Leave Out All the Rest

Hello again, I\'m glad to be back with a new chapter. I want to thank all of you for your comments and for reading the story.



Ok, so relax, enjoy, read and review!!!





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Chapter 23



Looking for a conclusion



Would you marry me?



That question kept echoing in Rangiku’s head while she looked at Toshiro, shocked by his proposal. She could feel the tears in her eyes, the beating of her heart, her breathing and the way her body was trembling with contained emotions. She let the tears in her eyes fall and concentrated on the young man in front of her – the man that was looking at her expectantly and nervously; he was trembling just as much as her, but his teal eyes couldn’t focus on her for too long.



He lowered his eyes and for an instant Rangiku saw the gleam of insecurity there, the fear that she may reject him, and the mere thought of him thinking that almost made her laugh. How could he think that? Why did he look so insecure? Didn’t he know that she was just too happy and shocked to utter a single ‘yes’? Didn’t he know that she would love nothing more than spend the rest of her life with him? Being loved by him? Being touched by him?



She grabbed his hand and made him look up at her; once again she saw the same emotions play in Toshio’s eyes, insecurity and nervousness. Something so foreign to him. She let a big smile blossom, little by little on her face, and with a big breath she opened her mouth to utter an answer.



“I really expect a big party.” She didn’t say it had to be the right and proper answer, but things between them weren’t always normal and… well, proper.



Toshiro sighed in relief and he too let out a grin that was the perfect match of Rangiku’s, “So, if I promise a big party… you’ll say yes?”



Rangiku laughed softly; tilting her head to the side she nodded, “I think…that I could never say no to you.”



“Good, I thought I was the only one,” said Toshiro, softly placing the ring on her hand. Rangiku moved her hand to look at the ring closely. Her eyes opened wide at the three different gems and the coldness of the material against her finger. Toshiro watched her for a moment before leaning in for a kiss.



Toshiro felt Rangiku shiver due to the coolness of the afternoon; looking up, he saw the skies darkening and giving way to the night. He looked at her and with a soft smile stood up and stretched out his hand to her. “It’s getting late and this seems to be a cold night. Let’s go, you need to rest and be in a more comfortable place.”



“So considerate, Toshiro.” He lifted an eyebrow with an amused smile playing softly on his lips, Rangiku took his hand but remained there with a small frown and a pout forming slowly on her lips. “I can’t stand up like this!! You need to help me out!”



Toshiro watched her closely and realized that she was right; her stomach prevented her standing up with only the help of his hand. He kneeled beside her, offering the help she needed to stand up.



“I can’t believe you’re so big and heavy,” he commented once Rangiku was up and walking beside him, earning him a slap on the head and a glare from Rangiku, who did not appreciate it at all.



“You should stop spending time with Ichigo.” Toshiro returned the glare with his hand massaging his head.



“What do you mean?”



“Well, it seems like you’re starting to make the same idiotic comments after a romantic moment,” she said. Toshiro stopped and looked at her, offended by her suggestion.



“I’m nothing like Kurosaki!!” he said, crossing his arms and resuming his walk. “I’m sorry about the comment.”



Rangiku smiled triumphantly at his words and the honest tone in his voice; she grabbed his arms and walked, once again, beside him, huffing softly while admiring once in a while the ring that was shining brightly on her left hand.



“Toshiro! We can’t go home yet!!” she exclaimed suddenly, startling Toshiro, who looked at her with worry.



“Why not? Is something wrong? Do you not feel fine?” Rangiku giggled and nodded her head – he could be so dramatic sometimes.



“Yes, I just thought that Nanao-chan and Shun-kun should see my ring!!” she said. Toshiro rolled his eyes but smirked slightly when she mentioned them.



He had asked Ukitake for a day off, because he was sure that after that the man along with his ‘minions’ would do something (anything) to interfere with his marriage proposal. Toshiro didn’t mind too much, if anything he was kind of happy… that didn’t mean he had to follow all the ridiculous plans they proposed to him. But it did mean that he could give them that little celebration; they deserved it and looking at Rangiku he knew that she would want it, too.



“I think we can find Ise-san at Kyouraku’s place.”



“Are you sure Nanao-chan is there?” asked Rangiku in a doubtful voice. “I know she and Shun-kun are a not-so-secret couple, but…”



“Trust me, I bet that we are even going to find Kurosaki, Kuchiki, Ukitake and a few others over there,” said Toshiro, squeezing her hand with a smirk in place. “I told Ukitake that I wanted to have this day off from work.”



Rangiku looked at Toshiro confusedly, not understanding how Ukitake had anything to do with her wanting to show Nanao and Shunsui her engagement ring. Toshiro shook his head, amused, and kept walking down the street where his, Kyoraku’s and Ukitake’s places were located.



“Ukitake and Kyouraku were helping me out to… make the perfect setting for the proposal. We did it for two months, but there was always something… and at the end, their ideas were rather ridiculous.”



“They were trying to help you?” asked Matsumoto, amused; she could only imagine what kind of ideas they had. “And…two months? You’ve been planning this for two months?!”



Toshiro looked aside, blushing slightly at Rangiku’s tone of surprise. “Well, yes. It’s just…every time I wanted to do it something happened. I wanted it to be perfect.”



“It was.” Toshiro stopped walking and looked at Rangiku, who was looking at him with a sincere smile.



“I’m glad,” he replied, kind of shyly. “But, like I was saying, as idiotic as some of their ideas were… I know they had good intentions and… well, I didn’t want to take away another excuse to make some kind of party. So I let Ukitake know I needed the day off, which may have given him some indication that I was going to propose to you.”



“Oh, an engagement party!!” squealed Rangiku excitedly; Toshiro looked over at her, shaking his head. “You always think of everything, don’t you?”



“Of course I do,” said Toshiro.





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It was the fireworks, or more correctly, a big explosion, that called their attention and made them rush to Kyouraku’s place. Just like Toshiro had said, Kyouraku and Ukitake had planned some kind of celebration at Kyouraku’s home. As soon as he and Rangiku appeared, they were dragged by Kurosaki and Kyouraku inside the compound and the ones waiting for them went immediately to congratulate the couple. Rangiku didn’t need more convincing, as soon as she spotted Nanao she left Toshiro behind and went to show off her new ring, made especially for her, as she let every single person know.



Toshiro watched Rangiku for a moment, making sure she was fine, before turning around to see Yachiru, Nel and Grimmjaw laughing at the explosion they had provoked; Byakuya was glaring daggers at them. Kenpachi was undecided if he should join in the laughs or just punch Byakuya for looking that way at Yachiru.



Another celebration, a party that Ukitake and Kyouraku had planned, along with Kurosaki, to make him and Rangiku feel like part of a big family. To show them that they weren’t alone, and of course, to annoy Toshiro to no end because it was too funny to let the opportunity pass.



Ukitake smiled and congratulated him, saying that he envied him for finding the perfect woman, for wanting to settle down and be the responsible man he had always been. Kyouraku hugged him and with a voice full of emotion he told him how happy he was that Rangiku had found someone like him; he also gave him his permission to marry Rangiku. His comment made Toshiro laugh and both of them looked into each other’s eyes; as serious and honest as he could be, Toshiro promised Kyouraku he would take care of her, and never leave her the way he did.



Ichigo told him that he was brave; looking over at Rukia and then at Byakuya, he told Toshiro that he may as well elope with Rukia and not tell anything to Byakuya; maybe return after ten years… maybe by then, Byakuya would warm up to the idea of Ichigo being with Rukia. They both shared a smile; Byakuya would probably kill Ichigo if he did that, and they both knew it, but they didn’t need to say it out loud.



As the night progressed and the dinner was served, it was time for Ukitake and Kyouraku to make the toast.



Rangiku found Toshiro’s hand; lifting his eyes from the table he looked at her. She was smiling brightly at him. Intertwining her hand with his, she looked to Kyouraku, who was telling some unnecessary story of his younger days. That was until Nanao cleared her throat and sent a threatening glare at him, daring him to continue with those stories.



“As always, my lovely and sweet Nanao-chan cut my wonderful stories short.” Another glare and the glimpse of a familiar fan made Kyouraku laugh lightly.



“Well, we didn’t know if you were going to propose today…” said Ukitake, smiling at Toshiro; the boy rolled his eyes and when he looked around he saw many gloomy faces there. “ However, we have faith in you, and since you made us win a… well, you made us win a lot of things, this is our engagement gift for you.”



“What did they win?” asked Rangiku, clearly confused by Ukitake’s comment and the cocky smiles on Kyouraku’s and Ichigo’s faces.



Toshiro scowled, “All of them,” he said signaling all the Taichous, Fukutaichous, Yumichika and Grimmjaw, “Bet on the day I would propose to you.”



Rangiku couldn’t help but giggle at the revelation, which would explain why some of them looked so gloomy.



“The only ones that made a safe bet were Kurosaki, Kyouraku and Ukitake. Whatever amount of money they had bet, they won it,” said Toshiro. “I didn’t want them to win but…”



“You couldn’t wait to give me this lovely ring,” said Rangiku, watching with the ring on her hand dreamy eyes for what seemed the hundredth time that night.



“Of course, it was because of the ring,” said Toshiro with sarcasm; Rangiku turned to him with a cocky smile before leaning in and kissing him hard on the lips, both of them totally unaware that people around them were looking with sly smirks at the couple.



“I bet my paycheck for next month that Hitsugaya-taichou is going to have a really good night today,” whispered Ikkaku to Renji and Hisagi. Renji looked at the couple and then at Rangiku, doubtful that she and Toshiro would have anything at all. Hisagi for his part looked uncomfortable at such a bet.



A sound resembling some kind of explosion called the attention of everyone; Rangiku left Toshiro’s lips reluctantly while her eyes opened wide in surprise and delight at the bright colors, forming jellyfish tentacles, racing outwards with a downward cascading effect. It was the first of multiple fireworks that were displayed that night.



At first they had forms that Rangiku was used to seeing in festivals, then they started changing; little by little they passed from being colorful forms falling like the water on a waterfall to a big ring in the dark sky. Nel and Yachiru were just as excited as her, and Nel was asking Ichigo to put her on his shoulders so she could have a closer look at the beautiful explosion in the sky.



Rangiku looked down at Toshiro and saw that he, too, was engrossed with the show; smiling happily at the cuteness of his face she returned her eyes to the sky, just in time to see something resembling a whirlpool, made of blue, green and white to finally end with red, orange and yellow.



“They’re so pretty. Why’d they looked better than Grimmy-chan’s and mines?” asked Yachiru from Kenpachi’s back.



“Maybe because they’re sent up in the sky, and the person who is doing that isn’t trying to make a bonfire?” offered Kenpachi. Yachiru giggled and accepted Kenpachi’s explanation.



Just as suddenly as they had started, the fireworks stopped. Some of them (Rangiku, Nel, Yachiru, and Grimmjaw) looked disappointed that the show was over; Toshiro was about to thank Ukitake but the white-haired man smiled at him and signaled the sky; curious, Toshiro looked up and saw them. They were like comets, giant balls with long tails crossing the sky above them; Toshiro smiled and shook his head when he heard Rangiku gasp and look up once again.



“We even made a big sign that was supposed to mmhmm… shine, but…” Ukitake smiled softly, shaking his head, “Well; Kusajishi-fukutaichou had a better plan. That was the explosion you heard when you arrived.”



“This was amazing, Ukitake-taichou. Thank you,” said Rangiku, hugging the stunned man. After a moment he returned the hug with a soft smile.



Ukitake let go of Matsumoto and turned to Toshiro; the young man looked at him and shook his head with a smirk. “I’m not going to hug you, Ukitake-taichou.”



The comment made Ukitake laugh and Rangiku nudged Toshiro to do something; with his smirk still in place he stretched out his hand, and after a moment Ukitake took it, shaking it with energy.



“Thank you, this was… a good gift,” said Toshiro with a soft blush on his face due to the obvious amusement on Ukitake’s and Rangiku’s faces.



“Well, it was the least I could do since you didn’t let me help you out with the actual proposal,” said Ukitake; Rangiku looked at him with curiosity.



“Oh, and what had you planned for that? Toshiro did tell me that you and Shun-kun wanted to help him, but he never told me what your plans were.” Ukitake sat beside Rangiku, excited that she was ready to hear all the crazy ideas that he already shared with Toshiro, but that were all vetoed by him.



“…And there was this one, which I thought it would be wonderful for him to put a message in the sky with the question,” said Ukitake; Matsumoto had heard every single word with the attention she never had while doing office work.



“Oh, that sounds incredible!! But how could he make a message in the sky?” asked Rangiku.



“Oh, Ichigo told us about some airmanes…”



“Airplanes. They’re called airplanes, and there are some especially for that kind of work,” said Ichigo.



“Right, thank you,” said Ukitake returning to his conversation with Rangiku.



Toshiro was beside them, kind of bored, and he was sitting there only because Rangiku had his hand in hers, and wouldn’t let him go. Ichigo sat beside him; he offered Toshiro a cup that the taichou took with suspicion.



“Congratulation, I didn’t think you would do it,” said Ichigo, raising the cup and emptying it in a single drink.



“It seems like I’m braver than you, Kurosaki.” Toshiro repeated Ichigo’s gesture and he, too, emptied his drink. Toshiro made some faces when the warm and sweet drink went down his throat; he looked up to see the triumphant smile on Ichigo’s face. “This is sake!”



“Yes, and I just made you drink it! Look at that, you’re not a boy anymore!”



“Shut up!” said Hitsugaya softly, he looked over at the cup and then at Ichigo.



“Oi, Hitsugaya-taichou.” Toshiro turned around and saw Ikkaku, Renji and Yumichika walking towards them.



“Madarame,” greeted Toshiro, looking curiously at the trio and the big bag they had with them.



“Well, it seems that with this kind of thing it’s necessary to give gifts,” said Ikkaku, “or so Ichigo said.”



Toshiro turned to Ichigo, a single eyebrow lifted while Ichigo merely shrugged and mumbled something in his ear. At the mention of gifts, Rangiku turned around, curious as to what her drinking partners’ gift to her and Toshiro could be.



“Since we spent all our money on the bet and on the last drinking contest,” said Renji; Toshiro, Rangiku and Ichigo rolled their eyes. “We decided to make you a gift, the three of us.”



Toshiro was impressed; he didn’t know the three of them all that well. In reality, before he had to command them in the Real World he thought they were a bunch of idiots whose only good abilities were to fight and drink. But he had to admit that they were loyal, fast thinkers while in battle and good friends.



“You didn’t have to, but… thank you,” said Toshiro standing up. Ikkaku, Yumichika and Renji smiled and showed the bag to Toshiro.



“So, you gave me a bag full of candies?” he asked, the material that was covering the contents of the bag made it difficult for Toshiro to find out what was inside.



However, his comment caused the three of them to laugh; all of them seemed to find Toshiro’s words rather amusing.



“I don’t understand, what’s so funny?” Ichigo looked at Renji and then at Ikkaku, and he suddenly understood what was so amusing about the whole situation. He just couldn’t believe they actually bought those things for Toshiro and Rangiku; Ichigo had mentioned it once but as a joke… he didn’t believe they were capable of doing it or that they knew where to find those things.



“Yes, this is a bag and…let’s say that what’s inside it are ‘candies,’” said Yumichika; this only made Toshiro and Rangiku more confused than before.



“A word of advice, Hitsugaya-taichou,” said Yumichika, smiling gently at him; Toshiro nodded his head and Yumichika leaned in. “You better opened this in the privacy of your home. It would be better that way.”



Yumichika’s comment made Toshiro more curious than before, but seeing the expression on Yumichika’s face Toshiro followed his advice. He put the bag beside his chair and thanked the trio for the gift, though he had to admit that Renji’s and Ikkaku’s smiles were kind of infuriating.



Just then, Yachiru and Grimmjaw made their appearance; Yachiru greeted Toshiro with a big grin and then directed her greetings to Rangiku. Grimmjaw, for his part, was eying Rangiku with interest before turning his eyes to Toshiro.



“How did a shrimp like you got a hot babe like her?” Grimmjaw asked, completely ignoring the murderous look Toshiro was sending his way.



“First of all, it’s Hitsugaya-taichou to you, Grimmy-chan.” Toshiro smirked with satisfaction when the Espada turned to him with an angry stare at Yachiru’s way to address him. “Second, it’s none of your business, and next time you refer to her in such a way, Yachiru will have to look for a new pet.”



“You got guts, but do you have the strength to back up your words? To make them worth somethin’?” asked Grimmjaw, eying the Captain of the tenth division up and down with a blood thirsty smile and his hand on his zanpakutou.



‘Is this guy for real??’



It seems that way…But you have to understand him.



‘What do you mean?’



Well, he’s been Yachiru’s pet for too long, not being able to move freely or fight the way he obviously wants. I understand what it feels like to be treated like a pet.Toshiro looked at Hyorinmaru, who was looking slightly offended at the memory of whoever had treated him as a pet.



‘Who was it?’ asked Toshiro out of curiosity.



Who else? Tobiume! Damn brat thought I was a pet that should be fed or spoiled…Though I have to admit that it was kind of funny to see Haineko make her back off.



Toshiro watched the Espada, dumbstruck; he turned around and saw Ichigo shrugging but nodding, as if reading his thoughts.



“I’ve got not interest infighting you,” said Toshiro.



“What? You’re afraid or what kid?” Toshiro twitched but it wasn’t him who answered, but Yachiru. She was glaring at Grimmjaw, and for Ichigo and Toshiro it was amusing to see the expression of wariness that appeared on the Sexta espada’s face.



“Bad Grimmy-chan! I told you not to bother Shiro-chan.”



Toshiro wanted to see what else Yachiru said to the Espada but was distract by Rangiku, he turned around and saw her tired expression. Understanding immediately what she wanted, he went to help her out.



“You’re leaving already?” asked Kyouraku nearing the couple, kind of disappointed.



“Sorry Shun-kun, but it seems like I’m in no condition to stay until late, like I used to.” Kyouraku waved a hand, dismissing her comment with a smile.



“I understand. Go on then. Take care Ran, and have a good night.”



Toshiro and Rangiku walked to their home. He was carrying the bag that Ikkaku and the others had given to them, curious as to what was inside.



“This was fun,” said Rangiku, yawning. Toshiro nodded his head and helped her through the door before putting the bag on his office desk. He would see what was inside the next day.



“Did you enjoy yourself?” Rangiku looked at the ring in her hand and caressed it softly; she turned to him and nodded her head.



“Yes, thank you. For everything.” Toshiro simply kissed her on the lips before turning off the lights and lying beside her.





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War changed people.



And the war that Soul Society suffered had changed them all.



Ikkaku, new Captain of the Third Division, was demanding, wild but fair, and loyal to those that earned his loyalty and respect. Kira had accepted that change, and day by day Ikkaku kicked his ass to remind him that there was still a long path that Ikkaku was ready to make him walk (whether he liked it or not).



Renji was usually found arguing with himself; Hisagi would stand up beside him, ‘hearing’ him, and when his outburst was over he would explain things once again. This worked just fine, because, while Renji has the power, Hisagi has the brains, and they both made a perfect partnership to direct the ninth division and the Seireitei news magazine.



Ichigo was just what Momo needed. He was demanding, but also understanding, and he could be kind and amusing. He made Momo go over the edge until she couldn’t stand any more; he tried every day to help her out, to make her strong enough to finally let go of the shadow of Aizen that was present in certain moments. Momo appreciated that and a feeling of love towards her captain had developed in the short months he had been by her side. It was so different from the one she felt for Aizen or the one she thought she felt for Toshiro. Ichigo was… difficult to hate and easy to like. He was the only one that didn’t act awkwardly around her after the war, and he was the first one to try and help her out of her depression by making her face who she was becoming and who she wanted to be.



Ichigo couldn’t be more proud, though he would never say that to Rukia, because he had a feeling that she thought Momo had something ‘up her sleeve’ with him. He just ignored her, because deep down, he knew that she didn’t doubt him; but those little things were part of their routine, of the little moments that forged their relationship.



Toshiro and Rangiku’s life had changed as well.



It felt strange for the young captain to be able to see the woman he had been attract to for so long a time carrying his child, showing a big and round stomach, one of the signs of her last month into pregnancy. He watched her right hand, where the ring he had given to her two months ago was shining as always.



She tilted her head and watched his features soften a little when his eyes went back to her stomach; she couldn’t help the smile on her face. It was always like this, he would think about the past, about the little events in their lives and then return back to the present and think about the future. She waited for a moment as Toshiro moved from his spot and went to the sofa where she was sitting. Kneeling in front of her and putting a hand on her tummy he started talking.



She giggled and caressed his hair while he engaged in his usual one-sided conversation. Sometimes, he was so predictable and others he would surprise her like no other could before. Rangiku yawned, making Toshiro look at her with concern.



“Are you okay?”



“Yes, just a little sleepy, that’s all,” she said, smiling softly at him. He understood what she meant – the last night she had moved around the bed (not that she could move that much), but it had been enough to make him stand up several times and help her out until she finally found a comfortable position to sleep in.



“Don’t you want to go home and sleep a little?” he asked, “Maybe you can felt better after that.”



“Nah, Nanao-chan is coming today and we have a lot of things to plan!!” she said, poking him on the nose, “Our marriage is not planning itself.”



“Maybe if you let me help you…” started Toshiro. Rangiku sent him a doubtful look (would he be okay with the amount of money she was spending in the wedding?) before smiling at him with the same grateful smile she always gave him when he offered his help.



“But, you’re already helping!” she said.



“I’m in charge of not letting Kurosaki and your drinking ‘buddies’ not to do anything inappropriate. Oh, and let’s not forget my vows,” he commented dryly. “The way I see it, I’m not helping at all for my wedding.”



“Of course you are!!” said Rangiku with the same enthusiasm. “You’re going to the wedding, right?”



“I’m starting to have my doubts…” Rangiku pouted, regardless of the playful tone he spoke with.



“Trust me; this is going to be great!” Toshiro only nodded his head but decided not to voice his thoughts about it. For some reason she seemed quite touchy when talking about preparations for the wedding, which they had agree to make four months after the birth of their daughter.



Toshiro’s eyes focused once again on her tummy; he frowned when he thought that so far they hadn’t thought of a name for her. Rangiku was in her final month and so far they didn’t have a name for their daughter.



“What is it?”



“Well, I was just thinking… you’re almost ready to give birth and… we haven’t thought of a name,” said Toshiro. Rangiku raised her eyebrows in surprise.



“You’re right, but I thought you’d thought about it already!” said Rangiku. “You know? Since you wanted a girl and all.”



Toshiro smiled softly at Rangiku’s words and nodded his head. “I know but, I haven’t. it’s just… so many things happened that I forgot to think about it at all. I just imagine that we still have time and that the day she is born we will have a name.”



“Well, there is still time,” said Rangiku, “though… I do have an idea.”



“Really?”



“Not a complete name just…a vague idea of what I want in her name.” Toshiro frowned, confused.



“What do you mean?”



“Since you found out about her and…you started talking to her you haven’t stopped calling her ‘Princess,’” she said. Toshiro narrowed his eyes at Rangiku, not quite understating what she meant.



“Yes, it’s… a habit. I… can’t help it,“ he mumbled. Rangiku laughed and was pleased to see that he still blushed sometimes.



“I know that, and I think it’s adorable!” Toshiro growled and made Rangiku giggle more. “That’s why I think we should put a ‘-Hime’ somewhere in her name.”



Toshiro was silent for a moment, thinking over what Rangiku had said.



I like it, at least is better than Rumpelstiltskin.



Hyorinmaru, honey, that comment just now…where the hell did it come from? Toshiro and Rangiku wanted to know the same thing; it was a random and rather strange comment.



I don’t know…it’s the only name I can think of right now. Besides, I was silent for far too long; I had to say something.



“Anyway, I think you’re idea is incredible and I like it,” said Toshiro, smiling softly at Rangiku. “Now we just have to think what could possibly ‘sound’ nice with ‘Hime.’”



Rangiku nodded her head but she didn’t look that happy at all; instead some tears appeared in her eyes and Toshiro wiped them away rather fast. “But, we still haven’t chosen her name! And just like you said, she is about to be born!”



“I bet it’s going to be alright, Ran,” he said, kissing her softly on the lips. Rangiku grimaced slightly and Toshiro looked at her. “What?”



“Nothing,” she said reassuring him with a smile and another kiss. Last time she had mentioned the word ‘contractions’ he hadn’t let her finish and he went on a rampage, until Unohana-taichou had explained to him, quite amused, that those kind of things were natural and not always were an indicator of the birth of the baby.



She really didn’t want a repeat performance of that. It was funny, but it left her tired and moody. Besides, it wasn’t that painful, only bothersome, and the fact that she had been feeling them since that morning wasn’t amusing at all.



“Well, if you’re sure. I have the training session with Kurosaki,” said Toshiro, looking at the door, “but I don’t want to leave you alone. I was expecting Ise-san would be here by now.”



“Maybe Shun-kun distracted her?” asked Rangiku with a sly smile. Toshiro smiled as well and shrugged.



“Maybe, either…” Toshiro trailed off when the door of their office in the division opened and Kyouraku entered along with Nanao.



“Toshiro-kun, Ran-chan! Good Morning!” said Kyouraku with enthusiasm. Rangiku giggled softly while Nanao rolled her eyes, though she was wearing a soft blush.



“I see they’re really good,” said Rangiku, wiggling her eyebrows. Kyouraku winked at her and Toshiro had to snicker when Nanao hit her Captain really hard with her fan.



“Well, I have to go. See you later,” said Toshiro, kissing her softly on the forehead. “Ise-san please, take good care of her.”



“We’ll do it, Toshiro-kun! You left Ran-chan in good hands!” Toshiro sent one last glance to Rangiku and left his office directly to the training grounds of his division.





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Yachiru was enjoying the lollypop Byakushi had given to her that morning; beside her was Yumichika, looking at the scene unfolding in front of them with wide, excited eyes and a smirk that was matching Yachiru’s. His fukutaichou was a manipulative, not-so-innocent girl that had put four powerful men to fight against each other.



“Ken-chan is having tons of fun!!! Just like Grimmy-chan!!” she had said when he arrived and watched the fight. Yumichika asked why and her answer was, “Because Ken-chan was wondering when he could play with Icchi and Grimmy was mad because Byakushi was mean to him this morning!! I just led them to a world of fun!”



Yeah, whatever she had said or done to make Ichigo and Hitsugaya-taichou participate in her plans to ‘cheer up’ Grimmy-chan and to ‘train’ with his taichou, he didn’t really want to know. It was better live in ignorance when Yachiru’s plans were involved, so if anything illegal happens…



The reiatsu of the four men was surrounding the whole Tenth division training ground, and the clash of metal against metal could be heard; sometimes Yumichika was lucky to see the wild and erratic attacks from Kenpachi that usually put Ichigo or Toshiro (depending on whom Kenpachi wanted to receive the attack) over the edge. He could see the majestic form of Hyourinmaru every time Toshiro would stop one of those attacks or would attack the Sexta Espada (and Yachiru’s pet), who always had some kind of comment that had the young taichou twitching with annoyance.



Ichigo would always be unpredictable; one moment he was concentrated on the fight, fighting with such an experience that many shinigami only obtained after centuries of training, and others… he was as savage as Kenpachi. Grimmjaw, regardless of how wild he appeared, was a good fighter that could act in a cold and tentative way which could confuse his adversary.



It was lucky that they were only training, otherwise… Yumichika sighed and he wondered, once again, how Yachiru had made Ichigo and Toshiro join the fight. Though, if he was honest, he thought that both Captains, in the end, didn’t have a choice.



“Fukutaichou, are you sure you didn’t make them fight to celebrate your birthday?” asked Yumichika; Yachiru stopped eating her lollypop and looked at him with a thoughtful expression.



“Nuh-uh, my first birthday was in January, my second was in February…” Yumichika had a lopsided grin while watching the girl counting with her fingers how many birthdays were left. Last year had been four, and if it wasn’t for the treason and the Winter War he suspected that they would have suffered another four.



Toshiro stood beside Ichigo, breathing hard; he had a lot of cuts all around his body and one particular wound on his eyebrow. He was angry at Kenpachi and Grimmjaw for jumping in and attacking so suddenly when he was having his normal afternoon training with Kurosaki. He looked sideways and saw Ichigo looking at him; he glared and Ichigo glared back.



“This is what I get for being friends with you!” hissed out Toshiro.



“This has nothing to do with me!!” replied Ichigo back “It’s not my fault that Kenpachi is crazy and Grimmjaw is close behind him!!”



“Excuses!! Look the state of my clothes and my body! I’m bleeding!”



“Oh quit complaining! You have to admit that this is fun!” said Ichigo; he smirked down at Toshiro, who wasn’t looking amused at all. “Besides, being my friend makes you have an interesting social life, don’t you think?”



Toshiro was about to reply when Kenpachi’s reiatsu called his attention. The man and the Espada were looking just as tired and wounded as them. “Let’s finish this! I’m hungry and a round of sake wouldn’t harm anyone!”



“I agree, the farther away I can get from the pink menace the better!” said Grimmjaw.



“How is it possible that they have energy to keep fighting?!” exclaimed Toshiro, grabbing Hyorinmaru with force.



Yes!!! Let’s fight Toshiro!!! The Captain of the Tenth division looked over at Hyorinmaru exasperatedly. The dragon was running up and down his mindscape, excited for the fight. He looked like a kid, jumping up and down and following his tail while giving instructions to Toshiro as to how to fight.



I’llcover the right, you the left… and then bang! The last punch! Yes! Let’s go!



‘Hyorinmaru? Did you eat…any kind of sweets? Are you drunk? Or is this you being…you?’



Sweets? asked Hyorinmaru, perking up at the mention of ‘sweets’. Where?!



Toshiro looked at Hyorinmaru and then at Yachiru, who was munching away happily on the lollypop. He narrowed his eyes. Somehow, he had a feeling it was her (or her zanpakutou, perhaps?)who was the one to blame for the whole mess with Kenpachi and Hyorinmaru’s sugar high.



“Oi, Toshiro? Are you okay?” asked Ichigo, looking at him strangely.



“Yeah, but I don’t think I can use Hyorinmaru.”



“Why not?” asked Ichigo, surprised.



“I think…” Toshiro trailed off, how to answer that? He looked at Ichigo, who was waiting for an answer, and at Kenpachi and Grimmjaw, who were waiting for them. “Never mind, it shouldn’t surprise me. Let’s finished this and go to the Fourth division. I don’t want Rangiku seeing me like this.”



“Good point, I don’t want Rukia finishing what Kenpachi started.” Hitsugaya smirked, and along with Ichigo, went against Kenpachi and Grimmjaw.



Yumichika and Yachiru watched as the four of them went against each other once again; this time however, Yumichika opened his eyes in realization and he was fast enough to protect Yachiru from the big explosion.



Dust, frost and grass fell around them; the main wall that separated the Tenth from the Eleventh was turned into rubble. The training grounds of the Tenth division were, in one word, destroyed.



“Zaraki-taichou, Hitsugaya-Taichou, Kurosaki-taichou, Grimmjaw-san, what do you think you are doing?”



The three shinigami froze in place when they recognized the owner of that voice. Grimmjaw, who wasn’t familiar with her, sent her a glare and tried to make an offensive comment when his eyes focused on the soft smile on her face. Unohana passed her eyes over the four men that were bleeding and dirty. Her smile, as always, had the same effect on the four of them; she neared them, and with a clear and soft tone, she started giving instructions to the ten people of her squad, who were hiding their smiles at the obvious fear in the four men.



“Now, so I don’t make a mistake,” she said in a soft tone, with a gentle smile that sent shivers through Ichigo’s and Toshiro’s back, “who started this?”



There was a minute of silence in which Yachiru and Yumichika were looking at the scene with interest. Ichigo and Toshiro looked at each other before pointing at Kenpachi and Grimmjaw.



“They did,” was their answer. Kenpachi looked defiantly at Unohana, just like Grimmjaw, though they did glare to Ichigo and Toshiro.



“I see,” she said. “However, this is not the way Captains of the Gotei 13 should train. Next time, you better do this outside the walls of Seireitei and in a place where people or buildings won’t be destroyed.”



Unohana was about to continue with her scolding when her Third seat arrived. He was looking serious and his breathing showed the others that he had ran to get to Unohana; he kneeled in front of her. His eyes drifted for a moment to Toshiro and then were back to Unohana.



“Unohana-taichou, Isane-fukutaichou requires your immediate presence back at the Fourth division barracks,” he said, almost stumbling over his words. Unohana turned around and her expression went serious.



“What happened?”



“It’s… there has been a complication and…” once again the man looked briefly at Toshiro before looking at his Captain. “It’s Matsumoto-fukutaichou.” Toshiro tensed up in fear and uncertainty when he heard the name of Rangiku; Unohana ignored him and nodded at her Third seat to continue.



“She is about to give birth to her baby.”





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Oh, the story is about to end ....and I left it in another cliffhanger , mmmhmm, what would happen now? Let\'s find that out in next chapter.



Until then! Don\'t forget to review!