Future Proof (Bleach, Ichimaru/Hitsugaya, #22 - Cradle)
Title: Prodigal Son
Chapter: Future Proof
Author/Artist: azardarkstar
Pairing: Ichimaru Gin/Hitsugaya Toushirou
Fandom: Bleach
Theme: #22 (Cradle)
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. That honor belongs to Tite Kubo. All characters are depicted as legal age.
Spoilers: Soul Society Arc and Beyond
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Unohana Retsu is not a stupid person. She can more than see the obvious if somewhat subtle. It is a healer’s skill. The trick of knowing what others never wish to tell. Hearing the words unspoken in long pauses or the silent whispers not said.
Ichimaru Gin is in love with Hitsugaya Toushirou.
It is written in his smile. The cast of his face. The subtle curve of his mouth. The pull of his brow. The lift of his chin.
There for all the world to see if only it dares. Perhaps if it cares. So painfully obvious.
And Retsu gets an up close and personal view at every captain’s meeting. Whenever she sees them pass in the streets. At the various gatherings in Seireitei. Every single festival and tournament.
It makes her wonder why he says nothing. Chooses not to act. But then, that is such a foolish thought. Captain though he might be, Ichimaru Gin will always be considered Rukongai trash, not even worthy of the lower districts. While Hitsugaya-taichou is the boy genius. The darling of the Gotei 13. The captain-commander’s rising star.
Ichimaru-san does not need that kind of attention. The stares and whispered words behind his back. Things in Seireitei are… strained. Have been for a long time. First, the betrayal of a hundred years ago and so many captains and lieutenants lost to a crazed scientist bent on destroying all boundaries. Then, increased punishments for the smallest of infractions. Chamber 46’s increased paranoia. And Yamamoto-soutaichou’s pretended ignorance. Now, the disappearance of Kuchiki-taichou’s sister…
Retsu can’t help but feel they are on the cusp of something. Whether terrible or great she has yet to determine. She does not even know the part she will play in all of this.
But that is the future. This is the present, and if she can give even an ounce of solace, some small measure of comfort, then it means all the difference. At the end of the day, she is still a captain and has held that position longer than Kyouraku-san and Ukitake-san both. Longer than most of the others have even been alive. And she needs to do this. For these children. For all the children who aren’t her children, though she desperately wishes it were so.
She walks to the third division a woman on a mission, though to all outward appearances she is her normal tranquil self. Retsu steps into the main office and greets Kira-fukutaichou with a warm smile, glad that Ichimaru-taichou has taken in such a lovely but lonely boy. The lieutenant is surprised by her presence, but he hides it well enough. She is led into the captain’s private office without another word. After all, one never leaves a fellow captain waiting, most especially one as senior as her, no matter what other tasks are at hand. Retsu merely nods her thanks and takes a seat at the low table kept in the corner, watching with amusement as Ichimaru-taichou shoos his second away and readies the tea himself.
They make small talk. Ichimaru-taichou can be skilled at speaking without really saying anything at all when he puts his mind to it, and Retsu recognizes the defensive mechanism for what it is. She gives him her softest smile and hopes that he sees the sincerity in it. Retsu knows she is often viewed as weak. Sometimes because she is a healer. Other times because she is a woman. Yet, it is Ichimaru Gin who breaks first.
“What brings ya ‘ere today, Retsu-chan?” His tone is light and vaguely playful. A cover then. “This ain’t just a social call.”
Ah, a direct cut to the chase. No more beating around the bush as they say. Just slashing it all to the ground.
She sets down her cup and steeples her fingers. “Hitsugaya-taichou.”
Something flashes across his face, but she still catches it. A flicker of uncertainty. Mixed with dread. As though he fears what she will say. Fears that she will hurt him. Use her knowledge to inflict pain. It is a telling sign for those who have lived among the Gotei 13 far too long, who know of the nobles’ true nature. Or perhaps he carried it here from Rukongai.
“Oh, what of ‘im?” The reply is deceptively nonchalant and perfectly Gin.
“I believe you already know, Ichimaru-taichou,” Retsu replies, stealing a sip from her cup and then pausing to inspect it. And of course, the fact that it is painted with blue dragons is entirely coincidental.
“It’s Gin,” he returns easily. “Told ya that before.”
“A deflection, Gin?” she says just to tease him. “Surely, you can do better than that.”
“I ‘ave no idea what ya mean.” He hasn’t touched his tea for some time, and she suspects that he takes the cup to keep his hands from clenching.
There is something sad in that. Infinitely heartbreaking. That he’d think even her, who has been nothing but kind to him, would choose to cause harm.
“No,” Retsu responds with a shake of her head, “I don’t think you understand what I mean at all.” She reaches forward then and grasps his hand, tightening before he can pull away. “I would speak to you now as one friend to another. Or if you prefer, as a mother to her beloved son.”
She feels his reiatsu spike for an instant before he harshly jerks it back in. The only proof that it even happened are the still rattling cups. And he says nothing. But that is fine. Retsu intends to do most of the talking.
“I am not a fool, dear child. I see much but say nothing. I have told no one of what I know and never will. I simply wish you to listen.” Retsu pauses to let that sink in, grip firm but gentle.
The shadows kiss his face, making it unreadable. But she knows that he has heard her and listens still.
“I know what you feel. I can see it every time you look at him.” She holds up her free hand. “Don’t deny it, dear heart. I already know. As do you. Denial will do you no good.”
He stares at her for so long that she thinks time must have surely stopped. Just studies her face, the light in her eyes. The taste of her reiatsu. Measuring her very soul. Until finally she sees him look away, and she knows that she has won.
The man sighs. “I just… He’s so much younger tha’ me. It could never work.”
“And you both are as children to me.” She squeezes his hand. “I believe that you should - as they say - go for it.”
Retsu can’t help the chuckle that escapes at his dumbfounded expression, and she uses her free hand to close his mouth with a gentle snap. This certainly isn’t her first glimpse of his eyes, but it is the longest. Those blue, blue irises just gape at her.
“Love, my boy, is always worth it. You should not let such an opportunity go to waste. It is said that fortune favors the bold, after all.” Her eyes sparkle up at him.
He makes a strangled sound.
“Just trust me, dear heart. I will not lead you astray.” Her amusement is strong enough to fill the entire room.
“I…” He looks away. “I’ll think ‘bout it.”
“That is all I ask.” She gives his hand one final pat and rises to her feet. “A good day to you, Ichimaru-taichou. Gin,” Retsu corrects. “And thank you for the tea.”
With that, she walks out of the office and then the division itself. A serene smile on her lips and a twinkle in her eyes.
And Ichimaru Gin is left with a great deal to think about.
Chapter: Future Proof
Author/Artist: azardarkstar
Pairing: Ichimaru Gin/Hitsugaya Toushirou
Fandom: Bleach
Theme: #22 (Cradle)
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. That honor belongs to Tite Kubo. All characters are depicted as legal age.
Spoilers: Soul Society Arc and Beyond
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Unohana Retsu is not a stupid person. She can more than see the obvious if somewhat subtle. It is a healer’s skill. The trick of knowing what others never wish to tell. Hearing the words unspoken in long pauses or the silent whispers not said.
Ichimaru Gin is in love with Hitsugaya Toushirou.
It is written in his smile. The cast of his face. The subtle curve of his mouth. The pull of his brow. The lift of his chin.
There for all the world to see if only it dares. Perhaps if it cares. So painfully obvious.
And Retsu gets an up close and personal view at every captain’s meeting. Whenever she sees them pass in the streets. At the various gatherings in Seireitei. Every single festival and tournament.
It makes her wonder why he says nothing. Chooses not to act. But then, that is such a foolish thought. Captain though he might be, Ichimaru Gin will always be considered Rukongai trash, not even worthy of the lower districts. While Hitsugaya-taichou is the boy genius. The darling of the Gotei 13. The captain-commander’s rising star.
Ichimaru-san does not need that kind of attention. The stares and whispered words behind his back. Things in Seireitei are… strained. Have been for a long time. First, the betrayal of a hundred years ago and so many captains and lieutenants lost to a crazed scientist bent on destroying all boundaries. Then, increased punishments for the smallest of infractions. Chamber 46’s increased paranoia. And Yamamoto-soutaichou’s pretended ignorance. Now, the disappearance of Kuchiki-taichou’s sister…
Retsu can’t help but feel they are on the cusp of something. Whether terrible or great she has yet to determine. She does not even know the part she will play in all of this.
But that is the future. This is the present, and if she can give even an ounce of solace, some small measure of comfort, then it means all the difference. At the end of the day, she is still a captain and has held that position longer than Kyouraku-san and Ukitake-san both. Longer than most of the others have even been alive. And she needs to do this. For these children. For all the children who aren’t her children, though she desperately wishes it were so.
She walks to the third division a woman on a mission, though to all outward appearances she is her normal tranquil self. Retsu steps into the main office and greets Kira-fukutaichou with a warm smile, glad that Ichimaru-taichou has taken in such a lovely but lonely boy. The lieutenant is surprised by her presence, but he hides it well enough. She is led into the captain’s private office without another word. After all, one never leaves a fellow captain waiting, most especially one as senior as her, no matter what other tasks are at hand. Retsu merely nods her thanks and takes a seat at the low table kept in the corner, watching with amusement as Ichimaru-taichou shoos his second away and readies the tea himself.
They make small talk. Ichimaru-taichou can be skilled at speaking without really saying anything at all when he puts his mind to it, and Retsu recognizes the defensive mechanism for what it is. She gives him her softest smile and hopes that he sees the sincerity in it. Retsu knows she is often viewed as weak. Sometimes because she is a healer. Other times because she is a woman. Yet, it is Ichimaru Gin who breaks first.
“What brings ya ‘ere today, Retsu-chan?” His tone is light and vaguely playful. A cover then. “This ain’t just a social call.”
Ah, a direct cut to the chase. No more beating around the bush as they say. Just slashing it all to the ground.
She sets down her cup and steeples her fingers. “Hitsugaya-taichou.”
Something flashes across his face, but she still catches it. A flicker of uncertainty. Mixed with dread. As though he fears what she will say. Fears that she will hurt him. Use her knowledge to inflict pain. It is a telling sign for those who have lived among the Gotei 13 far too long, who know of the nobles’ true nature. Or perhaps he carried it here from Rukongai.
“Oh, what of ‘im?” The reply is deceptively nonchalant and perfectly Gin.
“I believe you already know, Ichimaru-taichou,” Retsu replies, stealing a sip from her cup and then pausing to inspect it. And of course, the fact that it is painted with blue dragons is entirely coincidental.
“It’s Gin,” he returns easily. “Told ya that before.”
“A deflection, Gin?” she says just to tease him. “Surely, you can do better than that.”
“I ‘ave no idea what ya mean.” He hasn’t touched his tea for some time, and she suspects that he takes the cup to keep his hands from clenching.
There is something sad in that. Infinitely heartbreaking. That he’d think even her, who has been nothing but kind to him, would choose to cause harm.
“No,” Retsu responds with a shake of her head, “I don’t think you understand what I mean at all.” She reaches forward then and grasps his hand, tightening before he can pull away. “I would speak to you now as one friend to another. Or if you prefer, as a mother to her beloved son.”
She feels his reiatsu spike for an instant before he harshly jerks it back in. The only proof that it even happened are the still rattling cups. And he says nothing. But that is fine. Retsu intends to do most of the talking.
“I am not a fool, dear child. I see much but say nothing. I have told no one of what I know and never will. I simply wish you to listen.” Retsu pauses to let that sink in, grip firm but gentle.
The shadows kiss his face, making it unreadable. But she knows that he has heard her and listens still.
“I know what you feel. I can see it every time you look at him.” She holds up her free hand. “Don’t deny it, dear heart. I already know. As do you. Denial will do you no good.”
He stares at her for so long that she thinks time must have surely stopped. Just studies her face, the light in her eyes. The taste of her reiatsu. Measuring her very soul. Until finally she sees him look away, and she knows that she has won.
The man sighs. “I just… He’s so much younger tha’ me. It could never work.”
“And you both are as children to me.” She squeezes his hand. “I believe that you should - as they say - go for it.”
Retsu can’t help the chuckle that escapes at his dumbfounded expression, and she uses her free hand to close his mouth with a gentle snap. This certainly isn’t her first glimpse of his eyes, but it is the longest. Those blue, blue irises just gape at her.
“Love, my boy, is always worth it. You should not let such an opportunity go to waste. It is said that fortune favors the bold, after all.” Her eyes sparkle up at him.
He makes a strangled sound.
“Just trust me, dear heart. I will not lead you astray.” Her amusement is strong enough to fill the entire room.
“I…” He looks away. “I’ll think ‘bout it.”
“That is all I ask.” She gives his hand one final pat and rises to her feet. “A good day to you, Ichimaru-taichou. Gin,” Retsu corrects. “And thank you for the tea.”
With that, she walks out of the office and then the division itself. A serene smile on her lips and a twinkle in her eyes.
And Ichimaru Gin is left with a great deal to think about.