Key

"" - speaking

Italic - thoughts

( ) – author's note

Frozen Fire

Chapter One

Revenge, that is what his heart, brain and soul cried out to him. Revenge, the icy coat of frost that covered his heart as he gazed into his parents' sightless eyes. His hands tightened around the body of his dead mother whom he held close to him. Piercing green eyes shining with tears of hatred gazed upon the people around him. These leaders of the world, all upholding various titles, various codes of honor, all stood here looking back at him with various expressions. There were the guilty that tried to convince themselves that they had nothing to do with this crime. Others were the contemplating ones who were planning their next step. A few were sad. A few were glad; to them the couple was righteously killed. Yet one emotion can be felt over all else. Disappointment, they had not achieved what they had set out to do. The secret died with the parents of Hitsugaya Toushirou. Eyes were on the boy, all the thoughts were alike. "Does the boy know anything?"

He knew that he had to get away. But at the tender age of ten he couldn't see any way to defeat these people. His body was rigid with frustration. Though he couldn't respect them for killing his parents it doesn't mean that he won't admit that these people were powerful. He had never met any of these people before but had heard plenty of stories about this world, his parent's world. A world he has to survive in until he revenged his family. He needed strength.

A man with flowing black robes stepped out. Kuchiki Byakuya, the head of the Earth clan and the host of this little ….gathering, walked to the front of the room and everyone quieted down. Eyes are looked toward this intimidating figure as he swept past the dead couple and Hitsugaya without even a glance and stood in front of the lavishly decorated room.

"Hitsugaya Yanino of the Earth clan and his wife from the Water clan has perished today. They have died in a manner most fitting for their actions. Their refusal to reveal the location of It has greatly dishonored their family name and I hereby remove them from the Earth clan." He looked across the room as if daring anyone to go against him. Every face just looked back at him with affirmation to what he had said. Finally Byakuya's ice cold gaze settled itself onto the young boy who glared right back at him.

"As for this boy, the spawn of these two delinquents, will not be tolerated in this world. Due to the circumstances that we still need to extract information from him. He will be held here under investigation for the time being. I will personally oversee this matter. Now, disperse."

A wave of discontent settled over the leaders of various clans as they headed down the Kuchiki mountain. No one dared to refute Byakuya. The legacy of his power was widespread. Yet they preferred to have him deal with this boy because when Byakuya says that he will do something then it will get done. Nomatter how insolent he may seem he is firm believer in tradition. In his mind there are no exception, the boy will get what he deserves.

In matter of minutes the hall was empty. In silence the two people left observed each other with distain. With a wave of Byakuya's hands two figures dressed in white robes appeared besides Hitsugaya. Before the boy could react his mother was snatched out of his hands along with his father disappeared as the figures used shunpo to step out.

As soon as the figures left, Byakuya released a bit of his overpowering aura. The air thickened and pressure increased sending Hitsugaya to the ground. Hatred was vivid in his eyes as he looked up onto the man he despised. He was the person who his parents had spoken so highly of, the man who didn't lift a single finger to help his parents and the man who stripped his parents of their dignity with a few simple words. No, out of all the people that was here. This was the person he couldn't forgive the most.

A small, hardly noticeable tinge of red appeared on the face of Hitsugaya, revealing both his embarrassment and his anger. Byakuya hadn't even lifted a finger yet he was already left defenseless and humiliated. Before long, even the effort of lifting his head to look at Byakuya was too painful. His head bowed a sign of defeat.

"Where is It?" asked Byakuya in a monotonous voice.

Toushirou kept his silence. His parents had died for this secret and he will not let them die in vain. "No."

Cold metal made contact with his skin. He never saw Byakuya move, he didn't even witness the draw of the sword, yet an undeniable trickle of blood had started to roll down his arm, staining the white robes he had on.

"Dare you repeat what you had said boy?"

"Biting his lower lip, Hitsugaya held in his cries of pain. He would not give Byakuya that satisfaction. He will make his parents proud.

"Onii-chan?" came the soft whisper of a black haired little girl at the door way. (AN: In this story Byakuya has a soft spot for Rukia. Okay? Okay)

"What are you doing here?" Byakuya's voice was still firm but anyone can see that his eyes had softened as he looked upon the small form of his eight year old sister. Byakuya took back his aura and Hitsugaya shakily got back onto his feet.

"Who is this, onii-chan? Can I play with him?" asked Rukia with utter fascination of the white haired boy that stood in the center of the room. He looked young yet his hair is white, so is he actually old?

"Rukia, you are to stay away from this boy." With that Byakuya ordered his man to take the boy away to the clan dungeon.

Bang, the impact of Hitsugaya's body against the steal rods enforced by magic rang in the cool autumn air. It had been a day since he had been shut in the place. All his efforts had been futile.

"You know, you are only going to hurt yourself. Nobody has ever gotten out without permission; these bars are reinforced by onii-chan's reitsu.

"Shut up, no one asked you shorty"

"You're not so tall yourself. Anyway, I just stopped by to bring you something to eat since; onii-chan always forgets to feed people." She said with a smile, the insult already forgotten. "What's your name?"

"Didn't you brother tell you to stay away from me?" asked Toushirou through suspicious eyes. Was this some trick that the guy named Byakuya had set up? Toushirou quietly observed the girl to see what reaction she would give. Instead, she gave almost no reaction at all and handed him a bento and a pair of chopsticks with an emotionless face.

"Onii-chan doesn't know I'm here. Onii-chan is a really nice person. But, I don't always agree with the actions he takes including not feeding people like you. And about not meeting you, actually, onii-chan doesn't let me meet anybody. You are the closest person my age that I have ever met! So can we be friends?"

After careful observation, Hitsugaya couldn't find anything. She just seemed like a dumb girl that was deprived of friends, somewhat like him. He remembers that place. The only humans there were his parents and himself. Of course It was there as well.

"Whatever. I'm hungry." he stated looking away.

The girl obviously took this as a yes to her question and merrily chatted to him though he was only half listening.

"My onii-chan will give me a sword for my next birthday…." Stated Rukia happily.

Toushirou chewed, his eyes looking into a faraway place. I wonder what they will do with my mother's…body.

"The house is really big. Maybe sometime I can sneak you out and we can explore." continued Rukia, oblivious to the fact that her new friend wasn't listening.

Toushirou's thoughts drifted to that place. Why did my parents want to return to this place? It's only filled with pain and sorrow. I don't know anything about this place! I don't even know who killed my parents…

"You know you must be really important to receive attention from all four clans. Not only that, it was the taichou of each clan that came here and not some representative."

If we didn't leave my parents would still be alive. Wait! Did she say the five clans? Why didn't I think of this earlier? Since she is of noble birth I can question her about this place and maybe find out some useful information! "Can you tell me about these clans?" he asked.

"Sure!" said an excited Rukia, happy that her companion is taking part in the conversation, "You see there three major worlds: Tamaki, Shourianka, and Yashida. Tamaki is where we are right now; there are four major clans, each headed by a noble family specializing in one of the elements: Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire. My onii-chan is the taichou of the Earth clan where you are right now. The taichou of each clan has some kind of awesome spiritual power. The four clans work together to govern the people without the spiritual power who live in the land in the middle of Tamaki. You know when a person is sixteen he or she gets tested to see if they have any spiritual power and if that person would be sent to the clan that best fits his abilities. Then there is the evil place Shourianka…"

Suddenly the ringing of a bell caught both of their attention.

"Oh no! Someone important is here and onii-chan will be looking for me. I'll talk to you later Hitsugaya-chan!" and with that Toushirou's first friend ran out the dungeon.

In the receiving room of the Kuchiki mansion

"What brings you here Aizen taichou? Surely not for the boy, you know that the decision had already been made." stated Byakuya calmly as he looked at the serene man who smiled back at him.

"Of course, of course. I just came here to warn you that the King of Shourianka has also found out that the boy is here. They will most likely try to get him so make sure you tighten security."

"I assure you that…"

"Onii-chan, I brought tea!" said Rukia as she skipped into the room.

Aizen smiled at her while her onii-chan looked at her in a condescending fashion.

"What have I told you about interrupting me while I am having a discussion with a guest? Go to you room."

Rukia walked out in a forlorn fashion.

"As I was saying, the security system here is top rate. There is no need for you to worry. If there is nothing else you want to discuss then I will prepare a room for you for the night." continued Byakuya.

"Oh it's okay, I still have urgent business so I will be leaving. Thanks for your hospitality." and with shunpo Aizen taichou disappeared.

The sun lowered as magnificent colors rippled across the sky. Byakuya sat in his office going through his mountain of paperwork. Setting down his pen as he finished signing the last paper he gracefully picked up an elaborate teacup when his sister burst through the double door.

"Onii-chan! He's gone. Hitsugaya-kun is gone!" screamed Rukia.

In a different world, green eyes slowly opened. As his fuzzy vision readjusted itself, the delicate figure of a girl in a silk kimono slowly came into focus.

"You're awake," said stated the girl.

Pain lashed through his body.

"Tell me, where is It!"

A/N: Okay finally finished with the first chapter of my first story! Please be kind and review!!!