It's short. I know. I'm sorry. Don't kill and flame please.

Disclaimer: Don't own.

Chapter 8

Burnin on the Inside

A small child was crying.

He was in the dark confines of his room.

'It's all my fault…my fault…she's not here…' he thought.

Because of him, his family would never be whole again.

xxx-IchiHitsu-xxx

There was a moment of silence before Hitsugaya spoke. "What do you mean he'll die?!" Hitsugaya demanded.

"It is as I said. If we don't cure him then he will eventually die." Unohana said, her eyes soft with compassion and concern. "This poison is a complex form of a much simpler one, so it will take time to find the cure."

Hitsugaya merely looked down, his hands clenching and unclenching slightly. He had no idea why he was overreacting. But right at that moment he was panicking. He was panicking so much so, that in his inner world there were blizzards.

'Toshiro.'

'Hyorinmaru?' Hitsugaya asked, worry staining his voice.

'As if it could be anyone else.' A snort. 'You must stay calm. You are no help to that boy like this.'

'I know that! It's just…'

'Just what?'

'I don't know why I'm acting like this.'

'It's alright. Just remain calm.'

Hitsugaya gave a mental nod and tuned in to the conversation he tuned out.

"From what I could tell, the cold is prolonging the spread of the poison. It's slowing his heart down, from which the poison is making beat faster then it should." Unohana explained.

"So you're saying Kurosaki needs to be kept cool?" Ukitake asked. "How can he be kept cool for weeks? No room or place in Soul Society could do that."

Unohana looked down in thought. "I'm not sure. For now he will stay in the fourth division till we find somewhere."

Hitsugaya blinked. Somewhere cold? 'I wonder…'

'What are you thinking Toshiro?' Hyorinmaru asked, his voice rumbling with curiosity.

'Unohana said he needs to be somewhere cold right?'

Yes…?' Hyorinmaru had no idea where this was going.

'You are the most powerful ice zanpakuto in Sol Society right?'

'I suppose….' He still had no idea where his little master was going with this.

'Well that means we have a strong icy reiatsu right?'

Hyorinmaru blinked. He looked around the icy landscape that was his domain and wondered if there were something that was causing his master to act like this.

'Hyorinmaru?'

'Are you certain Toshiro? I would have never guessed that you would do something like this.' Hyorinmaru had to contain his laughter when the sky turned an interesting shade of pink.

'I'm only doing this cause I owe him! That is all!' Toshiro said, his voice tinged with embarrassment.

'Very well. Suggest it then. Though you do realize that you will be staying at your quarters for a long time right?'

'Yes.'

'That means you won't be able to do your paperwork. And just when you were about to get all of it done.' Hyorinmaru shook his head in mock resentment.

'It's all right. I can always ask Matsumoto to bring it over or something.'

"Unohana-taicho." Hitsugaya called, immediately calling everyone's attention to him. "You said he needs to be in a cold environment yes?"

Confused, Unohana nodded. "Yes. I did."

"Well, what if he stayed with me?" Hitsugaya suggested, trying to ignore the looks of surprise on the captains' faces.

Unohana blinked in surprise. "I'm not sure. Why do you suggest it Hitsugaya-taicho?"

"I wield Hyorinmaru, who is the strongest ice-type zanpakuto in Soul Society. So naturally I have the coldest reiatsu as well." Hitsugaya explained.

Unohana put her hand on her chin as she thought. "That makes sense. But you would have to continually release your reiatsu throughout the day and night."

"Even when I release just a little reiatsu, it can freeze an entire room. I will be fine."

Unohana nodded. "If you are sure, then I see no problem in letting him stay with you. I will come by to check on him of course."

"Of course."

"May I ask why you suggested it, Hitsugaya-taicho?" Unohana asked.

"It's the least I can do, considering if I had not left him alone, he wouldn't be wounded as he is now." Hitsugaya said.

"Very well." Everyone looked at Yamamoto as he began to speak. "Hitsugaya-taicho, as of now you are the care-taker of Kurosaki Ichigo. You will be excused from any to all captain meetings until further notice. Your fukutaicho, Matsumoto Rangiku will lead your division upon your return."

Hitsugaya blinked. 'Did he just…?' he thought, his sentence trailing off into confusion. For as long as he's been a captain, Yamamoto never did what he just did.

Still confused but secretly grateful, he bowed and said, "Arigato sotaicho."

Nodding, he turned to Unohana. "How long will Hitsugaya be keeping watch over Kurosaki?"

"I'm not sure as of yet. I can estimate if you like." Unohana said.

"Very well. What is your best guess?"

"Around 3 months. But it also depends on how fast we find the cure and how much reiatsu Hitsugaya-taicho will release. And," she added, "If he doesn't get any worse as well."

Yamamoto nodded. "Very well then. Now that that matter has been settled, we can go back to our duties. Dismissed." Lifting his cane then slamming it down, the sotaicho signaled the end of their meeting.

xxx-IchiHitsu-xxx

Hitsugaya watched as they carried the slumbering Ichigo to one of the rooms. They were at his quarters now, and Hitsugaya was glad that the message he sent earlier to the two servants was received well before they arrived. They cleaned the room he asked them to, and proceeded to make it so that it was cool. Small drapes were over the windows, keeping out the sun and heat in the months to come. They had all of the windows opened just a little to let in some air. On the floor was a simple futon, with a few blankets next to it, all of them different in thickness.

"Set him down gently please." Unohana instructed. Normally, Hitsugaya would protest to having so many people in his private quarters, but it could not be helped.

Unohana was there to supervise the small team she made to carry Kurosaki. Heading her words, they gently set him down on the futon, so gently Hitsugaya wondered if they thought he was made with glass. Though, looking at him now, Hitsugaya thought, he would think the same thing.

His face was pale, dark circles that were invisible a few hours ago in the human world darkened. His eyes looked as if they had sunk into his skull. His hair even seems to have lost it brightness.

The shinigami moved away slowly from the slumbering man, quietly leaving the room. Hitsugaya watched them from the corner of his eye before he focused on Unohana. She was kneeling beside him now and had her glowing hands on his forehead and chest.

After a few moments of silence she removed her hands. Standing up she walked over to where Hitsugaya was standing and motioned for him to follow. Releasing his reiatsu enough so that it could remain in the room Hitsugaya left. Closing the door behind him, he followed her to outside. Sitting down next to her, he waited for her to speak.

"I believe he is doing well. Physically anyway." She began. Looking over at Hitsugaya, she continued. "His mind is in turmoil. Whatever occurred before you found him must have affected him deeply."

Hitsugaya eyes widened slightly. "So what does that mean?" he asked, though on the inside he knew the answer.

"I'm afraid it means that Kurosaki is in a coma-like state. Until he is ready to deal with whatever is causing him conflict, he will remain so." Unohana said, a frown marring her features.

The small captain said nothing for a moment. After a moment he spoke. "What'll happen if he does not wake?"

"If he doesn't wake up within the week, I'm afraid he won't wake up at all." Unohana said gravely.

Thinking she might be thirsty, he signaled to one of the servants. She had long black hair tied back. She was of average height and was wearing a simple yukata. "Suzu, could you get us some tea please." He said.

"Of course Hitsugaya-sama." She said. Turning around she walked back into the house. Hitsugaya turned back around to face the gentle woman.

"What do you think will happen if he does wake up?" Hitsugaya asked.

"I'm not sure. We will have to wait and see I'm afraid." She said, giving thanks when Suzu came over with a tea tray.

Hitsugaya nodded. "Very well. I shall wait till he wakes." Looking out at the yard, he said, "I will keep watch Unohana-taicho. And I'll let you know immediately when he wakes."

"Arigato, Hitsugaya-taicho." Unohana said, also looking at the yard.

xxx-IchiHitsu-xxx

Toshiro did not realize he was staring until Suzu had to poke him then apologizing for it. He said it was all right and instead of leaving he stepped into the room. Ichigo was still sleeping, though this time his face was peaceful looking.

Unohana had left only a few minutes earlier, telling him that she would be back in two days to check on him. Sitting down next to the futon, Toshiro let his eyes roam Ichigo's face. It wasn't as pale, but it wasn't as tan either. The blood that had stained his face had been wiped away.

Toshiro didn't notice it but his eyes had softened somewhat when he looked at Ichigo. He didn't even notice the door silently sliding close, leaving him to wonder when the substitute shinigami would wake up, and if he would forgive him.

Yes. I know. It's short. At least I didn't leave you with a very annoying cliffhanger. Don't kill me and review! Oh, and check out my new story! It's called 'White Moon, Dark Snow'! Well bye!