Warning: Prepare tissues for tears. Jkjk. This chapter contains fluff and angst. So be warned.
雪の1月。
若い王女が生まれました、
雪子。
"Kurogane-sama, you may see your wife and child now," the midwife said as she bowed down to Kurogane. Kurogane nodded at her. After over an hour of pacing and worrying, he finally got to see his child and wife. Getting up to his feet, he quickly entered the room.
Kurogane smiled, he couldn't help but feel overjoyed when he saw her wife with their child. Tomoyo, looking so serene and beautiful, holding their child with a joyous smile. Kurogane walked towards her and looked at their child, asleep.
"She's such a beautiful baby girl." Kurogane nodded at Tomoyo's comment. It was obvious that the child received his pure black hair instead of his wife's very dark (to the point it looked almost black) purple hair. However, looking at her face, she knew that the child would grow up looking like Tomoyo.
"She'll be Yukiko."
"Eh? Seriously Kurogane? But that's just so…plain."
Kurogane twitched, "well, sorry I have no naming skills."
Tomoyo smiled at him, "I like it though. It's like when we first met and I heard it is snowing outside."
Kurogane smiled at his wife and gave her quick kiss. Yukiko is the biggest blessing the both received. Kurogane will do whatever it takes to protect their small child.
"Tomoyo. I swear, I'll protect you and Yukiko no matter the circumstance. You are my most precious, and, now, so is Yukiko."
Tomoyo smiled, "it's a promise."
"Tou-saaan!" Yukiko ran as fast as her little legs could take her and jumped onto his father. Kurogane's serious expression turned into a smile. He hugged her daughter tightly.
"Ara, this must be your daughter," a man said from behind his father. Yukiko turned to look at the said man and saw him smiling, beside him was another man. Both are using shihakusho and the man with the glasses was using a captain haori. Yukiko quickly hid behind her father at the sight of the two shinigami.
"Yukiko, meet Ichimaru-fukutaichou and Aizen-taichou." Yukiko shyly stood next to her father and gave them a quick bow. Feeling that that was enough of her, she blushed and turned to hide behind her father again. "Please excuse my daughter, she is a bit shy."
Yukiko tugged on Kurogane's hakama. He turned down to look at her, "tou-san, can I go now?" Kurogane nodded. Yukiko gave him another quick hug before leaving.
...
Yukiko ran into her mother's room while the retainers are behind her telling her to stop. She didn't care about those fussy people, she was Kioshi Yukiko. Jumping onto a ball like form on the futon, Yukiko called out for her mother. The ball a started to wiggle and a head popped out from under the futon. Yukiko smiled when she saw her mother. The five year old grinned at her.
"Kaa-san, I met two people who were talking with Tou-san!" Yukiko jumped off her mother and scandalously whispered in her mother's ear, "they were shinigami!" Tomoyo laughed and hugged her. Her very precious daughter.
"Tomoyo-sama, Kioshi Reichi-sama wants to talk to you and Ojou-sama."
Tomoyo answered the voice by saying she'll be ready in five minutes. Yukiko sat as she watched her mother dress in a furisode. Tomoyo's movement were graceful and quick. Once Tomoyo was done she held out her hand to Yukiko. Yukiko smiled and took the hand.
Walking out towards the main hall where Yukiko knew where her grandfather usually loiters about, Yukiko saw that the two shinigami she met just before smiled at her with a sombre expression. Yukiko tilted her head, why were they making such expression. So instead she smiled and waved at them, because her mother and father always said that her smile cured every problems they had.
Yukiko turned to look ahead and saw one of her retainers huffing. Yukiko felt a tad bit guilty for making her retainer run around searching for her after she sneaked out of her lessons…again. But then again, those lessons were so boring!
The door opened for them and Yukiko bowed when she saw her grandfather. Kioshi Reichi was a strict man. One should never be deceived by such an amiable face. One wrong step, one wrong move against him, would cost a life. One should never anger the man, after all, with hundred of loyal followers within the Kioshi clan, it wouldn't really be nice to have them chasing after you.
Yukiko smiled at her grandfather. In return she received a glared. Yukiko stopped smiling. Her grandfather always glared at her. Yukiko didn't know why. She asked her mother about it, but all her mother said was, it's probably because Yukiko is so cute he doesn't know what to do.
Yukiko believed her mother; after all, her mother would never lie. Yukiko sat down in front of her grandfather. Silence filled the room as she waited for her grandfather to talk. She looked at the door when she heard it slide open. Yukiko saw her father along with the two men she met just previously. Her father sat beside her grandfather and the two men sat down perpendicular from her. She looked at the glare her grandfather gave them.
"I am here to report strange attacks of hollows. They've been targeting people from the noble houses. The first victim was from the Shihoun clan, followed by a few other from the clan. After the attacks stopped in the Shihoun clan, the Kuchiki clan was attacked next. Our Gotei squad came with the hypothesis that it will attack the Kioshi clan next. The hollows main prey seems to be children. Yamamoto-soutaichou assigned me and my vice captain to protect Kioshi Yukiko-sama in case of the hollow attack."
Yukiko looked at her grandfather who closed his eyes and sighed. "I will accept your offer, however unnecessary it is. Kurogane will also keep a close eye on Yukiko. If that is all, please excuse me." Reichi stood up and left the main hall.
Yukiko looked at the retreating figure worriedly. She heard rumours from the servants that Kioshi Reichi is sick and may be dying. She looked at her mother, "Kaa-chan, let's go into Rukongai. I want to buy a flower for Ojii-sama." Tomoyo smiled at Yukiko.
"Aizen-taichou, Ichimaru-fukutaichou, for this trip please do not follow us. If you are concerned, do not fear, Kurogane will come with us," Tomoyo saw Aizen about to disagree, so she added, "if you have forgotten, then let me remind you. Kurogane was a former shinigami at captain level. So please be rest assured, we will be fine."
Tomoyo stood up and beckoned Yukiko to come with her. The young child got up to her feet and held her mother's hand. They both walked off leaving Kurogane and the two shinigami.
…
Yukiko smiled as she walked out of the noble clan house. She ran ahead, making sure that she was at least five steps ahead of her parents. Yukiko smiled and waved at her parents. The first district of Rukongai bustled with life, and Yukiko could only smile.
Every time she was out to mingle with 'common people', Yukiko could only get excited. There was so much to see, so much to do. She went up to a flower shop and bought a sakura branch for her grandfather.
About to walk back into her parents, she bumped into a boy. He looked lost and his eyes felt empty. She smiled at the white haired boy, "here you go. A flower to cheer you up."
The boy looked at the flower in his hand. Yukiko gave him an encouraging smile. Seeing that his turquoise eyes slightly brightened, Yukiko was glad. She waved him a goodbye and ran to her parents' side. Together the happy family walked back to the noble house.
…
Yukiko hummed happily as she made her retainers run off on a goose chase again. They were so easy to trick. Silly people. Opening the shoji door to the main hall, she knew her grandfather was there, sipping tea. Yukiko walked up to him and smiled.
"I see that you've escaped again."
Yukiko nodded.
"What do you want child?"
Yukiko smiled and held out the flower for him.
"You expect me to understand you when you do not speak?"
"It's for you Ojii-sama. I heard that you weren't feeling well, so—." Yukiko stopped herself when she saw her grandfather's glare, so different from his usually glare.
"Pray do tell, child, where did you hear such things?"
"The servants."
Yukiko jolted when her father mockingly called out the servant. He stood up and Yukiko slightly shook in fear at how her grandfather towered over her. "Kioshi Yukiko, you should never mingle with the servants. Though I expected as much from a mongrel like you!" Yukiko dropped her flower and stepped back a bit from the fear she felt. She finally figured out what the glare was, killing intent.
"I only allowed your mother to marry my son because he threatened to elope! The shame it would bring to the Kioshi clan if he does! Your mother who is nothing more than a lowly servant, managed to give birth to a child like you. How tarnished the name of Kioshi is now due to your murky blood and filthy mother."
Yukiko stepped back even further. Her grandfather's figure looked menacing. She was sure he would swallow her whole if she stayed around. Fear gripping every part of her body, she ran off.
Puffing and breathing heavily once she couldn't see the main hall anymore, Yukiko sighed. She didn't understand half of what her grandfather was saying, however, she felt the anger and hatred in his voice. It was enough to scare any child.
Realising that Yukiko had strayed too far from the noble house compound Yukiko looked around warily. She was lost…gulping down the fear she had as the darkness settled into Soul Society, Yukiko began walking to find her way back.
Seeing that there would be no one to help her as darkness settled into the forest she was in, Yukiko summoned her reiatsu and formed a ball of light. Proud of what she had achieved, it'd be great if she could escape and show her Sensei. Sensing a presence, Yukiko whipped her head around, searching for the disturbance in the air.
A small laughter erupted from the darkness. Yukiko looked at the source of the voice, her hands quivering slightly, shaking the ball of light. "Who's there?" Yukiko squeaked out. Stepping out of the darkness was a hollow. Fear gripped her as she remembered the talk she had with the two shinigami. This was the hollow that's been attacking kids from the noble houses.
"You know child, you look real tasty to me. Powerful. This is good. I like this."
Yukiko's flight or fight kicked in. Throwing the ball of light at the hollow and hitting it square in the eyes, Yukiko then ran off. She didn't care where she went in the darkness, all that matter was getting away from that thing. Her breathing became laboured as she ran faster, feeling fear moving her each step.
Yukiko stopped as she felt that she ran away far enough, Yukiko sighed in relief. She looked around warily. That thing hadn't followed her yet right?
"Hey brat. Stay where you are. I hate chasing after my meals."
Yukiko froze on the spot as she saw the hollow in front of her. She took a step back, hoping the distance will create a barrier. She couldn't scream. Her mind is telling her to fight the fear, but she couldn't do anything. She was too scared.
"Now, let me gobble you up!" the hollow jumped about to eat her whole.
Yukiko closed her eyes.
…
Help me. I don't want to die.
I shall lend you my power child. However there is a price.
What is it I have to pay?
You will house me.
I don't get it, but I won't die right?
No, you will not die.
I got it…so please, save me.
My name is…
…
Yukiko punched the oncoming hollow with all her might. The hollow then got knocked back and slammed against a tree. Yukiko then opened her eyes; her right eye still the same shade of blue whilst the other red with cat like pupil. "Hollow, tell me your name," her voice overlapped with another's and left an eerie feeling, echoing in the night.
The hollow got up on it's for legs and shook its head. "You brat! How dare you hit me! Forget eating you whole! I'll teach you a lesson and torture you!" The hollow ran towards Yukiko. Not feeling fear due to the power rising inside her, Yukiko merely raised her hand up.
"Hado no yon, Byakurai."
Blue lightning struck out of her fingertips and hit the hollow, decimating all its surrounding. The hollow's flesh was burning. The smell of death filled Yukiko's nostrils.
"Still not planning on telling me your name you talkative piece of shit?"
The hollow growled in return. Seeing that she'll get nowhere, Yukiko stood in front of the wheezing hollow. She raised her leg and slammed it back down on the hollows head. Blood spluttered out of its mouth before it started to turn into dust and disappear.
Yukiko looked to the side to see her father and the two shinigami, her consciousness fading away. Everything went black.
…
Kurogane stood rooted to the spot as she watched his little girl kill a hollow all by her self. Yukiko turned to look at him, her left eye red. Kurogane could only gulp in worry as she saw the iris of her daughter's right eye slowly bled into red, her pupil expanding before lengthening and then contracting into the shape of a cat's pupil.
"Yukiko?"
Her little girl merely smiled at him. "You're late, thanks to that I get a host."
Kurogane looked to the side and saw the confused faces of the two shinigami. It's best not to discuss such a thing in front of outsiders. Seeing that he'll get nowhere, Kurogane used shunpo and hit a pressure point at the back of Yukiko's neck. His heart felt pain at what he just did. His little girl then fainted into his arms.
"It seems that the hollow after those children is dead, so, if you'll excuse me. I think having a hollow chase after Yukiko is traumatising enough for any parent and the child herself."
He gave a nod to the two shinigami who bowed in return. Kurogane then used shunpo to return to the main house.
…
Tomoyo sat next to the sleeping form of Yukiko. Her eyes were red and puffy from discovering that Yukiko had disappeared. The tears only increased when she discovered that her little baby was the one who killed the hollow. That would only mean one thing; Kioshi Reichi will take Yukiko away from her. Tomoyo's most precious.
Tomoyo sighed in relief when she saw her husband walk through the door. She was afraid it would be her father-in-law. Tomoyo brushed her strayed piece of hair away from Yukiko's face. She swears to Kami-sama, that child always have such messy hair no matter how many times Tomoyo would comb it. "Kurogane, how was your talk with father-in-law?"
"He wants to train Yukiko personally now that it is awake within her."
"Kurogane, I know he's you father, but…I don't want that insane man near my daughter! My little baby."
Kurogane nodded. It certainly was bad if Yukiko stayed to close to the old man. He was slowly turning insane because of his immense power. Seeing no other option, he kneeled down and held Tomoyo's hand.
"Tomoyo, let's run away. We'll take Yukiko with us. I'll oversee her training."
Tomoyo's tears returned again, "is that even possible? To get away from that Demon?"
Kurogane gave her a sombre expression. "No, but it'll buy us enough time to train her so that Yukiko doesn't end up insane like the old man. It'll give her enough happy memories to pull through."
Tomoyo nodded. Kurogane hugged her and she felt all her worries wash away. Everything will be alright.
"Kaa-san, why did we move away again?" Yukiko looked up at her mother. They were currently living in a shack, she didn't mind it much, but it was lonely with only her mother and father. She wanted friends too…but then again, back in the noble house she didn't really have friends.
"Because your grandpa is an evil man who's going to take my Yukiko away from me." Yukiko couldn't take her mother seriously as she was making a comical face while her hands itched closer to her. Yukiko laughed when her mother engulfed her in a hug, tickling her too.
Yukiko's head perked up from her mother's hug when she heard her father's voice. Running to the entrance of the house, Yukiko jumped onto her father's leg. "Tou-san! I wanna go flying!" Her father laughed and picked her up and threw her up into the air then catching her. He repeated the process again. Yukiko laughed happily. He then proceeded to hug her.
…
Tomoyo stood by the doorway and watched the interaction between father and daughter, her chest filling with happiness. Living a simple life, away from any nobility was the best feeling she could have. Especially when the people she loved are here.
Kami-sama, please let us live in this bliss for a while longer.
Yukiko looked at her surroundings, assessing every single rock and leaf she could use in a fight. Feeling her attacker coming from the right she readied herself. To her surprise and annoyance, it was just a distraction. She felt a light tap on her shoulder.
"Yukiko, don't get too focused on one area."
Yukiko turned around and kicked. Her attacker moved back a step and avoided the kick. Yukiko growled in annoyance and started aiming punches everywhere she went and with each swing, her attacker would easily avoid her. Becoming frustrated, Yukiko blasted a kido spell at her attacker. Again to her annoyance her deflected the attack.
"Don't let your emotion cloud your movements."
"But you're too strong Tou-san! It's not fair that a fifteen year old has to fight a guy who has decades of experience!"
Her father chuckled, "you don't look like a fifteen year old. You're still a child."
The small girl huffed. Yukiko then hugged her mother who sat watching the training session. "Kaa-san, can I go to the river? Pretty please! I promise to stay inside the forest."
Her mother laughed and nodded, "only if your father agrees."
Yukiko turned and glare at her father, "you're letting me go, right?"
His father laughed and added, "okay. Now get rid of that glare."
Yukiko jumped up happily! She kissed her mother's cheek a good bye and ran off to hug her dad before leaving their small shack.
…
Yukiko sat by the river and relaxed. The cicadas giving the summer a nice relaxed atmosphere. Lying down on the riverbank with her feet in the river, Yukiko closed her eyes as she felt the warmth of the sun on her face.
Her calmness was forgotten when she felt someone closing in the area. She quickly opened her eyes and climbed onto a tree. Looking down on the ground she saw a boy running around, trying to find a way out. Yukiko silently giggled at how he was running in circles and oblivious that he was stuck within her father's kido.
Jumping onto another tree she smiled as she saw the boy stop. He let out a loud scream. Yukiko giggled, "hey, are you lost? Want me to help you out?"
The boy looked up at her. She smiled and jumped down. "I'm Kyuumu Yukiko, nice to meet you!"
…
Toshiro stared at the smiling girl in front of her. Was the rumour of a girl running around the forest, luring in victims by making them lost in her spell before she ate them true? Toshiro took a wary step back.
The small girl tilted her head to the side and her face was puzzled. She then looked down and fiddled with her fingers and pink dusted her cheeks. "Urm, you know. This is the first time I've talked with someone who's from outside of the forest. Everyone who saw me just runs off for no reason at all. Am I scary?" The girl looked up with sad eyes.
"Ah, no. By the way your left eye…it's…"
The girl stepped back and covered her eye. "It's cause of an accident when I was a kid." Toshiro realised that they were the same. If she didn't live in the forest, she'd be like him, an outcast. Toshiro felt a bit bad for assuming that the girl was around to kill lost children in the forest.
"Kyuumu Yukiko right? I'm Hitsugaya Toshiro."
It's been a week since Yukiko befriended Toshiro. The first time they met, they had talked about how Toshiro ended up in the forest. Apparently he was playing with his childhood friend and her friends when the ball got kicked into the forest. No one dared enter but Toshiro. After that Yukiko walked Toshiro to the edge of the forest, remembering her promise of not leaving the forest.
Toshiro returned once after that in order to give her some food as thanks for showing the way out. Yukiko accepted the natto, knowing that her father loved them. She asked Toshiro to play with her by the river bank to which he complied to. Now, she was sitting at the edge of the forest waiting for Toshiro to meet up with her again.
She tilted her head when the boys she saw Toshiro with gave him a wary look. She smiled happily when she saw Toshiro walking towards her. However, she was confused by the scared look the boys had when they saw her. Yukiko was about to ask, however, before she could, Toshiro turned her around and began pushing her to walk. Confused by the gesture, Yukiko let the question flit around her head until they reached the riverbank they spent the times they had together.
Yukiko sat down at the edge and looked at Toshiro, "why did they have that look?"
Toshiro sighed and looked up at the sky, "because I look different and so do you with your left eye."
Yukiko swayed her legs in the water, the cold refreshing her. Yukiko laid down on her back and turned her head to look at Toshiro, "you look pretty normal to me. But then again, the last time I've been in the outside world was ten years ago."
Toshiro copied her position and looked into her eyes, "why's that?"
"I don't know. Tou-san said he wanted to train me and Kaa-can said that Ojii-sama is a bad guy who'll come after me."
"I don't get it."
"Neither do I. No one tells me anything."
They both sat in silence as light streamed through the canopy warming their exposed skin. Yukiko and Toshiro continued to stare into each other's eyes, both hoping to get something out of the other. Seeing that they were getting nowhere, Yukiko was the first to speak, "how do you write your name Toshiro?" seeing Toshiro's eyes widened slightly, Yukiko added, "don't be surprised, I don't know the first thing about social etiquette, I haven't been meeting people in years okay?"
"You use the kanji of winter, lion and man."
"Heh, that's nice. I'm just good ol' snow and child."
More silence ensued between the both of them. Toshiro looked away from her, his cheeks slightly flushed. "Kyuumu," Yukiko interjected with her usual, 'call me Yukiko', "thanks for saying that I look normal."
Yukiko smiled at him, "un. Toshiro, thanks for not running away from me when we first met." Toshiro turned to face Yukiko, he gave her a small shy smile. Yukiko giggled and then got up on her feet feeling absolutely refreshed. Just knowing Toshiro for a short while and Yukiko already felt like she was going to be best friends with him.
"It's getting dark, let's get you back."
Walking together in silence, Yukiko hummed happily to herself. When they reached the edge of the forest, Yukiko waved him a goodbye and skipped back home.
Over the months Yukiko got to know Toshiro, they both managed to joke around and call each other nicknames. Yukiko happily called him 'Shiro-chan' to which he just groaned and yelled at her to stop calling her that. They compromised that Toshiro will call her by 'Yuki' from time to time to stop the harassment.
Yukiko hugged her mother after returning from the day she spent with Toshiro. She smiled happily as she recalled Toshiro's flushed face when she took off her yukata and jumped into the now cold river. Summer had passed and autumn was in full swing.
She asked her mother why there was a big pile of leaves in their back garden. To which her mother replied that her father had another mood swing and decided to burn them later on to roast some sweet potatoes. Kurogane chose that moment to enter and twitch in annoyance. It resulted in her mother being chased around the garden, the mountain of leaves her father built up to be destroyed.
Yukiko ran to join the head of mess her parents were in. She laughed as she heard her father made an 'oomph' sound. Yukiko laughed harder when her mother tickled her. They were happy and nothing can ruin this moment.
…
Toshiro called out to Baa-chan and Momo after he returned home. He smiled when he saw her grandma greeting her. He also gave a mock glare when Momo came in calling him by Shiro-chan. He made Yukiko stop calling him that, if only he can make Momo do the same.
"How was your day Shiro-chan?"
He gave Momo a non committal shrug.
"I saw you run off to the forest."
"So?"
"Well, there's been a rumour going around that a hollow lives in the forest. Disguised as a girl with innocence, it lures people in and then eats them. The hollow prefers children though. So be careful."
Toshiro had a vein appear on his head. It was just Yukiko! How can people say such a thing about her. That awkward annoying stupid girl is his best friend. "Well, you don't have to worry, the girl's name is Yukiko and she knows how to defend herself from hollows if she ever meets one."
Momo gasped. She smirked and inched closer to Toshiro. Toshiro in return gave her a glare, suspicious of that 'fufufu' Momo let out of her mouth. "So, you've been meeting with a girl. Mah, Baa-chan, our Shiro-chan is growing up." Toshiro pushed Momo's hand that was ruffling his hair away.
He sighed and turned to look at Baa-chan for help, in return the elderly woman merely smiled serenely. "Bring her over sometimes Toshiro, I'd love to meet your friend." Smiling at her grandma, Toshiro nodded. He's sure that Yukiko will enjoy the company.
Yukiko watched as the snow began falling. It was December. Pulling the scarf her mother wrapped around her tighter, Yukiko looked at Toshiro. They were sitting atop a tree in silence.
"Toshiro, your birthday is coming soon right?"
Small puffs of hot air came from Toshiro as he extended his hand to catch the falling snow. "Who knows. I'm not sure if it's even my birthday."
Yukiko looked at him. She remembers. She was born into the Kioshi clan, thus without ever questioning it, she knew when her birthday was. But for the souls that came into Soul Society, memories are sometimes muddled during transition from the Real World to Soul Society and thus leading to the uncertainty Toshiro held.
"Well, I'm sure your birthday is on that day, just as I am sure about mine!"
Toshiro just stared at her and then nodded. Yukiko didn't know whether he was just amusing her or whether that nod was genuine, but her smile didn't falter as she stared into those eyes.
"What are you going to do on your birthday?"
Toshiro shrugged.
Yukiko tilted her head and smiled, "then you should spend it with your family. I always spend mine with Kaa-san and Kuro-pon!"
"Kuro-pon?"
"It's Tou-san's new nickname. Kaa-san gave it to him because, 'he was being an annoying brat who destroyed my kitchen.' At least that's what Kaa-san said."
"You're weird you know that Yukiko."
Yukiko smiled at him and jumped off the tree. Toshiro followed suit. She grimaced at the setting sun. Ever since winter came around, Yukiko's time with Toshiro became limited. The thought saddened her, but he comes over to visit her more often.
Together they walked in silence. Seeing that Toshiro was shivering slightly, she closed the gap between them and put large scarf around them both. Holding his hand, she didn't glance at Toshiro, fearing that she would blush.
Reaching the edge of the forest, Yukiko stood and watch him. Their gaze met and Yukiko's cheeks flushed pink. Toshiro let go of her hand and slowly put the scarf around Yukiko, tying the long scarf with a bow at the front. Yukiko giggle and turned the scarf around so the bow would be behind her, not obstructing her view.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Yukiko nodded at Toshiro. She noticed that his lashes looked longer due to the snow. She was entranced by his eyes. Feeling her body move on her own, she closed her eyes and kissed Toshiro's cheek. Fluttering her eyes open, she pulled back slowly and watched Toshiro as his cheeks slowly flushed pink. Trying to burrow deeper into her scarf Yukiko felt the blush creeping up her cheeks as well.
"Shiro-chan!"
Both children turned to look at the approaching figure. Yukiko tilted her head to the side and noticed that a young girl was approaching them with her hail in two pigtails and warm brown eyes. Yukiko took a step back in fear that the young girl would run away after seeing her eye.
"Bed wetter Momo, stop calling me that."
Momo blushed and told Toshiro off. Yukiko hid behind a tree, her shyness taking over her again.
"Yukiko, get out of there. I want you to meet my childhood friend."
Yukiko peeked out of the tree she was hiding. She didn't know how to react. She didn't want to embarrass herself in front of Toshiro's childhood friend.
"Kyaa, she's so cute." Yukiko blushed at the statement. She simply nodded her head as thanks. She began fiddling with her fingers in order to calm down her nervousness. She felt a pair of warm hands to hold her small ones. She looked up to see Momo's serene smile. "Come visit us when ever you want. In fact let's go visit Baa-chan now!"
Yukiko gasped as she took a step out of the forest. She was not supposed to leave the forest. Screaming a no, Yukiko pulled her hand away from Momo as if she was touched by fire. Seeing the shock and hurt look on Momo's face, she felt guilty at her rudeness. Not able to deal with the problem she ran of back into the forest.
...
Yukiko returned home to see the worried look on her father's face. Her father extended his arms out and she jumped into her father's embrace. "My little Snow, please don't cry. It hurts me to see that." Yukiko realised that her cheeks were wet due to the tears.
Hiccuping, Yukiko hugged her father tighter. She burrowed her face into her father's warm chest. "I'm sorry Tou-san. I took one step out. I'm sorry I broke our promise. I'm sorry." She felt her father stopped stroking her head. "Now, a friend might be hurt really badly because I shouted."
She looked up to see her father's red eyes glowing menacingly. Yukiko quivered in fear. She scrambled back from her father. She helplessly called out to him, but he was just there like a stone, unmoving. Yukiko saw her mother worriedly coming out to the garden and saw the distressed state Yukiko was in.
Yukiko's mother turned to look at the still Kurogane. She then went and picked the petrified girl into her arms and brought her inside. Once the door closed behind them, Yukiko returned to crying again. She was blubbering and asking for forgiveness from her parents. Her mother just hugged her and after a while of crying, Yukiko fell into slumber.
…
Tomoyo put Yukiko to bed. She sighed as she looked at her daughter's puffy red eyes. She went outside and saw Kurogane strengthening the barrier around them.
"You scared her."
"Sorry, but the barrier is a priority."
Tomoyo sighed. She did not blame Yukiko for stepping out of the forest. She had always been curious, and from the blubbers she made out, Tomoyo knew it was all an accident. Knowing that the time they could draw was at its limit, Tomoyo sighed. She heard Yukiko go on and on about the boy she met at the forest. A tear slid down Tomoyo's cheek, she was glad her little Snow had good memories before being whisked away.
Seeing her husband stand up, Tomoyo gave him a small sad smile. She held her hand out. Kurogane took it and kissed the back of the hand, her eyes never leaving his. "I swore to protect you and Yukiko. You are my most precious; nothing will ever change that. So when the time comes, take Yukiko to the Shiba clan. They'd take good care of her."
Tomoyo's eyes saddened, "I will not leave you. Never."
Kurogane hugged her tightly. Tomoyo returned the embrace. Her eyes squeezing tight as she held back the overflowing tears. Soon, their happy days will be shattered.
Yukiko looked at the wrapped present she prepared for Toshiro. She had to fight to the bones for it, but Yukiko managed to defeat her father and he had bought her the things she asked for.
After the incident of stepping out of the forest, her father still let her visit Toshiro. That made her happy beyond belief. She couldn't understand the feeling growing inside her, but every time she thinks of Toshiro, she felt warmth. She was glad when she met Toshiro, he acted as if the kiss on the cheeks had never happened. Their friendship is like breathing in air; effortless and necessary.
Yukiko waved at Toshiro as he walked towards her. "Happy birthday!" she smiled happily. Toshiro nodded. She knew he couldn't stay long because he had promised to celebrate with his family. They both sat near the edge of the forest.
Yukiko handed Toshiro his present. She urged him to open it. He looked in wonder at it. It was a ring coloured black with a blue gemstone strung onto a black chain. Yukiko glad to see Toshiro's eyes widened as he realised the meaning behind the gift. He turned his head to look at her. Yukiko's eyes softened. "It's so that you can remember me. Also it's a way of thanking you for the memories you've given me over these few months. Thank you so much."
Toshiro's smiled. He slowly touched her cheek, "it's a wonderful gift. Thanks. Yukiko," she tilted her head, "your left eye…it's turning blue."
Yukiko's eyes widened. She touched it as she felt a twinge of pain. The pain died down and she saw Toshiro's eyes widened in wonder. "How?" Yukiko shook her head at his question not knowing how it happened. All she knew was, before she felt the pain, she thought of the happiness Toshiro gave her. He was her best friend, and the first friend she made. Toshiro gave her warm fuzzy feeling she never want to let go of.
"It doesn't matter how. All that matters right now is, you're here. Thanks for not running away when you saw me at the forest."
Toshiro nodded and gave her a smile. "Your present matches mine. So that no matter what happens we'll always be connected."
Toshiro ruffled Yukiko's hair. Yukiko smiled happily at the contact. The warmth she felt from him transformed into strength. She looked at the sky and suggested that he should head back to celebrate. Toshiro stood up first and offered his hand for support. Yukiko gladly accepted the help. They both walked silently their hand connected.
Yukiko stopped at the edge of the forest. She looked into Toshiro's eyes. It was déjà vu. Again, Yukiko was entranced by those eyes. Yukiko noted that Toshiro wore his present around his neck. Smiling and in full control of her actions, she leaned and kissed Toshiro's cheek.
"I'll see you again Toshiro."
Toshiro smiled and nodded at her before heading off. Yukiko watched his back go. When he disappeared from her sight, Yukiko looked at the snow covered grounds. The footsteps in the snow were the proof that he was there by her side. "Toshiro, I think I might love you." As the lips left her mouth, Yukiko glanced the sky. So that was the feeling she had for him. Love. Not one as strong as she saw her mother and father share, but a small fleeting feeling that would leave her in serenity.
Smiling, Yukiko walked back to her house.
"Yukiko, tomorrow is your birthday, do you want anything?"
Yukiko looked up at her father. She tilted her head to the side, "can Toshiro come over?"
Her father sighed and Yukiko took that as a sign that he couldn't. Feeling incredibly disappointed, Yukiko sighed as well. "It's fine Tou-san. Toshiro doesn't have to come. Can I at least see him for a bit tomorrow? He said he wants to give me a present." Kurogane nodded at her daughter's request. Yukiko's eyes lit up and she hugged her father.
"Come on, let's spar. If you win, I'll give your present a day early."
Yukiko nodded happily. When she returned home after Toshiro's birthday, her father had been ecstatic over the fact that her red eye was no longer that colour. Yukiko was glad too. She didn't remember how she got it. All she knew was, she fainted when the hollow was about to eat her when she was younger.
Getting ready into an offensive posture Yukiko tightened her fist. She'd win because she wanted to see what kind of present her father got. She wasn't a patient girl and that won't change now. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Yukiko assessed her surrounding. One last glance at her father and she released her breath. She was ready to fight. One push off the ground, she was off with a punch aimed right at her father.
…
Yukiko smiled cheekily. She defeated her dad again. Her skills were getting better. She skipped over to her father, eyes sparkling in joy. "Where's my present?" Yukiko held out her hands. She tilted her hands when her father went over to the porch and retrieved a katana.
The katana was placed in her hands. It was huge. She was taller than her katana at least. Yukiko traced the sheath up to the guard—the carving of the guard was a work of mastership—to the tip of the hilt. The katana was beautiful.
"Yukiko (Yukiko looked away from the katana and into her father's eyes) this katana is a zanpakuto. Bond with it and you'll be the strongest person I've ever known."
Yukiko's mouthed opened in awe. She looked down at her zanpakuto. Smiling to herself, she hugged it and whispered, "let's be friends." Feeling a small pulse from the katana, Yukiko knew that her words reached the soul of the zanpakuto. She grinned at her father.
"Today we'll celebrate your birthday, and then tomorrow you can step outside of the forest to play with your friend."
Yukiko jumped in glee and hugged her father. This was the best day ever!
...
Yukiko waited at the forest edge. She left her katana at home. Waiting at the forest edge Yukiko saw Toshiro approach her. She ran out of the boundaries of the forest and jumped to hug him.
"Yuki, is it alright for you to go out like that?"
Yukiko nodded, "I got permission from Tou-san. Let's go look around! The last time I went to Rukongai was when I was just five!"
Tugging at Toshiro's hand, Yukiko walked ahead. From the corner of her eye she saw Toshiro smile and walk with him. They both walked pass by a bunch of children looking about Yukiko's size, she waved at them and all she received in response was a wary look. Shrugging off the oddity, Yukiko let Toshiro lead around Junrinan.
She smiled happily as she saw the stalls selling little trinkets. Pushing Toshiro along, Yukiko took out a small pouch consisting of money her parents had given her. She looked around and saw a choker necklace. Pointing out to the shopkeeper that she wanted that. She was about to pay when Toshiro stopped her.
Toshiro bought it for her, along with odd trinkets here and there and asked for a box to put it all in. Toshiro handed it to her, "your birthday present." Yukiko giggled and took the box from him. They then continued on to venture around Junrinan.
As the sun began to set, Yukiko had to hurry back home. She hugged Toshiro and waved him goodbye. She ran towards her house.
…
Entering the house she called out to her parents. Receiving none in return Yukiko closed her eyes and felt for a reiatsu. She felt her father's fading and her mother's faint pulse. Worried she ran towards the room where they all spend their time. Opening the shoji with out hesitation, Yukiko's eyes widened at the scene before her.
On the wall, was her father's figure, made sure to stick there with a katana. The sparkle in his eyes fading. Across the other side was her mother lying face down, her face was looked at her father. Yukiko saw her mother's eyes flicker at her, the words coming out of her mouth was inaudible but she knew, without a doubt, she was saying, 'run.'
Turning on her heels she was blocked by a figure. Yukiko fell backward and looked up to see heterochromatic eyes; one blue and the other red. Scuttling back Yukiko saw her grandfather's figure looming over her just like it did when she last saw him.
"Ojii-sama, did you…do this to my parents?"
Her grandfather's smile was twisted and sadistic, "so what if I did?"
Yukiko gasped. She followed her grandfather's movement to her mother. He lifted her mother by the neck. Her mother made choking noises. Eyes flickered towards Yukiko and she saw her mother bit her bottom lips. The gurgling noises she made stop.
Yukiko looked at her mother's arm lifting, her hand stretching out to reach Kurogane. She turned to look at her father. The dulling eyes disappeared, filled with anguish and so much love. Yukiko knew it took up all his willpower and strength to try and reach out to her mother. Her father began coughing blood. At the same time, the two arms dropped, lifelessly.
Yukiko sobbed. Her happy family…shattered. She turned to look at her grandfather. "Why? WHY? We were so happy, why'd you have to come and ruin it?" Lifting herself to the ground she looked at her grandfather, eyes filled with hate and rage.
She ran towards her grandfather, ready to kill. "Hado no yon, Byakurai!" The kido was deflected easily by her grandfather. Her rage increased when her grandfather smirked and threw the lifeless body of her mother against the wall. Yukiko aimed a punch at his stomach only to be deterred. Her grandfather appeared behind her, "I have a proposition."
He kept on avoiding punches and dodges. "If you come and train with me. Once you get strong enough, you can kill me. Doesn't that sound nice?" Not caring about it at all, Yukiko destroyed one of the walls and continued doing so until she reached her room. She took out her zanpakuto. Ready to destroy her grandfather.
Her grandfather reached her and threw her outside. She dodged the Soukatsui aimed at her. Her eyes widened as her house began to set ablaze. The fire engulfed the whole house instantly. Her grandfather walked out of the burning carnage as if it was nothing.
Yukiko bit her bottom lip. Her necklace and presents from Toshiro was in there. Yukiko dropped her sword and ran past her grandfather into the burning building. She spotted her box and reached it. She ran into her room and took out the necklace.
The smoke was filling her lungs and she felt her consciousness go. Yukiko looked at her father and mother. She knew that they would want to be together in the end. Putting on her necklace and hiding the box inside her yukata, Yukiko took down her father and laid him next to her mother. Closing their eyes to let them get a semblance of peace Yukiko coughed some more.
She felt her conciencse going. Maybe it's best if I die here. Yukiko dropped to the ground and she felt darkness overtake her.
Toshiro woke up from a strange dream. He was walking around the rumoured forest to house a child eating demon. He was lost and saw a figure atop the trees. When he tried to take closer inspection on the figure, he'd fall into the abyss.
Toshiro sighed. He looked at the necklace hanging from his neck. He didn't know where it came from. All he knew was he wouldn't throw it away. His heart was telling him it was a precious thing to never let go of.
…
…
…
…
Yukiko awoke in an unfamiliar room. She looked around and noticed everything was top notched high class stuff. She looked to the tansu and saw her box of presents there along with a sparkling silver chain. Next to the box was a katana kake with her zanpakuto perched on it.
Her memories of what transpired before her collapsed returned in pieces. Her parents are gone. She'll never meet Toshiro again. What a great birthday. Yukiko felt the tears fall. She covered her eyes with her hand.
Looks like her happy days are over.
…
…
…
...
To be continued
Author's Note:
Firstly, I do not own Bleach or any of its characters, it belongs to Kubo Tite. I also do not own Kurogane and Tomoyo as they are characters belonging to Clamp. I figure, they'd make a cute couple. Also, if there are grammar mistakes and missing words, sorry, I was too lazy to double check it...anyone wants to be my beta. No? Okay...
Now, that's part of Yukiko's past that I chose to show you guys. It seems a good shounen isn't complete without a tragic backstory, so hey, let's make Yukiko have one too. Who said being cliché isn't fun?
Sorry it took so long, it is over 7000 words and I was busy celebrating birthdays, having holidays and studying. The life of an A-Level student. Anyway! Thanks for reading. Drop a review to tell me your thoughts on this chapter and Yukiko's past!
Taka, thanks for reviewing! It was very much appreciated!