Christmas Nightmare (Bleach Fanfic)

Twitching Nightmare

When Ichigo stuck his head out of the door asking what was going on, he couldn't help but notice the look on the small taicho's face. The boy glanced over at the substitute shinigami, his teal eyes taken a bit off guard for some reason. The orange haired teen watched the two for a few minutes and then spoke up. "What ever it is, you don't need to answer."

Hitsugaya simply stared at him, his expression not changing at first. He then shook his head at the physically older boy. "It is nothing to worry about really. Actually, it is something hard to explain. I'll say it is a family issue, something I need to work through." He then paused for a few seconds. "I found out that Ise Nanao is my godmother."

At that, Ichigo found himself staring at the small taicho, his brown eyes taking in the look on the child's face, which remained particularly emotionless, but had that rare glint of happiness that would manage to show through. "So… how is it possible that she can be your godmother? I mean, this isn't something that Gin knows about, is it?"

"Oh, he knows." Ise's tone turned dark suddenly. "I was very upfront with him that I won't put up with nonsense from either him or Rangiku when it comes to what is best for Hitsugaya Taicho."

"I see." The substitute shinigami then scratched his head. "No… I don't see. How can you be Toshiro's godmother when Rangiku doesn't know that he's her son and I have my honest doubts that Ichimaru would have asked you. This makes little sense at all."

"It is complicated, Kurosaki." Toshiro's mouth suddenly twisted up in mirth. "Technically, Ise Nanao isn't my godmother, but she is because of something Mat… my mother said to her some time ago. Does it really have to make any sense?"

"If you don't mind it not making sense, then I guess it doesn't." Ichigo piped up. He glanced at the outside door, frowning as he did so. "I think what matters most in this situation is what you think and feel about the whole thing. Nothing more, nothing less."

At that, the small taicho paused for a few seconds, glancing at the ground as he did so. He then spoke up, his words coming out slowly. "All I have ever really wanted in life was a place to belong. I wanted to know that people wanted me. I honestly don't feel as if I have that coming from Ichimaru and Matsumoto. However, I think that there are a few other people who have shown they care."

The orange haired teen shook his head. "I can honestly tell you though, Toshiro… it isn't going to feel the same as knowing that they accept and care about you."

Suddenly, the two males found their heads darting up at a loud sound while Ise glanced up rather calmly. Rukia came hurtling around the corner, Jinta on her tail trying to talk to her, only to pause and turn heal when he noticed a very livid look from the child captain of the Gotei Thirteen. The small female shinigami held out the bag to Toshiro. "The items you wished to buy."

"How much to I owe you, Kuchiki-san?" Hitsugaya asked, taking the bag from her and glancing into the bag.

"Nothing. I told you before that I owed you one." The small female shook her head.

"Wait… I thought that purchasing these for me while I came to talk to Ukitake Taicho and Ise-san was enough." Two teal eyes blinked in confusion.

"I said some things I shouldn't about a superior in front of another superior that constitute an embarrassing situation. I do owe you this, Hitsugaya Taicho." Her violet eyes watched as his head tilted down.

Ichigo piped up suddenly. "Plus, we consider you a friend Toshiro."

"You are only making things worse." The white haired youth sighed. "Doesn't he get the fact that if we're simply friends that purchasing them for me would have been enough?"