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Past Melodies	By : shadoesong Category: Bleach > General Views: 1027 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and its characters, nor do I profit from this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 3

The first thing that the woman became aware of was the pain. Her joints ached and burned. Her eyes opened to find a dark room. The dark woman dug through her memories, but it was no use, she couldn't remember where she was or how she got here.

"You're awake," a voice whispered. "How are you feeling?"

"Pain and burning," she managed to say. Aika gave up trying to turn her head to identify the speaker.

"I'll get Captain Unohana."

The small woman heard some shuffling then footsteps leaving. Her eyes fluttered closed. Aika stirred when the 4th Captain took her hand. The dark skinned woman sighed in relief when she felt her reiatsu level rising. Jinsoku Koshi immediately used it to ease her pain. Aika realized her zanpakuto was lying beside her.

Now more alert, she raised her head to take in her surroundings. The kindly Captain helped prop her up with some pillows. Aika stared in horror at the bandages on her arms. Fumbling with her hospital robe, she realized her chest and stomach was swathed in bandages, as well. Her hands went to her stomach, a look of terror on her face.

"The baby?!" Her eyes shot to Captain Unohana.

"Do not worry, Captain Kawasuzu. Esaki-san informed me of your condition. The child came to no harm," she assured the woman, gathering Aika in her arms when the woman broke into tears of relief.

"Baby? What are you talking about?" Aika's watery gaze met Toshiro's shocked one over Unohana's shoulder. He was standing at the end of her bed with a glass of water in his hands. He'd gone pale, as well, and his hand was shaking a little. And perhaps there was a hint of regret in his gaze, as well.

"Could you excuse us, Captain Unohana?" the small woman asked before the kindly Captain could admonish him for not staying outside the room.

"Of course. I'll check on you later," she murmured, closing the door behind her as she left.

Byakuya had left Rin's room long enough to get some breakfast, and bring it back. He met a nurse on the way in, who informed him that the woman had awakened. He nodded his thanks and slipped inside the room. Sure enough, Rin was sitting up against her pillows with her damaged arm in a sling and Gilepsi curled on her lap, purring as the woman stroked her. She glanced at him tiredly when he entered.

"I hope to hell that's mine," she murmured. "I am so hungry right now..."

"It is now," he replied, setting the tray on her lap when she shoved a protesting cat off of it.

He sat down in the chair that he had occupied for most of the night. Across from him was Daisuke, who was asleep. His head was on the bed, buried in his arms. As Rin started poking at her meal, the noble spoke. His voice was quiet so he didn't wake up the dark skinned man.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Like shit," she growled. "Everything hurts, not just the wounds he gave me. Fucking Dokuga... I hope Daisuke learns how to change his poison back..." She glanced down at her left hand, studying the scars on it. "At least these injuries won't scar because I'm getting proper care, though." She didn't flinch when Byakuya grasped her hand, running his thumb along the raised, white, claw-like scars on her hand and wrist.

"Esaki caused these?" She nodded.

"The first time he released Bankai. We didn't know his abilities, so I was caught completely off-guard. I barely escaped. We haven't had an incident where he's attacked me since, but it wasn't the last time he lost control. I'm usually able to Kido him up before he does any damage. This is the first time in decades that something like this has happened." She retook her hand and used it to rub her eyes.

"Fuck... I should have put up a stronger barrier..." she growled. "Or at least one that blocked out our reiatsu, too. I feel like I could've prevented this."

"It is not your fault, Rin," he assured her, knowing full well that his words meant little. "Both you and Kawasuzu will recover. If Central 46 learns of this, however, Esaki may be locked up." The relief on her face when she heard that Aika would be fine melted away.

"With luck, they won't find out," Rin muttered, glaring at her food. She then looked at the noble. "And if they do, I won't let them lock him up. They can't do that to him. Not when he's so close to controlling it, Byakuya. The one thing he wants is to make sure he never hurts any of us like that again."

"You can guarantee this?" he questioned.

"I can. Every time we train, he gets better. He used to go berserk after killing only the little hollows. This attack probably just renewed his determination to control it, too. I also have an idea about where we can train so no one gets hurt. Next time they call me to Karakura Town, he can come with and we'll train under Kisuke's shop whenever I'm not working," she told him.

"I don't want you getting hurt again," the noble said in a hard tone. The woman bristled.

"Just who the fuck do you think I am?" she growled indignantly. "I've done this dozens of fucking times without getting hurt because I can seal my reiatsu as long as I have Gilepsi, who I'm bringing to the World of the Living when we go. The only reason shit happened this time is because I got down and stopped Dokuga from tearing Aika apart." She tried to force herself to keep her voice low, but she was a naturally loud person and that made it hard.

Training with Esaki-san is not a good idea, Futago spoke up in agreement with Byakuya.

"Shut up, I wasn't talking to you, Futago!" Rin snapped out loud.

"Very well," Byakuya sighed.

"Don't act like you're giving me permission, cus you're not," the woman grouched. The noble smiled a little before standing.

"I already know that there is little I can do to stop you. Eat. I will return soon," he told her as he began walking towards the door.

"Bring better food!" she yelled after him. The angry woman looked down at her plate in disgust. "Fucking hospital food."

"Maybe it's best if I train alone."

The woman jumped when Daisuke spoke. She hadn't realized that he was awake. She turned to see him with his arms still resting on the bed. He had raised his head now. His gaze was downcast and his hands clenched into fists.

"Just how long have you been awake?" she snapped. He shrugged.

"You're loud even when you try to be quiet," he said. "You woke me up not long after Byakuya-sama came back."

"Whatever," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "To hell with training by yourself, Daisuke. You need someone like me because I can seal my reiatsu. Just in case."

"I'm done hurting my friends because of this, Rin!" he protested. "Please, no more training! I don't need Bankai, I don't need to be a Captain!" he pled.

"It was a fucking accident!" she snarled. "Stop beating yourself up over it! You will fucking control your Bankai, you will fucking be a Captain, even if it fucking kills me!" She knew immediately that it wasn't her best choice of words.

"And what if I..." He was unable to finish his sentence.

"Look, Daisuke... We'll train in Kisuke's underground training thingy. That way, I'll be the only one there. Kisuke will be able to keep anyone else away. And he, Yoruichi, and Tessai would be able to Kido you just as easily as I can if something does happen, though it won't. It's the best place to train.

"And I'm going back to the Living World tomorrow, so we'll be able to start right away. Well... If... If the charges about you attacking a Captain are dropped, that is..." She sighed heavily. "I wonder if Aika will be able to say anything about it. Convince them that it was an accident."

"Would you be fit to return tomorrow, if we're able to?" he said in concern. She scoffed.

"Of course! I'll just get Unohana to heal me more before I go," she said.

"Rin..."

"I'll be fine," she insisted. He shook his head.

"No, let's delay it until you're full strength," he said. "I...I'm not ready to start Bankai training again..."

Seeing the fear and concern in his features, Rin gave in, "Only until I'm better, though. You're still coming with me, I need to do some training myself..." she muttered.

"Okay. Don't push yourself too hard." The man saw that she was about ready to fall asleep sitting up. He stood and took the tray, making her glare at him.

"You need to get some more sleep," he told her. "I'm going to go find Byakuya-sama, ask him if he'll let me visit Aika. I'm under his custody at the moment," he added when she gave him a questioning look.

"Well he isn't doing a very good job of keeping you under watch," she said dryly. He shrugged.

"It sounds like he doesn't blame me for what happened," the dark man replied. "I'll be back later."

He set the tray on the counter and left the room. He stood outside Aika's room, leaning against the wall, while he waited for the noble to return. The dark man could hear voices coming from the room. The small woman was awake.

"Why am I in the 4th? What happened?" He heard her ask.

"Esaki attacked you," came the answer from Captain Hitsugaya. The small Captain had stayed, after all.

"Nonsense," the small woman scoffed in disbelief. "Daisuke would never hurt me."

She's never going to trust me, again, the tall man thought in despair. His hands balled into fists and his eye was clenched shut, fighting back the tears.

"He's under Kuchiki's custody for attacking a Captain," the white haired Captain continued, ignoring her disbelief.

"What?! No! I refuse to press charges!" Aika declared. Toshiro sighed in resignation, while Daisuke sighed in relief, both knowing that the small woman did not blame her friend, either.

"I figured as much." The white haired man paused. His next words came out barely audible. "He knows. That's why he needed to speak to Unohana."

"I told him not to say anything. I wanted to speak to...you, first," Aika spoke nervously.

"Why? Isn't he the...?"

Daisuke shook his head. For a genius, the Captain was slow on the uptake. No wonder his friend was apprehensive when she confessed to him.

That's why she wanted to speak with me, Toshiro thought in the meantime. Finally the short man understood.

Aika watched as understanding lit his features. He looked at her stomach then back up to her face. At a loss for words, the Captain abruptly sat on the edge of the bed with his mouth open and eyes wide.

"You mean... I'm..." He struggled to form a coherent sentence.

"Yes, you are the father. I haven't forgotten what you said, but you have a right to know. If you wish it, I'll be discreet. No one needs to know who the father is. The child will be the Kawasuzu heir, after all..."

"Stop, stop. Wait. Why would you think that?" He stared at her with wide eyes.

"What else am I supposed to think when you tell me to 'move on'? You avoid me, you won't even look at me." Against her will, all the hurt she had felt because of his rejection came out in those words.

It had been a long time since Daisuke had heard her sound so broken. He longed to gather her in his arms and hold her close. He realized with a pain that he may never be able to speak with her again, much less touch her if he were charged and locked up.

"I did that for your own good. You didn't need-"

"I am a grown woman, capable of making my own decisions! I am no child." Aika interrupted, her eyes flashing in anger. She shook her head, her features softening. "I know what it's like to hold loved ones in your arms as they died. I could be there for you if you only let me in."

The small woman pulled him into a hug. Still in shock, Toshiro gave no resistance. Holding her in his arms felt right. It hit him that he almost missed out on ever having her in his arms. There was one other he needed to speak to once he realized this. He vowed to visit Hinamori as soon as he was given permission.

"I thought I'd lost you," he murmured into her hair, pulling her closer. The white haired Captain was finally letting his feelings out rather than suppressing them. "It scared the life out of me."

Outside the room, they heard the Squad 3 Lieutenant greet Daisuke. Toshiro reluctantly pulled back, letting her go.

"Hello, Esaki-san. Do you know if visitors are allowed?" the blond haired man asked in concern.

"I think so, but Captain Hitsugaya's in there right now," the tall man replied quietly.

"You can come in, Kira!" Aika said from within the room. "And you, too, Daisuke."

Both men entered the room. While Daisuke hung back near the door, eyes downcast, Izuru joined his Captain at the edge of her bed. Toshiro was now standing by the window.

"Captain, are you all right?" the Lieutenant asked. "What happened?"

"No need to worry, Kira," Aika reassured him. "It was a training accident." By the way he was looking at her wounds, she knew that he was dubious. He looked over when he heard the white haired Captain snort. Fortunately, Aika could always count on the man to never pry.

"Um... Of course, Captain. Is there anything I can get you?" The small woman's eyes lit up at that question.

"Yes!" she exclaimed. "Real food!"

"Your favourite place?" When the small woman nodded, he continued, "I'll be back soon."

As soon as the man had left, Daisuke blurted out, "I'm so sorry, Aika!" The dark man was close to tears.

"You're forgiven. Now come here," she murmured, beckoning him over.

He didn't need to be told twice. He was across the room in a second. He wrapped his arms around the woman and pulled her close, mindful of her injuries. She half expected him to start sobbing into her shoulder, but all he did was hold her. Toshiro, on the other hand, was scowling at them the whole time. He pulled away, holding her at arm's length by the shoulders to look into her eyes.

"You're sure you're okay? The baby's fine? You're really sure, right?" In his concern, he had forgotten that Toshiro wasn't supposed to know about the child. The short Captain didn't miss it, either.

"How long were you outside the room, Esaki?" Toshiro demanded, his arms were crossed over his chest. Daisuke turned to face the small Captain nervously.

"I would like to be the first person to congratulate you, sir," Daisuke answered, hoping to deflect the other man's anger. "You must be very excited."

"I..." The short man paused. Once he thought about it he realized that he was. For the first time since he met him, Daisuke saw the serious Captain smile. Toshiro looked at Aika when he answered the dark skinned man. "Yes, I am.

"What do we do now?" Toshiro's smile disappeared, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. He had no idea what needed to be done next. Aika smiled.

"I need to speak with the Head-Captain. Captain Unohana will want to schedule an appointment with me." Aika paused, sighing in resignation. "To probably do tests, tests, and more tests."

"Is that necessary?" the white haired man asked.

The small woman looked very unhappy. That unhappiness was tinged with a deep sorrow and a bit of fear. Daisuke wrapped an arm around her to comfort her. He knew what she was talking about. Watching the interaction between the two, the small Captain couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

"I was born with a chronic illness. It would have killed me if Jinsoku Koshi didn't manifest to me at an early age," she explained to him. "I passed it to my mother while she was pregnant with me. It's the reason she died. Her immune system couldn't handle...me. They'll want to do the tests to make sure I... To make sure the baby hasn't inherited it from me."

"Oi, Aika!" They were interrupted when Rin entered the room, leaning heavily on Byakuya. "Damn, you look like hell."

"You don't look much better," the small woman shot back. Rin shrugged.

"Still better than you. Good to see you're awake. Though, next time I tell you to get away from something, don't look at me like I'm speaking Greek," she growled.

She sat down in one of the free chairs with an exhausted sigh. Izuru walked in with the food Aika had sent him for a half second later. It successfully halted anymore retorts from the small woman. Rin did a double take at the amount of food the Lieutenant was holding.

"Great! You brought enough for me!" she exclaimed with a grin.

"Hell, no! It's all mine!" Aika snarled possessively. "Get your own!"

"Shut up! You can fucking share! I saved your ass, you know!" Rin retorted.

"You can have what's left over," the short woman grumbled, trying to wrap her arms around the food. She eyed Rin suspiciously when the woman made a move to grab a bag.

"I'm not waiting for your scraps! Oi, Kira!" The blonde man jumped, wary of what the angry woman had planned for him. "Go fetch me some food!"

"Rin, my Lieutenant isn't your fetch and call boy!"

Aika stopped, realizing what she just said. She shared a look with Daisuke, and the two of them burst out laughing. Izuru sighed, raising his gaze to the ceiling. Toshiro was shaking his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"If I want him to be my call boy, he damn well will be my call boy!" Rin screeched.

That sent Daisuke and Aika into hysterics when they caught Kira's red embarrassed face. The look of horror on Rin's face when she realized what she said was priceless. Even the noble Captain smirked.

"I hate you all," the red faced woman mumbled.
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Past Melodies