Disclaimer:
I don't own Bleach or any ideas/characters. I only own references and images for my OC.
Chapter 17
Toshiro POV
"Oh, this is so exciting Captain!" Rangiku squealed. She clapped her hands and smiled at me; I sighed trying to contain my annoyance at the whole situation. We received notice that we were to go to the Rukon district and check on the residents to raise spirits.
I stared at Rangiku as she continued to go on and on, about how great it will be. I turned to look at the door to my office as it slid open revealing Kimura in her usually uniform. Every time I asked her why she refused to wear the regular soul reaper uniform; her response was it hindered her movements.
On further inspection, it looked like she adjusted the uniform again, shaking my head as I took in the changes. She had completely forgone the black hakama pants and only wore her black stretch pants with black shoes, the black kosode was cut up the sides, so it would only hang down the front of her body and the back, sleeves cut off at the shoulders, and tied at her waist with a white sash.
"Another uniform adjustment?" I asked her with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.
I watched as she looked down at herself and shrugged. Walking to her desk and sitting in her chair.
"I like this way better, those damn hakama pants are too flowy and can get caught on things." Was her reasoning.
Rangiku smiled at Kimura, and beamed at her plotting something, I could see it.
"Kimura! Perfect timing! We just got in some new orders. We have to go to the Rukon Districts and check in on the residents to raise their spirits." Kimura smiled at Rangiku's excitedness.
"I see…. And I'm assuming by 'we' you mean I am being dragged along also?" I heard her ask coughing, trying to conceal my laughter.
"Of course! You are the third seat and all, plus what else do we have to do until Shunsui gets back from Central 46."
"Head Captain! I keep telling you Rangiku, stop calling him Shunsui!" I shouted at her as she waved her hand at me completely blowing me off. I gave up and sat back in my chair sighing.
"So, just us three?" I heard Kimura ask Rangiku.
"Um well no…. you see, it's a joint order with the fifth division…." I looked up at Rangiku as she trailed off with her sentence. She conveniently left out that information earlier when she barged into my office. I had not told Kimura about Momo and myself, and what happened years ago. I looked to her, wondering how this was going to turn out. I wasn't hiding it from her but was scared that if I told her she would turn from me also.
"So, when do we leave?" I heard Kimura ask.
"Now!" Rangiku shouted as she ran out of the office. I sighed trying to figure out how I could get a new lieutenant. I cast my gaze to Kimura who was looking at me with a question on her face.
"Are you alright Toshiro?" She asked me, standing from her desk and walking over to me to lean against my desk. I grabbed her hand and slipped my fingers between hers, squeezing her hand with mine.
"Of course." I told her, though by the look on her face I knew she felt I was hiding something. She was almost as good as me as reading people. "I've missed you." I told her as I brought the back of her hand to my mouth placing a kiss on it. She eyes started to shine at my action. It wasn't a lie; she had not been able to come stay with me for the past two days. Rangiku was holding her hostage saying she needed 'time with her friend also, and I couldn't hog her.'
I watched as she bent towards me, feeling her bury her hand in my hair. "I miss you too, but Rangiku said that she is tired of me staring out the window at night rather than sleeping. She is relinquishing me to your care, as she said to me this morning." She whispered to me ghosting her lips over mine. I smiled before leaning up and capturing her mouth with mine, slipping my tongue in as I heard her moan. Trying to remember where we were I slowly pulled back from her, starting to stand from my chair, pushing my body into hers, while leaning towards her ear.
"I suppose we better get this day over with so I can take you home." I whispered before biting her ear lobe, taking satisfaction in her gasp.
Kimura POV
I followed Toshiro and Rangiku to the gates of the seireitei. I was thankful for the distraction of these orders. It kept my mind from wandering to how things were going with Central 46. I had yet to hear from my father and when I asked aunt Nanao, she just told me that she had not heard anything yet either.
At first, I thought she was withholding from me, but after my third attempt of pulling information from her, I realized that she really had not heard anything. I knew she was always on my side, and wanted what was best for me.
I remember having to explain to Toshiro why I called her aunt rather than cousin. I had to think about it for a moment, and settled on the fact that she was older than me and always acted as more of an aunt than a cousin. The title of aunt was more fitting than cousin when it came to her, especially since she was the head of her clan, Ise.
We arrived at the gates of the seireitei to enter the Rukon district, I saw two figures standing, speaking to each other. As we got closer, I saw it was Shinji Hirako, and his lieutenant Momo Hinamori.
Shinji was the first to notice us arrive and he smiled.
"About time. I thought you were a stickler for promptness Toshiro." I listened to Shinji tease Toshiro who growled at him, clenching his fists, while muttering 'It's Captain Hitsugaya' which Shinji completely ignored. I stepped out from behind Toshiro and Rangiku to look at him with a smile on my face.
"Shinji." I said as I stood straighter watching him laugh at seeing me. I cast my eyes to his lieutenant, turning to her. "Lieutenant Hinamori." I said while bowing my head in respect to her. She was a higher-ranking officer than me, after all. I watched as she just stared at me with an unreadable expression on her face.
"Lady Kyoraku… Now this is defiantly going to be a fun adventure. I was just telling Lieutenant Hinamori here how bored I've been lately." Shinji said as he shrugged.
"You sound like Ikkaku during patrols." I told him.
"Since we're all here, lets get going!" Rangiku exclaimed grabbing Shinji by the arm and heading towards the door. I watched as Momo followed behind them and Toshiro waited to walk beside me. We all exited the seireitei heading out into the bustling streets.
We walked along the streets, easily drawing attention to ourselves as we had two captains within our groups. People came out of their homes to watch us with shocked expressions on their faces. I smiled at everyone as we walked along stopping to speak to people and see how they were doing.
The children ran to the front of the crowds to watch us in awe. Every once in awhile I would waive at the shyest looking child in the groups, making them blush and smile before waving back.
I could tell that Toshiro was a bit uncomfortable with this whole endeavor, he was very private and reserved. I smiled as I glanced at him next to me. He had refused to leave my side, where I went to talk to people he followed close behind me.
I heard a commotion down an ally and started to make my way towards it, knowing Toshiro would follow me. I saw a group of teenagers surrounding a smaller figure who was cowering in the center, her arms covering her head. I narrowed my eyes at them. I looked behind me seeing Toshiro, Rangiku, Shinji , and Momo standing there.
I saw the look on Rangiku's face, knowing that was being pulled back to a time when we were in the same situation.
I turned back to the teenagers starting to step towards them, feeling Toshiro grab my arm stopping me.
"What are you doing?" He asked me, I looked into his eyes, but didn't bother responding, just pulled my arm from his grasp.
I approached the group; they hadn't noticed me yet.
"Hey!" I shouted causing them to jump and look up at me. I saw the fear in their eyes as they saw my zanpakutos at my back and my uniform. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I watched as a few of them had the intelligence to run, but a couple of them stayed, apparently thinking they were the tough ones.
"Dealing with scum, that's what we're doing." One of them snapped at me. I stared at him, pulling Tianma from her sheath.
"Scum? What did this girl do to you?" I asked as I continued to walk towards them slowly. "Is she just different, or younger than you?" Still, I received no response. I placed myself between them and the girl who continued to cower.
I knelt so I was closer to their eye level. I took Tianma and placed her point into the ground in front of me. I glared at the boys, who were still standing there looking at me. I heard movement from the side of me, glancing and seeing Toshiro watching me closely. I heard Momo move to the front of our group, also looking at me.
"Isn't someone going to stop her?" I heard her ask, receiving no response from anyone.
"Listen to me… I know you know what I am, and now I know each of your faces. I don't tolerate bullies, or anyone who wants to torment someone who seems weaker. Hear me clearly…. If I hear any whisper that you are harassing or tormenting anyone, this is Tianma, her power is drawn from the heavens and darkness. I will not hesitant to find you, and let her engulf you into your nightmares." I threatened fiercely.
I saw the fear show in their eyes as they backed away from me to run away. Once they were completely out of view, I turned towards the little girl behind me, who moved to hid on the other side of a crate.
"It's okay, I won't hurt you." I said to her as I put Tianma away and reaching out my hand to her. She still stayed hidden. I sighed as I looked back at my group. I stood walking back to them, not knowing what I was going to hear.
"Kimura…" I heard Rangiku whisper smiling at me, knowing that she felt pride in my actions. I looked at Shinji who just smiled at me, Toshiro stayed stoic, and the only one who looked upset was Momo.
"Isn't anyone going to tell her how out of line she was?" She asked at she looked to who would, essentially be my superiors. "That was uncalled for, they were kids." She glared at me.
"Kids who were tormenting someone younger and weaker. Are you okay with that lieutenant? I know I am not." I said to her as I glared in her direction. I watched as she gave me a cold stare. Refusing to deal with her, higher ranking or not, I did not care. If I wanted, I could throw it in her face that I was ranked higher as a former member of the royal guard, and as the head captain's daughter, but I cared neither for status or titles.
I turned back towards the little girl who was still hiding behind the crate and refused to come out. I had an idea, and hoped it worked. Everyone always told me that my voice was a great gift, and entranced people. I knelt in front of the crate she hid behind, barely peeking out at me.
"Hi… Don't be scared… My name is Kimura. I won't hurt you." I tried to coax her out, but with no success. I took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes.
"War is not freedom, Over my shoulder, I see a clearer view, All for my family, Reason I'm breathing, Everything to lose" I started to sing to her. Watching her every movement.
"Should I ask myself in the water, What a warrior would do? Tell me, underneath my armor, Am I loyal, brave and true? Am I loyal, brave and true?
Losing is easy, Winning takes bravery I am a tiger's fool" I watched as she poked her head out more to see me, and hear my words. I stretched my hand out to her, patiently waiting.
"Out in the open, No one to save me, The kindest of whispers are cruel, Should I ask myself in the water, What a warrior would do? Tell me, underneath my armor, Am I loyal, brave and true? Am I loyal, brave and true?" The little girl moved to stand next to the crate and stare at my outstretched hand.
"Cold is the morning, Warm is the dream, Chasing the answers, 'Til I can't sleep, Will I be stronger, Or will I be weak, When you're not with me?" I kept my eyes on hers, and watched as she placed her small hand in mine. I slowly closed my fingers around her hand as I pulled her from behind the crate closer to me.
"Who am I without my armor? Standing in my father's shoes, All I know is that it's harder, To be loyal, brave and true." I finished singing to her, as she suddenly decided to throw herself into me in a fierce hug, crying.
I wrapped my arms around her holding her as she cried.
"It's okay little one. You're safe." I told her, rubbing her back. "You're going to be okay. I told her as I pushed her to stand and look at me. "You're strong. You just need to find it in you." I told her wiping her tears away. I watched as she smiled at me.
"Thank you, lady soul reaper." I heard her whisper to me before she ran off. I watched her go, smiling. I stood and walked back to the group. Slightly embarrassed at them watching my actions. I crossed my arms in front of my chest, clashing but refusing to look at them.
"I knew this day was going to be entertaining." I heard Shinji say as he laughed and turned to walk away towards the ally entrance. I smiled at his comments before lifting my head to see admiration in Rangiku's eyes, before she turned to follow him.
Toshiro stood there staring at me. He knows how I feel about situations like this, as I had told him my full story, and how Okami had first manifested. His face was stoic, but his eyes were soft and full of care. I heard Momo shift next to us and cross her arms at me.
"That was a total abuse of power. I will be reporting this…" She started to say but was cut off by Toshiro.
"Reporting to whom Lieutenant? She is in my squad, and if you have an issue with her actions, you can report it to my Lieutenant, following proper protocols." He said while keeping his eyes on me, and never wavering. I watched as she turned and walked away from us.
"Toshiro…" I started to say, but he grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
"You are extraordinary." He whispered as he smiled at me, before turning and walking out of the ally.
A/N: I know this is a filler chapter but needed something to fill the gaps. Please review and let me know what you think. :) I have a few of these chapters already written, and I'm trying to make them flow, so any reviews would be greatly appreciated, but please be kind, it's my first bleach fanfic.