The Frozen Flower, a Bleach fanfiction

Warning: Most characters and places belong to the Bleach manga and anime series. Only a few is my own creation.

Thanks for your support and your reviews ;)

Last time

The Real World

Ukitake woke from his thoughts when he sensed the unknown reiatsu.

"Kyouraku!"

"Yes, I know. (He smirked.) So it was easy to find them after all."

The captains put their hands on their zanpakuto's hilts. A growling sound came from behind the bushes in the street where they were. Suddenly, a black wolf jumped out. From every perspective, it looked like an ordinary animal, except that there was a strong concentration of reiatsu coming from the wolf.

"This is?" Ukitake asked, not expecting any answer.

Snarling, the creature ran toward the captains.

Kurosaki Clinic

The door opened slowly. A girl with light brown hair smiled. "Oh, Karin-chan! You've brought your boyfriend."

Both of them blushed and replied, "We. Are. Not. A. Couple."

Yuzu didn't seem to hear them. She kept smiling.

"The dinner is ready. Oh, I think I'll need to go buy some juice. Why don't you two begin eating without me?" Yuzu winked to Karin.

"..."

Yuzu swang a coat on her back and was preparing to leave.

"Kurosaki Yuzu", Hitsugaya called.

"What is it, Toshiro-kun?"

"Do you know where is your brother?"

"It's true. I don't sense Ichi-nii's reiatsu", Karin stated.

"Oh, he went out with Rukia-nee."

"What do you mean?" Hitsugaya asked abruptly.

"Ichigo-nii-san said something about showing her the "real" modern Japan, so they left in their soul form", Yuzu replied with a smile.

"And where are they, now?" Karin demanded.

"Ichigo-nii told me that they should be in Tokyo." (A/N: Ok, I know this is a bit unrealistic, but this is fiction, right? :D A/N2: Ichigo and Rukia are still not a couple. This is a friendly date. Please don't misunderstand.)

Both Karin and Hitsugaya reacted the same way. "What? Tokyo?"

"What were Kurosaki and Kuchiki thinking?"

" 'Can't blame them. It is their holiday after all, Karin replied for Hitsugaya. I bet they shunpoed there." She then turned to Yuzu. "And where is the old man?"

"Daddy said that he wanted to discuss some matters with Urahara-san."

The cheerful sister studied her friends' expressions. "Then, I guess I 'll be going. Have a nice dinner."

Once Yuzu left, Karin let herself fall on the couch. "Guess we're all alone." Her words seemed like a sigh.

"What about that Mod Soul?" Hitsugaya inquired.

"Ah, Kon is probably enjoying himself. Somewhere."

*Magazine stall: Kon (in Ichigo's body) flipped the pages of a magazine. He smiled foolishly at the inappropriate photos. The stall owner saw him. "Sir, are you all right? Your nose is bleeding."*

Hitsugaya replied indifferently, "I see."

"Then, let's eat."

Karin went into the kitchen to fill two bowls of rice. The captain helped her arrange the table. Suddenly, he sensed a strong concentration of reiatsu. Hitsugaya froze.

"Toshiro?"

"Stay here, Karin."

"No, I'm coming. You agreed, didn't you? When we were walking back home..." (see chapter 2)

He sighed. "Come, then. Just make sure that you don't get yourself hurt."

"Don't worry. Ururu-chan taught me some self-defense techniques."

The captain wasn't reassured at all. As Karin and Hitsugaya ran outside, a strong spiritual pressure made them stop. A crimson butterfly was fluttering above them. After a few seconds, as it confirmed their identities, the butterfly made a sharp sound. A swarm of "red"s appeared from behind the houses and flew toward Karin and Toshiro.

"Are these Hell Butterflies?" Karin asked Hitsugaya, without keeping her eyes off the creatures.

"No." Hitsugaya pulled out his zanpakuto. "Not at all."

"Argh!"

A flock of blood spilled on the ground. A wide gash opened on Captain Ukitake's left arm. The wolf disappeared as it touched the ground. Why can't I see it? Ukitake put his hand on his wound.

"Hmf. Not bad." Kyouraku was panting. He wasn't in a better condition than his friend. His white captain haori was tainted by red. Only his flowered kimono was still lying where he put it, untouched.

The road lamp was continuously buzzing. Captain Kyouraku watched the light turn on and off when he saw it. A dark shadow crawling on the ground. A smirk drew on his face.

"So this is how you hide yourself... By transforming into a shadow? You sure are a sneaky enemy."

An unknown male voice echoed through the street, "I thank you for the compliment."

"Ah, you can talk!" Kyouraku teased.

The unknown creature continued, ignoring the statement, "To answer your question, no, I don't transform into a shadow to hide myself."

"Really?"

"I am a shadow." The wolf came out of a wall and walked under the moonlight. Kyouraku realized for the first time that the creature had no eye - or rather, his eyes were two black holes.

"Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyorinmaru!" Hitsugaya's voice was as cold as his ice magic. His zanpakuto went into shikai. A chain was attached to its tilt and a crescent-shaped blade hung on it.

Captain Hitsugaya rushed toward the crimson swarm. Most butterflies died when they were hit. Like a blooming, red flower's petals, they floated in the air and slowly fell on the ground.

The butterflies that successfully covered the captain's haori bit into it with appetite and tore the Shinigami's skin like acid. Hitsugaya froze them.

Karin jumped into the air and kicked a dozen butterflies. Her powerful reiatsu made some of them vaporize. The others were pushed backward by the wave of power.

"You've improved, Kurosaki."

"Thanks, Toshiro."

"I guess we finished them all."

An unknown female voice surprised them, "I am not sure about that."

"Who the hell are you?" Karin prepared herself for another kick.

A giggle irritated the young girl."You sure are an impulsive little one."

The supposedly dead butterflies suddenly lifted themselves into the air and formed the shape of a woman. She had short crimson hair and wide, forest green eyes. A dark red kimono covered her, hiding her hands. A butterfly necklace hung from her neck.

"My name is Scarlet." (A/N:I wanted to use "Hiiro", but I'm not sure if it can be used as a name for girls. Sorry about that :) )

Obviously, Karin and Toshiro thought together.

Scarlet continued, "I've come here to destroy you, Hitsugaya Toshiro, captain of the Tenth Squad."