{~}Chasing Snow{~} Toshiro Hitsugaya

"Fresh produce!"

"Fresh meat, just slaughtered!"

The hustle and bustle of the Rukon District was always apparent. There were always merchants selling their goods and there were people to buy them. But not everyone was fortunate enough to have money to buy necessities. And for many of the children in the Rukon District, what you couldn't buy but needed, you stole. But stealing isn't easy, especially in a place where adults have no remorse for hitting children. So most settle for searching for scraps, except one little runt.

She hid behind large barrels in front of a small shop. She raised her hand to chant an incantation and an explosion of red energy erupted, destroying all that lay in its path. Mass chaos broke out, and people scrambled to get away, but the small girl snapped her fingers, signalling the rest of her crew to move in. A group of about 5 other kids ran through the smoke and debris and picked up whatever they could. Whether it was food, water, or anything else, they took it and ran away before the smoke could clear. When everything had subsided, all that was left were broken pieces of wood.

"Hey guys, we're back! And we were successful too!" A boy, no older than 15 called out.

The small girl and her crew returned back to the small hut where many of the homeless Rukon District children gathered. There, they banded together like a dis-functional family and looked out for one another. The stolen goods were distributed among all the children.

"Here sis, you get extra since you did the most, like usual."

Sister, as she was called, performed all explosions that made every heist successful. No one quite knew where she learned Shinigami kidou, but no one questioned it. But her plans were ingenious. She would blast a deserted building, one that was doomed to fall someday anyways, and the explosion would cause panic and people would run away so the other children could move in and take what they needed. No one was ever hurt, and no one was ever caught.

~*~*~*In the Soul Society~*~*~*
"There have been various reports of explosions happening in the Rukon District over the past few weeks. Head Captain Yammamoto wants us to investigate and if the opportunity presents itself, capture the culprit."

Captain of the 10th Division, Toshiro Hitsugaya, listened as his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, told him of their direct order to go and investigate the Rukon District. He had to admit, he was curious. Whoever was causing the explosion was obviously up to no good, so he and Matsumoto left immediately.

Many other unseated officers were also investigating the many scenes of the explosions. Toshiro noticed one man, who was complaining to a officer about how the Soul Society should reimburse him for the items that were stolen from him.

"And what exactly was stolen?"

"Eh? This shrimp's a captain? Ah well." The man said, annoying the young captain. "Most of my produce was stolen. I bet it was one of the rotten kids, always trying to pull one over on me."

"Kids? There are children around this area?" Rangiku asked, concerned.

The man thought for a moment, "Yeah, a whole bunch of them. But there's one that really gives me the creeps. She's about this kid's height, and she's got short black hair and red eyes that just freak me out. Last time I saw her was before my stand got caught up in the explosion. She was saying some weird voodoo, witchcraft chant or whatever. Don't know what her name is though, but I've heard some other kids call her "sister".

The white-haired captain thought about it. If she was saying a chant, she might be the one causing all the explosions. "Do you know where were could possibly thing this girl?"

"Looking for a girlfriend, kid?" The man laughed, only to receive a glare. "I'm just joking! She lives in a small hut with a bunch of other kids. It's by the forest."

Leaving behind the other officer to deal with the annoying man, Toshiro and Rangiku shunpo-ed off the find this girl.

Within the hut that the Rukon children resided in, everything was peaceful. Everyone had a full stomach and Sister was quietly allowing an older girl braid her hair. But as the other children played, the door opened, revealing two unknown figures and many, less important figures behind them. All the kids stopped whatever they were doing and stared at the two strangers at their door.

"We're looking for the one called Sister." The shorter one said with much authority in his voice.

Sister stood up from her spot on the ground and approached the strangers carefully. They were shinigami, she knew that, judging by their clothes.

"I am the one they call Sister." Her voice was unintentionally coated in malice.

She was definitely how the man had described her. Her black hair was cut just above her shoulders and her red eyes were enough to sent shivers down your spine if she stared at you too long.

"Are you the one causing the explosions in the Rukon District?"

"What's it to you?"

Toshiro clenched his fists, trying to contain his annoyance. She was being difficult, to say the least. But on the other hand, he didn't expect her to just come right out and admit it.

"You just have to answer to question, cutie. No harm will come to you and your friends if you answer truthfully." Rangiku cooed.

"No, I don't think I will." Sister said, in the same monotone voice. She snapped her fingers and all the children within the hut came charging out with make-shift weapons.

Sister pushed her way between the two shinigami and ran, only to be spotted by the officers behind them. While Toshiro and Rangiku tried to pry many heavy children off of them, Sister was surrounded in a circle of men with swords. She was beginning to panic, even though she had been in many dangerous situations before, she was never so face-to-face with them, always at a distance. Quickly, she gathered a ball of raw spirit energy into her hand and shot it out at the shinigami, coating them in a heavy layer of snow.

She ran in the direction of a semi-secluded hut that Sister knew belonged to a kind old woman. She was so kind and accepting, she often told Sister of the stories of her two 'grandchildren' who had gone off and become shinigami. The woman was so kind, Sister knew she could hide there for a few days, just until the shinigami lost interest in her. But after the children in the hut began to tire, Toshiro saw her running away and followed her.

Running through the forest she knew well, Sister looked back and saw the pesky white-haired shinigami was still following her. She collected more energy in her hand and released it into the surrounding area, covering everything in snow. Thinking she had lost him, Sister sped up a made it to the kind old woman's house, but not without being dizzy and tired. As soon as she knocked on the door, she collapsed.

It was much harder to find his way out of the snow covered forest than Toshiro thought. But once he found his way, he was surprised to find where he had turned up.

'Granny's house?'

This house had many memories for Toshiro. He went inside, still remembering the layout of the hut and found Sister fast asleep with her head on Granny's lap.

"Toshiro? You've grown up so much!" Granny smiled the same smile from all those years ago.

The young captain smiled, and hugged his granny, carefully avoiding waking Sister up.

"Granny, you know this girl?"

"Why yes. Her name is Akane, but she tells me she doesn't like to be called that. Says it reminds her too much of her scary red eyes. But she's such a sweet girl, she comes and brings me food sometimes. She doesn't come too often though, she takes care of a lot of the homeless children in the Rukon district."

Toshiro looked at the woman quizzically, but realized she would never lie to him. Akane was like Robin Hood, taking from those who have and giving to the poor. Toshiro thanked his granny and told her that he needed to take Akane back with him. He picked her up delicately and carried her on his back. He met back with Rangiku in the hut, where all the children became distressed over their sister leaving.

After getting her acquainted with the Soul Society, Akane was put straight into duty as a shinigami. Her training would take place as she worked. Head Captain Yamamoto called, "Paying her debt to society". And of course, since he was the one to bring her back, Toshiro was put in charge of her.

"You're holding your zanpakuto wrong." He scolded her.

"Sorry... I'm not really cut out for this whole shinigami thing, Captain Hitsugaya."

He gave her a questioning look, telling her to continue.

"Whenever we would steal from merchant, we always made it so that no one would get hurt. But as a shinigami, you have to be able to hurt others..."

The young captain sighed, "You'll be fine. We'll be here to protect you so you don't have to kill anything." He said, ruffling her hair fondly.

Akane chuckled, not exactly a laugh, but it was something. She have Toshiro a quick peck on the cheek before resuming to hold her zanpakuto wrong. And for a brief moment, Toshiro's face was the same color as Akane's eyes.