Snowing Blood

Toushiro raced around the Seireitei, recruiting some other wide-eyed soul reapers to search for Ayame. By now, almost everyone knew something was wrong. Mayuri was in a rage, Byakuya and Rukia were likewise feeling destructive. Unohana was already mobilsing the entire fourth division to search for Ayame and her unknown kidnapper.
Toushiro was with Rangiku and Izuru. The trio was searching the area midway between where Ayame was being kept and the nearest of the four gates. He could sense a powerful reiatsu mingled with the small amount of spiritual pressure he recognized as Ayame’s. He hoped he wasn’t too late. Drawing Hyorinmaru from its sheath, he called out to Rangiku and Izuru to hurry.

***

Ayame opened her eyes slowly, she still felt dizzy and awkward from coming out of stasis. And she was still in Gin’s arms. He wasn’t looking at her, he was watching where he was going – for a change.
And he wasn’t smiling, he seemed to be far away in is thoughts as he slipped past searching soul reapers unnoticed.
Ayame squirmed in his grasp, and Gin stopped in his escape, looking down at her with a smirk. She tried again so make him let her go, but he hugged her closer to his chest. She scowled up at him.
“You remind me so much of Rangiku… its almost sad.” He said, grin fading slightly. Ayame paused to gaze up at Gin with narrowed eyes. He seemed sad, genuinely enough. But she wasn’t about to start feeling sorry for him right now.
“Put me down.” Ayame whispered, Gin glancing down at her. He didn’t respond any further than that. She shoved against his chest, and he lost his balance. Gin dropped Ayame, and she immediately tried to run away, her voice not yet strong enough to call for help.
It didn’t take Gin long to catch up to her. He scooped her back into his arms, laughing as if she wasn’t on death row. He held her close murmuring that she couldn’t get away, no matter how hard she tried.
Ayame felt tears sting her eyes, but kept silent. She could faintly detect a familiar pressure heading their way, and didn’t want Gin to notice. She tried again to get free, twisting in his arms and throwing her weight around, but by then Gin was growing tired of her games. He wrapped one of his thin arms around her shoulders, spider-like hand around her throat. The other arm wrapped as far down Ayame’s hips as he could reach.
She felt violated, but held still so that their new audience could take revenge on him for what he had done, and what he planned to do.

***

Toushiro rounded the corner, and stopped. Gin was there on the roof, holding a girl in an embrace that looked nothing short of intimately violating. He gritted his teeth.
Ayame.
But she was different. Her silky black hair brushed the rooftop, it had grown much too long over the past seven years. Her body was longer too, she had filled out in all the right places. She wasn’t a teenage girl anymore, she was a young woman. And Toushiro (now being a young man) couldn’t help but stare at how much she had changed.
It hadn’t looked so bad in the tank yesterday…
At that moment Rangiku and Izuru rounded the corner, puffing slightly. Toushiro had raced ahead, and they had just caught up. Both Rangiku and Izuru froze upon seeing Ichimaru Gin again, in the clothes of an Arrancar, and holding Ayame captive in clothes much like his own.
Toushiro growled, and took a step forward.
“Gin, you traitor! How dare you show your face here again! Release Ayame and hold still so we can tear you limb from limb!” Toushiro hissed, creeping towards Ayame and Gin with slow precision, stopping when Gin drew his zanpakuto and held it to Ayame’s throat.
“Uh uh uh, Toushiro. One false move and this pretty young girlie will be hollow food.” Gin teased his trademark grin widening. Behind him, Toushiro heard Izuru pass out, he had been drinking before Toushiro called him out, and he must have had too much. Rangiku, however, looked alert, and distressed. Her heart was beating a mile a minute, and Toushiro could hear her tearless sobs as she gazed upon her childhood friend, the man she had come to love. And the man who had torn out her heart when he betrayed Soul Society.
He glared up at Gin, who was now looking intently at Rangiku. His expression seemed to soften, and his grip on Ayame lessened. Toushiro took another step forward, but Gin’s attention snapped back to him instantly.
“Not so fast, Toushiro. I did warn you.” Gin hissed, and held Ayame with one hand as he turned her slightly to face him. His attention then turned to her.
“I was hoping to take you back with me, I have been ever so … lonely… but our little affair seems to end here.” He said, just loud enough for both Rangiku and Toushiro to hear. Ayame scowled at him, trying to push away. Gin’s grin faded, and his grip on her neck turned to being painful. He held her by the neck in one hand at arm’s length, and used his zanpakuto to tear open the clothing over the blackened area of her stomach.
Ayame went very still, she knew this was it. He was going to rip out the poison within her, and she was going to die. Toushiro seemed to notice this too, because he all but launched himself and Gin.
It all happened very fast. Rangiku screamed out for Toushiro, and Izuru came to, watching the scene before him in horror.
Gin plunged his blade into Ayame’s middle, and yanked hard to the side, before tearing out a black, pulsing mass of flesh. Ayame did not bleed, which was to be expected. Ayame made no sound as Gin released her, and she began to fall from the rooftop. With his prize stored in a small bag, Gin all but vanished into the night. Rangiku yelled at Izuru to run for help as Toushiro caught Ayame’s body. Her eyes had gone pale, as if she were blind. She wasn’t bleeding, or breathing. The gaping hole in her middle was gory and made Toushiro ill, he wasn’t paying attention to anything anymore. Least of all, Gin.

***

Rangiku was breathing hard, Gin had vanished, yet she could still sense him near. She felt hot breath on the back of her neck, and knew immediately where he was. She braced for the stabbing pain of his sword, but it never came. Instead she felt slender hands around her waist, and cold lips against her neck.
“I’ve missed you, Rangiku.”
Tears rolled down Rangiku cheeks as Gin held her close, she was frozen in place. Gin didn’t try anything that might provoke her wrath, he just stood behind her, holding her gently and inhaling her sake-sweet scent.
“I’m sorry.” He whispered. Rangiku, regaining use of her brain, snorted.
“No you’re not, you willingly betrayed us. You left…”
“I’m not sorry about leaving this, these idiots. I’m sorry about leaving you behind. I wished you to come with me.”
“Never.”
“I know, but I live in hope. Someday I hope you can forgive me.” Gin whispered. Rangiku finally turned to look the man in the eyes. Those squinty little, blood red eyes. He wasn’t smiling, he looked sad.
“You’ll be waiting for a very long time then.” She said coldly. The edges of Gins mouth twitched, fighting a smile. When he did smile, it seemed genuine, not a mask like he used to wear all those days he was Aizen’s partner in crime. He leaned closer to Rangiku, and his eyes opened a fraction.
“I’m prepared to wait for you, Rangiku. Forever and always.”
With that, Gin hesitantly pressed his cold, thin lips to Rangiku’s before fading into the darkness once again, his spiritual presence vanishing along with him. Rangiku fell to her knees, tears rolling down her face. Toushiro landed beside her with Ayame in his arms. She was alive, somehow, and speaking. She tugged weakly on Rangiku’s sleeve.
Rangiku turned to look Ayame in the eyes. And her tears flowed even stronger. Ayame’s once bright amethyst eyes had faded to milky lavender. She was suffering from trauma. Rangiku hugged both Ayame and Toushiro, crying for the pair of them, and her own broken heart.

Izuru returned then with Unohana, Byakuya and Shuuhei, and they set about getting Ayame back to the hospital. Toushiro went with her and Byakuya. Shuuhei and Izuru stayed behind with Rangiku. Izuru was silent and shaking, Shuuhei was seething in silence.
The trio sought out Momo and went to go and find the biggest tub of chocolate ice cream in the Seireitei, and maybe some sake to wash it down with. Momo wasn’t to enthused at first, but she was of age now…

***

When Ayame woke up and opened her eyes, everything was black. She felt around trying to find a light switch or something similar. She froze when a strong but gentle grip enclosed her searching hands. She recognized the touch, even after seven years, she knew his hands.
“Toushiro? Why are all the lights out? Why is it so dark?” she whispered, holding his hands tightly. She heard him shift in his seat, then felt the mattress sink beside her. He pulled her into his lap, arms circling around her shoulders. She then heard him take a breath.
“It’s not dark, Ayame. It’s the middle of the day.”
Ayame was confused, she didn’t understand. It was so dark she couldn’t see anything at all. And her body felt very weak, mostly from the waist down.
“But… I can’t see anything. Its dark as hell.” Her tone of voice was getting angry. She closed her eyes, rubbed them and opened them again. Still complete darkness. She closed her eyes, trying not to imagine the possibility. This wasn’t right. Impossible. She felt Toushiro press his lips lightly to her left eyelid, and he sighed. He sounded sad.
“You’re eyes are… hurt. You’re blind Ayame. Gin blinded you.” He said in a low, serious voice. Ayame grew still, and cuddled against Toushiro’s chest. She was blind, her vision was gone. She may never see again.
The trauma caused my Gin’s ripping out her insides must have… wait… he ripped her open… then how…
She felt the thin material over her stomach, smoothing it over her skin. She then lifted the front of what she discovered was a dress and felt the skin over her stomach. Smooth, seamless. Unharmed?
“Both Mayuri and Unohana have been working around the clock to restore your body. You’re 100% again. And the poison is gone too. You’re saved.”
Toushiro sounded happy for Ayame’s good health, but under that was the sadness that her vision was gone. She knew the circumstances of this, she was going to need full time assistance. She was going to be burden for everyone. But when Toushiro held her tight, and kissed her ever so gently, maybe it wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

***************************************************************************

Ayame woke up, and slowly opened her eyes. For a moment she wondered why it was pitch-dark, but after a few more shadowy moments, she remembered – she was blind. Not to mention physically weak. She really didn’t want people to be carrying her anywhere. And it’s not like they have a supply of wheelchairs stored in fourth division.
Nope, Ayame was going to have to build up her leg muscle and start walking. Starting now.
She listened for a while to the sounds around her, and decided it was early morning, and that she was completely alone in the hospital room. Slowly she eased herself out of bed, and stood on the cold wooden floor. Once she had her balance, she ambled forwards, and found the door. After checking to make sure she was decently clothed, she eased the door open and edged outside. She felt the plaque fixed beside her door – INTENSIVE CARE. She had a general idea of where she was, then. If memory served her right, she would be able to reach anywhere she wanted to go from here. But where did she want to go? Proper clothes would be nice.
Ayame walked with her hand trailing along the wall towards the room where fourth division kept all the spare clothes. After pulling on a shihakusho, she thought for a moment. For some reason, Ukitake’s face came to mind. Was he alright? She decided she needed to know. She was going to make her way – blindly – to thirteenth division.

***

Ukitake had just managed to shoo out his underlings and lie down for some rest, when there was another knock on his door. He groaned, and pulled a pillow over his face. There was another knock, and a soft voice called his name. It sounded familiar, but it had been so long since he had heard it…
“Come in…” he said, pulling the pillow off his face and tucking it under his head. He coughed slightly, and turned to watch as the door slid open, and a young woman with ebony hair that touched the floor shuffled inside.
“Captain Ukitake?” she said, looking around the room – not seeing him lying there right infront of her. He sat up, confused. Then it clicked in his head, Ayame.

“Ayame! You’re up and about already? I wasn’t expecting to see you here, the rumors have been flying around about you.” He paused as she held herself up using the doorframe, and his smile faded.
“I heard… you’d gone blind…” he said softly, getting to his feet and crossing the floor to pull Ayame into his arms. She was shaking, and when he lifted her chin to see her face, his heart ached as he gazed upon her distant, unseeing lavender eyes.
“So its true then… Ayame…” Ukitake whispered, hugging her tighter. Ayame was crying now, she had tried not to let the fact her sight was gone get to her. But here and now, she couldn’t take it anymore. She was upset, angry, and frustrated. She had tripped and fallen several times on her way here, and collided with several objects and people as well.
Ukitake sat her down on his mattress and went to find some supplies to take care of the cuts on her hands. She just sat there, sobbing into a pillow. Ukitake sat beside her and stroked her hair, wishing there was more he could do. His eyes narrowed when he felt the ground shake with impressive force. Ayame sat bolt upright, eyes wide.

“What happened? Captain?” she whispered, hugging the pillow to her with such force that feathers were starting to come out of one end. Ukitake went to the door and poked his head out. Some of his subordinates were running past, and said that it seemed someone was having a temper tantrum. The next group passing claimed it was two angry soul reapers taking out their anger on each other. Ukitake wanted names, not numbers.
When the others had no such information for him, Ukitake sent a hell butterfly to find out what all the ruckus was. It returned sooner than expected. Ayame listened but didn’t hear who was causing the earthquakes. She only heard Ukitake’s laugh and his request to bring the destructive individual to his quarters. Ayame pulled Ukitake’s blankets around herself like a cocoon, and closed her eyes – out of comfort not necessity.
After what seemed like an hour, raised voices could be heard approaching thirteenth division. Ayame opened her eyes, recognizing the yelling. She sat up and quickly moved Ukitake’s blankets back to how they had been, or at least how she thought they had been. Ukitake laughed and helped her, then turned to answer whoever it was that thumped on the doorframe.
“Ukitake you had better have one good hell of a reason for dragging me out here or I swear to hell I will slice you up and cook you, then feed you to the hollows!” came the unmistakable roar of Toushiro Hitsugaya. Ayame laughed, hearing likewise threats from Renji… and Rukia.
Ukitake slid open the door and let the seething trio inside, only to laugh himself at their expressions upon seeing Ayame sitting on his sickbed. Toushiro was first to find his tongue.

“Ah… um… sorry about that, Ukitake.” He murmured. Ayame paused, he sounded so much older now, and didn’t hesitate to apologize. She stood and moved towards where his voice seemed to come from, and lit up inside when she flawlessly was able to wrap her arms around Toushiro’s middle and hug him without wavering once. Even Toushiro was surprised.
Rukia sighed and ran a hand through her hair. She had grown a lot over the past seven years – not that Ayame had seen. She too had ‘filled out’ slightly, and was more mature in her appearance. Renji was still the same.
The only difference now was the way he was holding his right hand, gingerly as if it was causing him great pain. Rukia noticed, and took his wrist to look at it. She looked horrified.
“Did that happen when I…?” she began, and Renji just looked away, grimacing. His hand was broken in several places, bruised, severely damaged and bleeding. Rukia was crying now, Renji holding her close with his good hand and whispering it was not her fault. Ukitake raised his eyebrows, so Toushiro filled him in.
“Hanataro came to us and said Ayame was missing from her bed whilst the three of us were practicing, and we got a bit… out of control…”
“We thought Gin had come back…” Renji murmured.
“We were afraid she was gone again…” Rukia whispered. Ayame, still in Toushiro’s embrace, could only imagine the hurt expressions on their faces. She let go of Toushiro, and sunk to her knees on the floor.
“I’m so very sorry. I didn’t realize my absence would cause so much grief. Please forgive me.” She whispered, tears brimming her eyes.
Toushiro pulled her up and hugged her again, Rukia joining the embrace with whispers that she could not have known; she should just not go alone next time. Or at least leave a note. Toushiro then interjected with questions as to how Ayame was supposed to write, when a hell butterfly floated in the window. Renji took its message.
“Ayame is needed back at the hospital. It’s time to give her some blood.” He said, letting the butterfly go. Ayame tilted her head to the side.
“Blood?” she said, hoping she looked as clueless as she felt. Toushiro laughed close to her ear.

“Your body is void of blood in relation to the… incident… that happened seven years ago. It’s time to fill you up again.” He explained. Rukia then piped up, looking excited to know something more.
“There were stores of your original blood that Unohana kept for you in the event you would need them for something like this, and fourth division soul reapers have been going around searching for others with your matching blood type to help with the extra you need. So far there has only been one strong match, you’ll be getting his fresh blood first.”
“Whose?” Ayame demanded her tone cold. Toushiro rubbed smooth circles in between her shoulder blades, and she relaxed.
“Byakuya’s, of course.”
Ayame sighed; this was to be expected, although weak, true Kuchiki blood did run in her veins. She still didn’t think this was a good idea, but by the sound of it the deed was already done.
“Very well then, let us be on our way.” She whispered, letting Toushiro lead her outside. Ukitake bade them farewell, and returned to attempted resting. Rukia pulled a spare sash out of her shihakusho and used it to wrap up Renji’s hand until they could get it fixed. She kept apologizing, and Toushiro scowled when he heard him mutter;
“You’ll miss out tonight if you don’t stop with the apologizing. It’s alright, I. Will. Be. Fine.”
Toushiro simply did NOT want to know what he meant by that, and from Ayame’s expression and silence, neither did she.

They made it back to the hospital, and Rukia helped Ayame change back into a hospital dress. She wasn’t too pleased, but didn’t complain. She was then helped back into bed as Unohana entered the room with an odd looking contraption, and several assistants in tow.
“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you all to leave. This is a tricky operation and we need all the space we can get.” Unohana said serenely. Toushiro, Renji and Rukia did not argue, they slipped away and headed their separate ways, Toushiro to find Rangiku and Rukia to get Renji fixed up.

***

When Ayame woke, she felt warm, rather than room temperature. She sat up slightly, and could feel the dull thudding of her heart as it pushed Byakuya’s blood through her veins. She was going out to thank him as soon as she could. Her eyes were sore again, and after rubbing them slightly, she decided she was hungry. She heard soft breathing coming from what she assumed to be the corner, and held her breath.
“Excuse me?”
She heard a grunt and the person’s breathing quickened, then she heard the sound of a man yawning, his joints cracking as he stretched. Obviously noticing Ayame was awake, he moved closer.
“Miss Kuchiki, good to see you’re awake. How are you feeling?” the man asked. Ayame knew his voice from somewhere, but her memory was fuzzy.
“I’m feeling better, thanks. Um… a bit hungry though…” she added as an afterthought. The man chuckled, and she heard him get to his feet.
“I’m on it, don’t worry. Oh and I’m Shuuhei, by the way. Shuuhei Hisagi, lieutenant of ninth division.” The memory clicked in Ayame’s head, he used to work under Tousen, the blind captain of Ninth division who had run off with Aizen and Ichimaru.
“Oh, thank you. Shuuhei.” Ayame said with a smile. Shuuhei laughed with a murmur of ‘no worries’ and his presence faded into the distance. Ayame flopped back on the pillows, her stomach growling loudly. She groaned, and rolled onto her front. She heard laughter, and sat up again.
“Interesting way to silence your hunger.”
Ayame paused for a moment, the voice… it was Izuru Kira of third division. She smiled and invited him in, he pressed a flower into her hand.
“I’m happy to see you are feeling better. I was truly scared when I saw what Ichimaru did to you. I wish I could have stopped him.” He said, Ayame could feel the doomclouds settling around him as he spoke; he was having an emo-moment. Ayame sighed and reached towards his voice with one hand. He took her hand in his, and she felt question radiating from him.
“You could not have known he was going to come for me, and could not have done anything anyways. He was gonna pull that thing out of me one way or another, but you ran for help and if you had not I may have not survived, and I thank you for that.” She said, warmth flowing from her body to his. She could sense him smiling, he was acknowledging her words.
“Thanks Ayame.” He said the smile evident in his words.
At that point Shuuhei returned accompanied by the rich aroma of fresh bread and soup. Ayame’s mouth watered even though she could see the food.
She sensed Shuuhei waving the bread under her nose; she accurately snatched it from his hand and practically inhaled it.
Shuuhei and Izuru laughed.
“Want me to help with the soup?” she heard an amused voice call from the hallway. Captain Shunsui Kyoraku of eighth division had dropped by to visit. Ayame took the bowl that was pressed into her hands by Shuuhei. This was not her first encounter with Captain Grab-Ass. After guzzling down the creamy soup and washing it down with sweet water, she scowled in his general direction.
“Drop dead.”

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Ayame was on her feet and moving around normally within days of her … incident. She still tired easily, but was in good spirits almost all the time. The only thing to ever fade her smile was when she bumped into someone, or collided with an object that had been moved or put there during her seven year sleep.
She was escorted around the Seireitei mostly by either Rangiku or Shuuhei, when Toushiro was free she was practically glued to his arm. Toushiro was fairly quiet when Ayame was with him, but when he was out training, he took his only chance to vent his rage towards Ichimaru out on the practice dummies and other soul reapers that fought him in practice.
A few weeks had passed, and Ayame was now full of a blend of her own blood mixed with Byakuya’s. She felt a strange connection with him now, and spent most of her free time with him either in his office or at their manor. Byakuya didn’t mind, but Toushiro was always thoroughly confused by the link even he could sense between them.
One Sunday afternoon, Ayame was with her brother in the Kuchiki house, when captain-level spiritual pressure could be felt clashing with another’s, in an angry blaze that made Ayame’s head spin. She could sense Byakuya trying to decide who it was. Ayame settled, and focused on the two reiatsu as well. They were so familiar to her, she was surprised Byakuya hadn’t figured it out yet. Toushiro and Rukia.
Then Ayame froze in terror. They were fighting. Toushiro was fighting with Rukia. The floor shook, and Byakuya cursed. They were really fighting. Ayame got to her feet swiftly, and looked in Byakuya’s general direction.
“What’s going on, brother? You have been keeping something from me.” She said in a low voice. She heard Byakuya’s breathing quicken a fraction, and she took a step closer to him, remembering there was a teacup on the floor somewhere. Byakuya swept her into his arms, and from the feeling, Ayame guesses he used the flash step to get them to the fight quicker, because within seconds the roar of battle was deafening.
She could smell blood, and sense that both Toushiro and Rukia were hurt. Byakuya gently set her on her feet, but kept a hold around her waist. She heard him draw is zanpakuto, and not long after he murmured “scatter” the sounds of battle died away, replaced by heavy breathing and alarmed voices. Toushiro could be heard yelling at Byakuya for bringing Ayame out to the battlefields, and Rukia was yelling at Toushiro for yelling at her brother.
But everyone fell silent when they realized Ayame said nothing. Toushiro and Rukia approached her, silent and cautious.
“Why?” was all she whispered. Toushiro and Rukia looked at each other questioningly.
“We were training, Ayame.” Rukia said softly, her voice sounded worried. Ayame shook her head, tears falling from her sightless eyes. Byakuya let her go gently, and Toushiro took her into his embrace. His presence felt calm and soothed now, as did Rukia’s. They were only savage when Ayame wasn’t around. They were taking out their anger on each other, whether or not the even realized.
“You have to stop, stop fighting each other.” Ayame continued, clinging onto Toushiro’s arm tightly. She could feel his lips against her temple, and Byakuya’s hand in hers. She closed her eyes, and was instantly met with a vision. She was looking down at herself and Toushiro from another perspective. A tall one. It took her several moments to realize she was looking through Byakuya’s eyes. Byakuya’s gaze moved to look briefly at Rukia, before moving back to Ayame. She looked… confused.
“What’s the matter Ayame?” Byakuya asked, moving closer to her. Ayame still had her eyes closed, focused on what Byakuya was seeing.
“Nothing’s wrong, just different. I see what you see, brother.” She said softly, and she heard his sharp intake of breath. His gaze shifted to Toushiro’s, and Ayame was the one to gasp this time. Toushiro moved around so that he was fully visible to Byakuya, and Ayame.
“You’ve gotten taller…” she whispered, touching his shoulder softly. He smiled, and turned back to hug her tightly. Ayame opened her eyes, and the vision faded to darkness once again.
“How did you do that?” Byakuya asked, his hand holding onto Ayame’s tightly. He was scared. Ayame tried to smile reassuringly.
“I’m not entirely sure, but I think that it’s because your blood flows through my veins now. Perhaps our bond is stronger now because of that, we can share each other’s visions.” She said, Byakuya paused, and focused on Ayame’s spiritual pressure. Sure enough, his vision faded to darkness even though his eyes were wide open. He heard Rukia’s gasp, and was guessing his eyes had gone pale and milky like Ayame’s did.
He let go of the darkness, and his vision returned. Rukia sighed with evident relief; Toushiro looked beside himself with confusion.
“I see what you mean. Our blood bond is strong indeed.” Byakuya said simply. Ayame was smiling, knowing Byakuya had seen through her eyes, and into the darkness. Toushiro was holding Ayame close, he wasn’t sure what he should say. Ayame knew he was angry about what Gin had done to her, but not this angry. Now she knew full well what he had been up to, and he knew she was going to make arrangements to make him pay for it.
“You’ll not fight anymore. Not until you have learned to control your anger.” Ayame said, both to Toushiro and Rukia. The latter made noises of protest, but fell silent when Ayame raised her spiritual pressure to an alarming density.
“I’m going to prepare dinner. I expect all of you at the manor in an hour.” Ayame said, an angry tone in her voice. She turned away, and walked with surprising precision in the exact direction of the Kuchiki manor. As soon as she was gone, Rangiku peered around the corner.
“She’s scary when she’s angry.” The fukutaichou pointed out. Toushiro silently agreed. He nodded grimly to Rukia and Byakuya, before going with Rangiku to his division to get cleaned up before dinner.

***

Once dressed in a spare shihakusho, Toushiro and Rangiku made their way to the Kuchiki manor. Byakuya, Rukia and Renji were already there, talking amongst themselves as they drank tea whilst waiting for dinner. Toushiro smiled at Rukia, silently apologizing for her bandaged wrist as he sat beside her. She in turn smiled, eyeing his chest, where she knew there was a bandaged wound as well.
Ayame came through to doors carrying a tray of food, followed by Hanataro, who was watching her carefully incase she should wobble. But with delicate precision, she was able to lay a plate of food infront of each person, without getting anything mixed up. She had given everyone their favorite dish, Toushiro was almost drooling over his own plate. He looked up at Ayame to thank her, and did a double take.
Her eyes were an exact match of Byakuya’s. He also noticed Byakuya had been moving unusually, and Ayame had actually been following his gaze. Then it clicked, she was making use of her newfound power to move around easier. She smiled when she could see Toushiro’s confused look out of the corner of Byakuya’s eye.
“I’ll be back in a moment with more tea. Feel free to begin without me.” She said. Only Toushiro seemed to notice the ice in her tone, probably because it was directed at him. She must have noticed the bandages poorly hidden by his clothes.
He sighed, and started to eat. Byakuya seemed to come to his senses, and began eating as well. So it was no surprise to Toushiro when Ayame returned, Hanataro was carrying the tray and Ayame was clinging onto his sleeve. Byakuya mumbled his apologies, but Ayame brushed them aside, she had felt that he was hungry through their connection.
She sat down between Toushiro and Rangiku, and Hanataro set a bowl down infront of her. Toushiro handed her some chopsticks, and she proceeded to eat her noodles. Toushiro watched her for a minute or so, and then carried on with his own meal.

***

Toushiro escorted Ayame back to her own room alone. He could feel that she was still angry, but it had lessened. Now it just felt like a mild irritation. He smiled, and his hand squeezed hers slightly. He saw her eyebrows rise slightly, and her bottom lip trembled. Once they got to her room, Toushiro slid open the door and guided her inside, then shut the door behind her.
Ayame immediately buried her face in his chest; she was trembling all over now. He held her close, he knew how she felt. He had felt this way when the two of them had fought all those years ago, and he thought he had severely wounded her. He was so scared she was gone; sitting there in the hospital was torture until she came out fully healed.
Right at that moment he had felt boiling rage because she had so carelessly put herself in danger, but then he had to remind himself, she was a soul reaper. And a Kuchiki. She was stronger than he thought.
Now here they were, the situation reversed, and Ayame as cursing him for getting himself hurt over her own problem.
“If anyone should be angry and making craters, it’s me. Don’t let this get to you; it’s not all that bad.” She whispered, hugging Toushiro tightly. He felt a strange sensation wash over him, and everything around him seemed to melt away. All that was left was Ayame.
“Toushiro?”
He snapped back to reality, to find her attempting to look up at him. He smiled, and kissed her gently.
“I’m sorry Ayame. I’m sorry I upset you; I won’t let my emotions get hold of me like that again.” He said, caressing her cheek. Ayame laughed softly, Toushiro rested his chin on her shoulder, smirking.
“Is there a joke there I missed?” he said teasingly. Ayame went very still, and Toushiro moved back slightly to look at her properly.
“You don’t have to go to all the trouble of bottling up your emotions. You just need to… find a better way to… release them.” She said her voice no more than a whisper. Toushiro was silent, pondering on the possible meaning of her words. She was trembling again, and Toushiro felt her spiritual pressure wavering in an unusual way.
“Ayame? Are you alright?” he asked, drawing her nearer. She gripped his clothes tightly, and kissed him, but it was quite unlike anything he had felt before. She was putting all of her effort into this kiss, and she was pressing her body against his, so much so she has him pinned between herself and the wall. Then the light bulb switched on in Toushiro’s head, and he realized what she meant. He held her close, kissing her with equal meaning, before pulling away to whisper in her ear.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” She was silent for a moment, before smiling. Toushiro kissed her again.
“I want you, Toushiro. That is all I’m asking.”
“I’m yours then.”
“Forever and always?
“Of course.”

***************************************************************************

Toushiro gently lowered his lips to hers, hunger and desire more than evident in his kiss. Ayame was unsure of how to proceed, but she trusted Toushiro with more than her life. His arms moved to life her off the floor and into his embrace, and she could feel him carrying her back to where her futon lay in the back room.
She soon felt the softness of the mattress against her back, and Toushiro’s lips against hers. He was very quiet, save for his breathing. She could feel the temperature of her body rising as Toushiro’s tongue parted her lips, and he slipped his tongue into her mouth. She pulled herself up against him, deepening the kiss with the need to feel all of him.
Toushiro sighed, and trailed a line of soft kisses down her neck to where her yukata rested on her shoulder. He tugged softly at her sash, and then removed it entirely. The yukata loosened, and slipped down off her shoulders. Ayame’s cheeks reddened slightly, but she made no move to conceal herself from him.
She reached up and found his haori, and almost ripped it in her attempt to remove it from his body. He shrugged it off, along with the top half of his shihakusho. Ayame sat up, and Toushiro pulled her into his lap so that she had her legs wrapped around his waist. He kissed her again, and she could tell he had been wanting this for a very long time. He had grown up a lot it seemed, since she had been frozen in stasis seven years ago.

Toushiro gently freed Ayame of the rest of her clothing, as well as removing the last of his own. Gently he lowered her to the mattress once more, and he lay down next to her. Ayame’s eyes were closed, her hands moving freely over Toushiro’s flesh. He watched her carefully, but sensed no hesitation. He slid an arm under her and pulled her up against him, kissing her deeply. She moaned against his lips, he could feel the heat coming from her body, and knew it was time.
He ceased in the act of caressing her jugular vein with his tongue, and moved to lay on top of her. He breathing went very quiet, and her eyes opened. Even in the darkness they seemed to glitter and sparkle. He kissed her again, gently.
“I love you Ayame.”
She smiled, and cupped his face with her hands, tears sliding down her face.
“I love you too.” She whispered. Toushiro kissed the tears away from her eyes, and he pressed himself against her, then moved inside her.

There was no pain as Toushiro invaded her body, he kissed her more urgently as he began to move inside her. She was silently amazed at how perfectly they fit together, like they were made for each other. She was surprised she had not noticed sooner what Toushiro had been going through. He was very gentle, his chosen pace perfect for their first time.
Ayame felt as though every muscle in her body seemed to be tensing, coiling, tighter and tighter every time Toushiro moved against her and inside her. She felt like screaming, but knew better. She moaned as Toushiro kissed her more, his tongue invading her mouth to dance with her own. Something felt different, but so good. It almost hurt. It was tight, like an elastic band, stretching tighter and tighter, Ayame didn’t know how much more she could take. She could feel Toushiro reaching his limit.
Then it felt like the band had snapped, and Toushiro’s name poured from her lips. Toushiro’s release followed within moments, he shuddered against her, then sank sideways onto the mattress beside her.
She could hear his heavy breathing, she rolled towards him, and his arms encircled her warm body. She snuggled against him, and his kissed her, his breathing shaky.
Ayame felt extremely relaxed, and exhausted. She was barely able to stay away long enough to hear Toushiro fall asleep beside her, because within moments she had fallen asleep as well.

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Toushiro woke the next morning warm and very sleepy. He wondered why for the briefest moment, before the events from last night came flooding back to him. Ayame lay sleeping beside him, a peaceful smile on her face. The blanket they shared covered their naked bodies, Toushiro wondered if anyone was looking for him right now.
A brief thought flashed through his mind, what would happen if Byakuya or Rukia came in now? Or Rangiku? Or even… Momo…
He pushed those thoughts out of his head, Momo was like a sister to him, and so far she had not shown any rejection towards Ayame… not that Toushiro had seen anyway.
Ayame groaned as she rolled over, away from the sunlight that had been warming her face. Toushiro laughed to himself, and kissed her bare shoulder, her eyes slowly opened at his touch.
“Morning Ayame.” He whispered, kissing her cheek next. She rolled back over and snuggled against his smooth chest, inhaling his warm scent.
“Good morning, Toushiro.” She replied, her words muffled slightly from where her face was pressed against his chest. He laughed softly again, but his grin faded when his stomach gave an angry protest for its emptiness. This time it was Ayame who laughed. She propped herself up on her elbows, running a hand through her long, thick hair.
“I guess it must be past breakfast time for the Captain?” she asked, the shadow of a smirk on her face. Toushiro scowled, and he knew that she could sense it.
“I can’t remember you ever calling me Captain before.” He said plainly, brushing a loose strand of hair from Ayame’s face. She leaned into his hand with a real smirk this time.
“Well, did you want me to? Act like one of your little squad members and tail around after you like a puppy?” she teased. Toushiro huffed, and she giggled as he sat up and playfully shoved a pillow in her face.
“You know that won’t be necessary.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair absent mindedly. Ayame sat up also, tugging the blanket up to cover her body. She could feel that Toushiro was watching her carefully, and she threw a well-aimed pillow in his general direction, he caught it, laughing.
“Getting shy now are we? Don’t want me to see anymore?” he was the one teasing now, and Ayame could see that he had turned the tables on her.
She wasn’t going down without a fight.
“Not shy, I do believe no girl would like it if anyone was caught staring at their body, blind or otherwise.” She said in an even tone. She was silent as she felt Toushiro move closer to her, and press her back down against the mattress. She hoped she was looking up into his eyes.
“I’m sorry.” He said, his head resting on her shoulder. She caressed his hair, worried now.
“What on earth for?” she whispered, pulling his weight down on top of her so she could embrace him properly. This wasn’t like him. His spiritual pressure felt all dark… and gloomy…
“You’re blind… because I didn’t get to you fast enough. It’s all my fault…” he said, trembling now. Ayame felt hot tears well up in her eyes. Her embrace of Toushiro tightened, and she could tell he felt her trembling too.
“It’s not your fault Toushiro. Gin did this to me, not you.”
“But if I had been faster…”
“It would not have made any difference; he would have done the same. The only way my sight could have been saved, is if he had gotten away with me so that he could remove that stuff under proper medical conditions.”
She felt Toushiro’s weight shift, and could feel that he was studying her face. She smiled.
“Gin told this to me, as he was making his escape from twelfth division. He wanted to take me back to Hueco Mundo, both to remove the mass, but also to gain himself a… female companion.”
Toushiro went rigid, his breath came in short, angry wisps, and she could almost swear he growled. She felt him sit up, and she followed. He held her against his chest. He seemed angry, very angry.

“He can’t have you. You’re mine.” He said in a clipped tone. Ayame couldn’t help but smile; she kissed what she guessed to be his throat.
“I know. So does he. But he won’t stop trying to take me. And if he can’t get me, he’ll try for Rangiku. He said I remind him… of her.”
Toushiro was silent has he processed this new information. Then he sighed, his tight embrace of Ayame lessened somewhat. Then his stomach growled again.
“I think I’ll make breakfast, hmm?” Ayame said softly, getting to her feet, and feeling around for some clothes. Toushiro flopped face-down on the mattress again, and cursed his stomach for being such an angry thing.
“I think this is yours… but it’ll do. If I take too much longer, you’ll fade away from hunger.” Ayame laughed to herself as she made her way to the kitchen. Toushiro sighed with a smile; he was amazed Ayame could still cook so well in her… condition.

With the sounds of Ayame cooking, he gathered his clothes from where they lay scattered around the room. After pulling them on, he searched for his captain’s haori. He couldn’t find it anywhere in the room, but remembered vividly that Ayame had nearly torn it off and tossed it near where their pillows now lay in the corner. It wasn’t there. The only place it could have gone…
“Ayame…”
“Yes? Breakfast isn’t ready yet!”
“It’s okay… uh…”
Ayame turned to look in Toushiro’s general direction, frying pan in one hand and spatula in the other. Her eyebrows were raised in a questioning expression. She had his haori on, it was like a short dress on her, held in place with her own bright pink sash. It was a good look, actually, but Toushiro was fairly sure he wouldn’t want anyone else seeing her like this. This moment was for his eyes only.
“Hold that pose for a moment, I want a photo.” He said, and she could hear the laughter in his voice. She sighed, but remained how she was.
“Why on earth would you want a photo of me cooking?” she asked, hearing the click as the camera captured her image.
“Cooking on a beautiful morning, wearing my captain’s haori like a dress, to be exact.” Toushiro said, setting the camera down to place a quick kiss on Ayame’s lips before raiding her cupboards for plates and cups.
“I’ll make tea.” He added as Ayame ran her hands over the cloth that covered her body. Her cheeks were red like fire. Toushiro laughed and took another photo. Ayame hissed at him, and tried to claw the camera out of his hands. But without being able to see him, she fell into the trap he had set for her. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her again, laughing the whole time. Ayame gave up after a short struggle, and laughed along with him.
“I’ll wash it, promise.” She said, before he released her so that the eggs wouldn’t burn.
“It’s my day off, no rush.” He said with a sigh, pouring the tea. Ayame silently agreed, there was no rush. She briefly accessed the new connection she had with her brother, and saw that Byakuya and Rukia were talking, wondering if they should go and see Ayame or not. Byakuya was strongly wanting to go, but Rukia was opposing him.
With a sigh, Ayame quickly served the food, then murmured to Toushiro the situation. He just laughed, and let Ayame change in peace. She held out a yukata, asking what color it was. A pink one, with white flowers.
Minutes later she was seated beside Toushiro in the yukata, eating her breakfast as Byakuya breezed into the room.
“Good morning brother.” Ayame said cheerfully. Byakuya froze. He hadn’t made a sound, and Toushiro hadn’t said anything either. How had she… oh? She had ‘seen’ him coming.
“Good morning Ayame, Toushiro.” He said, smiling slightly. Toushiro smiled in returned, his mouth too full to manage a polite response. Byakuya looked from one to the other, trying to guess what they were thinking. He sighed, and seated himself opposite them at the table.
“The Captains are assembling this afternoon to decide on the new captains for squads three, five and nine. And a new lieutenant for Ukitake. I thought I would tell you now, rather than later.” Byakuya explained, watching the pair with narrowed eyes. Toushiro raised his eyebrows, and Ayame pondered the information and drank her tea at the same time.
At that point Renji and Rukia arrived, and Byakuya excused himself to aid in the nominations of the potential candidates for the available positions.

One he was gone, Ayame gathered up the laundry and placed it all in one basket, with Toushiro’s haori on the top. She said she was going to wash it first so that it would be clean for when he would need it this afternoon. Toushiro thanked her, and washed up their plates.
He then went to his own quarters and showered, changing into a fresh shihakusho. He met Rangiku at his division, and said she didn’t have to do the paperwork today if she didn’t want to. She just laughed at him and continued, saying if she didn’t do it now, she probably never would. She didn’t ask him where his haori was, but he could tell she was wondering. He said nothing, just smiled at her with a wink as he departed to find Ayame again.
She had hung the laundry out to dry, Rukia was there with her. The two girls were talking fast and quietly, and stopped when they sensed Toushiro’s presence.
“You haori is dry Toushiro.” Ayame said brightly, holding out a bright white square of folded cloth for him to take. He unfurled it, and pulled it on. It still smelled faintly of Ayame, but more like lavender soap than anything else. He thanked her, trying to ignore the awkward stare he was receiving from Rukia. Clearly Ayame had mentioned something about what had happened last night… Toushiro prayed Byakuya didn’t know… yet…
“When was the Captain’s meeting?” Ayame asked, snapping Toushiro out of his daydream… or daytime-nightmare. He thought for a moment, then checked the time.
“Uh… like now…” he said, kissing her on the cheek and vanishing. Rukia sighed as she saw him jumping over rooftops and darting over buildings using the flash step.
“I think he’s starting to worry more about you than his duties as a Captain.” Rukia said, leading Ayame back indoors, and into her room. She had made the bed, and everything looked perfectly orderly as always. Only Rukia knew better. She suddenly had an idea.
“Hey Ayame…”
“Hmm?”
“Wanna visit the Rukongai with me? We can go see some old friends of mine; I heard one of them had a baby recently.”
Ayame’s face lit up at the mention of the baby, she loved children. She had even told Rukia she would love to have one of her own. Rukia agreed, but didn’t bother to mention to her that fertility rates in the Seireitei were at an all time low, and the chances of her ever falling pregnant were nearly a million to one. Rukia didn’t want to crush Ayame’s hopes for the future.
“Excellent. I’ll write a note for your little snow-pea, and we’ll be off.”
“He’s not a snow-pea. You spend too much time with Renji and Ichigo, Toushiro isn’t a short kid anymore.” Ayame said defensively, but she was laughing through her words. Rukia laughed too.
“You’re right; he’s not a short kid. He’s a bean-sprout of a man!” she teased, Ayame laughing along with her.
***