Hide and Seek

The day broke through the darkness that covered the land of Japan. It was a new day for the group and things were finally quieting down. Two days until Christmas in the human world, a day many loved. Grimmjow was really curious about the Christmas tree that was up, even after Ichigo explained it well over 10 times. Grimmjow was still confused. All of the soul reapers were amazed with breakfast. They had never had this said breakfast. Rukia had gotten used to the idea of food and actually liked it. Toshiro loved pancakes, they were sweet and filling. Rangiku was happy that she was back, but at the same time she dreaded the days opening.



The night before, Toshiro had told her they were going back to the soul society the next day. Rangiku hoped they would not take his robe away, the other captains believed he would be fine. But Toshiro was planning for the worse outcome. Urahara didn't have much to say on the matter, he had lost all belief of right and wrong with the central 46.



When they all finished breakfast the group all went to Urahara's shop and spoke of the journey they returned from. The truth and the lies were spoke of in the meeting.



Toshiro let out a heavy sigh, he stood and gathered everyone's attention. " When we get back, I have a chance of having my robe taken away..." He looked up to his lieutenant and gave her a small smile. He knew this was a hard time for her and felt bad that in the end he might not be there to help her through it.



'what the hell was I thinking, it would be that easy. I would kiss her and everything would work out happily...it never happens like that...' Toshiro thought as he paused.



Rangiku closed her eyes and let her captain speak freely. Hell she had to, he had done so much for her. She couldn't trample on his one wish, she didn't speak a word of argument...just for him.



Toshiro continued " I hope you all understand." He looked to his feet in a nervous manner. " I will take whatever punishment I am given and will not allow any of you to get in my way of the law." He looked up. Most of them nodded except a couple. They didn't seem to care much, he let out a sigh and looked to Kisuke.



Kisuke breathed in deep and opened the door to soul society, the white light peered in through the door and was bright for only a second. Butterflies flew from the doors opening, each soul reaper had one. Byakuya and Renji went through first, Kenpachi and Yachiru were next. Shunsui and Ukitake went after the four, Izuru limped through with Hisagi's help. Nanao bowed to Urahara, she smiled and thanked him for his hospitality. She turned and left after her captain. Toshiro turned to Ichigo once everyone was through except Rangiku. She waited for her captain. He looked up to Ichigo and smiled.



"Well good luck to you Toshiro, if you need anything-



Toshiro smiled and closed his eyes "Thank you Ichigo, I know I can always turn to you."



Ichigo stopped mid sentence and nodded, " Take care of her." he whispered nodded for him to get going.



The doors shut behind the last captain and Urahara shut the door. He looked back up to Ichigo " So now you have two arrancar living with you eh?" He laughed.



"Guess so." He laughed turning to Rukia.



"He seemed ok last night, you think it was alright leaving him home alone with your family."



"Rangiku said not to worry about it. I will trust her." He said nervously



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Toshiro went through the gates and walked through the white tunnel, which was guided by the black butterfly. It fluttered through the air and finally he saw the end of the tunnel. Toshiro's foot touched ground and he looked up to be surprised at the blades all pointed to him right away. Toshiro's eyes widened and he looked up to Soi Fon, her eyes sank to the ground. She had just arrived as well, how could she have an order already. She cleared her throat and spoke slowly.



"Toshiro Hitsuguya, I have been given orders to arrest you. "she paused and looked up"Please come quietly." She whispered.



Toshiro sighed and nodded his head " When were you given orders and how could you-



"Do not speak to-



"SILENCE!" Soi fon demanded to the lower soldier. " Toshiro I came through and my men were waiting for me and gave me this order...it gets...worse.."She looked up into his eyes.



Toshiro didn't want to know the truth but at the same time he did. He looked up to her and the words that came from her mouth he didn't expect. They spilled into the chilling air and registered moments after she said them."Arrest her as well." The men around him in black moved to the lieutenant with their blades. Memories of Kusaka went through his mind like a movie. He lunged back quickly in front of her, his arm shielding her. The Soldiers lifted their blades for an order.



"Captain!" Rangiku shouted in worry.



"NO! She has done nothing wrong Soi Fon!"



Soi fon sighed and put the scrolls away " I am warning you now captain Hitsuguya, please come quietly. I will work with the central 46 to release you both as soon as I can." She stated.



Toshiro sighed and stepped forward to the man closest to him. He put his wrist out and watched as the men put the ropes around him. Soi Fon stepped forth " your zanpaktou's" She stated. Toshiro watched as his sword was taken from his grasp, his eyes widened as he felt his partner being taken from him. Toshiro couldn't bare for this to happen...he closed his eyes tightly.



Rangiku handed her Haineko out to the other captain and was about to let the men tie her wrist when the flashback came to. " PLEASE DON'T!" She shrieked. Hitsuguya turned in shock at her voice.



"I will follow you wherever...just don't tie me." She looked into the soldiers eyes.



"Lieutenant Matsumoto I have orders of your arrest I need to...its protocol."



"I can't be tied down...please Soi Fon." She looked at her with terror.



"I'm sorry." Soi Fon closed her eyes and turned " Continue."



"PLEASE! NO! GOD NO!." Rangiku shrieked punching the men away.



Three others held her down and finally had to throw her down and tie her hands behind her backs. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed loudly. Rangiku's heart was pounding, her breath was shallow and her eyes were filled with terror. Hitsuguya closed his eyes at her screams. He finally pushed the men holding him forward away and turned to her " Rangiku calm yourself." He tried to calm her down but when he turned to her, he had never seen anyone so scared.He knew there was no way to get through to her. She was terrified of being tied up, ' why was Soi Fon allowing this.' He wondered angrily.



Soi Fon led them away to the jail cells. Toshiro didn't speak to her as she undid the rope and let him walk in.



"Captain Hitsuguya I am-



"Do not apologize to me." He said turning to her.



Soi Fon couldn't believe Toshiro's tone, it was so cold, it froze her thoughts for a moment.



" Do you know what she went through there? Not that you would care...but she was violated. Tied down and hurt...by the man she loved...by her best friend...by another ex captain. Someone at one point she looked up to. I hope you feel terrible...because you will never know what she is feeling right now." He said walking forth to the cell.



Soi Fon's eyes widened, little did Toshiro know;Soi Fon knew all to well the feeling of being left by the person you looked up to. She cringed and closed her eyes, she heard Rangiku being brought in. Her men set her in the cell across from Toshiro and untied her quickly. They shut the door and let Rangiku fall to the floor. She collapsed to the ground and sobbed, she felt sick to her stomach. Soi Fon turned to the cell across from Toshiro and was about to say something when Rangiku spoke, her tears were stuck in her throat.



" God...its like everything was taken from me...everything..." She sobbed letting her hair drape over her shoulders. Rangiku turned over and brought her knees to her face " Don't even apologize...its to late.." She said wrapping her arms around her knees.



Soi Fon sighed and walked out of the jail area. She felt the weight of guilt build on her heart. She looked to her men "Thank you for bringing this to me. You may let the commander know." She sighed walking to her office.

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Rangiku didn't know when she fell asleep but could feel as she lifted her head, she had cried herself to sleep. When she looked across the hall Toshiro was sitting crossed legged, he was staring at the ground thinking. He did this a lot, it always made him look so mad. She opened her mouth but he spoke quicker than she did.



"You ok?" He asked as softly as he could.



"You probably thought I was pathetic back there didn't you?" She gazed blankly.



"No, Rangiku...you are a strong woman for even standing. I will never think that you are pathetic." He said and then laughed " Well maybe when you drink I will." he winked at her.



Rangiku smiled and let a chuckle out " Yeah I guess your right." she looked up to his gaze and saw his worry, she was about to say something when the doors to the jail were opened.



The footsteps that approached were that of Byakuya Kuchiki. He opened the jail cell of captain Hitsuguya. " you are to come with me." He stated stepping forth. Hitsuguya rose to his feet and nodded. He glanced at her before leaving and saw the sadness in her eyes. Her ice blue eyes were so gorgeous to him. He smiled warmly and kept walking, leaving her alone in the cell...all alone.

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Toshiro walked through the soul society slowly with Byakuya " Where am I going captain?" He asked.



He was hesitant to reply but gave in " To Central 46." He blatantly spoke.



Toshiro's gears in his head were turning in fear, the last time he had been there was when they were all murdered. He had never had a good experience with the 46 people. Byakuya spoke to the guards and was allowed entry.The guard placed proper shackles on Toshiro and allowed him to enter as well. When they entered Byakuya knelt.



" You may stand Byakuya Kuchiki and leave." They demanded.



Byakuya nodded and left the captain there in his shackles. Toshiro didn't speak and waited. He waited for some explanation to being left in the dark room with the central 46. Finally they spoke after long moments.



" Toshiro Hitsuguya, after a long 10 days of you being gone we have thought of the proper punishment of your unexplained disappearance. Also the lack of your respect to the court guard. You deliberately disobeyed a direct order. For this you shall be punished." One of the faceless superiors spoke.



Toshiro lowered his head, how did he know this would happen. He sighed and listened to the meaningless words. All his hard work...all his practice for nothing.



" You broke 12 laws and endangered many including your fellow captains you made leave with you." Another spoke.



"For this your captains rights will be taken away from you. Your Zanpaktou will be destroyed and-



"WHAT! You cannot do this-



"Silence Toshiro!" One demanded.



This struck a chord, Hyourinmaru did nothing...nothing but support him through his life. He couldn't let anyone destroy him.



" You shall be sent to the human world and have all your spiritual energy taken from you." Another spoke.



Toshiro felt his body ache and the words sink in. The door opened behind him and another prisoner was brought forth. When they came closer Matsumoto was seen in the shadow.The central 46 continued to speak of his punishment. He bit his lower lip and then they brought her into it.



"Finally the last punishment, Rangiku shall be executed for being an accomplice to the traders of the soul society. She will be executed in 14 days from now. You will watch her death and immediately afterwards your sentence will be finalized." one finally stated.



Rangiku looked at her captain and saw his shoulders slunk down in a manner that even saddened her. "Your honor...may I please speak." she asked.



"Your final words?"



" I did not leave on my own free will, I was taken. You can see the marks on my back for proof...I was raped....I was hurt there and I sure as h-



"Your lies are not needed-



"I am not lying...please, there has to be a way to tell I was." She begged.



"As a member of the court guard you should know better than to try and trick us, we all know about your essence in the Soul Society." A female spoke down to her.



Rangiku's eyes widened " You think...I wanted what I had done to-



" Enough, your execution is on January 4th at noon"They paused"Our word is final." They all spoke in unison.





'What can I do...what can I do...Hyourinmaru...Rangiku, I tried saving the both of you and have now ended up killing you...' Toshiro thought closing his eyes.





Soldiers approached the two " Do not allow this Toshiro, strike back. Call my name." Hyourinmaru spoke to Toshiro.





'How can you even look to me anymore Hyourinmaru, I have lead you to nothing...but failure-' Toshiro was cut off by his weapons words.





"You have lead me to nothing but victory, you are my master. I owe so much to you...Toshiro call my name!" He demanded.





Toshiro looked up " You all are fools,"He paused and looked up to the seats of the men and women " sōten ni zase, Hyourinmaru!" Toshiro shouted.





The central 46 laughed when nothing appeared " You think you can control a bankai from this far away. Not even we can do this." They laughed.





Suddenly crashing through the central 46 building came a large beast. It had wings of ice and eyes that were red. The ground froze instantly as the ice dragon landed. Its long neck moved down to Toshiro and breathed on the shackles, making them brittle. Toshiro snapped the metal in pieces. The soldiers stood back in fear, the central 46 cursed at Toshiro and called red alert.





"Hyourinmaru...what the hell are we doing." He patted its head as it nuzzled into it. Rangiku watched in aw. She couldn't believe what he was doing...why...why was he doing it.





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"Red Alert, there is a fugitive on the loose. Attain him immediately, Toshiro Hitsuguya and Rangiku Matsumoto." the message announced.



Shunsuii looked to Ukitake " Something is not right."



"Orders are orders..." Ukitake spoke standing up and looking towards the ice filled sky.A sigh came from both of their parted lips.Everyone knew that they were not guilty, no matter how much the central 46 said so. But they were soldiers of the 13 guard.



Byakuya looked to Renji and sighed " come with me." He said leaving his desk. The two walked silently towards the central 46 and were surprised when the ground was frozen 35 miles from the central 46.



Soi Fon looked to Byakuya and Renji " It came out of nowhere...the dragon...I can't believe I am saying this but...Toshiro's zanpaktou awoke with out him near."



"Soi Fon that is impossible." Byakuya stated.



She pointed to her squads barracks which had a giant gap in the building. Frozen blocks of ice were around the building and lead to the central 46 barracks. Byakuya eyes widened " We must hurry."



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"Hyourinmaru." he patted the dragons head, Toshiro willed his sword to be there and it did so. This was new even for him. The dragon stretched its wings and quickly formed into the katana. Ice wrapped around his hand, Toshiro leapt to Rangiku and sliced the shackels off of her as well. He took her wrist in hand and called out " Daiguren Hyourinmaru!" Wings of ice formed around Toshiro. Toshiro glared up at the central 46 and swung the sword upwards making a prison in front of them. He quickly flash stepped out of the building to see the line of captains outside waiting. Toshiro felt the presence of everyone before him.



He sheltered Rangiku " I am a fugitive?Can you believe how fast things change? I am leaving the soul society...with her you can help me if you like but with or without you I am leaving." Toshiro spoke low.



Byakuya closed his eyes " Toshiro Hitsuguya, you are under arrest for-



"Typical. I am guessing you are not going to make this easy." He shouted, swishing his wings up in the air unfolding them. He shot streaks of ice which cracked the ground before him. The row of captains dodged it and looked up to see Toshiro above them. Toshiro swung his arm downwards to send blades of ice everywhere. He quickly told Rangiku to follow him so she did so.She was moving on instinct...not logic. This was for survival. The two flash stepped to Ukitake's barracks, the only captains that were not in the line up were Shunsui and Ukitake, they had to be there.He used his wings and flew quickly down to the two men he spotted below. He pointed the sword to the two shakily.



"Open the gate to the human world." Toshiro demanded.



"...Toshiro...we can work this out I am sure. Don't do this." Ukitake urged.



"You're wrong! She is going to be executed for helping the traders of soul society. She was taken, I helped her get there apparently! They will destroy my zanpaktou and take all of my spiritual energy. I have thought this through. I am not stupid...let me through dammit!" Toshiro shouted, he was not himself at the moment he heard his sentence...that old shell faded.



Shunsuii looked at him and saw the fear in the captain's eyes. He was losing everything that he had, that is why he was fighting hard for his way out. " Let him through." Shunsui spoke.



Nanao looked to her captain " Captain! If they find-



"Do not worry...we are being forced to. Isn't that right?" He looked to Toshiro.



Toshiro stepped forth and followed the two captains quickly to the edge of Soul Society and watched as the doors opened up. Ukitake held the gate open and let the two walk through. He stood up and let the gate go, Toshiro let his wings melt away slowly. The ice turned to soft snowflakes. The shimmering snow danced through the doorway and went to the two captains in front of him.



"Thank you..." He looked up to them and felt the tears well up in the corners of his eyes. He watched as all he worked for slipped away. Ukitake closed his eyes and let the doors shut slowly. Byakuya flash stepped next to the captain along with Soi Fon. They looked in the bright light as it diminished in the crack that was sealing. Toshiro spoke softly in the wind " I am sorry..." The door shut disappearing in the air slowly.



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Author Note: Well hello, I hope you enjoyed my uber sad chapter. Thanks for your reviews again I worked hard on this chapter so it would flow better. I think it is better. If someone would like to help edit my stuff please email me at animeartist2009@hotmail.com I will get to you as fast I can.



This chapter is named after the song Apologize by Timberland, fits it well. Have a happy new year, until next week.