Le request fulfilled (Done-ified Version): Yessir. I finished this chapter finally.
I got a PM request to update from Cutegoth, so I did it. Thank her for motivating me after so long. Rogue Galaxy bothers me anyways. So many mimics that want to kill me and I have no sensing abilities to know which treasure chest is actually a trap.
This is it for this story. It was fun making stuff up to use and all. No worries though, I have an idea. I'll tell you at the bottom so for now you can see the results of last chapter:
I would like to make one thing clear to my readers, but specifically one who actually caught the ersatz allusion I used in my last chapter. Deirdre's dreams…I must say that you were right on the money with the Samurai X theory. Yes. I did get inspiration from that scene and wrote a similar aspect of it into my story. I was watching that movie earlier that day and I loved that part.
In a sense, Kenshin and Tomoe are somewhat like Hitsugaya and Rukia. I noticed that while watching it and brainstorming for ideas.
Me founds a link. Me am proudeded of meself.
Me conversion on it.
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Chapter
VI
Love comes softly (Until the end)
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The sound of someone moving near her persuaded Rukia to open her eyes. Hitsugaya was not presently beside her, the neighboring mat folded and placed to next to the wall.
No visible light was showing through the window as she turned on her side, but there was a faint illumination in the distance. Sunrise was just moments away.
Rustling sounds came again and she sat up slowly, looking around and wincing in pain at the motion she took, even it was unhurried. The night before was a mystery currently. Something she had done left her in enough pain that moving was agonizing. Her muscles ached a little.
It was cold and she was not wearing anything beneath the covers. There was a clue to the hours before.
Then it hit her—she and her new husband had shared a very intimate and very private night together. Just as Renji had suggested years ago, the first time could be a nice and cute experience, but it hurt like hell.
Her eyes readjusted to the set of closed doors that led to the outside. It was quiet suddenly.
She made it to her feet and hurriedly searched the room for a spare robe, slipping into the one that had been tossed across the room in the heat of passion. The sheer awkwardness of being nude was giving her enough energy to do anything. At least it was clean. She glanced towards the sword stand at the back of their room where Hyorinmaru sat valiantly. Hitsugaya was somewhere on the grounds if his sword was still present. Her own weapon was still at the thirteenth division's barracks, where it would stay until she returned to duty.
While smoothing out her hair, Rukia casually slid open the door and stepped outside only to be greeted by the winter crisp air, a scene of white and the faint light of the sun off into the distance. The temperature was horrendously cold, but for some reason she was not shivering. A fairly sheet snow had formed everywhere from the storm only hours ago as she continued down the walkway of her home.
There had to be at least three inches of snow, a little of it piling onto the path. Good thing the captain's quarters were built like the homes of nobles.
The sound of a door slamming shut and footsteps. She rushed ahead and turned the corner quickly, only to see no one in the area. A hint of confusion crossed her. He was most likely on his way or already at the Captain's office. Such was the speed of a captain—nearly instantaneous teleportation with the flash step technique.
Giving up on the plan to find Hitsugaya, she returned to their room. Just as she entered, the sight of him fully dressed in his shinigami uniform and hovering near the now sword-less stand where Hyorinmaru awaited in their room surprised her. He turned to face her after only a moment of her arrival, the normal scowl as his expression.
His zanpakutou was strapped to his back. Most likely, Hitsugaya was off again to his place within the tenth division. As captains usually are busy, he would be gone for more time than he was there.
"Good morning." He nodded briefly, adjusting the bright green strap that secured Hyorinmaru to his back. "I'll be going soon—but I'll try and be back before sunset. If I'm not though, please don't wait for me."
"…Yes, but isn't today a holiday of some sort? Don't you get the day off?" Rukia asked, confused with him, though it was already obvious why he was leaving. The workaholic she married.
"I have to do the work for my division, along with the paperwork for the fifth division as well. This is wartime between the Arrancar army and we of the Soul Society. I can't afford to be caught off guard or behind in anything." Hitsugaya glanced up to her then made his way towards her, passing Rukia in the doorway. Always so serious.
"Wait!" She turned to face him, catching his sleeve. He stopped and she hopped to block his path, reddening a little while she released him in realization of her action. "Have a nice day, and don't worry about coming back so soon. Take your time. I understand. I'll wait for you."
Her heart fluttered as she leaned forward and pecked him on the lips. He froze momentarily, not used to intimate contact just yet. Of course he was embarrassed and pulled away soon afterwards, placing his hand on her shoulders to break apart from her.
"Th-Thanks. I'll be back soon, Rukia. Have some tea ready for us both." He let her go and back away before spinning on his heels and strolling away.
"Work hard!" She yelled suddenly, as a way of sending him off.
He simply smiled to himself and waved without turning. Then, he disappeared with Captain speed.
-
It was another morning of lackluster for Rukia. She tidied up the house before bathing and finally getting dressed herself.
She decided to take a walk and visit someone who was most likely lonely now, even though he would never admit it.
Getting to the Kuchiki Estate amidst so many people would a feat. It seemed as if all of Seireitei was in the Rukongai district streets as she wandered, having been taken from her original path due to a crowd.
The snow had melted, now being puddles of ice spread throughout the area.
There was a tap on her shoulder from an unknown figure and she jumped in alarm.
"Hey," stated the familiar voice of Renji. "It's me."
She turned abruptly to face him. "Oh… I didn't see you is all."
"I know." He smiled strangely, dressed in casual garments.
Little alarms went off in Rukia's head upon seeing his soft smile. This was not how someone so spiteful and hateful of her should act, at least on what she remembered. Renji, her childhood friend and ex-fiancée, was not only supposed to be avoiding her for turning him down—but also for revealing to him that she had never truly loved him. Rukia had lied to him in hopes that his constant trailing for her affection would end.
It seemed as though her words had exceeded her expectations. Maybe he understood and was on friendly terms.
"Well…I…uh…" She was at a loss for words, but quickly found a subject. Rukia beamed sweetly at him in hopes of breaking the ice between them a little. He simply stared down at her with a changed blank expression—one of emptiness and indifference. "I haven't seen you in a while. How have you been?"
"Good."
Maybe he was angry after all. Short sentences, a slight tone of resentment in his voice. She could tell these things when it came to him. "That's good. I was jus—"
"Sorry but I'm on my way somewhere and I don't have time to talk. I was just giving this back to you." Renji thrust out a pouch that looked peculiarly familiar. "You dropped it back there. Can't buy anything without money."
It was her purse. The money was to buy ingredients to make tea for Hitsugaya, whom she assumed was still working. She took the bag after a short observation.
"Oh…thank you very much, Renji. I had no idea that it was gone."
"Well you're welcome. I gotta go. Seeya." With that, he turned his back to her before leaving with haste.
It was then confirmed that Renji understood her message loud and clear, comprehending it so well that now noticeable signs of hatred were showing.
Best friends no more.
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Too depressed to visit her elder brother, she went home after gathering the ingredients. Soon enough, sundown came and her husband returned. The tea was waiting as promised and they sat together at a table after he settled down and changed into something more comfortable.
They sipped their drinks without a word. Hitsugaya would glance at her briefly then look away as if he was considering something to say.
"I wanted to talk to you about something, Rukia." He spoke after a few minutes of awkward silence, having led her to believe that he was merely tired. "You're aware of the war between us and the inhabitants of Hueco Mundo approaching soon, correct?"
"Yes. Everyone knows about that."
"Good. Then that saves me majority of the explanation. They are strong enemies—the ones whom Aizen created. Only a few of them could wipe out all of Soul Society…" He trailed off as if he was hinting something, looking elsewhere.
"Why are you telling me this?" Her upbeat expression was changing to one of confusion. "Is something going to happen?"
"There is. General Yamamoto has issued orders for a small team to enter into the Human world and keep a constant surveillance of the area of Karakura town when the summertime comes. If there is any activity from them, then we are to eliminate all threats." He turned his gaze to her. "In a sense, I and my team will be there to defend the town while it is vulnerable. Since Kurosaki and the others are stationed there, naturally we'll be sent to strengthen their arsenal…"
"I see. It will be for a while won't it?"
"Yes…"
She noticed that he sounded particularly unhappy about the subject. Rukia smiled warmly and nodded in understanding. "I think I know what you're getting at. I've been chosen to go, huh?"
"Exactly. Your captain, Ukitake-Taicho, would have told you once you returned, but I decided to go ahead and let you know ahead of time. After all, you are my wife." Hitsugaya seemed anxious as he leaned forward a little on the cushion, continuing with his eyes closed. Putting an elbow on the table, he propped his head up against his hand. "It's a dangerous mission for us all. Myself, you, Matsumoto, Vice-Captain Abarai and two other seated officers from the Eleventh Division have already been selected." Rukia cringed at her ex-companions name.
"Understood, Toushirou-Sama. I'll keep that in mind. If we are lucky, then nothing will happen right? Even so, I'm glad I can be of assistance during this time. Ichigo and the others are people you can depend on. They will make our stay enjoyable as we plan for the next step."
Another wave of awkward silence passed and he sighed heavily. Something was wrong. He was too pensive on the subject, as if he had something else to say.
Hitsugaya deemed now as the best time to begin his approach. "There is also one more thing that I wanted to reveal to you about this upcoming mission." He opened one eye to look at her. "If you are forced to fight, then there is a chance that you would be killed. You are the only one who is not a current seated officer…" He paused momentarily, hesitant to continue on with his views. "I'm sure you understand."
"No—I don't. Whether or not I'm a seated officer or not should be irrelevant. I can handle myself if it comes to fighting." Her tone was callous suddenly as she expressed gentle annoyance towards the issue. "Don't worry about me, team leader. Is that all? You want me to stay because you think I'm not strong enough?"
"Yes. And that's a good enough reason too, so accept it. You'll only be in the way. I'm suggesting the change tomorrow and that's the end of it—"
"What?! How is that even allowable? I wish to aid everyone who helped me during the time I was to be executed. Is that so much to ask?" Rising to her feet in a rush of fury, she glared down at him and he merely looked up at her with an expression of serenity. The fact that he seemed heartless of the subject made her even angrier. "Orihime, Chad, Uryuu…Ichigo… They all risked their lives to save mine and I want to repay the favor. Don't change me. Please…"
"Is that the reason you're so rebellious? I see. There will be other times, Rukia," he spoke, using strange tenderness in his voice as he motioned for her to sit. "It doesn't have to be now. Wait until it is safe. Leave it to the rest of us."
She looked upset by his remark and fell quiet, turning away from him and folding her arms. Seconds later, Rukia was shuffling towards the door with haste before suddenly pausing. She rotated to look at Hitsugaya, who still sat in his same spot idly, one eye staring her down. He still seemed unaffected by anything she said in her defense.
"You think I'm weak," she declared, gritting her teeth.
"That's not it." He answered casually.
"Then what is?! You just said that you don't have confidence in my ability!"
"I never said that at all. At least that wasn't what I meant. It wasn't supposed to be so offensive."
"Then what did you say? Tell me! What were you trying to get out?"
Hitsugaya opened both eyes to gaze at her with a vacant expression before looking away. He had nothing to say.
She sighed. "Are you afraid of me not being strong enough to handle warfare? Well don't be. If it'll make you happy, I'll take the test to become a officer first thing tomorrow!" She spun on her heels and threw open the door, huffing at the cold air that greeted her. Ice was all she knew. "Goodni—"
"I have…my reasons…" Was his delayed reply, delivered in a subtle voice.
"Oh really? What are they," she asked, not bothering to face him anymore. The cool, wintry air entered the room. It was fitting; frosty room for an arctic setting between a couple.
Hitsugaya remained still for a moment, cautious to continue. It was tough for him to come out and say anything affectionate towards another, yet if he did nothing, his own wife would grow to despise him. Clarifications of his actions were overdue.
"On the front lines…I can't protect you." His eyes were still diverted elsewhere as she glanced at him in disbelief. "That's why…I want you to stay here. It's not a matter on whether or not you're strong enough, but rather if I am."
"Toushirou…"
"And yes, I am terrified. If anything were to ever happen to you…"
Though he was always distant, he truly did love her. It was not more evident than ever.
He remained motionless, vision still diverted from her.
Rukia closed the door reluctantly and crossed the room once more, taking a seat next to him on a cushion. She spoke lovingly as if to amend any damage she may have caused, "I'm sorry for yelling at you—but you must understand…I'm not helpless. I can take care of myself." She smiled warmly. "A captain shouldn't say such things. You're powerful enough as is."
"I promised to protect you and I will, even if it means leaving you behind. I would be a terrible husband if I did that. You would be so unhappy, but it's better than being dead…" He snorted, giving in. "Fine. Go if you want."
She put a soothing hand on his shoulder and his eyes found hers. "You and I both use ice zanpakutou. I'm sure there's something we can learn from each other. If you are not convinced then help me better myself, so that you will not have to be bothered about my safety. Ukitake-Taicho would not have put me on this mission if he wasn't convinced that I was good enough."
"I know. And I think your idea was good too. I'll work with you on a few ice techniques. We have a lot of time until the summer and hopefully I can pass something onto you." He stood unexpectedly, appearing as if he was going to leave. "Oh, and Rukia…"
"Hm?"
"Happy Birthday."
"Huh?"
"The fourteenth of January, right? Your brother informed me earlier today."
"Y-Yeah…it's that day already?"
He sighed in minute frustration before a small smile appeared. "Well of course it is. Or else I wouldn't have went through all of that trouble of finding you something today."
"You mean you didn't go do work in your office?"
"I did, but I finished at noon, without the assistance of Matsumoto, and decided to go home early. On my way back though, I ran into Kuchiki-Taicho and he told me what today was."
"I see. Well thank you for remembering to at least tell me."
"Also, there is a gift waiting for you on the table in our room. It's a little something I found while I was out." He blushed slightly and looked elsewhere. "I thought you might like it."
"I'm sure I'll love it."
"Good answer."
"I want to know." Rukia grinned childishly. "Tell me what it is…Please?"
He shook his head. "That's not going to happen. You'll have to go see for yourself."
"What? But I'm not good with surprises," she whined.
Hitsugaya held out his hand and she took it as a reflex. He brought her to her feet before heading for the door and sliding it open once more, motioning for her to follow as he paused in the doorway.
"Then…we'll go together."
-End of 'Left Behind'
Clarification Note (Do-not-panic Report): That's right. You read the line correctly. END of 'Left Behind'.
I know…It's a bizarre conclusion isn't it? But don't worry though, because this isn't the end for the whole Hitsugaya and Rukia story. Left Behind was just one of the arcs of their tale.
I've planned for a sequel to the story though a title for it is still beyond me. It will take place during the arrancar arc, since that's where this one was heading. So basically, I'll be starting another storyline with them six months in the future when the Soul Society team invades Karakura town.
How I'll go about notifying you of this release is also an issue. When or if I even come out with it will be a challenge. How am I supposed to tell you about it? Well frankly I have thought about it. I know that a few may be subscribed to me, so they will know right away. If you check the Bleach Archive frequently then I'm sure that's no issue for you as well.
But what about the rest of you who aren't subscribed or check back frequently? I guess you could find it somehow…Any ideas? Well I'll just have to make it clear in the summary what it is.
Is it a waste to just update this story just to let you know that I came out with another? Maybe. It might be worth a shot. I'll consider it.
-Vincentre
