Loss To Love Chapter 4

3rd Person POV

Making his way out of the first division, Toshiro notices Ukitake standing to the side, obviously waiting for him. Seeing that he wasn't able to avoid walking around him, he reluctantly headed over the older man's way.

"Toshiro-kun, I wanted to invite you over for some afternoon tea, and just chat for a little bit. When was the last time we actually sat down and relaxed in the peace and quiet? I don't want to miss out on today so what do you say?

Toshiro contemplated Captain Ukitake's offer, looking at the cheerful, and somewhat hopeful, expression on his face. Thinking back though…he needed the break from all the paperwork and drama-especially the drama because of one strawberry haired substitute shinigami.

"Sure, I need to relax every once in a while, especially now."

Surprised that Toshiro even accepted his offer, he quickly shifted into a knowing expression since he understood what Toshiro-kun was going through. Not saying anything since Toshiro-kun wasn't the type of person to accept pity from others, he led him to his 13th company barracks, both walking together in a comfortable silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~LtoL~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Thank you again Toshiro-kun for taking me up on my offer. If you want I can give you candy and snacks to go with your tea-"

"No! No thank you on the offer but I'm fine with my tea." Toshiro quickly rejected his offer before Ukitake could overload him with snacks like he did before.

Ukitake smiled at the white haired teen, sipping on his tea quietly, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. The sunlight was shining brightly in the room the two men were sitting in, giving it a light and warm atmosphere and birds were chirping outside, showing how peaceful it was for once in the Soul Society.

'Ukitake was right,' Toshiro thought, soaking in the warmth of the room. 'Days like these come fewer to none, I'm glad I took the chance to relax.' Toshiro rarely let himself relax, always on guard, even in his sleep. But being able to sit here and relax, letting the tension in his whole body drain away with each sip of his tea. Even though he was a winter person by heart, he was immensely appreciating the sun's warm rays lighting on his body, warming him up and making him drowsy.

After a few more moments of comfortable silence, with Toshiro on the edge of just laying down and sleeping, Ukitake spoke.

"Toshiro-kun...I already know know what has transpired during this week, and I know you are strong physically, but mentally there are limits, so thats why I decided to invite you over to get any stress out of your mind and system for the moment. Also, I will be here if you need a shoulder to lean on, remember that."

Toshiro already knew that he could trust Captain Ukitake with anything, he wasn't called the friendliest captain for nothing. But he was touched that the older man was this concerned for him. He rarely had anybody care for him this much, he could count on his fingers how many people actually cared for his wellbeing, Hinamori (used to…), Matsumoto, Granny, Jirobou the gatekeeper, Ichigo-.

'Ichigo...'

Over the last few days, Ichigo had been there with him, even though they were idiotic, it was his unique way of cheering him up. Toshiro wondered why Ichigo took time out of his schedule to deal with him especially, now that he realizes, he was cold to him. He just didn't understand. Having no way to figure it out himself, now was the perfect time to tell since Ukitake was offering to listen to what Toshiro has to say.

"Actually...there's been something on my mind."

"Well what would that be?"

"It starts after I woke up the other day from a nightmare…."

Leaving Captain Ukitake's place, Toshiro felt more frustrated than accomplished when they had their conversation.

FLASHBACK

Toshiro confessed everything he was feeling during the last few days. Ukitake listened attentively, not interrupting the shorter boy. Gradually, Toshiro's talking went from talking about how he was feeling to complaining about the strawberry haired teenager that invaded his life.

"He thought that insulting me would get a rise out of me. In the end that only got him a nice bump on the head that'll last him a few days. Really benefited only me since he was a temporary stress reliever for my anger. Honestly, this idiot never thinks things through, especially while fighting. He thinks just like Kenpachi, punch first, ask questions later. Honestly. he won't get anywhere in life with that kind of thinking, just an early trip six-feet under."

"He only fights like that because he's trying to protect everybody." Ukitake said trying to keep the amusement out of his voice. He failed but luckily Toshiro wasn't paying attention to him; he was on a roll.

Toshiro Scoffs. "He needs to worry about himself more, he can't save everybody. I bet one trip to Captain Unohana will set his head straight."

"Can't be helped though, once Ichigo has something set on his mind, he refuses to change his mind. Quite stubborn….kind of like you Toshiro." At this, Toshiro chokes on his drink, spluttering and trying to regain his breath. Ukitake quickly rushes over and pats his back so the drink goes down smoothly. Once he can breathe properly again, Toshiro glares at Ukitake, who gives him an apologetic smile.

"I am NOTHING like that strawberry haired idiot. He hardly cares about himself, always worrying about others. He's no good when he's dead, doesn't he realize that the people that actually care for him want him ALIVE? Just when he was healing still, he was worried more about everybody else, asking if they were alright when he had gashes all over his body with the recent rebellion. He just needs to sit down and rest-"

"Toshiro-kun, if I didn't know any better, I would think that you actually care about Ichigo-kun's wellbeing?"

Then the most amazing thing happened. Toshiro Hitsugaya, Captain of the 10th barracks blushed. Instead of blowing off Ukitake's accusation off coolly like he usually does when someone accuses him of something, he blushed. He ducked his head down so Ukitake couldn't see his face but it was too late.

"I-It's n-not like I-I care for that s-stupid blockhead of a shinigami. S-Someone just needs to watch over him while he's here in Soul Society. He would've stayed with Renji but Captain Byakuya would skin him alive and all the other captains only respect him, they don't like him, especially Captain Soi-Fon. Kenpachi and Kurostuchi are out of the question and NOBODY wants to stay with captain Unohana. Which only leaves me me logically to watch over him…"

Finally realizing what he just said, his face soon resembled a ripe tomato and he ducked down again mumbling under his breath. The older man just smiled at the younger albino boy, understanding what Toshiro was beginning to feel towards Ichigo, but didn't say anything since he knew Toshiro would flat out reject and deny his idea.

"At least Ichigo knows you are taking the initiative to take care of him, and I know he would be very grateful. That's the kind of person he is, just like you."

Not saying anything to his comment, Toshiro decided that now was the time to head back to his barracks, since it was late in the day.

'Time sure does fly when you are enjoying yourself...' Toshiro idly walked out of Ukitake's barracks. As he walked away, thinking about the time spent with the elderly captain he didn't here Ukitake sigh and say "Ah...young love is such a beautiful thing."

FLASHBACK END

When Toshiro reached his office, he opened the door, honestly thinking his office would've looked like a hurricane went through it. He was pleasantly surprised to see that not only was it tidied but also all his paperwork was complete and in a neat pile. He saw Ichigo taking a nap on the couch, ink on his hands so Toshiro knew then that it wasn't Matsumoto who did the paper work.

Toshiro honestly didn't know what to think at all the kindness that Ichigo was giving to him. Thinking about all the good deeds Ichigo has done for everybody and himself, his heart jumped a little and a faint hue of pink appeared on his cheeks. Surprised by his reaction, he shook his head to clear his thought and looked upon the slumbering teenager sprawled on the couch. A small smile appeared on his face, and for once it was a genuine smile and not a plastered one. He went under the couch and pulled out a blanket to spread over Ichigo. Once the orange-haired teenager was tucked in, Toshiro quietly walked out of his office to leave but before he left he quietly said :"Arigatou Kurosaki-san."