Chapter 2

"Captain!"
Toshiro's eyes fluttered open to the sound of his lieutenants' voice.

"Rangiku... What happened?"
He sat up slowly, eyes carefully analysing his surroundings. He was in his barracks, still dressed in his soul reaper uniform, with his haori folded on the end of his bed, Hyourinmaru lying on top. He let out a sigh of relief. At least this Kaya character had left him in one piece.

"You were unconscious sir, I found you lying in the middle of the courtyard"
The captain cursed. Then he felt his eyes widen.
"Where's the prisoner?"

His lieutenants' head dropped.
That's just perfect.

"I better go find her then"
Toshiro sat up slowly to avoid that spinning feeling that one gets when they sit up too fast. He reached for his haori and his Zanpakutō, and felt a sense of relief as the presence of his sword returned.

"Rangiku, look after the squad today. I'll search for the thief. Send a message to the Head Captain that a criminal has escaped, and is not to be approached by anyone below captain level"
Toshiro was determined, and Matsumoto knew that even the Head Captain wouldn't try to stop him finding this particular thief, not only had they stolen food, they'd stolen the Captain's pride.

Stop. It's okay. You can take a break
Kaya felt her stride falter, she'd been running for hours on end, not stopping, not even turning around. She'd only narrowly beaten the small captain, and didn't want to cross paths with him. But he was a Soul Reaper, and Soul Reapers had their pride to uphold or some nonsense like that. She knew he would come after her.

She slowed her pace until her footfalls were almost silent on the damp grass. A large log lay in the grass; it was hollow, and long enough for her to take cover. Kaya gathered herself and crawled into the log. I'm only going to nap for a while...

The smell of smoke woke Kaya from her sleep. Not again... She opened her eyes. The entire log was on fire. This woke her up. The heat along with the smoke started to become overwhelming. Her senses were smothered by the flames. She felt her heart begin to race, and panic began to creep into her mind. She took a deep breath, which was a mistake. Smoke filled her lungs, slowly suffocating her. A croak left her lips as she tried to call out. Please, someone help me. Her mind called out. Even Nenshōtori couldn't help her in this situation. Her sight started to blur, and her limbs felt heavy. She couldn't move. "Reign over the frosted heavens!" Before Kaya could look at the one who saved her, she fainted.

Toshiro could smell the smoke. He saw the grey smoke rising from the forest. He needed to act. If the fire spread, it could endanger the spirits living in the town nearby. He ran through the forest. All the trees began to blur as he ran faster and faster. He reached the source of the smoke. A dead log was covered in flames. As he went to douse the flames, he hesitated. Something was wrong. He felt his eyes widen. Someone was in there. He practically tore Hyourinmaru from his back. "Reign over the frosted heavens!" The shikai form of his Zanpakutō burst from the tip of the blade.

The small Captain waited until the flames were small enough before he approached the smouldering log. He found the spirit curled up in a cloak. Somehow the whole scene seemed familiar, but right now, the spirit curled up in his arms was his main concern. He lay the small child down on the ground. He undid the string holding the cloak around their shoulders.

He was taken aback. It was the criminal! She seems physically unharmed. But smoke inhalation didn't show any outward symptoms until the affected person wakes up, and by then it can be too late. For once, the captain of squad ten didn't know what to do. He looked at the face of the girl. Her eyes were shut tightly, but her breathing was getting easier as time passed. Toshiro was surprised that she hadn't sustained any major injuries. That aside... is she breathing out smoke? The girl puzzled him. She lay there perfectly still, and yet grey vapours left her nostrils and mouth. It was as if she was a slumbering dragon. When the smoke breathing began to subside, Kaya shuddered, and opened her eyes.