~Winds of Change~18~{Football and Determination}

*********
Toushiro woke up at about noon. He moved his arms, but there was nothing but the tree beside him. He sat up.
"Aya-chan" He muttered. Shed left him here, alone. His heart sank. Did she not forgive him? Did she hate him now? He got up and brushed himself off, then headed back to his apartment to get changed to look respectable again.
Hitsugaya ate some instant ramen for breakfast, well, lunch, then a hell butterfly fluttered in. Toushiro sighed and remembered that meeting that was supposed to resume today. Well, at least hed see Ayazani. Even if she didnt want to see him. He headed out again. He looked up at the sky. It was usually sunny in Seireitei, throughout the seasons. But today, the sky was an ominous grey, and dark clouds were congregating over the training forest. Hitsugaya frowned. It was as if the weather seemed troubled too.
The first drops of rain hit the dry roofs of Seireitei just as the door to the hall of meetings was closed.
Hitsugaya shook his hair, which had gotten a little wet, then looked around. The other captains had also assembled. But there was only ten, including himself. Ayazani was nowhere in sight.
"Alright everyone, lets continue." Yamamoto started as if the meeting was only ten minutes ago. "Moving on from Kurimatsu-Taichous report, I have concluded thatwhere is Kurimatsu-Taichou?" The old man looked at the double row of Captains, who all looked clueless in their own way.
"Hitsugaya-Taichou?" Yamamoto addressed the person closest to Ayazani. Hitsugaya frowned deeply. It was not like Ayazani to miss meetings, she took her duties very seriously.
"I dont know, SoTaichou. I havent seen Aya-chan since yesterday."
That Aya-chan had just slipped out, and a slight pink coloured Toushiros cheeks as everyone looked at him with knowing expressions. Yamamoto coughed to regain attention.
"I see. Well, Ill deal with her later. For now, I have something to announce. As you know weve been investigating what Aizen is truly after. The Kings Key." The old man paused for effect. The captains gasped.
"And we have a rough estimate of when Aizen will start his true attack. This winter. We have four months time. Hitsugaya-Taichou and Matsumoto-fukutaichou will rejoin Abarai-fukutaichou, Kuchiki Rukia, Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika in Karakura to assist the humans and Kurosaki Ichigo."
"What about Ay- I mean Kurimatsu-Taichou?" Hitsugaya asked. He did not like the idea of leaving her in Seireitei without even knowing what she was up to.
"I think its best to take Kurimatsu-Taichou off active duty for a while. I cant be sure of her priorities right now and-"
"Urusai!! Aya-chan is a good Taichou! She would never let anything impend her duties!" Hitsugaya snapped. Everyone looked at him, surprised by his outburst. Yamamoto frowned.
"Then where is she now?"
Hitsugaya had no answer and looked down at his feet, clenching his fists. Yamamoto scowled at the young captain for another minute.
"Alright. This meeting is over. Dismissed."
The captains started heading out.
"Chotto Matte, Hitsugaya-Taichou. I want a word with you." Yamamoto spoke quietly but sharply. Hitsugaya sighed. He knew he shouldnt have spoken out against the SoTaichou, but he wasnt going to stand by and let the old man talk like that about the girl he loved. Even if she was being irresponsible.
"So far, I have tolerated your relationship with Kurimatsu Ayazani, even though its not allowed for Captains to have inter-Taichou relationships, as it leads to insubordination, as youve just demonstrated yourself. But I have no mind to be so lenient anymore, Hitsugaya-Taichou. I realize you and Kurimatsu are young, even feel strongly about each other. But you have to consider your position. You both accepted the rank of Taichou. And you knew what duties came with it. Now, I will only say this once to you. If there is another incident due to this, relationship, I will forbid it. Do you understand me, Hitsugaya-Taichou?" Yamamoto looked down at him. Hitsugaya didnt meet the steely gaze of his superior. He merely looked to the side.
"Hai, SoTaichou. No incident."
"Good. Now, you have a mission to attend to. I expect your first report in 32 hours."
"Hai" Hitsugaya replied, leaving the hall thoughtfully. He was full of anger at Yamamoto, Aizen, everyone who seemed to make his life so damn hard. Hed have to leave for Karakura immediately. But he wanted to talk to Ayazani so badly. He searched for her Reiatsu. Surprisingly, it was not hidden. He followed it easily and soon found himself deep in the forest. The trees were peculiarly burned. Hitsugaya frowned and walked on. He could feel a build up in spirit pressure. He rounded another group of trees.
"Bankai!! Hosenka Daisenpou Tatsoi!!"
He heard an all too familiar voice. Soon enough, he saw Ayazani. She was in a training outfit that reminded him of the special corp.s outfits. Her Bankai was what had burned the trees. Hitsugaya crouched by a pile of clothes, Ayazanis white Haori was carefully folded on top. He touched the material. It was soft, and it still held her scent. A scent he knew so well and held so dear. He watched her and soon realized what she was doing. Training.
Ayazani raised Amaterasu and released the white and black blade. The scythe appeared.
"Alright, this is more like it." The Taichou of 5th muttered as her hand didnt burn from her first Bankai like before. Then she searched her mind. Still nothing. Amaterasu had not released the name of her final and true form to her Shinigami yet.
"Aya-chanyoure amazing." Toushiro smiled slightly, seeing her working so hard. So she hadnt abandoned her duties. She was just becoming stronger. He could guess why. She felt guilty. Guilty for letting Hinamori get killed. Guilty for letting Ichimaru control her. Somehow it felt like a weight was lifted off of Hitsugayas shoulders. She wasnt blaming him. Or at least, if she was, she wasnt dwelling on it. For the first time in days, Hitsugaya felt as though they could work things out and return to how they used to be with each other.
He folded the Haori back onto the pile. He looked to his side. A small, wild, white flower bloomed at the bottom of an ancient tree. He gently parted it from its stem and laid it on top of the clothes. Then he flash stepped away. He had a mission to go on after all.
*****about two weeks later*******
Hitsugaya leant against the railing and looked at the sunset over Karakura. Theyd finally gotten rid of that pseudo Arrancar that duplicated itself. He sighed. Hed probably gotten rid of it a lot sooner if his mind wasnt else-where so much lately. Suddenly he heard people approaching. It was that black haired girl and some kids. Something about her reminded him of Ichigo.
"Hey." She had run up to him. He continued watching the sunset, not facing her.
"I wanted to thank you for that time you saved my ball." Karin started.
"Do itashimashite." Hitsugaya replied absentmindedly. The other kids, all boys, had caught up.
"So, whats your name?" Karin asked. Hitsugaya faced them and opened his mouth to reply, when a black hell butterfly fluttered by. The Senkaimon opened behind them.
"Hitsugaya Toushiro." A familiar voice called. Toushiro spun around. Ayazani stood in the middle of the street, in a punkified looking gigai. The other kids stared.
"Aya-chan" Toushiro muttered. He hadnt heard anything from her in two weeks. She walked up to him, a light smile on her face.
"Long time no See."
Hitsugaya still hadnt closed his mouth. He resisted his strong urge to kiss her and instead shoved his hands into his pockets.
"hai."
"So, Toushiro, who is this?" Karin asked casually. Ayazani turned to her, bemused that she had addressed him by his first name.
"Im Kurimatsu Ayazani."
"So, Ayazani, are you his girlfriend?" One of the boys asked, sly grin on his face. Toushiro started turning red. Ayazani scowled at them.
"Its Kurimatsu-Taic-" two hands were clamped over Ayazanis mouth. She looked at Toushiro out of the corner of her eye. He shook his head slightly. She sighed, and he removed his hands.
"Well?" the boy persisted.
Ayazani smirked, and pulled Toushiro close to her. He had no objections. She leant in, touching his lips with her own lightly, then pulled away. Toushiro put his hands behind her head and brought her back to his lips, it had been too long in his opinion, and he wanted more. Ayazani closed her eyes and embraced him tightly whilst giving him a kiss to show him that they truly were still together and that theyd put the recent horrific events behind them.
Karin coughed awkwardly. The white haired boy and the black haired girl were getting rather intense and this was kinda grossing her out. The boys around her just watched with sly faces.
"SO." Karin cleared her throat loudly. Hitsugaya and Ayazani pulled apart, red leaking to their faces as they realized everyone had been watching.
"You can play football pretty well, Toushiro." Karin got down to business. Ayazani raised an eyebrow.
"You? Play? Football?" She started giggling. Hitsugaya got a stress vein and crossed his arms.
"So, what of it?"
"Well, we were wondering if you could help us out tomorrow."
"Huh?" Ayazani nosed in. Karin addressed her instead of the sulking Hitsugaya.
"We got into this match with the highschoolers, and theyre pretty tough. We need another striker." Karin explained. Ayazani scratched her head.
"I see. Hm. Shiro-kun, I think you should go for it."
"Nani?" Toushiro asked bewildered. Ayazani turned to him.
"You could help them win! You know, show those damn highschoolers whos better. Yeah."
"No way." Hitsugaya snapped. Ayazani put on a pouty face, which usually worked on him.
"Cmoooon! You cant let them lose! Isnt that right" Ayazani glanced at Karin.
"Karin." She introduced herself.
"yeah, Karin-chan!" Ayazani laughed. Karin noticed that she had a tattoo on her left arm. It was a five in kanji, with flames dancing around it.
"Whats that Five stand for?" Karin asked, pointing at Ayazanis arm.
"Oh that, stands for 5th Division Captain." Ayazani replied haplessly. Toushiro widened his eyes warningly at her.
"Of my, uhm, scout camp." Ayazani added on.
"Ah. So its fake, right?" one of the boys asked. Ayazani nodded, covering up the give away number.
Suddenly she frowned, as hers and Hitsugayas phones started beeping simultaneously.
"Well, uhm, I gotta go. Ja ne!" And she disappeared. Hitsugaya slapped his forehead. Ayazani wasnt supposed to use shunpo with her gigai. He turned slightly as he heard the howl of a hollow to his right. The huge, dark bulk of the creature loomed up. Karin stared at it with shock. Suddenly, a dazzling streak of fire sliced right through the creature, causing it to disappear with a roar of pain. Ayazani sat in a tree, watching her handiwork. Luckily, Karin didnt see her. Hitsugaya used his opportunity to get away.
*********next day**********
The tall teenagers from the local highschool football team smirked as their much shorter opponents arrived. Karins friends all looked worried and certainly not confident. The game began. But the highschoolers made short work of them. Karin fell heavily, grazing her leg badly. The score was 0-4. No chance.
"Were gonna lose." The goalkeeper whined. Karin spotted a shape, with a white head of hair.
"Toushiro!" the group of middle schoolers ran over to him. He leant against the goal post.
"So, you changed your mind?" Karin smirked.
"No." Hitsugaya snapped.
"But then why are you here?!"
Hitsugaya looked away, embarrassment colouring his cheeks crimson.
"Aya-chan made me come here." He replied, a memory of her convincing method playing out in his head.
****flashback****
After about an hour talking things through, Ayazani and Toushiro had discussed everything and were re-assured of each others feelings. Hitsugaya let his fingers run through her soft hair, her face illuminated by the soft shine of the moon. How he had missed just being with her. Ayazani wet her lips with a flick of her tongue, making Toushiro shudder a little with joyous anticipation. He leant forward and closed his eyes. But instead of the soft feel of her lips, he felt her finger, pressing against his mouth gently. He opened his eyes. Ayazani looked at him with a malicious smile.
"Youre not getting kisses until you play football with those kids."
"Doshite, Aya-chan?" Toushiro complained, putting her finger into his mouth and sucking it gently. Ayazani bit her lip, fighting her own urges and trying to stick to her guns.
"Because they need you to play, and I wanna see you kick ass at football."
"So, do I get other things if I dont play?" He asked, smirking at her seductively. Ayazani gulped a little, then stayed strong.
"No, you dont. but!" she held up a finger to make a point, "Ill be sure to make it worth your while if you promise to play." She beat her eyelashes at him and pulled the cutest face she could. Hitsugayas urges easily overcame his pride.
"Alright, Ill play."
Ayazani smiled and kissed him passionately, her hands pulling at his clothes, demanding their removal.
**********end of flashback*********
"Toushiro? Hello?" Karin waved a hand in front of his face. Toushiro snapped out of his memories/daydream. The match continued, but with Hitsugaya on their team, Karin and her friends soon entered a winning streak. Ayazani sat on the stands, smiling proudly. She had gone shopping with Matsumoto before hand and now wore three quarter pin striped pants, suspenders hanging down her legs. Shed also gotten an awesome top, it was a black tank top with a red five on the front. Striped arm socks and black and white converse completed her look.
Hitsugaya let Karin score the winning goal, and the highschoolers looked shocked by their defeat. The middle schoolers celebrated. Ayazani jumped down to the pitch and approached Hitsugaya, smirk on her face.
"Told ya." She said shortly. He looked at her, shaking his head slightly. Hed never admit it, but he had fun.
"You owe me." Toushiro smirked.
"Hm. But not here, you pervert." She stuck her tongue out at him. Hitsugaya sweatdropped.
"I wasnt suggesting it." Their phones beeped again. They both dug them out of their pockets.
"Huge hollow" Ayazani mumbled, reaching for her gikon dispender which had a skull on top of it.
Karin came over, about to say something to Toushiro when a dark rift ripped open the sky. A green pink hollow poked its ugly head through and roared. Karin stared transfixed at the creature, she could feel its immense power.
"Karin, take the others and run!" Hitsugaya instructed in his Taichou voice.
"iie! I can handle it!" Ichigos sister replied, shooting the football at the thing with all her strength. The hollow didnt even feel the impact. Karin merely watched as a huge hand came crashing down towards her. In the very last second, Hitsugaya blocked the huge creature with a single hand, his Taichou robes flowing around him.
"That outfit" Karin muttered, she instantly thought of her older brother.
"Soten ni zase" Toushiro started, and the sky darkened, "Hyourinmaru." He shot his chain at the hollows arm, freezing it immediately and then ripping it off. The creature stumbled backwards in pain. Ayazani meanwhile watched another rift opening behind Karin and Hitsugaya.
She sighed, then quickly went shinigami.
"Shiro-kun, move!" She announced. Toushiro quickly finished off the first hollow, grabbed Karin and jumped out of the way. Ayazani held her one of her swords out straight, then muttered gently to it.
"Burn the sky, Tatsoi." The blade changed to a fiery red and black, and suddenly it seemed very hot. Fire shot from Ayazanis Zanpaktou and encircled the second hollow. The ugly thing tried to ward the flames off, but it was way too late. Ayazani jumped up, and with one motion sliced through the white mask. The hollow burned up and disappeared.
The sky cleared, and two craters were the only evidence of the attack.
"Are you alright?" Hitsugaya asked Karin, who sat stunned at the place hed dropped her.
"Hai" she took the offered hand and pulled herself up.
"Feh, that was boring." Ayazani came over, sheathing her sword and crossing her arms.
"You sound like Zaraki sometimes, Aya-chan." Toushiro mildly scolded. She just smirked at him.
"Uhm, excuse me." Karin interrupted. The two Captains looked at her.
"You two are, Shinigami, right?"
"Yep. Although, its weird that you can see us." Ayazani replied, looking Karin up and down.
"I wonder if you know Kurosaki Ichigo, hes also a Shini-"
"Kurosaki? Yeah, we know him." Ayazani interrupted. Karins eyes widened and she gripped Ayazani by the shoulders.
"Tell me where he is! Please! Ichi-nii has been missing!"
"Ichi-nii? OMG are you his sister?!" Ayazani exclaimed. Karin nodded.
"That would explain why she can see us." Hitsugaya calmly stated in the background.
"Where is he??" Karin repeated desperately. Ayazani sighed.
"We dont know. Kurosakis been gone for a while now. Gomen."
Karin drooped.
"But dont worry. I have a feeling hes preparing himself."
"for what?"
"ehehe." Ayazani scratched her head. Hitsugaya decided to help out.
"We cant tell you that at this moment, but Ayazani is right. Im sure your brother is alright, Karin. He can take care of himself, and if hes left his family for this long, hes probably doing something very important."
"But why?" Karins eyes watered. Ayazani put a hand on her shoulder.
"To protect you." She uttered, knowing that Ichigo was still in Karakura and sensing his training Reiatsu.
"ohok" Karin got a hold of herself and sniffed.
"Yeah, dont worry about him. And great game, by the way." Ayazani grinned. Karin returned the grin, then walked over to Hitsugaya.
"Thanks for helping us out."
"Youre welcome. It was easy." He replied, crossing his arms. Karin put a hand on his head and ruffled his hair.
"You could be a great football player, kid." She said to the shorter boy. Ayazani started laughing loudly behind Karin, holding her sides. Hitsugayas eye twitched, then he shouted in Karins face.
"IM NOT A FUCKING KID YOU BAKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
*************a week later peoples back in Seireitei**********************
"Hitsugaya-Taichou. Theres an urgent meeting that demands your presence."
Toushiro sighed, waved the butterfly away and walked out of his office, heading to the hall of meetings. Hed returned to Seireitei under orders of Yamamoto together with Ayazani, and that was about a week ago. This was the first meeting since.
He was last to arrive. Yamamoto looked expectant.
"Thank you for responding so quickly, Hitsugaya-Taichou." The old man turned to all of the Captains. Hitsugaya glanced at Komamuras side, to the spot of the 5th Division Captain. Ayazani was there, looking thoughtful. She glanced up at him, a slight smile on her face. Hitsugaya returned her smile and took his place.
"This meeting was a request by Kurimatsu-Taichou. Im glad to say that she has come up with an effective counter measure to Aizen. Kurimatsu-Taichou, if youd please." The SoTaichou made a gesture towards the young female captain.
"Arigatou, SoTaichou. Ive been thinking about a way to deal with these Espada of Aizens, and, as some of you may know, I have been rather inattentive of meetings lately. This was because I was working on," She paused, making sure she the full attention of all the Taichous, "Achieving my second Bankai."
Unbelieving stares met Ayazanis odd coloured eyes.
"Thats impossible." The 12th Division Captain snapped. Even Byakuya looked doubtful.
"We dont have time to question Kurimatsu-Taichous achievements." Yamamoto cut in, giving meaningful looks to all of them. Awkward silence reigned for a couple of minutes.
"I have to do it." Ayazani looked up determinedly. Hitsugaya looked at her with question. So did the rest of the captains.
"I will go kill Aizen." Ayazani added. Silence reigned over the room. She looked around at the disbelieving faces.
"Im the only one who can."
"No!" Toushiro piped up. Ayazani turned to him, she knew this was coming.
"Toushiro-kun, I have to."
"No you dont. Well find another way. Its suicide to go after him."
"I have to try, Shiro-kun. Otherwise Soul Society will be destroyed." Ayazani didnt meet his gaze. Hitsugaya left his spot and went over to her, placing himself resolutely in front of her.
"Aya-chan, Youre all I have left. Im not losing you!" Toushiro sounded rather distressed whilst trying to keep his voice down. She still wouldnt look at him. Most of the other Captains averted their gazes from the pair.
"Shiro-kun...This is worth dying for. I cant let Aizen take over and destroy everything weve all worked so hard for." Ayazani said quietly to her lover.
"I dont care! Nothing is worth you dying for!" Hitsugaya insisted, panic in his voice.
"But Toushiro-"
"No! I wont let you do this! Aya-chan, I love you I love you more than anything in this world. I cant live without you." His voice shook with effort as he tried to restrain his raging emotions.
"Shiro-kun...I love you too...Thats why I have to stop him. If I dont try, hell destroy everything, everyone! Even you...And I cant let him do that. Ill gladly give my life for yours, Toushiro." Ayazani whispered to him.
Toushiro looked at her, disbelief plastered on his face. She took him into her arms. Toushiro clung to her, like she was the last thing solid on earth. All of the other captains turned their gazes away. An air of awkwardness hung over them.
"But I...I was going to protect you..." Toushiro whispered, his face resting on Ayazanis shoulder. He clenched her Haori, his usual manner melted away by fear of loss. He didnt care about the others opinion, he only wanted Ayazani to stay in safety.
"I swore Id protect you..." He repeated. Ayazani desperately tried to contain her tears. She kissed his head softly.
"I know, Toushiro...Arigatou..." She felt liquid seeping into her shoulder. Her eyes widened a little when she realised Hitsugaya was crying.
They were tears of anger, frustration and fear. Anger at the hopelessness of the situation, and that Ayazani was right. The frustration of being torn apart so soon after theyd finally found to another again. And, the fear of losing her, his one and only, his first, his world.
The others had left the two of them alone, out of respect for their relationship.
"Come on Shiro-kun...please dont cry for me..." Ayazani said, a tear rolling down her own face.
"But Aya-chan...you cant do this to me. I almost lost you once already...I cant go through that again...Dont make me go through that again!" real desperation rang through his voice.
Ayazani pulled him off of her shoulder and looked deeply into his turquoise eyes. She felt her resolution melt as she stared into those eyes, they were mesmerizing, like staring into bottomless pools of crystal-clear seawater. How she loved those eyes. And right now, they held tears. For her.
"Im sorry, Shiro-kun. But I wont change my mind."
He closed his eyes in despair. Ayazani got torn up just looking at him like that. She leant in and gently pressed her lips against his. He kissed her back hastily, pulling her closer to himself and deepening the moment. Ayazani could tell he was in turmoil. It stung her soul, she knew she was the cause of his concern. Ayazani decided to comfort him for as long as she could. He was the most important person of her life. Never had she felt so complete as she did around him. But now, Ayazani was breaking his heart, again. Ayazani drew back from the kiss, Hitsugayas taste lingering on her lips. Hitsugaya opened his eyes slowly, he still looked troubled. Ayazani entwined her fingers with his tightly.
"Shiro-kun, lets gotonight, Im all yours"
A small, weak smile spread on his face and he gripped her hand tightly. For now, hed try to forget his worries and enjoy the comfort of his lovers company.

lame title, i know...