My Sunshine, My Strength (Bleach Fanfic)

Ice Cold Rain Drops

The young taicho didn't know where he was heading yet again. Instead he knew the feeling of running kept various feelings and thoughts at bay. The first cognitive sensation he felt was a few cold rain drops splattering against his hot, sweaty skin. He then felt a twinge in his lungs indicating he over exerted himself, and he found himself forced to slow down. The feelings and thoughts which were kept at bay by the running began to resurface, and he swallowed just as the rain began to pour down harder. He blinked a couple of times when he finally stopped.

In front of him was the door to the tenth division office. Letting out a sigh he slid the door opened and stepped in. Water dripped off of his body, and his jaw clenched knowing what would come if his fukutaicho already woke up. His bright teal eyes darted over to the desk where his fukutaicho sat as the corners of his mouth deepened. Rangiku's eyes darted up upon hearing the door slide open, and her mouth was twisted into a deep frown.

The busty female quickly moved from the desk, and stood in front of the young taicho as he continued to drip on the floor. Both of her hands grabbed his shoulders lightly, but then after a few minutes one of her hands reached up to brush away a strand of hair dangling down into his teal eyes. "Taicho..."

Toshiro swallowed as his eyes darted away so he wouldn't look her in the eye. "I don't think she's happy with me."

"You're standing in front of her dripping wet. Of course he'll be upset."

"Sweetheart..." Rangiku let out a deep sigh. "Where have you been?"

"I..."The young taicho felt one corner of his mouth briefly turn down farther. "I think if I tell her she is going to be even more upset with me."

"Why? You weren't doing anything wrong."

"It feels like I am doing something wrong."

Rangiku blinked a couple of times before attempting to brush the white lock of hair away again. "Hey... you come in here soaking wet, and now you're trying to avoid telling me where you are."

"Matsumoto..." Toshiro felt a sharp pulling at his throat as he swallowed again. His head darted slightly to the side. "You're not my mother."

A sound similar to a sigh came from the ice dragon within the young taicho's inner world. "Young master. I know you just said she's not your mother, but you distinctly think of her this way."

"The fact I think of her that way doesn't mean she thinks of me as a son. Plus..." Toshiro moved his tongue slightly in frustration. "... I don't want her to know about him."

"About that..." The woman stopped speaking, and when she started speaking again her voice strained. "Does it really matter whether I am your real mother or not?"

The young taicho relaxed slightly, but the feeling of dread regarding that possible memory involving that person didn't allow him to relax. Hyorinmaru piped up again. "Why are you fighting back the feeling of wanting to treat her like your mother? You respect her that much, and she did save us many times."