Of Birthdays and Siblings

Icy Anger

Toshiro found himself woken up every so often during the night for his uncle to check up on him. Finally, the man woke him up and told him it was time to get up as they would be setting out to do whatever they were going to do. The small boy sat up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes while his uncle went into the closet and began to pull out items.

The man then dropped the clothing onto the table. Two bright teal eyes blinked a couple of times as he looked at the clothing that was obviously meant for the outside during winter. "We're going outside."

"Yes." The man sat down and picked up the book again while Toshiro got dressed, a frown spreading on his face as he didn't like how the clothing fit. When he finished the man stood up and tightened the hood around Toshiro's head.

"I'm not a little kid."

The man blinked a couple of times before shaking his head. "Your still young enough that adults should still be looking out for your well fare. The fact you didn't realize how serious your injuries are makes it even more important that your taken care of. Just because you have a high pain tolerance doesn't make you an adult."

"I never said I had a high pain tolerance. I've just learned to ignore it." Toshiro's comment caused the man to let out a sigh. He then followed behind the man and came to the throne room. A group was meeting there and a female came over.

The female had short blond hair that had black streaks on one side. Her nails had fingernail polish that had diagonal white and black patterns on it. She wore a collar around her neck and wore dark mascara around her eyes. "Your highness, the bags are ready."

"That's good Gabrielli."

The female then noticed that Toshiro was standing there and the smile that was on her face suddenly left and she found herself staring at him despite the fact his facial features were hidden by his hood. "One of the young ones is coming with us?"

Toshiro's uncle didn't respond and simply headed towards what amounted to the front of the castle while the various members picked up their bundles and followed him. "Stay close to me Toshiro."

The boy hurried along and found his feet sinking into the snow outside of the place. "Despite the fact I dislike wearing the boots compared to sandals and tabi socks my feet are a lot warmer this way."

They had gotten away from the castle and Toshiro found himself glancing back. The structure was huge and snow was everywhere. The female that his uncle had referred to as Gabrielli spoke up. "So, how far along are you in your Quincy training?" Toshiro turned to look at her but didn't answer her question. "My least favorite subject was learning about Shinigami. I've never liked the bastards for what they've done to us. They're uncivilized, and..."

The white haired child found himself stopping in his footsteps and staring at her. "She really dislikes shinigami."

The female paused and turned to look at him. "What ever is the matter?" Her smile then left for the second time and her voice strained. "You wouldn't happen to be a Shinigami. I heard a rumor that his highness brought one back to Vandenriech, but that can't be true."

"I am a Shinigami." Toshiro watched as the entire group suddenly paused in their steps and turned to stare at them. He suddenly found himself staring at the ground as eyes became focused on him.

"He's a child born of darkness." His uncle spoke up, the situation not fazing him.

The mood suddenly changed as soon as the words "child born of darkness" were spoken. The look on the female's expression changed. "Well... that's different."

"I suggest though that you don't speak about your bias against shinigami in front of him again. He may be a child born of darkness, but he was raised in Soul Society." His uncles words were stern and Toshiro found himself fidgeting.

"But didn't the Shinigami persecute him just like they have anyone of Quincy blood? Wouldn't they persecute him more so then us? So he should understand where..."

"They didn't." Toshiro glanced at the ground.

"You've got to be joking, I mean..."

"Gabrielli..." His uncle snapped out the words.

"Except who is this child. His tone says he isn't joking your highness." One of the other Quincy spoke up. The small boy found himself fidgeting even more.

"I'm not running from the Gotei Thirteen, I'm running from forty-six."

"Unless of course they didn't know he was of Quincy bloodline, but then he wouldn't know anymore then they did."

"So... he's been taught to hate us and hunt us? Is bringing him here a good idea even though he is a child of darkness?"

Toshiro paused. "Why would they teach us to hate the Quincy when they haven't taught about them since before I entered the academy, and that was forty to fifty years ago. Those of us who know about Quincy only know about the one that came with the Substitute Soul Reaper along with the Fullbringer, Lady Yourichi and that girl with the negation ability."

He glanced up and watched the looks on the adults faces, knowing full well they were becoming confused. He glanced at his uncle who gave him a look that said he wasn't at all amused with the situation that was occurring.

The Gabrielli female shook her head. "You look to be the age of Lady Bambietta and my younger brother. Even if a child is started early in their Quincy training they aren't allowed to be a solider until they are a couple years older then you are physically. Lady Bambietta is an exception due to the fact she is related to his majesty and his highness. And you expect us not to call them monsters."

"Don't speak about my situation as if you know what my life has been like." Toshiro coul feel his reiatsu flaring out.

"Calm down." Toshiro's eyes went wide as his uncle spoke up. He then glanced at the ground. His uncle had something else to say. "As I said, keep what you have to say about the Shinigami to yourselves. There is a lot he still has to learn."