Chapter Eleven - Righting Wrongs

"Jyuu-chan!" whined Shunsui, holding out a spoonful of some nasty concoction that looked as if it were steaming. "Come now, take your medicine!" He inched it closer to the other captain's mouth, trying and failing to get Jyuushiro to take the medicine that Unohana had left after she had made the "house call". She had given him specific instructions to give the stubborn man a dosage every hour on the hour. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. "Please, Jyuu-chan! Just cooperate!"

Jyuushiro twisted and turned, dodging every attempt the other man was making at getting the stuff into his mouth. More of it had fallen onto his bedspread than actually getting inside his mouth, and he was planning on keeping it that way. His lips remained tightly closed as he pushed against Shunsui's face with both hands, the other captain's outstretched arm aiming the spoon towards his closed mouth.

"Jyuu-chan!" Shunsui shouted, annoyed. "Just take the damn stuff already! It smells!" He made a gagging sound in the back of his throat. "Please, before I decide to puke on you, take it! Don't make me threaten you!" His voice came out slightly muffled due to the fact Jyuushiro kept pushing at his face like an insolent kid who didn't want to take his medicine. No, correction. Jyuushiro was worse than a little kid when it came to taking medicine. "Gah, I give up. Die for all I care."

He arrogantly pivoted on his heel and stomped off to the opposite side of the room, slamming down the spoon beside the medicine bottle. The medicine, thankfully, did not tip over and spill everywhere. He would try again in a few minutes, of course; he just needed a break. Running a hand through his straggly hair, having let it out of the usual tight ponytail since he didn’t very well have his hat to pull off the look, he sighed and turned to give Jyuushiro a put out glare. "Sometimes I just don't know what I'm going to do with you." He put his hands on his hips, looking for the entire world like an angry parent scolding a child.

And that’s when the knock came.

Pleased with the subject change, Jyuushiro turned to the door, letting the visitors know they could enter. There was a long pause before his door was slid open and Toushiro's head poked in, the boy looking rather guilty, his eyes locked on the floor in front of him.

Jyuushiro's face broke out into a large smile as he threw his arms open wide, but didn't stand from the bed. "Toushiro! How good of you to visit! Come in, come in!" He motioned the boy in, looking for all to see like a child who'd just received a wonderful Christmas present. "Come, come; don't be shy. Sit down, and - " He was cut off as a spoon was shoved into his mouth, his face distorting into one of absolute disgust as the liquid flowed down his throat. Dammit! I let my guard down!

"Aha!" Shunsui smirked, rather proud at his victory. "Now, be a good boy and relax." He patted his friend's head just to add insult to injury, still beaming because he had gotten one over on Jyuushiro. He turned to Toushiro, ruffling the boy's hair in turn. "Thank you, of course. Couldn't have done it without you, my boy!" He spotted Naruto a second later, entering a bit warily after the other boy, and his smirk only widened. "Why, welcome, Naruto-kun!"

"Er ... ohayo?" Naruto really didn't know what to say. He shifted the stuff in his arms and looked down, a frown tugging at his lips. "We ... thought we'd just drop by."

"We brought your stuff back," Toushiro added, motioning the captain's haori tucked under his arm. Naruto had Shunsui's pink haori, as well as his captain haori and the man's straw hat. The sake had broken when Isshin and Kisuke had shown up, and they'd contemplated buying another bottle but they didn't exactly have money to spare.

"Oh, thank you. Yamamoto-sensei would have killed me if I had to ask for a new one." Jyuushiro smiled, disgust still lingering in his eyes due to the medicine, and held out one hand. Toushiro walked forward and handed it to the captain, the man placing it beside him before patting on the tatami mat near his bed. "Sit. Let's chat."

The white-haired boy sat down rather awkwardly, avoiding Jyuushiro's eyes as he clenched his fists, feeling terrible for what had happened. The captain noticed the dejected posture, but said nothing for the moment.

Naruto silently handed Shunsui his things, the man accepting them with mild amusement.

"Why so quiet, Naruto-kun? Do you think I'm angry or something?"

The boy flinched; the tone sounded mocking even if Shunsui hadn't meant it to be.

Sighing, the captain offered Naruto a seat as well. "All right, both of you sit down. We need to have a little talk. Plus, those looks on your faces are bringing me down. Just when I succeeded in winning a victory against Jyuushiro!" He shook his head and leaned against the wall, waiting for the kids to be seated.

"Are you upset about losing yesterday?" Jyuushiro asked, watching Toushiro's face closely. "It was a good try, I was still impressed. I was just expecting a little more, is all." He smiled reassuringly. "But with the proper training, the two of you will become great captains." He turned to smile at Naruto.

"I'm sorry." Jyuushiro turned back to Toushiro, the boy looking up briefly before averting his gaze again. "I'm sorry I made you sick."

"You didn't make me sick." Jyuushiro laughed good-naturedly. "I was already sick. It's my own fault for not having seen through your trick and working myself up like that. I should have known you were just trying to rile me up, that was my own fault." He smiled apologetically, as well. "I'm sorry if I injured you, I really wasn't myself."

Naruto stood awkwardly off to the side, a frown tugging at his lips as he looked to floor in hopes of not catching Shunsui's attention. The last thing he needed was Shunsui criticizing him again.

The flamboyant captain left the boy alone for the moment and turned his attention to Toushiro. "Don't worry so much, kiddo. Jyuu here has been sick ever since we were kids. Isn't that right, Jyuu-chan?" He smirked, still happy over his victory (aka, getting Jyuushiro to take his ... horrible ... medicine).

"At least I'm not a drunk." Jyuushiro smiled at Shunsui. "I'd rather be sick than be like you." He snickered slightly, then reached out and ruffled Toushiro's hair. The boy winced slightly, but allowed the action. "You are all right, though, right? I would feel terrible if I'd injured you so badly over a trick."

"I'm fine," Toushiro whispered. "It's nothing I can't handle. The Hollow battle was a lot worse." His eyes then widened. "Not that you're weaker than a Hollow or anything, I was just - "

"Calm down." Jyuushiro laughed slightly. "You're adorable when you're flustered, but I know what you meant, so don't get so worried." He turned to Shunsui. "Ne, Shunsui? These two worry way too much. Must be because Isshin and Urahara are always chasing after them."

Laughing slightly himself, Shunsui had to agree. Naruto and Toushiro did seem rather down, but that was to be expected. The fights hadn't even been finished and they both realized who would have won. Sighing, he didn't know what to do to get Naruto to even look at him. Maybe riling the blond up would work? "That could be it, my friend. What do you think they did to poor Naru-kun here? He's not as lively and spunky and adorable as usual!" He sounded dejected at the very thought. Of course he'd been disappointed about the fighting level, but that was to be expected ... he hadn't meant to crush the blond. Hell, he didn't even know his opinion had meant so much to the boy. "Cheer up, blondie!"

Naruto twitched, but shockingly didn't rise to the bait, muttering a short, "Whatever" under his breath.

Toushiro glanced at Naruto, and then looked back down at his hands, which were gripping the front of his hamaka. He really did miss the loud and brash Naruto, but right now, that wasn't what they were here for. Naruto won't ask, so... I might as well...

"Um, taichou." Toushiro swallowed hard. "We were both wondering if the two of you would be willing to teach us how to improve our fighting skills. We're already top of our classes right now, so we don't learn much in them. The teachers have to go slower because of everyone else, so Naruto and I usually get bored and practice shunpo. Could you … maybe teach us some techniques?"

Jyuushiro stared at Toushiro, who was still avoiding his gaze, and then turned to look at Shunsui. It was a bit early to be teaching them such advanced things. They already knew more than most low-ranking Shinigami. He silently asked Shunsui what he thought of the idea. Should they wait, or start soon?

Rolling his eyes - Jyuu always gave him that look when he wanted an answer - Shunsui mused over the situation, wondering exactly what his friend was thinking. He considered how well the two were doing, but that still didn't mean they were ready to learn what two high-ranking Shinigami had to offer. And they're training course ... it was nothing like the little kiddy spars that Isshin and Urahara were putting the two through. He scowled mentally just thinking about it. How dare those two tease children with false fights. Needless to say, Shunsui wasn't too thrilled about the fact that two of his captain friends were using innocent kids for pure entertainment. "Well, I think we should wait," he said, directing his response to Jyuushiro. "I ... just don't think they're ready."

Naruto tensed again. Just like I thought, they do think little of us.

"But it's not for the reasons you think," Shunsui continued, looking over at Naruto with a raised eyebrow, taking in the boy's taunt posture. "As strong as you two are becoming, you're still learning. And our training would just get in the way of that learning. Come to us in a few years once you're finally Shinigami. Then we'll talk."

"Right," Toushiro whispered. Jyuushiro felt bad, seeing the dejected looks on both Naruto and Toushiro's faces, but it really was for the best.

"You both have a tremendous amount of potential, but we can't rush you. You're still just kids, whether you like it or not. We'll see how you do on your exams, and then we'll decide." He looked over at Shunsui with a slight shrug and weak smile. He just wanted to give them a bit more hope. They wouldn't be Shinigami for a while yet, so to at least give them something to look forward to would be nice.

"Well, we should go." Toushiro stood. "As you said, we have our exams soon. Yoruichi-san said she would help us get ready for some of them, so we shouldn't keep her waiting."

"Oh, please don't. She gets grouchy, and then she'll come after us because we're the reason she had to wait." Jyuushiro laughed. "But good luck. And you both really are very talented. Just give it time." He smiled.

00000

Toushiro bit his thumbnail angrily as he paced back and forth inside his room, casting glances every now and then towards Naruto's bed, before his anger intensified and he forced himself to look away. His feet were practically stomping on the ground as he moved, his thumb almost at bleeding point from biting so far into the wick.

Stupid, irresponsible dumbass! I should murder him! I can't believe his carelessness! Toushiro never remembered being this angry before, but he had good reason this time. He was so mad he wanted to kill something. He was ready to go out and look for the asshole right now, but he knew he couldn't leave the room. He only hoped Yoruichi had found him by now and beaten the shit out of him.

Naruto, lying helplessly on the bed, could only watch his friend pace back and forth, becoming increasingly more worried for Toushiro's thumb nail. "Er, Hitsu, calm down. I told you, and keep telling you, I'm fine." Never mind the bandages wrapped around his left arm and half his chest because of the wound he had sustained. "Just ... calm down." He was afraid the boy was going to crack soon, if he kept up that pacing. And then break the promise he'd forced Toushiro to make about not killing idiots. He sighed, looking at Toushiro expectantly. "Tell me you're not going to go do something stupid."

"Stupid is your forte," Toushiro snapped. "Mine is intelligence, so I plan on doing something intelligent." His eyes narrowed at the wall as he paced, then turned and narrowed at the other wall. He was surprised he hadn't lit them on fire yet, not that he was trying to. Well, maybe just a little bit. "I can't believe that idiot!" he shouted, slamming his first into the wall when he reached it and then growling, cradling his hand to his chest, pain shooting up his arm. "Isshin is such an idiot! I hope Yoruichi finds him and kills him! I can't believe he did that! You could've fucking died!" Toushiro was furious, which was the only reason the panic from thinking about a life without Naruto was easily ignored. Naruto was an idiot, but he'd be lying if he said he wouldn't miss the blond. He couldn't imagine going through the academy without him.

A bit scared, Naruto tried to sink deeper into the bed, wondering why his friend was getting so worked up. He wasn't that important to the other boy, was he? Blinking, Naruto realized with a start he would be doing the same thing Toushiro was doing if the roles were reversed. When had they ... become so dependent on each other? "Hitsu, you don't really mean that, you're just ... angry. I mean, come on, you saw what she did to Urahara-san!" He stopped, chuckling. "Well, okay, maybe that bastard deserved what he got. But still. Isshin said he was sorry ... multiple times at the hospital. It was just what Isshin says it was! An accident."

"I don't care!" Toushiro shouted, rounding on Naruto and practically exploding with anger. "We're just trainees! We were almost killed by Shunsui and Jyuushiro when they weren't even trying! Isshin should've known better than to go into shikai! I can't believe he released his sword! Even Urahara looked pissed off at him! You may be amazing, but you're not perfect! You're still training!"

Toushiro leaned back against the wall, sank to the ground, and buried his face in his hands, trying to calm down. He was so mad that he was shaking. He couldn't believe it. Even when Jyuushiro had been angry, he hadn't done anything to truly injure him. Isshin was just messing around and he'd practically torn Naruto apart!

Naruto watched his friend sink to the floor, shocked that the boy was shaking. From ... rage? All right, maybe Toushiro was taking things too far. It was an accident, after all. Or that's what he kept telling himself. Toushiro did have a point about the Isshin being an idiot, though. "Come on, Hitsu, I'll be better in no time, just you watch." He made to sit up in bed, but winced rather painfully when the wounds reopened. He clenched his teeth, hissing out as the pain only increased. Dammit, bad idea.

Toushiro's head shot up. "Naruto no baka!" he hollered, jumping to his feet and running to his friend's side, grabbing the blond's good shoulder and pushing him back down. "Unohana-taichou told you not to move! Can't you ever listen?!" His eyes strayed to the stain starting to form on the bandages and his mind almost went into panic mode. "I have to get a medic, you wait here and don’t move!" he growled. He rushed towards the door, opening it before pausing. Leaving Naruto alone might be a bad idea, so he ran next door, leaving their door open, and banged on their neighbor’s door, hoping Renji or Kira was home.

A familiar young man came running around the corner with speed, tripping and stumbling over himself so he ended up sprawled out on the floor. He quickly picked himself up and spotted Toushiro standing in the hallway, squeaking and hurrying over to the boy. "Hitsugaya-kun! You should be keeping an eye on Uzumaki-kun! You know how he is!" His eyes had gone wide, wondering if the blond was all right.

"Oh, thank kami!" Toushiro left his post at Renji and Kira's door just as it opened and a disgruntled Renji poked his head out. Toushiro ignored him, grabbing Hanatarou's wrist and dragging him into his and Naruto's room. "The idiot reopened his wounds." He motioned the blond. "I was going to ask someone to go get someone from the fourth division, but you showed up, which is just convenient." He then frowned as he released the Shinigami and watched him walk towards Naruto. "Come to think of it, why are you here?"

"I'm right here, you know," Naruto ground out, pressing his unwounded arm onto his chest to try and stop the pain momentarily. "If you're gonna call me an idiot at least direct the comment to me, teme."

Hanatarou laughed a little, rubbing sheepishly at the back of his neck as he continued to approach the injured boy's side. "Well, I came on Unohana-taichou's orders, she said she wanted someone here in case something happened. Like ... you're friend reopening his wounds. Which seems to have happened." He gently pushed Naruto's arm off his chest and started undoing the bandages. "Would you like me to teach you how to do this in case you need to later? Well, if I'm not here or anything." His question was aimed at the young boy standing off to the side, watching the medic work his magic. "It's not really hard."

"Ouch!" Naruto shouted when the young medic touched a particularly tender spot. "Watch it!"

"Sorry, sorry!"

Toushiro ran back to Naruto's side, looking over Hanatarou's shoulder and then going slightly green. It looked disgusting. Isshin was going to pay for this.

"Sure. That would be really great. That way I won't have to bother people in the middle of the night when Naruto decides to be an idiot." He then paused. "Oh, sorry. I forgot. Naruto, you're an idiot." He smirked slightly.

Naruto winced again as Hanatarou started redoing the bandages, having to rely on Toushiro to help him left his body so the medic could wrap them all the way across his chest. It was a rather big wound, after all. Not to mention it hurt like hell ... not that he was complaining or anything.

"All done," commented Hanatarou lightly, wiping off his blood stained hands on his black uniform and putting his medic kit back where it belonged. "Sorry about the intrusion and everything," he started bashfully, "but I'll be staying with you until nightfall each day until the wounds are healed. I hope that's not any trouble?"

"I have no objections. Neither does Naruto." The white-haired boy shot Naruto his most threatening and frightening glare ever to ensure he didn't say anything contradictory. "I'm glad you'll be staying, it makes me feel a little better." Toushiro fell back onto his bed with a sigh, staring at his ceiling. "Ne, Hanatarou? You just recently became a Shinigami, right? I mean, you were pretty nervous during that Hollow fight a few months back, so you can't have been one for long, right?"

"No, not really. I just came out of the Academy actually." The young man nervously played with the edges of his uniform, glancing over at Naruto every once and a while to make sure he hadn't moved from his spot on the bed. "That was my first time serving as a medic in the Fourth Division during a Hollow fight. There's special training that new Shinigami have to take to match the criteria for their Division, once they get selected or placed in that Division. It was my first fight because I just finished that training. I - I hope soon I'll get a seated spot so I can take more field assignments like that. I may not be the bravest person, but I like to do what I can."

Naruto listened to the other speak, eyes starting to drift shut a bit ... but he had to admire the strength Hanatarou spoke with. The medic may not have seemed it, but he surely was rather brave in his own unique ways.

"I think you did pretty well for a first time." Toushiro smiled reassuringly at Hanatarou. "I know I was scared shitless, but then again, we're still trainees. But I guess it doesn't matter how long you've been working, a fight is still a fight. I bet even captains get nervous sometimes. I read somewhere about Menos Grandes or something like that, which are huge Hollows, and they apparently can be scary to Vice Captains, at the very least. Some captains are all right with them, but most would get scared."

"Oh! You really know your stuff!" Hanatarou smiled himself, starting to warm up to the conversation. "Hey, you guys should come around the Division more often. Unohana-taichou is the sweetest captain you'll ever meet and she's been talking about you guys a lot. I think she'd be interested in having you guys in her Division, if you guys were willing to learn the healing crafts associated with the demon arts. But it's only a suggestion," he hurried to clarify. "Unohana-sama is really kind and loves to help, so if you two need anything she'd be happy to assist. And me too!" He smiled, leaning back against the wall near Naruto's bed ... missing the wall and tumbling back to the floor.

Naruto jolted back awake, having been dozing off, and snorted when he saw what had happened. "Oi, are you sure he really has to stay with us, teme?"

"Don't be such a prick, I thought that was my job," Toushiro insisted as he stood up and walked over to Hanatarou, holding out a hand to help the other boy stand. "Thanks for the suggestion, but since we're being sought after by Jyuushiro, Shunsui, Kisuke, Isshin and Yoruichi, I think having another captain to deal with will just drive us insane." He laughed slightly. "And how come she thinks highly of us, anyway? The last time I saw her, I was unconscious."

"Well, Unohana doesn't think of it like that!" Hanatarou started, accepting the hand and standing once more. He let go and blushed. "She actually thinks you guys were really brave for actually fighting in that fight instead of standing off on the sidelines and watching others get hurt. She ... makes it seem like us small people ... we can actually do something. I ... I also admire your bravery."

Naruto just grumbled under his breath about not being a prick while snuggling into the covers, listening to the conversation but pretending not to.

"I think your Division is much braver than me or Naruto," Toushiro insisted as he motioned for Hanatarou to follow and sit on his bed. Toushiro plopped down on the bed as well. "I mean, we know how to fight to a certain extent, and we didn't want to just watch people die. Your Division can't really fight at all, but you guys still risk your lives to save other people. I think you're much braver than we are."

Hanatarou took a tentative seat on the bed beside Toushiro, not one to decline an invitation to sit. He was much too polite. "We're not ... not that brave. We're always getting picked one by the Eleventh Division ... and no one really likes us. They all think we're inferior," he explained, a bit wistful and sad. "I really wish I could fight like you guys ... but my sword, my skills ... they're not made for that."

Toushiro shrugged. "Forget the Eleventh Division. I don't think they realize that without your division, they'd be in trouble. They might pick on you and make fun of you, but I'm sure that deep down, they actually appreciate the help you give them. You're important. Without you, idiots like Naruto …" He paused and turned to Naruto. "You're an idiot," he said before turning back to Hanatarou and continuing, "would be dead."

"Yeah ... but you haven't met these guys. They ... they really just don't care." Hanatarou tried to refrain from stumbling over his words, but sometimes it just didn't work. "I mean, Kenpachi-sama is the most bloodthirsty guy around and his Shinigami aren't much better. If you ever see them coming ... I suggest you run the other way. You really, really don't want to mess with them."

Naruto 'tched' under his blankets. I bet this Kenpachi fellow's just a stupid bastard who doesn't know a lick about real fighting if he has to pick on little people just to feel big. Don't like him already.

"Good to know," Toushiro muttered, ignoring Naruto. "With everyone we have after us, we don't need more. Not only do we always have to fight, but Urahara and Kurosaki are - " He cut himself off, his eyes widening. "That's it! Naruto, I've got it! I know how we can pay Isshin back for almost killing you!”

Character Lists:

Sarge – Toushiro

Avril – Naruto, Hanatarou