Degeneration of a Soul

Da-da-da-duh chapter three. I was dooly inspired tonight so here it is.
I apologize in advance for any spelling errors

Chapter 3

The Erosion of Limbs

“Move him in now!” Unohana ordered quickly. Hitsugaya’s writhing form strained against the 4th division workers’ hands as he struggled. The operating room was in a panic as they tried to keep Hitsugaya’s paining body down. Before Unohana could even make a move Hitsugaya’s body stopped trembling. His chest rose quickly with each hard breath and that worried her all the more. Such a small brave man in so much pain, ‘he doesn’t deserve this.’

Beginning to set herself for the task again Unohana carefully peeled back his blood soaked yukata. The wound slashed upon him by his own Zanpakuto was oozing blood. Some of her division members gagged at the sight as blood pooled and ran down onto the floor. Getting them all back into focus and making them aware that it was a captain in need of help Unohana began treating his wound. Gauze was immediately applied to his deep gash and Unohana set to work.

After a couple grueling hours of intense work Hitsugaya was back in stable condition. Not in one that was suitable for Unohana’s standards but it was going to have to do for the current moment. Wiping the sweat from her forehead Unohana looked over him wearily. Hitsugaya’s wound was not healing at the rate she had hoped it would. Rising from her chair motioning for those who had been with her to move back she smiled sadly. Looking over his wound she found small thin pale blue veins running from it. They seemed to be moving slowly throughout his body.

Carefully extracting one she placed it in a container and handed it off to an examiner. “When you get the report on that inform me immediately.” The examiner nodded and hurried off. Beginning to heal him again she noticed it working but very slowly. She needed more help then what she had right now. Her current practices would not be enough for his case.

*

Deeming Hitsugaya stable for the night Unohana collapsed heavily in her chair. The wound had sealed and Hitsugaya was resting almost peacefully. His heart rate was no longer erratic and his breathing had evened out. A gentle hand rested on her shoulder and she gazed up at captain Kuchiki. “Good evening, Kuchiki-taicho.” She greeted tiredly.

“How is he fairing?” Byakuya asked moving to Hitsugaya’s side.

Unohana took a deep breath but kept her composure. “It seems that his reiatsu is stable for now. It was draining extensively during the time that I was treating him.” She informed. “The Hollow seems to be able to drain power from it’s victims even at long distances. The little girl in the other room, who has this same condition, is also being affected…but not as heavily.” Byakuya nodded in understanding.

“Kenpachi and members from his division were sent out to take care of the Hollow.” He said taking a seat next to her. “I believe that is the reason why Hitsugaya was being preyed upon so much in the past couple of hours.” Unohana’s eyes widened slightly. “If the situation carries on the way it is, our own force could wind up killing Hitsugaya-taicho…”

“Because the Hollow will draw on his reiatsu for more strength,” She finished her shoulders slumping slightly defeated. “It is sort of like a choice. Do we kill the hollow letting him deplete his energy sources, killing Hitsugaya and the girl; or do we chase him letting him kill them slowly over time?”

“There is another way, we just need to look in the right places, look at all the facts.” Byakuya said not liking her theories. He knew she didn’t like them either, but that seemed like their only two possibilities right now.

“I have looked at previous cases. They all had one common feature. The victims all had high reiatsu, and they all had a loved one, those that survived anyway.” Unohana said. “Overall my research into these cases is not extensive nor acceptable.”

“Do not push yourself so hard. This is baffling us all Unohana-taicho.” Byakuya interrupted smoothly. “I have seen this as well. The victims did not survive, I did not expect them to.”

“Are you saying you don’t expect Hitsugaya-taicho to survive Kuchiki-taicho?” She asked a dangerous yet curious glint in her eyes.

Byakuya feared the woman personally. She could do damage and not heed his injuries in future expeditions if he wasn’t careful. “That is not what I’m saying.” He said quickly. “I don’t see what the Hollow is doing. He was clever to attack a taicho, he probably didn’t even know it at first. But he has a decent supply of reiatsu now and could probably take on multiple officers in the Gotei. We need to find out how to cease his actions before it is too late.” Unohana nodded in agreement. “The cases where the victims survived, you’re saying they all had a loved one.”

“Some of their statements were along the lines of ‘the one I truly loved saved me at the brink of death’. I don’t really understand how it works.” Unohana said her eyebrows furrowing. “Hitsugaya may know, but we will have to wait until he awakens to be able to speak with him. Perhaps more should have been questioned.”

“So, loved ones slowed down the process and even helped in recovery, is that what you’re saying?” Unohana nodded. “Obviously Hinamori didn’t help at all, looks like she made it worse.”

“Well, who else would be close to Hitsugaya?” Unohana put forth. “Matsumoto, but his condition worsened even around her.”

“She would have been my best choice in his case. I don’t really know who else he truly confides in.”

Unohana sighed heavily. “It’s because Hitsugaya-kun is a very lonely person.” She said sadly.

*

Hitsugaya floated through his dream tiredly. He was tired even in his dreams now? Looking down at his chest he touched his wound slowly. His heart hurt deep inside. “Taicho, come on give me your hand.” Looking up Hitsugaya found a room full of familiar faces. Matsumoto stood before him her hand extended out.

“You shouldn’t be so scary looking all the time it’s bad for your face.” Yumichika commented making his frown.

“You’re still a jackass even in my dreams.” Hitsugaya grumbled.

“No one wants your beauty tips ya fairy.” Kenpachi said holding his zanpakuto close to his side.

“I am not a fairy.” Yumichika corrected.

“Fairy-san.” Yachiru laughed glomping him tightly.

“You should come and join us Hitsugaya-taicho.” Renji said ignoring the arguing going on behind him.

“Yeah come on Taicho.” Matsumoto cheered hauling him over to sit with her, Renji, and Izuru. Izuru looked at fearful as ever, he even tensed as Hitsugaya was forced to sit down. What was going on? “You should lighten up more taicho, talk more.”

“I don’t feel like it.” He brushed her off coldly. Suddenly it when dark around him. He looked for everyone but found nothing but darkness. A chill crept into his bones and his heart began to hurt again. He hadn’t even noticed that it ceased.

“Still shoving people away Toshiro?” Hitsugaya rose quickly, he knew that voice. “They seemed so happy to be able to hang out with you too.”

“Shut up.” Hitsugaya snapped covering his ears and shut his eyes tight.

A warm feeling overcame his body and Hitsugaya peeked through one eye. Hands dropping to his sides he looked around a tidy training area. His heart gave a painful jolt and he collapsed to one knee. “You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself Toshiro.” Looking up quickly Hitsugaya scowled. “Aw, are you angry at me Toshiro?”

“Leave me alone.”

“You’re always alone. Are you going to let yourself continue to be alone Toshiro? You could die. You might never ever see them, the one you love, ever. They will never know how you feel.”

“Urusai! Kusaka!” His old friend faded into nothing. Breathing hard Hitsugaya collapsed heavily. He felt nothing. He didn’t want to feel anything.

“Hitsugaya-san, are you alright?” The ryoka girl, Orihime, asked.

“Come on Hitsugaya-taicho, don’t feel so down.” Unohana said helping him stand.

“You should feel more grateful Hitsugaya-taicho. A lot of people are working to help you.” Byakuya said calmly. Hitsugaya envied his ability to always be so calm about everything.

“Yeah Toshiro, ya could at least break a smile too.” Kurosaki laughed.

“Like you should be telling him that Kurosaki,” The Quincy reprimanded.

“Shut up.”

Hitsugaya didn’t fight the oncoming darkness. Why was everyone like this?

“You look a little lonely, nii-chan.”

Hitsugaya covered his face distraught. He didn’t understand. Why was everyone being so kind to him? Feeling a soft hand on his covering his face, the small hand pushed them away.

“It’s alright nii-chan. Everyone’s here to look after you.” The little girls face began to rip away shredding into nothing leaving the looming dark figure of the Hollow.

“Still eroding boy-taicho?” He laughed pleased. “Feeling the pain now of being all alone? Your heart is still frozen boy. Time to wake up and share a little more of that power.” The Hollow was ripped away into the darkness like everyone else.

Hitsugaya peered upwards at an orange hue. It blared lightly across his eyes delicately. He could hear it humming along with quiet voices around him. “Oh, Hitsugaya-kun, are you awake?” Orihime asked. He turned to face her weakly. He didn’t understand. Why was she helping him? He wanted to be alone.

“Kenpachi and his team have returned for the night as you requested Unohana-taicho.” Was all Hitsugaya heard before he fell asleep taunted even more by the Hollow than before.

And so it progresses...R/R. Reviews are skittles.