Eeeeeeep! Thanks Maii04 for adding my story.
Seriously guys, I live for subscribers and people who add me, it makes me inspired and want to write more haha.
So thanks again, this chapter's for you :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
*~Narrators Verse~*
Meanwhile, in head commanders office…
"What do you mean a group of people invaded? We have been on high alert since Aizen faked his death now all of a sudden- almost four months later- a group of teenagers somehow breaks through our shields!" Renji announced loudly once Head Captain started the meeting.
"Bite your tongue boy," Yamamoto soutaicho responded back harshly.
Everyone in the room, excluding Yamamoto since he was sitting, experienced a slight buckling of their knees. A dense and extremely strong spiritual pressure exploded throughout seireitei. All members were quite aware that it wasn't any of the ryoka's; seeing and they could not control their reiatsu. Everyone was wondering silently for a moment about who's it could be until the pieces slowly began to fall together.
"Wait where's Snowy-taicho?" Yachiru called out.
"Who?" A few members called out simultaneously.
"Captain Hitsugaya," Kenpachi responded to them; translating Yachiru's nickname.
"I thought I saw him!" Chojiro defended; it was his job to make sure all members were there before Yamamoto started the meeting. Yamamoto sent him a slight glare while thinking, 'how could he think that he saw a captain. Doesn't he pay attention?'
"Well he's short enough that we wouldn't really notice since we're all standing," Matsumoto stage whispered to Renji, but loud enough for Hisagi to hear and chuckle along with them. Of the few others that heard they stifled their laughs, Yamamoto again responded with a glare.
"This is no time for jokes," he said sternly. The members he was addressing just straightened their posture and raised their heads slightly in attention.
Yamamoto was about to send a search for the absent member but Unohana answered his unasked question.
"Isane, hurry we have to go!" Unohana cried to her lieutenant.
"What's going on, why do you wish to leave?" Yamamoto called back.
"It's Graciela, she sent me a message. She called out for help. It was Graciela's spiritual pressure that erupted moments ago. "
"Go." Yamamoto ordered, "Now for the rest of you. Search out the ryoka and if they do not agree to come with you peacefully, do not hesitate to fight them for they might be the cause of Graciela and Hitsugaya's call for help."
"Hai." The rest agreed and filed out.
"Oh my gosh." Isane gasped when she saw Toshiro and Graciela sprawled on the ground right outside the fourth division gates.
"Quickly, you get Graciela, I'll take Hitsugaya taicho."
Both picked up the aforementioned, respectively. Directly after, they rushed to two separate rooms. Graciela's room is located the room directly across from Momo's, Toshiro's is down the hall a few rooms and to the right of Gracie's.
Both medical women went straight to work, first checking the vital signs and for any disruption in the flow of reiatsu. Isane just assumed Graciela was fine because no one can sense her spiritual pressure, she presumed it a good sign since it wasn't wildly fluctuating. There were no lacerations or burns on the visible skin and no sights of injection or forced pressure on a certain point; resulting in confusion over what happened to the two in both women.
"Graciela is stable," Isane reported back to Unohana Taicho after a few minutes.
"I heard all the commotion, is everything alright?" Momo asked walking in.
Unohana jumped up and spoke serenely, "Hinamori fukutaicho, you know you should be in bed and I suggest you return there now. No need for you to put your well being at sake. Everything is fine for now and you can ask Hitsugaya Taicho here, or Graciela, what happened when they wake up."
"Yes ma'am." Momo managed to choke out before she left.
"What do you mean Kurotsuchi was defeated?" Yamamoto raged.
"W-well, you see sir, uhm-" a quivering messenger began.
"Spit it out boy!" Yamamoto interrupted.
"Therewasquincyandhe-"
"So I can understand you…" he ordered impatiently.
The messenger boy heaved a sigh and continued at a slower pace, "there was a quincy, one of the ryoka, and he started to fight Kurotsuchi Taicho because he wanted revenge for the murder of his grandfather. The quincy defeated him but left Kurotsuchi taicho alive."
"You may go," Yamamoto declared.
'Things are already beginning to change Hyourinmaru, I can sense it.'
'Celest what have we begun?"
'My impatience and negligence has greatly cost us. We will no longer be able to plan things out based on the way they went, everything that lies ahead is a guessing game.'
'At least we know the hogyoku will become one with Aizen,' Hyourinmaru added optimistically.
'Unless we can find a way to stop it,' Ry and Ella mentioned at the same time. All doubting the possibility but still hanging on to the last thread of hope they have left.
*~Graceful Melody~*
Wow, all of those memories and emotions. But why does it feel like it never really happened to me? I mean, I know that I experienced it but it feels so distant. Maybe because those chances haven't happened yet in this universe, especially with Toshiro. We really got involved, huh… Speaking of which, I wonder if he is awake, well erm, awake in our inner world? Yea that sounds right.
I sat up abruptly and looked around, Toshiro was beginning to stir as well. When he finally sat up we looked at each other and I felt my face redden. I hid behind my hair, something I only do when embarrassed, so I couldn't tell if Toshiro's cheeks turned a different hue as well.
"Well this is awkward," I mentioned.
"Yea… I can't believe that they kept all of that from us."
"I know," I said, coming out from behind my shield of hair.
Ah, and the awkward silence ensues.
"You know how Celest said that things will begin to alter when we find out the memories?" I posed, the logical part of my mind beginning to work again.
"Yes, and?"
"Well what if things already started to change? We got the memories so fast couldn't it drastically effect how things are going?"
"Hm, good point," Toshiro responded.
More silence, but I began to wonder…
*~Frozen Harmony~*
So Gracie and I… we're supposed to be going out. I'm supposed to be in love with her, I should know everything about her. Which I do since the memories came back but… nothing is there. I don't know her yet I know her better than anyone else? Just how long exactly were we together in the original universe because I don't believe that a week is enough time to form that kind of relationship.
I glanced up at her and she looked into my eyes.
"You're thinking the same thing I'm thinking right now aren't you?" she asked.
I sent her a cold glare, "I don't appreciate you reading my thoughts."
How did I ever come to like someone who did that? I thought.
"I wasn't reading your mind, you're just that easy to read," she smirked.
Question 2, why did I love when she used to make that face.
"Oh really now?"
"Yea really," She retorted with.
"Some intelligent remark that was."
She scoffed and I smirked in victory. She looked over to me quickly and I broadened my smirk.
"What do you think you are smirking at? Ugh! How did I ever fall in love with someone like you?"
"Wait, you loved me back?"
"Duh! I thought you were a 'child prodigy' here. I was going to tell you too until Aizen had to ruin our little fun fest."
Deciding to try a small experiment, I shunpo'd to Gracie and picked her up in my arms like I did in the original universe, even now the fact that her body fits perfectly with mine surprises me. Looking straight into her eyes I wrapped my arms around her waist comfortably and leant down to kissed her. Graciela, probably too shocked, didn't do anything but I still had to see for myself. After a few seconds I made my conclusion. Unlike before there was no spark, not even a response back from her, nothing.
Nothing that is, until Gracie slapped me.
*~Graceful Melody~*
He. Kissed. Me.
"What the hell Toshiro?" I exclaimed after slapping him.
"What? I was just trying something out!" Was his 'intelligent remark'.
"You used my body, my first kiss, to try out some sick experiment of yours?" I said backing away.
"It wasn't your first kiss! There have ben plenty of other times when we-" I interrupted Toshiro here, oh how wrong was he.
"That was then and this is now! I don't know you but I do know you. Better, in fact, than any one else. But I learned all that in the original universe and memories are nothing like experiencing it! We didn't experience it in this life time nor gave it a chance to happen! Stop trying to force things when they just aren't right!"
He argued back, "well if your logic is correct then we wont experience it in this life, so a little test like that should mean nothing!"
"Oh it means something alright," I said, slowly working my way over to him again.
'Alright kids! I think you guys should take a break eventually you will both come back to your senses. So for now, bye!'
"Celest!" both Toshiro and I called before successfully being kicked out of our inner world and into a state of memory filled sleep.
*~Narrators Verse~*
Out on sokyoku hill…
"Where is she? Where's Rukia?" the orange haired kid screamed.
"How do you know my name?" Rukia called as she moved out from behind the protective stance of her adoptive brother; curious.
"So the old man wasn't lying," he said under his breath, "can you really help us?" he questioned while walking towards her.
The stupidity of his action dawned upon the kid a second too late when his arms and legs were caught by four other members of the court guard. He ended up with Rukia's blade to his neck and a threatening glare playing in her eyes.
"Who exactly are you and how do you know my name. I demand an answer now or my blade will be the last you ever see," Rukia replied. The kid gulped as the severity of her words sunk in.
"That is enough Rukia," Byakuya stated simply, "take him away."
But the kid wouldn't have it, he began to struggle with the members holding him. As the rest of the people who came with him were taken away as well, he began to scream and ramble.
"He said that you were the only person who could help us! That you would be able to lead us to the higher-ups here! Above all he said that we would be welcomed here even though we had to enter in such a wa. He said that he trusted you to do those things for him!"
"Who exactly is he?" Rukia yelled at him.
"Kaien Shiba."
Celest had materialized up above the scene and watched it unfold. When she finally had had enough she transported back to the inner world to meet with Ry, Ella and Hyourinmaru.
'Is there any thing different?' Hyourinmaru asked.
'There was a group of teenagers who claimed that Kaien Shiba gave them their powers and sent them here to find Rukia. Kaien died in the original universe, could Rukia have spared his life here and he just went into hiding? I really should have thought twice before I warned Yamamoto, I'm sorry guys; this really is all my fault.'
'No Celest, you have no reason to be sorry. Thinking about it now, if you didn't say anything; we would have been waiting for three years before Aizen attacked. Weather or not Gracie and Toshiro got there memories back this soon would have been debatable as well. But most importantly, Aizen most likely would have won. Even though we know what would be coming, we still have no way of countering it. Now though, by your little slip up; we have the time to teach them the techniques,' were his reassuring words of choice.
'You have a good point Hyourinmaru but if things start changing; couldn't Aizen end up stronger as well?' Ry posed.
'Yes, I suppose there is the possibility of that; but we will be ready for whatever he has up his sleeve.'
'Still, like always; there is no guarantee,' Hyourinmaru thought out loud.
*~ Graceful Melody~*
What a waste of a day and my sleep wasn't even relaxing; it was just full of memories. I thought to myself before I opened my eyes; accepting the fact that I had to wake up sometime.
Sun rays were streaming through the window above my all too familiar hospital bed, unfortunately the window was open as well and let in the mid November air. It was crisp and, right now, refreshing. But I shut it nonetheless for I knew that it would eventually chill me to the bone. I felt serene, looking out the window people watching until I turned my head when I felt the pressure of the person I wanted to see the least.
"Welcome back sleeping beauty," Toshiro said sarcastically while smirking.
"Ah crap, well aren't you just the face I wanted to see when I woke up," I rolled my eyes at him.
Ever since we regained the memories he has acted way too confident around me, like he thought I was putty in his hands. It was really starting to get annoying.
"You know you love it," he joked.
"Stop being so formal with me, I don't know you!" I finally snapped, "you may think I do but I don't and I have the feeling that you are undergoing the same kind of confusion," I instantly regretted yelling at him, but my confusion clouded out my good judgement.
He gained an icy glint in his eyes but it disappeared as fast as it came when he opened his mouth to speak. He shut it, opening it again once more to say, "you're right."
"I think that right now, we should take some time off like Celest said. Let the memories fully sink in but put them at the back of our minds. Then when everything gets back to normal we can start things over again. This time, in this universe, actually get to know each other? Yea the memories and feelings are going to be hard to deny, but we will have to to be able to successfully get to know each other in an unbiased way."
"Go backwards to go forwards?" he asked, practically reading my mind.
"Exactly," I smiled.
So there is hope for us after all.
"I suppose that when we are out of here you will come to help in my office again? I could still use the extra hand when doing paper work," Toshiro asked.
I allowed a devious expression to form on my face, prediction Toshiro's response, "it's a date."
"But I thought you said-" I just giggled while Unohana Taicho ushered him out.
"Hitsugaya Taicho! You should not be out of your room so soon! Just a final check up in an hour or so and then you can go!" When he left she turned to me, "good morning Graciela."
"Morning Unohana Taicho, check up or something?"
Isane walked in as Unohana began to speak, "or something is more like it. During the few hours after your collapse, it appears that Hitsugaya Taicho grew a staggering foot and a half and well, we came to check if you grew at all as a result of whatever happened to the two of you."
Okay, so it wasn't my messed up mind playing tricks on me; Toshiro actually grew.
"So if you would please stand up," Isane asked.
"Surely!" So that makes Shiro what, 5'10" now? Wow they really restricted his power.
Yep, Celest and Hyourinmaru decided it would be beneficial to lock some of our strength away. As a result of that, our height was restricted and we would stop growing at a certain point until our memories returned. I still don't understand why they barely locked any of mine away, I thought I would have been around the same heigh as Toshiro, not nearly a whole foot taller.
Standing up, I clearly towered over Unohana taicho when before, she was eye level to me.
"I see that you did grow. Isane, how tall is she now?" Isane held a measuring tape up to my head and had me step on the other end to secure it on the ground.
"Five feet and six inches,"and all those doctors said I wouldn't continue to grow, ha, I laugh at them.
"Hm… very well then. Please lay back down, I will be coming to check on you later. Then you may leave."
"Thank you!" I called while she shut the door.
We're now both at our normal heights, hmm if Shiro got to try something out, I should be able to as well, right? Right. My logic seemed sound enough to me so I sat up on my bed and transported myself to Toshiro's room.
"Hi," I said as he jumped.
"What are you doing here? I thought you wanted to take some time off?"
"I do, I just want to see something. Stand up," I asked, though partially commanded.
Toshiro obliged and I stood up facing him, now looking up.
"Do you remember this?" He asked.
"Yea," I admitted and blushed.
I put my arms around his neck while his slid onto and around my hips, leaning in, I rested my head on his chest while his chin was protectively upon my head. I shivered at the recognition of this action, but smiled to myself because we both knew the way our relationship should, and I will admit; hopefully turn out. Although the kiss was different, this has the same calming effect it had always had on me. Somewhere I heard an, 'Awwww~,' from deep in my mind.
I pulled away from him when he stiffened, as if he was repulsed by this action. Looking back at him, something was missing, a warmth that was emanating before from his eyes was now replaced with something else; a different presence. His eyes gained this frosty gleam in them and before I knew it, he was glaring ice daggers through my soul. The room dropped at least twenty degrees before I opened my mouth to talk.
"Toshiro?" I questioned.
"It's Hitsugaya taicho to you, don't forget it," he dropped his hands and backed away from me, with a disgusted look on his face.
"Are you really that serious about this whole starting over thing that you are going to put up your shields for me to break down again?" I said through the hurt I was feeling. This small action, this distance hurt for some reason. As much as I tried to deny it, it was because of the old feelings which I know I will never be able to suppress fully.
I know that I love him.
He didn't say anything, but his smirk grew until the point where it was almost sinister.
Thinking nothing of it, I transported out extremely pissed, "fine. Whatever you say captain Hitsugaya," I added in a mocking tone.
*~Narrators Verse~*
"He's fighting against your power, but for now it should keep hold over his conscious and emotions."
"Well done, when you return home with her, her loneliness will be exactly what I will use to get her to side with us."
"I'll make it a point to talk to her when she's about to break. For now she's in the room right next door, but I'm not sure how long that will last."
"As expected, all is going accordingly."
"Only because you planned it my love."
*~Graceful Melody~*
I transported back into my room, a perplexed scowl on my face hiding the hurt I felt inside. Even though we were going to start over I feel like he is taking too much of a step back, even when we first met he never held that distant look in his eyes when he looked at me.
Back in the original universe, the day after I helped out Unohana taicho was the day I was transferred into the 10th division, to permanently help out. I dozed off to the memory:
"This is your room from now on," Toshiro said opening the door.
When I walked through I just gaped in amazement. It was at least 5 feet bigger on all sides than my room in the eleventh. There was a huge queen sized ebony bed a few feet to the right of the door, perfectly centered on the wall. The bed spread was a caribbean blue with white and black striped throw pillows. Across from the bed was literally a wall of floor to ceiling windows with the same hue of blue silk curtains in front of thick white and black striped ones. There was a small black leather loveseat under the windows with an ebony desk on the perpendicular wall with a black leather chair behind it. The walls were a darker blue but still reminded me of the Caribbean ocean.
"Thank you Hitsugaya taicho, I love it," I said moving over to the windows.
I peered out and the entirety of the tenth divisions court yard was on view before me. Every single magnolia, daisy, lily, and the enormous amounts of daffodils; it truly amazed me. Especially all the different colors of the plants and even the insects, specifically butterflies. My favorite part though, is the fountain, it was nearly as big as my room with wide sides perfect for sitting on.
"I'm glad you have taken a liking to it," I looked straight in his eyes, the way you should whenever one talks to someone. Before he moved his gaze to slightly above my eyes I was able to tell that he is really a caring person. Not truly the cold exterior he puts up everyday for respect.
"If you need any assistance my Vice Captain, Matsumoto, is five rooms down to your left. I am am right across the hall."
He exited without my answer, but I did not notice, nor care, at the time.
I noticed a set of french doors on the wall across from the desk along with a single one. My curiosity peaking, I opened the french doors first. It was a huge walk in closet! The most surprising thing about it, was that it was already filled.
Perplexed, I didn't have to wait long to find my answer.
As I checked the other door, a medium sized bathroom with a shower and such, my door slammed open.
"Gracie~"
"Hi Matsumoto!" I called, it was obvious who it was.
"Call me Rangiku."
"Surely," I shrugged, peeking my head out of the bathroom door.
"Well I'm heading out with some of the other leuitenants for drinks do you want to come?"
"Sorry, but I don't drink," I replied to her with an apologetic smile.
"Alright, well; see you soon!"
"Bye Mats- I mean Rangiku!" I called as she ducked out the door, I remembered what I was going to ask her so I ran to the bedroom door a split second later and yelled down the hallway, "where are all the clothes from?"
"Me, duh!" was her fading answer.
I woke up smiling. It was silly but it marked the beginning of my life with Toshiro and Rangiku, and it was a crazy one at that.
"Graciela?" I heard a strong voice call, along with a soft knock; a very contradicting motion.
"Come in!" I said, sitting up high on the bed.
Vice Captain Sasakibe walked in, "Yamamoto soutaicho sent me here to tell you that he has placed you in the tenth division. He felt like you and Hitsugaya taicho should be close together by the chance that anything were to happen again to either or you. When Unohana taicho releases the two of you, you will be shown around."
"Alright, thank you." Can you say repeat? I thought things were supposed to be changing? I mentally asked.
Surprisingly, Celest answered, 'the situation is different this time. Now its for surveillance, then it was because that's where guests normally stay, also because you would always help out with their paperwork.'
I have the feeling that paperwork is still going to be involved some way or another. Celest just laughed while I sweat-dropped.
No more than a mere minute after Sasakibe Fukutaicho left, Yachiru walked in.
"Hi Gracie," she said almost bashfully.
"Hey Chi, come and sit." I offered. She bounced up onto the bed.
"So what's up?" I asked.
"I'm sowee Gracie! I should have been watching over you like 'ol Yama told me to but I didn't and now you're going to the tenth division and you're in the hospital and I'm going to loose my friend!" Chi said with tears threatening to spill over.
"Oh Chi! None of this was your fault! I went to visit Hitsugaya Taicho without you knowing and it was my bad choice why I'm in here."
"But why do you have to go to the tenth division then?" She asked with a stubborn pout on her face.
"I have to go because Toshiro and I are always getting sick at the same time for some reason, and Yamamoto Soutaicho thought that it would be a good idea to keep the two of us together. But don't worry, I'll come see you at least once a week and I'll bring you some candy. Actually no," I added as a second thought, "I know how to make rock candy, so we can make some!"
"Alright!" Yachiru screamed while fist pumping.
I giggled as she hopped off the bed, "see you soon Grace~!"
To think she was about to cry a few minutes ago.
*~Frozen Harmony~*
I opened my eyes, I was locked within my own subconscious, by whom or what; I could not answer. I struggled to release myself from the cuffs holding my hands together. My feet were bound in the same predicament.
I called out to Hyourinmaru, but I received no answer in return. In case he was just ignoring me again I tried to reach either Celest or Ry, even Ella; but no answer came.
"It's useless," called a voice. The voice belonged to a male, it was rough; unlike any I have heard before.
"Who are you?" I called out angrily.
Seemingly ignoring me the voice continued its rant, "you cannot help her from here, and I will answer your -unasked- questions; I will not tell you what I'm doing or who I am. Where would the fun be in that? No, I know where the fun is, I'll show you. The best part is, no mater what happens, you won't be able to do anything until it's too late. So just sit back and enjoy the show."
I began to question him again but my vision was restored, but it was a complete out-of-body experience. I watched myself get up off the gurney, but I did not direct my body to do so. Before long the door opened and Gracie was waiting.
"Captain Hitsugaya I was informed that I have been transferred to your division and that you will show me to my room."
What? Gracie was switched into my division? Well, last time she was switched in because she became the main person to help me with the mounds of paperwork dropped on my shoulders. Speaking of which there is no way Matsumoto has done any paperwork the past day and a half. I wonder how much is sitting on my desk now?
"Of course. I will show you to the office, from there Matsumoto will show you the rest of our division, as well as your room."
"You won't even show her around? Ya' lazy bum," I called out mentally to the voice in anger. I was seething right now, just as things between the two of us began to look better, he comes along and takes over my body. Great, just great.
"Very well then, shall I follow you?" Gracie replied, emotionally detached.
She was hiding her feelings, very well might I add. Normally when she does so she fidgets and becomes unsure of herself, now she was standing with perfect posture and a slightly clenched jaw. She was angry?
"Yes," 'I' replied.
'I' walked in front of her the whole way to the gates of the fourth division. She was following silently, an action she would normally not have done. Unless she is taking starting over deadly serious? But that wouldn't cause her to become angry, it was her idea anyway.
"It would be too long to walk back, meet me at the office," 'I' ordered. It was strange, this person put up my shields and normally cold demeanor. Albeit, I was never this bad with the people I was familiar with.
"Hai Captain Hitsugaya."
The scenery began to blur as 'I' took off towards my squad. When we approached the gates, I noticed Gracie standing patiently outside, it was obvious that she transported there.
"What do you think you're doing?" the person who took over my body screamed at Gracie.
"I am waiting for you to show me around," Graciela replied.
She was starting to loose her calm, her jaw becoming more clenched and she open and closed her hands into fists. I could tell she was thinking horrible things about me, and it's times like these where I wish I was the one who could read her mind.
"No, you got here before me. Never do that again, ever," was his harsh reply. But it sounded more like a warning with a threatening undertone.
"Yes Hitsugaya Taicho," she said between clenched teeth.
My body again moved forwards to the office where Matsumoto was laying on the couch reading a magazine.
"Matsumoto," he said coldly, "get over here and show Gracie to her room. Now."
"Uhh, yes?" Matsumoto stood up and replied.
She looked towards Gracie, it was obvious she wanted answers for she was wearing her 'what-the-hell?' face. Gracie shook her head but that motion didn't go without notice from who ever was in my body.
"Are you mocking me," he asked crazily.
"No sir."
"You just don't get it do you. Respect me, I am your Captain and I demand the respect I have earned!" My voice rang out mightily through the office. Paying specific attention to Gracie, I barely noticed Matsumoto exiting the room to stand out side the door in the hall. Something snapped inside Gracie and she took on an aggressive pose.
"No Hitsugaya, you don't get it," I could tell whoever was in my head was seething at this, my eyes widened in response to his shock, "I have done everything I can, even starting over for you but you know what? You aren't worth it. I can't believe I didn't see before that this is truly the way you treat your subordinates and people you consider as your 'friends'. I'm so done with you. I may not be able to switch out of this division but don't think that I will ever speak to you again."
"How dare you say that," he raged, "how-" but Gracie interrupted him, a smug look on her face.
"I. Just. Did." before she could fully turn I noticed an arm, MY arm, flying out towards her.
'Gracie, no!' I screamed mentally.
The office went deathly silent.
'You bastard,' I mentally seethed. He was laughing right now and between fits was hysterically saying things along the lines of, 'she got what she deserved.'
I was kicking, and trashing against the holds so I could beat the crap out of whoever was in my head. A small, but still powerful voice rang through and snapped me back to reality.
"Asshole!" she screamed, throwing her hands up in there air. She wasn't crying yet, but tears were threatening to spill over.
"I trusted you, loved you. But no this is it. Never. I mean, never, speak to me again. That's it I'm done. Screw you Toshiro."
She stormed out the door to Matsumoto; who saw everything. She sent me gold glare but the man just chuckled.
'I hate you whoever you are. When I do find out who this is, I will find you and I will kill you*.'
The man scoffed, 'good luck with that.'
He moved my body to sit down and the desk and began my paperwork.
*~Graceful Melody~*
"I can't believe it Rangiku," I said when I reached my new room. Exactly the same one as in the original universe.
"Something is seriously wrong with captain, he would never-"
I interrupted her, "but he did Rangiku. He slapped me. I can't believe him. I-, I-," I broke down.
Rangiku gathered me into her arms and soothingly stroked my hair.
"Just calm down, everything will be alright. It will all me normal eventually."
'No it won't…' I replied mentally.
Before long I had cried out every tear in my body and Rangiku left me so I could think some things through. Eventually though, I fell asleep. Well more like cried myself to sleep.
The week went fast, avoiding Captain Hitsugaya took more work than I had originally planned for. The day after the 'incident', as Rangiku and I came to call it, I called in sick. Every time Unohana Taicho came to check on me I used fire to heat my core body temperature and water to make it appear that I was sweating. Of course I still had Rangiku deliver paperwork, though I wasn't doing it for Hitsugaya Taicho, I was doing it to give Rangiku less work. I wanted her away from the Captain as much as she could be. Today, she brought her paperwork in here to work on with me. After letting her in I locked the door then sent a constant electrical current through the knob just incase a certain someone decided to pay a visit.
"Rangiku I finished my pile, do you want me to take some of yours?" I asked. These kinds of conversations being the only real ones we have had while she is in here with me.
"No Gracie, I think that you should go somewhere to relax."
"Well where would I go? I haven't seen Chi but the way I am acting she would definitely become suspicious. How about I just stay here and finish your work?" I tempted her.
"I am not falling for that, no way am I taking that bait. How about Momo-chan? She should be up for a good chat no?"
"Good idea, thank you Rangiku," I said moving over to give the woman a death grip hug of my own.
Maybe that wasn't the best idea because she just hugged me back, harder.
"Rangiku… can't… breath… oxygen!" I called.
"Sorry Gracie~!"
"Okay, I'm out. If Captain comes by tell him you took me to the fourth division because I was feeling worse."
"Alrighty then! See ya soon."
"Momo-chan?" Called as I knocked on her door.
"Oh Gracie, is that you?"
"Yea."
"Come on in."
When I walked in I saw her sitting on the side of the bed with her Vice Captain's haori on.
"Are you being discharged?"
"Yea in a few minutes why?"
"I-," I stopped unsure of weather or not to tell Momo about what captain Hitsugaya did.
"Oh Gracie are you alright! You're crying!" she said coming to my side.
Strange, I didn't even notice the tears.
"No Momo I'm not alright, Captain Hitsugaya he-," I coughed here, my voice not wanting me to say anymore, "he slapped me and now I just don't know what to do. Momo what should I do, was he ever like this when you were with him?"
A look of shock flew across Momo's face.
"You mean he did it to you too?"
Now it was my turn for shock to play onto my face. Even though in the original universe there was never any hint of Captain being abusive, it was obvious he hid it well. Hearing this I used it as my life saver, I held onto it, needing more than anything to hear what Momo was going to say.
"I thought he grew out of it when we were kids but apparently not, oh I'm so sorry for you!" Momo cried as I latched onto her in some form of a hug.
I leaned down to her level and she whispered into my ear when my sobs died down, "do you just want to get away? I'll take you where I have been going to get away from the craziness of everything here."
"Would you really do that for me?" I asked, astonished at her extreme kindness.
"Of course, Gracie. You're such a good friend to me how could I not do so for you. Just follow me."
"Okay," I said wiping the tears from my eyes.
We stepped into the hallway, it was empty. Momo nodded and opened up this purple-ish portal thing.
"What is that?" I asked warily.
"Garganta," Momo replied easily, "it will get us there faster."
"Oh, okay," I replied, just wanting to leave it all and get out of here already.
Momo hopped in and offered me her hand. As I was about to take it I spotted white out of the corner of my eye, I turned and instantly wanted to throw up.
It was Hitsugaya Taicho.
Not caring for anything right now, I did the only thing I could think of.
*~Frozen Harmony~*
'Well champ, it appears my time here is over. Hopefully soon you will see my master, too bad you wont be able to 'kill me' though. He will surely kill you first.'
I began to lose the out of body feeling as the bindings on my hands and feet when a final warning was sent from him.
'I hope you won't mind but we are borrowing that lady friend of yours, you know the one you hit. Have fun without her.' He replied lightly.
I don't know why but when he ended his threat I pictured Gin waving his hand in his floppy goodbye manner.
"Gracie!" I cried out loud when I realized what he meant.
Quickly flash stepping to her room I stopped at the door when I noticed her presence wasn't there, only Matsumoto's reiatsu.
"Matsumoto, where is Gracie?"
"Fourth division. She was feeling sick," 'ya okay.'
"Okay, thank you."
I took off as fast as I could to the fourth. I barged through the doors and a shocked Isane awaited me.
"Hitsugaya Taicho!" she called but I was gone.
I sensed Momo's reiatsu near Gracie's presence. I also sensed Isane and Unohana taicho following me down the halls.
When I reached Momo's hallway I could not believe my eyes. Momo was in a garganta holding her hand out to Gracie. It was obvious Gracie sensed my reiatsu for she turned and glared directly at me. I was about to say something but Gracie beat me to it with a simple action.
She flipped me off.
Then grinned, but it was sad and remorseful.
Then took Momo's hand and walked, almost begrudgingly; into the garganta.
Unohana taicho and Isane got there in time to see the garganta close.
"What just happened Captain Hitsugaya?" Isane asked.
"Momo, no, Hinamori Fukutaicho just became a traitor and she abducted Graciela Ivy Cordina."
"Isane, hurry, go inform Yamamoto soutaicho," Unohana Taicho instructed.
When Isane left, Unohana gently asked me, "are you sure Graciela didn't decide to go herself."
"She decided to go, but it was Hinamori's doings, she must have convinced Gracie to go somewhere with her. Gracie doesn't know of gargantas and where they lead to so she is not to be held at fault or be marked as a traitor," I replied distantly.
"Very well then."
A hell butterfly fluttered down, 'EMERGENCY MEETING FOR ALL SEATED MEMBERS PLUS ALL CAPTAINS AND LIEUTENANTS OF THE GOTEI 13.'
Shit.
*~Graceful Melody~*
"Here we are Gracie~" Momo called.
"Where exactly is this?" I asked nervously, there was huge spiritual pressure everywhere.
"Welcome to Hueco Mundo," Momo grinned while opening to giant double doors to reveal a monumental room with 10 hollow looking creatures sitting around a long rectangular desk. At the front of the desk three shinigami were standing. Instantly I regretted coming here, I knew I was tricked.
Momo ran over to the man with glasses and hugged him, receiving a kiss on the lips moments later.
"Welcome Graciela, I am Aizen, this is Gin and Tosen. You know my darling Momo here and well," he mentioned to he hollows, "these are my Espada."
Ah, crap.
LONGEST CHAPTER WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :D
hahahah.
*Kind of a reference to the movie Taken. It's three am and I wanted to put in some dark irony.
Graciela's dramatic flaw is revealed here and it will be playing out through her time in Hueco Mundo ;]
Hope y'all enjoyed it!