Kisuke's Shop
Yashiro exited the room no longer in her black and white Soul Reaper robes, now in a pink vest with a blue shorts, her orange long hair cascading down her body as she wore a pair of blue sneakers, looking down at her chest she made sure the bandages we're wrapped securely and hidden under her clothing. She stretched and flexed her body with a smile.
"These gigais are amazing Kisuke-san. " Yashiro said happily looking back at the blond man with a grin.
Kisuke smiled, "I'm glad you like it, you should be able to move around freely in this. I will give you a pill so if need be you will able to exit your gigai whenever you like unfortunately it isn't a mod-soul like Kon or Chappy. " Kisuke explained handing her the small bunny container with what looked like small candied pills inside.
She took the bottle as Rukia and the others seemed to have already gotten in their gigais sitting comfortably at the table.
"Where is Hanataro? " Yashiro asked curiously as the said male walked out in a dark blue jeans pants and a plain black T-shirt with a pair of matching black sneakers.
Yashiro's eyes widen slightly in surprise as a blush graced her cheeks.
She had never seen him in anything other than their boring black robes, the sight of a dressed up Hanataro made her heart speed up incredibly.
It was true he wasn't all that muscled but seeing him dressed the way he was made him seem cuter if it was possible.
She blinked looking away quickly as Hanataro chatted with Kisuke smiling.
"I believe we should discuss the accommodations. " Toshiro said as everyone nodded.
"Renji, you are free to stay here if you'd like. " Kisuke said which he nodded to since Renji had stayed with Kisuke on multiple trips that they made to Karakura Town.
"I will be staying at Ichigo's" Rukia said causing said male to sigh in annoyance.
"I find it very annoying that you keep sneaking into my closet and stealing my sisters clothes. " Ichigo said menacingly which Rukia brushed off easily.
"The house that you were assigned had enough rooms to accommodate the four of us. " Toshiro said as Yashiro nodded.
"Alright so I guess Hanataro will be staying with me. " Yashiro cheered as Hanataro smiled at her enthusiasm.
"Well I guess that's it then we'll be off, my old man will bite off my ear if I reach late for curfew again see you all later. " Ichigo said standing up as he left Rukia following close behind.
"We should probably get going also thank you for your assistance Kisuke we will keep you updated. " Toshiro commented as he stood with Rangiku.
"Good luck, come back anytime. " Kisuke said waving his fan with a fox like grin as Yashiro and Hanataro followed suit.
Renji sweat dropped at the older man's creepy smile.
Toshiro and Rangiku walked in step talking amongst themselves with Yashiro and Hanataro not to far behind. It had been fairly quiet between them since they left from Kisuke's.
Yashiro was staring at his hand that swayed at his side as he trotted.
"Why am I acting all nervous we've already k-kissed, holding his hand should be a piece of cake."
She couldn't help the blush that crept up her cheeks. This had been quite new to her still she felt annoyed that every little thing seem to get her embarrassed.
She reached out slowly going to connect theirs hands, she froze when he glanced over at her in question as she pulled back her limb quickly flustered.
Hanataro gazed at her briefly before looking down at her trembling hand.
"I-I wasn't trying anything h-honest!" She said frantically.
"Way to make yourself obvious Yashiro. " She cursed internally looking down at her feet as they continued to walk.
"Yashiro-san." Hanataro called softly gaining her attention. She looked up seeing his outstretched hand.
He smiled widely "Let's hold hands ok. " Her eyes widen momentarily before she flushed nodding as she took his hand entwining their fingers together. She smiled at the warmth of his hands as she moved closer to him.
"He's really warm... " She thought blissfully enjoying her new source of heat.
A couple minutes later they arrived at their destination.
The house didn't seem to be that much bigger than Ichigo's.
The outside was painted in a soft blue which made Yashiro smile.
She had come to really love the color blue for obvious reasons.
Entering the house it looked rather bland to her from the inside, there weren't any pictures of family or friends which Yashiro expected. She had always longed for a place that she could view all the special memories that usual families had. This house was merely here to aid Reapers whenever they we're on missions that took longer than a day in the World of The Living, nothing more.
Ranging gushed at the flowers that resided on the tables and beautiful paintings that hung on the wall.
"Don't get distracted Matsumoto, we're not here on vacation. " Toshiro said sternly as Rangiku pouted folding her arms under her big chest.
"Your no fun Captain. " She whined
"There are five rooms, we all get a separate room, clothes and necessities have already been provided beforehand." Toshiro reported as Hanataro and Yashiro nodded.
"Gee Captain you don't have to be so uptight all the time. "
"Be quiet Matsumoto we're not here to fool around, so there will be no shopping understood. "
"Aww Captain are you serious, that's no fair I saw a perfect pair of sandals at a store on out way here it would be a crime not to get it. "
Hanataro and Yashiro watched as they bickered back and forth sneaking away silently.
Running up the flight of steps a couple steps away Yashiro spotted two rooms directly opposite each other smiling.
"We'll take these two since they are so close together. " She said happily pulling Hanataro along with her into the first door as they entered.
The color was a light red with a three dressers off to the side and a bed at the middle close to the window.
Yashiro walked over to the bed gazing at the view of the houses nearby, the street lights illuminated all the houses.
"It's peaceful isn't it. " Hanataro said softly as she nodded.
"It's almost makes me forget everything . "
A frown adorned her face as she looked off to the side with a distant look.
"There is a war coming. " Yashiro whispered opening the window slowly as the cool breeze blew through swaying her hair in the sunlight. The sun had started to set making her almost glow in the dim sunlight.
Hanataro stared at her troubled eyes feeling helpless. Everyone had been aware that the enemy was merely just waiting for the right time to attack.
"With my lacking abilities I'll be nothing but a hindrance in the upcoming battle. "
Hanataro sighed at his realization.
He would be completely useless in any physical battle, which meant if Yashiro happens to run into a difficult situation he'd be unable to do a thing.
Yashiro saw his troubled looked feeling slightly guilty for making him so worried.
"Hey it's ok, I'm positive that with everyone's help we'll demolish this threat permanently. " Yashiro consoled trying to cheer up the blue haired male.
Hanataro smiled taking a seat next to her on the bed.
"I just feel a little helpless is all, if you run into trouble, I won't be able to help you. " Hanataro laughed it off as he scratched his head awkwardly.
She frowned grabbing his hands lightly.
"I won't get hurt I'll try my hardest to make sure I come back to you Hanataro, you won't have to worry about me. " she replied with a confident grin. Hanataro stared at her for a couple seconds before he smiled with her.
"Thank you Yashiro-san. " she released him with another cocky smile. "That's more like it. " she assured pumping her fist gaining a soft laugh from him.
Watching him smile had always made her happy. She was caught off guard when he leaned over placing a kiss on her cheek.
She flushed once again at the action.
Hanataro grinned at her reaction. He giggled lightly standing up.
"We better get some rest it's been a long day if you need anything just call me. " She nodded eagerly as he left shortly leaving her to nothing but her thoughts.
Despite her reassurance to Hanataro she was scared.
"I really hope we all make it out of this alive... "
She sighed heavily peering out the window, she stopped short when she spotted a familiar head of white hair sitting on the roof outside the window of the room adjacent to her's.
Opening the window a little wider she hopped out effortlessly as she flash stepped to the roof next to the white haired Captain.
Hitsugaya took notice of her presence gazing in her direction before looking back out at the fairly vacant streets.
"You enjoying the view to Captain Hitsugaya. " She questioned taking a seat next to him.
His usual hard expression was planted on his face as he nodded lightly in acknowledgement.
"Wow for a kid he sure is serious all the time. "
"You are very strange Tatsume-san. " Toshiro commented turning to her.
She blinked not sure if he meant that in a good or bad way.
She grinned. "Well it would be pretty boring if we were all the same right. " She laughed trying to ease the tension that seemed to radiate off of him.
His teal eyes narrowed at her curiously.
"You have lost a lot in your life not to mention you've been constantly looked down upon by others who you could easily defeat. Yet your always smiling like a fool."
Yashiro looked away at his statement eyes downcast.
Toshiro's eyes widened slightly at her change in mood.
"I apologize I didn't mean to-"
She looked back up blue eyes brighter than before as she shook her head.
"It's ok, I know you didn't mean it in a bad way. " she covered shaking off his comment.
"To be honest I was very angry when I was younger, I had no friends, most of the kids that we're around feared me because I was different, I was a lot stronger than the other kids and because of that they avoided me. "
Toshiro frowned.
"It seems we both had a similar experience. " Toshiro thought looking back at her.
"But then I met Hanataro... " She recalled with a blissful smile.
~Flashblack ~
The sound of children running and playing rang throughout the streets of the Rukongai.
"You'll never know unless you try. " her mother had said once trying to motivate the little girl to make friends. Building up all the courage she could muster she stalked over to the group of children playing.
"H-Hey can I play with you guys? " The short orange haired female asked the group of kids who stopped looking back at her.
One of the girls walked to the front with a grin. "Sure you can Yashiro. " she said combing her hands through her blond hair vainly. The other kids gasped as they began muttering amongst themselves. One of them walked up to the small blond hesitantly as she whispered in the blond's ear.
"Nene-san are you sure about that she's so weird why would we want to-"
"We're not really gonna play with her. " Nene whispered back silently.
Yashiro stood fidgeting with her feet unaware of the other kids plans.
Turning back to the Yashiro, Nene smiled. " You go and hide and we'll find you OK! "
Yashiro nodded enthusiastically blue eyes lighting up as she ran off to find a good hiding spot.
Yashiro had flashtepped quickly to an old broken down house perfect for hiding , she giggled.
"They'll never find me here, I can't wait to tell mama! "
She thought excitedly trying to stifle her giggles with her hands to stay quiet.
Two hours had passed as Yashiro sat in the old house alone, eyes slightly solemn.
"M-maybe I just hid to hard, I know maybe I should shout out just to give them a hint. " she thought confidently about to walk out of her spot when she heard the giggles of other children passing by.
"You think Yashiro is still hiding, how pathetic, she think we'd actually play with a freak like her. "
The others with her laughed along as they continued to walk off unaware of the orange haired girl's presence.
Her blue eyes welled up with tears as she ran out briskly flash stepping back to her house not looking up. Her mother had warned her not to use her abilities out in the open but her mind had been clouded by the pain in her heart.
"W-Why does everyone hate me! " she yelled stopping by a tree, she had landed in a forested area where she seemed to be alone.
"Why do they hate me so much. " she asked as she raised her fist giving the tree in front of her a vicious punch as a hole blasted straight through where her hand had been.
She looked at the gaping hole in the tree her lips trembling.
"I'm a monster that's why... who would like a monster like me... " Yashiro said coldly head leaned against the tree.
"Your not a monster. " a meek voice said startling the female as her eyes snapped open in alarm. Standing up quickly she turned to see a small boy with navy blue hair and similar blue eyes. Having been spotted he flinched as he dropped to his knees bowing.
"I-Im s-sorry I d-didn't mean to spy on you! ' he said frightened.
Yashiro walked over to him glaring at the boy.
"What do you want, did you come here to laugh at me to! " she asked angered clenching her fist.
"N-no I heard you talking I just thought you were lonely and needed a friend. " He said timidly looking up at the Yashiro who's eyes widened with excitement before they turned back cold.
"Your trying to trick me aren't you. " She asked raising her fist threateningly.
The boy looked up at her sad eyes that she tried to hide behind anger.
He stood up fully taking her clenched hand in his similarly small ones catching her off guard.
No one other than her parents had touched her without fear in their eyes.
"My name is Hanataro, I know some of the other kids can be a little mean but I w-wanna be friends with you I-If you'd like. " Yashiro couldn't believe her ears. She grinned widely pulling the boy into a hug as he let out a gasp at her sudden tug.
"I'm Yashiro, let's be best friends Taro-kun! " Hanataro looked stunned at her joyful smile.
"Y-You actually w-wanna be my friend? " he asked confused.
She nodded quickly hugging him tighter. "Best Friends! " she yelled as both kids stood in the middle of the woods smiling at each other happily.
~Flashback End ~
Yashiro smiled at the memory eyes filled with joy.
"He was the first one to treat me like I mattered, who didn't look at me in fear even though he was literally afraid of everything. " Yashiro giggled as Toshiro smiled inwardly.
"I see. "
"Although he may not know it, he saved me from becoming a monster, all that anger that I held as a child I could have turned out terrible, and that's why I love him. "
Toshiro's eyes widened.
Moments after the words left her mouth she blushed ten shades of red. "I-I'm I d-didn't mean to blurt that out to you I-I was just-"
"It's fine I'm sure you've said this to Yamada-san already. "
Yashiro looked down nervously.
"A-Actually I haven't... the truth is I've loved him since we were kids growing up together in the academy. "
Toshiro looked shocked.
"She's harbored those feelings for him so long and he doesn't know? "
The thought made him slightly angry.
"I don't want to tell him that I love him and scare him off. We've only recently realized our feelings are mutual I don't wanna risk anything by pushing him into something he's not ready for.'
"Your quite patient even now your still holding back, how much are you willing to endure?" Yashiro grinned.
"I'd do anything for him, to me it's not enduring, I would wait another five hundred years if that's how long it takes. " Yashiro replied with a closed eyed smile stunning the white haired male speechless.
Toshiro clenched his fist at his side.
"What if there was someone other than Hanataro, who harbored feelings for you. " Yashiro stared at him curiously as he avoided eye contact. For a second he thought she had figured it out.
"That's ridiculous no one other than Hanataro likes me! " she said laughing loudly as Toshiro deadpanned. " She really is clueless." He let out a heavy sigh.
"Well I better get some rest who knows what we'll have to face tomorrow. " Yashiro said standing as she yawned lightly turning to jump back through the window.
Toshiro turned quickly grabbing her wrist on instinct. Yashiro looked startled as she turned to him in wonder. " Hitsugaya-taicho? "
His eyes turned wide as he released her arm. " H-Have a good night Tatsume-san. " he mumbled nervously sitting with his back facing her. She looked confused merely shrugging her shoulders.
"Good Night. " Jumping back through the window she smiled retiring to her bed.
Toshiro sat on the roof contemplating.
"Of all the people, why did it have to be her. " He muttered clenching his chest as his heart beat tried to slow down after the small contact he had made with the female.