The Frozen Flower, a Bleach fanfiction
Warning: Most characters and places belong to the Bleach manga and anime series.
Only some are my own creations.
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Last time
Real World, Kurosaki Clinic
Yuzu carefully closed her room's door. Smiling, she climbed down the stairs. The girl was too happy about her sister to be aware of the black shape that came out of her own shadow.
Soul Society, Captains' meeting (without Captain Hitsugaya)
Yamamoto finished describing Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyouraku's fight and added, "Captain Hitsugaya encountered a similar opponent, as what he stated in his report. Unfortunately, the enemy also cowardly fled after she lost."
"Sensei, did Captain Hitsugaya say something else in his report?" Ukitake remembered the familiar reiatsu he sensed. The Captain-commander's answer was negative. The Thirteenth Squad's captain didn't know whether to feel relieved or worried. The man listened absentmindly to the discussion, when he heard Captain Kurotsuchi's voice.
"Actually, we've detected a third person's reiatsu. A Shinigami's, precisely." The colored-face captain smirked at Captain Ukitake's expression and asked contemptuously, "Is something the matter, Captain Ukitake? You seem suprised. Do you, by any chance, know this person?"
"Um... That is..."
Captain Kyouraku put a hand on his friend's shoulder and casually replied, "He was just wondering why would another Shinigami be in the Real World."
"Captain Ukitake can answer questions, Captain Kyouraku." The Eighth Squad captain was about to reply when a loud voice ordered, "Silence!" The Captain-commander announced the end of the meeting. While leaving with Captain Ukitake, Captain Kyouraku glanced back at Captain Kurotsuchi. The Twelfth Squad captain narrowed his eyes.
Ukitake's memory
Their black kimonos were wet by blood. They were barely standing. Ukitake tried to make a path through the crowd. "Where is she?" he screamed to the wounded Shinigamis. However, no one knew her whereabouts. She was the only one missing and Ukitake knew that he won't see her again.
Hitsugaya's inner world
Ice covered the earth and reflected the sunlight like mirrors. Hitsugaya was standing in the center of his world, concentrating on healing himself. His limiter was slowing down the process - or rather, he wasn't even recovering.
Suddenly, an ice dragon flew toward him and transformed into a tall man with green hair. "She's desperate, because she thinks that she is weak."
"I know that, Hyourinmaru."
"Are you taking any action?"
"What can I do? A human is still human." Hitsugaya didn't even look up.
"Why aren't you honest?"
The boy sighed and answered, "If I make her stronger, she will want to fight more."
"Do you care about her?" It was more a statement.
"I just don't want to have trouble with her brother." Hyourinmaru mentally smiled.
Real World, Kurosaki Clinic
Hitsugaya opened his eyes and saw a mass of black hair. Karin was leaning on the bed's side, her head resting in her arms. She slowly lifted her eyelids. The girl flinched and almost fell backward when she noticed Toshiro.
Such an energetic reaction... she sure rested well, Hitsugaya thought.
"I... I was just..." Karin desperately tried to find her words, but stopped, blushing. She opened her mouth, but Hitsugaya already guessed what was going to come out from it. "Yes, I am all right. (Which was a lie.) What about you, Kurosaki?"
His voice seemed indifferent, but Karin felt the touch of sincerity. "Me? Yeah, yeah, I feel great..." Her gaze locked on to his. "I..." Karin felt ashamed. When had she become so speechless? Hitsugaya was indifferent to the stare - or, at least, he tried to be. Is this girl all right? God, her awkwardness is contagious. His cheeks slowly became red under the dark grey eyes' stare. (A/N: Ok, I know, this part is a bit clichéd.)
"Kurosaki..."
"Good morning!" A cheerful voice interrupted Hitsugaya. Yuzu entered the room and realized her sister's position. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know... Go on, continue whatever you were doing..."
Karin bursted, "We weren't doing anything!"
"I'll be leaving now. Thank you for your care, Kurosaki and Kurosaki", Hitsugaya announced calmly, but his cheeks' color was a contrast to his composure.
"What? Why, Toshiro-kun? I thought you were staying with us for a week."
"I apologize, Kurosaki." Hitsugaya turned to Yuzu and continued, "I can't recover in the Real World. I need to return to Soul Society." Also, I will only bring more danger to the Kurosaki sisters if I stay.
"All right, Toshiro-kun, but at least, eat breakfast with us. I already began preparing it." Her expression made Hitsugaya hard to refuse; he agreed to stay for a few hours. Yuzu went downstairs.
"Toshiro..." Karin called. The captain looked at her. "When are you coming back?"
"After this is all over."
"Did you forget your promise? You told me that you will let me fight by your side."
"Well, I miscalculated the gravity of the situation."
Karin insisted. Hitsugaya replied sternly, "Kurosaki, I am responsible for your family and this world's safety. The woman wanted to kill me and she will come back." The debate could take a longer time, but a loud crash from the kitchen surprised the two friends. They ran downstairs and saw a stranger in a black kimono, different from Shinigami's. One of his arms was around the terrified Yuzu's neck and the other, her waist.
"Let her go", Karin ordered.
"Just as I was about to eat my breakfast", the man with black hair replied. He lifted his head and Karin and Hitsugaya realized in horror that the person had two black holes instead of eyes.
"Who, Hitsugaya asked, are you?" The man smiled. "Well, well, aren't you a captain? Scarlet sure saved me the trouble to find you."
"You are that woman's friend!" Karin remembered the previous night's fight.
"Friend? I don't have any friend. Scarlet is only my accomplice."
"Does that mean you have the same goal?" Hitsugaya prepared to come out of his gigai.
"I wanted to have a good meal before fighting you, but, oh well, I guess I have no choice." The man pushed Yuzu aside and suddenly disappeared.
"Where is he, Toshiro?" Hitsugaya was in his soul form. "I have no idea. I can't determine his emplacement. His reiatsu is overflowing the place."
A shadow came out of the floor. Hitsugaya screamed as his stomach was pierced. Yuzu was too terrified to have any reaction. As for Karin, she ran toward her friend.
"Toshiro..."
"Don't worry."
"What do you mean 'don't worry'? You are badly wounded. You're going to die..."
"Is it because of your fight with my accomplice that you became just as pathetic as your friends?" the shadow asked as he took his human form.
"My friends?"
"I see, you were too absorbed in your own fight that you failed to notice the other captains' reiatsu." He noticed Hitsugaya's stern expression. "But don't worry, young captain, they safely returned to Soul Society. The truth is, they gave their all to win me - or rather my shadow. Such a waste."
"You were only testing them..." Karin stated coldly.
"You are a smart child. Your reiatsu is also very strong." The man smirked. "You make me want to devour you -"
"Don't you dare lay a finger on her." Hitsugaya's voice seemed to freeze the room like a cold wind. Karin was shocked. The strange man glanced at the captain and added, "Of course, after I finish my fight with you. I shall consume both girls' souls." The enemy transformed into a black wolf. Without thinking, Karin placed herself between the wolf and her friend.
"Karin", Hitsugaya calmly called. She didn't turn around, but he knew that his friend was listening. "Hold on to me."
"Huh? What do you mean, Toshi-" Karin wasn't able to finish her sentence when the wolf charged at them. Hitsugaya grasped her hand and shunpoed away.
Karakura town's park
Hitsugaya and Karin were still holding hands when they appeared in the middle of the park. Fortunately, there wasn't anyone around. Shocked by Hitsugaya's sudden physical contact, Karin remained silent for a while, then bursted, releasing herself from his grip, "What was that, Toshiro? How can you leave my sister behind?"
"The wolf is targetting me. Yuzu should be fine for now", Hitsugaya gathered his last strength to speak. Karin realized his condition. "Hey, are you all right?"
"You don't need to worry about me", Hitsugaya replied with what seemed like a whisper. "Rather, we should talk about you."
"Me?"
"You want to become strong, right?"
"How did you..."
"I shall lend you power." Hitsugaya tried to hide his desperation behind his composure. What am I doing? This is crazy. Karin's eyes grew wider. "You mean... just like Ichi-nii?" Hitsugaya nodded and added, "I will give you half of my captain power. Since you are a human, you don't have a limiter. That means, your power will be at its fullest."
"I will control it", Karin answered what her friend wanted to hear. Hitsugaya raised his zanpakuto. Stop it! Why can't I stop myself? His desire to fulfill her wishes was unstoppable. Forgive me, Kurosaki. I am selfish. The captain pierced Karin's heart.