Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder

That woman was up to something. He could feel it in his bones. There was no inane prattling, and she had yet to make her daily assassination attempt with her ample bosom. This must be some new torture designed to make him paranoid.

Matsumoto had been spending a lot of time with that cagey bastard since he had been released.

Curtains fluttered in the breeze, and Captain Hitsugaya glanced up. A hell butterfly. He lifted his hand to the delicate creature, and it flitted about before alighting upon his finger.

The commander-general wanted to speak with him about something. Apparently it was urgent.

He sighed and organized the paperwork on his desk, then headed out the door of his office. As he exited, Matsumoto rounded the corner, and squealed at the sight of him, “Captain!” She quickly embraced him, planting his face directly in her cleavage.

That was more like it.

“Don't you important work to get to?” he reprimanded.

His vice-captain chuckled. Nodding a little too emphatically, she brightly replied, “Yep! I'm on my way now.” She ruffled his hair before carrying on down the hall, distracted by her own thoughts.

Hitsugaya came to a screeching halt outside the gate of the Tenth division. The red-head, he realized, had been heading in the opposite direction from her desk.

His apprehension increased.

* * * *

Yamamoto watched Hitsugaya, his fingers forming a steeple as he thought. “I need your support concerning Ichimaru Gin,” he gently pushed.

The younger captain tried to protest, but Yamamoto countered his objection by raising his palm.

“Let me explain,” he declared, “Have you ever heard of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?”

Hitsugaya thought for a moment, trying to place the referrence.

Kenpachi added, “Biblical term. From western, monotheistic religion.” Recognition spread across Hitsugaya's face, but was replaced with suspicion as he looked towards the larger man who had given the well informed response.

The commander-general had asked captains Ukitake, Kyouraku, and Zaraki to join them. Apparently they knew a lot about the situation. Clenching his jaw in annoyance, he looked back to the figure in front of him.

The aged founder of the shinigami academy continued, “Every few centuries, mankind becomes overwhelmed. They begin to despise humanity, and the Horsemen are created out of their desire to destroy themselves.” Yamamoto rubbed his chin before pressing on, “They can manifest as human, hollow or shinigami. They are Conquest, War, Famine and Death. As long as the four do not meet, there is no problem. However, they seem driven to seek one another out.”

Nodding, Hitsugaya listened with rapt attention.

“Never have all four managed to come together before. We can only assume what would happen if they did,” reckoned Kyouraku.

Ukitake elaborated further, “Originally we thought captain Zaraki was War. It would seem his prior behavior was not related though. The horsemen have always been easily recognizable by such traits. We could maintain the balance between the worlds by taking them out of the equation.”

Absorbed in his thoughts momentarily, Hitsugaya concluded, “So you kill them, and the end of the world doesn't come about.”

“No,” sighed Yamamoto, “unfortunately it doesn't seem to work that way. If all four die, the cycle starts anew. As long as they exist and are kept apart, it seems humanity can change its mind. They then lose their desire for destruction,” he paused as if deciding whether or not to carry on. “In the past, we've sought one or two, then kept them in seclusion until they passed away of natural causes. Much of this is mere speculation,” he finished.

Then it dawned on the white-haired captain. He blurted out, “Aizen, Tousen, and Ichimaru!”

Nodding, the commander-general clarified, “War, Famine, and Conquest, respectively. Three shinigami were tapped. Tousen and Ichimaru may have been drawn in due to their proximity to Aizen, or it may just be a coincidence. Ichimaru either truly doesn't remember, or he is unwilling to answer.”

“How do you know your theories about the Horsemen aren't simply unfounded beliefs?” Hitsugaya demanded.

Ukitake responded in a clinical tone of voice, “Urahara-san made a device....”

“Oh, of course he did,” he replied as he rolled his eyes. His posture suddenly straightened and he shifted his accusing eyes back to the commander-general. “Then you know who the fourth horseman is?” he inquired.

A sardonic smile quirked at the older man's lips, and Hitsugaya almost cringed. Yamamoto answered, “Kurosaki Ichigo.”

Hitsugaya pressed the heel of his palm to his forehead. “Why can't bring myself to be surprised? I guess it doesn't really matter with Aizen and Tousen gone anyway,” he said with a frown. He considered the discussion and snorted. “I will try to support your decision, but it may take some time. For all of us,” he added.

He stood and turned to exit, but the commander-general cleared his throat. Hitsugaya pivoted back to his superior officer as the man began again, “One more thing. Ichimaru has requested a supervised leave to Earth to better familiarize himself with society after his detainment. I would like you to escort him to Urahara's shop. Your vice-captain seems to think you need a break anyway, and you are already acquainted with the conditions.”

Placing both hands gently on the desk, Hitsugaya looked the commander-general straight in the eyes and asked, “Do you really think that is such a good idea?”

Yamamoto chuckled and in return stared back. He replied, “Ichimaru Gin is not an evil person...” Kyouraku interrupted with a knowing smile and said, “That's debatable.” Captain Kyouraku tipped his hat in apology, but his eyes still sparkled. The older captain sent him a whithering glare, then continued, “and deserves a chance to prove himself. I ask that you be discreet about what we have discussed here. Dismissed.”

Sighing, Hitsugaya exited through the doors with his eyes on the floor in thought. He had not signed up for this crap. Looking back up, he walked face first into his vice-captain's chest.

“Will you stop doing that?” he exploded.

Matsumoto was unfazed and clasped him to her side. “Toshiro, we get to go to earth!” she squealed as she dragged him towards their division. He shivered at the noise; she had been doing a lot of that lately.

“Captain Hitsugaya,” he corrected, then looked up at her sharply. “How do you...?” he trailed off slowly before realization hit. “You're not coming,” he scolded. She had been meddling again.

They stumbled as Matsumoto came to a halt and looked at him. “How about if I...?” she asked as she started to pull apart the front of her uniform.

“No,” Hitsugaya said.

“How about...?” she tried again.

“No,” he cut her off.

“But...” tears welled up in her eyes.

“Oh, for the love of.... Fine. Pack your stuff. I want to leave before nightfall.” he ordered.

The tears always got him. Hitsugaya stalked off to find Ichimaru.

* * * *

Ichigo gripped his hair in frustration. His father had not been pleased with the idea of him taking such an extended leave of absence, and he had been hard pressed to explain why he needed it. There was much gnashing of the teeth and pounding of the breast involved. And weeping. The red-head chalked it up to empty nest syndrome.

Except that Yuzu and Karin were still living there.

His father was so weird.

Eventually he broke down and reminded his father that he'd be twenty-one soon. He then pointed out that the Geta-boushi needed help at the shop, and was prepared to offer him room and board. He promised to leave his things in his room in case he changed his mind, then began packing a few of his necessities.

Isshin had relented with an odd twitch to his eye.

Now he just had to get Urahara to cover for him if Goat-face came sniffing about. He wondered what he would have to pay for the assistance. SIghing, he realized that would just have to throw himself upon the mercy of the shopkeeper until he left for Soul Society.

Ichigo tossed his bag over his shoulder, and started walking. He hoped his evening would be less strange.