Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Whispers Ride the Wind ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: Bleach and all its characters are property of Tite Kubo.

 

(Reminder: First portion refers to the past…second portion refers to current events. Thank you.)

 

Whispers Ride the Wind

-*- Chapter 2 -*-

 

 

“Hey, do you see him over there? Mother says not to go near him because he may have parasites or something. Does he take a bath, you think?”

 

“If he's homeless, probably not.”

 

“Gross! He's got to stink!”

 

“YEAH! I think he's got infection. I've been here for a long while, and he's just so small. It's got to be a sickness. Just look at his hair!”

 

“The hair?! Hell, look at them eyes of his! He's not like us at all.”

 

Damn straight, he wanted to yell at them. The urge to speak his mind was becoming more tempting with each season that whipped by him. Hell, they should take a whiff of themselves! He could smell their sweat and less savory scents all the way up the tree branch he was on…damn the updrafts.

 

Like many others, they enjoyed spreading rumors about his appearance. Well, he'd have them know that he has impeccable manners that he learned all on his own. The need was definitely there, but he was pleased with himself for not asking for any handouts like food or clothing like he had seen with other homeless souls. It was no small task, but he managed to fetch his own food, and washed his one and only yukata in the river water, drying it out the next day atop a tree branch.

 

And he certainly didn't stink! He took care of his personal hygiene at the same river at night when no one saw him. It was cold, but it was the only time he could do it without being pelted by those unforgiving rocks thrown his way by kids, or, more often than not, by grown adults. He really hated rocks by then…he'd avoid them if at all possible along with adults.

 

Still, he was in much better shape now than when he was with his `family'…starving a lot of the time, or worse, confined to a closet within the house when `hushed' comments behind closed doors became too much for his `parents' to handle. Yet out here under the broadly lit sky or under a starlit evening, freedom was his to relish and hold onto. And he did…one day turning into a week, a week into a month…

 

Time progressed slowly, but that never really bothered him since it was kind enough to let him know the progression of his day. He would know then when to eat, when to look for an obscure spot in the shade to look at others pass him by, when to eat, when to see the local kids play their games, when to eat, when to dodge the occasional adult that insisted he was some sort of hybrid-Hollow, when to eat, when to wash up at the river, and when to sleep. There was nothing more simple and harmless.

 

He sighed languidly and leaned back into the trunk of his chosen tree, looking out over the tops of other trees, once in a while catching a glimpse of the local kids running wild amongst the towering trees. It seemed that they, too, preferred to play in the more natural setting versus within the town's many neighborhoods. He carefully took the sharp blade in his hand and hacked a chunk of long hair that he had felt in the back of his head. Smiling wryly as he lets the wind carry the cut strands of hair, he recalled how this small blade was `gently' thrown his way from a lady who thought he was a ghost…weird reasoning he thought at the time since technically they were all `ghosts'. They all `lived' in a world for the dead. How strange is that to contend with? Yet, he did, his simple mind readily accepting whatever form of existence surrounded him, even his own uniqueness.

 

Silvery-white hair…teal-green eye color…even his youth…they weren't all that bad to have most of the time. It was due to these physical characteristics that most citizens steered clear of his presence. Whether it was out of fear or wariness, it mattered little to him. As long as he was able to eat, drink, and sleep peacefully, it was of no importance as to who crossed his path. And many did as his travels took him far and wide from one populated district to the next. All were the same despite what wealth they possessed or what lack of social order existed there…the look in their eyes as they watched him closely was always the same.

 

At times, those wary looks turned dark and malicious. It was in those moments that he really regretted having hair the color of snow…it lit him up like a walking target and his short stature did little to help. Climbing trees would have been much easier if he was just a little taller. Still, being short was good, too…he ran incredibly fast after landing on hard ground when the blow was given (he almost always wound up in the air with legs kicking when they wanted to deck him). As a kid that could run that fast and dodge lunges from a tall individual, he was obviously grateful that he didn't lack good health.

 

He suddenly came to attention, pocketing his small blade into his yukata. His head snapped to the direction of a far off tree to his left. He sat there with such stillness, mesmerized with the leaves blowing in the wind, the soft swaying of the branch he sat on lulling him into a sense of security. It was all such a serene setting, a peace one would fully enjoy on a sunny day like today. Even the children below him paid little mind that he was even there…it was just that perfect of a day.

 

He swiftly climbed down his tree, and took off in a direction that wasn't of his own choosing but knew that it was the right way to go. Again, he never questioned what was so obvious in his mind. And right now, it was urging him to go in one specific direction AWAY from the serenity that had surrounded him.

 

He never paid heed to the rush of men that ran past him…never looking twice at the black sleeves and hakamas that trailed after them…or their sayas.

 

- x -

 

Pursed lips took in all that was said and now silently pondered on the matter at hand. He was proud of his analytical skills, one of the many talents his former teacher always praised him for and one of the few that didn't require physical effort. His body thanked him for that. Still…

 

`Well, damn…she IS in a fix.' Exhaling loudly, he shifted in his seat and sipped his cooling tea while seated on the comfortable couch. Shaking his head, he tiredly remarked, “Matsumoto-san, as a captain, I would say that Hitsugaya-taichou is clearly blowing this out of proportion and should reel in his recklessness as soon as possible. However…as a friend, I can't blame Toushiro-kun for his reaction. You should have known better, and not because you're his lieutenant, but because you're the ADULT.”

 

“Ha-hai…Ukitake-taichou. You're correct…I realized that, too…a little late I'm afraid.” What else could she say? She didn't deny her role as stupid-idiot number one…it was a role that she seemed born to play. The burden of blame was weighing a ton on her graceful shoulders…perhaps she needed to muscle-up to carry it around better. A tasty alcoholic beverage can do that for her… `NO, girl! You're in the deepest cesspool of sewage mankind could ever think of! Stay focused!'

 

Taking in her slumped form and her low moan, Ukitake reached out and patted her shoulder gently. Smiling good-naturedly, he consoled her, “It is understandable…it's easy to oversee the obvious, Matsumoto-san. Being under his leadership at every waking moment can obscure your perception for what others see as obvious. But you must take care since you're in this unusual position…I know Yamamoto-soutaichou had warned you of this.”

 

“Yes...,” Matsumoto grudgingly replied, “he gave me the heads up when he first gave me the blessed news. But…it's just so damn HARD sometimes! With official division business, I know my place…the Lieutenant of Tenth Division. And I know I do it better than anyone ever could (`when I'm feeling up to it'). It's just…(sigh)…he just doesn't make it easy for us, ne?”

 

“Heh…and that's your problem, Lieutenant of Tenth Division. He doesn't have to.” Setting his cup on the table before him, he leaned back into the cushions of the couch, eyeing her carefully and rather enjoying her flabbergasted expression across her face. His smile widened. “You know it to be so, Matsumoto-san…I along with a few select captains are very aware that his very nature is that of a child. It's what makes him exceptional amongst our ranks…to possess such a brilliant mind that is capable of wielding his unusually high spirit energy, yet still retain that innocence and honesty that you'd only find in the soul of a child. Any self-respecting adult would give heed to such a remarkable individual.”

 

“Hn…yeah, well…I sure managed to royally piss off said child…individual…head chief…” she grumbled lowly as she blew a strand of unruly hair away from her pert nose.

 

“Yes, you certainly did!” he agreed wholeheartedly with growing enthusiasm. “After hearing your side of things, it's really no wonder that he's reacting like a child would when upset. We were actually rather surprised he held out this long before his nature got the better of him. His spiritual energy is hard to manage even in the best of times…”

 

“That…really doesn't help, Ukitake-taichou…” mumbled Matsumoto as she mentally visualized a tyrant the size of boy slamming his foot down her back repeatedly. Groaning, she laid her head down on the table, still mumbling, “I thought I was doing the balancing act so well…”

 

Resting back into the couch, he took another sip of his tea before happily reassuring her. “Oh, don't worry! He's not hurting anyone, which was my biggest concern…the Soutaichou's, too. After all, you can't have a child with little self-control running amuck with spiritual energies that would scare the living out of the dead! Toushirou-kun never ceases to amaze me. Now, take heart. He'll cool down, pardon the pun, and be back to his stalwart, righteous, adult self in no time at all.”

 

“Yeah, but can he at least do that before dawn?! Zaraki-taichou will be banging down my division's gates along with the rest of Seireitei by then. Honestly, Ukitake-taichou, if it weren't for your spiritual presence here, they'd already be roping me to a pole to BURN ME in EFFIGY!” She was up on her feet now, relentlessly pacing the wood floor as she carried on. The situation was clearly grim…hell, it now took priority over the upcoming war with Aizen and his box of surprises.

 

One of the reasons he loved to drop by Tenth Division was because he had one hell of a good time just by being there. Toushirou…Matsumoto…they were the perfect team…for better or for worse. Right now, it was definitely for worse. Yet, he couldn't repress the snickers as he looked on at the woman who was now having an odd expression on her face that deemed that she was seeing her long life flash past her mind. Smiling widely, he stood up then, thinking that it was best to stop her train of thought that may have included acts of jigai…he doubted Hitsugaya would've appreciated his lieutenant committing suicide on his polished oak floor. Blood is very messy and hard to get out.

 

“My goodness, the job of a lieutenant is so difficult compared to my early days with the Gotei. Well, I can't very well allow for one of my fellow captain's workforce be burned to the ground…the Gotei 12 just doesn't have the same ring as Gotei 13.” Clearing his throat, he called out with barely veiled mirth, “Kotetsu-san, Kotsubaki-san…present yourselves front and center, please.”

 

In two moments of a breath, Third Seats Kotetsu Kiyone and Kotsubaki Sentarou were kneeled before their revered captain. In unison they yelled, “SIR! WE ARE HERE TO SERVE AND PROTECT YOU, SIR!”

 

Wincing at the ringing in his ears with their enthusiastic call of duty, he went on calmly, “Well, for once, I'd very much like your protection—”

 

“YES SIR! NO AMOUNT OF DANGER WILL EVER REACH YOUR SENSES WHILE I'M HERE, SIR!”

 

He kindly reminded them, “Yes, well, my senses would very likely pick up danger before you two do—”

 

“SHUT UP, KOTSUBAKI! I WAS THE ONE THAT KNEW WE WERE NEEDED HERE AND FOLLOWED THE CAPTAIN FIRST!”

 

“Kotetsu-san…that's very thoughtful—”

 

“CAN IT, KOTETSU! YOU WOULDN'T KNOW THE MEANING OF WHAT PROTECTION INVOLVES. LET THE EXPERTS DO THEIR JOB WITHOUT YOUR INEXPERIENCE GETTING US KILLED!”

 

He gently interjected, “Actually, it's really not all that dire—”

 

“OH, YES IT IS!” declared Matsumoto as she tied a bandana around her forehead, looking all but ready to take down the evil forces that were outside her division's gates. Sake withdrawal was a bitch to many…

 

`Perhaps now is a good time to fake a fainting spell…usually works pretty well to snap them back to reality… (Sighs) Very tempting indeed…'

 

*-*

 

Cornered Mind (01-31-08):

 

Welcome back and hello! It's been a while and putting this together was a little tougher than I thought, but I think it came out all right. You'll let me know, I'm sure!

 

My story is definitely running away from my original plans, but that's good. It usually means that the best is yet to come! I hope to do the fandom justice with what I'm producing, so please feel free to offer advice/criticism on my work. Honorifics are a bit of a pain for me, so do correct me if necessary.

 

Dictionary for those new to the words: hakamas—the older version of pants back in ye olden days; saya—the sheath that stores the sword, usually worn at the hip.

 

Hope you like my rendition of Toushirou's early life. I was SO thrilled to read the extra chapter from TK on Toushirou's early life that was put together in Japan's Shonen Jump to promote the new Bleach movie. Man, I can't wait to see it fansubbed! This side-story was good for adding a bit more depth to my story. We'll see how well I weave that in!

 

The discussion between Matsumoto and Ukitake was TOUGH. I kept it simple and direct because otherwise, it'd be one confusing mess!

 

I'm returning to my Furuba fic, so once again I ask for patience from my readers. Thanks to all of you and to any who would bless me with adding my story to your fave/alert list. And your reviews are so welcome to my weary eyes! You all are rockin' my world! Ja ne!