Toshiro sighed, clearing his mind and trying to focus only on placing one foot in front of the other. He had been thinking about what Uryu had said before he had left, those words that rang in the back of his skull, reminding him over and over of what was needed of him.
"You'll have to completely place your trust in us."
He shuddered. Trusting anybody other than himself and Hyourinmaru had always been impossible for him. He had somewhat trusted Momo, that is, until she held her zanpaktou level to his throat. He knew that she was distraught at the time, and couldn't think straight, so it was easy enough for him to forgive her. But that didn't change the caution he began to feel, and the need to pull even further away from her.
She still loved Aizen, he knew that. And she may turn against him for her captain at any time. His only choice was to further harden his heart, to prepare himself for anything she may do.
Since he couldn't trust Momo, Toshiro had given in to deciding that he could only leave everything to himself. Rangiku had always been simply out of the question. Even when she got serious, she was much too irresponsible to be trusted.
But what about Kurosaki? Why is it that you can't rely on him?
Giving a small start at the familiar rumble of Hyourinmaru, who had been quietly listening to his master's thoughts, Toshiro rubbed some blood-stiffened cloth between his fingers absently.
"I... I just don't know what to think about Ichigo...I don't understand him?"
Why not?
Toshiro breathed slowly as he reminisced what had happened when Kusaka returned. Ichigo had risked his life several times to help Toshiro, and now he was doing so again.
"I can understand it to some degree, but the extent that he's gone to to help me, how close he could come to dying, it's just that nobody's ever done anything like that for me before. He barely even knows me."
He only wants to protect his friend, is that so different from what you are doing for Hinamori?
"Yes it is. I'm not his friend, just an acquaintance."
But he sees you as one.
"That doesn't change that he shouldn't"
It doesn't change that he does.
Hyourinmaru's words brought the look on Ichigo's face when he was determined to help Toshiro escape from the soul society to mind, and the words the substitute soul reaper had spoken that brought him out of his reverie. It wasn't Momo, or Rangiku, or anyone else. It was Ichigo who seemed to understand Toshiro's feelings more than anyone else.
So why couldn't he trust him? Why not, when he...?
I don't know, master, but you don't have much more time to think about it.
Toshiro recognized Hyourinmaru's sudden tenseness, and snapped back into reality. Ichimaru had slid to a stop, a scowl of hatred across his mouth.
It took several moments for Toshiro to comprehend what he had missed.
Shock tingled his fingers as his eyes widened. He felt as though something snapped into place as he absorbed what he saw.
Aizen Sousuke stood before them, a smile spread mockingly across his face.
Toshiro'a heart suddenly beat faster than he believed possible. Blood boiled in his chest, rushing to his head. He didn't even notice as his teeth clenched so tightly he tasted blood.
His mind reeling, the next thing he knew, Toshiro had abandoned all caution, his hand beginning to find it's way, almost of it's own accord, towards his zanpaktou.
"Don't bother."
Toshiro had no idea why he paused at the sound of Ichimaru's voice.
"It's only a hologram, it's not really Aizen."
Ichimaru had gotten over his initial surprise in an instant, recognizing Aizen's trick with his eerie calmness.
His eyes still wide, Toshiro took a second glance at Aizen. As if to justify Gin's theory, the image flickered.
Toshiro's hand trembled a few times before it fell from its place over his shoulder. He bit his lip in rage, but forced himself to remain in control. It wasn't really Aizen. He refused to let himself lose control on something that wasn't even his enemy.
"What the hell do you want?" He asked dangerously, looking at the man with obvious bloody intent.
"I am simply here to deliver a message, since Gin found it necessary to destroy my surveillance connections."
Aizen's voice echoed from the mouth of the synthetic image, sending a chill of animosity down Toshiro's spine.
The man's artificial eyes turned its gaze to Toshiro.
"Hitsugaya, I have orders for you."
The young soul reaper's eyes widened in rage.
"Return to the rescue party and kill them all."
Captain Ukitake held his slightly bloodied arm tightly, but stood straight as the defeated Arrancar fell to the floor.
While their group was immensely powerful together, the Espada was no weak target. Only after Captain Kuchiki had released his zanpaktou did the enemy fall.
Captain Ukitake had been so used to holding back, and a lack of any recent action, that he managed to get nicked on the arm. It wasn't very deep, but small streaks of blood ran down his arm.
He gave a small smile as Orihime came to his side, her healing abilities at the ready. As the glow of her powers enveloped his arm, he stared at everyone else who were beginning to recover from their battle. He could hardly believe he had already lost track of Toshiro. Just how they had been weak enough to let him slip away was bewildering to Ukitake. Nor could he forgive himself for it.
"What do we do now?" Chad asked, his voice becoming present for the first time.
Everyone but Byakuya seemed to turn to Ukitake. Rangiku was stepping out of a mess of some rocks, and Hisagi was protectively by her side. Ukitake doubted the lieutenant cared much for Toshiro, but he was concerned for Matsumoto's sake.
With a small sigh Ukitake looked down the corridor. "We agreed that we would continue that way, to look for a way out of this place. The best we can do is hope he followed those plans as well, and try to meet up with him there."
Rangiku sighed, Ukitake didn't know her captain like she did. He most definitely went to find Aizen. But she kept her mouth shut. She knew he wouldn't want them to get involved.
"Let's go." Hisagi said, beckoning her forward along with everyone else.
"You want me to..." Toshiro practically snarled in rage. "No, I won't"
Aizen chuckled. "Hitsugaya, I have Hinamori with me this instant. I gave you an order, and you are to follow it."
Toshiro's will wavered as he understood.
"I told you before, if you disobey me, I will kill her."
Turning, Toshiro stared his hands, trembling. Why didn't he know that Aizen would do this? It was the obvious move. Was he so blinded by his desire to kill that he didn't even stop to consider his hopeless position? Why the hell did he even start to leave in the first place? Disobedience to Aizen would result in Hinamori's death. He had the slightest hope that Ichigo would do something, but-
"You'll have to completely place your trust in us."
Those were Uryu's words. But trust them to do what? Toshiro's hands tightened into fists. How could he trust people he hardly even knew?
His mind went back to the incident with Kusaka, when Ichigo had told him to share his pain with his friends. This was basically the same thing. Toshiro had spent his entire life forcing himself to stand alone. As much as he told himself that it was for the best, it didn't change how much it hurt. Now Ichigo was trying to guide him. Trying to tell him that trusting others is the only way to get rid of that pain.
To get rid of it... To stop having to feel that pain...
He just had to trust them. He had to. A thought snapped into place, and his eyes widened.
Don't tell me, Ichigo, that's what you're going to do...?
Ichimaru stared at the young soul reaper, whose eyes were hidden as his head bowed downwards. The boy's hands were shaking uncontrollably, and he had been quiet for some time, lost in his own thoughts. Gin wanted to stop Aizen, to protect Toshiro, but he feared if he did so, Aizen would kill Hinamori. The thought of losing Rangiku was enough to lead Gin to do everything he could to help protect Momo.
Toshiro finally found the will power to speak, his voice tingling with struggling emotion.
"Fine then, Aizen, go ahead."
The soul reaper raised his head, yelling the words he couldn't believe he dared speak.
"Go ahead! Go on and kill her, Aizen!! Just you try!! I'm not following your goddam orders anymore!"
If anything could ever catch Sousuke Aizen by surprise, that did. But only barely. It wasn't important enough for him to care much, but he still was surprised by his miscalculation. He didn't think Hitsugaya would ever give up on Momo, unless...
The man looked over his shoulder calmly, suddenly made aware of two new presences.
Toshiro shuddered, dreading the reply. If he was wrong, then...
A voice came from the hologram, but Toshiro's eyes widened as he recognized it.
"Good job, Toshiro." Ichigo's voice was picked up in the reciever next to Aizen though he was across the room. "Don't worry now, I won't let Aizen hurt her."
Wheeee I've been thinking about what happens in this chapter for a verrrryyyyy long time... but I still don't like it very much... I started this whole thing with Ukitake promising to help Toshiro, but now Ichigo is doing most of the important stuff... fweee I fail... oh well Ichigo's pretty cool. I can't wait to write the sequel to this....
AIZEN BIG BATTLE THINGY coming soon.... prob the chap after the next... still have to fill in the little holes that I have left...
ANYWAY im gonna go draw now, idk what, but something, so I'll talk to u all later... PLZ REVIEW ME!! plz oh plz!! rlly, plz tell me how I'm doing!!
