Too Little Too Late

Too Little Too Late


Warning: This is a fic that has never been done (me thinks) and may come off as rather strange (but hopefully that’s a good strange). Now then onto the standard warnings; this fic has yaoi and quite possibly rape and there for all those readers against this shall not read the piece or their innocent psyches may implode!

Pairing: ??????XHitsugaya

Disclaimers: sigh……..here we go again. I don’t own bleach or any characters held there in. If I did quite a few characters that annoy the fuck out of me would be long since dead, there would be mpregs and yaoi abound.

Lets begin…….

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Too Little Too Late



It was quiet and when it was quiet stupid/bad things always tended to happen, that’s just the way it was. However, unwanted. One could actually hear ones blood rushing through their veins and it was more unnerving then waiting for an enemy to strike from the shadows with which they usually reside. There should have been plenty of noise, but extenuating circumstances said otherwise. This left one Captain Hitsugaya Toushiro disturbed and fractious. It had been a grand total of 24 hours since he had last heard or saw any sign of his Vice-Captain Matsumoto Rangiku. His bubbly vice usually prided herself on teasing her tiny Taichou.

He had unwittingly become used to her constant teasing and smothering……it kind of scared the child protégé. He sighed as lethargy began to set in and his usual desire to finish any and all paperwork flew out the window. He growled low in his throat and pushed himself away from his desk, “Stupid, Fucking paperwork.” He muttered and walked slowly over to a large bay window. “Stupid Matsumoto and her stupid teasing.” He muttered again as he pressed his forehead to the cool pane of glass that made up a section of the window.

He was about to bash his head into said window when the door to his office flew open and slammed into the wall behind it. The resounding bang sounded almost deafening in the too quiet room. Hitsugaya cringed at the sound and turned his head towards the door to see none other then Matsumoto Rangiku standing in the sun-lit entrance. She glanced around for a few seconds before her gaze landed on her slightly twitching Taichou and then quite suddenly she burst away from the doorframe and was smothering Hitsugaya between her mountainous breasts.

“Oh Shiro-Chan! I’m glad you were in your office. You just made this way easier for me!” she said loudly as Hitsugaya tried vainly to pulled his head from between her large breasts. “DON’T……. CALL ME THAT!” he cried out as he managed to get his head out of Matsumoto’s ‘valley’ for a few seconds. She cuddled him affectionately before finally releasing the flustered and gasping boy. “Taichou! I have a letter for you.” She said and thrust a rolled up scroll into his hand as he caught his breath. When his senses returned to him he looked down at the paper scroll in his hand and saw that it held a wax seal. He couldn’t quite place the seal with his brain still trying to gather oxygen back to it, but opened it anyway.

He read through it once, paused and blinked, then read through it again to make sure he actually read it right. “What’s it say Taichou?” Matsumoto’s voice said right next to him and he glance sidelong at her before he sighed and went back to his desk to sit down. He set the scroll down and settled his chin on his hands, “It’s a request for me to go to the real world.” He said flatly and Matsumoto blinked as if expecting him to elaborate. “From who and why?” she finally said when it was clear he wasn’t going to elaborate.

“It’s a request from Urahara Kisuke. It’s in regards to the rising disturbances from the Bounto.” He said softly as he shut his eyes in thought. Matsumoto was slightly confused and couldn’t help but wonder if a few others had gotten letters like Hitsugaya’s. “He only wants me to come.” Hitsugaya said as if reading her thoughts. “Why do you suppose that is?” she said trying to pry as much information from her little Taichou as she could. He just shrugged in response and sighed again, “I’m assuming he wants it kept low-key so that the Bounto don’t get wind that we have caught on to their movements. As for the reason of me going….. I am probably the only one with a decent amount of power that would actually, albeit begrudgingly, accept.”

Matsumoto nodded slowly as she watched for any kind of reaction from the child protégé. “You’re to finish all paperwork from here on out.” He finally said after several minutes of silence. A violent twitch was Matsumoto’s response as Hitsugaya got up from his desk and exited his office. “Awww, fuck!” Matsumoto snarled as she glanced at the large pile of swaying papers that needed to be finished. “I HAAATTEE YOU.” She bit out, though it was unclear whether she was referring to the paperwork or her Taichou.

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Hitsugaya Toushiro found himself at a gate to the real world only an hour later since he decided that he would indeed take a few things with him and stop to confirm the note sent to him. He had been cleared within a matter of minutes with the usual warnings for him to be careful and think with a clear head. As if he would have done anything otherwise. He was one of the most cautious of the Shinigami Captains. He pulled in a gentle breath before he plunged through the portal to the world that Ichigo Kurosaki resided within. The transition from Soul Society to the real world was, as usual, a smooth and slightly nauseating experience that left Hitsugaya a tad dizzy when his feet touched down on the soil of the real world.

To his utter dismay he stumbled and nearly fell…….or he would have if he hadn’t been suddenly wrapped up in a pair of strong arms. His face pressed firmly into a very masculine chest as the arms around his waist held him firm. However, his body abruptly jerked as the hands attached to those strong arms slid to settle against his ass. His eyes widened in shock before narrowing in disgust and he reared back to strike at his offending pervert. His hand whipped out through the air only to be caught in a crushing grip and yarded fiercely above his head until his toes could no longer touch the ground beneath him. Hitsugaya’s eyes snapped shut from the slight, but sharp pain in his shoulder as a short cry forced it’s way from an unwilling throat, “HENTAI!! Release me, NOW!!” he screamed wishing he could move his arms to grab his Zanpakuto and stab the bastard that dared to touch him.

“My, my you’re more fiery than I thought considering you’re known to be an icy little captain.” Came a rather familiar chuckle just above Hitsugaya’s right ear, “Calm yourself little Hitsugaya Toushiro. I was only making sure you didn’t fall.” The small captain’s memory finally fell back into place as his head snapped up to finally look at his assailant. His only response was to growl low in his throat, “Urahara Kisuke! You perverted bastard get your hand off my ass and let go of me right now!” he yelled as the one and only Urahara Kisuke finally released him allowing the boy genius to put a little distance between them.

“My hands slipped.” Urahara replied simply as Hitsugaya’s fists clenched and unclenched at his sides in an attempt to avoid strangling the pervert shop owner. “Slipped my ass.” Hitsugaya mumbled as Urahara snickered behind his ever-present fan, “Indeed.” He said under his breath. “What was that!” Hitsugaya said sharply while reaching for his Zanpakuto. “I said you should come in.” Urahara quickly covered it up turning to go inside the shop. Hitsugaya looked up and finally took note that he was indeed in front of Urahara Shoten, Urahara’s store. “Why is there a gateway that leads directly to his shop?” he questioned no one in particular as he sighed and slowly entered the shop.

“I’m glad you decided to heed the message I sent to you.” Urahara said from the doorway to the house in the back of the shop. Hitsugaya said nothing as he eyed the blonde shop owner with little trust. “I had a feeling you would agree to it anyway. Now come inside, I don’t bite…..hard.” he chuckled as Hitsugaya jerked bodily and raised a questioning eyebrow at the blonde’s intentions, noble or otherwise. Something in the back of Hitsugaya’s mind said it was otherwise. He found himself sighing again as he toed off his sandals and entered into the front room of the house. Urahara slid the door separating the shop from the house shut behind the tiny tenth division captain and visibly saw the boy tense.

Hitsugaya barely stepped more then a foot away from the door when a larger, burly looking man in a ridiculous apron bustled in with a steaming pot of tea and food on an ornate tray. “Ah just on time, as always. My sweet Taichou this is my assistant, Tessai Tsukabishi. This is Hitsugaya Taichou of the 10th division.” Urahara said in a way of introduction that left the white haired boy twitching in certain places. However, he decided to stay quiet since one look at the man named Tessai told the small boy that if he insulted Urahara in his presence he would snap Hitsugaya like a twig. Not many things or people scared Hitsugaya Toushiro, but he could definitely file this one as one of those.

Tessai looked Hitsugaya up and down before lunging at the now startled boy, who made an attempt to run. He didn’t get far before he was scooped up in Tessai’s arms and cuddled like a tiny, adorable puppy. The white haired captain felt a savage headache coming on and the urge to once again make a grab for his Zanpakuto. Urahara saw the state of nerve the boy was in and stepped in to save Tessai an ass beating from the tiny Taichou. He pulled Hitsugaya from the burly man’s arms and against his own chest much to Hitsugaya’s utter horror. “Could you check on the children and make sure Jinta isn’t picking on Ururu again.” he said to his slightly upset assistant. Tessai perked up and nodded thoughtfully as he left the room in search of Urahara’s charges.

After they could no longer hear Tessai’s footfall in the hallway Urahara finally decided that releasing the now slightly volatile Captain would be beneficial to his health as well as others in the immediate area. Hitsugaya once again put distance between him and the older blonde by putting the table between them. Hitsugaya sat down cross-legged on a pillow on one side of the low-rise table while Urahara sat on the other with his usual smile in place. Rather unnerving for Hitsugaya actually. “Tea?” Urahara asked smoothly and Hitsugaya nodded slowly.

The former Shinigami captain poured the tea gracefully into two cups and handed one to Hitsugaya. The white haired Taichou took a cautious sip of the steaming liquid to make sure he didn’t burn his tongue. He then set his cup down and set his dark, aqua green eyes on the man across from him, “You called me here to look into the Bounto situation, did you not Urahara-san. Is there that much unrest that you had to call a captain?” he asked as Urahara continued to sip at his tea. “Call me Kisuke.” Was his reply as Hitsugaya blinked in confusing, “What did you say?”

“I said to call me Kisuke. It’s just the two of us after all.” The blonde repeated and Hitsugaya felt his blood begin to boil, “Don’t avoid the question!” he nearly yelled in his mounting frustration. “I wasn’t avoiding anything. I was merely getting past formalities. I was going to answer your question.” He said calmly in return and Hitsugaya felt his cheeks heat up in embarrassment at the way he acted.

“Now then, about the situation regarding the recent activities of the Bounto. I have been informed that they have destroyed one of their own; a woman Bounto by the name of Soma Yoshino. She had the rare ability of reproduction that no other Bounto can ever have. Her death has allowed many new dolls to be born, called Bitto. These dolls have been draining human bystanders of their soul energy causing the humans to die. As of recently the amount of deaths has become too great to further ignore. It’s believed that they are planning to invade Hueco Mundo. There for I found it time to call in some special forces, you for example. If more are needed to assist Ichigo and the others I will not hesitate to call for more.” Urahara said seriously for all vestiges of good nature had passed leaving a sombre look to the usually tranquil man.

Hitsugaya in turn became less pissed and more in tune to the situation being explained to him. However, that didn’t mean that he wasn’t annoyed at the fact that he hadn’t automatically called for more then just him. “If this is such a serious situation you should have asked for more then just me. I may be a captain and I may have my Bankai, but I’m not stupid. The fact that they are gather living souls is a testament to the fact that they are gathering power and I have a feeling that there is more than one Bounto involved.” Hitsugaya ground out.

“I don’t want to involve more then you as of this moment. If there are more than one of you Shinigami’s it will attract unwanted attention and I will not put any more lives at risk then I have to. I know you can take care of yourself so I sent for you.” Urahara said in a placating manner that Hitsugaya didn’t buy, “Fine! I’ll agree to your suicide mission, but on one term and one term only.”

Urahara flicked open his fan and hid a devious smile behind it, he had him now, “From here on out I will have control of anything involving this little mission of yours and if I feel my life is endangered I will call in reinforcement. Is that understood?” Hitsugaya said flatly. Urahara repressed a choked breath, ‘I should have seen this coming. He is a child genius after all.’ But he recovered quickly, “My dear Toushiro I wouldn’t have it any other way. Where the mission is involved you will get your control, however, I suggest that you stay with Kurosaki’s group and the modified souls I gave them.” Hitsugaya huffed at being called by his name, but set it aside for now, “We’ll see.” Was all he said.

Urahara repressed a sigh. The boy was difficult, but Urahara always got his way in the end. The boy would come around soon and see things his way. The blonde stood from his spot at the table and patted his clothing down absentmindedly, “That should do for now. I’ll show you to your room for the night and we shall hold a meeting with Ichigo tomorrow morning. I hope to send you out scouting tomorrow night.” Urahara said with the usual smile in his voice.

Hitsugaya stood as well and grabbed his duffle bag, which had been sitting in a corner of the room, and followed Urahara from the room, “The sooner the better.” He said softly in return, as he was lead down a hallway. Urahara stopped abruptly at the end of the hall causing Hitsugaya to collide with his back. The child Shinigami lost his balance for the second time that day as he made his decent towards the floor. However, his fall was impeded as a hand grabbed his left wrist and an arm wrapped around his waist pulling him into a strong, firm chest.

He heard a soft chuckle above him and to his horror a deep blush took his cheeks and the bridge of his nose. His face slowly turned upward only to have another nose press softly to his own, “I do believe you’re starting to fall for me, little Toushiro.” Urahara chuckled. He couldn’t help the lame line once he saw the look on the boys face and the sweet flush to his cheeks. It was just too fucking adorable to pass up. Hitsugaya’s eyes narrowed and he pulled his head back sharply, “Let. Go. Of. Me. Right. Now!” he ground out through clenched teeth.

He was released slowly and Hitsugaya was starting to wonder if this was going to be a frequent occurrence during his stay with the blonde pervert. “Such an adorable child.” Said pervert chuckled causing Hitsugaya to bristle, “I’m NOT a child!” he snarled as Urahara ruffled his hair. “Your room is right here. Feel free to make yourself comfortable, Toushiro-kun.” He said softly and pushed the now fuming Shinigami into the room and slid the door shut behind him.

Hitsugaya would have gone after the blonde and personally neutered him if he wasn’t suddenly taken with a wave of sleepiness. He yawned cutely as he removed his Zanpakuto from his back and placed the sword gently on the floor near the already made futon. He stripped down and pulled a pair of loose fitting, black pyjama bottoms on till they rested low on his hips. He dropped to his knees onto the plush surface of the bedding and situated himself under the covers. As soon as his head touched the fluffy pillow he was asleep.

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The sudden banging of a sliding door woke Hitsugaya with a start and without thinking much on the circumstances his body took to defending him as the temperature in the room dropped several noticeable degrees. Hitsugaya’s eyes slowly focused as the sleep left him and he saw none other than Urahara Kisuke on the business end of Hyourinmaru, the blades tip pressing into his exposed throat. He blinked his eyes a few times to clear his sleep muddled mind and slowly lowered his Zanpakuto till the blade touched the floor in front of him. “You should know better then to rush into a room containing a sleeping Shinigami.” Hitsugaya said softly and Urahara held up his hands to show he meant no trouble.

“Duly noted.” His voice croaked slightly before turning to normal, “I regret to disturb your sleep seeing as how you only just got here and have barely slept four hours, but I need you to come with me.” Urahara said seriously and Hitsugaya knew not to question the man. He grudgingly got to his feet to change, but was grabbed by the wrist and dragged out of the room and down the hall. “There is no time for you to change and seeing as how you aren’t in a Gigai you’ll have to do with your state of dress as is. I’ll give you a kimono to put over yourself before you leave.” He said as he pulled the now irritated boy down the hall and into the room they had had tea in only four hours ago.

“Though I like you much better in just the loose pyjama bottoms. It’s rather sensual of you.” He snickered and Hitsugaya blushed hotly in response. “Now’s not the time for your perversions!” he yelled as Urahara came to a stop but continued to pull Hitsugaya out in front of him. He released the boy and bent to grab the aforementioned kimono. He forced the white haired boy into the article and secured it in place.

Hitsugaya couldn’t help but gape at the choice of ‘kimono’ the shop owner picked for him. It had the traditional hanging sleeves, to large in Hitsugaya’s opinion, and the same crossover neck. It was tied shut with a green sash that trailed down over his thighs to just below his knees, but the only difference was that the lower half had a similar look to that of Ichigo’s outfit when he used Bankai. It flared out around his legs, but left his stomach revealed due to his low-slung pyjama pants. Hitsugaya was nearly furious.

However, Urahara didn’t give him any time to complain over it and thrust his Zanpakuto into his hands. “Now then come with me.” The blonde said sharply and slid open the doors leading into the shop. Hitsugaya paused for only a second before slipping his sandals on and following the blonde outside. He slowed to a complete stop beside Urahara who looked slightly tense, “They should be here shortly.” He said in short as Hitsugaya looked up at him. “The Bounto have become active again, haven’t they.” He said as more of a statement rather than a question.

Urahara remained silent and Hitsugaya knew that he was right. That meant that the ‘they’ they were waiting for was Ichigo and the others. They didn’t have to wait long until Ichigo arrived using shunpo. On each of his shoulders there was a doll, but upon closer inspection they were moving and there for Hitsugaya could come to the only conclusion possible, they were modified souls. “I could only contact Orihime.” Ichigo said before anyone else could say anything. “She’ll be here shortly.” He added in an off-handed manner as Hitsugaya’s inquisitiveness got the best off him and he walked up to Ichigo. He stretched onto his tiptoes and snatched one of the mod-souls off of Ichigo’s shoulder.

Once he got a good look at it he came to the conclusion that it looked suspiciously like an anthropomorphic turtle plushie. He found it kind of creepy. He glanced at the other one and the creepy feeling contiued to ensue as he noted the owlish looking anthropomorphic bird plushie on Ichigo’s other shoulder. Ichigo noticed the slightly disturbed look on the child Taichou’s usually stern face and understood what was bothering him. Then he backtracked as he realized that it was Hitsugaya Toushiro standing in front of him. He looked to Urahara as if he needed confirmation that the boy was really there in front of his very face.

“He is your help.” Urahara said shortly. Ichigo decided not to question it seeing as how Hitsugaya Taichou was one of the strongest Shinigami captains in Seireitei. He looked back at the small boy and remembered that he still needed to tell him about the Mod-souls that were with him. “Good evening, Hitsugaya Taichou.” He said politely remembering that the boy was still his superior, “You know these are Mod-souls don’t you. Well the one you’re holding goes by the name of Nova. He can teleport you to different locations and can also redirect enemy attacks back at them with the same technique. This little critter still on my shoulder is called Ririn. She can perform illusionary attacks. There’s one missing, he should be here soon, and he looks like a creepy rabbit-like plushie purse. He can shapeshift and replicate the abilities of others and his name is Cloud.” Ichigo said as Hitsugaya nodded.

“Sandal-Hat made them to perform as Bounto sensors.” Ichigo added shortly as Hitsugaya further examined the Mod called Nova. The little plushie blinked at him as he raised Nova up to his face. He could have sworn the little plushie was blushing. He sighed softly and lowered the plushie till he was cradling Nova in his arms. Nova slowly settled back against Hitsugaya’s chest to get comfortable. “ICHIGO-SAN!!!!!!” came the all too familiar voice of Orihime Inoue as she came into view.

“Sorry I took so long.” She said excitedly as she reached his side and then bowed to Urahara. As she straightened herself she finally noticed Hitsugaya and a smile took her face, “Hitsugaya Taichou! You’re the one Urahara-san sent for. I’m so glad you are here to help us.” She chirped, as Hitsugaya couldn’t help but stare at the freaky looking rabbit like thing at her hip. She noticed his line of sight and immediately snatched the plushie purse up and introduced him, “This is Cloud-san!” he nodded his head at her and hummed low in his throat as Nova sat comfortably in his arms.
Urahara cleared is throat to get the small parties attention. “Now that everyone’s here, however sad this is, I shall be sending you off. I have also taken the liberty of placing Nova, Ririn and Cloud’s Gigai at the location you are to be going. The greatest concentration of Bounto activity was located on the edge of the city. The Mods will know where to enter. Their bodies will be there. Now take care not to get yourselves hurt or killed.” Ichigo stared at the shop owner blankly, “Why couldn’t we just have them change into their Gigai here. It would be easier.” He bit out as Urahara shrugged, “I was bored.” He said plainly as a groan was heard from Ichigo. With that said the six of them ran off into the night to face their formidable enemy. Urahara couldn’t help but feel his gut twist in worry. “You’re going to follow them, aren’t you.” Tessai’s voice came from the shadows of the shop’s doorway. Urahara didn’t turn around, but answered him all the same, “Yes, but I won’t interfere unless the situation is dire.” Tessai said nothing as Urahara disappeared into the night after his self-proclaimed charges.

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Hitsugaya and Ichigo came to a halt on the edge of a forest on the outskirts of the city limit. Ichigo sighed softly as he set Orihime down on her feet for the girl had being riding on Ichigo’s back in order to allow the two Shinigami to use shunpo. Hitsugaya looked into the murky depth of the forest that lay ahead of them as he held Nova in his arms. “Have you sensed your Gigai yet?” he asked the little turtle-like Plushie. Nova nodded and pointed to a group of bushes, “They’re in there.” He said quietly. The three walked to the bush and set the Mods down long enough to drag their Gigai out of the bushes. “Could that pervert have made this any more annoying?” Ichigo grunted as he pulled Ririn and Cloud’s Gigai from the bushes. Hitsugaya did the same and soon they had the Gigai laid out on the ground. Hitsugaya reached for Nova as Ichigo and Orihime mirrored his action and took the pills from them and transferred them to the Gigai.

The three Mods sat up and flexed their limbs. Nova got to his feet first and immediately took his place at Hitsugaya’s side. Ririn, on habit, went to Ichigo and Cloud settled beside Orihime. Hitsugaya eyed up the self-made teams and decided it would stay that way since each Mod acted as a sensor for the Bounto. “Since we will be in the Bounto’s territory from here on out we can split up. This way we can hide our reiatsu easier. We will remain in contact with our cell phones and if you’re in any danger then send off a flare of reiatsu.” The two teens nodded wordlessly and turned to start their trudge through the undergrowth.

Hitsugaya looked at Nova and the two of them headed silently into the trees to begin their search.

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It had been two hours since the group of six had split into three groups of two and headed out on their own to search for the Bounto and nothing had thus far arisen. To say the least, Hitsugaya was starting to become agitated and that left Nova slightly edgy as well. He had heard no news from Ichigo or Orihime in two hours and there was no sigh that they were in trouble since there was no spike in their reiatsu. This was turning out to be a waist of his time and he felt his body starting to succumb to the need for sleep. He was still young after all, though he was loath to admit it.

It was now three am and all around the small Taichou the sounds of the night were emitted. Hitsugaya sighed softly and pinched the bridge of his nose, “The sun is going to rise in about two hours and so far there have been no disturbances. I suggest we call it a night and head back.” He said to Nova though he didn’t look at the Mod. He turned to head back in the direction they had come, but Nova’s firm hold on his arm stopped him, “What is it, Nova?” he asked as he turned back around in the direction he had been facing mere seconds ago. “A Bounto is about half a mile in that direction.” He said with a deep purr to his voice.

Hitsugaya glanced at Nova, “You’re positive?” he asked and the redhead nodded in return. He was about to head in the direction Nova was pointing him in when a scream tore through the trees and resonated deafeningly in Hitsugaya and Nova’s ears. “SHIT! What’s a human doing out in the woods at this time of night?” Hitsugaya growled as he took of at a savage pace in the direction of the blood-curdling scream. Nova kept pace with him as he ran headlong through the undergrowth.

The two of them burst through the tree line into a fair sized clearing just in time to see a girl being drained of her very soul. A strange looking creature, quite obviously the Bitto Urahara spoke of, was sticking from her chest just above her heart. One more was protruding from her back as she staggered and fell. Hitsugaya snarled as he lunged towards her fallen body and pulled Hyourinmaru from where it sat on his back. He slashed the Bitto on her back, cutting it off near its ‘roots’ so as not to spill her soul from the containment chamber that was its body. He then bent to tear the one from her chest when an excruciatingly strong wind tore through the clearing and sent Hitsugaya flying like he weighed no more then a feather. The girl rolled haphazardly over the ground till she came to a stop.

Nova saw the small Taichou being flung through the air and caught him before he could hit the ground. Hitsugaya collided solidly with Nova’s chest and felt the Mod’s arms wrap securely around his body as they skidded backwards in the dirt. They finally came to a stop on the edge of the clearing and Nova tipped forward onto his knees once he stopped skidding. Hitsugaya sagged to the ground with him and lay there for a second slightly stunned. He twisted slightly to look up at Nova, “Thank you Nova.” He said slightly winded.

He pulled himself from Nova’s lap and got back to his feet and was about to go back to help the girl just as a chuckle resonated through the clearing. “It’s Kariya.” Nova growled softly and Hitsugaya looked back at him, “Kariya? You mean a Bounto?” he asked and Nova nodded. Hitsugaya turned his head to where he saw a shadowy figure starting to emerge from the trees and he held Hyourinmaru ready. “My, my you’re just a child.” Came a smooth voice that belonged to the figure as he walked leisurely into the light of the moon. Hitsugaya’s eyes narrowed as the one Nova called Kariya came into view with a smug smile on his face.

“I may be a child to you, but don’t fucking underestimate me!” he growled and the man chuckled again as he suddenly disappeared. Hitsugaya jerked suddenly as his wrists were seized in an iron grip and wrenched above his head till Hyourinmaru’s blade was pointing to the stars above. A hand closed under his jaw in a painful grip and forced his face to tilt upward. Hitsugaya’s eye’s widened as he pulled in a shocked breath. There before him, holding him hostage was a man that had looks to rival, “Ichimaru.” Hitsugaya hissed softly in slight fear. The man before him had the same burning, blood coloured eyes and shocking silver-white hair. Nearly the same smug grin, however, this man had a noticeable scar on his chin and his hair was short and spiked.

“You’re quite the stunning little creature aren’t you? And such beautifully, expressive green eyes.” Came that smooth purr of a voice. Hitsugaya’s eyes narrowed fiercely and he jerked his head back out of Kariya’s grip. “Release me!” Hitsugaya snarled and Kariya obliged the boy by letting go of him. Hitsugaya jumped away from the Bounto and held his Zanpakuto in front of him, “So you’re Kariya.” He said and Kariya smiled in return, “Yes I am. I am the one in charge.” He purred as his red eyes traveled up and down Hitsugaya’s body, “You’re the first Shinigami I have seen wearing something like that.” He paused, “It’s very provocative.” He hummed low in his throat causing Hitsugaya to growl and Nova to take up a stance beside the boy genius.

“Hehehehe…you must be Hitsugaya Toushiro, the Taichou for the tenth division of Seireitei.” He said with an all-knowing manner. Hitsugaya was shocked, needless to say. “Although I didn’t expect you to be so……young.” This made Hitsugaya growl again. “Quite lovely, but young. A child protégé.” He stated as Hitsugaya had to fight with his pride not to sprint the few feet to Kariya and run the fucker through. “How do you know who I am?” Hitsugaya finally said and all he got was a shrug and a short response, “I have my ways, little Shinigami.”

Hitsugaya’s eyes drifted to where the girl was lying on the ground, “There is no point in worrying about her. The Bitto have drained nearly all her soul. She’s to far gone now to be helped, she’ll die shortly.” Kariya snickered darkly as Hitsugaya’s fists tightened around the hilt of his Zanpakuto, “How dare you.” He growled and lunged at Kariya, no longer being able to restrain his hate for the man in front of him. Kariya merely lifted his arm to deflect the blow from Hyourinmaru and pushed Hitsugaya back a few feet. Hitsugaya skidded to a stop as Kariya threw an attack of his own at the boy. It cut across his left hip leaving a shallow wound in its wake. Hitsugaya was confused for a second when it snapped into place, “You control the wind.” He said and Kariya smiled down at Hitsugaya, “The wind is my doll.” He replied.

Hitsugaya lunged again and as soon as his feet left the ground Kariya roused the winds around him and threw it at Hitsugaya. Hitsugaya was forced to curl in on himself as the invisible blades of wind tore at him and sent him flying back into the dirt. Nova rushed forward and helped Hitsugaya to his feet. Nova could feel the boy’s body rumbling as he growled softly in pain and frustration. Kariya took a step forward and disappeared as Hitsugaya came up to meet him. The two collided in a burst of wind and a spray of hot, crimson blood.

The two warriors came apart from each other skidding across the ground to come to a halt. To Nova’s surprise Kariya was now supporting a wound of his own, though shallower than Hitsugaya’s own wounds. Hitsugaya coughed up a small amount of blood from one of the strikes placed upon his small body. Kariya’s shoulder bleed freely from a reverse attack the Shinigami child bestowed upon him. It bled enough to annoy the Bounto, but not enough to slow him down. Hitsugaya knew that he wouldn’t be able to defeat the Bounto unless he released Hyourinmaru.

Kariya was about to attack the feisty little Shinigami when the boy’s back arched taught like a bow and his reiatsu flared up around his body. He snarled like a trapped animal and leapt toward Kariya, “Descend upon the frozen sky, Hyourinmaru!” Hitsugaya invoked Hyourinmaru’s shikai as he descended upon Kariya. Hyourinmaru’s initial form appeared surrounding Hitsugaya’s body as the boy cried out. He sent the dragon towards Kariya who actually had a look of shock on his face. Hitsugaya crashed down upon the earth causing rock and dirt to fly in several directions as the beyond freezing water that was Hyourinmaru splashed out around him covering the entirety of the clearing and beyond.

Nova had the good sense to snatch up the victim’s body and jump clear of Hitsugaya’s obviously powerful attack. He watched as Hitsugaya righted himself into a full stand from the crouch he landed in. Nova glanced wildly around for any sign of Kariya and was about to tell the ice-wielding captain that Kariya was approaching rapidly when Hitsugaya spun on his right foot to block the blur that was Kariya. Nova’s eyes widened when he saw that Kariya’s left arm and a third of his left leg were encased in solid ice. The Bounto had struck at Hitsugaya with his right hand causing Hitsugaya to be forced back into a low crouch until his left knee was being pressed firmly into the soil beneath him.

“Such incredible speed for someone so young.” Kariya couldn’t help but snarl and Hitsugaya snarled right back, “I told you it doesn’t matter how young I am!” he barked back. “I guess that is true considering the current circumstances on my body.” He said back and suddenly switched his hand position until he was grasping the blade in his fist and pulled on it fiercely. Hitsugaya gasped softly as he was pulled out of his crouch and off his feet. He stumbled and Kariya took the chance to knock Hitsugaya’s Zanpakuto from his grasp. As the sword fell to the earth Kariya’s arm wrapped firmly around Hitsugaya’s back trapping both him and his arms against Kariya’s body. The white haired boy jerked savagely in his iron hold as he felt Kariya apply firm pressure to his body.

He felt his ribs being pushed back and stopped struggling as he felt Kariya bend slightly to bury his nose within the soft, silky spikes of his snow-white hair. The Bounto breathed deeply and purred with something akin to pleasure. Hitsugaya stiffened under the treatment the man was giving him, this kind of thing was definitely becoming a trend with him. Quite suddenly the purr turned to a growl and Hitsugaya felt the fierce spike of the Bounto’s reiatsu as he forced the winds to finally shatter the ice encasing his arm and leg.

Immediately after Hitsugaya felt a firm grip on the hair at the nape of his neck and his head was wrenched back. A small cry of pain fell from the Taichou’s throat as his face was forced up, exposing his soft, pale throat. Kariya nudged his nose into the underside of Hitsugaya’s jaw and sniffed languidly at a scent Hitsugaya didn’t know was there. The nose trailed up along his jaw line to his ear, “Mmmmm you smell like something familiar to me. I can’t quite place it, but it’s important, special.” Kariya whispered in Hitsugaya’s ear.

As Kariya whispered to Hitsugaya his eyes watched Nova warning him not to move a muscle. Nova wasn’t about to endanger Hitsugaya’s life and waited patiently for his chance to strike. He knew that Kariya had now found an interest in the boy and wasn’t about to kill him anytime soon. Nova also knew that Ichigo and Orihime would be on their way since Hitsugaya’s reiatsu flared drastically after he used shikai. All he had to do was wait and hope nothing horrible happened from here on out.

“What is that scent? It’s so familiar.” Kariya repeated and pressed Hitsugaya further against his body as the boy jerked in his arms. He pulled his head back and forth trying vainly to loosen the Bounto’s hold on his hair. Kariya only held onto the Shinigami Captain more firmly to prevent the boy escaping his hold. He needed to remember why his scent, his flared reiatsu seemed so recognizable to him.

Kariya’s eyes widened as the memory of the familiar scent slotted into place in his mind. “That scent is how Yoshino smelt!” he suddenly said in surprise as he held the struggling boy at arms length. “Something isn’t right. You shouldn’t smell that way. Your reiatsu should not have the similar quality hers had!” he said sounding slightly alarmed and Hitsugaya continued to struggle and twist about in his hold. As quick as the shock had appeared on his features it disappeared as a determined look settled over his face, “You’re coming with me. Research needs to be done!” he said sharply and began to walk dragging Hitsugaya with him who struggled and dug his heels in like a stubborn child.

Nova saw the change in events and was about to help Hitsugaya when the help he had been waiting for came crashing through the trees. Ichigo charged Kariya in an attempt to get him to let Hitsugaya go. He slashed at Kariya’s neck causing the man to jerk his head backwards to avoid the blow from the substitute Shinigami. He let go of Hitsugaya as Ichigo took hold of him and tore him away from Kariya’s side. Ichigo put a safe distance between the two of them and Kariya for the moment.

“Something tells me we should retreat for today.” Ichigo growled as Orihime appeared by his side holding Hyourinmaru in her hands, Ririn and Cloud were also with her. She handed the Zanpakuto back to its master as she nodded at Ichigo. Hitsugaya was shocked to hear that Ichigo was willing to retreat to safety when he was usually the one wanting to fight. At this point Hitsugaya knew that he couldn’t beat the Bounto and that a sound retreat was their best option right now. Kariya whirled around gracefully to face the small group behind him, “You have a habit of showing up at the most annoying of times, don’t you substitute Shinigami.” Kariya said with a leering smile now on his face. Ichigo felt the hairs at the nape of his neck stand up and he would have gladly attacked the bastard if it weren’t for the fact that Hitsugaya was injured.

Ichigo watched as Kariya’s bloody gaze shifted over him to stare hard at Hitsugaya. “As for you. I’ll return for you once I find out more about you and why your reiatsu smells the way it does. Till next time, beautiful.” He said as he suddenly disappeared with a small glance past the small group into the treetops. Hitsugaya felt his blood begin to boil again, ‘Beautiful my fucking ass!’ he thought savagely, ‘He has no right to say that to me!’ Hitsugaya jerked from his thoughts when he felt Ichigo’s firm hand on his shoulder, “He seems very interested in you, Hitsugaya Taichou. I would like to know why?” he asked with the usual teenaged curiosity in his voice. “So would I.” He said under his breath as they turned to leave.

They gave a mournful glance at the clothing laying on the ground mere feet away from them the only evidence that the girl had really been there. The group soon disappeared into the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To say the least, by the time the exhausted party arrived back at Urahara’s shop they were more than adequately drained. All Hitsugaya could do as he was helped inside was glare death at the ex-Shinigami Captain. Urahara could feel the temperature starting to drop inside his home. Ichigo helped the small Taichou back to the room he had been placed in and Orihime quietly and quickly set to work healing his wounds. She ordered Ichigo and Urahara to leave the room politely while Hitsugaya hissed at them to get both their asses away from him.

It took Orihime about an hour to heal Hitsugaya to the point where there would be no scares on his body. The boy, however, had just been happy with the fact that he wasn’t bleeding anymore. He was quite impressed at how far along her healing abilities had come. She unconsciously smoothed his spiky white hair back in a motherly gesture and Hitsugaya allowed it due to the fact that he was extremely tired. His eyes slowly began to slip closed and in no time he was sleeping. Orihime smiled down at the relaxed face of the 10th Division’s Captain. “He looks so sweet when he’s sleeping. It’s like he’s a normal child.” She said softly to herself and rose to leave him sleep.

Orihime entered the main room not a moment later and took a seat at the table beside Ichigo and across from Urahara. “How is he?” the blonde enigma said and she smiled brightly, “He’s just fine. He fell asleep a few moments ago.” She watched as tension began to bleed from his body and couldn’t help thinking something was up. The blonde in question felt better that he hadn’t sent them to their deaths. In truth he always worried when they went up against the Bounto, or any enemy for that matter, and now that Hitsugaya was added to the equation, all be it by his own devices, his worries only intensified. If Hitsugaya were to be gravely injured or, god forbid, killed the majority of the Shinigami population would come down on his very head. That was something that he actually feared.

“If you concentrate any harder on the table it’s going to explode.” Ichigo’s smart-ass comment broke through his thoughts and he looked up at the two. Suddenly Orihime sat upright and began looking around, “What is it Orihime?” Ichigo asked as he tensed thinking that they were about to be attacked, “Where’s Cloud-san, Nova-san and Ririn-kun?” she asked with a finger to her bottom lip. Ichigo sagged and let a sigh leave his lips, “They decided they wanted some sleep of their own. We placed them back in their plushie bodies and they left shortly after that.” He provided as Urahara fanned himself.

“I believe they have the right idea.” Urahara said and began to stand, “I think everyone should get some sleep. I suggest staying here for the rest of the night since there is no school for you two tomorrow. I will talk to you after you have rested.” The blonde turned on his heels and motioned for them to follow. He walked for about half a minute when he stopped and knock on a door to his right. About a minute later a very sleepy looking Ururu slide open the door. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and looked up at the shop owner, “Y…yes Urahara-san?” she said groggily and Urahara smiled.

“I’m sorry to have to wake you, but I will be placing Orihime-san with you for the night.” Was all he said and the little girl smiled, “Hai.” She said and retreated back into the room as Urahara motioned for Orihime to step inside the room. “Sleep well.” He said as he slid the door closed behind her. “You’ll be sleeping with me in my room.” Urahara said as he turned to Ichigo, “WHAT!” he screamed, “I don’t fucking think so, you pervert!” Urahara stepped up close to the flustered teen till only inches separated their bodies. “Tessai has been cleaning and won’t let anyone into the spare rooms, you and Jinta will kill each other rather than sleep, Tessai will roll on you in his sleep, it’s indecent to place you with two innocent girls, Hitsugaya Taichou is injured and needs absolute silence to rest, plus I don’t trust you near him anyway. So that leaves me. Grin and bear it.” He said without even taking a breath once.

“What makes you think I would do anything to the girls! And I wouldn’t even think of touching Hitsugaya!” Ichigo flared and was about to continue ranting when he found a fist imbedded in his stomach. His body curled forward and he fell into Urahara’s arms unconscious. “There is no need to bitch about something so trivial.” Urahara breathed as he tossed Ichigo onto his shoulder and continued to his room to sleep.

He placed Ichigo on a spare futon Tessai had set up and then decided to check on Hitsugaya before he too retired. He padded out of his room and back down the hall to the room Hitsugaya was being held in and slid the door back quietly. He stepped into the room and found a site he thought would never be associated to the stern Captain of the 10th division. Hitsugaya lay curled around Nova, Cloud and Ririn’s plushie forms. His arms were wrapped around Nova, who slept peacefully, and positioned so that Nova was resting against his neck and his small hands were tucked up in front of his face. The entire scene that lay before the blonde was amazing. The little Taichou looked peacefully… and dare he admit it: beautiful.

The boy seemed well healed and he would have to thank Orihime properly tomorrow when they were all well rested. “It was a treat seeing you this way, Toushiro-kun.” He said softly and left the room. He slid the door shut and went to bed.


A.N.: I usually don’t go over ten pages of typing but I was on a roll this time. I quite like how it lulled near the end of the chapter it turned out well. I have most of the plot thought out and I think that quite a few people will be happy with the pairings showing up in this fic. I’m selling just about nothing short. Hehehehe…till next time my lovely readers.
(I wonder how many people even read the author’s notes at the end of the chappies)