Unlucky Thirteen (Toshiro Hitsugaya)

Chapter Three: Hibanamaru Boufuu

Interesting fact- In the English dub, Toshiro is voiced by the same person as Neji Hyuuga from Naruto :)

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Chapter Three: Hibanamaru Boufuu

"Wh... what?"

I was dazed. My brain wouldn't process the information he had just filed, as though it was filled with a dense fog that simply had no room to lift and clear.

"Rangiku and I were sent to persuade you to return. That was our mission." Toshiro was calm, as always. "And if all else fails, we will have to use force. We were given a time limit of two weeks."

My heart raced. "You... You want me to go back to the Soul society?!" I frowned at him, "What on Earth makes you think I would?!"

"Because." he stood, and walked to stop in front of me and look me in the eyes. His face was completely composed, though in his eyes and in the set of his shoulders there was tension. He knew how much of a big deal this was for me. "Because the Seireitei needs you. The Gotei Thirteen needs you. Times are hard, and our forces have been decimated by the breaking of our ranks. With the new Arrancar threat, Shinigami are needed more than ever. Hibanamaru, and you, would be a great asset to us-"

"Hibanamaru killed many people!" I exclaimed, cutting him off, "How could that be of any help?! I'm not strong enough to control him, how in Hell do you think I would be anything more than a hindrance on the battlefield?!"

He caught my hands from where they were knotting into the blanket of Jinta's bed, and forced me to look at him. His expression was determined. "Hibanamaru is your Zanpakuto. You are not Hibanamaru's shinigami. You can control him." He paused, then lowered his voice, "I know you can, Arashi."

I could have cried. At that very moment, I honestly could have burst into tears. I wasn't quite sure why. There were a number of reasons- the stress of having to return to the Soul Society, the happiness at my old nickname, the overall state I was in. It had been a very emotionally tiring day for me.

"I... I don't know... I just..." I stood up, and there was surprise in Toshiro's expression as I exited the room. "I need to think..."

I closed the door behind me and retreated to my room. I knew for a fact that Ururu was sweeping outside, so I wouldn't be disturbed. I slumped againt the door, and slid into a sitting position.

Returning to the Seireitei couldn't be that bad... After all, all of my old friends were there...

So why did I feel such panic?

Why did my breathing come in quick, heavy gasps, as though the air had suddenly grown thin?

I felt Hibanamaru's constant presence inside me. Yes, my Zanpakuto was my closest companion-he had been there for as long as I could remember-, but I could not rely on him to help me protect the things I cared about. I could not trust him not to explode wildly out of control during use.

Simply put... he was unreliable. Unruly. Uncontrollable.

And although I had heard the phrase 'with great power comes great responsibility' many a time... it didn't make it any easier.

I frowned, and stood, yanking my bedroom door open. I strode quickly down to the end of the hall, and pulled another door wide open. Urahara was sprawled across his bed. I paused; he's sleeping, I really shouldn't disturb him...

I frowned. No. No backing out now. If I didn't say it while the resolve was fresh, I would change my mind.

"Urahara!" I whisper-barked. He groaned, then rolled over, muttering something sleepily. Even under these circumstances, I couldn't help but wonder how he was so deeply asleep so early in the evening. Must be an old age thing.