Christmas Nightmare
~Godmother~

"Why don't you talk to her and find out." Ukitake taicho smiled at the boy, despite the fact that Toshiro clearly showed that he was uncomfortable with the situation.

"I guess." Toshiro moved over to the door and slid it open. "Ise Fukutaicho?"

"Yes?" the female stated, her head jolting up.

"Ukitake Taicho says that you wish to talk to me about something." The boy only peered in with one of his teal eyes.

"Yes, there is something that I wish to talk to you about," the female stated, getting up and moving towards the door.

"I think Ichigo and I'll go and talk to Gin," Ukitake stated, grabbing the sleeve of the substitute shinigami's living world clothing. The man slipped in and they could hear the soft mummering of words on the other side of the door. "The small taicho is rather hurting. He's definitely attached to his mother."

"I already knew that Ukitake," Ichimaru shook his head, simply remaining his usual smirking self. However, his tone was dry, without the usual wit that he applied to everything.

"I am personally curious as to why Rukia thought that you were a pedophile," the white haired man spoke up.

"Ahh... yes, you would, considering..." Gin pressed a hand against his forehead. "I won't go there as the joke is inappropriate and I know you aren't that way."

"But to the point..." Ukitake shook his head, raising an eyebrow at the young man's comment, or the comment that almost happened.

"Jinta happened to tell Rukia and me some things. For example, Jinta mistook when Ichimaru was helping Toshiro with covering his rash with the medicine. " Ichigo stated.

"It was rather funny seeing that girl's reaction when Shiro-chan tried showing her the reason, instead of using words. I mean, he could have told her it was all over his body, rather then pulling up his shirt," Gin shook his head.

"That is Hitsugaya for you though. He tends to take the least normal response . He doesn't always realize that the actions he takes are sometimes... well, odd." Ukitake let out his own chuckle.

"Toshiro also slept with Gin last night." Ichigo stated.

"So he was sleep walking again," the male stated firmly. The man turned his eyes towards Gin. "You're son has a major trust of you.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Ichimaru stated, shaking his head at this comment.

"Your mother, she mentioned something that she wishes for you to tell Toshiro yourself." Ukitake's tone was firm, and his mouth was in a frown rather then a smile. "May I ask Gin, what where Toshiro's first words?"

At that, the room suddenly tensed up. Ichimaru's eyes snapped open and he glared at the man. However, he turned his head at the ceiling. "His first word. More like his first sentence."

"I don't understand. If you gave Toshiro up all this time and haven't been in his life, then you wouldn't know that." Ichigo shook his head.

"Except I couldn't stay away from that little one. I figured, once he started speaking, that I could simply leave, knowing that he had enough of a start with everything. I've been watching, truth be told, from the sides. I stayed to long. Toshiro, being not a normal child, held off speaking words until … " Gin paused, closing his eyes.

"He called you father and you knew then that you wouldn't be able to look him in the eye," Ukitake stated firmly.

"That child is precious, truth be told. When he said that to me, called me that name, I had to tell him that I wasn't his father. I lied to him." Gin tapped his fingers. "It is something that I should eventually tell him, but I think... maybe I should let things calm down and fix some... other problems I've caused."

"I guess that would be a wise decision,." Ukitake gave a warning. "Don't spend too much time though, trying to make things mesh. Shiro-chan, despite acting otherwise is a rather sensitive child."

M

Nanao moved out into the hallway and then sat down on the floor, motioning for the small taicho to sit down with her. "I guess I'll start with the fact that I know Ichimaru Gin and Matsumoto Rangiku are your parents."

"At this rate, everyone will know, won't they?" Toshiro folded his legs up like she did.

"Well, I don't think the people who so far do know, are going to be willing to say anything. I mean, all things considered... I don't think you would want people knowing." Ise watched the child turn to her in surprise.

"Why wouldn't I want people to know Matsumoto is my mother? She is a great person." His two teal eyes then turned away. "I guess though, her reputation is bad enough as it is all ready."

"That isn't what I meant! I hadn't even thought of Matsumoto's reputation. I was more of thinking about the effect this would have on yours." Ise shook her head. "You never really have cared about your reputation."

"I don't see how it would ruin my reputation though," Toshiro glanced up again.

"I think the fact that your father is considered a traitor to Soul Society would be a big enough issue. Let's add in the fact that you are a miniature version of him and also a child genius. Some people may think that you may turn out just like him." Nanao felt the corner of her mouth twist up suddenly.

"I guess I am like him. Do you think I will end up like him?" Toshiro's question moved towards the more personal side of things.

"You can be just as annoying as him sometimes, but truth of the matter is, you have to much of your mother in you to turn out exactly like your father. There are a few people who have gotten to know you enough to see past the side that you normally do show. I say, consider showing more of the side that you get from your mother."

"I don't understand why you would want to involve yourself. I imagine you are more inclined to side with Matsumoto on this whole mess. Why haven't you told her about this?" The boy sat there, sitting there, his teal eyes suddenly turning to the ceiling.

"Well, that is almost what happened. Matsumoto is very upset that you told her you hate her, but I also think that is not what you meant to say. You said that from hurt feelings. I insisted on following Ukitake, particularly since there was a chance that things would be resolved between you and Rangiku. Things though, instead got a lot more complicated."

"You could say that. I don't know why you don't just go and tell her right now, or even sooner. She'll want to know," Toshiro hung his head, frustration written all over his small features.

"I'll tell you a story. One day, Matsumoto and I were out drinking. It was around this time of year, one might say, so she was depressed about a certain subject, as you have very well come to know. It was before you joined the academy really. We were sitting, and she told me about how she had lost her baby."

"Yeah, but what does that have to do with me?" Toshiro raised his head. "It doesn't make me feel better about her and my relationship. I want her to care about me, for me. Not as some replacement. I know it sounds self centered somewhat."

"It isn't self centered to want a parents love and to know it is for real." Nanao continued. "Anyways, getting on with my story, she asked me something in particular about that child, despite the fact that the baby was dead, and even that she thought it was female, rather then male. She asked me to be that child's godmother."

"So... wait..." Toshiro paused for a second, then glanced up. "She asked you, to be my godmother? Doesn't the fact that I am alive and male null and void that?"

"As far as I am concerned, no." Nanao let out a deep sigh. "Understand that I happen to agree right now not to tell her the truth since Gin promised you he would tell her. However, the truth of the matter is, if push comes to shove and I fill that I need to step into the mess for your sake, understand that I will."

Hitsugaya's face twisted, thinking about what she had told him, but then softened. He moved to where he could slide the door open and peeked in. He slid his hand in, reaching for something, almost as if he was trying to not be noticed. He pulled a gift bag out and then dumped out the items. "Gin went and bought something for me to give Rangiku for Christmas. However..." He then explained the problem.

Nanao picked up the stones and opened it up. "I don't see a problem with this. I mean, it is..."

However, it was at that point that Gin stuck his head out. "Chibi taicho what did I tell you about figuring out what the word birthstone means on your own? It is rather simple."

Ise felt her mouth twitch, then handed the box to the small taicho. "If I happen to talk to you when he's not around, I'll tell you what that word means."

At that point, Ukitake stepped out of the room. "Well, we'd best be going as we have work to finish before the Christmas party."

Nanao got up to follow. "I will be making sure Matsumoto will not be leaving you with a great amount of paperwork, if possible, Hitsugaya Taicho."

"So, she told you about her being your godmother?" Gin asked, smirking at the boy.

"All of you know?" Toshiro asked, his voice twisting up in confusion.

"Yes... is something the matter Hitsugaya Taicho?" Nanao asked.

"If you are my godmother, then when it isn't a professional setting, isn't it all right for you to call me by my first name?" The boy asked.

"That is just as it is all right for you to call Gin your father, and Rangiku your mother. Goodness, it is even alright, if you are comfortable, to call me your aunt, if yo us so wish." Nanao stated, completely catching Hitsugaya off guard.

Ichigo stuck his head out of the door. "What is going on?"