I TOTALLY SCREWED UP! (PLEAZ READ, A BIIT IMPORTANT) Ok so i screwed up. this chapter was originally supposed to be chapter 8 for the Diamond Dust Rebellion _ but i forgot all about it! so this chapter is DDR and it's a bit mixed up, so for this, pretend chapter 8 didn't happen until after DDR. Ok? are we good? awesome. long chapter. hope you enjoy!
Yura was sitting in the trees as she watched the giant cloud pass by. She knew what it was. The relocation of the King's Seal. It was important that it was kept safe so it had to be moved many times. She looked beneath her and watched as Matsumoto was talking to some of the Soul Reapers. Yura smiled when she heard Matsumoto. She shook her head in disbelief.
"Gotcha. Actually, I have no idea what it is either." Yura dropped down and landed next to her. "Yura!"
"You're going to scare these guys, Rangiku. Telling them something that you're not even sure of yourself."
Matsumoto smiled and turned back to the three Soul Reapers. "But we, the 10th Squad, have been assigned this mission. Stay focused and keep an eye out for anything."
"Yes!"
Matsumoto looked at Yura and they both took off with Flash Step. The two of them found themselves right beneath the cloud in which the King's Seal was being held. "Captain!" The two of them said.
"Matsumoto. Yamoda."
"All lookouts are reporting things are normal." The three of them looked up. "The closer you get, the more impressive it looks, huh?"
"Authority never goes anywhere without fanfare."
Yura smiled. "Got that right." She muttered.
"Not you too, Captain…. If they hear that, they'll get mad."
Yura! Yura snapped her head up and turned around.
"Anyways, you need to-"
"Captain!"
Toshiro snapped his head up. "What?"
Suddenly, something had struck the carrier in which the King's Seal was in. "Matsumoto! Yamoda!"
"Right!"
The three of them took off in separate ways. Yura looked around and noticed a ball of electricity was flying everywhere. She narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth. She followed it and noticed it was going toward Matsumoto. She threw herself in front of Matsumoto and used her arm to protect her face. The whip wrapped around her arm. The figure holding it appeared. It was an Arrancar with short blue hair and a broken Hollow mask on her head.
"Die." She said.
Electricity ran down the whip, but Yura only smirked. It reached her arm and she took a deep breath. The Arrancar's eyes widened. "That won't work on me!" The Arrancar pulled back. Both Yura and Matsumoto left, forgetting the Arrancar. Yura landed on the cloud next to Matsumoto. "Where's the King's Seal?"
"I don't know!" Yura suddenly grasped her side as she felt something sharp pierce straight through her. "Yura!" Matsumoto turned to her.
"I'm fine. It's not me."
Matsumoto and Yura both turned their attention to the battle scene above. "Captain!"
Yura watched, speechless and even scared. His emotions…why does he feel this way? It's not his fault! And…does he know who that is?
Toshiro's opponent left the scene. "Captain." He turned around with a grim expression. Then Yura and Matsumoto both gasped. Toshiro took off and the entire carrier exploded. Yura covered her face with her arm. When it stopped she dropped her arm and looked all around at her surroundings. Everything was on fire.
"The King's Seal!"
"Contain the fire!"
"Lieutenant Matsumoto! I am terribly sorry! We let them escape! There are many casualties!" But Matsumoto didn't speak, nor did she move.
Yura put a hand on Matsumoto's shoulder. She looked at her. "Matsumoto?"
"We need to get back to Soul Society immediately."
Yura shook her head and took a step back. "I can't."
"What?"
"I have to look for Shiro."
"Yura, we need to-"
"I have to look for him!" With that Yura took off and began her search.
After searching for two hours at the most, Yura felt she couldn't go on. But she knew she had to keep looking and not give up. She took a shaky breath. Her communicator rang and she immediately answered it. "Yamoda."
"Yura, it's Rukia."
Yura's eyes grew wide. "Rukia! What's this about?"
"…Soul Society has put all of Squad 10 under house arrest."
Yura froze. House arrest? How can that be? She was speechless at first until she found her voice "Wh-What?"
"Matsumoto told Renji and I what happened and now they think that Captain Hitsugaya fled the scene and is now a suspect."
Yura gritted her teeth. "That's not true! He wouldn't do that!"
"Don't worry. That's why it's best if you stay in the World of the Living. Look for him if you can. Everyone is searching for him for capture."
Yura hesitated, before answering. "Yeah. I'll go to Ichigo's and stay there for a while."
"That would be best. And Yura?"
"What is it?"
"…Rangiku has a suspicion that somehow Captain Hitsugaya and the man he encountered have some connection. Do you think that's possible?"
Yura thought about earlier. About how jumbled up Toshiro's emotions were. He blamed himself for what happened. And when he encountered that man…he seemed to know him somehow. Yura looked down. "Yeah, it's possible. I don't know how, but…"
"Rangiku wants Renji and I to look into it. We'll let you know if we find anything."
"Thanks."
Yura hung up and sighed. She clenched her fist before taking off to Ichigo's. When she got there, the front door was open. Out of curiosity, she walked in. She looked around and remembered the first time she came here. She sighed.
"Yura?"
She looked up and found herself facing Ichigo. She gave him a small smile. "Kurosaki. It's been a while."
"What are you doing here?"
She shrugged. "I need a place to stay for awhile. Something…something happened earlier and…I just don't think it's best for me to go back to Soul Society."
"Does this have to do with Toshiro?"
Yura's eyes widened. "How do you…" The two made direct eye contact and Yura found herself looking through Ichigo's memories.
Ichigo was standing in the middle of a forest with a confused expression. "Kurosaki?"
Ichigo turned around and saw someone dressed in white walking toward him. "Ishida? What are you doing here?"
"I've been aware there was a barrier erected here since yesterday. What happened?"
"Right, well-" He stopped speaking when he looked up to see something falling all around them. "It's snowing?"
"No, he's just been hiding his Spiritual Pressure?"
"Spiritual Pressure?" He looked up when he heard rustling leaves. His eyes widened when he saw Toshiro Hitsugaya walking toward them. Then he stopped and fell forward. "Toshiro!" Ichigo ran toward him and knelt beside him. "Hey! Toshiro!"
Yura came out of Ichigo's head. "You found him." Yura tensed up.
Ichigo raised an eyebrow then noticed what she just did. "You just went in my head!"
Yura was suddenly grabbing Ichigo's collar. She gritted her teeth and stared up at him. "Shut up! Where is he?"
Ichigo relaxed and pushed her hand away. "He's resting now. He was injured, but…"
Yura relaxed. She looked down and let a tear roll down her face. She leaned against the wall and slid down into a sitting position.
"You're…"
She shook her head. "Just shut up. You have no idea how worried I was…" She wiped the tears away from her face.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Does it look like I want to talk about it?"
Ichigo stared down at Yura. "No. Do you want something?" She shook her head. Ichigo sighed. "I'll be back." He walked up the stairs, leaving Yura by herself. She took a shaky breath. She closed her eyes and began to count in her head and trying to stop herself from crying. "Yura." She snapped her eyes open and looked up. "I think he's awake."
She stood up and followed Ichigo upstairs. "Ichi…" Ichigo turned around and looked at Yura. "Thank you for bringing him here."
Ichigo smirked. "Where else was I supposed to take him?"
Yura smiled. "But really. If anyone else found him…" Ichigo only nodded and turned back around. Yura clenched her side. The exact spot where Toshiro was injured. She took a deep breath.
Ichigo opened the door to his room. "Hey." Yura hesitated at the door.
"Kurosaki? Where is this?" Yura's breath caught when she heard Toshiro.
"My house. I found you collapsed and exhausted. I couldn't just leave you."
"I see. Sorry for the trouble."
Ichigo walked over to his chair and sat down. "You shouldn't apologize to me."
Yura walked in and looked up. "Y-Yura."
She managed a small smile. "I'm glad you're okay."
"You…why are you still here?"
"I was looking for you, of course. And then Rukia called me and told me that all of Squad 10 is under house arrest. So I came here."
Toshiro looked down. "I'm sorry…for everything."
"Don't apologize. Really."
"The Stealth Force was looking for you." Ichigo said.
"Uh-huh."
Ichigo leaned forward with an irritated look. "'Uh-huh?' Is that it? What're you hiding?" Yura walked over to him and hit him on his arm. Ichigo looked up at her and she shook her head. He sighed and turned back to Toshiro. Yura sat on the edge of the bed. "Well? Say something!"
"It's none of your business."
"You little-"
"Ichigo!"
Ichigo looked at Yura who was glaring at him. "What?" Yura shook her head. Ichigo leaned back in his chair. "Whatever."
"I'll get it back."
"Huh?"
Yura looked at Toshiro. "What they stole was a treasure from the Royal Family, the King's Seal. It's not something a Substitute Soul Reaper needs to be concerned with." Yura smiled.
Ichigo stared at him, his eye twitching. He threw his hands up in frustration. Toshiro only smirked. "Being coy doesn't work for you, you idiot!"
Yura shot a look at Ichigo. "Hey, only I can call him that!"
"You don't need to be concerned with it either, Yura."
Yura shot up and turned on Toshiro, eyes narrowed. "Idiot. What are you talking about? I was there! I have to be concerned about it!"
Toshiro looked at her, completely expressionless. "I don't need you getting hurt."
Yura dropped her expression and relaxed. Then she studied him more carefully. She walked toward him. Ichigo started to stand up, but Yura pushed him back down in his seat. Toshiro cringed, holding his side. Yura also held her side.
Ichigo studied both of them, eyebrow raised. "Yura…"
"Hm?" She looked at Ichigo. "What?"
"You're not injured, are you?"
Yura then let go of her side, ignoring it as much as possible. She smiled. "No, I'm fine." Through their bond, Yura felt the feeling of sorry and she noticed Toshiro was sending her a message for the pain. She got on her knees next to him. "Are you feeling okay?"
Toshiro closed his eyes and turned his head. "It's nothing. I just…need to rest for a while." He lay down on his side, his back turned to her.
Yura hesitated before nodding and standing up. "I understand."
Ichigo stood up. "But-"
Yura grabbed Ichigo and pulled him out of the room. "Just leave him alone, okay?" She closed the door. She leaned her head against it before turning around and hitting Ichigo.
"Hey! What was that for?"
"Harassing him, that's what. Why do you always do that?"
"I think I should know a little more detail." Yura glared at him. "Don't look at me like that." He sighed. "If you're staying here, where are you sleeping?"
She sat down in front of the door and leaned against the wall. "Right here. I'm staying as close to him as I possibly can."
Ichigo sighed. "Fine. Then I'm going to sleep." He walked down the hall, turning off the light on his way out. Yura lay down on the floor and closed her eyes as she tried to force herself to sleep instead of worry for the young Captain.
Yura snapped her eyes open and sat up. She was still lying on the hallway floor with a blanket on top of her. Her eyes widened a little and she touched her left cheek. It was cold. She frowned. Why was one side of her face so cold? She stood up and started walking down the hall to go downstairs when she stopped. She took a deep breath and turned back around and picked up the blanket. Her eyes widened and she opened the door to Ichigo's room. The room was empty, the bed perfectly made up. The window was open, letting a breeze in. The blanket dropped from Yura's hand when she noticed the haori on the desk. She touched her left cheek again and realization hit her. Toshiro…
She clenched her hand into a fist and bit her lip. She gasped when she heard an explosion. She ran to the window and looked out to see smoke rising from at least half a mile away. She could sense Ichigo's Spiritual Pressure. She jumped out of the open window and used Flash Step to get to the location. She made it just in time to see Ichigo block the Arrancar girls' attack. Then they left.
"Wait!" Yura snapped her head up and saw Toshiro.
She looked at Ichigo who was on his knees with blood running down his face. "What're you trying to…" Yura stepped forward, making a sound. Toshiro shot his head up and looked at her. Then, he disappeared with Flash Step.
Suddenly Ichigo passed out. "Ichigo!" Yura ran over to him. She got on her knees and rolled him over onto his back. Tears were falling down her face as she touched the wound on his head. "Tensou." She whispered. Something sparked at the tip of her fingers and Ichigo's wound started to slowly heal. She wiped the blood from his face and took out her communicator. She flipped it open and dialed a number quickly.
"Abarai."
"Renji!"
"Y-Yamoda? What is it?"
"How fast do you think you and Rukia can get to the World of the Living?"
"What's this about?"
"What does it matter? Just get here fast!"
Renji hesitated. "You're crying."
Yura shut her eyes and bit back a sob. "Just get here quickly."
Yura hung up and sat there for a minute. She tried wiping the tears from her face, but they only continued to come. Then, she stood up and moved herself away from Ichigo. She walked over to the brick wall and sat down. She leaned her head against it and pulled her knees to her chest. While she waited for Rukia and Renji to come, she silently cried to herself.
Yura opened her eyes to someone shaking her shoulder. "Yura." She looked up at Rukia.
She sniffed and wiped her face. "Good, you made it."
"Are you ok? Renji told me that when you called you were crying."
Yura turned her head. "I'm fine." Rukia stared at Yura before going over to Ichigo and Renji.
"Ichigo! Get a hold of yourself. Ichigo!"
"How pathetic. I'll 'resuscitate' him…" Yura closed her eyes again and more tears fell down her face. She silently listened to the conversation from the others.
"Ichigo, what happened?"
"Huh?" Ichigo looked around. "Crap." He put his hand on his face. "How long was I out for? Where'd Toshiro go?"
"Toshiro…"
"You saw Captain Hitsugaya?" Rukia asked.
"When? Where was he?"
Ichigo looked at them. "You guys…"
"So that's why Yura was crying." Renji said.
"What?" Rukia pointed her finger over and Ichigo followed it. He saw Yura sitting against the wall with her head down. "Hm…yeah. I'll explain when we get back to my house." Ichigo stood up and walked over to Yura.
She looked up at him. He outstretched his arm, holding out his hand. Yura hesitated before taking it and standing up. She held on to him tightly as the four of them walked to Ichigo's house. As soon as they got in his room, Ichigo walked over to his desk and picked something up. He held it out.
"That haori…it's Captain Hitsugaya's." Rukia said.
"He…"
Renji put his hands on Ichigo's shoulders and turned him around. "Why didn't you stop him?"
Ichigo pushed him away. "I tried, but he left anyway. He chased after these two weird chicks."
"Chicks?"
"They could've been Vizards or Arrancar. I couldn't really tell."
"They were Arrancar, for sure." The three of them turned and looked at Yura. She reached out her hand and Ichigo gave her the haori.
Rukia stepped forward. "What did Captain Hitsugaya say?" Ichigo looked at her. "Didn't he say anything?"
"He's going to get the King's Seal." Yura said.
"Yeah, and he said something else. Uh…oh! Who's Kusaka?"
"Kusaka?" Rukia asked.
"He said it's the name of a guy that got killed or something. And then he…" Ichigo looked at Yura. "Have you heard of him?" She shook her head.
Rukia turned to Renji. "Renji, can you go back to Soul Society and check who this Kusaka is? There's a chance that he could be connected to the attack Lieutenant Matsumoto was talking about."
"Sure, but why me?"
"I'll definitely be prohibited from contact with Lieutenant Matsumoto."
"Okay."
"Renji?" Renji looked at Yura. She handed him the haori. "Give it to Matsumoto."
Renji's eyes widened. "But, don't you…"
She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I can't. I just….Just take it. Please." Renji nodded and left.
"We should call everyone and gather at Urahara's. They should know what's going on."
"Is it right to bring them into this?" Yura asked.
Ichigo eyed her for a second. "Yeah. It is."
Yura sighed and nodded. "Then let's go."
About an hour later, everyone, except for Yura, was seated around a small table at Urahara's shop. Yura was sitting in the other room directly next to it, listening in on them. "Captain Hitsugaya's time in the Spiritual Arts Academy was before I was accepted by the Kuchiki House, so I don't know much about him. Even though we both came from Rukongai, I was in Inuzuri, and Captain Hitsugaya was in Jiyunrinan. I believe he and 5th Squad Lieutenant Hinamori grew up together, like siblings."
Yura scowled at the mention of Hinamori. A crazy idiot, Yura thought of her as. Not even worth mentioning.
"So if we were to ask this Hinamori person…" Ishida started.
"Unfortunately, she's still recuperating. Also, this is just a guess, but I doubt Captain Hitsugaya ever told important stories to Lieutenant Hinamori."
Yura pulled her hair back into a ponytail, then she stood up and slid open the door. Everyone looked at her. "You're right about that. No matter how close they were, he never really told her anything. Unless they're not as close as they turn out to be…"
Urahara sighed. "Even more so if they were painful memories?"
"I just think he's that kind of person." Rukia said.
"He must be strong." Orihime said.
Ichigo scoffed. "Yeah right. Why does someone who's strong make the people around him so sad?" Ichigo looked at Yura when he said that.
Hurt filled her eyes and she turned her head away. "It's just who he is. He doesn't want anyone fighting his own battles…" Yura trailed off, noticing that it was possible that she wasn't only referring to Toshiro, but herself as well. She shook the thought off.
"Wait." Everyone looked at Ishida. "Yura, you said that you know for sure Hitsugaya never told Hinamori anything." Yura nodded. "How do you know?"
She tensed up. "Ichigo, you said that you learned that Kusaka died, right?" Ichigo nodded. "I think that's who Shiro was talking about that one time."
"When?"
Yura thought about it. "Couple months ago. He said that…he had a friend in the academy that…died before he graduated. I think he was talking about Kusaka. Not to mention that he also said that he's never told a single person of that. I knew it wasn't the full story. If only I could get in his head…"
Ichigo's eyes widened. "You still can't get in his head?"
"Of course not. If I could, this situation wouldn't be as big as it is now. We'd have more information."
The room went silent for a while. Urahara sighed and crossed his arms. "I'll try to find out what I can. Why don't the rest of you look for Captain Hitsugaya?"
"There's no possible way we'll find him." Yura mumbled.
"Where's that positive attitude you always tell others to have?" Ichigo asked.
Yura looked at him. "I tell others to stay positive. It doesn't mean I have to. And I'm only being realistic." With that Yura left the shop.
Ichigo sighed and slammed his hand on the table. Everyone looked at him. "Ichigo…"
He looked at Rukia. He stood up. "I hate seeing my friends like this."
"What more can you do?"
"I can fix this." Ichigo left the shop and went to catch up with Yura.
Yura sat on the swing in the park with her head hanging low in depression. The surrounding area was quiet and peaceful. If only her thoughts and emotions could be that way. Yura couldn't think straight at the moment. Her thoughts were all over the place. When her thoughts did settle she got the horrible thought of what it would be like if Toshiro got himself killed. At that thought, she burst out in tears. She snapped her eyes open when she heard footsteps. She looked up to see Ichigo walking toward her. She wiped the tears from her face and looked away, causing her hair to hide her face.
"Don't try and hide your emotions."
Yura sighed and shook her head. "What's the point? We can't find him."
"This is so unlike you." He stood in front of her.
"What's so unlike me?" She looked at him from the corner of her eye.
"This. You're giving up so easily. I know you. You would never give up this easy. So why start now?" She didn't answer. "Yura…"
She shook her head and bit her lip, trying to prevent tears from falling down her face. Ichigo knelt down in front of her and pushed her hair out of her face. "You probably think I'm pathetic, right?"
Ichigo shook his head. "I just think you're scared. But don't give up, ok?" Yura looked into Ichigo's eyes and nodded. "Come on. Might as well begin our search." He stood up and took Yura's hand.
She stood up and took a deep breath. Ichigo turned to leave, but Yura tightened her grip on his hand. He looked at her. "Ichi…" Instead of continuing, she shook her head and smiled. "Forget it. I'll tell you after we help Toshiro." Ichigo smiled and nodded. Then they left hand in hand.
Later that night, with her hands in her pocket, Yura walked the lonely streets in a smaller portion of Karakura town. She and Ichigo were covering it that night, each taking a different position. She took a shaky breath and continued to walk around.
You shouldn't worry so much.
Yura scoffed. "How can I not worry? You know how much I hate losing the people closest to me."
You haven't lost him.
"Haven't I?" Denakuma was silent. Yura stopped in her tracks and looked around.
Her eyes widened. She looked up at the small mountain about a mile or two from her position. It was covered in trees and what was coming from those trees was Toshiro Hitsugaya's Spiritual Pressure. She took a step forward.
Don't, Yura. It's too dangerous.
Yura narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to run up that mountain and find Toshiro. She slowly took a step back. She turned around and began running. After a while she found Ichigo.
"I'm guessing you sensed it, too."
"How could I not?"
"I think I know where's it's coming from. We should call everyone and gather them up here."
Yura nodded.
After Ichigo called everyone, he and Yura walked to the location from which Toshiro's Spiritual Pressure was coming from. When they got there, cold fog rolled in. Yura looked up at the steps and the gateway. "Stay here and wait for the others. I'm gonna check it out." Yura took a step forward, but Ichigo stopped her.
"Alone? What if he's still there?"
"He's probably not. Even if he is…he won't hurt me. Let alone, the fact that he can't. I'll be fine. I know how to take care of myself." Ichigo hesitated before letting her go and watch her walk up the steps and disappear in the fog.
What Yura found was a small relief to her, but she was still shocked. She stood yards away from a hut and was surrounded by trees. The half dead trees and the fact that it was barely light outside gave the area an eerie feeling. Yura walked over to a tree and knelt in front of it. She reached her hand out and touched the ice that was wrapped around it. She bit her lip and shut her eyes. If all ice zanpakuto in Soul Society had been here and each marked a tree, Yura could've easily pointed out the doings of Hyorinmaru. She slowly stood up and turned away and walked back.
"Where's Yura?"
Yura looked up. "I'm right here." Everyone turned around and watched as Yura walked down the stairs.
"Did you find anything?" Ichigo asked her.
Without looking at anyone she shrugged and shook her head. "Just ice covered trees. Nothing that'll lead us to Toshiro. But it was definitely Hyorinmaru, no mistaking it. By the looks of it, he was fighting other Soul Reapers."
"You mean he attacked his own comrades?" Orihime asked.
"He was only acting on instinct." Yura snapped. The group fell silent. Yura took a deep breath.
"Besides that, Captain Kyoraku was attacked as well." Rukia said.
"Kyoraku?"
"According to Renji's story, it looked like he was defeated by Hyorinmaru," Yura's breath caught in her throat. "He's seriously hurt."
"That's impossible!" Yura said.
"But it's true."
"Ishida, can't you track him by his Spiritual Pressure? You're good at that, right?" Ichigo asked.
"No."
"Yura?"
Yura shook her head. "It's long gone."
"Crap, another dead end!" Orihime sat on her knees and everyone stared at her for a second. "It's morning." They were silent again. "I'm sorry, guys. Let's just go home and try again later."
Ichigo bent down and helped Orihime up. "Oh, I'm fine."
"No, we won't find him any faster just because we're in a hurry." Rukia said.
"But being in a hurry might bring us to more conclusions if we put our minds to it." Yura said. She turned away and began walking. "We'll still continue." The group separated and Ichigo and Rukia followed Yura back to Ichigo's house.
Yura turned over on the blankets she was lying on top of. She groaned at the sound of an alarm and covered her head with her pillow. It didn't help her. "Turn that crap off!" She mumbled in the pillow.
Ichigo fumbled with his blankets and finally grabbed the alarm clock and turned it off. Then Rukia burst out of the closet. Yura sat up. "Ichigo, Yura, it's from Renji! New orders for the squads have been issued." Yura stood up.
"What does that mean?" Ichigo asked.
Rukia looked at Yura with a grim expression. "He said there's an order to execute Captain Hitsugaya."
"An execution order?"
Everything went downhill from there. Yura felt that she couldn't stand or breathe anymore. Her heart began to slow and her knees began to weaken. She couldn't take it anymore and her legs gave way.
"Yura!" Ichigo jumped out of bed and knelt beside her.
With her eyes shut tight, she shook her head. "I can't…"
"Rukia, there's more." Yura opened her eyes and looked up. "We know who that Kusaka guy is!"
"Ichigo!"
"Yeah, I can hear him." Rukia turned up the volume on her communicator.
"Kusaka Soujirou. He's Captain Hitsugaya's former classmate. He died right before-"
"He graduated from the Spiritual Arts Academy." Yura finished.
"So you were right!" Ichigo said.
Before anyone else got to speak Ichigo's wall suddenly exploded, sending chunks of rock flying everywhere. Yura quickly jumped out of her gigai, as did Rukia. The two of them followed Ichigo, in his Soul Reaper form, and jumped out of the room. They landed and came face to face with the two Arrancar girls.
Yura positioned herself. "Not you two again." She said.
"I told you before. If you attempt to interfere, you will be eliminated!"
"Soul Reaper."
Yura looked up and saw a masked figure approach them. "Who're you?" Ichigo asked.
"Ichigo, that guy is strong. He's got abnormal Spiritual Pressure."
The guy pulled out his zanpakuto and Yura gasped. "That's Hyorinmaru!" She said. He positioned himself.
"Sit upon the frozen heavens," Yura gasped again and pulled out her zanpakuto. "Hyorinmaru!" The red Arrancar attacked Rukia while the blue one attacked Yura.
Yura easily blocked her attack and tried to cut her with her zanpakuto, but the Arrancar dodged the attack. "You're really starting to get on my nerves!" Yura yelled. Then, they all suddenly switched off when the red Arrancar kicked down Ichigo and the blue one went after Rukia. Yura glared at the other guy and positioned herself. "You're not Hyorinmaru's master!" Yura hissed. She swung her zanpakuto and aimed it at him. A lightning bolt flew out, but he dodged it. Then he went after Ichigo. "Hey, I'm not done with you!" The red Arrancar went after Yura.
The two fought back and forth, Yura barely dodging the fire that the Arrancar threw at her. Then Yura smirked. She aimed her zanpakuto at the Arrancar and struck. The Arrancar turned and dodged. Then Yura held out her hand and a blue light form in her palm. It grew bigger until it began to spark. "Never turn your back on your opponent." The Arrancar turned around and gasped, but she didn't have time to react. The lightning shot out from Yura's hand and hit the Arrancar.
Yura turned. "Ichigo!" She went for the guy in the mask, but stopped.
"My names is Kusaka Soujirou. The man who, in the Central 46 chamber of Seireitei, was murdered by Toshiro Hitsugaya!"
Yura's eyes widened. "You're supposed to be dead!" Kusaka turned and looked at Yura. "Toshiro told me that you died. You died before you even got to graduate and now I know why! You both wield Hyorinmaru."
"So, you're obviously important to Hitsugaya. Then I'll kill you first!" Kusaka charged at Yura. She swung her zanpakuto just as he did, and the two clashed.
Toshiro and Kusaka were looking at each other when the dust cleared away. "Toshiro?"
"Kusaka. Why?"
The landscape shimmered and the two were in the middle of the Central 46 room. "The decision of the Central 46 chamber is done. It is not permitted for one zanpakuto to be wielded by two Soul Reapers. Therefore, it has been decided that you two will face each other in a duel, with the winner keeping the sword."
"You mean we have to fight to the death?" Toshiro protested.
"Proper personality."
"Appropriate ability."
"Hyorinmaru is such a power. You should feel honored."
'Then forget it! If I have to fight against Kusaka, I'll abandon Hyorinmaru!"
"Denied!"
"Rejected."
"Impossible."
"Why aren't we allowed to have the same zanpakuto?"
"Because that's the law."
"A law in place since the ancient times."
"You cannot go against it."
"Send one to exile."
"You cannot doubt."
"We will not permit it."
"Fight!"
"Fight!"
"Fight!" The chanting echoed throughout the room.
The two were back on the landscape. Kusaka had broken out of the ice he was incased in. "Hitsugaya…"
"Kusaka…" Suddenly, the Stealth Force surrounded Toshiro. They each took out their zanpakuto and walked toward Kusaka.
"Hey!" Kusaka held his zanpakuto. "Who are you guys? What are…?"
"It has been decided that Toshiro Hitsugaya will be the wielder of Hyorinmaru."
"The fights not over! Hyorinmaru is mine!"
"This is the decision of the Central 46."
"Wait a second! Give me another…" They all charged forward and stabbed him at once. They backed away.
"Kusaka!" Two others were holding Toshiro back.
"Why do I…have to die? Why?" Another one charged, slicing his shoulder. "I…fought for Soul Society…" His zanpakuto dissolved and he fell forward.
"Kusaka!"
Yura found herself still holding off Kusaka. "So that's why they killed you. You were being selfish! They were right to let Toshiro have him!" She pushed forward and Kusaka flew back. He took off his mask and attacked, sending a giant ice wave toward Yura.
"Yura!" Ichigo called out.
Yura dodged the attack. Kusaka turned to Ichigo. "Hitsugaya will walk the same path as me. I won't let anyone stop me! Hyorinmaru!" A purple Hyorinmaru flew out at Ichigo and froze him.
"Ichigo!"
Kusaka put his mask back on and left. Yura glared at the two girls.
"Who will you take?" Rukia asked.
"Fighting the blue one makes me more powerful, believe it or not. I'll take her. Just be careful fighting the other."
Rukia took off first, Yura following. Yura didn't hesitate in firing a lightning bolt at the blue Arrancar. She dodged it and threw her whip at Yura. It wrapped around both of Yura's wrists and an electric current went through. Yura smirked. "I thought you learned the first time you tried this on me. It won't work!" Power surged through Yura. She smiled and kicked her leg high. A lightning bolt shot out through her leg and hit the Arrancar.
She went down screaming. Yura smiled. "Don't mess with a Soul Reaper who has her own powers." Yura froze with her eyes wide, then turned around just in time to see the ice that held Ichigo explode. Yura smiled when she noticed Ichigo, who had released his Bankai. He jumped up, swinging his sword at the red Arrancar. He stopped between Rukia and Yura.
"Ichigo, are you ok?" Rukia asked.
"Yeah. Where's Kusaka?"
"He got away," Yura said. "I didn't get a chance to stop him."
"Looks like we'll have to beat these two and chase after him, then. I figured it out," He looked at Yura. "I know what Toshiro wants to do." Yura couldn't help but to smile.
She gasped and looked up just as the Arrancar girls transformed and lunged for the three. They dodged and got back together as the Arrancars went around. "I have to tell him, no matter what happens!" Yura and Rukia watched as Ichigo went after the girls. Ichigo began to fight the red one and Yura and Rukia fended off the other. The two girls pushed back when a sudden wave of Spiritual Pressure hit all of them.
"Rukia! What is this?"
Yura gritted her teeth.
"I don't know. But it's no normal Spiritual Pressure. It's something more pure and powerful. It can't be!"
"It's the King's Seal." Yura said.
The two Arrancars began to laugh and the three shifted their attention to them. "You're smart for a Soul Reaper."
"Kusaka and Toshiro Hitsugaya's revenge on Seireitei is going to begin!"
"What? On Seireitei?" Ichigo asked.
"You are a risk. You must be eliminated at all costs." Yura gasped when tons of Hollows appeared. "We will not let you interfere with Kusaka's plans!"
"Go, Hollow!" All of the Hollow charged forward at the three Soul Reapers.
"There's so many of them…" Several Hollow surrounded Ichigo.
"Kurosaki!" The three of them looked down to see Uryuu Ishida. "You promised to let us know if anything happened!" When Yura saw what Ishida was about to do, she immediately ran to get out of the way. Ichigo still stood there, looking completely lost. Then he crossed his arms over his face to protect himself from the rapid arrows flying his way. Yura watched from the side lines and was amazed at how quickly the Hollow came and died.
"The Hollow!"
"My silver Sparrow can fire 1200 arrows per second," Ishida said. "You can't summon those Hollow anywhere near fast enough."
Ichigo, Yura and Rukia landed beside Ishida. Orihime ran up to them. "Are you okay, Ichigo?"
"Ishida! You could've hit me with those things!"
"My aims not that bad. Anyway, they're coming." They all turned and looked up at the Arrancars. The red one summoned a huge amount of fire. "It's huge." Ishida said, taking position with his bow.
"Ishida, I'll take-"
Chad stepped forward and prepared himself. "El Directo!" He called out. His right arm then transformed, making it look as if it was covered by a red and black sleeve. He punched his arm forward, sending a huge amount of power toward the giant ball of fire hurdling toward them.
It made contact with it and exploded. "Go now, Ichigo." He said.
"Huh?"
"Hurry and get to Soul Society!" Orihime said.
"Urahara is preparing the Senkai gate." Ishida said. "Leave them to us."
"Go and save Toshiro!" Orihime yelled out.
Yura looked at Ichigo. "Ichigo." He looked at her. "They're right. We need to go. We need to save Toshiro."
Ichigo nodded and looked over. "Let's go, Rukia." The three of them took off toward Urahara's shop. "Do you really think we can save him?" Ichigo asked.
"What kind of question is that? Of course we can!" Yura responded.
"You're doubting yourself. I can tell."
Yura kept her gaze focused ahead. "I don't know, Ichi. But we have to try, don't we?" Ichigo was staring at Yura for a moment, then looked ahead.
When they reached Urahara's shop, they rushed in and ran underneath the shop where Urahara was opening the gate. "Perfect timing. It's ready when the three of you are." Urahara said, smiling. Ichigo nodded and he and Rukia jumped through. Just as Yura was about to stop through, Urahara grabbed her shoulder. She turned around. "Believe that you can help him." Yura's eyes began to water up. She nodded and jumped through the gate, following after Ichigo and Rukia.
"Seeing as Toshiro and Kusaka are in Soul Society, everyone has probably found them by now. They'll kill him if we don't make it on time." Yura said.
"Then I guess we'll have to run faster." Ichigo said. The three of them picked up as much speed as possible without using Flash Step.
Yura's eyes widened when she saw light. "We're almost there!" The light grew bigger and took on the shape of a doorway. They ran out of the Sekaimon and found themselves above Sokyoku Hill where the big scenario was happening. The Soul Reapers were running after Toshiro.
"Yura." Yura looked at Ichigo. He nodded and Yura smiled.
She turned back around and looked down at the scene. She grabbed the hilt of her zanpakuto, ready to take it out. You don't need it, Yura. Yura slowly removed her hand.
"Yura? What are you doing?"
Yura narrowed her eyes. "This." Yura took off, going toward the scene. She put her left hand on her right forearm and held out her right hand. Her eyes flashed blue and a blue light began to form in the palm of her hand. "Kyuu Isei!" The light grew bigger into a giant lightning ball. Then it blasted out from her hand and caused a huge explosion between the Soul Reapers and Toshiro Hitsugaya. The Soul Reapers stopped dead in their tracks. Yura landed on the ground, but stumbled from energy loss and fell to her knees. She felt hands on her shoulders and looked up into brown eyes. "I'm fine. Thank you." She said.
Ichigo let go of her and stood up straight, facing the Soul Reapers.
He glared at all of them. "Is fighting the only thing that you people can do? You guys don't wasn't to hurt Toshiro, do you? Don't just rush to kill him just because someone ordered it!"
"Shut your mouth, Substitute! The Squads have a duty. Following the orders of superior officers is a model we must follow no matter what the cost." Soi Fon said.
"What does that matter?" All attention shifted over to Yura who was standing up.
"You have no say in this! As a member of Squad 10, you don't have the rights-"
"I have every right! We have every right to speak out and say our opinions on the situation! You don't understand, none of you do!"
"You shall say no more! If either of you show any further aggression, I'll have you killed as well." The Stealth Force that were positioned around her all pulled out their swords.
Yura smirked. "Try me." Then she glared at all of them.
"Halt!" Everyone parted and knelt down as Head Captain Yamamoto made his way through. Yura hesitated, but eventually knelt down too. Yamamoto stopped. "So you are alive, Kusaka Soujirou."
"'I thought you were killed,' right?"
"The King's Seal gave you new life, and Hueco Mundo raised you up."
"Yes, and I have come back. Thanks to the King's Seal, I got my life back, and will wield the King's Seal to become the King of Soul Society!" Yura gritted her teeth. She couldn't stay like this much longer. She wanted to take action.
"The King of Soul Society, you say? How arrogant."
Kusaka smirked. "You're the arrogant ones. Learn your place!" Yura stood up when she heard swords clashing. She turned around to see that Toshiro had attacked.
"Captain!" Yura turned and saw Matsumoto running forward.
"Stay back, Matsumoto!" Toshiro called. Yura grabbed her shoulders and stopped her. "This is my fight." Yura let go of Matsumoto and turned around.
"What's the meaning of this, Toshiro?"
"I never had any intention of joining you."
"Didn't he betray the 13 Protection Squads?" Mayuri asked. Yura gritted her teeth to keep her from saying anything.
"Then why did you attack us?" Soi Fon asked, but Toshiro only ignored her.
"Are you going to strike me down? Kill me again?"
"I'm just trying to atone for my crimes."
"And what's your crime? Do you think that you can atone by killing me?" Toshiro lunged forward and attacked.
"That's right," Yura looked at Rukia. "Kusaka is a man who originally swore allegiance to Soul Society. And just because there were two of his sword, he was killed rather than attaining fame."
"Yeah. He thinks that this is all his fault." Ichigo said.
"Are you two telling me that you actually feel sorry for him? After what he's done?" Yura asked.
"It's not just that. Captain Hitsugaya couldn't bear to kill Kusaka again, not with his standing in 13 Protection Squads as it was. Is that what you mean?"
Yura looked at Ichigo, moving her gaze away from the fight. "He wanted to discard his position as a captain in the 13 Protection Squads so that he could finish this on his own."
"And that's a perfect understanding." Yura argued.
"But he doesn't have to do this alone!" Ichigo snapped. "He did it, even if it meant he'd be the one executed this time." Yura turned her attention back to the fight. Her eyes widened when Kusaka held up the King's Seal as it began to glow.
"Then I'll do this on my own! Answer my call, King's Seal!" A strong wind blew and swirled around Kusaka. "My plan to use the power of a Bankai to release the King's Seal may have failed, but…but I can do it now."
Kusaka held his zanpakuto next to the King's Seal. Then in one fluid motion, he threw up the King's Seal and cut it in half. A bright, light blinded everyone for a second, before it cleared. A swirling tornado of light and wind was standing before them, Kusaka right at the heart of it. Yura's eyes widened when she saw Ichigo standing in front of Toshiro. When Ichigo turned on him, Yura could feel the hurt and remorse through the bond. Out of nowhere, Ichigo punched Toshiro in his right jaw.
Yura held the right side of her face and cringed. Do you have to be so harsh? She thought.
"Did you ever think about how everyone around you felt when you left them? Trying to take on the burden yourself?"
Yura looked away and closed her eyes. When she looked back up, Toshiro stood up and wiped the blood from his face. Most of the members from Squad Ten gathered around the scene. They all spoke, letting Toshiro know that they didn't see him as a traitor.
"Toshiro!"
"Take your stance, Kurosaki," Toshiro said, narrowing his eyes. "He's coming."
The wind finally stopped and in place of the tornado was a giant purple dragon made of ice. "It's mine at last. So this is the power of the King's Seal!" The dragon was standing on its hind legs, standing tall and roaring into the heavens.
Yura's eyes widened. Is this really the power of the King's Seal?
Toshiro was about to go forward, when suddenly a flash of yelling ran past everyone. It was the Captain of Squad Eleven, Kenpachi Zaraki. He laughed maniacally as he ran forward to the transformed Kusaka, sword in hand. As he made contact with Kusaka, an explosion occurred. When the dust and wind cleared, Kenpachi had cut Kusaka from his waist down with the exception of his right leg still being intact. Everyone had gasped at how easily he had been cut.
Kenpachi scowled, obviously not amused. "Done already? Guess you were all sh-" Kenpachi stopped when Kusaka grabbed Kenpachi's sword, causing ice to completely encase him.
Kenpachi suddenly burst out of the ice, jumping up with Kusaka still holding on. The two fell off of the cliff and made their way to the bottom. Yura narrowed her eyes and ran forward. "This is insane! There's no way that kind of power exists!" She yelled.
"We still don't know the kind of power in this world. Here's an example!" Ichigo said. They all stopped when they heard an explosion and Kusaka flew up above everyone. "No way! Kenpachi was defeated?"
Yura narrowed her eyes. "Tch. This is gonna be a complicated fight."
They all watched as Kusaka perched himself on top of a tower, encasing it in ice. Then he spread out his wings as they grew large and an even thicker sheet of ice covered the tower he stood on. Kusaka laughed, crazy with the power he received from the King's Seal. "It's wonderful! This power is just wonderful!" He rose his arms high above his head and suddenly a orange and blue light came out of the clouds and landed beside him.
"Those are the Arrancars from before." Yura said. Suddenly Kusaka began to yell, a glowing light surrounding his body.
"Is he going to transform again?" Captain Ukitake asked.
The light suddenly disappeared and what Yura thought was a cloud of dust turned out to be more ice. From the tower Kusaka stood upon branches of ice spread out all around, reaching for miles on end. A tree of purple ice formed, destroying some of Seireitei down below. The branches spread just above their heads, continually growing. Some Soul Reapers began to back away, feared by this incredible power.
"Do not be afraid! We must not pull back! We must kill Kusaka Soujirou!" The Head Captain said.
Yura smirked. "That's one rule I'll obey." She muttered The captains and lieutenants took off, unsheathing their swords and using Flash Step to join in the battle.
Ichigo stepped forward. "Let's go!" He said. He took off with Rukia following.
Toshiro stood there with Yura and Matsumoto standing next to him. Yura looked at him, waiting for him to say something or make a move to attack. He only took off with Flash Step. "Captain!" Matsumoto called. She and Yura both took off to follow. They all ran along one of the ice branches, heading toward Kusaka's core. Most Soul Reapers were already there, but Kusaka blew them off, causing all of the branches to break. Everyone started falling, eventually making contact with the ground as well as chunks of ice falling with them.
Yura blacked out for a quick second before her eyes snapped open. She cringed when she felt a sharp pain running through her left leg. When she looked up, her leg was being crushed by an ice boulder. She bit her lip. This is just great…
Toshiro snapped his head up when pain shot through his leg for no reason. His eyes widened when he realized it wasn't his pain. "Yura!" Yura snapped her head up when she saw Toshiro and Matsumoto rushing over. They helped to push the boulder off of her leg ad she had to force herself not to cry out. She sat up. "Yura." Yura looked up and was staring into two pools of turquoise. "Are you ok?"
She smiled. "I'll be fine." She touched her leg. "Tensou." She muttered under her breath. In no time, she didn't feel any pain.
"Hey, Toshiro! You guys ok?" The three members from Squad Ten looked up at Ichigo and Rukia.
"Rukia! Ichigo!" Renji suddenly appeared.
"Renji! What happened?"
"As if you don't know. Just look around." Yura looked up and gasped. In front of all of them, a giant castle-like structure had formed, created by rock. On the very top, Kusaka was still perched on the original tower. "It's probably the castle Kusaka created. It looked like we're trapped inside its spirit walls."
"What are we supposed to do?" Ichigo asked.
"How should I know?"
"Ichigo!"
Everyone turned around to see Yoruichi and Soi Fon. "Yoruichi!" Everyone ran over to the two.
"Every second matters at this moment." Yoruichi sad.
"The Head Captain is preventing this dimension from expanding any further. We've been ordered to kill Kusaka during this time." Soi Fon explained.
"How exactly do we do that?" Ichigo asked.
"We're going to climb up there, obviously. And then we'll break down the center tower."
"So now's the best time to do that while he's unable to move." Yoruichi said.
"Alright."
"Wait a second!" Everyone turned to see Yumichika and Ikkaku. "We're finally starting to get real. There's no way you're leaving me out!"
"Neither will I." Yumichika agreed. A load roar echoed throughout the entire space. "It's started." They turned to see the bottom of the center castle began to glow and hollow descending from it.
Yura stood and pulled out her zanpakuto. "This just gets more and more interesting."
"Don't worry about them! We'll handle it!" Yoruichi said and she and Soi Fon took off. The rest of them watched as the two summoned Shunko and killed off most of the hollow.
"Now that that's out of the way we should go to the top of this thing." Ichigo said.
"Captain." Toshiro turned around and faced Matsumoto who held his haori. "Here."
Toshiro looked at everyone. They all smiled in agreement. Hs gaze fell on Yura. She stood with her arms crossed, a frown on her face. She didn't even look at him. Then her gaze shifted, looking at him from the corner of her eye. She beamed a big smile at him and nodded. He smiled back, taking the haori from Matsumoto and becoming a captain once again.
"Matsumoto…"
"Yes?" She asked.
"Watch my back."
"Yes, sir!"
Yura smiled. He's his old self again.
The eight of them started running off, heading into battle. "We should split up into two groups!" Toshiro said.
"Right! Rukia, Renji, Yura! Let's go!" The four separated themselves from the others. The four ran and found a way up to the top. The jumped, avoiding the area that was split apart. They started running upwards on a spiral path. "What is that?" Ichigo asked.
Up ahead was a giant structure. It was that of a hollow with giant spine-like arms and a ball of fire in her abdomen. Yura noticed it as the previous Arrancar dressed in red. She narrowed her eyes. "Again with things becoming more interesting." She said.
"Now isn't exactly the time to be admiring how interesting things are!" Renji called back.
"Shut up, you stupid redhead!"
Ichigo suddenly stopped. "Is it that woman?"
Renji continued on. "I'll take care of her!"
"Hey, Renji!" Renji jumped up, summoning his zanpakuto just in time to deflect the oncoming fire ball, only for the now split fire ball to come back around and aim straight for him.
The fire made contact, exploding around him. "Renji!" The three called.
The wind and dust suddenly began to swirl around and Renji stood there surrounded by a skeletal snake. Renji threw up his arm, causing his form of Bankai to charge forward, going up the side of the castle. "I don't think anything will happen if you stand around all day! Use Zabimaru to head up to the top!"
"Got it!" Rukia and Yura jumped up with Ichigo following. The three eventually made it to the top and we're shocked by what they discovered. Dozens of Menos we're guarding the ice tower in which Kusaka sat at the top of.
"Menos?" Yura asked in awe.
"They can even control Menos?" Rukia asked. Renji caught up with them just as the Menos came for them.
One Menos fired a Cero at them, but they dodged just in time. From above, they noticed more Menos appearing as well as Adjuchas. "Alright! No more child's play!" Yura yelled. She held up her zanpakuto. "Bankai!" Yura's eyes turned a bright blue. Dark clouds rapidly flew in and lightning struck all around. "Gekido Denakuma!" Yura aimed her zanpakuto at a group of Menos and struck, killing three at the same time. She flipped backwards, striking down more Menos and Adjuchas. She landed next to Ichigo and Rukia. "Any ideas?" She asked. They were silent for awhile, standing back to back as the hollow came for them.
"Ichigo, do you think you could get to the top with Tensa Zangetsu's speed if we open a pathway for even a second?"
Ichigo stared at her. "Are you crazy?"
"She's right, Ichigo," Yura said. "It's the only way. You have to get up there. I'll form a path, but you have to go right away. No hesitation!" The three barely jumped when a Menos fired a Cero at them. They tried holding them off for awhile, but they all froze when all of them hollow gathered around in a circle. They all started to fire a Cero at the same time. Yura's eyes widened. "No way…" The Menos all fired, but there was no impact. The four of them gasped when they were suddenly surrounded by a wall of pink swords.
"You need to stay focused."
"Byakuya?"
"Keeping this dimension in check is taking its toll in the Head Captain and everyone else outside. Kurosaki Ichigo, do not waste this precious time. Hurry."
Ichigo nodded. "Yura?"
Yura smiled and nodded. "Yeah." Byakuya then released his hold on the barrier that protected them. Yura wasted no time. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, concentrating. "Demon of lightning, I call upon thee. I beseech thee, lend your power of great destruction. Give your strength. Give your courage. Release thy soul as proof of thine loyalty," Yura's now blue eyes shone even brighter. "Ooinaru Isei Dageki!" Yura threw up her arms, pointing to the heavens. Her arms acted as a metal rod, attracting a great source of lightning. She threw her arms forward, causing a huge amount of lightning to strike down all of the Menos and Adjuchas. Very few were left as a result.
"Go now, Ichigo!" She yelled. Ichigo summoned his hollow mask and used that speed to get through. Yura watched him go with tears threatening to spill out. "Help him…Ichigo."
In only a couple minutes, while everyone was fighting off the hollow, they all froze. Yura looked up at the tower. A beam of light shot out from the top of it, causing the barrier that kept them inside to disappear. At the sight of that, Yura closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her Bankai began to fade and her eyes returned to their normal purple.
Thank you for lending me your power…Denakuma. All traces of the hollow completely disappeared. Yura looked up at the tower again. "Toshiro…"
"It seems that it's over." Byakuya said.
"Hey. Who do you think won?" Yumichika asked.
Yura turned to him with tears causing her vision to blur. She grinned. "What kind of question is that? It's pretty obvious if you ask me." Yura didn't need the bond to know that Toshiro won. To know that he's still alive.
In a few minutes, Yura snapped her head up when she saw two figures in the distance. She stood up from where she sat and narrowed her eyes. When she recognized them, she immediately took off toward them. Tears streamed down her face as she picked up her speed. "Hitsugaya!"
Toshiro and Ichigo both stopped when they noticed Yura running toward them. "Y-Yura? Wait. Wait!" Yura tackled Toshiro to the ground, throwing her arms around the young captain. "Yura, what's…a-are you crying?"
Yura's eyes were shut tight with tears forcing their way out. Her shoulders were shaking and she started to hiccup. "N-no."
Toshiro smiled. "You can't lie to me."
"Why'd you do it?" She whispered in his ear.
He closed his eyes and buried his face in her soft blue hair. "I had to."
"You could've told me. I would've understood." Yura pulled back and wiped the tears from her face.
"I'm sorry. You're right." The two sat in silence for a minute. Toshiro stood up and held his hand out. Yura took it and stood up.
"Hey, Yura."
Yura turned around and faced Ichigo. "What is it?"
"What was it you wanted to tell me?"
Yura frowned, obviously confused until she remembered that night in the park. She smiled and threw her arms around Ichigo's neck. "I just wanted to say thank you. For helping me."
Ichigo smiled. "Are you ok?"
Yura pulled away. "What do you mean?"
"You're crying and hugging. This isn't like you." Yura glared at him then punched him on his arm. "Hey!"
Yura stuck her tongue out at him and smiled. She looked behind her at the standing castle. "Who's gonna clean up all of this?"
Later that day, Toshiro, Yura, and Matsumoto visited the graveyard. They walked down the many rows of grave stones, looking for one in particular. They eventually stopped and stood in front of a grave. Toshiro walked over to it, setting down a broken zanpakuto. He whispered a small goodbye. He sighed and fixed his collar, closing his eyes.
"Matsumoto. Yura."
"Yes?" They both asked.
"Sorry for everything…thank you."
Both Matsumoto and Yura stared at him for a second. "Huh?"
"What was that, Captain?"
Toshiro turned and started walking away. "I didn't say a thing."
"Shiro, you can't lie to me."
Toshiro smiled the slightest bit. "Let's head back."
"Eh. We're going back now? We should leave work early today!"
"Lazy much?" Yura muttered.
"Come on, you two!" Matsumoto threw her arms around Yura and Toshiro.
"Get off of me." Yura said.
"There's this great hot spring nearby!"
"Go by yourself." Toshiro said.
"Don't say that! Come on! We should go!"
"Stop that."
"If you wanna go so badly, then go already." Yura said, obviously annoyed.
"But you guys!"
"Can it, Rangiku."
"You're so mean!"
"Never said I wasn't."
"You two can be quiet now." Toshiro said.
"Yes, Captain." The two said in unison and continued on as the sun set below the horizon.
A/N: Soooooo, what did ya think? Was it ok? close to the movie? I hope you guys liked it, honestly. it took me a long time to get everything correct and add a ton of stuff at the same time...but yeah. Personally if i were the reader and not the writter, i'd say that this really shows where Yura and Toshiro's relationship is going. Ok! I have the next chapter ritten where we'll get back on track from the original story. Ok. Review please. tell me what you thought.