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“Shall we begin?”
“Is this…really necessary?”
After the battle against Ywach and the Quincy’s army, the Soul Society was left to pick up the pieces, and pay the due respects to those who they’d lost.
As he watched the last of their new enemies fall, Toshiro felt something he hadn’t felt in some time…a force that was both powerful *and* familiar. It was Tier, who had gone missing ever since her failed attempt at killing Aizen. Toshi had assumed that she was simply…disposed of, as he had seen happen dozens of times during his stint in the Soul Society.
Of course, after having spent so long trapped, the blonde Arrancar was significantly weaker than she was during her fight against Aizen *or* Toshiro. While she was technically still an enemy, despite her sacrifice, Toshiro couldn’t bring himself to kill her…he couldn’t quite parse *why*, it wasn’t like killing was something he was particularly averse to.
Now, a year since that day, he’s glad he stayed his hand.
“I must make sure your recovery is proceeding as fast as possible.”
When Ywach had been slain, the combined forces of Soul Reapers, Arrancar and Quincies went their separate ways, with most of the group finding spouses and even marrying. Despite how it may have seemed just a few years ago, the future of the Soul Society, and the world as a whole, was now certain.
Toshiro was one of the last people to find a fitting spouse, but with enough time passing and time spent aiding the recovery of the Espada, even he had made up his mind. Out of all of the non-married people in his life, Toshiro only had one real option in his mind: Tier Harribel.
“Fine. Just don’t take me lightly…Toshi.” Hearing the word “Toshi” (a playful foreshortened version of his name) come from the seemingly distant Espada was a very welcome moment, as it was every time she said it. She’d come a long way from the isolated, angry Arrancar that Toshiro clashed swords with back in the day, slowly opening up in her own special way.
“I never have.”
Tier lowered her head, her mouth covered by her Espada uniform. While Tier had mentioned once that she wouldn’t mind replacing her old uniform with something befitting a member of the 13 Court Guard Squadron, but Toshiro (and even Rangiku) retorted that she shouldn’t be ashamed of “who she was” or who she supposedly served, as the woman underneath it was a “worthy warrior and a noble soul”.
Toshiro slowly unsheathed his sword, as Tier did the same. This had become a nearly monthly occurrence, where Toshiro sparred with the taller Espada to gauge how her post-imprisonment recovery was coming along. No Bankai, no Ressurecion, just two warriors competing in a spot of friendly competition.
“Toshiro…I…”
“You don’t need to say anything, Tier…I understand.”
Tier was never good at expressing her emotions. Most of the Espada had that problem (to varying degrees of severity), but it seemed to genuinely hurt her that she was as poor at social interaction as she was. Toshiro knew that she cared for him, that she would willingly die if it meant he survived. Nothing needed to be said, as both fighters just…understood one another, even if no one else did.
Harribel made the first move, dashing ahead and clashing her blade against Toshiro’s. Unlike their first encounter, there was no animosity in her actions, no fear of failure.
“Good. You’re an amazing woman, Tier. I don’t think I’d be able to come back from the kind of stuff you have…being trapped for over a year in-“
“Thank you…a part of me thinks that you…saved me…from myself.”
“How so?”
Toshiro flicked his wrist and deflected the attack.
“My goal…to fight for a world without sacrifices…it would have killed me…I would have certainly been martyred for that cause, had you not shown me another way…a *better* way of pursuing that wish.”
“Perhaps. Who’s to say? There’s no need to ruminate on such things. You’re here…you’re safe…you’re *alive*.”
The blonde looked away, a upswell of heat rising across her otherwise placid skin.
“You’re right. You’re…you’re always right.”
“Nonsense. I’m not *always* right, but I do know enough.”
With a lull in the “match”, Tier slowly unzipped her collar, revealing her masked face, as well as the visible redness that was present on her cheeks (or at least what was visible under the faux fangs).
“Is…something the matter?”
“No.”
Toshiro tried to keep his gaze locked with Tier’s eyes, as he has (on occasion) accidentally caught himself glaring at her chest. Luckily for him, he’d spent quite some time with women like Rangiku and Yoruichi, as he was able to quickly adapt to their particular flavors of almost negligent nonchalance when it came to their bodies (from what he’s heard, Yoruichi still sometimes parades around nude just to see if anyone gets embarrassed by the sight).
“Hm!”
Another swing, this one landing clean against Toshiro’s waist, knocking the Squad 10 captain onto his back from the sudden impact. Before he could adjust, Tier was already preparing another strike, but instead chose to languidly step over to her downed lover.
“Seems I have the advantage yet again…Captain.”
“Heheh…don’t let Rangiku know I let my guard down like that.”
As Toshiro moved to get back up, he was immediately stopped by the fearsome Arrancar suddenly placing her body on top of his, her bright green eyes beaming with internalized pride over her “victory”.
“Now it’s seems you’ve got me in a real bind…”
“Oh? The *peerless* Toshiro Hitsugaya, overwhelmed by a mere “damsel”?”
“You…do seem to have that effect on me, Tier.”
Toshiro leaned forward slightly, as Tier adjusted her position to allow him more freedom of movement. The stoic captain landed a (awkwardly placed) kiss on Tier’s shark-like mask.
“Hm? Did you mean to *kiss* me?”
“Well, of course I did…if you’d let me.”
“I just can’t say no to that face…Toshi.”
Moving her hand up to her neck, Tier easily unlatched her toothy mask, letting it dangle from her left ear pathetically. With a smile, Toshiro tried again, this time making contact with the (surprisingly) soft skin of the Tres Espada.
“Have you ever let anyone else do that?”
“Are you the jealous type Toshiro?”
“No, just curious. I must admit I’m not very familiar with how the Espada treat one another.”
“The answer is “no”. I had zero interest in companionship until you saved me from those…bastards.”
“I didn’t save you. In fact, that was entirely your doing…I merely…helped put the pieces back together.”
Tier didn’t respond, instead choosing to tightening her gaze on the shorter swordsman.
“You have a very…particular look in your eyes.”
“Like a shark? Unfortunately I’ve heard all of the jokes…you can thank Urahara for that.”
Harribel actually laughed…just for a moment, but Toshiro knew what he heard. Toshiro raised his arm, brushing a few loose yellow hairs away from his wife’s eyes.
Wife. That word danced around in his head just as it crossed through his mind. It’s such a normal word, yet…seeing this woman, this *goddess* as *his* wife was something he was certain he’d never get used to. Most of the world doesn’t know that they’re technically married, especially since Tier doesn’t particularly care for ceremonies or anything too “overdramatic”.
For a moment, neither person spoke, simply looking each other in the eye. When Toshiro opened his mouth to speak, he was silenced by a surprise kiss from the usually stoic Harribel.
“I…*love* you…Toshiro Hitsugaya. Even if you were once my enemy…my heart tells me that I…*we* were destined to be together…to finally unite the Espada…and the Soul Reapers.”
Toshiro’s face reddened at the statement. Considering how emotionally cold Tier could usually be, hearing those words, and that tone, coming from her made him feel emotions he hadn’t felt in…well…a *very* long time.
“That’s quite the responsibility. Am I truly up to the task?”
“You’ve survived so far. I believe you’re far more capable than you give yourself credit for…as a warrior…and as a spouse.”
“The same could be said to you too, Miss Harribel…”
“One day…once the dust settles…I might just officially become Tier Hitsugaya…I don’t *dislike* that notion.” Tier practically whispered, her low, almost guttural tone sending a shiver or two up Toshiro’s spine. He didn’t move as the Hollow moved one of her hands to the back of his head, cradling his head just enough to place her hand in his hair.
“I would be honored to have you…if you can say the same for me…”
“Of course I can. Now come over here before I *change my mind*…”
Tier pulled the shorter Captain into a deep, slow embrace, practically forcing him into another kiss. To his surprise, Tier chose to wear some form of lip covering today, perhaps to mark what she deems as “hers”. Unlike the last few, noticeably more *chaste* kisses, this one was deep and heartfelt (Toshiro could even feel the Arrancar’s tongue probe ever so slightly into his mouth, a motion he didn’t reciprocate out of surprise).
Once the pair had separated, Tier moved as if she was going to try something more…risqué, before the sound of rapid footfalls nearby caught her attention.
“Hey Toshiro! Tier!”
That was Ichigo’s voice, no doubt coming to visit the Soul Society, mostly to check in with everyone now that the world had seemingly been saved.
With a level of deftness that one would expect from the Tres Espada, Tier easily rose to her feet and put her mask back on, before slowly re-zipping up her jacket. Toshiro remained on the ground, taking in the view of the sun reflecting off of Tier’s skin, which had the slightest layer of sweat from their sparring match. Combined with the corona of light that surrounded her from the sun, she looked like a goddess.
“Yo! Orihime came to-oh…d-did I interrupt somethin’?”
Ichigo came around the corner, and immediately locked eyes with Toshiro, whose face still bore the marks of Tier’s affections.
“Nonsense. Captain Hitsugaya and I were simply practicing our…close quarters combat techniques.” If Ichigo wasn’t as smart as he was, he probably would’ve believe Tier’s story, as blatantly false as it was.
“I-Ichigo! Came to say goodbye?”
“Goodbye? What’re you on about, Toshi? I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. I promised to help keep *everyone* safe, and even though there hasn’t been a real threat in… prolly over a year now, I’m still gonna hold myself to that.”
Toshiro comically sprang to his feet, his (already somewhat frazzled) hair blown every which way by his sudden motions. When he finally managed to compose himself, Toshiro was extra certain to adjust the belt of his uniform just in case, just as Orohime and Chad managed to catch up. That’s when Toshiro noticed something…different about Orohime…she was visibly pregnant.
“Ichi! You can’t just go running off like that! Not when I’m all…*indisposed*!”
“H-huh?! Oh…uhm…right…I got excited I guess…”
“It’s fine. Orihime, I’d recommend you let him off of the hook for this one. He hasn’t seen much of the Court Guards since before…that.” Chad motioned towards Orohime’s stomach.
“You’re right…I’m just kinda cranky today, is all.”
“I can sympathize. While I may not have the…erhm…same issue, I do know it can be quite draining.”
“Not all guys can say the same, I’m glad you’re understanding at least!”
“I try my best…hello Toshiro…and Miss Halibel.”
Toshiro sheepishly nodded. Despite being a man of few words, Chad had eyes like a hawk, and seemed to know way more than most despite being an otherwise quite normal guy.
“So…how’s Tier’s recovery comin’ along? Last I saw her, she was practically dead.”
Tier glowered a bit under her jacket, upset at the reminder of how truly awful being trapped in some prison for *several* months was, and just how maimed she had been when she finally freed herself.
“It’s…going well. Very well, in fact. If it weren’t for Orohime’s strong healing techniques, her recovery would’ve been significantly slower.”
“Can she do all the stuff she used to? Never know when the Tres Espada could come in handy…”
Toshiro was about to answer, but Tier raised a hand.
“If you are asking if I am ready for battle, I *am*. Even though I am still not at full power, I am more than enough for most who would dare to attack me.”
“Heh! That’s the shark-lady I…sorta know.”
“Oh! Hey Tier! Can you come with me for a bit, I just wanted to take a look at your scars, to make sure they’re healing properly!”
“…Fine. You’re leading me away from…prying eyes I assume?”
“Mhm! Just because I happen to have got a baby on the way doesn’t mean I don’t wanna help you guys!”
“How…oddly phrased, but honorable all the same.”
Tier looked towards Toshiro for affirmation, before walking towards Orohime and Chad.
“Can you…” Orohime looked up at Chad, trying to find a way to bring up a question without sounding rude or disdainful.
“I getcha, I’ll just stay with Ichi. Make sure you don’t overexert yourself okay?”
“Aww! Y’big softie!”
“If not for your own sake, then do it for the kid’s.”
Orohime playfully patted Chad on the shoulder (she couldn’t quite reach the top of his head), before walking off with a bemused Tier in tow.
A moment of silence later, Ichigo turned to Toshiro
“So…hehe…I guess the rumors really were true after all, huh?”
“R-Rumors?! What “rumors”?!”
“Maaaaybe I shoulda kept quiet…”
“I am *asking* you a question Kurosaki, and I expect a satisfactory answer!”
“Hoooh boy. Hey, uh…Chad, Y’wanna help explain this one?”
“Sorry Ichigo, but I’m a firm believer in “If you make a bed, you better lie in it”…”
“Why do I even bother asking.”