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DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH. HOWEVER, I DO OWN MIYUKI HIGURASHI, NICOLE FLAMEL AND THE IDEA OF INTERNATIONAL SOUL SOCIETIES.
-xXx-
The Dawn of Tragedies
When Tragedy strikes, it's hard to understand the impact it can have on everyone.
-xXx-
I was sitting in a traditional, Japanese living room along with Hinamori and her grandmother. It was a very pleasant room- but I also noticed that it was quite empty. There was a drawer there...and a pot there...nothing much. My eyes zoomed to a corner of the chamber. I could see a thin layer of dust, and the same with the drawer. But for an old lady taking care of a big house like this all by herself, it was very clean. I gazed at Hinamori and Oba-san chatting along happily, but the fukutaichou always avoided the worrying subjects. Like the Ryoka, the war order... I still find it strange that we can even be here at a time like this, but I'm not a ranked officer, so it's best for me not to assume.
''Higurashi-chan? Is something wrong?'' I blinked when I realized that Hinamori was calling me. I gave them an apologetic smile.
''Ah, gomen! I was just admiring your house.'' I let my eyes wonder around the room again. A smile crossed my lips, because this was the house Toshiro grew up in...
...Aw, crap, now I sound like an obsessed fangirl.
''Domo,'' Oba-san said as she looked around aswell. ''This place holds many memories.'' I raised my eyebrows when I looked at the elder and took another bite out of Hinamori's (delicious) peach dumplings.
''Memories?'' I asked after I swallowed. She smiled slightly before opening her mouth to speak.
''This is where I raised my two grandchildren,'' she said, ''It's as if it was only yesterday when he told me that he was enrolling in the academy... How the decades fly by.'' I could hear the sad tone in her voice and wondered if I mentioned something I shouldn't.
''Neeeee, Oba-chan! I've got great news!'' Hinamori announced with glee. Oh no, I know that look, that's the look she always gives when she's about to...
''Shiro-chan is in love with Higurashi-chan!''
...dammit.
My face was flaming bright red. ''Chigau! There's nothing between us, Hinamori-chan, you know that!!!'' She smiled. Not good.
''I wonder...'' she said. But to my horror I saw Oba-san with the same grin. Ah, that explains it, so she was the one who taught Hinamori to be so evil.
''Oh my! Love! My little boy has finally grown up! Soon I'll be a happy great-grandmother!'' By now I didn't know if my face could get any redder, I wouldn't be surprised if it was glowing.
''Are you even listening to me!?'' I asked, praying for an earthquake. I'm getting taunted by a grandmother, a grandmother! From now on, I promised myself, I would write down denials everyday and learn them by heart.
''Mo-chan!''
I turned my head to face the entrance and saw a girl with short, dark hair standing there with a big smile. Who's this?
''A-chan!''
I jumped to the side when Hinamori's voice boomed through my ears. When she stood up and rush to the stranger, realization dawned on me. She must be a childhood friend. After their giggles and chatting they turned to us and Hinamori pointed at me.
''This is a friend of mine, Higurashi-chan!'' I waved slightly with a weary smile.
''Domo,'' I said and the girl smiled at me.
''Ayumi desu!''
I was flabbergasted at the speed their talking to each other, and could barely understand them- to the point where I didn't know that they wanted to go out until they actually walked out the door.
There sure are amazing people in the world, aren't there?
I turned to Oba-san with a smile on my face. Though I admit that it felt a bit awkward to be here without the fukutaichou. ''Hinamori-chan never failed to charm people, ne?'' I asked, she nodded.
''She's always been liked by everyone. She's a good child,'' she said, ''And even though Toshiro is one, too, he always had trouble making friends.'' She turned to face me with curious eyes. ''Momo always tells me that he's fine, but that boy has always been good at lying to her. And she has another goal to look out for...so I just want to know from you...Is my Toshiro alright?'' I blinked at her, trying to find the best way of phrasing the answer.
''Toshiro's fine! He's a respected Taichou in the Gotei Jyuusan, has good subordinates and comrades,'' I said, smiling.
''Souka...Yokatta...'' she said with relief. ''Is...is he fitting in?''
''...He...He doesn't have a lot of friends.'' She twitched at that. ''But enough for that guy to be happy.'' I closed my eyes to support my smile for her. ''He's doing very well, Oba-san.'' But when I heard sniffles from the woman, my smile turned to a frown and I started to panic.
''Oba-san? Daijobou desu?'' I asked, leaning towards her. But I noticed that she wasn't crying tears of sadness when a smile crossed her lips.
''Yokatta...hounto ni yokatta...''
For her to have been so worried...
...Toshiro must've had it very tough.
-----------------------
''Higurashi-chan, you're spacing out again!''
I shook my head and looked up at Hinamori, giving her the hundredth apology of the day. My mind's been coming and going during our return to the gotei grounds. For some reason that old woman's sobs kept echoing in my head.
''Gomen, gomen! I was just thinking!''
''About what? Did Oba-chan say something that interesting?'' she asked when she arched a thick eyebrow at me. I laughed nervously and waved her off.
''No, no! It's just silly me being stupid me.''
We said our goodbyes and I was about to walk towards the 10th Division, but Hinamori gave me a light hug before I turned around. Needless to say I was caught off guard.
''Thank you for coming, Higurashi-chan...I don't know what you said to Oba-chan, but she's a lot happier now. Really...thank you so much.''
I gave her a light pat on her back. ''Baka, you don't need to thank me...I didn't do anything.''
After that, I was walking down the hall to the 10th Division's office, where Toshiro always was. I saw him standing by the door, his arms crossed in his sleeves and leaning on the door frame. He looked up when he saw me approaching and stood properly, letting his arms fall to his side.
''You're late.'' Was all he said. I groaned, here we go again...
''It's nearly ten past six! I told you that you have to back by six at the latest!'' he ranted, not stopping even after I just walked past him and into the office. Instead, he followed me so that I could hear everything even louder. I groaned again. ''When I say you're supposed to be back at a certain time, then you must be back by then! It could get dark outside, and you could get lost and-'' I cut him off when I ran a hand through my hair.
''I'm sorry, okay? We lost track of time.'' He didn't like that answer and just glared.
''What if something happened to you!? How would I know!?''
''...You're deducing this from being ten minutes late?''
''A tenth of a second can make a difference between life and death!''
''It's not like I'm going for a battle!'' Irritation was rising in my voice.
''Miyuki! There's a WAR MARTIAL!!! The ryoka are THAT dangerous! Even if Hinamori's a fukutaichou- she might not be able to protect you!'' I raised my eyebrows at that and smirked.
''Ah, Souka. I didn't know that you care about me that much, Toshiro,'' I said. His face was red, though I didn't know if it was from embarrassment or from anger. I dismissed it as a blush and walked around him, my mind became clouded with what Oba-san said again; I was ignoring everything else.
''It's always like this with you! When I talk about something important, you deflect it with your teasing!'' Though I could hear his voice, I wasn't really paying attention to it. I knew that he was talking, but I didn't know what he said. I was just...completely blocking him out. That's always been something I was good at...because when you're in a cell with thin walls, you hear so many screams of agony you have to block them all out.
''Oh...'' I leaned my hips against the back of the couch and crossed my arms to think. A neutral answer will do...but because I was distracted, I didn't see the furious expression on his face. Even my back was towards him.
''TAKE ME SERIOUSLY, DAMMIT!!! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!''
''Yokatta...Hounto ni yokatta...'' Only Oba-chan's words were audible for me. I didn't even see or hear Matsumoto opening the door, right before Toshiro's outburst. That I definitely heard well.
''YOU KNOW WHAT?! IF YOU DON'T NEED ME ANYMORE, THEN SAY IT! SEE IF I CARE!'' Right after that yell there was a loud slam from the slide door. I flinched and snapped my head to look at the closed office entrance with wide eyes. And Toshiro...was no where to be seen.
''Miyuki-chan!'' I looked up at the inhumanly breasted woman who seemed confused. ''What did you say to him?! He looked so upset...'' I was cursing myself when I heard that. I didn't even look at him. My arms fell limb on on my side as I turned my head to face another direction.
''I think I...went too far this time, but I really don't know why he's that angry...'' I said and heard her sigh. This made me confused and caused me to look up at her.
''I understand now...so that was it...'' she said in a distant voice, this only made my confusion even worse.
''So that was what?'' I asked and she shook her head. The shinigami turned me around and shoved me to the door.
''Nothing. Just go after Taichou and say that it's not true.''
''Huh?''
''You need Taichou, right?'' I blushed at her question. And as soon as I opened my mouth to retort, she covered her hand over it, effectively silencing me. ''Miyuki-chan, I'm not teasing you and I'm not mocking you. I know that you love Taichou. Don't hurt him by letting him believe something that isn't true.'' I was astonished by her words and her expression. I have never, ever seen her so serious. But what shocked me more than anything else was the content of her sentence.
Rangiku removed her hand from my face and continued to push me towards the door. ''Now you go after Taichou! Right now!'' She had such authority in her voice that it was getting scary.
''H-Hai!'' Was my meek answer.
---------
I knew that he'd be there.
Even mad, Toshiro can be so predictable sometimes. He was sitting under the tree in the 10th Division garden, exactly on the same spot when the time we looked at the half moon together that night. I walked over to him and he obviously knew I was there long ago. He always does.
''Hey...'' I said softly, but he looked away when I got closer.
''Go away.'' His response didn't surprise me and I sat down next to him.
''I don't want to,'' I said and pulled my legs close to me.
''I said go away!'' Frustration was obvious in his voice, still I wasn't intimidated. But I was...I was sad. I knew that I really upset him this time.
''Toshiro, I'm...I'm sorry.'' My heart pounded faster when he turned his head to face me, even if it did had that frown. ''I was horrible for treating you like that when you were only worried...'' His eyes bored into mine for a few moments before he opened his mouth to speak.
''Is that all?'' he asked, making me mildly surprised. He noticed my confusion and looked away. ''...Forget it.'' I could hear disappointment in his voice, and smiled typically at him. I felt him twitch when I wrapped my arms around his waist under his arms, which he raised out of reflex. I snuggled my face in his chest and smiled, knowing that I was blushing.
''Wha- ah...huh?'' I giggled at his stuttering and looked up at his flustered, flabbergasted face. I rested my cheek against his chest again and smiled. ''What the hell, Miyuki?!''
''I'm showing you that I need you. Happy?'' I asked, and hugged him tighter. ''Besides, I had the impression you were about to walk off.''
''I was,'' he said flatly, but I could still hear his stuttering. ''And I can still get out of this, you know. I'm a lot stronger than you.''
''Oi, oi. I just told you that I need you and don't want you to leave- and that's your response? How ungentlemanly.''
''And you're uncute.''
''That's because I'm unique.''
''You mean weird.''
''Weird means different, and different means unique. But that's off topic. The point is that you're not allowed to leave me alone. All your opinions are rejected.'' I gasped silently when I felt two loose arms wrapping around me. I have hugged this guy on countless occasions, and he'd always just give a retort. There was the time when I told him about subject 00...but that's another thing. That he was actually returning the gesture in a light-hearted atmosphere like this was ...unbelievable. I actually had to look to my side to confirm that they were his arms.
''What? You're asking me to put up with you until the end of eternity?'' he teased. I smiled brightly that his voice wasn't so bitter towards me anymore. So...am I forgiven?
''Hey, I'm not too happy with the idea myself,'' I said, ''You're one heck of a difficult person to cope with.''
''You were the one who suggested it in the first place, bakayarou.'' The corner of my lips curled when I felt his arms pulling me closer. I sighed wearily and snuggled my cheek in his chest again.
''Yeah, I know. And I don't regret doing that,'' I said, but my heart skipped a beat when I heard that one word leaving his lips.
''...Good...''
-:-:-:-:-:-
10th Division Fukutaichou was watching her Taichou and Miyuki from a window of the 10th Division building. She smiled at the youngsters when a memory flashed through her mind.
''Don't...Don't leave me alone...'' Miyuki mumbled as she frowned in her sleep. She was obviously having a nightmare and her iron grip on the prodigy's arm never wavered. ''I...need you...''
That was when the fukutaichou saw that unfamiliar glint flickering in those turquoise iris.
''That look in your eyes, Taichou...'' she said quietly to herself, ''Was the happiness for being needed.''
He was always there for his friends. He always helped them whenever he could.
But in all honesty...his presence was never needed to anyone.
Until that moment.
The strawberry blonde turned around, showing a camera in her hands. No matter how 'lovely' their development is, she just couldn't resist. An evil grin crossed her lips.
''This is blackmailing heaven.''
-:-:-:-:-:-
Darkness.
That was all there was.
And I was alone in it.
That's when she appeared before me.
I looked at her with wide eyes. In shock, in confusion, in disbelief.
Because standing in front of me was a girl who was my spitting image. A smirk graced her pale face as confidence flickered in her dark, emerald eyes.
'Nice to meet you, my other me.'
Her words echoed in this darkness.
-----------------------------
I was walking towards the east side of Seireitei, trying to find Flamel- its 9am now for Pete's sake- Normally she has me up by dawn! She said something about the meeting being late, though. But the reason why I was ticked off was because I woke up at the crack of dawn just to be ready for that woman!
Toshiro said that he would come out to 'escort' me to find my teacher, but I really don't want to be there when they cross each other's paths again. If sparks could crackle between two glares, then they would've created a natural disaster, easily.
I looked down towards the ground over the fence around the wooden path. Sure is a long way down there... I remembered when I threw a coin down, the sound of it hitting the ground didn't reach my ears until about three minutes later. I gulped and quickly returned to my search.
That dream bothered me non-stop. The girl looked more or less exactly like me. There were a few differences, but I don't remember where. The only thing I could was that she had the same dark shade of eyes I had in emerald colour.
She also said that she was 'my other me' and used a very masculine term for her words. She also had such a rough edge in her voice...or should I say my voice. I was definitely sure that it was the same one which I heard before I transmuted for the first time. I was sure.
I looked down at the silver katana which was secured around my red ribbon-belt. Maybe it was all just a dream?
Or was it something more significant...?
''NOOOOOOOOOO!'' I widened my eyes at that voice, it came from the east wall. Hinamori-chan? I ran ahead and saw Hinamori standing there, looking up in horror in the open grounds. The floors were slightly demolished, though I don't think that was the reason why she was so horrified. I ran next to her, starting to panic.
''Hinamori-chan, what-'' I instantly lost my voice when I looked at what she was cowering at.
Aizen-taichou of the 5th Division...was stabbed by his own zanpakto, pinned to a tower, his blood trailed down in a long, crimson streak. Upon the white tower, it was like this was a ritual killing.
''W-What the...?'' I said in shock. My breath was shaking and I was trembling.
My own eyes were wide with disbelief. Aizen-taichou...a captain...was murdered...? But I...I saw him yesterday...and now...he's...what in the name of...?
''Hinamori-kun!''
I turned my head to see Kira-fukutaichou, Iba-fukutaichou, Hisagi-fukutaichou and Rangiku running towards us. Rangiku rushed to my side and held both my shoulders, looking at me with a worried expression. My pale face was now practically white.
''Miyuki-chan?! What happened, Miyuki-chan?!'' she asked, shaking me, panicked, trying to snap me out of it. I couldn't find the words to speak, and pointed a shaking finger towards the corpse of the dead taichou. She followed my hand and widened her eyes in shock at the scene and gasped. ''Aizen-taichou...'' she trailed, the other three fukutaichou also were in disbelief.
''B-Baka na...'' Kira was lost for words.
I turned to see Hinamori weakly staggering a few steps towards the body, her eyes were hollow, not knowing what to do in such a situation.
''Aizen-taichou...'' Tears welled up in her coffee orbs. I frowned sadly; she had told me how much she loved Aizen from the very beginning...and how hard she had worked to become his Fukutaichou...And this...this is the result?
''Iie desu...'' she whispered, ''Iie...'' A tear slid down her cheek. She lifted her hands slightly, as if wanting to reach him, but knew it was impossible as she yelled out in despair.
''AIZEN-TAICHOU!!!'' She fell to her knees and whimpered. I gently broke away from Rangiku's grasp and ran to Hinamori's side, kneeling down next to her.
''Momo...'' I used her given name for the first time. She looked up at me with pain stricken eyes, and wrapped her arms around my waist, burying her face in my chest, crying. Loud and hard. All those efforts over the decades, all those memories, those feelings...she was crying for them.
''Oh, Momo...'' I said with a shaking voice as I wrapped one arm around her shoulders and placed one hand on the back of her head, stroking it comfortingly. Self-hatred engulfed me for being unable to do anything else, anything useful. I knew the feeling of losing someone dear. Whether it's family, friend or someone you admire, its love nevertheless.
That's what you would normally think, but I've never lost a lover. Is it different from losing your parents? Is it the same? I don't know. That's why I have no right to say that I understand her. I have no right to say that I knew how she felt.
I could only imagine what I would do if Toshiro...
My cheek rested on her head and I heard her sobs dying, but her tears were flowing down like rivers. A deep frown crossed my face and I was holding in the urge to cry myself.
''What's all this ruckus early in the mornin'?''
My eyes snapped open at that voice, I also felt Momo twitch in my arms, and sure enough, I looked up to see the foxed faced taichou, his grin unfazed, even at a time like this. That bastard...
''Oiya, this here is a serious incident, neh?'' I released Momo and stood in front of her in hopes of preventing her from seeing his sadistic expression.
''Ichimaru-taichou, this isn't a laughing matter,'' I said, narrowing my eyes. I remembered Toshiro's words.
''Be careful around Ichimaru...''
I felt Momo standing up next to me, a gust of wind blew by us... and it was as if that gust just blew the cap off her bottle of emotions.
''I've got a very bad feeling about him.''
''OMAI KA?! (was it you)'' she yelled in hatred, and dashed towards Ichimaru with a roar, her hand on the hilt of her sword. The tears in her eyes trailing in the air as she ran. She drew her sword, about to strike the taichou of the 3rd Division.
I saw the look on Ichimaru's face, he showed no fear whatsoever...his confidence of defeating her without breaking a sweat was obvious, she wouldn't stand a chance against him.
''Momo, please, stop!'' I said, but then Kira blocked her sword with his own. Ichimaru widened the corner of his smirk slightly at the loyalty of his fukutaichou.
''Kira-kun...Doshite...?'' Momo asked.
''I'm the fukutaichou of the 3rd Squad,'' Kira answered, ''No matter what the reason, I won't permit anyone to point a sword at the taichou.''
Momo glared at him, and Ichimaru turned to leave, the 5th Division fukutaichou widened her eyes and tried to bypass Kira, only to be blocked by him again, who shook his head to tell her 'let it go'. I ran over to them, wanting to break the fight up, but not really knowing what to do.
''I'm begging you, get out of the way, Kira-kun.''
''I can't do that.'' Momo glared harder.
''Move!'' I couldn't believe it when I heard the insanity of her voice. ''Move!!!''
''STOP!'' I clapped my hands and smacked them against the ground, soon wooden roods wrapped around her and held her in place firmly. She struggled ferociously, glaring daggers at me. I widened my eyes at my own hands. Did I just...?
'You didn't, I did.' I twitched when I heard that voice again.
''WHY, MIYUKI-KUN, WHY?!'' I snapped out of my shock, discarding my thoughts for later and looked at Momo with sympathy in my eyes.
''Please, Momo, calm down, you won't change anything by-'' I was cut off by her.
''SHUT UP!!! SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT THE HELL UP! LET ME GO, RIGHT NOW, OR YOU'LL BECOME MY ENEMY,TOO, HIGURASHI MIYUKI!'' she yelled, trashing around.
''Momo! Listen to me! You've got to calm down!!!'' I pleaded.
''DON'T YOU HEAR ME TELLING YOU TO LET GO OF ME?!''
''AND DON'T YOU HEAR ME TELLING YOU TO CALM DOWN?!'' I yelled back. ''Shouldn't we take Aizen-taichou down from there?'' I frowned and her glare became fiercer.
''DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD DO!'' she yelled and she released her Zanpakto.
''Watch out, Higurashi-sama!'' Kira yelled.
''Hajike, Tobiume!!'' Her Tobiume's release caused an explosion and I jumped back along with Kira, but I landed on my knees. Ichimaru still kept walking away with that smirk on his face, and the other fukutaichou shielded themselves from the debris.
''Miyuki-chan!'' I heard Rangiku's worried call. Dammit, Momo's fit is starting to get out of hand...
When the dust cleared I saw that the roods I used to bind her were completely destroyed, along with the floor she stood on a few moments ago. She was panting, her eyes still glowing with rage. This...this isn't Momo...this isn't the Momo I knew.
''Momo!'' I then noticed that my left shoulder had a small gash in it. I covered it with my right hand, wincing slightly. When did I...?
''Stand back, Higurashi-sama, I don't wish for you to come to any harm,'' Kira said without looking down at me. His eyes never flickered from the emotionally shaken fukutaichou.
''Releasing your Zanpakto in a place like this and harming a valued guest in the process...'' Kira said as he narrowed his eyes at Momo, ''How irresponsible! Don't you even realize what you're doing?! Don't confuse private matters with public ones, Hinamori-fukutaichou!'' I widened my eyes at that title he gave her. He's creating an emotional distance between them so that he can...be ready to fight.
Momo then swung her sword which had a pink aura surrounding it, and a kidou spell went flying towards Kira and I. Luckily, it missed, but it hit another building instead of her original target, Ichimaru. The power of the attack astonished me, I had no idea that Momo was capable of that. Cement crumbled down from where she hit. As I saw the white, stone-like material fall, I couldn't help but feel that my hopes for this to end quietly crashing down along with it.
''I see,'' Kira said, ''In that case, I have no choice.'' He readied his zanpakto. ''I will treat you as an enemy.'' I looked up at him from my kneeling position with a desperate glint in my eyes.
''No, wait, please! I know that Hinamori-fukutaichou has crossed the line, but please don't go that far!'' I pleaded, but deep down, just by looking in his eyes, I already knew what his answer was.
''I have to...it's my duty,'' he said. ''Omote o agero, Wabisuke.'' An aura engulfed his Zanpakto before it lost its curve and gained a square-shaped head that resembled a hook.
I turned to look at Ichimaru who just stood there and glared at his back.
''Ichimaru! If you really have nothing to do with this, then SAY SO!'' I yelled, ignoring the fact that he was a captain, and I had no right to speak to him with such disrespect. Kira and Momo dashed towards each other, both seriously going for it this time. ''IT'S YOUR GODDAMN ATTITUDE WHICH MADE IT GO THIS FAR!''
But both swords were blocked by Toshiro, who had used shunpo to get between them. His Hyourinmaru was blocking Kira's blade, and his foot was stepping down on Momo's Tobiume. He was leering Momo with narrowed eyes.
''Don't either of you move a muscle,'' Toshiro said with high authority in his voice, making the brunette flinch as she looked at her childhood friend.
''Hitsugaya-kun...'' He ignored her and turned to me, I saw him narrowing his eyes at the blood seeping through my black gloved hand, which was clutching the wound on my shoulder.
''T-Toshiro...'' I've never seen him so serious for a long time now. Though he'd always put on that captain demeanour when he's in a meeting, it would still be just a simple facade.
But this time it was earnest seriousness to the very core. ''Arrest them both,'' he said. Rangiku and Iba grabbed Momo, each holding one arm of the 5th fukutaichou.
''Hitsugaya-kun!'' she said again, Hisagi had grabbed Kira by the arms. Toshiro looked at Momo, frowning in disappointment.
''Hinamori! Is this the time to be fighting each other with swords?! Shouldn't our first priority be taking Aizen-taichou down from there?'' Momo's face showed regret. I knew that she was reminded of what I said earlier, that was confirmed when she turned to me with guilt-ridden eyes.
''I'll make a report to the Soutaichou,'' Toshiro said. ''Put these two in detention. Take 'em away.''
I followed Momo and Rangiku, wanting to be there for Momo, even if she was too guilty to face me at the moment, I just wanted to be with her. We walked passed Ichimaru, whose smirk was as broad as ever. I glared at him and I could feel Momo's glare towards the fox face.
Dammit, did I want to rip that smirk off him!
''Daijobou-ka, Miyuki-chan? Sonno Kizu...'' Rangiku looked at me with worried, ice blue eyes. I looked up at her and my mouth was pressed in a thin line, telling her that if it weren't for the given situation, I would've smiled for her.
''Daijobou, shinpai suruna, Rangiku-chan.''
-:-:-:-:-Frozen Passion-:-:-:-:-
''Gomen na, Jyuu bantai Taichou-san.'' I heard Ichimaru, but I didn't turn to face him. ''To make ya waste on one o' mine.''
''Ichimaru...'' I said, still not turning, ''You...were about to kill Hinamori.'' A breeze swept by us.
''I'm afraid ya mistaken'd,'' he said, I could hear his grin in that voice of his. I ignored him, whether he was telling the truth or not, this he will know.
''I'll tell you this now:'' I said, ''Make Hinamori bleed,'' I turned to give him a scary, evil, ghost of a smirk. ''And I will kill you.''
''How scary.'' The mock in that phrase was obvious. ''But as I said- you're mistaken' d,'' his smirk widened, ''I never intended ta touch that young lass.'' I narrowed my eyes at him in confusion.
''It was th' beautiful Miyuki-sama who I wanted ta shut up...permanently. Such a cocky girl.'' I was shocked by what he said but gave him the deadliest glare I could muster; his smirk wavered for a split second at my expression.
''Ichimaru...'' I gritted my teeth, ''If you even DARE to harm a single hair on Miyuki...'' I said. The idea of him hurting her made me so furious that I wasn't sure what I was going to do if he does hurt...or even kills her.
''Oiya! You're much scarier now, Taichou-san!'' He grinned. ''I'll see for myself how precious that girl is to ya.''
''What do you mean?'' A snarl was heard in my voice. I didn't like the sound of this.
''Well, ya know what they say:'' His smirk became more intimidating, but I stayed unfazed. '' 'Ya neva know what ya have 'till ya loose it'.'' I couldn't help but feel horrified at that sentence. He turned to leave when a few officers arrived and I ordered the shocked shinigami to take Aizen down. Without wasting any more time I followed Miyuki's reiatsu.
I wouldn't be at the least surprised if Ichimaru was the one behind Aizen's death. If Ichimaru would seriously intend to kill Miyuki...
The image of her screaming in horror before a blade ran through her flashed through my mind.
I shook my head furiously as I continued following Miyuki's reiatsu, noticing that I was heading for the 5th Division, the Detention Cell.
My balled my hand to a tight fist. I won't let that bastard or anyone hurt so much as a hair on Miyuki! I'll personally torture that person to death in the most excruciating way possible!
I then widened my eyes when I remembered that Miyuki had a wound on her shoulder...most probably from Hinamori when she lost it. I frowned.
------
I soon got to the detention centre to see Miyuki discussing something with Matsumoto. I narrowed my eyes when I noticed that her wound was still left untreated. Blood was still seeping out a little bit.
''Miyuki!'' I called out in frustration, she twirled around to face me, and I was surprised by her expression. Her skin was paler than usual and she was sweating, her eyes still held horror within them.
That's right...Miyuki isn't used to seeing a comrade's corpse...but then again neither am I.
''Toshiro...'' she said, I came up before her and loomed over her slightly.
''Why haven't you gotten your wound treated yet, baka?!'' I glared at her and she narrowed her eyes at me in annoyance. I inwardly sighed in relief when I saw that spark in her eyes again.
''I was about to go and get a bandage for it, baka!'' she said, she never liked to be called names.
''A bandage isn't enough for that, baka! You need disinfectant, a healing antidote, salb-'' I was cut off by the black haired girl.
''It's just a scratch, it's not like I'm gonna die because of a little damn scratch, baka!'' I was half enjoying our argument, and half annoyed with her attitude towards her wound.
''Don't make me drag you to the 4th Division...'' I said, she crossed her arms and looked away with a 'hmpf', closing her eyes with her nose up in the air.
''You can't make me.''
''I out-rank you,'' I said, smirking.
''I'm not even ranked.'' She turned to face me and arched a brow.
''Exactly,'' I said, then turned to Matsumoto. ''Take her to the 4th Division to take care of that wound.'' She nodded in a gloomy and serious manner, and I don't blame her. I turned to Miyuki who sighed in defeat.
''So stubborn...'' she said, I scoffed before giving a small smirk.
''I'll come right after I've briefed the Soutaichou.'' She smiled weakly.
''Okay,'' she said, ''Be careful...'' I had to suppress the blush at the worry in her voice. ''...I beg of you, please be careful.''
''Don't worry, baka,'' I said somewhat fondly and laid a hand on her unwounded shoulder trying to assure her. ''You don't need to say it as if I were going to the battlefield,'' I joked. She gave me an apologetic smile before she looked over my shoulder. It was as if to make sure that my Zanpakto was ready to be drawn if necessary and she turned back to face me.
''You're too great to be defeated, right?'' she said, but she couldn't hide the worry on her face as she smiled.
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Translations:
domo- thank you/hello
hounto ni yokatta- I'm really glad
Baka na- it can't be
Iie- no
doshite- why
hajike- snap
omote o agero- raise your head
sonno kizu- that wound
shinpai suruna- don't worry
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