A/N: I am so sorry that I have not been able to update in a long time!! My computer crashed and I had to get it repaired before any new updates could be posted. The good thing is that I have had plenty of time to gather new inspiration for where this story is going to go. Again, I apologize to all of you people that have been waiting to see what happens. I apologize that it might go a little bit slower from now on because school is about to start in a few weeks. I will still continue to update on a regular basis. There shouldn't be anymore of this 'wait two more weeks' nonsense. That was a technical difficulty. So, if anyone has any further inspiration to offer feel free to message or review it to me. I am overflowing with ideas right now and always welcome more. Well, here is the next chapter. In the next few chapters it finally begins to get into the Soul Society portion of the story and will now start to really explore the "in-character" Toushirou. Sorry if you loved his character in the last few chapters, but that is not how Toushirou really is. He will now begin showing the "Captain Hitsugaya" side of him more than the milder Toushirou Hitsugaya. Remember, we're back in Soul Society, and he can't afford to appear weak in front of his subordinates. Well, Read and Review please!!
Chapter 9: Just a Child...
Toushirou woke before the first lights of morning. The sky was still black, though the first rays of purple were beginning to materialize in the east. He sighed as he slid across the soft fabric and rose slowly from the couch, stretching his hands above his head, shaking the last bits of sleep from his lithe body. Looking at the clock on the wall, he determined that it was a little after five, still too early for anyone else in the home to rise. Deciding that now was a better time than any, he gathered his clothing and headed for the bathroom for a much-needed shower, his body still sticky and dusty from the night before. Not that I'm complaining…
The night had been a rough one, but also a beautiful one in its own angst-ridden way. I still don't understand why my emotions are so hypersensitive right now…This is so out of my character…I have to do something about this before the others begin to pick up on it and find something else to hold over my head…ugh…no freaking pun intended!
As he entered the bathroom, he set his clothing down and turned the shower on, full blast and full heat. Grabbing a towel, he removed his shirt, letting the water in the shower warm up. He knew that this emotional phase was not something that he experienced on a regular basis or ever for that matter. The last time he had experienced such emotional turmoil was after 'the incident' almost five years ago. This, he realized very clearly, was not something that he could allow to continue for much longer.
He closed the bathroom door and removed the rest of his clothing, stepping into the steaming shower slowly, letting his cool skin adjust to the extreme heat of the water cascading over his taut muscles.
After closing his eyes to allow the relaxation to set into his tense muscles, he ducked his head under the massaging spray, thoroughly drenching his hair. The feeling of the hot water on his cheeks and forehead helped most of the aching tension and tightness melt away. Dipping his hand under the pump, he squirted a generous amount of shampoo into his palm, working it into a lather in his hands. Massaging the bubbles into his white tresses, he purified his scalp to satisfaction, before ducking back under the water to rinse the soap from his head.
Taking a deep breath, he grabbed the washcloth he had set out and used the green bar of soap to lather the washcloth up. After setting the soap back in its place, he began to slide the cloth across his torso, raking it up his left arm, then his right, across his chest, and down his abdominals. He was about to continue down the lower half of his body when the squeaking of the bathroom door opening interrupted him, startling him slightly. Nervously, he glanced over the opaque glass of the bottom half of the shower through the transparent glass of the upper half. He saw the familiar shock of orange hair and sighed in relief. Good, it's only him…now, if he could just figure out how to knock first…
As the orange hair slowly moved toward the sink, opening the medicine cabinet to remove a toothbrush, he heard the voice inquiring, "Hey Hitsugaya, are you okay in there? It's really early, man. It's not good to be up right now."
Taking a moment to decide how to respond, he smiled softly and answered, "I actually slept better and feel more rested than I think I have felt in a very long time. So yes, everything is okay. But what about you? Why are you awake so early?"
He could hear the smile in his voice as the words responded; "I always get up this early..."
Liar…Toushirou thought…he's just been up all night with Rukia doing God knows what and now he can't sleep…yeah…I heard them last night.
As he finished his shower, turning the faucet off, he grabbed the towel hanging from the top of the shower door. Wrapping the towel around his hips, he opened the door and tossed his wrung out washcloth into the hamper in the corner. As he moved to stand on the left side of the long mirror he was sharing with Ichigo, he noticed that the shower had left a nice layer of pink on his cheeks, shoulders, and chest. He tilted his head and frowned slightly at this, having not ever seen this shade on his body before. "See something you don't like?" asked Ichigo sarcastically.
Toushirou raised an eyebrow at him and asked, "No, why? Do you see something you DO like?"
At the taunt Ichigo burst out laughing, nearly choking on his toothbrush, "Touché…Hitsugaya, touché…"
Toushirou allowed himself to grin at his own joke as he located his own toothbrush, squeezing a small amount of paste onto the bristles. He saw Ichigo move to put his toothbrush away out of the corner of his eyes. "So, Hitsugaya, what were you and my little sister discussing so late last night. As I recall it was after midnight when you both finally returned. You still weren't here when Rukia and I got in and that was at 1:30a.m. Tell me, should I be worried about anything?" Ichigo said, cocking his head to look at Toushirou.
Clearing his throat softly, Toushirou met his eyes and answered, "That you should be worried about? No. That you should be curious about? Probably. That you will be told any time soon by either one of us? Absolutely not."
She heard Ichigo snicker slightly, "Heh...Hitsugaya…Did you bang my sister last night?"
It was Toushirou's turn to almost choke on his toothbrush, spitting the paste out before it could creep down his throat. "What?!" He exclaimed, "Why would I do that?!"
Ichigo shrugged and made a coy look, "You both seem to be getting rather close. And I know she's missed you these last six years. Plus she hasn't really gotten any action in a while."
Toushirou could feel a vein begin to enlarge itself in the top right of his left temple as Ichigo began to touch on a subject that the young captain really wasn't interested in hearing from him. "I don't know how long it's been for you, but the last few times she was ever intimately with a guy, things got ugly. That was four or five years ago though, so it's been a while. I was just giving you a heads-up if you ever decided you did want to bang her. It might be harder than you think. She's got kind of a metaphorical chastity belt thing going on with herself since the incidents. Just thought it might be useful for you to know…for future reference, you know?" he said, smirking slightly.
Toushirou looked slightly unnerved, both with Ichigo's assumption and the recently uncovered history lesson on Karin. "Well, Kurosaki, if I ever wanted to 'bang your sister', as you so tactfully put it, I wouldn't openly tell you. It's not your business. Plus, she is much too young for me."
As Toushirou lied through his teeth, Ichigo gathered the rest of his things and started the shower, throwing a towel over the door and pulling his shirt off. Toushirou grabbed a hand towel and began to dry his torso, gazing over the scars that were randomly scattered among the dips in the muscles and bones. "Damn, where did you get that wicked scar on your back there? It's freaking crazy looking." Ichigo gawked at the mark on the young captains back.
Toushirou knew exactly which scar he was talking about without having to look. This is why a don't walk around half-naked…Originating in the valley between his shoulder blades, the shiny streak of marred, purple flesh stretched all the way down under the dip in the scapula ending in the hollow groove directly below his bottom right rib on the front of his abdomen. He sighed at the memory of the pain it had caused, remembering the stinging, tearing burn of the blade hot against his skin. "It is just a memento from the final battle, courtesy of Kaname Tösen. It was intended for a good friend of mine. I couldn't stand by and do nothing as my friend was impaled by his zanpakuto. I guess it's just a small price I pay for loyalty to my men."
He heard Ichigo hiss in reply behind him as he opened the shower door and entered, closing it behind him. Toushirou finished drying himself and quickly slipped on a pair of faded jeans that fit right at the hips, exposing the waistband of his now sky blue boxers. The shredded hole in the right knee was not what he was used to wearing, but he found that it was something that he could tolerate for now.
Tossing his previous clothing into the plastic bag as directed, he grabbed another towel and began to dry his damp hair, rubbing the towel vigorously through the white downy softness. After tossing the towel into the hamper, he ran his fingers through his hair, allowing it to revert to its usual spiky style.
Taking one last look in the mirror, Toushirou grabbed his socks and shirt and exited the bathroom, heading back to the couch to clear the sheets. The hallway was very dark and silent, as no one had woken yet. He treaded softly, hearing only the soft padding of his feet against the hard wood floor. Reaching the couch, he set his remaining clothing on the armchair and began to fold the sheets neatly, stuffing them into the seat of the armchair as he finished.
Going back to grab his clothing, he sat and pulled both black socks onto his feet, then pulling his dark navy blue, collared T-shirt over his head, unfolding the hem to cover the waistline of his pants. Walking over to the windowsill, he leaned on his palms, looking out into the barely brightening sky, losing himself in thought again. "Well, that's a pretty picture…"
Toushirou jumped slightly at the voice that interrupted his thoughts, turning quickly to see the sleepy form of Karin, still clad in her sleepwear, leaning against the back of the couch. Looking like she had just rolled out of bed, her knee-length, black athletic shorts hung snuggly off of her hips. Much to his surprise and shock, her lower stomach was displayed for his surprised eyes below her tight, black camisole top, her naval peaking out from beneath the fitted hem. Her black hair was wavy and disheveled, draping lightly over her shoulders, her cheeks still pink from sleep.
He found himself staring intensely at her, almost missing the steps she took towards him. As she came to him, she wrapped her arms around him, running her hands down his smooth shirt. Feeling slight bits of the overnight morning-after nerves and his resolve returning, he decided that a hug was the most that needed to occur. After hugging her back, he gently removed her arms from around his waist and looked her in the eye, "How are you feeling?"
She smiled at him and shrugged, "Pretty good."
He snickered, "Pretty good, huh? And why might that be?"
She rolled her eyes, "Oh, I don't know. It could be that some strange white-haired kid that thinks he is some kind of important person decided that he wanted the let me take advantage of him…wait…nah…that's not it. I guess I just don't know."
Just as Toushirou was realizing the full extent of his actions that previous night, feeling more and more unsure that they were appropriate and acceptable, he was taken aback by a sudden insertion of input from an unexpected outside source, "Took advantage of you, huh? Wait, Hitsugaya, I thought you said you DIDN'T bang my sister last night…Oh wait…I get it. She banged YOU." The laughing voice of Ichigo filled the living room as he entered the kitchen to grab a glass of orange juice.
Toushirou could feel a vein begin to pop out of his forehead, engorged much more prominently than the last, "Damnit, Kurosaki, I did not have sexual relations of any kind with your sister. Get it through your thick skull."
Ichigo simply smiled and said, "Ok. Ok…you don't have to get all defensive about it. I don't judge. Even though that would be totally out of both of your characters. It's okay though. Whatever floats your boat…"
"ICHIGO!" Both of the people in question yelled rather loudly, threatening to wake the rest of the house if he refused to desist in his attempts at humiliating the couple.
"Okay, okay…got it." He said, before disappearing into his bedroom with the glass and a piece of toast, the click of the lock clearly audible.
"Lord, he's one that should be talking. I'm not sure what was more disturbing: His and Rukia's spirit pressure, or the creaking of the bed as it hit the wall, thumping all the way through to my side, lending me all of the wonderful, pleasure-filled sounds. Ugh…" Karin cringed, shaking the thought from her mind.
Toushirou shook his head at the thought. Picturing Ichigo and Rukia doing anything in the least bit obscene was not something that needed to be occurring right now, "Well, we're leaving for Soul Society at noon, so you need to be ready and able by that time. You should go get dressed and find something to eat. We need to go meet with Yoruichi and the others at Urahara's shop. Go on, I'll meet you outside in twenty minutes. We can go kill time until we have to be somewhere."
She smiled and turned to walk to her room. "Kay, see you then."
Toushirou walked out of the front door, toeing his black tennis shoes onto his feet en route. As the sun hit his face, he closed his eyes at the familiar warmth of it. Breathing in deeply, he walked to the sidewalk, leaning against the streetlight as he waited for Karin. What am I going to do now? We can't just show up in Soul Society holding hands and cuddling, not that I'm that type of guy anyway. For one thing, it would cause quite a stir. Second, I'm not sure if it is entirely legal for me to be seeing someone that isn't dead yet. Oh well, at least all that's happened is a kiss. As long as we keep it this way then there should be no future problems between us. Technically, we aren't doing anything that could have serious repercussions. I just have to nip this in the bud immdiately…
His thoughts were interrupted by the front door opening and closing in rapid succession. A smiling Rukia walked over to him and greeted him, "Good morning, Captain Hitsugaya, how is your morning?"
He sighed and replied, "Though it had an early start, it appears to be a decent day. How about yours, Kuchiki?"
She smiled with a slightly suspicious grin, "Mine is wonderful…"
And with that she walked off down the street, obviously in the direction of Urahara's shop. Toushirou shook his head and grinned slightly. Funny that Rukia is in the same predicament as me, though she doesn't seem to care as much. Getting caught doesn't seem to really worry her, even though she and Ichigo participate in much more incriminating activity. Odd that…
Once again, his thoughts were broken as she saw Karin walking toward him out of the corner of his eye, "I'm ready now. Sorry I took so long. I didn't want to wake Yuzu so I had to get in my closet a lot slower than normal. Anyway, where too?"
Toushirou took in the sight of her as he listened to her speak. Her low-rise, boot-cut faded jeans fit snuggly on the hips and covered the tops of her black and white, classic high-top converse. Her shoulders were bare around her spaghetti-strapped, baby blue tank top that dipped in an almost provocative v-neck, causing his resolve to falter ever so slightly. Her hair was straightened and pulled back into a low pony-tail a few strands hanging carelessly in her face, framing it for a casual look. Avoiding her eyes to regain his composure, he said, "We can go get something to eat if you'd like."
She grinned and as if on cue, her stomach gave a loud protest, "I think that's a good idea."
He smirked slightly and turned to the right, following the sidewalk down to the corner. "I noticed a few places when I was on the way to your house the other night. I thought that at least one might strike your fancy."
She followed him, taking in his image as well, cocking a brow when she noticed the hole in the knee of his jeans. "Since when did you where clothes with holes in them? Last I checked you were only into the clean, neat-looking preppy clothes." Karin joked lightly, still looking at the subject in question.
Toushirou rolled his eyes and could feel a small vein swelling, once again, in his head, "It wasn't my choice. This was the clothing that I was given to where on my gigai. I didn't really have any say in the matter. Why?"
She shook her head, "Ah, no reason. Just though that it seemed a bit out of character for you, that's all. Not that I'm complaining or anything…"
He cocked a brow slightly at her, but said nothing as they entered the part of town with all of the restaurants. "So, what are you in the mood for?"
He watched as she pondered for a moment before she stated, "Let's go to McDonald's. Everyone can find something to eat there. Follow me."
With a slightly confused look, he followed her silently, not questioning her statement. As they reached the Golden Arches, they entered the restaurant, quickly going to the counter, "So, what do you want?" Karin asked him.
He stared at the menu blankly before she finally talked him through a few items, settling on a simple sausage, egg and cheese biscuit. After she order his food and herself a McGriddle, they made their way to the nearest booth, sitting across from one another to talk and wait for their order. "So, what's going to happen when we get to Soul Society?" Karin asked, curiously.
Toushirou took a gulp of his drink and answered, "Well, we'll enter through the appointed Senkai gate and wait for the rest of the group to enter. Then we will retire to our quarters. We will set you up in the chamber as the right neighbor of mine, since I am charged with responsibility of you, and get you settled in. We will have a little bit of free time to show you around before we have to get to the Seated Officer Meeting. That is where we will take care of Urahara and Ichigo's business. After that, everyone that is not a captain will be dismissed and you will remain for the captain's meeting. I am going to have a private chat with Yamamoto before we leave today so that your abilities will not come as a surprise tonight. We will discuss your appointment and come to an executive decision as to what is to be done. Then, there is usually a small reception or 'party' immediately following the meeting. Usually, the Vice Captains and the more frisky Captains have their own little party in the 10th Division Headquarters, thanks to Matsumoto and much to my chagrin. After the party, we return to our chambers and retire for the night."
"Cool. What's so wrong with the Vice-Captain party? You say I like it's a real pain." Karin inquires.
Toushirou sighs heavily, "It IS a pain. It is thrown by Matsumoto and usually involves more alcohol than anyone in their right mind should be able to put away…"
After they had finished eating, they exited the building and made their way to Urahara's shop. Upon entering they were met by a thick silence as it was only six thirty and no one had yet risen. Karin made her way down to the basement to get her things in order as Toushirou entered the small room with the communication device in it. Entering his personal code, he waited for the face of the Head Captain on the screen.
Only after a few moments, the bearded face materialized, gazing at him with curiosity and respect. "Good morning, Captain Hitsugaya, you wanted to speak with me. You said that it was of great importance. I am anxious to hear this news."
Toushirou took a breath and bowed slightly before beginning, "The other night I was speaking with Karin Kurosaki. She told me some things that were shocking to say the least. Upon her reading the letter, she immediately told me that she was already a Soul Reaper."
At those words, the Head Captain's face changed slightly in a mix of surprise and amusement. "Oh really. So, what is the report on how her powers are developing and their origins, if she revealed them?"
Toushirou continued, "Her powers were awakened approximately five years ago, manifesting themselves in dreams before becoming her unreleased blade. Her zanpakuto is called Seika, or Sacred Fire. It manifests itself as glowing red blade that darkens as it approaches her opponent…" He trailed off hesitantly, causing Yamamoto to tilt his head slightly. He was beginning to wonder if it was really a smart idea to reveal the next fact…
"What is it, Captain Hitsugaya, your hesitance says that there is more to the story."
He sighed, having his mind made up for him, and stated, "She is a kido master and has also recently achieved Bankai…"
Yamamoto then looked extremely surprised, "Really now, well, that changes a few things…"
Meanwhile, in the basement of the shop, Karin was gathering her things together to get out of the way in their absence. She walked out and grabbed an apple from the kitchen, plopping down on the pillow beside the round table. She reclined on the edge, listening to the quiet of the house, taking a bite out of the juicy fruit. She wondered what the old and young captains were talking about. Of course it's me, but I wonder what they're going to do with me. This has the potential to get very interesting…
Toushirou exited the room, closing the door quietly behind him as he let out a breath he didn't even know he had been holding. This could be a good thing or a bad thing… He made his way down the hall, watching as the rooms never stirred in the darkness. They should all be waking soon. It's getting along towards day…
He stopped when he noticed the dark head seated against the table, biting on the round fruit. He came to sit beside her, resting his chin on his palm. "This is going to be a long day…"
She sighed, "Tell me about it..."
As the day wore on and everyone had woken, they all congregated in Urahara's shop. Toushirou watched as the group anxiously awaited departure. Rukia and Ichigo were sitting beside one another, their clasped hands hidden in the folds of her pink sundress. Yoruichi was speaking with Urahara about something and Rangiku, Izuru, and Renji were drinking tea and conversing softly, most likely recovering from hangovers.
Toushirou took the time to play absentmindedly with the hole in his jeans. Picking the threads even further, he gave up on the propriety of not having holes and realized that he was going to leave this gigai behind in the not too distant future. Sitting himself between Karin and Rangiku, he rested his chin in his right palm and rotated his cup of tea, admiring the china cup. "You okay there, Captain? You look disturbed."
He closed his eyes in defeat at the voice of his Vice Captain. "If there was something bothering me I would have announced it already, Matsumoto."
Slightly taken aback by his harsh tone, though realizing all too well that it must be directly related to whatever was bothering him, Matsumoto decided that pressing the matter further was probably not the smartest action to take. Knowing her Captain from years of observation, she knew when to press forward and when to let go. This was the latter time, so she resigned herself to finishing her large steaming cup of green tea.
As the few remaining Soul Reapers filed into the small room, the atmosphere was soon bustling with activity. Rukia, Ichigo, and Urahara were engaged in a deep conversation about the use of Mod Souls, whereas Renji, Izuru, and Rangiku were silently kneading their temples and finishing their tea. But across the room, piercing golden eyes were peering over at the still, silent forms of Karin and Toushirou.
Making her way slowly and subtly across the room, Newly appointed Captain of the 9th Division Squad, Yoruichi Shihoin, came to light between the two young Soul Reapers, startling them slightly. "So, what's the problem? Neither of you have said a word to anyone his morning and frankly it looks suspicious and unnerving."
Toushirou sighed and replied, fibbing once again to placate a fellow Soul Reaper, "I am only ready to return to Soul Society. This place and body exhaust me…"
Yoruichi appeared to warily and hesitantly accept the answer before turning to Karin and informing, "When you get settled into Soul Society, I arranged for you to meet and train with a former protégé of mine. She is the Captain of the 2nd Division Squad and, her name is Soifon. She is a master of Kido and is a perfect teacher for you. I think that you will work very well together."
Following the comment was a small smile from Karin and the curt exit of Yoruichi as she sauntered over to Urahara to strike up some friendly banter with him. For some reason, there was a new awkwardness surrounding the pair of younger Soul Reapers. Karin was currently wondering why the air suddenly felt heavier, a silent tension softly suffocating her. What is the matter with him? He's been acting so strange and distant this morning…was it something I said?
Her answer lay in the whirling mind of the snowy haired Captain to her left. His thoughts were racing as he attempted to hone in on the solution to his stress. In a very short amount of time that he had spent in the World of the Living, he had managed to break two of his own three rules. He had broken down in front of someone, which he swore he would never again do. He had also, in a moment of weakness, let his guard down and had allowed unnecessary feelings to bleed through. I cannot continue to feel this way or allow this to progress any further. I promised myself that I would never break down and I would never fall for another. That is something that I cannot afford to become lax on. I know what I have to do this time. Besides, she's just a child. I cannot steal another's innocence again…
As the day drew closer to noontime, and the departure time, everyone was becoming restless, anxious for different reasons to enter Soul Society. So when the Hell Butterflies entered through the glowing Senkai gate, the large group quickly, with little hesitation, stepped into the ethereal mist and began the long walk through the violet tunnel…