STRAWBERRIES!!! AND PINEAPPLE!!!! AND CHOCOLATE!!!! HOOORRAAAAYYYYYYYYYY
Stumbling forward, Ichigo swore under his breath as he sat on a large rock to rest.
I can't believe you made me do that.
Hollow blood stained the floor around him, though he was unscathed. Exhausted, he breathed deeply and rubbed his sore muscles. With every hollow exterminated, for the time being, he rewrapped his zanpaktou and set it next to him. Ichigo sighed heavily again as he fumbled around inside his robes until he found what he needed. The small device glinted against the moonlight from Hueco Mundo's vast desert.
"Well, I suppose now would be the time to use this, huh?" He said to himself.
Rubbing his temple, Ichigo focused his spiritual pressure, a task that never came easy to him. After and attempt or two, he finally heard the familiar click as the device reacted.
Giving a small smile, he stood and stepped back, setting it on the rock. Moments passed with no difference other than a small buzzing sound coming from it. After a couple quizzical glances from Ichigo, the device sputtered some static until a strange type of holographic screen appeared above it.
"Huh?"
Static continued to shudder the screen, until Ukitake's face eventually appeared, looking pleased.
"Ah, Ichigo. So you got it into Hueco Mundo alright?"
"For the most part." Ichigo said with a huff. "What's going on? I thought this thing was supposed to open a portal."
"Oh no, it just opens up communications." Came the reply.
"WHAT?!"
"Relax, Ichigo. Since we have been able to open a connection, it won't be long before Captain Kurotsuchi is able to widen it and then create a portal."
"Oh." Ichigo released the sudden tension that had gripped him. "So how long should that take?"
"A couple hours… At least."
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Ichigo yelled, stiffening once more.
"Wha-" Ukitake's expression turned surprised. "What's wrong?"
"A couple hours?!"
"Well, yes, it's not very easy."
Ichigo's eyes flickered with rage behind his hair, he wished they could've just told him that earlier. After everything, he was just supposed to wait even more? He barely even knew Toshiro, they weren't close by any means, and he was sure that the young captain wouldn't have asked Ichigo to rescue him. But for some reason, Ichigo knew he couldn't leave him alone. There was no way he would ever be able to live with himself if he didn't do everything in his power to save the boy, and that was what he was determined to do.
Toshiro was somewhere, perhaps somewhere closer than he thought, and Ichigo would go to any lengths to find him. That was just what he had to do, no matter the cost. He didn't know why he was so determined to be help Toshiro, but Ichigo believed it was because of what had happened to his mother. It was because his mother died to protect him that he continuously felt that he had to protect everyone, just in hopes that it would someday make up for his weakness as a child.
Also, he could almost understand Toshiro. Though the boy was probably hundreds of years older than Ichigo, Toshiro reminded him of himself. Toshiro's pain reminded him of how much it hurt to have everything closed up inside of himself. It wasn't coldness that kept him to himself, it was fear. He had feared that allowing anyone else to see his pain would only cause them discomfort, and they would turn away. Ichigo was convinced that Toshiro was going through the same thing, and had always closed off his feeling, because he didn't want to burden anyone else with it. He never had a family as understanding as Ichigo did. He never learned how to share what he was going through, and now he was only hurting himself more and more, by keeping it all inside.
Ichigo's fist balled up. He wouldn't let this go on any longer than it already has. There was no way he'd let Toshiro continue to suffer more and more.
"Ukitake?"
The captain blinked slowly. "What?"
His face shadowed, Ichigo spoke, directed at the small device sitting on the rock in front of him. "Can this thing run normally on it's own?"
Confused, Ukitake responded slowly. "Well, yes, but why do want to know-" The man's eyes widened in comprehension. "Don't you dare, Ichigo…"
With a grim smile, Ichigo reached for Zangetsu, thrusting it onto his back.
"Sorry, Ukitake, but I can't let Toshiro wait any longer than he already has."
"ICHIGO!"
But the teenager had already turned out of side, breaking into a run towards Las Noches.
Byakuya advanced through the first squad barracks, his feet making small pats against the wood floor. His face as impassive as ever, he opened the door into the inner conference hall.
"Captain Kuchiki, thank you for coming."
The Head Captain Yamamotto was sitting behind a desk, his lieutenant by his side. The room was only used for private meetings, being mostly just a desk and one wall open to look out on the Seireitei.
"What is it that you called me here for?" The black haired captain inquired politely.
"I have some business I must discuss with you, things that I believe any other captain would get too carried away with or refuse." The leader spoke slowly, his gruff voice filling the room. "I will put word in for you to go along with Captain Ukitake to Hueco Mundo, however there is something that I need done."
Byakuya waited patiently for the Head Captain to finish
"You must understand that you are not to reveal this to anyone going to rescue Hitsugaya, a few among their number may become outraged."
"Of course, Head Captain."
"Very good. Now you must see my position here. Hitsugaya's life is extremely beneficial to Aizen's plot, a plot that we cannot let succeed. His power has become a threat to us, no matter what he feels of his actions. While Hitsugaya has much promise and ability, we cannot allow Aizen to use misuse that power. However, it may become impossible to bring Hitsugaya back. If that is the case, Captain Kuchiki, or if things begin to become out of hand,
You are to kill Hitsugaya."
Bum BUM BUMMM Will Byakuya do it? Well yeah of course he'll agree to do it, I mean will he have to? BUM BUMM BAAAHHHH SUSPENSE
I know I used some themes from DiamondDust Rebellion, but I had to, I sort of fit into the situation and I needed to explain Ichigo's determination. I mean really, Toshiro is just an acquaintance, maybe a little more, but not a close enough friend for Ichigo to go to EXTREME lengths for without any better reason. On the other hand… this IS Ichigo we're talking about… oh well what ever.
I've been thinking about the sequel more and more lately and I can't wait to write it! Horrible… horrible things happen in it… I doubt Toshiro will forgive me… or Ichigo for that matter. I've been meaning to tell you there will be A LOT of Toshiro/Ichigo FRIENDSHIP DON'T YOU DARE FOR ONE SECOND ASK ME TO MAKE IT YAOI BECUZ I WILL NEVER DO IT in the sequel.
Yayzers. Oh, and just for a certain person who thinks I shouldn't have announced how I was going to TAKE CARE OF someone that night, well, I was only going to go and help make dinner and clean up and stuff. ….. Yyyouuu beeeliieevveeee meee…. (Hypnotic stare)
Anyhow, if you wish to keep this particular author in an excitingly great mood, I suggest you review me! PLEASE!! AND THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS! BUT I WUD LOVE TO HAVE SOME MORE!!PPPLLEEEEAASSEE??!!! (just so you know, I am holding….. Something sharp…)
