deep breath. "You are still upset about the fact you couldn't be the one to rescue her and that instead you had to be the one getting rescued."

"I'm not upset." The boy let out a deep sigh and sat up. "I'll go ask taicho about why he doesn't trust me enough to have told me the truth."

Two small feet touched the ground before he headed to where he remembered the entrance to the home was in the clinic. He paused however when he saw the door to the office and Isshin sitting in the room. The man was busy for once working on the paperwork and at first didn't notice him, but then he looked up at the boy. "I believe I owe you an explanation, don't I?"

"Yeah. Why didn't you trust me enough to tell me you were alive, that the substitute shinigami is your son or even that your brother is alive? Do you really think I would go running back to Soul Society to tattle on you?"

"Toshiro..." The man took a deep breath and turned in his chair to look right at the boy.

"Mmm... no. Don't try to patronize me. You don't trust me anymore then your daughter does." The boy found himself unable to look the man in the eye and suddenly looked away.

"Karin doesn't trust you?"

"She snapped her soul phone in half, so you don't have to worry about me telling on you until I get back to soul society."

"I'll make sure you get a replacement from Urahara." Isshin leaned back in his chair and stroked his chin.

"Don't change the subject on me!"

"Close the door." The man folded his arms across his chest.

"It's not as if..."

"Toshiro."

The small taicho turned and closed the door. "As I was saying, it isn't as if anyone will be able to hear us. Karin, Yuzu and even Kaien are in the house."

"Yeah... but there is something I want to talk to you about that I am not sure if you'll be comfortable with other people hearing." Isshin pointed at the other chair. "So sit down."

Toshiro sat down on the chair and crossed one leg across his lap and leaned forward so his chin was resting in the palm of his hand. "So?"

"So? Well... the first thing I'm going to say is that my reason for telling you doesn't have anything to do with me not being able to trust you. I think the problem has to do with me trusting you to much." Isshin watched as a white eyebrow raised up. "Your asking how it is possible for me to trust you too much. Take the incident with Karin."

The young shinigami suddenly flinched, then shook his head in disbelief. "Hold on... I could have taken on that hollow. And I wouldn't ever put her into harms way on purpose."

"Yes. I know you wouldn't ever put her into harms way on purpose. On the other hand, I can't trust you to not put yourself into harms way when something you care about is on the line. You don't think rationally."

Toshiro ground his teeth together and glared at the ground as his hands clutched his uniform. "You said that you trust me, but then you go and say you don't. Which is it?"

"I trust you not to tell on me, but I also don't trust you not to put your own life in jeopardy simply because your life has never had any worth to you. Actually Toshiro, that's why you messed up when you were trying to keep Karin safe. You had no problems with protecting her, but you sure did have problems protecting yourself. The fact you have little self worth has always bothered me."

The boy felt the corners of his mouth open and then close as he attempted to protest what the man said, only to find himself unable to think of anything. Two bright teal eyes glanced at the ground. "It's really weird seeing you actually act like a parent. Can I go now?"

Isshin shook his head at the boy. "We've talked about what you wanted to talk about, now we need to talk about what I want to talk about. Actually, it is related to what we were talking about as it does involve Karin."

Toshiro frowned and then shook his head as he closed his eyes. "Taicho... we're just friends."

The man remained silent. "Don't take this the wrong way, but it is honestly all right if you want to be more then just friends with her."

The child frowned, his hands clutching the leggings of his uniform tightly. "Now where did this idea come from?"

"Despite the fact I think of you as a son I know you don't think of Karin as a sister. Ichigo you may think of as a brother and Yuzu as a sister, but you don't think of Karin as a sister. Have you noticed that?"

"No... but you're right about that. Kurosaki and I discussed it and I came to the conclusion she's my first real friend since academy. That's a good thing though, right?"

"Yeah... its a good thing. The thing is, don't worry about your feelings developing into something more."

"Soul Society forbids relationships between those who are living and Shinigami." Toshiro folded his arms across his chest and leaned back slightly.

"My biological kids wouldn't exist if Soul Society had absolute control over the relationships between the living and the Shinigami. Actually, no substitute shinigami would exist."

"Yeah... but you of all people should know how much that would put that person you want to be with in danger as well as your children."

"And I say it was worth it."

Toshiro felt his mouth drop open and then he shook his head. "You know... as her father you should be more worried about her safety."

"Your gigai is two rooms in that direction."

The white haired boy let out a deep sigh before he stood up and went and fetched his gigai. He turned then to head through the door in the kitchen just in time to notice that Yuzu was almost finished with the dinner preparations. Without thinking he went to the cupboard and began to get the necessary items out to set the table.

When he turned around he found him face to face with Karin. The look on her face almost caused him to drop the plates. "You should be resting."

"I'm feeling better. I figure I would help."

"No. My niece is right. Come sit with me Toshiro until dinner is ready to be served." The boy looked over towards the couch, wanting to protest only to catch the rather stern look Kaien was giving him. Letting out a sigh he handed the plates over to Karin and went and sat down next to the man. The man then asked him a question. "So... which television shows do you like? Do you know what channel the show with Chappy in it airs?"

"Umm... I don't really watch television."

Kaien turned to him, frowning as he did so. "I thought all kids watched television. Other then soccer what do you do for fun?"

"Fun?" The corners of the young taicho's mouth twisted up as he thought about the question. "I don't... I guess I like reading."

"Well, that isn't a bad thing to be into. What kind of books do you like?"

"You should..." Toshiro snapped his mouth shut as well as his eyes. He then leaned back against the couch. "You have amnesia, so you wouldn't remember that."

"Wait... you know our uncle?" Yuzu's voice was suddenly strained. "How do you know him?"

"He used to be my soccer couch." The half truth rolled off Toshiro's tongue with ease.

"Was?"

"You two are in middle school, so that would mean Toshiro's moved up to the middle school division, right?"

The small female came over. "By the way Toshiro. What school do you go to? I was so sure you would be going to school with us as Karin's your girlfriend."

"She is not!" The boy felt his cheeks heat up and then realized that Kaien was looking at him. He turned his head slightly to see that the man was rather amused, much like Ichigo would have been. Toshiro hung his head and glanced away. "And anyways... how to say this..."

The front door suddenly opened and a loud voice was heard. "Yo! We're back!"

The small taicho felt the corner of his mouth twitch. Yuzu went hurrying over to her brother and Rukia. "Ichi-nii! Do you know what school Toshiro goes to?"

"Why do you ask?" Ichigo frowned as he stepped into the room.

"Because I was so sure that he would be going to school with Karin and me!"

"How's that possible when Toshiro's in the same grade as me?" The orange haired teen watched as everyone but Rukia and Toshiro stared at him.

Rukia let out a laugh as she played along. "Yeah... Hitsugaya-san is a child genius, so he skipped a lot of grades."

Yuzu held up her fingers and began to count off. "So... he skipped five years?"

Two white eyebrows raised up and the tone of Toshiro's voice took a rather amused sound. "Yup. I skipped five years. That is a true statement."

"By the way... aren't you supposed to be helping us with a certain school assignment Toshiro? We're meeting here because we needed my dad's help, remember?"

"I know that."

"Ahh... so that's why you went and waited in the clinic for him. It wasn't because you got injured?" Yuzu turned to look at Karin. "Couldn't he have set the table rather then resting."

"He... umm... don't worry about it Yuzu. I'm not sure how to explain this one. I'll set the table for one more though."

There came a clicking of the plates and finally they were called over for dinner. Each took their seats and finally Isshin came into the room, only to stare at Rukia in disbelief. Ichigo glanced up. "We need to talk to you about a school assignment in the clinic. And is it all right that Rukia stay since she knows uncle? Her being her as well as Toshiro may help him remember, right?"

Isshin let out a deep sigh. "Uh-huh."

"Great! I get to sleep in Ichigo's closet!" This comment caused everyone to stare at the female. Toshiro had his fork in his mouth.

"Umm... what?' Kaien spoke up first. "Why is a young lady staying in the room of a young man?"

"I'm not saying in Ichigo's room. I'm staying in his closet. There is a big difference."

"How so?" Isshin glanced away.

Toshiro leaned over and whispered at the man. "I take it you knew about that but couldn't do anything about it."

"Hey... I did something about it as soon as I could do something about it kid."

"The closet is a room in its own regard. It's small, dark and comfy."

"I'm sorry I asked." Kaien shook his head.

Rukia's mouth turned up into a frown. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No. I just can't think of an argument about why you can't stay in the side room to my nephews room, so I doubt my brother will be able to either." The man began to pick at his food.

"Oi... Kaien..." Isshin gave his brother an exasperated look. Letting out a deep sigh, he turned towards Ichigo with a smile on his face. "Well... I guess I can't argue against that arrangement, can I?"

"Gee... thanks you two." Ichigo found himself glaring at the two older family members. "And where is Toshiro going to stay."

"Not in your room for sure if she's staying in your closet."

"Ichigo's fine with it Hitsugaya T... san." Rukia blurted out.

"Toshiro can stay in my room with Kaien while I take the couch. Does that settle things for everyone."

"Sure." The younger of the two brother's looked up at a dish just out of his reach. He then turned to Karin. "Kukaku, could you please pass..." Whatever he was going to say was cut short by everyone staring at him. "I said something wrong, didn't I?"

"My name is Karin, not Kukaku." The dark haired of the Kurosaki twins turned to look around the table. "From the expression on your guys faces you know who this Kukaku person is. Care to feel me in?"

"Karin... how about I tell you after dinner." Isshin let out a deep breath. "I'd tell you now, but I think Kaien needs to remember who she is on her own."

Ichigo then slapped his hand into the palm of his hand. "That's what I forgot to tell her! I forgot to tell her that uncle Kaien has amnesia and won't recognize her. Well, maybe. He did recognize you dad."

"Ichigo..." Isshin felt the corner of his mouth twitch.

Toshiro though spoke up. "Wait. That's where you two were? You went and talked to her of all people?"

Kaien let out a deep breath. "Well, I know you guys aren't going to tell me what the big deal is so I'm going to pretend this conversation didn't just happen."

"She is though planning on coming by."

"Ichigo!"