My Thoughts You Can't Decode

4. Heart to Heart

Hitsugaya sat on a bench in a vacant park right outside the school, wondering what to do next. He accomplished everything he set out to do today in the human world: Ichigo and his friends were excused for their missed time and the town was secure.

He knew Soul Society would want to keep a team down there, but he was not sure if he would remain its leader.

As if on cue, his communicator beeped. He flipped it open and answered, "Hitsugaya." He listened and then nodded a couple times. "Right. I understand. Have a gate ready in two minutes." He hung up and then punched a few buttons. He pressed the phone back to his ear and waited patiently. "Abarai?" he said after a few moments.

"Yo, captain."

"I've been called back to Soul Society. I don't know what they're planning, but until we receive further orders you're in charge. Understood?"

There was a pause and then, "Yes, sir. Leave it to me."

"Good." Hitsugaya shut his phone and leaned back on the bench. I have no idea what's going on. I don't know what the status is on the commander-general or the injured or anything. He shook his head. What a mess things are.

A leadership breakdown was to be expected, with Yamamoto still comatose. Unohana and Kyouraku were in charge, for now, but Hitsugaya feared problems would arise.

Conflicts, how far to stretch their authority, post-war clean up… the list was endless. A small, selfish part of him hoped he would be staying in the human world.

At least I'd stay relatively sane here. Hitsugaya thought.

At the same time, he still wanted to return to Soul Society. Two vice-captains he held dear were still hospitalized. One aggravated him on a daily basis, and the other was distant as of late because of emotional and psychological issues. That didn't change how he felt about them, though. They were two of only a handful of people he sincerely cared about, and he wanted to be nearby while they recovered.

I don't know what to do. He rested his head in his hands, his mind wandering off in a thousand different directions. I guess what comes, comes.

A moment later, a senkaimon gate opened up next to him. He glanced around, and when he was sure no one was looking or even in the vicinity, began to walk towards it.

All I can hope for now is that I do the right thing when the time comes: for Soul Society, for my squad, for Matsumoto and my friends, and… for me. The war's aftermath will change a lot of things.

He walked through the gate, and glanced behind him before the doors shut. Let us hope that those changes will be for the better.

_________

Rukia wasn't sure if she would be welcomed. She had, after all, left rather abruptly with no explanation. Standing nervously in front of the Kurosaki Clinic, she searched for Ichigo's reiatsu. It was coming in her direction but it was still a little ways off. Swallowing, she gathered her courage and knocked on the door.

Yuzu opened the door and began to say, "Hello" until she saw who it was. She quieted and her eyes widened. "Oh, Rukia-chan!" She turned around. "Daddy! Look who's here!" she called to her father.

Isshin appeared in the doorway in seconds and beamed. "Rukia-chan! We were so worried! Come in, come in!" With a tug on her hand, he pulled her in before she could get a word in edge-wise.

"M-my apologies, uncle. Something came up and I-"

Isshin waved his hand. "No need to explain! Yuzu, my dear! Fix up something for our dear Rukia-chan! She must be famished!"