Author Note: Hello again, our lovely readers! CrazyAce'n'PokerFace are here to proudly present Chapter 5 of Midnight Snow. We're really sorry that we weren't able to get this up sooner, as this was SUPPOSED to be posted last week…but life kind of hit us like a train and squashed us flat. T_T In any case, we're sincerely grateful for your patience. Thank you!
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WARNING: Upcoming mentions of RenRuki and IchiHime. Please feel free to criticize my writing, but not the pairings. Thank you.
Normal = prose, italics = thoughts or inner conversations
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters. They belong solely to Tite Kubo. However, if there was an alternate universe where I do own Bleach, I will promptly give my left arm to switch with my other self. I also do not own any of the chapter titles. Cookies for anyone who guesses which poems they're from. :)
Chapter Five: Fluttering and Dancing in the Breeze
i.
Toushirou dreamed once more of a black castle at the edge of his inner world, of a voice calling out to him. But this time was different. This time was special.
Because this time, a dragon stood in front of him. A dragon made not of ice and water, but of wind and cloud. A dragon that looked at him with dark, compelling eyes. Eyes which asked a question of him.
"Who are you?" the dragon rumbled. "How are you here?" Its voice was feminine, mysterious, and vaguely familiar, as if he'd heard it elsewhere. Ignoring that, he spoke impatiently, demanding answers.
"Who am I?" he asked. "Who are you?And what are you doing here? What have you done with Hyourinmaru? This is my world. Get out!"
"Ah," sighed the dragon, moving its head down to stare directly at him. "You are him. Hyourinmaru's master. I should have known." The dragon lifted its head once again, surveying the landscape around her. "I have indeed trespassed into your realm. This bodes ill for all of us," the dragon said in a worried tone.
"Wait a minute! Would you just tell me who you are, and why you're here?" Hitsugaya asked, beginning to lose his patience. This dragon was even more enigmatic than Hyourinmaru was.
"I cannot tell you my name, little one. That is for my mistress alone to know, and her privilege alone to share with you if she should wish to. As of yet, she is still resisting me. That is the cause of the turbulence you see yonder," the dragon stated. "But I assure you, you have no cause to fear me. I am a…friend…of Hyourinmaru. And as his master, I hold you in the highest regard, little one."
Scowling slightly, Hitsugaya replied, "Please stop calling me 'little one.' I am hardly a child! And what do you mean you're Hyourinmaru's friend? Even if you're a zanpakutou spirit, you shouldn't be here. Who is your mistress, and why is she disturbing my inner world?"
Sighing softly, the dragon said, "I meant no offence, little one. The term was meant in affection, and there is no one who may stand before a dragon and not be considered tiny. As for my mistress…you know who she is, and she knows you, better than anyone else ever could. The storms that rage so violently are not of our choice, but rather are a result of the inner turmoil within. Her power is growing, little one, and she cannot yet control it or me. I have tried to draw on Hyourinmaru's will to control our strength, but this can only hold us for so long. You must help her, little one! Help her before it is too late!"
At that last sentence, the wind blew even more fiercely, and the thunder clashed louder, the storm growing in its intensity. Hitsugaya stepped back as the dragon threw back its head and roared, taking flight and heading back towards the black castle in the distance.
"Wait!" Hitsugaya screamed. "Wait!"
But the wind swallowed his words and kicked up the snow around him until he could see nothing but white. Ignoring this, he walked forward, his hands outstretched towards the castle—
And he woke up.
He was lying on his futon, the sheets tossed to the side, kicked there some point during the night. Sitting up, he sighed softly and murmured to himself, "What is going on?"
Stretching lightly he stood up and glanced at the calendar on his wall, smiling a little as he looked at today's date, circled in red, with the words "Visit to the Real World" scribbled underneath.
He'd see Karin again for the first time in six months, one week, and one day.
He let himself smirk a little in anticipation, imagining her grinning face as she'd wave to him, a soccer ball under her arm. He wondered what she'd say when she told him about the dreams…
A few seconds later, he was startled by the sound of insistent knocking at his door. Standing up and walking to the front of his living quarters, he opened the door to a cheerful Matsumoto, who enthusiastically pushed him aside as she made her way inside the house, chattering all the while.
"Taichou! Did you just wake up? That's really weird, since you're usually up way earlier than I am. Anyway, you'd better hurry up and get moving. We wouldn't want to be late now, would we? Nope, I didn't think so."
Barely pausing to draw breath, she walked into the kitchen, apparently looking for food, and continued their one-sided conversation. "Oh, have you eaten breakfast yet? No? Well, I guess you can grab a bite to eat—right after you get dressed, of course. I picked out your outfit for you already, is it around here somewhere? It's really very simple, nothing extravagant at all, just your usual shirt and jeans. You know, Karin-chan loves it best when you wear black, so I decided to that black jeans would be best, paired with that nice blue shirt that Momo got you on her last trip to the Real World. You'll look fantastic in it, Taichou, it'll really bring out your eyes. Karin won't be able to keep her hands off of you!"
And here Matsumoto stuck her head back into the living room, giving Hitsugaya a suggestive wink before laughing at his incredulous expression. He was still frozen at the open door, and hadn't moved a single inch, ever since the second she'd walked in. He only glared at her response and quite forcefully shut the door, standing with his arms crossed. Humming a little, Matsumoto ignored his ominous expression and started moving into his bedroom, giving an exclamation of surprise at what she found there.
"Taichou! What is this? You're only bringing two bags? Two bags? We're staying for a week, you know. Two bags isn't going to cut it. I knew I should have packed for you…Oh, here's the outfit! What is it doing over there, I wonder? I could've sworn I put it on the door hook, not by the window….anyway, here you are, Taichou!" she stated happily, meeting him in the middle of the hallway and ignoring his commands to get out of his house right this minute.
In fact, his irate expression only served to make her more bubbly and bossy, and she shoved the clothes into his hands and pushed him into the restroom, cheerfully saying, "Be sure to change quickly, Taichou! We can go and meet the others as soon as you're done. Oh, wait, I almost forgot about breakfast! Don't worry about that, Taichou, I'll make us something, just like a good fukutaichou! Hmm, now do you want wasabi with your eggs, or would pickled mango taste better? Orihime just gave me this wonderful recipe the other day…"
Her voice faded away as she walked down the hallway and into the kitchen, where she would no doubt be concocting some poisonous dishes. Sighing, he could only shake his head in exasperation before pausing suddenly, his brows furrowing in confusion as he eyed the clothes she'd given him. He was reasonably certain he'd never seen them before in his entire life. Oh, well. As long as they fit, it didn't really matter.
A half hour later, and they were making their way over to the Senkaimon gate, Hell Butterflies fluttering their wings gently behind them. Hitsugaya was slightly green from the breakfast Matsumoto had forced on him (she'd decided to go with the mango-pickled eggs) and struggling to carry all twelve suitcases, bags, and purses of varying sizes that made up Matsumoto's luggage. His fukutaichou, of course, had decided to repay him for his completely willing and gallant gesture—cough, cough, not—by carrying his two bags. Hitsugaya groaned slightly as peals of laughter met their coming, and he could see the entire Women's Association heartily guffawing as they watched him make his way down the hill to the gate, the handle of a pink purse clamped between his teeth.
Dropping Matsumoto's things unceremoniously on the ground upon his arrival, he gave curt nods of greeting to the various shinigami assembled to see the Women's Association off. He gave Matsumoto a glare and didn't bother replying as she pouted and complained about how he'd gotten dust all over her things, then made his way to the front of the group. Taking the attendance list from Ise Nanao, he started calling out everyone's name, checking the box next to their name as they answered and waving them through the gate.
"Hinamori Momo," he began.
"Here, Shiro-chan!" she said, ignoring his death glare in her direction. She leaned up to kiss Izuru on the cheek, squeezing his hand gently before she made her way into the gate. Hitsugaya noted the look on Izuru's face, and mentally prepared himself for the day when the man would ask for his adopted sister's hand in marriage. It wouldn't be long in coming now. Sighing a little, he scanned the paper and continued, "Ise Nanao."
"Present," she answered, before turning to finish her conversation with her taichou. Hitsugaya could hear her saying, "I'm telling you, it would be better if you asked Lisa-chan in person. If you went through the trouble of buying her a house by a lake to live in after you two get married, you might as well propose properly." Turning her back on his excuses, she marched resolutely through the gate, ignoring her taichou's wailing lament.
Hitsugaya rolled his eyes and shared amused glances with Ukitake-taichou, then said the next two names on the list, "Kotetsu Isane and Kotetsu Kiyone."
"Here!" the sisters replied, Isane in a hesitant tone and Kiyone in a boastful one as she made faces at Sentaro before walking through the gate, happily pulling her older sister along.
"Kurotsuchi Nemu," Hitsugaya then stated, nodding in return as the Twelfth Division fukutaichou bowed to him, then moved quietly into the Senkaimon.
"Kusajishi Yachiru," Hitsugaya continued.
"Here, Snowflake!" the energetic, pint-sized fukutaichou replied. Sighing, he checked the box next to her name, and stepped out of the way as she catapulted herself from Kenpachi-taichou's shoulders. "Don't cry, Ikky and Yumi! I'll see you soon, Kenny, and I promise I'll take care of Braidy-sama. Bye now!" the pink-haired girl said as she entered the gate.
"Matsumoto Rangiku," Hitsugaya said, then averted his eyes as she shared a passionate goodbye kiss with Hisagi Shuuhei. Honestly, he was happy she'd gotten over Ichimaru's betrayal and death, but the enthusiastic displays of affection between her and Shuuhei were just ridiculous. Winking at him as she walked past, Matsumoto turned and blew one last kiss towards her lover before disappearing through the gate.
Ignoring the hoots and catcalls, Hitsugaya continued, "Soi Fon-taichou," moving out of the way as his fellow captain flash-stepped past him.
"Unohana-taichou," he then said, pausing respectfully as the gentle but fearsome Fourth Division leader kissed the decidedly ungentle but equally fearsome Kenpachi Zaraki goodbye.
"Take care of yourself while I'm gone. I don't want to hear about you sustaining major injuries while I and my fukutaichou are in the Real World," she said quietly.
"Tch," he scoffed. "Quit your worrying, woman. I can watch out for myself just fine. I don't need you to baby me." So saying, the huge warrior crossed his arms and jutted out his chin, the very picture of uncaring, macho ruggedness. Unohana simply stared at him for a few more seconds before walking to the Senkaimon. She stopped just before stepping through, turning to look back at the man who'd called her name.
"Have—havefunwhileyou'regone," the normally bloodthirsty taichou said in a flustered, embarrassed tone.
Smiling, Unohana merely replied, "I'll try, but it'll be hard when you're not there with me," then walked through the gate, leaving a grinning Kenpachi behind her.
"Y'hear that?" he said to no one in particular. "That was code for 'I'll miss you.'"
"Brilliant deduction, Taichou," Yumichika replied sarcastically, chuckling lightly at his boss's obvious love-sickness.
Shaking his head, Hitsugaya then called the final name on the list.
"Kuchiki Rukia," he said.
"I'm coming," the newly promoted fukutaichou of Thirteenth Division said. She was standing toe to toe with her fiancé, gazing longingly into his eyes.
"You'd better get going," Renji said, but the iron grip he had on her arms contradicted his words.
"I don't want to," Rukia replied.
Sighing, Renji pulled her into his arms and murmured into her hair, "Come on, this whole trip was just for you. You have to go. Besides," and here he grinned, "just think that the next time we'll see each other, it'll be at our wedding."
Smiling back, Rukia leaned up to give him one last kiss, before stepping back and bowing towards her brother. The elder Kuchiki gave her a nod in return, and said only, "I'll make sure the preparations are perfect for your return."
Smiling gratefully, Rukia said, "Of course, Nii-sama." The she turned her gaze back to Renji, walking backwards into the Senkaimon, never taking her eyes off his.
As she stepped through the gate into the Real World, Renji gave a sigh and said to Hitsugaya, "Watch after her for me, would you? She'll never tell me if she's feeling stressed or worried, but I'm sure the others will make sure to cheer her up. It's just…"
"It's alright, Abarai. I understand," Hitsugaya replied, before handing the attendance list to Sasakibe-fukutaichou of the First Division, and stepping into the gate himself.
ii.
He appeared in the very crowded front room of Urahara Shoten, surrounded by squealing, excited women.
"Rukia-chan! Rukia-chan, you're here, you're here, you're here!" yelled Orihime, hugging her dear friend enthusiastically. "Oh, I've missed you sooo much, you wouldn't believe it! I'm so, so happy you're here! I can help you with any wedding plans and scare off any aliens who'd try to kidnap you and generally be the best super-awesome maid of honor! Oh, oh, and I can't wait to show you the—oh! Wait, you can't know about the secret project until the wedding! It's a surprise. Forget I said anything!"
"Jeez, Orihime, let Kuchiki breathe, would you?" said Tatsuki in a mock-exasperated tone. "And I don't think you ruined the surprise or anything—I barely understood a word you said, and if I couldn't translate it, no one can."
"Hey, Tatsuki-san," Rukia replied, almost all the sadness gone from her face. Instead, only happiness remained at seeing her friends again. "And I'm sure it's an awesome surprise, Hime, whatever it is you've prepared."
"Ehehe," laughed Orihime. "I sure hope you think so when you see it. It's really a gift from everyone, since almost everybody pitched in to help me put it together. Oh!" she gasped suddenly as Matsumoto hugged her from behind.
"Orihime-chaaaaan!" Matsumoto squealed. "How have you been?"
"R-r-rangiku-san!" said Orihime in an equally high pitched voice, "Y-y-you're here, too! Ehehe, please stop, that tickles!" A few seconds later, Hitsugaya had to cover his ears as the two of them started shrieking and asking each other questions, and the rest of the room generally erupted in chaos as everyone started greeting everyone else at the top of their lungs.
He made his way into the corner of the room, and found Urahara standing there, gazing in amusement at the hectic scene before them.
"Well, well, Hitsugaya-kun. How are you doing on this fine day?" Urahara asked.
"Alright, thank you," replied Hitsugaya, somewhat absentmindedly. He was absorbed in scanning the room for a familiar head of short, raven hair.
"She's not here, you know," stated Urahara, leisurely fanning himself.
"Hn? Who's not here?" said Hitsugaya, abruptly stopping his search and feigning nonchalance.
"Who else but Karin-chan? School hasn't let out yet, so they're probably still in class," the clever scientist replied.
"Oh, I see," said Hitsugaya, disappointed in spite of himself.
Chuckling lightly, Urahara said, "Don't be so glum, Hitsugaya-kun. School lets out within the hour. In the meantime, don't you want all the living arrangements taken care of and the unpacking done?"
"Good idea," Hitsugaya said. "Now, do you have a microphone I could perhaps borrow?"
A few minutes later, his amplified voice rang out over the din. "May I have your attention please? Please, all members of the Women's Association, please quiet down and listen. Thank you," he said. "Now, does everyone know where they're going?"
"Don't worry, Shiro-chan, we've booked rooms in the local inn," said Momo. "Though I know some people made arrangements on their own…"
"That's right!" Yoruichi said, slinging an arm around Soi Fon. "My little bumblebee's staying right here."
The diminutive Taichou of the Second Division and Commander of the Secret Remote Squad only nodded in agreement, busy looking up adoringly at her idol. "I stay where Yoruichi-sama is," she said, glaring at everyone as if she expected them to disagree.
"Well, I suppose we have room for one freeloader," Urahara sighed.
As he nimbly dodged several of Soi Fon's rapid attacks, Hitsugaya asked, "Is anyone else staying somewhere besides the inn?"
"I'm rooming with Lisa-chan and the other Vaizards," said Nanao, pushing up her glasses.
"I will be staying with Uryuu-kun," stated Nemu quietly.
"Whaaat?" yelled Matsumoto. "He's actually sleeping with you before you're married? I didn't know he had it in him."
"N-n-no, you misunderstand," Nemu stuttered, a blush on her face. "I-I'm just staying at his house. We have separate rooms and—and—and nothing's going on!" she finished, punctuating her last sentence with a bow.
"Oh," said Matsumoto, obviously disappointed at the lack of sordid details. "And here I thought things were actually getting interesting. Well, tell him hi for us, would you? And remind him that I'll be dropping by later and commissioning some clothes. That dress he made for you was stunning!"
As Nemu blushed even harder and hid her face behind her hands, Hitsugaya sighed and said, "Okay, if that's everyone, why don't we start heading to the inn?"
For the next ten minutes, he proceeded to bully and prod the dozen or so women to get moving, grab their gigais, and make their way outside. Forty-five minutes later, he then somehow managed to get everyone inside the small bus that Urahara provided, pack the mountain of luggage into the back (at least a third of it had to be Matsumoto's), and start driving down the street. Urahara, Yoruichi, Soi Fon, and Tessai waved them cheerfully goodbye.
They gave Tatsuki a ride to her place, dropped Nemu off at Uryuu's home, left Nanao at the Vaizards' warehouse, stopped by the supermarket to buy Yachiru some ice cream (Unohana insisted with that eerie smile of hers), and got lost for half an hour before they finally made it to the inn.
An exhausted Hitsugaya leaned against the counter at the front of the inn, trying to ignore the pounding of his head and the gaggle of talking, laughing women behind him. A wide-eyed receptionist stared at their group, glancing back and forth between the attractive young man and the apparent harem accompanying him.
"How may I help you, sir?" she said.
"Reservation for six rooms under Hitsugaya," he replied. Oh, once he was in his room, he was locking the door and never coming out. He never should have agreed to going on this trip. Never.
"Ummm…there is a reservation under this name, sir, but you're only registered for two rooms," the girl replied.
"What?" he said. "Two rooms? Two rooms? Are you kidding me? Does it look like this entire group can fit in just two rooms?"
"N-no, sir," the receptionist stuttered. "B-but that's what the reservation says. And we're currently booked to capacity, thanks to the upcoming festival."
Groaning, Hitsugaya hit his head against the counter before turning around and making a beeline straight for his fukutaichou.
"Matsumoto! What is the meaning of this?" he yelled. "You only booked two rooms!"
Blinking, Matsumoto said, "Why, of course, Taichou. There were only two available, and besides, you're the one who's always saying we need to cut down on our budget. Everyone will share a room."
"Precisely how are we going to fit eight people into two rooms, Matsumoto?" growled Hitsugaya.
"Eight people? Who said anything about eight people, Taichou? It's just five. Kiyone and Isane will share one room, and the other will go to Yachiru, Unohana-taichou, and Hinamori," replied Matsumoto.
"And where exactly are we supposed to sleep, Matsumoto? For that matter, where is Kuchiki going to sleep? Isn't the entire point of this trip to help her relax? I don't know about you, but sleeping on the streets doesn't strike me as particularly relaxing!" he yelled, anger finally taking over.
"Oh, Shiro-kun, you're all going to stay with Inoue-san," interjected Momo.
"What?" said Hitsugaya, at the same time that Orihime said, "Eh? They are?"
"Of course we are!" said Matsumoto, "Where else are we supposed to go? It's the maid of honor's job to take care of the bride, so Rukia has to stay with Orihime-chan. And you and I are practically family, so we might as well stay there, too," she concluded, looking up expectantly.
"W-well, it's fine with me," said Orihime. "But it might be a bit crowded with five people…"
"Five people? There're only four of us. Who's the fifth person?" asked Matsumoto, bewildered.
iii.
"Hell, no," said Ichigo, crossing his arms and glaring at the three shinigami currently huddled on Inoue's couch.
"But, Ichigoooooo," pleaded Matsumoto.
"I said no! And don't you even start that strip-tease, I have a girlfriend now!" Ichigo yelled.
Sitting up suddenly, Matsumoto poked a finger into his chest. "Exactly! She's still only your girlfriend! There's no ring on her finger! Who knows what your intentions are? You shouldn't be staying alone with her! That's completely shameless! I can just imagine what sort of shenanigans you'll be trying, you rascal!"
"Don't give me that crap, Matsumoto! Who's the one who's been forcing Orihime on me practically since we graduated from high school? You're the last person I'd trust to protect her innocence!" he shouted back.
"Who cares? You're her significant other! We're practically her long-lost relatives. Blood trumps boyfriend. So clear out!" Matsumoto yelled in defiance, sticking her tongue out for good measure.
"No way! That makes no sense at all! I'm not spending my spring break away from Orihime, and that's final! You leeches can just sleep on the street for all I care!" Ichigo yelled back, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
"Oh, so I'm a leech, am I, Ichigo?" Rukia stated ominously. "I never knew you thought so little of me, YOU BASTARD!" she finished, landing a kick to his face.
"Oof!" he said, flying across the room before landing against the wall. Grumbling as he sat up, he was met with Matsumoto's final weapon.
"Please, Ichi-kun? Can't they stay? They really are like my family, and it's my job to take care of Rukia-chan! I'm her maid of honor! So please, won't you let them stay?" pleaded Orihime, giving him her biggest, widest puppy dog eyes.
Ichigo could never resist her when she looked at him like that.
"Oh, fine," Ichigo finally relented, quickly continuing as Matsumoto and Orihime started to do a victory dance. "But just Rukia. You two," he said, glaring pointedly at Matsumoto and Hitsugaya, "can get the hell out."
"No way!" cried Matsumoto. "Why do we have to leave? You have your own nice house, with food and clothes and a family and everything! Why don't you just go there?"
"Why the hell would I stay with my idiot of a father when I can stay with my girlfriend?" Ichigo retorted. "And if you like my house so much, why don't you guys stay there?"
"Really?" said Matsumoto, suddenly perking up. "Alright! Thank you, Ichigo! Taichou, get the luggage! We're heading over to the Kurosaki Clinic! I can share with Yuzu, and you can sleep with Karin!"
"Hell, no!" yelled Ichigo. "There is no way I'm letting that white-haired midget anywhere near my baby sister!"
"Who're you calling a midget, Kurosaki? I'm practically the same height as you!" yelled Hitsugaya, finally giving into the anger that had been building all day. And who the hell did Ichigo think he was, telling him to stay away from his best friend? As if he'd even do anything to hurt Karin! Angry from the implied insult, he shouted, "And I'll be as close to Karin as I want!"
"Oooh, Taichou! You're finally admitting it!" Matsumoto said, clapping her hands joyfully.
"Admitting what?" asked Yuzu, stepping into the room, a key in her hand, her head tilted to the side before her eyes widened in sudden realization—
The occupants of the room froze before gazing in shock at the now-open front door. Then—
"Yuzu-chan!" squealed Matsumoto.
"Rangiku-san!" yelled Yuzu, and the next few minutes were a miniature repeat of the scene at Urahara Shoten—with one very major change.
"Hey, Toush," said the one and only Kurosaki Karin, her face grinning just the way he'd imagined it. "Miss me much?"
Endnote: And that's chapter five. Sorry for the shorter length than usual, I was trying to get it out as fast as I could. Hope you liked it! :D
The last chapter title was taken from "Winter," a sonnet by William Shakespeare.
Please review! :D