Chapter 3

Three years later...

Toushiro Hitsugaya had just graduated high school two weeks ago. His mom, James, Tiffany, Rukia and Nigel (the Gunn family's butler) were all very proud of him. They all had attended his graduation and cheered him on.

James had become like a father to Toushiro and Tiffany like a very caring Aunt. Rukia was his best friend even though she was seven years younger than him and Nigel was also a good friend. It had taken his mom some time to get used to Toushiro's strange job and strange employer but once she had, they had all become dear friends.

Just a few months ago, his mom bought a new house that was bigger than the last. It still had one bathroom but it had two bedrooms and a little bit bigger of a kitchen and living room. The area of town wasn't the best but it was better than where they had come from. The whole Gunn family had helped them move and even pitched in to help paint. The men took care of the outside and the girls had the inside. Well, except for Rukia. She couldn't decide who she wanted to help so she had kept flipping back and forth. And Tiffany wouldn't let Nigel on a ladder since he was older so he took care of lunch and did what rolling he was allowed.

Toushiro smiled as he thought of all of the changes that had happend within the last three years and it was all thanks to James. He opened the door to the huge mansion without knocking and shouted, "Rukia! I'm here!" He smiled when he heard her open her door and he watched her run down the stairs and towards him.

"Shiro!"

He smiled and hugged her tightly. He released her after a minute and looked down at her. She was still way on the short side for her age but she hadn't had any problems with anyone teasing her since Toushiro had taught her how to throw a punch. Toushiro on the other hand was 6'1 and still growing. "So you ready to go?"

Rukia nodded. They had a tradition of going to the bowling alley every Friday but they missed last Friday because James had taken the family on a trip to California.

"You guys leaving?", James asked as he came in from the living room.

"Yeah. I did promise her." Toushiro said.

James smiled. "Have fun sweetie", he said as he kissed her on the head.

"I will."

And with that, Toushiro and Rukia headed to the bowling alley.

When they had played their three games and ate their pizza, Toushiro walked Rukia home, said goonight, and headed to his own house. But when he walked in the door he knew something was wrong. He could smell dinner burning. His mom NEVER burned dinner. "Mom?" he shouted, worried. He ran into the kitchen and what his saw broke his heart.

"MOM!" Toushiro ran over to her and picked her limp body up to rest in his arms. She was bleeding from three stab wounds. One to her chest and two in her stomach. The pile of dark red liquid on the floor seemed like a lake to Shiro. He knew that she didn't have a chance. Especially since her breathing was so shallow. "Mom? Mom say something."

She cracked her eyes open. "Shiro?"

Shiro couldn't hold back a sob when she said his name as if he could save her. "I'm sorry, mom. I'm so sorry I wasn't here. I should've been here."

She tried to lift her hand to touch his face but she was too weak. "No. Not your fault."

Toushiro shook his head. He knew better. He knew it was his fault.

She smiled softly at him. "You're so handsome. I'm so proud...of...you."

Tears streamed down his face as he watched his mother's life slowly leaving her. "I'll find out who did this mom. I promise."

She knew she didn't have enough time to argue with him. She hoped that James would be able to talk some sense into him. That revenge wasn't the answer. "I love you, Shiro."

Toushiro sobbed again. "I love you too, mom." He saw her smile softly, close her eyes, and watched as she breathed her last breath. He kissed her cheek and let his sorrow be heard.

It was an hour before he finally carried her upstairs to her room and laid her gently down onto her bed. He covered her up with her sheet as if he was tucking her into bed for her final sleep. Then he went to his own room and grabbed his gun and shoved it into his sweater's pocket. It was when he glanced into the living room that he saw it.

There was a drawing of a huge flying bird on the living room wall. Drawn in his mother's blood. The Raven Wings Gang symbol was a huge flying bird. They had tried to get Toushiro into their gang more than once over the years and he had always refused. Another wrack of sobs threatened to overcome him as he realized that the evidence was right in front of him. It was all of his fault. But he held the sobs back and glared at the drawing. They were a small gang. Four members. And he knew where they all lived.

And he knew where they were all going to die.