Repatriation [PRP Ukitake]

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

If anything, all this had been one giant mistake. No, not even a mistake. A miscalculation. He did not expect this, nor did he take it into account. But, how could he? the thought of... anything like this didn't cross his mind in the slightest bit. That couldn't be a mistake of his, it just couldn't. How would expect someone who was basically just a wisp of memory to just appear out of nowhere after all these years. There wasn't even wasn't even a warning. The message that called him out; even then, he did not expect it at all. Ugh, how stupid, how stupid he was! Now he has to live with the consequence of his arrogance with inside him. He sprinted quickly through the Rukongai, avoiding eye contact with whoever was around. He recognized this place well. It was the first district of the West Rukongai. Where he grew up.

But that didn't matter at the moment. He had to make his way through the eighty west districts to make it up to this point. His hair was matted slightly and his shihakusho was still torn where he was slashed. The wound though, was gone, but it was visible through the tear of his top that he was bandaged. What was Kusaka doing, controlling those people like that. He had heard about them before, the Masked Army, but never had he seen them before. But it was just as to what he was doing. Horrid. It wasn't right. You don't just control people like that and then treat them like dirt, and, just the way he did so. It made him sick. Hitsugaya now knew that Sojiro had changed, and nothing could change him back. Four weeks ago on that night... damn it! It killed him to think about it. That one man changed his life entirely. And what Kusaka did to the Vizards, was what he originally was supposed to be going through. But he took the only chance he had to escape: When he wasn't looking. When he was attacked by that short Vizard girl, he fled. While he was testing out everything, he fled.

It felt horrible, but he wasn't about to be used like that. He was never on Kusaka's side. His intentions were never what they originally were. The goodness that was in his heart was gone, and despite clinging on the the only thin strand of a friendship they had left, he wasn't going to be on his side. Their views were extremely different now. There was no way he was going to let himself be used for such crimes. He was going to betray all his friends. But, they probably thought that now. He left his post technically. He was supposed to arrive back the day after. But he didn't. And as a captain, that was inexcusable. No doubt they thought of him as dead as a traitor. And if they found out that he now had a new deviation to his soul, which wasn't a zanpakuto spirit, then he was going to be executed immediately. He new the rules, he knew the consequences. But even then, he couldn't help it. It was out of his control. The sequence of events didn't play out in his favor and there was no changing it. He tried hard, but, it didn't work.

His pace slowed. He was going to have to stay in the Rukongai for a while. Until he could sort this all out. Being there, would only make things much more difficult for the youth. It was obvious that even with his genius, he couldn't weave his way out of everything. Toshiro sighed and rubbed his face. He, didn't his situation, at all. It... wasn't remotely an easy problem. His teal eyes caught the sight of an abandoned shed. In this district, abandoned houses were actually quite rare. Unlike many other parts, Juri'nan had to be the richest out of the 80 districts. But even it's wealth wasn't anything compared to how it is in the Seireitei. No doubt he would return back there soon enough, but, not now. He needed time alone, and how to figure this all out. Things within th walls of the Seireitei would get chaotic. Though one thing was for sure. He had to sort himself out before Kusaka went to launch his attack on the Soul Society. Despite being there with him, he wasn't told much. Toshiro only heard of his plan to attack, but not when. That meant, it could be any time at all. So, it would be best to start calculating. And this time, he was going to make sure that he didn't make any mistakes. It was going to be a hard task, but he knew he would be able to find a way around all this.

He opened the old, cracked door slowly to make sure no one was hiding out in here. Well, he didn't sense anything living in here anyway, but there could always be someone hiding their spiritual pressure. He peeked his head through and looked around. His sight was limited to where the light of the setting sun showed. Feeling safe, he quickly walked in and closed the door behind him. He frowned slightly. This was where he would be staying for whatever length of time he needed to stay. Releasing a sigh, the boy approached a corner and sat in it. He unclipped Hyorinmaru from his shoulder and set it right beside him. This was all, just a mess. He ran his small fingers through his spiked up, dove-white hair. And what was worse, he didn't know when his Hollow would re-emerge. He didn't even know what caused it to come out besides the use of the artifact that Kusaka used to turn him into a hybrid. He was disgusted by his deeds. He could hate him with a passion, but he didn't. He just couldn't. But there wasn't a foreseeable way to ever forgive him. The room was rather dark. At least, he would be able to sleep, maybe. But he wasn't tired, despite it all. Maybe it was best to just sit and just, think.

[Jushiro Ukitake]

Walking forward the old captain smiled at a passing woman and child, giving a small wave to follow, receiving a blush and giggle from the mother and daughter respectively. Despite the mess of the last passing weeks you'd never tell, all that worrying for the young captain just didn't show, rather he pushed on with things, showing what was always there. His theory was that if you yourself could not smile then you truly had lost all hope, and Ukitake would never lose that, he'd never be unable to smile. Despite everything he'd always smiled, as both a child and adult it had not faltered, and despite everything it would not now... But he was worried, Hitsugaya had vanished, and then so too had Rukia... There was something going on and Ukitake just didn't know what. He himself knew well enough that blood had been found at the location Toshiro had ventured to, and then Rukia... He'd had no word. What was going on here? He knew there was something more, something deadly, he'd felt it when he'd previously seen the younger captain before he'd left... He'd been right, how he wished he hadn't been, through everything he so dearly wished he'd been wrong, that it had just been something ever rated.

Still moving, looking out of place all the while, he folded his arms up into his sleeves as he progressed. Why a captain would be out here could vary from person to person, why he was out here was something far more simple though, a break. His chest had been feeling rather tight, something not uncommon, but regardless the fresh-air would do him at least some could... He could only he hope it wouldn't get worse, that was the last thing he needed at all. Mhm, he supposed he could have just stayed in his squad grounds, but doing so would have left him open to the pestering of his third seats, loyal they were, and they had good hearts, but they really could be a little over bearing at times, that and he'd always rather liked this place... The people here were wonderful. Some of the other noble families, great or not, tended to look down on the people here, and to be honest Ukitake could hardly see why. The sense of community was so strong, if you struggled your neighbors would help you through, if you were ill you had so much support... It was truly a wonderful place, somewhere not done justice to more often than not.

Pausing for a brief moment though brown eyes widened slightly... That was not possible! Shaking his head he frowned, rooted to the spot as he simply stared, there was no mistaking it... If the white hair wasn't enough then the short stature and haori were... Toshiro? What... What was he doing here, alone? How long had he been here? Judging by the rather aimless wandering not long at all. If that were so why hadn't he reported back? Was he worried people had deemed him a traitor? It were true that some had, but still, providing he had a good reason then there was no reason for this.... There had to be more to it, something linked to whatever had happened near a month ago. It was simply so confusing for the older man though, even if there was a problem surely the boy would have sought out someone he trusted, Momo or Rangiku for example... Ukitake knew the boy tended to shut himself away from people, but even so, this was incredibly strange for him... Shaking his head somewhat he followed briskly, carefully avoiding the many people around him, and offering a quick apology to any he accidentally walked into... What was going on here?

He'd find out, he'd find out soon enough, perhaps sooner than he thought... The boy entered a shed.... Shaking his head sadly the older man's heart ached somewhat, was this what the poor boy had been reduced to, alone and like this? Ukitake would not accept this, Hitsugaya was so much more than that, he was a proud and smart boy, this was not him, not at all... Picking up his pace he approached, and without knocking pulled open the door, the gloom of the ending day limiting the light, but sure enough... It was he. “Toshiro?” Lifting a hand slightly he allowed for a small sphere of red kido to form, enough to illuminate the shed effectively. “Toshiro!” Laughing happily he stepped forward. “Where have you been my friend? People have been so worried about you.” Walking forward again he stopped and frowned, the boy looked so utterly despondent... And his chest.... Dammit what had happened! Letting the kido fade he moved forward at a brisker pace, stopping to kneel before the young captain. “What's wrong? Toshiro, what happened?” Shaking his head he moved a hand forward to try and move the tattered material away. “You're hurt?” Shaking his head ever so slightly he offered the boy a smile. “You're safe now, I swear to you.”

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[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

The silence was soothing. It helped clear his mind. He ignored the outside noises of people shuffling to go home since the sun was setting. They were wrapping up what they were doing outside and made their way indoors. He knew what the activity was like and on what times of day very well. He did live here for more than half his life. He knew what went on within these streets, within the district. But as of now, he considered what went on out there to be what was going on in a different world. He excluded everything that was there only so he could be in his own personal little world to think and solve everything. His head slanted as it rested against the neighboring wall of the corner. But his eyes shot open as he felt a familiar spiritual pressure not too far off. Was it... wait, what the hell was a captain doing all the way out here. Wait, at the same time, this wasn't good, if he was found, then, oh dear. He relaxed himself. It was Captain Ukitake. He wasn't as stiff with the rules as most of the other captains were. The feeling of him got closer and closer until he was right outside the door. But something wasn't right. Something wasn't sitting well within Hitsugaya. What didn't feel like sitting well, was the Hollow.

He gripped his arms slightly as he watched the door opened and the white haired captain come in. His use of the kido didn't help matters. At all. If anything it made it worse. The youth cringed slightly. He didn't know how in the world to fight this off. Please, just go away. Not now. He couldn't blow his cover like this. Turn into a Hollow and it was all over. Ukitake's voice made his teal eyes dart towards him. While the old man was happy, the boy was the complete opposite, and for good reasons. What happened that night, no one could ever feel what he felt.

“Toshiro? Toshiro! Where have you been my friend? People have been so worried about you.”

He didn't want to talk. "Not here." His voice made him sound so disconnected. "I know. He was more focused on figuring out how to stop the Hollow from taking over than having a conversation. But he knew people would be worried for him, but that was out of his control.

As Ukitake came closer, so did the weight of his spiritual immense spiritual pressure, and in sequence, the Hollow deviation's desire to attack the mass of strength increased dramatically. He screwed his eyes shut and gripped his arms more tightly. He was shutting himself off from Ukitake, it hopes that would do something. But the fact the captain was there was enough to make the Hollow excited. It by no means wanted to attack Ukitake for the hell of it. It wanted to attack him to defend itself. Something with that kind of spiritual pressure must be strong, and whatever was strong, might be a threat. What better way to defend yourself from a threat but to get rid of it before it hurt you? That way, it wouldn't be able to, and you were safe. If Hitsugaya died, so did the Hollow, and both of them needed to defend themselves so that their lives could be preserved. As Ukitake outreached his hand an very strong impulse came, and Toshiro's very spiritual energy flipped over into becoming very Hollow-like. He blew it, and in front of a captain. Grand.

“What's wrong? Toshiro, what happened? You're hurt? You're safe now, I swear to you.”

As much as Toshiro wanted to answer, he couldn't. He had disconnected himself from the conversation totally to try and fend off the growing influence of the Hollow, but at the moment, it was overwhelming him. This had only been the second time in which he had turned over, and therefore, he didn't have enough experience with it to try and fight it off. The only way he got out of the state before was because Kusaka had ripped off the mask. But where was he now? Not here, that was for sure. And he doubted the man would help him even if he was here. The boy began cringing due to the internal struggle, as if in pain. Oh, now would Ukitake take this? Despite being a kind man, Toshiro doubted that he would take this well. Even though his eyes were closed, black was creeping from the corners of his eyes. The Hollow was clearly winning. And as the coloration changed in his eyes, so did his energy. It was quickly becoming more and more like a Hollow's. It was a fast pace that wasn't easy to fight off. It was obvious the boy was loosing.

He then snapped at the older man's hand, his eyes opening, revealing an inversed sclera and sharp blue irises. A low hiss escaped his mouth as he looked into Ukitake's brown eyes. This man was strong, and therefore a threat. He must be taken care of. The older captain's previous words about being safe? Well that statement obviously wasn't heard. The Hollow clearly did not think so. No, Captain Ukitake had been speaking to Hitsugaya, not the Hollow. So therefore, his words didn't apply here. The older man needed a whole new set of dialogs to get his way out of this. The Hollow-possessed boy flipped his upper body forward to have his hands hold him off the ground in a quadrupedal style. His hissed at Ukitake loudly, a final vocal warning to back off. It wasn't that the Hollow was violent, but it was very defensive to the point of coming across as aggressive. But just how was all this going to end?

[Jushiro Ukitake]

"Not here. I know.”

The sudden offhandedness of it caught the old man off guard, though his happy expression didn't falter none. The tenth captain was known to have a somewhat distant personality, however Ukitake himself had never been on the receiving end of it to this extent. Oh the boy had been annoyed with him on occasion, but that was to be expected, this though seemed more like the young captain was trying to shut himself off from Ukitake utterly. Why though? Did he think Ukitake was here to apprehend him for the fact he'd left his post? He'd be wrong. “Toshiro... I'm not going to harm you, I'm just trying to help, please, don't shut me out.” He continued to though, his small frame looking so painfully tense, did he really think Ukitake was going to harm him? He should have known better than that, Ukitake would have never fallen to that form of action unless there was no other choice, and here there were so many other choices. Then though something clicked, as the boy cringed it was clear there was something more to this. Ukitake had not moved, not done anything at all that could be perceived as a threat, and yet the small boy acted as if he'd just been punched in the gut... Something else was in play here.

Shifting very slightly he scanned the boy quickly, eyes were screwed shut, fingers digging hard into arms. He looked to be in some form of physical pain, dammit, what the hell was going on here!? Toshiro was a fit young boy, and the only trace of a possible wound he could perceive was the one upon his chest, other than that there seemed to be nothing, and that was confusing the wise old captain, something just wasn't fitting right. Perhaps it had something to do with the minor fluctuations in the boy's spiritual pressure, that again was something that bothered Ukitake. He couldn't put a finger on it, but there was something different about it, something that seemed so very wrong, yet minor enough that thus far he was unable to work out what it was. All of this ended though as things hit their pinnical, and everything became clear. What he felt made him sick to the stomach and broke his heart, suddenly it was all very clear as to why the small boy had not returned to his post, doing so would have endangered himself and others... This just... Didn't seem right though, surly it were impossible for this to be the case, but as energy heightened it was so painfully clear it wasn't.... The poor boy...

As the pressure changed his eyes widened, utter horror being clear... That was not the spiritual pressure of a soul reaper... That.... Was a hollow? How the hell though?! How had this happened?! He knew all to well what this was, hollowfication. But how.... And why? He was only a child, why would anyone do that to him? Just why...? “Toshiro...” He offered quietly. He could never understand this pain, hollowfication was rare at best, the last occurrence being near 100 years ago... So why now? “Please... Toshiro you must fight it...” A stupid comment he knew, but it was only for reassurance, to let the boy know that he was there... He supposed he should have killed him right then and there, the fact he was now part hollow was treasonous, there would be no allowances... Ukitake was not that kind of person though. He did not hate hollows, he did not loath them for the crimes they committed. Yes their actions were wrong, but they were simply following their instincts. Ukitake slayed them only because they were a threat, and even then there was no joy in it. Toshiro was now a threat if that sort, but to a different extent. Ukitake would never dream of even harming the boy, hollow or soul reaper, if only because his duty was also to his heart, and his heart could never accept such an act from him, to do so would be to lose who he was.

As the boy snapped he jerked his hand back quickly, he'd lost... Lost to the hollow in his soul. Looking sadly into the piercing blue eyes there was no anger, none.... There would never be. If the hollow expected the older soul reaper to show aggression he was mistaken, there would be none from this man, he'd not even draw his blade. “Please, it's okay.” The voice he fostered was similar to that of a parent trying to sooth an unsettled child, there was none of his pity or sorrow, just that gentle understanding that always found a home in this man's voice. “I'm not going to hurt you.” He wouldn't, ever. This hollow could sink teeth in and he'd not attack, not knowing who this was, knowing that it was only a child... No one deserved this, not ever... To the hiss he paused, inching back slightly, giving compliance so as to perhaps gain some in return. He didn't want to fight, nor hurt the boy. His own well fair was hardly of matter right now, all that he found important was bringing the boy back around to his former self... Though he could honestly say he wasn't sure on just how to do that. He'd never had to deal with this before, the closest he'd gotten had been with Kaien when a hollow had invaded his soul... This was different though, this hollow was a part of Toshiro... And thus he could beat it.

“There's no need to attack, I'm not a threat.” There wasn't, and he wasn't, but would the hollow see? Watching it flip forward to hands also there was little he could do. What he couldn't work out was the hollow's motives. Most hollows gave no warning, they attacked you with a vicious intent to rip you limb from limb... This one had warned him though, tried to push him back verbally alone, why? Did it not wish to fight either? If so why not? It couldn't be angry, anger would have lead it into an all out attack straight away, sadness.... It would have likely just curled up in a corner to exclude everything. Fear... Fear perhaps worked. He was a soul reaper, and it was a hollow. By nature they were foes, by situation they were not. “Just calm down...” Offering his left fore arm slightly he smiled, at a hollow hurting someone he cared for he smiled. “If you want to bite me you can, but I'm not going to hurt you.” It could, and that was the thing, it could bite him and he was liable to do little about it, especially whilst giving it an offer to do such to him. “Why don't you just trust me to help? It'll all be okay, I won't let anyone hurt you.” Staying crouched, leaving him on a relatively similar height to the hollow manipulated boy, he offered his other hand out slightly, all in a gesture to try and gain some trust... Trust from a hollow to a soul reaper, how odd this was all becoming...

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

“Please, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you.”

Oh was it now? His pressure was much higher than the boy he first encountered during his first moments of existing, and he too, promised the same thing: that it was all well, that everything was alright. How was a Soul Reaper to know? One with a spiritual pressure so heavy it could take out whatever he wanted? The Hollow did not know of the ranks of Soul Reapers. It was none of its business, nor did it have the capacity to learn or care. It was just there, and it's main objective was to just shoo him away. He was a threat and it needed to either leave or be eliminated. This man's voice though; it took on a different tone that differed greatly from that younger man with the dark hair back at the graveyard. It was more welcoming, more soothing. The other man had an edge to his tone that bothered the creature greatly, like it could just go on and attack again, But that other individual wasn't here to irk it. But it know damn well that there was an outside force that had made it stop from attacking again. It was perhaps that weird thing he had that had created it in the first place.

The man receded back a bit, but not a lot. It was obviously much less than what the Hollow had wanted. A very loud hiss was released again, indicating that the white haired Soul Reaper should just yield and leave. He was not wanted here. As the man spoke again, he only reinforced what he had stated before. That he wasn't a threat. Had the Hollow had a less instinctual and animalistic mind, then perhaps he would have easily just resisted the words, but this wasn't the case, and things were slowly starting to take affect in its mind. A white substance began to form on th right side of the boy's face. It simply appeared from near the boy's head and made its way to that portion. It's mask was forming at a quick pace. The thing that allowed the Hollow utter control and power. It was the old man's immense spiritual pressure that was causing a rapid increase in formation speed, whether he knew it or not.

“There's no need to attack, I'm not a threat.”

It lowered itself sightly. It could not communicate in words, so it relied on body language, as did most animals. It's mindset had patters that were similar to a cold-blooded animal, more accurately a reptile of some sort. It communicated through hisses, like a snake, and had the potential aggression of a crocodile. It's current position showed a fear, but it's expression contained bared teeth with a snarl and furrowed brows that signified that it was on the defense. The old man was no allowed to go near it or touch it, or it would e forced to defend itself. Just get up and leave. That was all it wanted. His reassurance, it didn't want, but at the same time, it did. It wanted that feeling of being safe. At the moment it felt rather scared, and promising safety was what it wanted the most. It moved to the side slightly, hopefully avoiding the man's gaze, for even tat added to the pressure his energy was putting on the thing. It was not at all that it was bothering it or physically affecting it, but it was more so the fact that it was just making it feel more threatened and defensive. If the man could realize this and lower it, then great, but it still would not want him around. It was a Soul Reaper after all. He could very possibly kill it.

“Just calm down... If you want to bite me you can, but I'm not going to hurt you.”

Without even a second thought, or before the man could complete his second statement, it lunged to his arm, trying to biting it hard, not caring if the man would attack him back or not. It had warned him. It was his fault that he did not take the Hollow's warning of backing off. One side of the bite probably would hurt more; the mask had half-formed on the young captain's face, having half a set of sharp, carnivorous teeth and a fang that was almost twice the length of all the other teeth, and the other side just being Toshiro's own teeth. It jerked back with the forearm in its mouth and hissed loudly. It wanted him to go away so badly. Though the man's question made it pause, still keeping a firm hold upon the arm. The man could attack him all he wanted, but if he did so, that arm was going to be ripped off, or it would at least try.

“Why don't you just trust me to help? It'll all be okay, I won't let anyone hurt you.”

It stopped making noise and just paused, the mask covering most of the face now. Eyes were peering out on the wide eye sockets of the mask, where it had made that space completely black with slits of bright blue irises. If anything, this question sounded almost like the one the dark haired boy gave. Ugh, what was it with all these words and statements that sounded the same! Was everything like this? Did everyone say the same thing about the same situation? It didn't know, and the Hollow itself was very young, and had no experience with the world at all, save for that night in the graveyard and now. Not only this, it did not have the capacity to really understand these complex, philosophical questions. This man though, the one in front of him now, gave off an air of softness, not sharp aggression like that other man did. It was obvious that while people said different things, they didn't always mean what they said.

[Jushiro Ukitake]

Listening as it hissed loudly he gave it some sorry look, it wanted him to go.. “I'm so sorry, but I won't leave you alone like this, someone may harm you...” Or it may harm them. Neither option was an ideal he liked, rather it were easier to stay and try to ride out this storm as it came. Dealing with hollows was indeed hard, reasoning with them was near impossible, yet from everything he saw this one was so very different. It wasn't attacking like other hollows, a pressure such as his own would have seemed utterly irresistible to a hollow, yet this one had no interest, rather it was trying so hard to put distance between them... It was acting so very much like a scared animal rather than a hollow, and this itself confused the older captain. It was not something he'd ever witnessed from something like this. “If you stay calm I can help you, I swear on my honor.” Something like that from him... Whether the hollow knew or not those words specifically meant a great deal to Ukitake, it was a promise he'd do anything to uphold.

His suspicions were no doubt confirmed as it lowered itself down into a crouch, it was terrified of him, wasn't it? That hurt in a way, it made him ache so badly. Simply watching as it shifted to the side he averted his eyes slightly, if only to make it feel less uncomfortable. “You're safe,” he repeated gently, all the while trying to get that single fact through before something terrible happened. He just wanted it to relax, to loosen up and trust him enough to calm itself and let him help. Something else seem to be bothering it though, it's whole posture seemed to indicate there was something more to the entire thing than he just being a soul reaper, what he could not say. The poor thing obviously felt threatened, and there had to be a greater reason as to what it was, he was smart no doubt, but even so this was incredibly difficult to understand, with no verbal communication on the hollow's part mistakes were very liable to be made right until he were able to gain a stable view of how this little fellows mind worked... And apparently it seemed his offer was being taken up...

As his arm was clamped down upon he cringed slightly, locking his jaw to prevent any sound of pain escaping his lips. “See...? It's okay.” The bite hurt, no doubt. The sharp fangs sank in along with the elongated one that all to likely hit bone. His only reprieve in the matter was that the mask was only half formed, and thus one side gave only a mild sting. As it pulled sharply he moved back with it, but not before flesh was torn fairly badly, blood already having saturated the are around the wound, allowing blood to now drip upon the floor, forming an ever growing pool. As no response was given to his hand he moved it slowly to the side of the face rendered mask-less, trying to brush fingers lightly against him in a soft gesture that would seem odd considering his current position and status. “What do I have to do to make you see?” He'd probably clamp down harder at the contact, yet he did it regardless, attempting to stroke the side of his face lightly to give a gentle reassurance before the mask rendered it impossible. “What will make you feel better?” He knew leaving probably would, however he just couldn't do that, he couldn't walk away, not leaving him like this, he refused.

Lowering himself into a kneeling position rather than crouching he bowed his head down. This worked off of body language? Well, from what he knew a lowered head was to act subservient to the one before you, and if that's what it took then of course he would do it. At least it had mellowed down from the growling, it certainly seemed like it was able to comprehended his words to at least a basic level, that was good. Smiling, visible or not, he made no effort to pull his arm back, if this was what it took then so be it. Even if he had to lose the arm to be able to help the young boy he'd do it, without a second thought too. Hopefully it wouldn't be coming to that though, rather as the mask fully formed (now digging a full set of teeth into his arm) he went to loop his hand behind him and rub the back of his head gently. “Hush now, let me help you little one.” Without a name he had nothing to call it, and thus he fell to what he'd call a child. He didn't see this as some monster, when perhaps he should have, it was a part of Toshiro, wanted or not it was a part of him... Ukitake could not change that, but he could perhaps help him with all he had...

Providing he was granted the right to have his hand upon the back of it's head he'd try and gently pull it closer, ushering with the hand upon it's head, whilst also pulling his arm slowly and gently toward him where possible. “I'm just trying to help you, everything will be okay if you trust me, little one.” He needed to get the mask off, but ripping it clean off right now was only likely to lead to issues, especially since he'd left himself in a rather precarious position with things. No, he needed to reason with him, make it see that taking the mask off was the best option for it. In all it actually was, however explaining this could be hard, not something he was at all looking forward to. It had to be done though, for the good of the boy at the heart of this he had no other choice but this. There was no other option, he would not try and break the mask as he would a normal hollow, doing so risked Toshiro, no, rather he was going to have to remove it by hand, or persuade it to do it itself... Both options were rather daunting if her were honest. Daunting, but not impossible.

.

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

“I'm so sorry, but I won't leave you alone like this, someone may harm you...”

It gave a low hiss in disapproval. It understood what he said clearly. That he was not going to leave. But, he also said something else. That he was staying because of the fact there were others that may harm it. Once again, the question was raised. Why did a Soul Reaper care about what a Hollow did, wanted, or what would happen to it? They were enemies, and they had to get rid of teach other. It was an endless struggle that has been raging strong fr the past thousands of years. Though, this Hollow was out of the norm. It was also part Soul Reaper, who just happened to be Toshiro Hitsugaya, captain of the tenth division. They were both of the same soul. While a zanpakuto was a physical manifestation of the Soul Reaper's power, the Hollow mask was a physical manifestation of the Hollow within him. Even if you removed the mask, it would not change the fact that the beast was within his mind forever. But even if it was a mutt, because of Toshiro's rank, it could cost him is life, for it was taboo for any Soul Reaper to have the powers of a Hollow. It has always been like that, and it would never change.

"If you stay calm I can help you, I swear on my honor. You're safe.”

Honor. What did that mean? You could actually swear on that? It loosened the grip on his arm slightly. The only words that really clicked in it's mind was "calm", "help", and "safe". Those were the things it wanted or wanted to be. It wanted help. It wanted the help so that it could live a more flexible life instead of just hiding around, and to save it from this aloneness that it currently felt. It wanted the situation to be calm, and it wanted to be calm. It didn't really have the urge to attack the man before him for the fun of it. If anything that was the last thin it wanted. It was too instinctual for that as well as didn't see it as right. But most of all, it wanted to be safe. It wanted to be shielded and to have someone there. To protect it from danger. But would someone like this white haired man be able to pull off all these promises? He seemed so threatening though, his spiritual pressure massive. It seemed a bit too much.

“See...? It's okay.”

The one thing it could not understand was the fact that the man didn't react in the negative fashion that it had expected him to. The Hollow thought that the man would attack it or flee. Neither happened, and instead the man gave positive words. More reassurance that the situation was all okay and that nothing at all was the matter. But couldn't the Reaper see that he was the biggest problem? Apparently not. Though, all this positive reinforcement caused it to loosen it's grip on his arm, it's teeth now bloodstained. If anything, it could be a strange sight, considering blood on the boy didn't look right at all. It seemed all too wrong. It was Hitsugaya, and, just the bloodshed didn't fit him. If anything it'd make anyone wonder what the hell. Though despite it being the boy's body, it was not the boy's mindset. It was the Hollow's, and therefore the deed of attacking the older man was not an act of Hitsugaya's, but the Hollow's.

“What do I have to do to make you see? What will make you feel better?”

It tensed up considerably and its black and blue eyes followed his hand carefully. As contact was made against the soft skin of the mask less half, it released a quiet hissing, warning the man that if he did something it didn't like, he was going to lose his hand. What did he have to do to me it see? See what though? It wasn't clicking well in it's mind. Though the second part was an obvious thing. To just have the Soul Reaper leave, but it was already stated that he was not going to. The only other things that would calm it down were if he were to physically show that he wasn't as big as strong as he appeared, or to lower his spiritual pressure to nothing. But the former option came first. As he lowered his head, the Hollow stopped from keeping the white haired man's arm hostage and backed up slightly. His words had that smoothness to it that calmed it down. The key was tone, not necessarily what was said. You wouldn't yell at the dog because then it would be wary to you. You speak to a dog with a low, calm voice, so it would listen to you.

“Hush now, let me help you little one.”

His arm swung around and stroked the back of his head, which was right now the only place on his head that wasn't covered by the mask. As his hand rubbed against the white hair, it silenced and it let go of some of the tension it had kept from before. It was feeling more comfortable with the situation. The man didn't show himself to be larger or any better, and the gentle words and touch were helping a great deal. For once it was beginning to calm down, and it did so on it's own, not like before in the graveyard where it was flat out being commanded to do so; the dark haired man's tone sharp and irritating. Its eyes lowered somewhat, feeling more relaxed than before. Perhaps it was strange for a Hollow to be have, act, and think this way, but it wasn't an ordinary Hollow either. It was a split of a Soul Reaper's soul, and so, it's behavior wasn't going to be that of the typical Hollow.

“I'm just trying to help you, everything will be okay if you trust me, little one.”

It just looked at him, less alert than what it was before. It simply listened to the words. Things were going to be alright if he trusted him... same as that night. So many things were similar or the same. It didn't know why, nor did it want to know why, but it was confusing. It was almost as if this man and the other, younger man had a similar resolve for this kind of problem that was the best thought about this. But despite it all, it kept itself fairly low to the ground, feeling safer at that level. It didn't say anything, and it didn't move. It just was there, looking at the Soul Reaper like a lizard waiting for something to move, like a dog waiting for something to happen. Simple thoughts were running through its mind at the moment, such as what was the man going to do next. Simple, but they could be anything, making it seem complex. Though his ushering made him tense again, and firmly tried to keep himself in place. Now what was he planing now?

[Jushiro Ukitake]

As his arm was released he pulled it back toward himself, holding it against his chest. It was bleeding badly, though right now any attempt to try and stop such may just spark the hollow off down the wrong path, and that was something he didn't need. No, instead he just held it close, staining his chest with the crimson liquid. “That's better now, isn't it?” Smiling softly he simply kept his head lowered to it. As he'd thought, it didn't want to fight, by backing off it made it clear that this had never been its intention, the bite was a defense to keep him at bay, as was the hissing, as soon as he lowered himself from any position that may have indicated dominance it seemed to feel more at ease, which was good no doubt. However it still seemed uptight, like something was still holding it back from totally relaxing, perhaps his status? No, that couldn't be it, he doubted the hollow had enough comprehension to figure anything out about that, but perhaps it was something close and linked. Ranks were based on something, talent and power, all of which would make a higher rank seem like more of a threat... As one of the oldest captains he must have seemed to be one of the biggest threats out there to it.

That... Yes, that made sense. Even whilst keeping his pressure low it would have still seemed higher than the average soul reaper, so that was it? A simple solution, one he'd been blind not to see right away. It was something so easily resolved, and so he did such, crushing what pressure he was revealing down to nothing. In the long run it was liable to be a wiser option in all anyway, if anyone were to come looking for him his pressure would have given it all away, and then it would have simply been over. Now though things were liable to run far smoother. “Is this better?” Lifting his head ever so slightly he smiled warmly at the small creature, all of this did seem to be having an effect, that much was clear. Though slow he could see he was gradually calming it, soothing it down into a more mellow state of mind, likely the state of mind it more desired to be in anyway, on this though he couldn't be sure, all he knew was that this was working... Reasoning with a hollow was working effectively... This was near enough unheard of, and perhaps a testament to the gentle nature the boy himself had.

Ah, so it was happy enough to let him touch it to this degree? Progress no doubt. Teasing his hair slightly to rub his scalp he gave a mild laugh, despite how hard this all was he could do that much. “You like that, hmm?” At least they'd found some ground of stability to work on, from here he could perhaps get through to it much sooner, and this was his overall aim. Of course he did too wish to uphold all his words to the frightened creature, even though it's face held his blood he didn't exactly grudge it at all, resentment wasn't something Ukitake particularly knew. Besides, the arm would heal, what he was more worried for was the impact it would have on Toshiro afterward... Were it possible he'd have hidden all traces of it, but the red had already caused a deep offset upon the white of his chest and sleeve. Had there been a way to avoid it he would have, but it needed to see that regardless of what it did to him he wasn't going to attack, it had been the best option, and it could have been so much worse... This was something he'd have to deal with when he came to it.
As it dug its heels in he stopped pulling, though kept scratching the back of its head. “I'm not going to do anything you don't want me to, Little one.” It was a gentle and honest offer, he wouldn't. If it didn't want to be near him then he wouldn't force it, rather he'd give it the time it needed to make the right decision for itself. “Why don't you come here though?” With that he extended a blood stained hand slightly, all in its own time... Eventually he hoped it would come, from there trust would have hopefully been gained, to which it may have been more liable to listen to his words, rather than just the tones he used for them. “You're safe with me, no one's going to hurt you, I won't let them.” Directionally due to the way he was still facing it all to probably looked like he was talking to the floor, but alas this was something unlikely to change unless the small hollow gave any signs that it was comfortable with his gaze upon it. “Just come here little one, I'm not going to do anything to you.” He wasn't, all he wanted was proximity, and even then it was just to try and show the hollow that he truly was no threat to it.

[Toshiro Hitsugaya]

“That's better now, isn't it? Is this better?”

Ah, yes, much better. Finally, the a had realized it. Took him long enough, but now the creature felt more at ease. It corrected its posture and stood straight, unbending its arms and raising its head slightly. It was as if the spiritual pressure itself had been pushing it down. This was not the case though. Despite the large amount of spiritual pressure the man before it had, it was nowhere near what would buckle it down. For that an even greater spiritual pressure than its own was required, and that was so rare that the occurrence would probably not happen. The man continued to stroke the back of its head. Oh, this man was smart. he was trying to coax it into doing something, wasn't it? Though, the Hollow didn't pay much mind anymore to the potential threat or kinds of tricks the man would play on it. So far, the man hadn't made any hostile movements. His voice and what he did were all positive and not threatening at all. As if they were all the right moves. Smart man.

“You like that, hmm? I'm not going to do anything you don't want me to, Little one. Why don't you come here though?”

Because it didn't want to be near him. Trust still needed to be gained. While the Hollow ad calmed down considerably, it wasn't going welcome the man into its life with open happy arms (more like open angry jaws). It was testing to see if the man wasn't lying about all his words, his promises. It was going to give the man the benefit of the doubt and let him get away with touching him and such. At least this man's touch was a gentle one, one that wasn't aggressive in any way. This man gave off a vibe of warmth and friendliness. But was it some sort of facade? An act to get the creature close then take it out when the chance was right? Perhaps, but so far it didn't seem like it. While there was still an unsettlement within it, it wasn't going to attack the man anymore if he kept on the right path.

"You're safe with me, no one's going to hurt you, I won't let them. Just come here little one, I'm not going to do anything to you.”

More promises. This white haired man had better keep up with all these. It glared at him a bit before releasing a short, quiet hiss, more in warning that the man shouldn't lie unless he wanted his head ripped off. Betrayal to promises would be the one thing that would really set the Hollow off on an aggressive mode. As of now though, it was the opposite. They were both in trial and error. It still wondered why the old Soul Reaper wanted it near though? What kind of Soul Reaper would want that besides to kill it? This Reaper though, didn't seem like it was going to do with anything, and his multiple reassurances that he and no one else was going to lay a violent hand on it was a signal that maybe it should do something. o just did what he said. Some trust had been gained, but not much. Just enough to listen to the meanings of the statements he gave and act accordingly to the situation or statement however it desired.

Hesitantly, it walked closer towards the older man, who was still in a low position. Smart man indeed, though at this point, perhaps raising his head a bit would help a bit with communicating. While it was very animalistic in terms of mentality, it could still comprehend what the Soul Reaper was saying for the most part. But it just wondered why the man wanted it near him. Just what? What would make sense? This man's behavior threw all of its assumptions off. It once again released a short hiss. Despite it all it was still very wary of the man. How strange was this, for a Soul Reaper and Hollow to be behaving in this way, same situation or not. The Hollow's behavior seemed to be leaking out a lot of what Hitsugaya's demeanor was on the inside, but portrayed in a very beast-like way. Whether anybody would catch on to it or not, it was depending on them, but the truth of the matter was, was that Hitsugaya was still there, and he was currently trying to fight it's way though.

[Jushiro Ukitake]

As it moved closer he smiled. This was going far smoother than he'd actually thought, to begin with he'd dreaded how he was going to go about calming it down suitably, but now... Well it didn't seem as daunting as it previously had, rather... It simply seemed more like trying to gain the trust of a weary child or dog, and that was something he could and had done. “I know you really don't trust me little one, if it's any consolation I may not have had I been you. For all it's worth though I really don't mean you harm.” He didn't, thankfully it did seem to be getting this picture, and as he continued to scratch the back of its head he could only hope this would continue. His main worry was making some wrong move that would destroy the trust he'd gained, if that were to happen then it would no doubt be next to impossible to get it back, he could not risk that, he could not risk failure... Not for his own part, more for both the boy and hollow. If he failed there was every chance that death would be the paid price... And he couldn't allow for that to happen. He had to make it understand, and with at least some trust shows now was perhaps the best time.

“Do you know where this place is?” He asked gently, now watching the small hollow instead of keeping himself lowered. He didn't mean this small shed, rather this place as a whole, the soul society, the most dangerous place for this poor thing to be alone. “It's the soul society, a place full of soul reapers....” He wasn't trying to scare it, rather he was just trying to give the facts, he couldn't lie to it, and honestly it wasn't so bad. He'd not said they were a threat, though of course it could have been taken such as they were. “I'm not going to let any of them harm you,” he quickly reassured, voice having an almost lulling sense to it. He didn't want it so scared that he wouldn't see the real reasons of what he said, no, he needed the poor thing in a clear state of mind, and from what he'd seen the offer of protection along with the gentleness that came so naturally to him seemed to do that, it seemed to give the hollow some calmness to it all. Shifting mildly he smiled. “I promise I won't.” He wouldn't couldn't... He'd die before he ever did that, and frankly, he wasn't ready to die today.

Ushering it closer still to him he slid his hand down the back of it's head to the base of it's neck, rubbing gently as he did.“You must see though that even with this it's not safe for you to walk around as you are, someone may hurt you without really meaning to...” They'd mean to until the found out who they were attacking, and by then it would be far to late for anything, by then to much would be lost. They could not afford for that, and so he had to try and make the scared hollow see what he was saying, make it understand. “Do you see what I'm saying?” It wasn't stupid, he knew that, but even so he was trying to put things as simply as possible. What he didn't want as to confuse it, doing so was liable to only make it defensive once more, and he didn't want that. He didn't much think either of them wanted that. “I won't make you do anything little one, I swear I won't, but right now it's so very much safer for you if Toshiro's in control.” It was, if the young soul reaper was in control he'd seem less of a target, he only hopped the one in present control could see that.

Lowering his head once more it was clear he was doing everything possible to keep the hollow calm and subdued, this was part of the best way he saw. “I'm not going to make you, I swear.... But don't you see that for now it's safer to be him?” He could hope it did, but whether but would or not was something totally different, he couldn't say for sure. All he could do was guide it in the hopes that it would follow the right path, and unlike many Ukitake was indeed choosing the right path for another, and not just himself. “You don't have to pull the mask off, just... Let him take over for now. I'll keep you safe.” Safety was the thing he continued to promise, it was what he would always give if only the hollow would let him. That was the key to all of this though, he could do anything to help, anything at all, but none of it would do any good if the hollow wouldn't let him aid it. If it refused anything he did for it would come to nothing in the end, and there was no way he could force it into anything... It would have to accept of it's own will, only he and the boy in its mind could decide upon this.