Well, testing is done with, so I thought I'd celebrate with a new chapter. It's certainly been long enough, hasn't it?

Chapter Eight

Once in a Blue Moon

"I'm only explaining this one more time, so I recommend you listen. Shuu, Soifon, and Izuru and handling the people in town for supplies, and Kenpachi and his men will be needed for the heavy lifting. The damage is going to call for a lot of lumber. Byakuya says you hate his guts. Unohana and her men are helping everyone injured in the storm. Kisuke and Yoruichi have their own plans. And there is no way I'm taking Hanatarou with us, so…"

"So we're stuck with the idiot."

"Hey. I'm the only one allowed to call my men idiots."

"Ran, that is not helping."

Rangiku Matsumoto, Toushirou Hitsugaya, and a very frustrated Renji Abarai slowly trudged through the seaside wilderness. There was a port town only a kilometer or two to the west, but that was not where they were going. Isshin wasn't exactly in a position to be wandering around the town. They supported him, knew he was there, and would never report him, but if he was seen among them, it would cause obvious problems. No man Matsumoto could trust so completely would be on good terms with Hueco Mundo law enforcement.

"I'm the one who's been insulted," Hitsugaya huffed in return. "If this is all you think it will take to keep me in custody, then you are both clearly out of your minds. Not that that would be difficult to believe."

"What I think is that you won't even try to escape," the busty blonde retorted confidently.

Hitsugaya paused just long enough for Renji to catch it before he asked, "And what makes you think that?"

"Because we have Hanatarou, of course," she countered without missing a beat. It was clear across her slightly surprised expression that she had thought the answer was obvious.

"Hmph," Hitsugaya scowled. Renji snorted his own opinion as well. No one had missed the fact that she was suddenly referring to the Prince on a first name basis, just like he'd given up on calling Ran "captain." "I'm not staying for him, and he knows that better than anyone," was the young man's unexpected reply. Hadn't that white haired brat been the one telling Kuchiki that it was his duty to protect the Prince? "The only reason I haven't already escaped is that I'm interested in this Kurosaki man you want to introduce me to. That is all."

Renji still couldn't comprehend why Ran would want to take Hitsugaya to Isshin of all people, but if she was so set on it, the least he could do was be there in case something went wrong. He had never agreed with this plan of hers. They hadn't had prisoners on this ship for a very long time, and everyone they had captured in the past had joined the crew in the end. But these people were different. The Sixth Prince of Hueco Mundo and his arrogant, little tag-a-long? They couldn't treat these two like everyone else. And yet that was exactly what she was doing. Hopefully this trip would remind her that they had a goal, and Hitsugaya and Yamada were nothing more than the means to that end.

"Ah! I see him!" Matsumoto gleefully announced. In the distance, a decent shack was just visible within the maze of tree trunks. Out front was a middle aged man stooped over a small vegetable garden. Renji smirked. The guy never changed. "Oy! Isshin! Guess who!"

The man immediately looked up, his eyes widening to the size of dinner plates at the incoming sight before him. A giant, goofy smile encompassed his entire face as he dropped everything and ran right up to … Hitsugaya.

"I can't believe my eyes! You finally did it, you stubborn, little ass!" he proclaimed loudly as he attempted to trap the young hostage in a headlock.

"Did what, you senile, old bastard!?" Hitsugaya hastily countered, doing everything in his power to keep the man from ruffling his hair.

"Senile and old in the same insult? You're losing your touch, Hitsugaya!"

"You … know each other?" Renji whirled around to see that Rangiku was just as confused as he was.

Isshin laughed. "What? He didn't tell you? This kid here-"

"His son is my direct subordinate in the military, assigned to the protection of Prince Hanatarou Yamada."

Isshin quickly sobered, releasing Hitsugaya with an awkward expression before turning to Rangiku and Renji. "Well then, you must be here for a reason. C'mon in. Drinks all around. If you'd prefer, Hitsugaya can stay in the back room while we talk." Hitsugaya huffed but didn't protest so they entered the empty shack. As soon as the royal servant was out of earshot, he poured the drinks and got straight to the point. "What is he doing with your crew?"

"You must have heard about Gin by now. We're going to hold a trade. And that is where you come in."

"A trade, Prince Yamada for Gin?" he iterated as if he couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth.

"Well, and Hitsugaya, I suppose. They do seem to be a package deal, don't they?"

Isshin offered her a morbid grin, and Renji couldn't figure out what it meant. "Ran, I live here. I'd like to think my network keeps me well informed on these matters, especially when it comes to the capital. As such, I have to tell right now. This isn't going to work. Leave Hitsugaya and Yamada with me, and leave Hueco Mundo before-"

A loud thud vibrated throughout the room as Rangiku slammed her hands down on the table. It seemed this was Isshin's day for being interrupted. However, she refused to look up at him, glaring at the small cup of tea that was now on its side. "I am here to fix the ship. The basic wood and tools can be bought in town, but anything expensive, I want directly from you. I can pay you with the money on board."

"Rangiku…"

She moved her hands from the table, leaving several gold and silver pieces in their stead. "I would also like to ask some favors."

It was clear Isshin didn't like how she was reacting to his advice. This was the most serious expression Renji had ever seen on the man. "I don't accept pay for favors."

"Then I'll ask for one favor, and one more business transaction. First, please relay this information to King Aizen's court: If he wishes to see his son again, he will be waiting with Gin Ichimaru at Port Resurrección in three days time."

"Rangiku," Isshin persisted sternly. "It won't work."

She continued to ignore him, raising her voice. "And second, I would like to buy a rumor."

Isshin slumped back with a sigh and turned toward Renji. Even Rangiku turned on him. The redhead snorted his contempt. He knew when he wasn't wanted, and now he'd have to go and wait in the other room with that little, white haired jerk. Slowly he opened the door to the back room, a bedroom by the looks of it. Hitsugaya was standing by an old dresser, his back to the door. He was looking at something that Renji couldn't quite make out, but as soon as the pirate closed the door behind him, the servant slammed it down on the dresser and whirled around.

"What was that?"

Hitsugaya, it seemed, was just as talented at ignoring people as Matsumoto was. "He's a good man, but he's too nice. He's going to give her everything she asks for even though he knows as well as I do that this trade is nothing but a little girl's fantasy."

"And what? You're the noble one in this situation?" Renji barked sarcastically. "You wouldn't know morality if it bit you in the ass."

"At least I haven't resorted to kidnapping to make up for stupid people's stupid mistakes."

Before Renji could strangle him, however, a second loud, obnoxious slam could be heard from the other side of the door, and Renji abandoned his homicidal impulses in order to run after a raging Rangiku who had just stormed out the front door.

"I take it you tried to dissuade her."

With a small chuckle, Isshin stepped into the back room. "I knew it would do no good. She has the same brand of stubbornness as you." Hitsugaya scowled. "So … She doesn't know about any of it then. None of the crew does."

"She would have never bothered with us if she had. She has no idea what she's dragging all of these idiots down into."

"And neither do you," Isshin sighed wearily. "While you were off gallivanting on the high seas, he found something big. I can't tell you what, but it was enough to make him impatient. I can't predict how he'll react to this. I'm sorry I couldn't prevent it."

Hitsugaya had gone cold. This was why he'd come; this was why he hadn't run away. He had been suspecting this for months. And yet… When he heard it coming right out of Isshin Kurosaki's mouth, it just sounded that much more foreboding. "Thank you for warning me," he replied, his voice a frigid monotone.

Isshin grinned encouragingly, patting him on the shoulder. "You can tell Rangiku that her supplies will be on the coast soon enough, and both of her messages will be taken care of by my top minion," he winked. "The rest is up to you. That girl has landed herself in some rough waters, but she won't stop just because of that."

"Why should I care about what happens to a couple of pirates?! Kurosaki, you…!" He seemed about ready to explode, grinding his teeth together and balling his hands into fists. Without another word, he turned around and began to march toward the door, yet unexpectedly, he let himself relax once more, stopping in the doorway but not turning back to look at the man he was speaking to. "How are … Karin and Yuzu?"

The middle-aged father smiled sadly though he knew Hitsugaya couldn't see. "You read Ichigo's letter then?" When he didn't get a reply, he took it as a yes. "They're both doing amazing well considering the situation. Yuzu began a shelter for refugees and injured soldiers, and even though Karin wanted to join Ichigo, she decided to help her sister protect it instead. They'll have to go into hiding themselves when they come of age, but when that happens, I'll go with them."

"Good. The refugees … could use a doctor like you."

"Hitsugaya, I gave up that title when I first saw my son carry you through that door. Before I can cure people, I'll have to help cure the country. And to do that, I'll have to support brats like you and Ichigo."

"If what you're saying is true, I may not be around to be supported much longer."

"And it's because you say things like that that you're still a brat," Isshin finally succeeded in ruffling his hair as he pushed him out. "Now, go on before Rangiku forgets that she took you along."

Hitsugaya didn't know why, but at those words, all thoughts of escape left his mind.

Thus it was a less-than-pleased Toushirou Hitsugaya who encroached upon Matsumoto and Abarai, both already trumping through the foliage. "And where are we going now?" he huffed.

"A decent tavern. Where else?" Matusmoto countered, equally haughty.

"You're going to take this kid drinking with us?"

"If you don't like it, you don't have to drink, but I'll be drinking whether you're sober or not."

"If you think I'm going to stay sober long enough to see you drunk, you're sorely mistaken," the frustrated hostage replied. But before anyone could say anything more, Matsumoto suddenly halted, her hand traveling cautiously toward the scimitar at her waste. Hitsugaya and Abarai stopped on either side of her.

Before them were five Loyals, none older than eighteen, with their swords drawn and pointing toward Matsumoto. "Pirate and current captain of the Narcissus, Rangiku Matsumoto. King Aizen has ordered your arrest along with the entirety of your crew," one of them smirked broadly. "He'd like you to be present for your former captain's execution."

Hitsugaya could have cursed. Matsumoto had obviously chosen to dock here because of Isshin and the town's general lack of patriotism, but Aizen must have been thinking along the same lines. This should have been a good thing, allowing him to not only remove himself from the pirates' custody but take them into his. But…

"Execution? I'm glad we met then. You're very uninformed," Matsumoto replied with obvious contempt. "There will be no execution. Isshin's message will make that clear."

"Isshin … Kurosaki, did you say?"

No. That couldn't be allowed.

A white blur immediately reentered their field of vision directly in front of the man who had spoken. Two arms crossed in front of the Loyal's sword; the right hand chopped the his palm, while the left grabbed the top of the hilt and twisted it down. The two actions combined forced the sword out of his hands, and not a second later, the blade had plunged through his heart.

Hitsugaya now had a weapon, but he'd lost the element of surprise. The remaining four Loyals reacted as they had been trained. Without questioning, they ran at him, all aiming to kill. He yanked the blade from the first man's chest just in time to block two strikes and jump back from a third. Whirling around, he caught the only one who hadn't attacked, slamming the hilt up into his neck.

Before the second body could even fall, he was already swinging for the closest Loyal's shoulders when he suddenly froze. The Loyal was shivering, wide-eyed as he stared at his opponent in disbelief. "Wh-Wha…?" Hitsugaya couldn't move. "Wh-Why? P-Pr…"

Two resounding shots pierced through the silence, and Hitsugaya instinctively finished his swing, the shaking Loyal locked forever in his expression of fear as his neck was severed from his shoulders.

"What the hell was that? You can't rush in to a swarm of Loyals and then freeze up!" Abarai cried in frustration, about ready to point his pistol at Hitsugaya as well. Those soldiers had nearly killed one of their own men. Their hostage had been one step away from a sword in his back.

Hitsugaya dropped the stolen blade into the dirt beside the bleeding bodies. "I knew him," he replied dully before turning around and continuing down the path. "Now we're even."

Matsumoto couldn't believe her eyes. Hitsugaya had just attacked a group of Loyals who were after her. It didn't make sense. Even if he had done it for another reason entirely, the facts didn't change. They were even. The smallest of smiles crept along her lips. "Maybe he's not such a bastard after all."

Renji wasn't quite so sure. He looked down at the mound of corpses, grinding his teeth together painfully. This brat had called Kuchiki a hypocrite? "Or maybe he's a bigger bastard then we thought."

"Come on, Renji," she replied wearily, not willing to lose sight of their hostage again. "Let's get drunk."

Chapter Eight End