#!toshiro

It isn't every day that Hiyori can be caught unaware by someone. She is very skilled at detecting the reiatsu of different shinigami and other beings. She has to be, after all, she is a hybrid and only a handful of her actually exist. But the reason why she hadn't realised a captain level shinigami was hanging around Urahara's shop was because of the current sessions she has been attending. It had been difficult to admit that she may have a problem with managing her aggression and violence. After all, she has been brought up in a violent world. But when that aggression no longer served you, and you lost your relationships with those you cherished… it was time to do something about it. Her anger had served her well when she had been growing up in Rukongai. It had been her armour and prepared her for battle to keep her energized. To keep the hollow in her stable and under control. But now… it only seemed to be her way to cover up some deeply uncomfortable emotions.

She didn't realise how much there was to cover. One explosive emotion, that reared its ugly head at the smallest of triggers had pushed away the very person she has wanted to keep close.

Hiyori thinks 'anger' is just a very small word to describe the colossal fire of rage inside her at times. And that fire will burn anyone that tries to get close.

She glances at Toshiro, no doubt here on some other mission has noticed her absence from Soul Society. She supposes she had attempted to get closer to him. He had been the easiest to get to know. He didn't invoke feelings of betrayal inside her. Or of the ugly hatred she has for shinigami. With him… she felt a bit calmer. He was… a comrade. An ally.

She supposes it was because she has never known him in the past that it is easier to talk to him.

"Heh… did ya miss me? Or is Shinji crying in yer office and not leaving?" She manages to tease him a little, but it feels hard to speak of Shinji without wondering how he is. She looks up at Toshiro and the cool kindness he offers her without trying. Effortlessly kind despite being so young. Like Ichigo. Youthful people were supposed to be selfish, she thought. But not the ones she has met recently.

"We're taking a break from one another. I can't seem 'ta stop hurting the one I love- so… I decided I should leave. 'Ta get better," she shrugs before looking back down. It is hard to admit that she hasn't done a good job, but she can admit her failures to Toshiro. He is also a captain, despite his lieutenant being so protective over him.

He might have experienced the same with his friend. Waiting for her to get better. He would understand Shinji the most.

"How is it… being the one who waits?"

"Teehe... and ya came allll the way out here 'ta tell me that. Or, yer just here 'ta show off yer new way of styling yer hair. Which is it?"

Nothing. - Normally, little girls wear their hair like you do.

"Little girls?"