AN: Ahm. Not much to say but enjoy (:

Lying Frozen

...in a field of ice.

Her body shivered, and her breath bounced inside of her lungs sharply. The icy cold ate at her skin with small pinches, until she eventually became numb. Staggering across the frozen field, the not-so-warm-anymore blood froze on her wound, at least preventing her from bleeding to death.

The loss of feeling and dead nerves made it difficult to balance, but she kept trudging through the steep snow. When the hell did it ever get this cold in the Soul Society? After her self-reliant battle against three hollows, she had managed to defeat them all, but at the cost of a few wounds, one including a large gash in her side.

In the heat of the battle, the winter winds hadn't affected her. And one would think that with a zanpakuto's element like hers, she'd be able to withstand it a little better than others. She had and still was. At least she was walking, whereas most would've dropped to the ground in shock with a few frost-bitten fingers and toes. But not to worry, this outcome would eventually find her as well. It was only a matter of time before she could no longer move anything--she had already became paralyzed in her arms--and would collapse into the white blanket.

Her teeth chattered, and her dry tongue swept across them, noticing how much colder they were than anything else. She attempted to lick her severely chapped lips, but ended up having to fight to get her tongue to unattach from her lip. "Hnn..." A shiver ran down her spine in ripples, and she couldn't even use her hands to rub her arms for friction.

It wasn't long before her lips were so blue and her skin was so pale that someone--if someone was actually there--would mistake her for a mannequin doll. She had been sent on this mission, alongside Kiyone. After hearing the girl's cries about how much work their captain had given her, Rukia said she could handle a measly hollow on her own. Kiyone raised a doubtful eyebrow at the petite shinigami.

"No, you can't go on a mission alone, Rukia-chan!" she had shouted in an 'are you crazy!?' type of voice.

"I'll be fine, really. If you don't think I can take down one little hollow by myself, however would I recover from my hurt pride?" Rukia had joked.

"Well..." There was just so much work...Rukia could handle a hollow. She had done it in the human world. "Fine, but come straight back!"

It hadn't been nearly as cold in the Sereitei, and there also had only been note of one hollow. Not three.

So now, she was slowly making her way back, Shirayuki singing a noiseless--if that were even possible--and sorrowful song. Her breath finally hitched in her all-too-dry throat, and her feet stopped moving, against her will. "N...no..." she pleaded in a raspy voice. It seemed to take forever when her legs started bending, and she fell into the powdery white slush.

Her eyes closed, and she was glad that at least she wouldn't feel her death. But, at the same time, how pathetic would she be if she died from the cold? A shinigami noblewoman--A Kuchiki for Christ's sake!--weakened by the weather of all things. This was ridiculous, and she wished she could somehow preserve a 'sorry' letter to her Nii-sama for being such a fool.

Hitsugaya sat at his desk, stacking his papers up neatly as he finished his work. His eyes glanced over to the uncompleted stack of papers by the floor. Whose were they? Matsumoto Rangiku's, of course. His eye twitched in irritation at that, and a mental image of Rangiku arriving later to explain her story popped into his head.

"Sorry! I--uh--got caught up with some other things! And...I -hiccup-...oh, loosen up Captain! You should come with me next..." Blah, blah, blah. And from there, she'd stray from the fact she got drunk and decided to keep getting drunker instead of working. Again.

A rapid knocking on his door broke through his thoughts. "Come in," he muttered monotonously. Oh, little miss drinks-a-lot was going to get it this time. However, he was slightly surprised to see the Captain of the 13th Division entering. He seemed out of breath.

"I need your help." Ukitake stated somewhat anxiously and walked into the room further. "It appears Kiyone let Rukia go off to fight a hollow on her own, and while she was out, a snow storm hit her region." His eyes seemed frantic, and it was obvious he was struggling to keep control. "She's been gone longer than necessary, and you'd be the best person to go--"

"I'm on my way," Hitsugaya interrupted and stood up. "Coordinates?" After receiving the details, he headed toward the place Rukia had been sent off to. His expressionless face remained, and he was among the few who could seem so...uncaring. Hitsugaya assumed she probably got lost or held up in the storm. He had no gauge or anything to compare how people reacted to weather. Him, being slightly immune to the cold, couldn't quite grasp the seriousness of a situation like this until he arrived on the scene.

Using Shunpo, he made his was through the Soul Society, and he could tell he was nearing his destination as the blizzard picked up. He hadn't been racing as if someone's life depended on it, because this was only based off of slight concern. Chances were, as stated before, she'd gotten lost or was just having a little trouble with the hollow.

Hitsugaya stopped abruptly in a field with a white covering. Snow beat down, ice mixed in with it as wind blew around crazily. He did a scan for any signs of reiatsu, but found none. This couldn't be good. Either she was no where near here, or she was seriously hurt. Flashing a few meters ahead, he cursed the thick snowfall for distorting his vision. Damn, where could she be?

A dispatch squad was being prepared and organized, but it would still be a while before a search party arrived. Walking forward at a normal pace, it seemed impossible to find anyone in a field this big. Calling her name out like an idiot didn't sound so dumb now that he thought of it, but he wouldn't. If she was here, she was probably unconscious. She would've felt his reiatsu and already tried to make contact. What good would some shouts do other than causing an annoying echo?

As his eyes shifted to the side, he caught a glimpse of black, the only other color in the field besides white. His eyes immediately widened slightly and he flashed over in that direction. Stopping short, he glanced down to the ground. It was only a few locks of raven-black hair, but it was enough confirmation for him. Pushing his arm into the deep snow, he felt her form. Feeling the steel-cold sensation of her skin, he wrapped his fingers around her wrist and yanked her body up.

An involuntary yelp came unconsciously from her throat at the pain of his yank. "Kuchiki!" he remarked in a stern voice. He laid her flat on her back to check for her wounds. The red ice glued to her side indicated a severe gash, and the cuts along her porcelain cheeks made him wonder how many others there were under her clothes. Picking up his communicator, he pressed the side button. "This is Captain Hitsugaya. I have Rukia Kuchiki, and she's in desperate need of medical attention. She is unable to be moved," he muttered urgently. His eyes glanced back to her side wound. The uncertainty of other wounds made him cautious, and he feared moving her would make the ice rip her skin further.

"Understood, we're on our way!" came a static voice over the device. He put it back into his clothes and turned his attention to Rukia. Placing a hand on her forehead, he noticed it was scolding hot. The shiver of her body made him think twice about waiting to move her. Rukia Kuchiki had no higher value to him than any other shinigami, but he would help any shinigami in need.

Toshiro ground his teeth together and furrowed his eyebrows at how absurdly long it was taking the rescue squad. He took note to the fact that her skin was now a tinged purple, and he placed two fingers against her neck. The slow pulsation worried him, and he made the decision to move her anyway. Picking her up, one hand under her knees and one under her shoulders, he turned around and got ready to head back.

"Captain Hitsugaya!" a call from the distance was heard. The Tenth Division's captain saw a few shinigami in odd clothing, probably to protect them from the weather, nearing him. They ran over. "How is she?"

"Unstable. She needs to be brought to the Fourth Division immediately," Hitsugaya replied.

"But sir, she may have--" the shinigami stopped as he realized Hitsugaya had already left.

Arriving at the Division Four's doors, Hitsugaya Toshiro walked through in a rush. He noticed the place was especially empty today, and wondered where all the squad members were.

"How is she?" Unohana Retsu greeted, appearing out of seemingly nowhere and leading him to a secluded room.

"I'm not sure." He set her down on the bed. His gaze averted to the thermostat.

"No, her temperature cannot be raised too fast, or else she'll go into shock." The beautiful captain walked over to Rukia's bed and started undressing her. "Could you step outside for a moment, please?"

Hitsugaya nodded and exited the room. He took a seat next to the door and stared at the stark white wall. Why was he waiting? Why was he planning on checking up on her? Maybe it was the fact that no one else was. Where was Lieutenant Renji? Captain Byakuya? Captain Ukitake? Shouldn't they have been waiting here for him to arrive, or much less be on their way? Perhaps they followed the dispatched team.

He shook from his reverie when he heard the door open beside him and Unohana step out. He stood up and looked to her for answers.

"She has a fever, some mild gashes, and her pulse is low. After a few days of rest, she should be well enough to return back to work. I would like her to stay here until I see that she had recovered," Unohana replied with a soft smile.

Hitsugaya nodded. "Why is so empty here today?"

"It seems many have come down with a cold or the flu. While it was storming where she was, it's only cold here. So many of the squad members have been sent out to some of the sick." Why flood their hospital rooms when they could be tended to at their barracks?

Nodding yet again, Hitsugaya entered Rukia's room and closed the door behind him. He found that Rukia didn't look so purple, and her face seemed slightly at ease. Walking over to her bedside, he stared down at her coldly.

Rukia's eyes slid open, and her blurred vision only added to her confused state. Her violet irises shifted to Hitsugaya. "Wh-where am I?" she asked hoarsely.

"You're at the Fourth Division."

Tears welled in her eyes, and she turned her head away from him. This caused Hitsugaya's right eyebrow to raise slightly. "What is it?" His emotionless voice was almost scary.

Taking in a fluttery breath, Rukia closed her eyes. "I didn't want to be saved."

Toshiro's eyes widened at her almost inaudible comment, and before he could say anything, the door bust open. A couple of "Rukia!"s filled the room.

Renji, Ukitake, and Byakuya appeared all at once, crowding her bedside. Ukitake and Renji seemed more frantic than the nobleman. "Rukia, are you alright?!" Renji exclaimed from the left of her bed. He stood next to Byakuya. Ukitake stood next to Hitsugaya on the right.

Rukia glanced up to see her brother and Renji. "Renji...Nii-sama..." She felt ashamed in her position, especially when she realized she still had tears in her eyes. Not able to move her arms, she blinked profusely to rid herself of the droplets. If she wouldn't cry in front of anyone, she sure as hell wouldn't do it in front of her brother.

Unohana popped into the room. "Now, now, Rukia needs her rest. You all can come visit her later."

Renji sighed and gave one last look in Rukia's direction before leaving the room. Ukitake followed. "I'll be back tomorrow," he called to her over his shoulder.

Byakuya looked at Unohana, his eyes daring her to tell him to leave his sister. She simply smiled. "You can see her tomorrow, and she'll be as here as she is now," she assured him. Byakuya knew better than to argue with a woman like her. He gave a brief nod and left.

Unohana made her way over to the door, and before she stepped out, she looked back. "Make sure to lock her door before you leave." With that, she left.

Hitsugaya stared down at Rukia, who he assumed fell asleep judging by the way she was breathing. I didn't want to be saved. What...what was that supposed to mean?

Rukia opened her eyes, and took a moment to adjust them. Once she could see clearly, she nearly jerked upright in her bed. "Nii-sama!"

"Relax, Rukia." The cold man stared down at her expressionlessly. "How are you feeling?"

Rukia slumped back a little. "Fine," she replied warily. There was a long pause.

"You should not have gone out alone."

Rukia's eyes fell to her lap, and she avoided looking at him at all costs. "Forgive me, brother." She wouldn't give him her excuse, because excuses were for weaker beings. Kuchikis were not weak. A knock on the door caused Byakuya to stand from his chair.

"I must go. I will be back later," the 6th Division captain remarked and then exited the room as Renji entered.

"Hey," he greeted casually. "How ya feelin'?"

"Fine." Rukia mentally rolled her eyes; she could tell she'd be asked this all day long. There was a long pause just like with her brother, until she heard Renji's snort. "What?" Her eyes narrowed.

"You always do this. You always think you can go out on your own, and you never turn to anyone for help!" he snapped with arms crossed over his chest. His sunglasses rested atop his vibrant red hair--why he was wearing them during a dark, wintery time like this was beyond anyone.

"I thought it'd only be one hollow! You know, if I had come back just fine, you wouldn't have thought anything of it, Renji. But just because more hollows and a snow storm appeared, it's different."

"Hell yeah it's different." His hands gripped the railing of her bedside. "You got hurt! You're lucky Captain Hitsugaya found you in time! Any longer and you'd be gone." Renji ground his teeth when she looked away, and he could tell she wasn't going to take his words meaningfully. At that thought, and remembering how stubborn she was, he decided to change the subject. "Does it hurt?"

The petite shinigami glanced back at him. "No," she lied. There were dull pains in her arms and legs, and a sharp one in her side, but she didn't need anyone worrying. Before she knew it, her eyes became droopy and her vision hazy. She had just woken up, how could she be so tired?

Renji, seeing this, smirked slightly. "I'll be back later." Walking over to the door, he stopped, remembering something. "Oh, and don't give Captain Unohana a hard time. You take the medicines you're supposed to take, sleep when you're supposed to sleep, eat when..." Rukia had fallen asleep by then, and he sighed. Exiting the room, he nearly walked into Hitsugaya. Muttering an apology and bowing, he left.

The unnaturally short man walked through the door and shut it behind him. He made his way toward Rukia's bed and sat in the spot he had last night. Did she know that he couldn't sleep because of that one measly little line she had murmured? Did she know he couldn't focus on his work because he was too busy trying to figure out why she had said such a thing? Did she know it bothered him anyone would have such a depressing thought? No, probably not. He would ask her, but for now, she needed her sleep.

His eyes scanned her form that was covered up with a thick blanket. They stopped short on the lock of hair that fell across her face. His hand twitched slightly, wanting to swipe it back, but he didn't. It was no loving feeling that compelled him, but more like an annoyance. Why was that one single stand just sitting there out of place, so lonely and solitary, just like Rukia?...and him.

A few hours passed, and Hitsugaya was now up and walking around the room, looking at the pictures on the wall, but not really looking at them. When he heard a moan, he glanced over his shoulder to the waking girl without emotion. "You're awake," he commented nonchalantly.

Rukia jumped slightly, but regained her composure after she recognized the face. Her head nodded meekly, and her eyes followed him as he sat down next to her bed. "Ahm, you really don't have to stay, Captain..."

He simply stared at her, his scrutiny making her nervous. And for the third time that day, there was a silence. But a longer one than any of the previous ones. Finally, he spoke. "What did you mean?" He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "What did you mean that you didn't want to be saved?"

The Kuchiki noblewoman's breath hitched, and she instantaneously remembered what she had told him. She took a while to respond before tears started to well up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. "I...I had so much time to think while I was out there alone. And I knew I was going to die, and I welcomed it." Yes, she had welcomed Death's warm embrace. "There's just..." Why was she spilling everything in front of this man she didn't know, much less a superior? She was a disgrace to the Kuchiki Clan for acting so inelegant. But, she couldn't stop her words from falling out. Not even the knot in her throat could. "I killed Kaien-dono...And I screwed up Ichigo's life...I've made it so much harder for my brother to keep on doing things smoothly...I just...death would've been a blessing. For everyone."

Despite the twinge of his heart at her sorrowful words, his expression remained vacant. "You honestly think you would benefit everyone with your death? Lieutenant Abarai, Kurosaki Ichigo, Inoue Orihime, the Quincy, and your other friends...your brother...you don't think it would kill them inside if they were to lose you?" he asked in a cold tone, matching the iciness of his eyes.

And suddenly, she felt colder than she did in that field. "Well..." When he put it that way...no! She was right. Tears started streaming down her cheeks, and all of her pent-up emotions erupted. "I can never be forgiven for the pain Kaien and Ichigo endured, as well as everyone else!" she yelled angrily.

The girl's incessant rambling was laughable, had he the ability to laugh. Instead of laughing, he settled for staring at her with an uncaring look. Another long silence passed, and Rukia finally calmed down. "S-Sorry Captain, I didn't mean to go off like that." Her embarassment was the least of her worries. What if Byakuya found out?

"Kuchiki," he started. Damn, he was not good at this mushy-mushy talk. "Never give up the fight for living. You do, and you'll have me to answer to."

The threat was hardly able to call itself a threat, but the edgy tone in his voice made her involuntarily cringe. A knock on the door made her look up, and she forced a smile as her captain entered.

Hitsugaya nodded in recognition toward the fellow captain, and then made his way out of the room without so much as another word.

AN: Mmmhmm. Join the HitsuRuki army!