Tell Me What The Rain Knows

Vegeta: "Bah! Who does he think he is?!"

Toushiro: "Let it go, Vegeta. It can't be helped."

Vegeta: "I've got a good mind to show him first hand just how 'naive' I can be!"

Toushiro: "You can do that tomorrow after I've beaten him."

Vegeta: "A little too confident, aren't you? You have no idea who the hell he is, what his abilities are, or how strong he is."

Toushiro: "The same can be said about his knowledge in regards to me."

Vegeta: "Oohh, clever. But you'd still better prepare."

Rangiku: "Prepare for what?"

Before they had really realized it, Toushiro and Vegeta were back at the office. As usual Rangiku was pestering them about whatever happened as they walked in.

Rangiku: "What're you talking about, captain?"

Toushiro: (While passing her) "I've been challenged to a duel for my position as Captain of Squad 10."

Rangiku: "Really?! By who?!"

Toushiro: "By a guy named Riku Kora."

Rangiku was shocked. Apparently she knew of Kora as well.

Rangiku: "Riku Kora's still alive?! But how can that be?!"

Vegeta: "You know this ass?"

Rangiku: "You bet I do. Kora was the captain of this squad when I first joined. I became the lieutenant right before he disappeared."

Toushiro: "What exactly happened to him?"

Rangiku: "I'm not sure. We were on a mission when he just puffed! Vanished!"

Vegeta: "He's gonna wish he'd stayed vanished when I'm done with him!"

Rangiku: "You're in a particularly nasty mood today, Vegeta."

Toushiro: "It's Kora's fault. He knew what Vegeta is, said that it was obvious because only a saiyan can be so strong and yet so dumb as to how to use it right. And he just kept up the insults."

Rangiku: "Doesn't really surprise me. Riku Kora was well known for being a bit on the crazy side."

Vegeta: "Oh that explains so much!"

Rangiku: "When is this fight?"

Toushiro: "Tomorrow, in front of this squad."

Rangiku: "Please don't lose, captain. I don't want to follow his orders again. Kora's a terrible captain, hardly ever cared about anyone but himself."

Vegeta: "And it just keeps getting better!"

Toushiro: "Rangiku. Since you knew him for a while, can you tell me a bit about his strength and abilities?"

Rangiku: "I wish I could. But all I know is that his zanpakuto uses the element of water. Other than that I just don't know. I didn't work with him for very long. That and I didn't hang around him very much either. I always felt... dirty... after even just talking to him."

Vegeta: "And he's a pervert to boot! Ho-ho! This guy's giving me so many reasons to hate him!"

Toushiro: "If his zanpakuto uses water, then I've got an extreme advantage. Turn his attacks into ice and use them against him."

Rangiku: "I'll pray for your victory, sir."

Toushiro: "Just do me one thing, Rangiku."

Rangiku: "Anything."

Toushiro: "Don't mention anything about this to Toboe or Malana, ok? They don't need to get caught up in this."

Rangiku: "I'll make sure they stay well away from this, captain."

Toushiro: "Thanks. The last thing I want is for them to get hurt."

Later on Toushiro kept his promise to his brother and sister. They visited their Grandma for a little while before returning home. By then word had already spread to most of the lieutenants. Momo came by and was asked by Toushiro to watch Toboe and Malana while he practiced for tomorrow. The young woman gladly and, more importantly, understandably agreed. She took them back to Squad 5 for a sleepover and informed her captain of the plan. Val of course agreed to aid Toushiro by watching his younger siblings. For the rest of the day, Toushiro trained and practiced for the match with Vegeta and Rangiku aiding however they could. Rangiku was especially keen in helping her captain train. She definitely didn't want him to lose. Confident that he was ready for anything, Toushiro rested that night and well. In the morning, all of Squad 10 was up early. All 200 soldiers gathered outside of the main office, ready to watch the impending battle. Dark clouds rolled overhead, all foretelling rain very soon. Toushiro appeared in front of the office, ready to defend his claim on what has been his for a long time. The other captains all agreed to not come and watch. They just sat around, waiting for a tell of the victor. And then...

He appeared.

Riku Kora stepped forth before all of Squad 10 with a confident smirk that quite frankly wanted to make Vegeta hurl with disgust.

Riku: "Ah... Squad 10... How I've missed you so... I can't wait to reclaim you."

And then the man noticed Rangiku.

Riku: "My! Rangiku?! What a delicious looking woman you've become!"

Rangiku shivered with disgust.

Rangiku: "Eww..."

Toushiro: "Anything you'd like to say before I send you packing?"

Riku: "In fact there is. I have a prediction."

Toushiro: "And what would that be?"

Riku: "I predict that I'll beat you within 15 minutes at most."

Toushiro just growled at his statement. Kora unsheathed his sword and pointed it right at the youth.

Riku: "Ready to lose, little boy?"

Toushiro: "Bring it."

And in a flash the battle started! Toushiro just barely had time to draw his blade and stop Kora's first attack as the two blades collided! Toushiro looked up at Kora as they both stood in a deadlock. Kora was fast, the young captain had to grant him that much. With a yell the young captain pushed Kora off and started attacking! Metal clashed against one another again and again! Both duelists dodged and countered each other almost evenly. The squad all looked on. They both seemed to be equally matched. But then something started to happen to Toushiro. He suddenly started feeling weaker. It wasn't fatigue, the battle hasn't been that long or been that hard yet! What on earth was going on, he thought?! Finally the two broke apart for a moment and stood off in a typical warrior stance. Just then the rain began to fall and the dry earth soaked with heat started enveloping the battle field in a growing fog. Toushiro panted heavily while Kora seemed unfazed. This was definitely odd. Vegeta noticed and was just as concerned as Rangiku. Why was Toushiro so out of breath?

Riku: "Tired yet?"

Toushiro: "What's going on? Why am I so exhausted?"

Riku just grinned and held up his sword. Then in a flash-

Riku: "Bring Me a Wave of Chaos - Aquamarine!"

Kora's Zanpakuto was released as he raised his arm up high over his head! Behind him a tidal wave sprang up and waited for a command! Toushiro looked up at the massive wave in shock.

Riku: "Hope you can swim."

And Kora brought his arm down, commanding the wave to move towards the young captain! But Toushiro was ready for this.

Toushiro: "Reign Over the Frosted Heavens - Hyorinmaru!"

To Kora's surprise, a huge dragon made of ice flowed from the tip of the young captain's sword and hurled itself at the wave with a roar! Upon contact, the wave was frozen solid. It seemed that things had turned around for Toushiro. But...

Riku: "Uhhh... You can wield ice, huh? This has just gotten fun."

Switching strategies altogether, Kora abandoned using his zanpakuto's abilities and focused exclusively on sword combat. Once again both swords clashed again and again. But what was disturbing was at how rapidly he was losing his strength. Every time they clashed like this, Toushiro felt weaker and weaker. The fight eventually made its way up into the sky. Maybe up here he'd have better luck. After all the young captain was far more maneuverable up in the air than he was on the ground. All eyes of Squad 10 watched on as the battle continued above. The rain still poured heavily, the ground now covered in a thick fog. Rangiku and Vegeta both sensed it. Toushiro was losing strength and fast.

Rangiku: "What's going on? The captain shouldn't be that tired yet, should he?"

Vegeta: "No. He's got far more stamina than that. Plus I've been building his stamina in our training, so he shouldn't even be anywhere near this tired yet!"

Rangiku: "I don't like this. I've got a bad feeling."

Toushiro and Kora locked swords again before quickly pushing off. Toushiro was completely out of breath yet Kora seemed fine.

Riku: "I'm done playing. Time to end this."

Kora got ready to attack again. He gripped his sword in a strange way. He gripped it with both hands, something he hasn't done yet as he's fought up to this point with just one hand on his sword. But the strange part was how he gripped it. It almost looked like he was gonna pull something out of the hilt. Kora grinned again, about to move. But just then-

Vegeta: "TOUSHIRO! THAT'S A DIFFERENT SWORD FROM YESTERDAY!"

Kora suddenly pulled out another blade from his first sword! Riku Kora was a Duel-Blade wielder like Ukitake and Shunsui! But the saiyan prince's warning had come too late! A split second later and Kora lashed out with one blade! Toushiro stopped it with his but could not stop the other before it was rammed into him flat-side up! He was thrown down from the sky and crashed into the earth below! The whole of Squad 10 called out in shock and surprise at their captain. Toushiro lay in a small crater and tried to get up. But then a blade was held next to his face. He looked up and saw Kora standing over him.

Riku: "Give up?"

Toushiro gritted his teeth as he stared at the man. He tried to gather the strength to fight back again.

... But he couldn't...

He was too exhausted now. He couldn't continue the fight and just lowered his head in submission.

Riku: "That's a good boy."

All of the drenched members of Squad 10 all stared at the scene in shock and sadness.

Riku: "I'll spare you your life... Why?"

Kora lifted Toushiro's chin up with the tip of one of his blades.

Riku: "Because you are a boy. Now leave at once and never return."

And Kora headed for his new office, leaving the whole squad in dismay. Toushiro finally got to his feet and stood up. He then glanced at everyone with apologetic eyes.

Toushiro: "I'm sorry, everyone."

Many began to tear up. The now exiled captain turned to Rangiku next.

Toushiro: "I have a request for you, Rangiku... as your friend."

Rangiku: "Anything."

With sorrow written all over his face, Toushiro looked at the busty woman one more time.

Toushiro: "Watch over my little brother and sister for me. And tell them..."

The youth paused for a moment.

Toushiro: "Tell them I love them."

And with that, Toushiro turned to leave, knowing that if he stayed any longer, he'd be risking his life. All of Squad 10 watched with heartache as the once proud and still loved ex-captain of the Tenth Division walked away into the fog in defeat and disappeared from sight. After a few moments of silence, Vegeta took a deep breath... and for the first time ever in the Soul Society...

A painfully sorrowful howl filled the sky and echoed to all ears.

All those waiting could hear the message within the mournful howl.

Toushiro Hitsugaya has lost...