I'm updating today instead of tomorrow because tmrrw I have finals.
PLZ enjoy and review!
Toshiro's consciousness evaded him for what felt like an eternity. When he finally was able to awaken, the boy's head was so fogged he wanted to only fall asleep.
His eyelids heavy, he gave up on opening them. He was exhausted. As he gradually gained more feeling around his body, Toshiro felt cool blankets around him, and a comfortable cushioning supporting all the sore muscles.
Comfort... He took a deep breath. That wasn't a feeling he had ever thought he'd feel again. Vaguely, he wondered if he was dead. Probably. Hopefully. After a moment, his head cleared a little more, and he noticed something around his mouth, aiding him through his heavy breathing. Toshiro tried to cough something out of his throat, but breathing any harder than he was already simply took to much energy for him to muster.
Toshiro's head pounded a horrid aching, and he considered if he would've thought of his condition as comfort a few months ago. No, he wouldn't have, the boy decided. He'd grown to be used to a certain level of constant pain that was always present, both physically and emotionally, and the level it was at now was lower than it had been in a very long time.
As his mind blurred with weariness, his thoughts could barely come together anymore. But, only being able to slowly wander back into sleep, he felt a slight pressure by his side, and a warmth around his left hand. Curious, Toshiro willed himself to open his eyes, and they obliged grudgingly.
The room was dark. Only a small few rays of light came from beyond a window, high on the far wall. Beside him, a small machine was connected to him by a few cables, and a jar of clear fluid hung above the bed. As the boy looked down through half closed eyes, he saw a mess of mousy brown hair, and peachy skin clinging to his hand.
She was sitting on a chair right beside his bed, but had leaned forward to rest her head on the edge of the matting, right by his hip. Even as she slept, she held his hand dearly, and Toshiro wondered how long she had been there, caring for him, wishing he'd wake up. Subconsciously, his hand slightly tightened around hers, and she stirred softly.
Steadily, Momo's dark brown eyes opened. After a moment's hesitation, she opened them further, until they met Toshiro's.
"Lil..." She gave a start and bolted upright, her eyes now wide. "Lil Shiro...
Are you all right?"
Though he gave some effort, he couldn't respond. He was simply too tired, and the energy of keeping his baggy eyes open was draining him further.
Her expression softened when she understood his condition. Sitting down again, Momo still clutched his hand, and he gazed at her worryingly.
Perceiving the unspoken question in Toshiro's eyes,she spoke softly.
"I'm fine, don't worry. And everyone else is mostly alright too. By now, we've all healed up. You're the only one who was..." She looked down sorrowfully. "...badly hurt"
His mind was slipping into a fuzzy darkness again too quickly for him to wonder how long he had been sleeping. With his conscience settled, his eyes wearily grew heavier and heavier, and, as Momo quietly suggested he go back to sleep, he caved in and wandered back into a dreamless slumber.
Ukitake stood not far from Byakuya, both in the Head Captain's private meeting room. Their leader had asked them to come, and they both had obliged, only Ukitake with a heavy fear in his heart.
"The situation could've easily gotten out of control, and the likelihood of failure was at a very high level."
Byakuya continued their conversation of the events surrounding Aizen and Toshiro. "And my inability to stop that was by the actions of Captain Ukitake.
Sighing, Ukitake chose his words carefully. "It was not I who put up the barrier, it was Aizen. If I had known of this, I wouldn't have stopped you."
"But it was your original actions that stopped me in the first place."
"It all worked out though," Ukitake rebutted. "Didn't it?"
Byakuya closed his eyes and continued calmly. "That is not the point. Though the Hogyoku was destroyed, Aizen escaped. And the whole situation could've been avoided if I had been able to carry out my orders originally."
Ukitake's eyes narrowed. "How do you know? What if you hadn't been able to defeat Aizen? You would've killed Hitsugaya, who has proven himself to be the only one who could defeat him, and you would be dead yourself. That wouldn't do you much good."
"That's-"
"Enough." The Head Captain interrupted. Both Captains turned to Yamamotto, and he spoke with a gruff voice. "That does not matter now. I do not believe Captain Ukitake had any malicious intentions in his actions, and that offense shall be forgotten. What must be dealt with now is Hitsugaya."
The Captain of the thirteenth squad gazed at the floor solemnly, "Though it was against his will, he destroyed several villages, and has killed nearly a hundred innocent souls." He muttered quietly.
As the Head Captain nodded, he continued. "Yes, and those crimes can not go unpunished in the eyes of those who've lost their family and friends. Even if we tell them of what has occurred, they will still demand he be punished. It is not something we may overlook. We've procrastinated this discussion for long enough as everyone healed up, but now, it must be dealt with."
Toshiro sighed heavily, slowly becoming more aware. This time he awoke, he opened his eyes, his head clearing slowly, but much faster than before. Taking a close look around, he noticed with a twinge of sadness that the area beside his bed was empty. The equipment over his mouth was now gone, and the boy breathed easier. In the window, sunlight streamed in, a sight the boy was no where near used to.
"Toshiro?"
Becoming more awake, the boy tried to turn, but his body immediately protested painfully. Gasping quickly for breath, his vision blurred and he struggled against his returning headache.
"Hey, take it easy." A familiar voice came from above him. Calming down, Toshiro's eyes adjusted, and then focused on the orange haired soul reaper holding his arm and trying to make him relax.
"Ichigo..." His breath coming easier, Toshiro glanced around the room as the teenager leaned against the wall beside the bed. "...Where is this?"
There was a small chuckle from Ichigo, but he responded. "Where do you think? Soul Society, fourth squad barracks. Do you realize you've been asleep for five weeks?"
Toshiro would've jumped forward in shock if he wasn't still so tired. As such, all he could do was widen his eyes.
"Everybody else is all healed up, but we've all been worried about you." Ichigo continued. "Captain Unohana said that if you didn't wake up soon there could be some major problems. But Hinamori has been taking care of you this entire time. Until Rangiku made her go and rest, that is. We had to practically drag her away to get her to take care of herself... but we figured that's what you would've wanted."
The boy nodded a small thanks before he spoke once more. "And... Aizen?"
It seemed to get very quiet. Ichigo's expression darkened as he recalled the man's face, transformed by hatred in his defeat.
"He's not the type of man who ever thought he could lose." the substitute spoke softly. "And he ran off
before anyone could finish him. But Toshiro... I can't say I know what he's going to do... but he'll want revenge."
"..." Toshiro was silent. He knew what Ichigo said was true and merely wished to be able to put it out of his mind.
"And then there's-" Ichigo was interrupted as the door opened. After excusing himself around a rather large guard outside the door, Hanatarou entered the room holding a large tray with various foods.
"Ichigo, I brought some-" the meek soul reaper stopped short as he saw Toshiro sitting up in the bed, and he stuttered on his words.
"Capt... Capt..." His eyes were wide as he corrected himself. "Hitsugaya, you're awake?"
Toshiro nodded but didn't say a word as he gazed past the boy and over to the large guard outside the door. Catching the look in Toshiro's eyes, Ichigo walked to Hanatarou and whispered something in the boy's ear. After Ichigo pulled away, Hanatarou gave a tentative glance from Toshiro to the guard outside, and then left, closing the door and bringing the food with him.
"You're still a criminal to the Soul Society, Toshiro."
An odd mixture of shame and sorrow darkened the boy's teal eyes, and he neglected to respond.
Ichigo sighed. "That guard has been there for as long as you've been in here, and technically, I'm only here because I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on you too."
The boy gave him a glance before turning away again.
"Toshiro..."
A heavy weight burdened on the boy's heart, and he refused to acknowledge the teen's words, lost in his disgrace. His eyes sympathetic, Ichigo continued quietly, speaking what he knew would only burden Toshiro further, but something he need to accept.
"They're still deciding, but... you know...
They're going to execute you."
DOOM. Isn't that an epic word?
I may have finals this week, but I will be updating on Thursday, because that is actually my last day of finals, so I won't have any studying to do.
For those of you who want some explaining done, the reason Toshiro collapsed last chapter is, if you remember, because of Kyoka Suigetsu's illusionary power-stuff. I explained in some earlier chapter about how Toshiri was worried because he couldn't know if Aizen had injured him or not because he wouldn't feel it as long as Aizen didn't want him to. Then Kyoka Suigetsu was destroyed and it's illusions were too. Hence, Toshiro felt the injuries and the shock of it all ran to his head at the same time and he passed out.
HOORAY I gotta go. I DON'T WANNA GO TO CHURCH! It's boring... i'm depressed now, and I have finals to study y butt off for... plz review me!
