Christmas Nightmare (Bleach Fanfic)

Ukitake Claus

Back in Soul Society, the snow fell from the sky as Ukitake Taicho headed out from his division. He glanced up at the sky, a weak smile spreading on his face. He then glanced around, to check to see that no one was there to follow him. While his two third division members would have been ecstatic about helping him, he doubted that they could keep this kind of secret.

His feet crunched on the snow, as he headed out, towards the place that Hitsugaya Taicho grew up. His footsteps were light, but his heart felt heavy. The small taicho was not someone who easily cried, or pushed his woes onto other. In fact, if the child hadn't been so distraught when he had gotten the message he sent, he doubt he would have even found out.

The thirteenth division taicho though, found himself startled, as a voice came to him. "Ukitake Taicho? Should you be out in this weather?"

"Ahh!" He turned, recognizing the voice. "Ise Fukutaicho... how are you doing today?"

"I had to console Matsumoto Rangiku, but otherwise I am all right," the woman sighed.

"Let me guess. It has to deal with the fact that a certain, very small taicho, went and told her, he hates her," Ukitake stated calmly, though there was a touch of nervousness that escaped in his tone.

Nanao suddenly found her eyes going wide. "You know about that?"

"About the fact that he did. Yes, he told me himself," Ukitake stated, glancing up at the sky, and opening his mouth to childishly catch a snowflake.

"Well, I hope that you aren't taking his side on this," the female suddenly huffed. "She has a reason for not telling him."

"Telling him what?" Ukitake's ears suddenly perked, only to have Nanao glare at him.

"Gomen... it isn't any of your business," the woman stated. She then changed the subject. "Ukitake Taicho, should you really be out here? What are you doing?"

"I have an errand to run," the man smiled.

"If you need Christmas shopping done, I can do that for you. Just don't tell me what you're getting for you know who, actually, quite a few you know who. I don't want to know. There are quite a few men that I am miffed at right now, including my taicho, as usual. And one of them really isn't a man. He's a little boy," the female stated.

"I might take you up on that offer, but the errand I am running, is for someone else," Ukitake sighed. He tried walking away, only to have the small female fukutaicho hurry after him.

"Well, then I should go with you, or do it for you. You don't need to be out in this weather, with your illness. My taicho, and Unohana would agree with me, and you know it. What is the errand?" the female stated.

"It's an errand for Hitsugaya Taicho actually," the man stepped forward, continuing his way.

Nanao paused still, then hurried to catch up, going to walk backwards in front of him. "But... you yourself know about what he did to Matsumoto Rangiku?"

"I do know very well what happened." Sadness suddenly reflected in the white haired taicho's eyes.

"Then why are you helping him?" Ise continued badgering him.

"Because, if I can confirm what he told me as untrue, he can easily apologize to Matsumoto. I hope, dear Ise, that is good enough of a reason for you," the man stated, walking further along.

However, the woman was not to be thrown off guard. "What about if they are true?"

Ukitake paused, his usual smile leaving his face. "Then things are just going to get much worse between them."