Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ This Light I See ❯ Silence ( Chapter 4 )

Title: This Light I See

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, any of the characters or their likeness. Don't sue me. You won't get much anyway. I only own the original characters that have been created by me and my friends.

Parings: Multiple

Warning: Rated Y for violence, language, and some slight sexual content. Rating may change in later chapters.

 

 

Chapter 4: Silence

 

 

 

“Come on. Drink it.” Rangiku said.

“What is it?” Mikaze asked.

“Oh, it's just a little something to get you to open up and relax.” Rangiku answered.

“But what is it?”

“Just drink it. You'll be fine. I promise.”

Mikaze looked at Rangiku questioningly and drank the contents of the cup.

“Oh, geez! This is horrible!” Mikaze shouted.

“Have some more.” Rangiku said.

“No way, it's terrible.”

“Please?” Rangiku begged.

“No, it's awful stuff. What is this stuff?”

“It's sake.” Rangiku said as she poured more into Mikaze's cup and forced the girl to drink.

More and more Rangiku gave Mikaze until the younger girl's cheeks were red and her eyes were glassy. Toushirou had entered the room to find the two girls drunk and laughing.

“Kawahone? What the hell?” Toushirou asked.

“Taichou! Come have a drink with us.” Rangiku said.

“Matsumoto, what have you done to Kawahone?”

“I just gave her something to drink. She's fine.” Rangiku said, waving her hand in the Captain's face.

Toushirou looked at the blue haired girl and she giggled at him. “She's drunk.” He looked at Rangiku and the bottle in her hand. “You gave her sake? Matsumoto!”

“Ah, c'mon Shirou-kun.” Mikaze hiccupped and giggled. “Don't yell at Rangiku-san.” She hiccupped again. “She just wanted me to have fun.”

“Are you having fun?” Toushirou asked.

Mikaze screwed up her face in thought and then smiled widely at the Captain. “Yes, I am.”

Toushirou sighed. “I think you should go to bed and sleep this off.” Toushirou said as he started to pull the small girl by the hand.

Mikaze pouted. “You're no fun. Why are you so serious around everyone? Why can't you just open up like you do when you're with me? Come on, Toushirou, say what you're feeling in front of the others.”

Toushirou thought for a moment. Mikaze was somewhat right, even in her drunken stupor that Rangiku had gotten her into.

“I don't want to hide it anymore.” Mikaze seemed to sober up a little. “Ai shiteru, Toushirou!” Mikaze shouted.

“Mikaze, I…” Toushirou looked away from the girl. “You're drunk. Let's get you to bed.” He dragged the blue haired girl by the hand and took her back to Orihime's place.

Mikaze started getting dizzy and fell to her knees, causing Toushirou to stop in his tracks.

“Are you alright?” Toushirou asked.

“I feel dizzy…” Mikaze answered. “I don't feel so good…”

Toushirou helped Mikaze get on his back and walked with her like that until they got to Orihime's place. Mikaze closed her eyes for what seemed like a moment and was lost to sleep. Toushirou gave the blue haired girl a small smile when he heard slight snoring coming from behind him.

“What happened to her?” Orihime asked.

“Matsumoto gave her sake and passed out drunk.” Toushirou explained.

“Oh. Let me help you.” Orihime helped Toushirou bring Mikaze into the small apartment.

Orihime changed the smaller girl into pajamas and helped Toushirou get her into bed.

Toushirou watched Mikaze sleep for a short time, she looked so peaceful and maybe she would forget this whole fiasco by morning.

Toushirou decided to go for a walk to clear his mind. There was no doubt that he cared deeply for the blue haired, green eyed girl, but confessing his love to her in front of everyone just yet was out of the question. He was a bit taken aback when she had confessed to him, but he knew that she was drunk and that, even though she probably meant the words, it was probably artificial confidence.

 

Mikaze work in the morning to the sun on her face, a pounding head and a queasy stomach, she groaned as she placed the blanket over her head so that the light would go away. She also heard the voice of her Captain, but she didn't really care what he was saying or who he was talking to. Mikaze had remembered some of what happened the night before and it made her a bit perturbed at the boy. She had admitted her feelings to him in front of Rangiku and he couldn't even look her in the eyes. Sure, he took her “home” and got her to bed safely, but she was tired of hiding their feelings from everyone. Although, Mikaze did understand why Toushirou wanted to hide everything from everyone, she was still mad at him.

“Are you finally awake, Mikaze-chan?” Orihime's voice came through the blanket.

“I wish I wasn't…” Mikaze said.

“I'll be right back.” Orihime said and was back before Mikaze took the blanket away from her face. “Take this.”

Mikaze took what Orihime offered; two small pills and a glass of water.

“Thank you.” Mikaze said before slowly getting up and sighing to ease her stomach.

“You should eat something, too.” Orihime suggested.

Mikaze had a look of being sick on her face.

“At least some toast.”

Mikaze nodded and followed Orihime into the kitchen where she saw her Captain sitting at the small table, but she quickly looked away and back to Orihime while the toast was being made.

Toushirou was perplexed. Did Mikaze just give him a dirty look then look away? Was she mad at him for something? Surely he thought that she would have forgotten what had happened the night before, but it seemed like she might not have forgotten everything.

Mikaze ate slowly as to not become sick, which made her feel better, and after eating she quickly left the kitchen to get dressed.

 

“We'll be back tonight, Inoue.” Toushirou said.

“Okay, Toushirou-kun.” Orihime said.

Toushirou and Mikaze went out the door and walked down the stairs, Toushirou behind Mikaze. The two walked in silence to Urahara Shouten, which bothered Toushirou greatly. The two usually talked and even stopped a few times, they would even hold hands when they walked to the shop when they were alone. Mikaze was angry with him and he wanted to find out why, but by the time he went to ask the girl, they were already at the shop.

“G'morning!” Shiori greeted the two as they came up to the shop.

“Good morning.” Mikaze greeted her friend as she sat down at the table.

“Today, everyone is going out to investigate again.” Urahara started to dictate.

“Can we change teams this time?” Mikaze asked.

Toushirou was surprised at Mikaze's question.

“Why? Whatever for?” Urahara asked.

“I feel that we should just change the teams a bit.” Mikaze answered.

“Oh, well, I suppose so. Who would you suggest team up?”

“I want to go with Shiori.” Mikaze suggested.

`She is angry with me.' Toushirou thought. `And now she's not even talking to me.'

“I suppose we can do that. Matsumoto FukuTaichou, would you mind going with Hitsugaya Taichou?” Urahara asked.

“I don't mind at all.” Rangiku answered.

The three teams set out to investigate Karakura Town, Shiori and Mikaze were the first to leave.

 

Mikaze walked next to her friend and sighed. Being angry at someone took a lot of work.

“So, what's wrong?” Shiori asked her little friend.

“Nothing's wrong.” Mikaze said.

“You're not very good at lying, Kaze-chan.”

Mikaze sighed again as the two girls came up on an old building.

“I told him that I love him last night and he couldn't even look me in the eyes. I know I was drunk last night thanks to Matsumoto FukuTaichou, but my feelings for him are real. He can't even admit his feelings for me in front of Matsumoto FukuTaichou. I understand why he wants to keep it a secret, but who is she going to tell?” Mikaze looked at her friend who had a look of “yeah right” on her face.

“Okay, maybe you're right. She'd probably get drunk and spill the beans to all of Seireitei.” Mikaze sighed. “I'm just tired of hiding from everyone. I know Renji and Rukia would never say anything to anyone about it.”

“Well, guys don't understand us girls most of the time and they can't read our minds. Besides, he did take you back to Orihime's place so that you could rest.” Shiori explained to Mikaze.

“Yeah, I know, but it's so frustrating to hide. Sure, I like the intimate moments that we've had, but we should be able to hold hands whenever the heck we want.” Mikaze was ranting now.

“Calm down there, you don't need to get worked up about it.” Shiori said, calming down her friend.

“I'm sorry. I suppose this is one thing that I'm really passionate about.” Mikaze said.

“Of course you are, its love.” Shiori smiled at her friend.

 

“Taichou, what's the matter?” Rangiku asked as she and her Captain investigated the streets of Karakura.

“It's nothing.” Toushirou responded.

“Aw, please tell me. I'm your FukuTaichou and you don't ever tell me anything.”

“Because you'll probably get drunk and blab to all of Seireitei what I tell you.”

“I would never do such a thing.” Rangiku defended herself.

Toushirou rolled his eyes.

“It's Kawahone, isn't it? She seemed to be mad at you for some reason.” Rangiku could be observant when she wanted to be.

“It's nothing. Just drop it.” Toushirou said angrily.

“You're such a spoil sport.” Rangiku pouted.

Toushirou couldn't believe it, Mikaze was angry with him. This whole time he thought that they had an understanding about keeping their love secret from everyone else. Toushirou figured that Shiori had known since the two girls were best friends and the fact that Shiori could read Mikaze like a book was any wonder that Mikaze could keep anything secret from the older girl. Toushirou also knew that if he let her, Rangiku would bug him about the matter until he told her, but he wouldn't spill any information, especially to his Vice-Captain. At least Toushirou noticed that Mikaze was still wearing the snowflake charm that he had given her on her birthday, so she couldn't be that mad at him. Toushirou and Rangiku continued to investigate the streets of Karakura when something in a shop window caught Rangiku's eye.

“I'll just be a moment, Taichou.” Rangiku said as she entered the store.

“Matsumoto, we don't have time to be shopping.” Toushirou said.

“But this will be perfect for Mikaze. A late birthday present, I think.”

Toushirou sighed and looked at what Rangiku was buying for the blue haired girl; it was a pair of small red flower clips.

“She can wear these instead of the beads if she wants.” Rangiku said.

Toushirou imagined the blue haired girl wearing them and felt a bit flustered at the thought. Rangiku bought the clips along with a small gift bag to put them into to give to the small girl.

“Do you think she'll like them, Taichou?” Rangiku asked.

“I suppose.” Toushirou said, a bit distractedly.

“Maybe you should talk to her and ask her why she's mad at you.” Rangiku suggested.

“I already know why so I don't need to ask her.” Toushirou said.

“I see. Does it have something to do with you and her?”

“Matsumoto, mind your own business.” Toushirou said.

 

Shiori heard the phone in her pocket beep and she took it out to look at the screen.

“There's a Hollow nearby and it's closing in fast.”

“I can feel it.” Mikaze said as she put her hand in her pocket.

The two girls looked at each other and nodded. Taking their little candy dispensers out of their pockets, each girl popped what looked like a small candy into their mouths, causing their souls to separate from the gigai.

“Go back to Urahara Shouten!” Shiori told the two gigai right before she used shunpo to close in on the Hollow.

Mikaze quickly followed Shiori as best she could since her shunpo was quite a bit slower than the taller girl's. Shiori jumped from building to building until the Hollow was close enough to spot. Mikaze came up just behind her as she landed on the top of a higher building, both of them watching on as the Hollow came closer and closer.

“Should we inform the others?” Mikaze asked, still looking toward the Hollow, her hair blowing in the breeze.

“Inform Hitsugaya Taichou of our location just so that he knows where the Hollow is attacking. If the situation gets any worse, then we'll call for back up. Understand?” Shiori instructed.

“I understand.” Mikaze said as she took her phone out of her pocket and notified her Captain of the co-ordinance of the Hollow's location. Mikaze decided against calling the Captain, but she sent him a quick text message.

“Get ready, it's coming.” Shiori said as she took her stance, taking her sword out of its sheath.

Mikaze placed her phone back into her pocket then placed her left hand on the hilt of her sword, ready at any second to draw it from its sheath that rested on her right hip.

The Hollow sensed two strong reiatsu close by which caused it to turn its head in their direction. The thing started moving toward the two girls, its body a mass of dark grey muscles, red zigzag markings going down the length of both of its arms. Its face was a bleached white bone mask with a horn sticking out from the forehead. In its chest rested the hole that every Hollow had. The Hollow opened its mouth with a roar, red energy started to gather in a ball at the center of the open mouth.

“It's going to use Cero on us.” Shiori said.

This was the first time that Mikaze has really seen a Cero being used with her own eyes. Most of the Cero she had seen were in pictures while at the Shinou Academy. Shiori jumped into the hair in plenty of time for the Cero not to hit her, Mikaze on the other hand had just barely dodged out of the way, the Cero grazing her bangs just slightly. Mikaze looked at her now singed bangs and huffed, an angry look on her face.

“Stupid thing singed my bangs!” Mikaze shouted.

“You should have dodged faster.” Shiori suggested.

Shiori looked toward the Hollow as it used its clawed right hand to swipe at her, but Shiori blocked with her sword just in time to not get hit by the razor sharp nails.

Mikaze placed her hands out in front of her chest and started to say an incantation.

“Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Hadou number 31! Shakkahou!” A crimson sphere developed in the palm of Mikaze's hand, growing larger until it shot out, hitting the Hollow in the side of the head.

The Hollow screamed in pain as it brought its left hand down on Mikaze, who back flipped out of the way. The Hollow swung at Mikaze again from the right side of her. Mikaze had just barely blocked the Hollow's hand, swinging her sword to slice the palm open causing the Hollow to scream out in pain, removing its hand from near Mikaze.

Mikaze screamed out in pain as one of the Hollow's rather large nails was removed from her upper arm, a mass amount of blood trailed down Mikaze's now useless right arm.

“Shiori!” Mikaze shouted to the purple haired girl who was now behind the Hollow, ready to strike.

Shiori brought her sword down on the Hollow's head from behind, splitting the mask in half, causing the Hollow to shriek once more before disappearing into spirit particles.

Shiori landed next to her friend and examined Mikaze's right arm.

“That's a pretty bad wound there and you don't look so great.” Shiori stated as she examined her smaller friend's face.

Mikaze's face was turning pale due to all the blood loss and she smiled weakly up at her friend. Shiori took Mikaze by her good arm after they both sheathed their swords and tried to prop the shorter girl up.

“This isn't working. You're going to have to get on my back.” Shiori suggested as she knelt down on the ground for Mikaze to climb onto her back.

Once Mikaze was settled on Shiori's back, the purple haired girl used shunpo to get back to Urahara Shouten as quickly as possible. Mikaze felt as if she would pass out at any moment, but she had to be strong. Other Shinigami had suffered far worse injuries and had not even passed out from it. Shiori sent out a message to the others from her cell phone to have them all come back to the shop quickly. Mikaze wanted to protest contacting the others, but she was too weak and relaxed against her friend's back. Once Shiori arrived at Urahara Shouten, she helped Mikaze get off from her back and the small girl crumpled to her knees under her own weight.

Toushirou appeared instantly in front of the shop and kept running toward the fallen girl, stopping when he reached her. He bent down on her right side to look at her arm, worry painted his entire face.

“Why didn't you call me for back up?” Toushirou asked.

“We didn't need back up from you.” Mikaze's tone was a bit venomous.

Toushirou was taken aback by Mikaze's tone with him. Even if she was angry with him, she didn't have to sound like that. Mikaze was really holding a grudge against the white haired boy for his actions, or lack thereof. Toushirou stood up from his place by Mikaze and let Tessai take the small girl in his arms and into another room.

Mikaze looked very small in Tessai's large, muscular arms as he carried the blue haired girl to one of the back rooms to tend to the massive wound on her right arm. Tessai placed Mikaze on a small sleeping mat, places his hands gently over the girl's eyes and told her to sleep, which she did quickly. As soon as the blue haired girl was asleep, Rukia called Orihime to come over to the shop to help patch up Mikaze's arm. Orihime arrived quicker than everyone expected, along with Ichigo, and went into the back room where Tessai was watching over Mikaze. Orihime knelt down next to Mikaze and as she placed her hands out in front of her, a transparent, orange, oval shaped barrier surrounded Mikaze's body. The wound started to heal immediately, the fibers of tissue fusing back together as if they hadn't just been ripped apart by a Hollow.

Toushirou stood outside in the back of the shop, leaning on the wall with his arms crossed and his hands inside his sleeves, sadness, hurt and worry on his face.

“Did she mention anything about me?” Toushirou asked the tall, purple haired girl as she came out the door to stand next to him.

Shiori turned and looked down at the small Captain with a bit of worry in her violet eyes.

“She did actually.” Shiori said.

Toushirou closed his eyes and sighed as he moved away from the wall, walking a little way into the yard. “I should have known she would tell you everything.”

“She didn't tell me any details, but you know she's hurt that you won't let everyone else in on your secret.”

Toushirou didn't turn around to look back at Shiori but sighed again. “You wouldn't understand.”

“What wouldn't I understand?” Shiori walked over to Toushirou, took him by the shoulders and stared him dead in the face. “You love her, she loves you, right? So, just tell her damn it! What's so wrong with everyone knowing that you love someone? We all already know that the two of you are in love with each other, it's just a matter of you two actually getting over whatever is wrong with you and becoming a couple.”

Toushirou sighed once more and shrugged Shiori's hands away then he turned around to walk back inside, but stopped just before he reached the doorway.

“You don't understand the complications of us being in a relationship. If she were with me, all I'd think about is her and her safety, not the Division and my duties as a Captain. I couldn't bare it if anything happened to her, but at the same time I have a responsibility to my Division. I should never have kissed her the first night we were here.” Toushirou said as he stepped back inside to find Mikaze standing just inside the door looking as if she was about to cry.

“Mikaze… You're awake. How do you feel?” Toushirou asked.

Tears filled the light green orbs as Mikaze turned and ran out the front door, using shunpo to escape the shop faster.

“Damn.” Toushirou cursed himself and mentally kicked himself for saying such a thing without knowing who was listening. He didn't really mean the words, but he did have a responsibility to his Division and he couldn't just focus on the blue haired girl, even if he did love her with his whole being. Love was a very confusing emotion, especially for the white haired boy.

“I'll go find her and talk to her. I'll try to at least get her back here and then maybe you two can talk.” Shiori said just before she used shunpo to chase after her small friend. How hard would it be to find a short, blue haired girl wearing black Shinigami robes? It didn't take Shiori long to find the small girl, who was sitting on a swing in the park, crying her little eyes out. The taller girl walked over to her friend and placed a hand on the small girl's shoulder, which caused the girl to get up quickly and bury her face in Shiori's stomach. Shiori put her arms around her small friend and just let the little girl cry all she wanted. Her heart had just been broken after all; Shiori would probably have done the same thing if she were in Mikaze's shoes. Love really was a confusing emotion, for everyone that it affected. Love was also a hard emotion that taught valuable life lessons, but Shiori wished that Mikaze didn't have to endure this kind of heart ache.

Mikaze sobbed into Shiori as the taller girl patted her head gently, causing Shiori's kosode to soak through slightly. She couldn't stop the tears no matter what she tried. She tried to stop thinking of Toushirou's words, but the more she tried to stop the more she thought of them and the more she cried. She tried to not think of Toushirou at all, which caused the small girl to cry harder. As much as it hurt, she loved her Captain with all of her being and her heart ached whenever she heard the words ring in her ears. Mikaze sniffled as she stopped her sobs and moved away from Shiori, wiping her tears from her sad, green eyes.

“He didn't mean what he said about the kiss. He really cares about you, but he's a Captain.” Shiori explained.

“I know. I heard every word he said.” Mikaze looked as if she were about to cry again. “He must feel that way if he said that and it hurts like nothing I've ever felt before.”

“He wants to talk to you so let's get back before it gets too late.” Shiori suggested to her friend.

Mikaze's phone started beeping suddenly so she took the small gray flip phone from her pocket and opened it to look at the screen.

“There's a Hollow! It's near the elementary school.” Mikaze said as she looked up at her friend. “Wait, there are multiple Hollow surrounding the school.”

“We should notify-“

“There's no time!” Mikaze shouted, cutting Shiori off mid-sentence. Mikaze used shunpo to get to the elementary school as quick as possible.

Shiori called Toushirou to report the Hollow attack and started using her own shunpo to follow Mikaze.

“Hitsugaya Taichou, there is a multiple Hollow attack going on at the elementary school. ETA is one minute.” Shiori informed the Captain.

“We're on our way.” Toushirou said before hanging up the phone.

Shiori stopped just in time to see the smaller girl struggling to fight a really big, red and gold Hollow.

“Hadou number 31! Shakkahou!” Mikaze shouted as she tried to blast the Hollow away from her which only caused the thing to shriek out at the tiny girl.

Shiori joined in the battle, fighting a big blue and yellow Hollow.

“Kogeru, Asayake.” Shiori's Zanpakutou started to change; it now looked more like a large machete and it started to glow a bright red-orange color, like the morning sun. The moment the blade touched any object, the said object would burst into flames.

“Sasu, Hikari no Ten'yo.” Mikaze started twirling her sword in her hand, which turned into a pure while medieval looking staff with the top of the staff glowing on the inside as if starlight were encased inside. The staff was much taller than Mikaze, but she seemed to be an expert in handling the thing. Mikaze set her staff into the ground, placed her hands on the staff at chest level and concentrated her reiatsu, causing the light inside the staff to glow brighter.

“Zaiten Butsu!” Mikaze shouted as light shot up into the sky, then pillars of light rained down on the Hollow from the heavens, killing at least half of the Hollow on impact.

“Nagareboshi.” Shiroi said, causing heat to gather into the blade of her Zanpakutou, making it possible for fiery projectiles to be thrown at the Hollow, killing another good three or four of them.

There still seem to be quite a lot of Hollow left and the girls did not know what to do. Mikaze looked over at Shiori, she was thinking of using Bankai to eradicate the rest of the Hollow, although it most likely was not a necessity to do so. The blue haired girl was about to shout over to Shiori to use Bankai, but she saw someone out of the corner of her eye and then noticed that the rest of the Hollow were no longer in front of the two. Shiori stared on in astonishment.

“What the hell just happened?” Shiori asked.

Mikaze saw a figure in the shadows and noticed the shade of the hair on the figure. Mikaze's sword returned to its sealed stated and she placed it back in its sheath. She squinted to get a better look at the figure and noticed that he, she was assuming the person was a male, was just barely taller than she was. Being just inches taller than herself and with that shade of hair, there was only one person that she knew that looked like that.

“Nii-san?” Mikaze asked.

The figured looked at Mikaze and scowled then used shunpo to leave Mikaze and Shiori's sight. Toushirou and the others had arrived just in time to see Mikaze running after someone.

“Nii-san!” Mikaze shouted as she kept running.

“Mikaze stop!” Toushirou shouted, causing Mikaze to stop in her tracks.

She might have been hurt and angry with her Captain, but he was still her Captain and she still listened to his orders. Mikaze turned around to walk back to the group when she was grabbed by another figure causing her to scream and kick.

“No! Mikaze!” Toushirou shouted as he started running toward the girl and her captor, unsheathing his Zanpakutou to strike.

The figure was gone in the blink of an eye, using shunpo to get away, but not before Mikaze could scream one last time.

“TOUSHIROU!”

Toushirou stared at the space Mikaze had just occupied with shock on his face then dropped to his knees, pounding the ground with his fist and screamed in anger. Mikaze had just been taken right before his eyes and if he hadn't been so stubborn then none of this would have happened. Who was that guy and what did he want with Mikaze? Didn't he hear her call out to someone, calling him brother? As far as Toushirou could remember from what Mikaze had told him, her brother Tensei, was dead. It was time for Toushirou to do some investigating and find the girl who had become his light.

 

 

 

Wow… this chapter took a lot longer than I expected it to take, but I was rewriting the whole chapter pretty much from scratch since I had decided to take the fic in a whole other direction than I originally planned. I'm really trying to draw out details and with the help of my friend, it's becoming possible. Although, I'm now staying up until almost 5AM along with her. Thanks for reading. Please R&R, the review button is your friend. Here's a little something extra for everyone. It's a little omake that my friend and I put together in chat. Enjoy. ^_^

 

Shi: Why are you sad, Toushirou?

Shirou: You....you just don't understand! ;_;

Shi: What?

Shirou: N.U.T.S.

Shi: O_o

Shi: Uh, I think I understand nuts pretty well, Byaku has some....

Shirou: No! My N.U.T.S.!

Shi: *falls over*

Kaze: Did I just hear correctly?

Shi: Toushirou wants to talk to me about nuts.

Kaze: No! My nuts!

Shirou: *is sorely misunderstood* ;_;

N.U.T.S. = No one Understand Toushirou's Sadness