A/N: Sorry for the late post everyone! I'll explain at the bottom! For now... ENJOY!
Figure Six:
Replace
//Words are a wonderful form of communication, but they will never replace kisses and punches. –Ashleigh Brilliant\\
Time was flying by faster than Yoruichi while flashstepping, and before I knew it, I was standing at the station with my suitcase packed, and Hitsugaya and Matsumoto standing beside me. The last few weeks of vacation had been a total bliss. Hitsugaya and I had been able to work around the gap in my memory, and are now fairly close. Hinamori Momo and I were on better, if not still a little awkward, terms. We were still cautious around each other, watching, making sure that we ourselves didn't do anything rash while in the other's presence.
I turned my head left and right, trying to find my friends. The pistons blew once, and I still haven't found them. Sighing in defeat, I turned back to Hitsugaya and Matsumoto.
"Guess I'll see you guys soon," I said, looking up at the two of them. I now really needed to look up at Hitsugaya. He had grown taller than last we stood in this spot. I briefly wondered how tall he'll be when I get back from my last year at Ximax. Having been hidden away from the enchanted world for most of my life, I'd missed out on a good few years of education, and only caught the last three years. This was the third, and final year I'll be going to Ximax. It seemed too short, and it was. Instead of the traditional six years, I'd only gotten half, but I was getting along.
Felix and Abigail were already talking about future jobs and such at the end of last year. So far, they're the only ones who knew that I was a spirit, from what Matsumoto and Hitsugaya told me about my little trip with the Espada, and their rescue mission. I still didn't know how to act around them, and was hesitant to see them, however much I missed them.
"Yeah. Stay safe," Hitsugaya said. His eyes told me the things that he didn't say. The things that he really didn't need to say.
"Write lots, Mina-chan!" Matsumoto engulfed me in another one of her backbone-breaking hugs. I patted her back as best I can, with the lack of oxygen.
"I will, I will. And keep me updated on what goes on in Seireitei, kay?" I said, when she finally let go.
"Of course!" She grinned widely, her plentiful bosoms bouncing merrily.
"Bye Toushirou," I said, turning back to him. We stared at each other for a moment before I smiled and turned away. Before I could take a step, I felt a pair of arms latch around my waist, pulling me back flush against his chest.
"Bye... baka..." he whispered, resting his chin on my shoulder. I smiled and nodded. The second pistons blew and he let go, somewhat reluctantly. I turned around, stood up on my tiptoe and planted a small kiss on his cheek before turning and dashing off towards the ship. Reaching the deck, I looked at the platform, instantly spotting Hitsugaya's hair. Smiling widely, I waved. I saw him raise a hand, though I could have sworn I saw him blush, while Matsumoto waved furiously, bouncing up and down. I giggled. They were such an interesting pair. With completely opposite personalities, I failed to see how they got along so well. Hitsugaya seems to have learned to deal with Matsumoto's outgoing attitude, and Matsumoto seems not to care too much about Hitsugaya's anti-social attitude. I guess that worked out well.
I watched the ship go off into the distance. It was the third, and final time I'd watch that happen. I sighed. Another 10 months without seeing her. Another 10 months in which I'd wake up at night, wondering where she was and why I didn't sense her reiatsu close by. Another 10 months where I'd be looking through the mail, wondering if she'd replied yet. 10 months never seemed so long before now.
"Taichou... it's the last time..." Matsumoto said. I turned to her, and for once, I didn't scowl like usual. Instead, I gave her a small shadow of a smile, and turned away. She hurried after me, giggling as she went.
Stepping through the Senkai Gate, I was met with the gate guard, bowing respectfully. I gave a curt nod, and walked on. The 10th Division was still bustling with people, all shouting at one another, running passed in the hallways, making sure everything gets done on time, because they knew there'd be hell to pay if they didn't. I sighed again.
Reaching my office, I sat down behind my desk and once again began to work tediously on the seemingly never ending paperwork. Matsumoto was sitting in her seat, working diligently as well. I stared at her. She drove me crazy at times, but I could always rely on her when I needed to... just like Takamori.
'Master... you are aware of the consequences of your feelings, are you not?' Hyourinmaru said, somewhat hesitantly. I frowned. Yes, in fact, I was well aware of the consequences I'd have to face once Yamamoto-soutaichou found out about my feelings. It wasn't allowed, it's never been allowed. The only occasions where Soutaichou had let it slide were when it was business relationships, something that benefitted Seireitei and the Gotei 13 in some way. He'd never let us be. The moment he found out, he would order for Takamori's immediate removal from my care, and send her off someplace where I'd probably never see her again. After that, I'd be called in for a lengthy lecture, and possibly a demotion for purposely breaking the rules.
"Taichou? Daijoubu desu ka?" Matsumoto asked. I looked up. She was looking at me with a worried expression on her face. I shook my head, getting back to the paperwork, silently berating myself for getting distracted.
"Iia...Betsuni... get back to work, Matsumoto," I said.
"You're in love with Mina-chan, aren't you?" she asked, although she already knew the answer. She'd known it for some time now. She knew me too well not to know, and yet she still asked. I didn't answer, pretending to be too absorbed in my paperwork to have heard, but I knew I couldn't fool her.
"Are you really going to let her go just because of the rules Soutaichou set?" I paused, then, deciding that I really didn't want to answer, continued on as if nothing had happened. Was I going to let her go? Was I going to hide my emotions and push Takamori away for the sake of the rules? The honest answer was: No. Of course not. I knew, in my heart of hearts that she meant too much for me to do that. I cared too much. She was... everything and more to me. I couldn't piece out why, but she was.
'Are you willing to give up everything you've worked for, for the sake of a normal girl?' Hyourinmaru inquired. Yes, I was, though hell would have to break loose before I admitted that to anyone.
"Taichou, please, answer me, truthfully, are you in love with Mina-chan?" Matsumoto said again. I put down my pen and buried my face in my hands, taking a deep breath.
"Yes."
Immediately, I felt something lift off my heart, as if it'd been waiting for me to say that out loud, to someone else. My whole being felt lighter and I suddenly felt that anything was possible. I could have killed Aizen with less than three strikes.
"Thank you. That's all I needed to know." I looked up at Matsumoto. She was smiling, not a bubbly smile, or a drunken smile, but a real, happy smile. Her eyes were glittering and she winked at me before lowering her head to look back at the paperwork. I smiled too. It felt nice to know that I didn't need to hide it any longer, at least not in this office. Outside of it, maybe, but not inside, not anymore.
'Please... consider Master. Think about the cost of this...' Hyourinmaru said. My frown deepened.
'You were the one, if I'm not much mistaken, throwing jibes at me the last time I checked. So why all this hesitation now?' I asked huffily. Hyourinmaru paused, as if considering how to reply. Finally, he said,
'Master, I never thought you were serious back then. I believed, that once you realized what was going on, something would be done. On the other hand, it was all in good fun...' I growled. All in good fun? What was that supposed to mean? Was he just poking fun at me all those times?
"You don't exist to irritate me, Hyourinmaru, yet you're doing a splendid job," I said through clenched teeth. Matsumoto look up at me, but didn't say anything.
The great dragon chuckled. It was a rough, grinding sound, but nonetheless soothing.
'I thank you for the compliments, Master,' he said. I growled again. Enough was enough. It was time to tune him out. That stupid ice dragon was starting to get annoying. Though that wasn't what bothered me. It was the truth in his words that made me pause my pen. After I realized what was happening to me... to Takamori... should I have done something to stop it? The 'correct' answer would have been 'yes', but was that really the right answer for me? Even though I was caught in between two things, one of which I consider of the utmost importance while the other is nothing but an example of plain selfishness: duty and personal desires. There was a thick, defined line between them, yet I felt like I'm walking along an impossibly rickety old bridge that could crumble at any second, with one wrong move... or maybe less.
Half of me was yelling at me to forget about the dumb girl, to cast her away, and go on with my life as one of the most respectable Captains in the Gotei 13, but the other half was quietly telling me to face the truth. I loved her. I loved her more than anything and there was nothing I could do about it. True, given enough time, the feeling would 'wear off' slightly, but it would never go away. The moment I kissed her in Hueco Mundo, I knew that I'd never feel the same towards anyone, not even Hinamori. Even if I tried, even if I isolated myself from her. And I did try that last time she left, and see how that turned out.
'Master...' Hyourinmaru's voice echoed through my head. A warning. I pushed him away, shaking my head, trying to focus on the papers in front of me. The black ink and yellow-white parchment made no sense to me, not right now. The more I tried to derive meaning from them, the more confusing they got. A dull throbbing began in the back of my head and the light reflecting off the paper suddenly seemed over-bright. The sound of Matsumoto's pen seems to have been magnified tenfold, and they were getting increasingly frustrating to listen to. Sounds from outside the door which I could normally shut out without even a second thought were now getting to me. I set down my pen and covered my face with my hands, relishing the temporary darkness.
"Taichou?" I flinched at the sound. Lifting my face from my hands, I winced again at the intense light that hit my eyes.
"What?" My own voice was nothing more than a whisper. I squinted, trying to adjust to the bright light. I heard the sound of a chair scraping against the floor, footsteps, and then, the light in front of me dimmed. I looked up. Matsumoto was standing over my desk, a troubled look on her face. Without a word, she placed a hand on my forehead. It was surprisingly cool.
"Taichou... you're sick."
"I'm fine, Matsumoto, get back to work," I said, attempting to start with my own paperwork again. A hand stopped me. I looked up again, annoyed.
"Taichou, you have to go rest. You're burning up." I shrugged off her hand and glared at her best I can, but got up and made my way to my own quarters. Matsumoto followed me, as if wanting to make sure that I really did rest. I paused at the door.
"I'll be fine, Matsumoto," I said, and stepped into the room. Getting into bed, I felt an incredible wave of fatigue hit me. In a few moments, I was sound asleep.
"Promise me... you won't go and look for Aizen. Not until you're healed," Takamori said, holding me close to her body. Periodic pains coursed through my body from the wound in my gut, but I bit them back, refusing to make a sound. I raised my head, wiping away the tears that clung to her cheeks and nodded. For now, I would stay with her and heal.
She smiled, her whole face lighting up. Then, she closed her eyes and sighed with relief. I leant in. The whole world slipped away, and for those few blessed moments, it was only the two of us, together.
"Shirou-chan! Ne, Shirou-chan, look, look at my new lieutenant's badge!" Hinamori called, racing up to me. I turned. Her cheeks were pink and her breathing was heavy but she'd never looked so happy in her life. Raising her arm, she held out the shiny new lieutenant's badge for the 5th Division. I scoffed and didn't say much, but inside, I was happy that she'd gotten what she wanted. She was so innocent...
"Isn't it great? I finally get to work under Aizen-taichou!" Her eyes were bright as her smile stretched impossibly wider. I gave her a grin and nodded. Yes, it was great. She'd gotten what she'd always wanted. I was grateful for her. The scene changed again.
"No! NO! Let go of me! Stop it!" Takamori was struggling in the hands of a Huge Hollow, who was quickly retreating into the air with her. I grabbed the hilt of Hyourinmaru and drew him out. Immediately, the great ice dragon materialized and shot out towards the hollow. The hollow dodged, cackling madly.
"Shi-Shirou-chan..." I turned. Hinamori was lying on the ground, in a pool of her own blood, one hand stretched out, trying to reach for me. I hurried towards her but Takamori's scream of pain made me turn again.
"Toushirou!" Takamori was bleeding from the head. The hollow was holding her arm between two fingers, letting her dangle dangerously. He held up five fingers with the other hand, grinning maliciously, then ticked off one finger. My eyes widened; he was going to drop her. Falling from that height, she'd surely be smashed to pieces when she hits the ground. I had to help her. But before I could kick off, Hinamori's voice called out behind me. Aizen had her in his grip, sword at her throat, five fingers raised as well. His glasses glinted evilly as he put down one finger. He'd kill her...
I looked back at Takamori, not knowing what to do. It was impossible to save them both. And I couldn't flash step nearly fast enough to catch Takamori if I saved Hinamori first. I had to choose. The hollow put down another finger.
Three...
I turned towards Aizen again.
Two...
I looked back at Takamori.
One...
I squeezed my eyes shut. I couldn't choose...
"NO!"
Silence. When I opened my eyes again, it was to find myself in the human world, standing next to the railing where I could see the sky. I looked around. No one was here. The sun was setting. I stared out at the scene. Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder, I turned, surprised that I wasn't able to sense them.
"Why do you look so sad?" Takamori asked, joining me on the other side of the railings. I looked back at the sky and didn't answer for a moment.
"Toushirou-kun?" she was frowning at me. I looked at her and sighed.
"It brings back... memories..." I said. As soon as those words left my lips, someone called out my name.
"Shirou-chan! Obaa-chan! I'm back!" I turned. Hinamori was running towards me, her school uniform fluttering widely. I looked around for Takamori but she was nowhere to be found. Instead, in her place was Obaa-chan, a warm smile on her wrinkled face.
"Momo-chan, you've returned!" she exclaimed pleasantly.
"Tadaima Baa-chan!" she said, then turned to me, fluffing up my hair. I shook her off, grumbling about how we didn't want her back anyways. She only laughed.
"Tadaima, Shirou-chan!" I huffed, crossing my arms.
"Okaeri, Bed-wetter Momo," I said, though somewhat reluctantly. She laughed at my usual 'icy' demeanor, but said nothing about it. One of the things I liked about Obaa-chan and Hinamori. I smiled. She was home... As I sat with Hinamori and Obaa-chan, everything seemed so perfect. Nothing out of the ordinary was happening, and I've got the two people I care most about right here next to me. What could possibly go wrong? I frowned. Something was missing. Like... a small piece to a puzzle that made up 'perfection' in my world. I needed something else. I looked around. But this is what it's supposed to be like, me, Hinamori, Obaa-chan... what else was there?
"See... I told you, you'd forget about me..."
I whipped around. Takamori was standing there, her eyes downcast, tears running down her face. My heart clenched. Swiftly, I walked forward and pulled her to me, holding her close.
"So it's true... you do care about her more than me." I turned. Hinamori was standing there, pointing an accusing finger at me. I let go of Takamori, not knowing what to do. Did I really have to pick between the two of them? I cared about them both, and I couldn't bear to choose one, while hurting the other.
"Shirou-chan!"
"Toushirou..."
I opened my eyes, only to find the ceiling of my room staring blankly back at me. I blinked, and lifted my head off my pillow. Looking around the room once, I slumped back down, groaning as I buried my head in my blankets. It was a dream. No... more like a nightmare. Being sick always induced the wildest of dreams, but this one was... certainly more than out of the ordinary.
"Taichou... I brought you some tea." Matsumoto entered the room. She placed a cup of hot tea on my bedside table and stood there, waiting for me to get up. Rather reluctantly, I rose and took the tea, taking a careful sip. I felt the warm liquid make its way through my system, warming my body. I shivered. Matsumoto laid a hand on my forehead again, before smiling and removing her hand.
"You're temperature's gone down, Taichou. I think a few more hours of sleep should make sure that it doesn't come up again," she said. I scoffed, setting down the tea cup and trying to get out of bed.
"It's fine. I feel better now. I'm going back to wo-"
"Oh no you don't!" Matsumoto's arm shot out and pinned me to the spot before I could do anything. She was scowling down at me.
"Taichou, you need rest. I said 'a few more hours of sleep should make sure your temperature doesn't come up again', didn't I? So get a few more hours of sleep!" she said. I glared at her challengingly.
"Are you giving orders to your captain?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. She sighed and shook her head.
"Iie... I'm telling you to do this as Rangiku... not Matsumoto-fukutaichou... as an old friend." She grinned. I relaxed, and couldn't help returning a small smile. I needed to hear that. After all, when it really comes down to it, the ranking doesn't matter... not really. She was older than I was, yet I was her captain, though sometimes, it really does show that she knows more about some things than I do. And I those times, I just had to shove my pride, and listen to her. I guess this was one of those rare times.
"Arigatou..." She giggled and leaned in uncomfortably close.
"Douitashimashite, Hitsugaya-kun," she said. I was about to correct her, but I bit the inside of my mouth, keeping quiet. I'll let it slide... just this once...
A/N: So there you are. The be-lated chapter. Why? Because my system decided to crash.... and I thought I lost all my files.... luckily, the restore button was pretty cool about it and saved MOST of my files. Some of the larger ones are gone but still... most of them are here. Phew.... So I had to spend a few days doing that. I promise the next chapter will be up soon too. ^^ So no worries!
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