Bleach Romance
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its characters, nor do I make any money from this fanfiction.
Chapter Four: The Interdivision Exchange Program
Toshiro Hitsugaya's Point of View
By: Sassy Little Owl

I'm staring at the piece of paper Yamamoto soutaicho placed in front of me on his desk. I could feel my left eyebrow twitching as I read which division I'll be working with during the Interdivision Exchange Program. I looked over at the man sitting on the couch with a frown of displeasure,

Why am I being forced to work with him?" I asked, slowly rolling my eyes while Kenpachi leers at me.

"I believe your divisions can learn something from one another and therefore you both will be working with each other," Yamamoto explains patiently while using a dismissive tone as Kenpachi snorts from his place from the couch while I'm pinching the bridge of my nose,

I'd rather deal with Matsumoto and Miyuki* I thought to myself.

Sighs heavily.

"You realize my division uses a mix of kidō, swordplay, as well as physical work, while his division just charges in without even thinking, which is why his division has the highest death or injury rating of the Gotei 13."

I honestly believe you're just throwing us together because of my third seat, Kino Miyuki." I said in an accusing tone.

I knew I shouldn't have mentioned Miyuki in front of the soutaicho, who adores Miyuki as his grandchild, like this, because The Old Dragon glared coldly. His hand went straight for the handle of his zanpakutō, instinctively telling me to run. Kenpachi shook his head in disbelief as he walked out, leaving me alone with a very furious soutaicho. I ran out of the office by-passing a very startled Shirofukurou as The Old Dragon bellowed my name furiously.

I ran to my division like a bat out of Hell. I sighed with relief when I spied Kenpachi watching as Miyuki played with Yachiru.

"You did request to work with my division just so you can watch Miyuki, didn't you, because you're worried about her?" I asked politely.

Kenpachi snorted in reply, his eye never leaving the two girls playing janken po. I could see that he was worried, just like Rangiku. We all heard Gin threaten his child. I couldn't wrap my mind around why Gin had done this to his child.

My theory is that Gin wants to push Miyuki beyond her limits so that she can stand on her own. Miyuki is strong enough. But still, that damn sly fox had threatened Miyuki.

"Mugs, the next time we meet, it will be on the battlefield, and you had better not stand in our way again, or I will kill you myself."

I understood why Miyuki now trains with her mother's lover in The World of the Living, or with the Soutaicho and several others. Miyuki is bound and determined to surpass her father.

Sighs.

"All right, tomorrow morning at dawn, be ready on our training grounds and don't be late, or I'll sic Miyuki on you and your division." I grumped.

Kenpachi roared with laughter, which made my right eyebrow twitch even more as I sighed dismissively and walked away.

The next morning, a little just before dawn, I saw Miyuki outside, all ready, sparring with Kenpachi, neither of them holding back. I came out to watch and saw that I was the last to arrive.

I watch as they both clash, my division cheering Miyuki on while the Eleventh cheered on Kenpachi. I was pretty amazed by Miyuki because the young woman wouldn't back down from the Berserker taicho. I saw a wicked little smirk on Miyuki's face, which told me she was enjoying this battle immensely while Kenpachi laughed like a maniac.

I called a halt. Miyuki smirks at Kenpachi, who roars with laughter. "You did well, Pest, but you still leave yourself wide open."

It was the first time I had ever seen Miyuki smile since her father left. I saw Yamamoto soutaicho and Ayano had joined us as well this morning. I could see Ayano beam with pride at her daughter.

Soon after that, a display of raw power versus finesse ensued. I wanted to see how those boys would fare against my hand-to-hand combat. I tried to fight Kenpachi hand-to-hand, so I paired everyone off.

I watched as Ikkaku dodged Rangiku as she would have landed a direct kick to his midsection. Miyuki could hold her own against Yumichika, so I say they were evenly matched.

So the training session came to an end for the day. I was very impressed by Miyuki, who could take a hit and deliver one as well, and stand toe to toe against one of the biggest badasses of the Gotei 13.

My division, more or less, was shut down for the night until an alarm rang out, which meant duty calls. Some Menos Grande were sent here. My division, too. Kenpachi was the first to arrive and engage, but somehow this felt like some diversion of some kind... Miyuki.

Meanwhile, in another part of the Seireitei, Miyuki had sensed her father's reiastu and followed it. Miyuki had found her father sitting on a boulder, waiting for her.

"So, Mugs, are you still going to stand against us or stand with us?" Gin chimed in to his daughter.

Miyuki shrugs her left shoulder with a sad smile.

Gin for one moment looks rather sad, then he drew a deep breath and angrily said,

"So be it, foolish girl."

Miyuki drew Eiji and sent Posh and Airi away.

Gin and Miyuki charged at each other and fought, neither giving an inch to the other. The battle lasted for a full hour, but Miyuki became distracted when she heard us calling out to her.

" Ikorose Shinsō!" Gin commanded.

A scream echoed into the night, as we found Miyuki pinned to a tree with her father, with a sinister look on his face. I stood there, horror-struck as Gin ruthlessly pulled Shinsō out of his daughter. I caught Miyuki before she hit the ground while I stared at Gin's retreating.

"Next time, have a better leash on your pit bull, or I will kill her, Hitsugaya." Gin seared and disappeared into a portal.

I took Miyuki to The Fourth. Damn it, I failed to protect her as I said I would. I paced the floor, waiting for some news while Ayano and Urahara Kisuke (the lover) sat calmly.

Unohana taicho finally came out and told us Miyuki had just come out of surgery, and Gin had missed her heart by seven centimeters. The bastard was trying to kill his daughter.

Miyuki stayed for about two months in the Fourth, and I handled her paperwork and also fed Posh and Airi.

I miss my little pit bull, and yes, I am in love with her, but her heart belongs to someone else. I wonder if Tetsuzaemon Iba knows how lucky he is to have Miyuki.

To Be Continued!