Ahem... so... not dead. *hangs head* I'm so sorry for this late update. Once again. I've been very stressed out, with school and work friends and family and other personal issues, and I'm very, very sorry, but life really hasn't been the best lately, so it's sapped all my urge to write. I've just been dealing with a lot...

I want to thank everyone who has reviewed and favourited this story, or put this story a lot. Your support means more to mean than you can imagine, and really encourages me to continue to write.

That being said... recently Bleach has been... well, it's certainly interesting, but has messed up a lot of my head canons and assumptions that I have made about Bleach for this fic. But... I don't think I'll be deviating from my plan and headcanons.

I apologize if this upsets readers, though I suppose it's kinda obvious, but this fic will sort of be taking a canon discontinuity. I don't want to go back and change any elements, especially regarding Unohana and Isshin and zanpakutou lore and other details, though I might still borrow some details. I already planned out where I want to go with this. I guess the whole premise of this fic was already AU-ish, but this sort of cements it, doesn't it? So... it will go on! Just pretend that the recent arcs didn't happen! I'll take the canon up until about Ulquiorra and Ichigo's fight...I hope you don't mind! Of course, if anyone has any concerns or really, really wants certain elements included, I'll be happy to listen and discuss and reconsider.

I also apologize if my writing isn't up to par. Once again, I blame stress, and the fact that this is another one of this intermediate chapters that are really hard for me to write. I'm not totally happy with the result, but I think I've left you all hanging long enough. Hopefully the next one will be better! With that being said, I shall end this frightfully long Author's note and continue onto the story!

Part Fourteen

Over a year had passed since the death of Isshin. The shinigami were quickly recovering from their shock at what happened that fateful day in the world of the living, though the repercussions have yet to fade.

Hyourinmaru and Toushirou had come to an unspoken agreement not to bring up the topic of the Heavenly Guardian. At least, not as casual conversation. They carried on as they did before, still very close for zanpakutou and shinigami. However, as he learnt more advanced techniques, Toushirou quickly detected a change in his control over his abilities.

He still frequented the area outside of the habited parts of Junrian as his training ground. It served his purposes well enough until the day he realized that his favourite forest clearing was just too small to contain his ice.

"What the?" he gasped as he surveyed the damage. Hyourinmaru had been encouraging him to forego control and release his powers wildly, to see just how long he could last before he was drained. To his shock, an area totaling to three ri was immediately covered in ice. This disturbed him somewhat, though not enough to stop his irritation as he heard the dragon's smug, hissing laughter.

"Master, I did warn you that you might need to find a place of sufficient area."

"And this WAS supposed to be sufficient!" Toushirou said, his annoyance rising.

"Two ri radius. After what you have read, I'd hardly think this would be enough, especially given your current emotional state."

Toushioru did not answer, feigning deafness and ignorance as he usually did when Hyourinmaru brought this point up. He felt he had no right to worry about that at the moment. Not when other more imminent issues pressed down upon him.

It appeared that the Tenth division had still not found a captain after Isshin's death. Matsumoto was just barely handling the pressure, though managing fairly well, according to Momo when Toushirou asked (not that Toushirou would admit to asking, or being worried about the tenth lieutenant), but the division lacked strength without a captain and missing seated shinigami.

Toushirou hadn't thought it'd concern him apart from the fact at being worried about another division's lack of strength. But he soon found himself keeping an ear out for information regarding that division, his interest piqued whenever the division or its officers were mentioned. Perhaps it was because the time he'd spent with their officers during that terrible mission to Karakura town had given them temporary camaraderie, but he found himself worrying sometimes about the shinigami of the Tenth.

"Rangiku-san's having a hard time," Momo had said to him once as he delivered some papers for her. "She's used to partying all the time and now she is working all the time on division affairs. The Soutaichou hasn't given her the acting captain position, and she isn't really supposed to promote people without a captain, so after filling the fifth seat role, she hasn't moved anyone up. That puts the division at a disadvantage, since they can't take the harder missions and their funds are running low for training new recruits."

Toushirou had frowned. "What's the Soutaichou thinking? I admit that Matsumoto seems a little lax about responsibility at times, but hasn't she proved that she can handle it?"

Momo looked worried too. "I don't know. I suggested to Rangiku-san to ask for the position, but she refused to. She said something about Yamamoto-soutaichou saying that a good candidate will appear soon."

Something about the words sent a jolt of apprehension through him. He couldn't help but wonder if Yamamoto already had a person in mind.

The thought bothered him. Surely Yamamoto knew he had achieved bankai. Ukitake had known, and as Yamamoto was the Soutaichou, Ukitake would surely have informed him. Toushirou had guessed that Yamamoto had an interest in him ever since he'd met Sasakibe-fukutaichou at the Academy gates after he'd achieved shikai so many years ago. As well, other people in the Gotei 13 also knew or suspected, not to mention several of the tenth division officers. Were they all expecting him to take the position?

But he wasn't sure if he wanted captaincy. His whole life had been people putting expectations on him. Was it too much to ask to be left alone to live his life the way he saw fit for once?

Given his track record so far, most likely yes. He had to admit, being a shinigami didn't bother him so much anymore. There were many times he found it enjoyable, and after achieving bankai, he'd accepted that as his fate. There was no way he would ever be able to go back to his old life, and it did feel much better being around others who were like him. Shinigami was a type of being, something that defined him (however much Hyourinmaru would like to challenge that thought).

Captain was a rank. Captaincy was a job, a duty, a responsibility for people's lives. Yes, there were times when he'd thought about it, wearing the white haori and commanding respect when he appeared before the other shinigami. But then reality would hit. He would still probably be shunned, whispered about, and probably even more so because he would still be a child. And he had no idea if he had it in him to take on the responsibility for a whole division yet.

"Yet," Hyourinmaru repeated, sounding a little superior.

Shut up. I never planned to ever try out for captaincy.

"Just because you do not plan it, does not mean it is impossible."

What would I have to gain from it? I'm happy where I am now.

"Ah, that will be for you to discover when you get there. You might think you are happy now, but you will never know until you try."

The words irritated him to no end. He attributed that to his lack of control today in training.

Hyourinmaru seemed amused at his shinigami's antics. He supposed this was Toushirou's way of releasing his temper. Or throwing tantrums.

"Well, master, you seem to be progressing quickly. Perhaps it is time we discussed what I have taught you so far. You seem more or less capable of controlling and using Sennen Hyroro now. All that remains is fine-tuning your precision. Let us try something harder today."

Toushirou stopped the angry gnashing of his teeth. "You're teaching me a new attack today?"

"Attack. That is an interesting way to put it. Up until now, I have shown you many such 'attacks'. But you have noted that you can use them in shikai as well as bankai, and the only difference is relative strength. Besides, other than Tenso Jurin, does anything stand out as being a unique attack? No, and therefore I prefer to call them 'techniques'. You might say they are the same, but to me they are not."

"What's up with all the riddles today?" Toushirou muttered to himself. The dragon felt another stab of amusement.

"You will understand what I mean one day. For now though, yes, you might say this is a new attack. Or ability."

"I'm listening."

"You have now somewhat began to master Tenso Jurin. It still is not close to full power, but it will be enough. This attack is different from what you have seen so far and much more difficult than most others you will learn from me. I teach it to you now because you'll need as much time as possible to learn how to use it. Its name is the Hyouten Hyakkaso."

"Hyouten Hyakkaso. Frozen Heaven's Hundred Flower Funeral?" Toushirou murmured, shivering a little at the name.

"There are a few versions of it. Allow me to take control for a second, and I shall show you its lethal form."

Toushirou felt Hyourinmaru's will flow into his limbs. A surge of reiatsu shot out of his zanpakutou into the sky. He gasped as the clouds rolled in, darkening the sky except for one white circle. From it, snow began to fall, tumbling down harmlessly.

He was about to ask if Hyourinmaru was playing some sort of joke when one of the flakes touched a tall tree. Like a firework, it exploded outwards, forming a flower of ice. Such flowers began to burst into bloom all around the tree, quickly piling up and covering it until it formed a large obelisk of ice flowers. The structure was strangely familiar, and Toushirou quickly recognized it as the obelisk Hyourinmaru had disguised his heart as during their bankai training.

And then, without warning, the ice flowers began to shatter.

"Hyouten Hyakkaso. A powerful technique that can't be fought off. The snow you see will not melt by normal means and the obelisk will freeze the life inside. Unless they overpower your reiatsu and the ice, they will be dead by the time the last flower falls."

Toushirou's eyes widened as the flower continued to shatter. Soon, nothing was left except a pile of ice dust. Not even one trace of the tree. "That's..."

He didn't know what to say. Cold mercilessness seemed as good a description as any.

"Indeed, it is a slow death, but most of the time a sure one. With proper control, you can destroy whole armies. However, you must be careful since it will not spare your comrades if they touch the ice. I suggest you try to use it in shikai first, and finding a sparse area."

Toushirou shivered slightly, but nodded. "I understand."

He traveled to North Rukongai for this training, where there were less mountains and vegetation. Despite his best efforts, however, the first time he used the technique snow billowed out uncontrollably and three ri was immediately covered with ice obelisks. He was determined to get this technique right. It could be key to future battles and victories for the shinigami. It was exhilarating and challenging, to use so much power and yet to control it with such finesse; no other technique had ever challenged him like this.

Still, there was a nagging feeling he had whenever he finished training. The three ri radius of its effects and its similarity to Hyourinmaru's form during bankai training... he couldn't help but feel that for once he was pushing the realms of what was defined as 'shinigami' powers into something foreign and unknown.

~line break~

"Shiro-chan!"

The speaker said every syllable of the name deliberately. Toushirou's eyebrow twitched slightly. "Hinamori... how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?"

The fifth division lieutenant only laughed and dropped a package in front of him. Toushirou blinked slightly in confusion. "What is this?"

"A present! Don't tell me you've forgotten!"

"Forgotten?" he asked, still confused.

Momo sighed exasperatedly. 'It's December 20th! Your birthday!"

The boy blinked for a moment, and then glanced down at the date on his paperwork. Momo was correct. The day had sneaked up on him without his notice.

"Rangiku-san said to come over to the Tenth division. She heard it was your birthday and wanted to celebrate," Momo added, grinning at him broadly

Toushirou rolled his eyes. "I don't need to celebrate it."

Momo only grinned. "I told her you'd say that, so I volunteered to drag you there."

Toushirou ignored her for a bit, continuing to fill out his paperwork. He didn't think she was serious until she raised her hand and began to say, "Bakudou-"

"Okay, okay! I'll come!" Toushirou snapped, interrupting her before she could complete the spell. He had no intention of being dragged around by Momo's bakudou. It would be beyond embarrassing. Though, he was sure he could break through it, but doing so would probably alert Momo as to what he'd achieved, and he wasn't sure if he wanted her to know yet.

Looking back, he felt that fate had a cruel streak of irony.

As Momo led him down the streets of Seireitei, she was rather silent, looking troubled. She bit her lip, and laced her fingers together tightly.

"Oi, bedwetter, what's the matter?"

She gasped, looking indignant. "That was once, Hitsugaya-kun!"

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, I know. But answer the question."

She didn't look at him for a moment, frowning. Then she suddenly stopped. "Hitsugaya-kun, do you not trust me?"

He froze as well, and turned, eyes wide. "What?"

Momo was looking at her hands. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

She looked up and glared at him, her brown eyes filled with hurt. "Why didn't you tell me you achieved bankai?"

Toushirou eyes widened. There was a moment of awkward silence. Then he asked quietly, "How did you find out?"

"I've been wondering about it for a while now. Ever since you disappeared that day nearly two years ago. I didn't think it was possible, since you never mentioned it. But just now, Rangiku-san confirmed she'd seen you use it in Karakura town. Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"I didn't want to worry you."

"Worry me?" her eyebrows rose and her eyes narrowed. "Why would it worry me?"

Toushirou huffed slightly in impatience. "Look, bankai training is hard and dangerous, and you know that. I was afraid you'd go off in panic and try and stop me. You know yourself how you don't like it when someone tries to get in the way of your ambitions."

"But... afterwards..." Momo said.

"Afterwards I was afraid. I didn't want anyone to know about it because of what they'd think I achieved it for."

Momo's eyes widened. "So... you weren't trying for captaincy?"

He shook his head. "That was never my goal. I only wanted to get to know Hyourinmaru and achieve my true potential. It was for personal reasons. And... I didn't really mean to keep it from you for so long. I would have told you soon, but one thing led to another, what with that mission in Karakura and this last year and more hectic things going on in all the divisions."

Momo nodded slightly in understanding. This year had been particularly bad. Tensions had been rising in the Gotei 13 recently. According to Ukitake, there had been a shortage of new recruits, especially ones of strong power. Yet hollow activity was on the rise, and shinigami were being injured or dying more frequently. When they weren't fighting, they were filing more reports about increasing amounts of injuries and deaths, and so never had a break from all the problems pressing in on them.

"It is worrying," the captain had commented one day as Toushirou brought him his healing tea. "Soul Society will not be prepared if there is another war or attack."

Toushirou was working harder than ever, training himself and the members of his division. He was a strict commander, and the others sometimes complained about his lack of mercy when drilling them. Still, he could see great improvement in their form, and that made him proud of his achievements, whatever snide comments they might say behind his back. When he wasn't working with them, he was pushing himself to become more powerful and control his abilities better so he could be of more use.

However, training time was hard to come by. There were other administrative duties to carry out. Ukitake had been falling sick more frequently, saying that the winter chill made his lungs worse. That made even more work fall onto Toushirou's shoulders.

"I'm really sorry, Hinamori. I just had a lot to do, and I didn't want to worry you. I didn't mean to make you feel like I didn't trust you, because I do."

Momo smiled and, to his shock, hugged him. "Oi..."

"Thanks Toushirou. I guess I can understand, and I forgive you. After all, I did keep my plan to become a lieutenant from you originally. But next time you make a big decision, tell me please? I want to be there to support you."

He frowned. "Sure, though I doubt there will be any big decisions I'll have to make anytime soon."

Momo frowned again but said nothing. They had entered the tenth division compound by now. The shinigami paused and bowed to them as they passed, noting Momo's rank by her lieutenant's badge. Some of them did a double take upon seeing Toushirou, and whispered conversations started. But they didn't sound malicious. Instead, they looked rather... curious or in some cases, awed.

"Hey guys!" a cheerful voice called out. They turned to see Matsumoto running toward them, her face alight with a grin. Momo greeted her happily as the taller woman hugged her briefly. Matsumoto then grabbed Toushirou and squeezed him in one of her infamous hugs. "Here's the birthday boy!"

"Oi, let me go!" he said, pushing against her. She laughed and pulled back, smiling. "I got you a great present! Come on!'

She led them toward the Tenth division office. Momo grinned and Toushirou sighed. He observed Matsumoto from the back, frowning slightly. She looked a lot thinner than before. There was a hint of dark circles under her eyes, and her hair didn't seem as shiny and lustrous as usual. He couldn't help but remember Momo mentioning how stressed she'd been for the past year.

The administrative office was surprisingly neat. Toushirou had half-expected to find paperwork and sake bottles strewn around haphazardly. True, it wasn't immaculate, and a few papers were scattered over the sofa and floor, along with a bottle of sake by one of the desks (probably Matsumoto's), but mostly it looked reasonable respectable. He couldn't help notice that across from Matsumoto's desk was another desk, made of finer wood than hers, but glaringly empty. Isshin had sat there, just over a year ago. Who would sit there next?

Matsumoto broke his reverie by handing him a small package. "Here, open it!"

Sighing, he took the package and tore the paper open. His eyes widened slightly as he found a bronze clasp within.

"It's for your zanpakutou!" Matsumoto said cheerfully. "I noticed you usually just tie that green sash you use to carry your sword around, but I thought this would make it easier. It won't slip and you don't have to worry about the knot becoming too tight or falling apart."

"Thank you," he said quietly, feeling a little touched that Matsumoto had actually noted that. "It's useful."

Matsumoto grinned. "Yup. Me and Hinamori went shopping for your gift together. Ours match. Has he opened yours yet?"

Momo shook her head and handed the present she'd brought to him. He opened it to find a new green sash for his sword. "The one you had before looked really worn. We asked Unohana-taichou were we could find the strongest sashes for swords and got this one. It took forever, but I think we got the colour to match, right?"

Toushirou blinked, and felt strangely warm and elated. "Yes, thank you."

The two lieutenants glanced at one another, grinning triumphantly. Them Matusmoto announced dramatically, "And now, time to bring out the sake!"

"Oh hell no!" Toushirou snapped, his scowl returning in full force. Matsumoto just laughed. "I was kidding. I have a bunch of paperwork to finish later anyways, so I can't drink yet. Let's just head down for some food and chat, ne?"

Toushirou frowned again at the mention of the paperwork. He made no comment as the two led him out of the office and the division compound into the area between the tenth and eighth division. Several restaurants were situated here, and they soon found themselves drinking warm tea and talking. Toushirou was quiet mostly, while the two lieutenants chatted about the recent lieutenant's meeting, and Momo updated Matsumoto on the current events going on with the shingiami woman's society. It would appear that Matsumoto had had so much work to do she'd stopped going to those meetings as well.

They left after lunch. Momo walked with him as they made their way back to the Thirteenth division.

"Matsumoto doesn't look that well."

"I know," Momo said quietly. She bit her lip, lacing her fingers together. Toushirou raised a brow. "What's on your mind?" he asked.

She jumped. "Oh... nothing really. Just... Hitsugaya-kun, you said that you didn't achieve bankai because you wanted to be a captain, but does that mean you plan never to try for captaincy?"

He frowned as well. This was why he hadn't wanted anyone to know. "Hinamori... you know I never wanted to be a part of the Gotei 13 in the first place. Captaincy was the last thing from my mind."

"I know... but you seem fairly content here," she said.

He sighed. "I am. More so than I was back in Junrian. But I did it because becoming a shinigami was the only way that I could control my reiatsu, and the Gotei 13 was the place where all shinigami end up if they don't want to end up captured or dead for being a rogue shinigami. I'm content now because I can be myself here, and I've finally found an explanation for the... well, for everything my powers caused. But I don't know about captaincy yet."

"Are you that against it?" Momo asked.

He frowned. "I... I'm not sure. Maybe not. No, I don't think I would be against the idea. But I'm not too keen on it either."

She laughed a little. "It is a little hard to imagine. Things have changed so much from the old days, haven't they? I mean... if you asked me if the boy who used to spit watermelon seeds at me would one day become a captain of the Gotei 13 back then, I would have laughed. You had so little interest in shinigami back then. But at the same time, I feel like it fits somehow. You becoming a captain in the future."

He raised a brow at her, and then turned to look at the sky.

"Well, if I ever become a captain, it will be on my own terms, and because I truly want it for myself. I will not just conform to other's expectations of me."

"And if those expectations and what you want crosses?" she asked, more serious now. She stopped walking, forcing him to stop as well, just one step ahead of her.

"Then... that will just be a lucky coincidence." He turned toward her, expression softening a little. "I promise you though, I will let you know if- when I make my decision."

She nodded. There was a moment of pause as they looked at each other, both seeming to feel the changes that had happened in the last thirty years. Neither were who they used to be, but it was Toushirou that had changed the most. That one step now seemed to mean so much, and surely it would mean so much more soon enough.

Momo broke it by walking forward. "Well then, let's go back to your division. I'm sure obaa-san has sent amanatto for you again, and I want some!"

~line break~

Toushirou rubbed his eyes, setting aside another pile of paperwork. He was finally finished his batch, and was just thinking of taking a nap, when Kiyone walked in, bearing more papers in her eyes. He sighed. "More work?"

"More reports of death." Kiyone, in a rare show of seriousness, said grimly. "Three in Kagoshima this time, all from our division, and five wounded. One of the dead and one of the wounded were posted as long-term patrols and had no problems for a long time. They requested backup about two weeks ago and this finally came in today."

Toushirou's scowl deepened a little. "This is the third this month. This is getting out of hand."

"At least it's not as bad as what happened in Karakura town," Kiyone commented. "Connection was maintained, but they had no time to request any more backup."

"The captains should do something about it," Toushirou said, sounding irritated now. "Where are all these suddenly powerful hollows coming from? Why are we not increasing the number of recruits we take in each year? Why aren't the higher seated shinigami being sent out, and why aren't there more rigorous training for the shinigami already here to prepare them for it? We're just sending them out to their deaths now."

"We are well aware," a voice interrupted. Both Kiyone and Toushirou jumped.

"Ukitake-taichou!" both exclaimed. Toushirou bowed formally, while Kiyone bowed much more exuberantly than necessary. Ukitake gave them both a tired smile. "I see you just received the news."

"I'm sorry, I did not mean to criticize," Toushirou said, eyes flickering down.

"That does not mean it was not well founded," Ukitake said sadly. "We captains have become too complacent. Things have been peaceful for so long before now that no one wants to declare there being another problem. It is as if they feel that if you do not say it, it is not happening. And not just the captains, but most of the shinigami would rather believe that nothing serious is afoot, and that this is simply a particularly bad time that will soon blow over. No one wants war, Hitsugaya-kun."

"But ignorance could lead to serious consequences. Isshin-taichou's death was nearly five years ago, and this problem still hasn't been solved. Shouldn't there be more investigation?" Toushirou couldn't help but say.

Ukitake's expression became more solemn. 'Yes. That is traditionally the Tenth division's duty."

He did not need to finish his statement. So things in the Tenth have not improved. The Soutaichou had relented and given Matsumoto the acting captain position, but apparently it didn't help much. She'd only been able to promote some officers into the lower seated positions, and he'd heard some of the promoted officers were lost quickly as they were sent into the fray. The other divisions had taken over then, to give them a chance for recovery, but from Ukitake's solemn words, they needed a lot more time and officers to recover.

"Of course, the twelfth division is also researching into possible causes for this sudden influx of strong hollows. But without the raw data from the field, it is hard to say anything definite. As well..."

He broke off, bowed over and suddenly began coughing violently. Kiyone jumped up, fussing over him. "You should lie down, taichou! You are not well!"

"I'll be fine, thank you, Kiyone," Ukitake gasped between coughs. "But if it is not too much of a bother, can you go to Unohana-taichou and ask for some of her lovely herbal tea? It works wonders for me."

"Of course! I'll be back as soon as possible!"

With that, she rushed off. Ukitake straightened at once and smiled a little ruefully at Toushirou.

In that moment Toushirou fully realized that the kind man was not immune to using underhanded tricks when he wanted something.

"Forgive me, but I felt that it was best I did not say this in front of Kiyone. In fact, I should not be telling you either, but after all you've been involved in, as well as all the reports you've done for me, I feel that you have a right to know. Do you remember when Kaien died?"

Toushirou frowned, a little confused that Ukitake was bringing this up. Kaien's death had been a sort of unmentionable taboo, especially around Ukitake. The division, though having mostly recovered from the loss, knew that Ukitake still felt strongly about the event.

"Yes," he answered slowly. "You said it was a hollow, a very powerful one."

"Ah yes," Ukitake said. "Unfortunately, it was not so simple. This hollow had the ability to destroy zanpakutou and... when pushed to it, take over another shinigami's body. That was what Kaien suffered."

Toushirou's eyes widened. "Destroy zanpakutou? But... that's impossible!" he couldn't help but each out with his mind, feeling comforted when he felt Hyourinmaru's familiar presence, but also fearing what the loss of Hyourinmaru might feel like.

Hyourinmaru felt the boy's agitation. He allowed his presence to touch the boy comfortingly, though he himself felt disconcerted as well. Hollows that could destroy zanpakutou? That could take over shinigami? That was unheard of. The two beings were so different... yet it would seem the barrier between them could be blurred after all... What would be the consequence of that?

"I did not believe if myself until I saw it with my own eyes. I do not think it was able to completely destroy the zanpakutou, only the physical manifestation. But even that was enough to seriously cripple Kaien. And then, the subsequent possession of his body..."

Toushirou did not want to hear anymore. He did not need to. He suddenly had a horrible suspicion he knew exactly how Kaien had died, and why Ukitake and Kuchiki Rukia (and especially Rukia) were so shaken up afterwards.

"The point I am making is that these hollows have shown up again. Your mission to Karakura... well, you were unconscious at the time, but there were several hollows with similar traits that tried to take over other shinigami. As well, some, we think, were responsible for interfering with the signals. And there was still one more who had suspiciously shinigami-like traits, though it was so subtle that a seated officer would think it another adjuchas. I could sense that its intelligence was nowhere near even that of a menos or even regular large hollow, yet it had more power than them all."

Toushirou felt a shiver run down his spine, but managed to keep from shuddering. He just nodded once, saying, "I understand. I really appreciate you telling me this, Ukitake-taichou, but is there another reason you wanted me to know?"

Ukitake smiled a little. "You are sharp as always, Hitsugaya-kun. This is not an order, but the Soutaichou would like you to lead a team from the tenth division to investigate the Kagoshima prefecture, and see if you can discover any clues and uncover anything strange. You know of their shortage of high seat officers, so you would understand that their third seat really cannot be spared from his duties, and since you've already lead them once..."

"I understand. But... I'm not sure the tenth division would like me to lead them."

Ukitake sighed. "It wouldn't matter whether or not they liked it if you agree to the task. But in my opinion, I do not think this will be a problem. Matsumoto-fukutaichou has informed me that she has already assembled a team, and they are all comfortable with the idea of you leading them."

The boy frowned for a moment, considering. Then he nodded slowly. "All right. I'll do it."

Ukitake raised an eyebrow at his quick agreement, but smiled. "The Soutaichou will be glad to hear that. I shall inform him then. Why don't you go prepare to leave?"

Toushirou nodded again, and turned to walk to his quarters. He felt a jolt of adrenaline go through him. He was going out to the field again, and he was once again leading a unit. He couldn't help but hope that this time he would be able to make sure everyone got out safely.

~line break~

"Fifth seat Matsui Chisato reporting in."

Toushirou glanced behind him. The female shinigami was on one knee, head bowed. He gave her a nod. "Report?"

"Everything is peaceful on the west side of town. Seventh seat Takezoe is finishing up the east side."

"That's both good and bad news," Toushirou murmured, frowning as he scanned the large city. "No danger, but no leads."

When he'd been told to lead a team, he'd imagined more shinigami. But apparently the fifth and seventh seats were all the tenth could spare, and apparently investigation units from the tenth were traditionally small. Still, he found it nicer like this, having to deal with only two officers. Matsui Chisato was a petite, serious, though fairly quiet, girl, and Takezoe Kokichiro dutiful and not overly wordy either. They suited him just fine.

"Actually, there is something you should probably see, Hitsugaya-san."

Toushirou raised an eyebrow. "Show me then."

The shinigami stood and beckoned for him to follow. She shunpoed down several blocks to the west, and he easily kept up. Approaching an alley, she pointed at a pile of what looked like white clay fragments. A closer look, however, revealed that they were the remains of a bone-like mask.

"A hollow mask?"

"Yes sir. I found it while coming to see you."

"That's very strange." Toushirou frowned. If the hollow had been devoured or purified by a shinigami, there should not be any remains of a mask. Yet it was obvious that this was the mask of a hollow. The dark aura reeking from it would have proved that, even if the markings hadn't.

Without hesitation, he pulled out his soul pager. The screen blinked to life and he pressed a few times on it. "This is Third Seat Hitsugaya calling in."

The screen flickered a few times, and then a timid looking shinigami with chin-length brown hair appeared. "Hitsugaya-san? This is Tsubokura Rin of the Research Department. Have you found anything interesting?"

"Yes. The remains of a hollow mask. I think Kurotsuchi-taichou should come analyze it and the surrounding reiatsu signature."

The other shinigami's eyes widened slightly. "Ah, yes, I'll let him know! Stay there for a second so we can track your position, and we'll send someone to pick it up in five minutes."

The phone went dead. Toushirou slipped it into his kimono and turned to the fifth seat. "Thank you."

"Sir, what do you think happened?"

Toushirou frowned. "I'm not sure... It almost feels like something forcibly removed the hollow's mask-"

There was a sudden explosion. Toushirou whipped around, throwing an arm out. "Get back!"

The tenth division officer obeyed instantly, her hand flying to her zanpakutou. The two squinted through the dust. A giant hulking shape loomed over them, breathing heavily. "Food... must have... food..."

"What the hell?" Toushirou hissed as he was finally able to discern the creature's face... a surprisingly human-looking face that should have been behind a mask. The hollow's reiatsu was flaring wildly, rising up exponentially and then suddenly dropping to near zero. Bursts of energy kept flaring from it, and it waved its arms out wildly. Something seemed to be trying to form in its clawed hand a long sharp object, reminiscent of a sword.

The tenth division officer held up a hand and was about to send a shakkahou at it when Toushirou stopped her. "No, don't kill it."

She looked confused, "Sir?"

"This is what we've been searching for. If we can bring it back alive, then we might get some answers!"

She nodded hesitantly. "What should I do sir?"

Toushirou's eyes narrowed as he concentrated on the strange hollow. "Confuse it. Send Hadou 1 at it from every direction. I somehow don't think a bakudou will hold it long. I need to call Takezoe."

She nodded again and was off. She was fast, and that was a good thing, never pausing for longer than necessary, firing the kido that thrust the hollow back a step every time. Toushirou wasted no time. "Takezoe, can you hear me?"

"Yes sir, and I sensed that sudden hollow's reiatsu."

"Good, call for assistance. We need more people on hand. And stay back."

"Ah, yes sir," Takezoe sounded unsure, but the phone went dead, so Toushirou assumed that he would obey. He looked up just in time to see the hollow flail wildly, its claws swinging toward where Chisato was likely next to land. It wasn't quite that intelligent in speech, but yet it seemed to fight with tactics rather than instincts... almost like a shinigami...

He shunpoed forward, drawing Hyourinmaru and blocking the claws before it could slash the other shinigami to pieces. She gasped at his sudden appearance, and swerved away to avoid collision. He didn't have waste a moment.

"Matsui, I need you to leave this area!"

"What? And leave you alone sir?"

"We don't want to risk more lives than we need to. This way at least one of us will have a better chance of survival. This hollow may not be overly intelligent, but it has more fighting sense than other creatures of his type. Something is not right. I think we may need more shinigami here than we first suspected. Contact Takezoe and ask him who he contacted and tell them they need to send high seat officers."

'I-"

"There is not much time!" his voice became harsher, more commanding. He pushed hard on the hollow's hand watched it skidded backwards, growling. "This is the best option. Please trust me."

His eyes met hers for a moment. She frowned, but nodded, vanishing in a shunpo. And it was lucky that she did, for at that moment a bolt of red light hit the place she had stood a moment before, sending debris in all directions.

Toushirou turned back to the Hollow- could it even be called that?- and narrowed his eyes. Its reiatsu was still fluctuating wildly, but its eyes locked on him. It lunged, swinging the rough sword-like object in its other hand at him. Toushirou dodged nimbly, shunpoing to give the hollow a wider berth. He concentrated, and as he felt its reiatsu plummet, he called out: "Soten ni Zase, Hyourinmaru!"

The ice dragon shot toward the creature, quickly encasing it in ice. Despite the victory, he did not relax. He could feel that the hollow was not yet dead, which was what he was going for. He hadn't tried to put too much energy into the ice, wanting to test the hollow's strength. If it was really as strong as an adjuchas, as Ukitake had said...

Ice exploded in all directions, and the hair filled with the hollow's dark reiatsu. He used his sleeve to stop the ice from hitting his face and quickly shunpoed away again, keen not to present an easy target. The hollow was enraged now, letting out guttural cries. "Kill! I kill you, Shinigami!"

Its intelligence really does not match its strength, he thought. Though it is not at an adjuchas level, it is definitely at a gillian level, yet it's clearly not there in terms of mental capacity.

Then it should be no trouble for us to kill it, Hyourinmaru said to him.

But I do want to bring a live specimen back, Toushirou answered back, frowning. There's something really odd going on. Its reiatsu is definitely that of a hollow, but I feel almost as if there's a hint of shinigami reiatsu there... and since I am the only one in the area, so it couldn't be from Matsui or Takezoe's reiatsus, it doesn't make sense.

The hollow turned, its eyes glowing red with rage. It raised a hand and suddenly a bright red ball of energy began to form in it. Toushirou's eyes widened and he quickly shunpoed upwards, forming a foothold of reishi ten feet above where he had used to stand. He watched as the blast hit a lamppost and the thing became a molten stump of metal.

"Cero... I've only ever seen menos grande use it..."

His soul pager suddenly buzzed. He cursed. Snapping the end of his zanpakutou forward, he allowed the chain and sickle to whistle forward and wrap around the hollow's arm. Then he ran in the air as fast as he could, once, twice, and before the hollow had taken a breath it found its arms pinned to his side.

Toushirou flipped his soul pager open. Rin was on the other end. "Hitsugaya-san, are you all right?"

"Yes, I have temporarily subdued the beast, but if no one comes soon I might be forced to kill it," he huffed, straining to keep enough reiatsu running through the chain to keep the hollow from escaping. He could feel it thrashing wildly, and the only reason Toushirou hadn't been sent flying was because he was partially freezing the hollow through the chain and crushing it with his own reiatsu.

"Really?" Rin sounded impressed. "Kurotsuchi-taichou will be happy to note that. Our officers have just come onto the scene. Hang on a moment longer please!"

Toushirou nodded once. "Thank you."

He shut the pager and shoved it into his kimono. Then he sent an icy stream of reiatsu through his zanpakutou, willing someone to come soon.

"Hitsugaya-san!"

Matsui Chisato and Takezoe Kokichiro suddenly appeared close to him, though they hesitated to move forward, their movements slightly sluggish from the high concentration of his reiatsu. Toushirou frowned and tried to rein it in, though keeping his chain filled with enough icy power to keep the hollow down.

"You have called for help?"

"Yes," Takezoe replied. "The Twelfth division and the Fifth division have responded." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. From behind them, a dozen shinigami of the twelfth and fifth divisions were filing out of a senkaimon, including the lieutenant of the twelfth division, Kurotsuchi Nemu. The officers started a chant, and soon large golden chains were holding the hollow down. Toushirou muted reiatsu and withdrew the chain on his zanpakutou.

"Then we are done here," he said.

The two officers nodded, and followed him as he headed toward the Senkaimon. As he was about to enter, however, another person filed out. His white haori had made it hard to discern him in the white light, and Toushirou had to step back to avoid hitting him. "Aizen-taichou? What are you doing here?"

"Ah, Hitsugaya-kun," Aizen smiled down at him pleasantly, "I heard of the news and thought I should stand by, just in case of an emergency. You did well to subdue the creature, and I commend you on thinking ahead. This will be most helpful for our records and to figure out where to go from here."

Toushirou nodded once. He saw Aizen frown at the hollow without its mask, his look almost calculating. "It was not difficult to keep it down?"

"No sir, it seems much weaker than those reported by others."

Aizen nodded, his expression speculative. "Very well, you should go back. I expect the Soutaichou will want a report from you."

The tenth division officers and Toushirou bowed and entered the senkaimon. They did not speak as they passed through it, emerging on the other in Seireitei. Once there, Toushirou turned to them, "Can you each write me a detailed account on what you saw? I will use it to create a clearer report for the Soutaichou."

"Yes sir," both shinigami bowed to him respectfully. The action surprised him slightly, but he hid the shock. He turned and headed back to the thirteenth, feeling strangely buoyant. He wondered if it was the leftover adrenaline from the fight, or Aizen's praise, or, just perhaps, the tenth division officers' obvious respect and their trust in his instructions.

It had been nice, really, to be the one in command for once. The one giving orders. Natural.

Hyourinmaru chuckled. "Of course it feels natural. I am a dragon, and so by extension, you are one too. We were never meant to bow down to others. We were meant to soar high, be respected, and be the ones leading."

Toushirou frowned. "I know where you're going with that."

"So why do you ignore it? Why do you hold back on something that you know is within your abilities to achieve? Why do you lower yourself at the expense of your abilities and others'"

"How is this at other people's expense?" Toushirou demanded.

"You were the one to note the problem the Tenth division is facing due to the lack of a captain. You were the one who wished to help them. And most of all you were the one who wished for more organization within the Gotei 13. Now that you have the power to create change, why do you not seize the chance?"

He didn't reply. There wasn't much point in trying to come up with an answer for Hyourinmaru, as the dragon could sense his emotions.

The truth was that he simply didn't know himself what was holding him back from pursuing captaincy either.

~line break~

"Thank you, Third Seat, this is most thorough," the captain of the first division said, giving Toushirou's report a cursory glance.

He gave a bow, and turned to leave.

"One moment please, Hitsugaya."

He paused, and turned to gaze back at the old man. For once, the man's eyes were open, and his dark, beady gaze was fixed upon the boy.

"Did you have any trouble with the mission?"

"No sir. The connections worked fine, and we were able to gain backup quickly enough."

"Yes, and you have succeeded where many have failed to uncover clues. I must commend you for that. But beyond that, I must ask, did you have any trouble leading the tenth division officers?"

Toushirou turned fully now to stare at the other man. It was hardly subtle, really, but Toushirou still wanted to avoid what the other was insinuating.

"No, they were very keen and dutiful officers. I was fortunate to have them."

"I see," Yamamoto said. He paused for a second, seeming to debate on something, then he said in a voice that was softer than Toushirou would have thought possible for a man like him, "A word of informal advice. Leading a unit is not just about duty. You must have pride in the job. You are the one who may decide the fate of many others, and they are all looking up to you for support and directions. To hesitate and second-guess yourself would be fatal, and to be apathetic even worse. If you cannot find pride in doing this, I suggest you tell Ukitake right away, and he will relieve you of the stress. If, however, you do feel as I hope, then you may find yourself leading more missions like this. I am pleased by your work."

Toushirou blinked in shock. This was more than he'd ever heard the head-captain say (though granted, he'd practically never met the man). He also couldn't miss the underlying message within the words, the reference to Ukitake as if he could be his equal. He gave a bow.

"I thank you very much for the advice. I believe that I shall not disappoint you."

The old man gave one nod, his expression returning to the hard mask of his usual self. "You are dismissed then."

Toushirou left the room, mind buzzing. It seemed that Momo was not the only one wondering about his choices. He couldn't help wonder how many others thought the same, how many thought he should pursue captaincy, and if they did, how long it would be before the messages become pointed and no longer veiled as trivial matters.

~line break~

There was a certain calmness about leading missions, he thought. It provided a relief for his tactical brain. Ordinary paperwork had long ago ceased to bring the novelty his intelligent mind craved. Training was about the physical, but even that sometimes felt like it was the same routine over and over. Fieldwork was fresh, and new surprises came at every angle. There was a thrill to having to be constantly on guard, to adapt and change, and most of all to command and use all his abilities, whether that meant strategizing or fighting.

Since the investigation in Kagoshima prefecture, he had been leading more missions to the area. Most of the time it was with the tenth division, a fact that did not go unnoticed with him, though he never commented on it. Soon he felt they'd scoured every town and area in the prefecture, and it would not tell them anything new. It surprised him that he felt a certain level of sadness about that, and that he hoped he might be given chances to continue doing this, perhaps in other areas.

Of course, that didn't make life easier. Though rare these days, there were still the occasional rude remarks, mostly from shinigami he'd never met. Haughty, cold, too young those were the ones that came his way the most often, often coupled with a comment about his hair or height.

He tried not to let that bother him. Of course he had reason to be proud. He had succeeded where others failed. But it still made him want to grind his teeth that no one seemed to observe his results and focused on the fact that a child was leading them.

And he knew that it would not be something a change in rank could solve.

"Of course not. People fear what they do not understand, and you are a mystery to them."

"Sometimes I wish I knew why I was different."

Hyourinmaru didn't say anything, but both knew what the silence meant.

"In any case, I feel like the decision is leaving my hands."

"Yes, people will be starting to have solid expectations of you soon. I suggest you make your position clear."

Toushirou didn't reply, having just looked up from his paperwork to snap at Kiyone for fighting with Kotsubaki again.

"I do wonder though," Hyourinmaru said a minute later, after Toushirou had successfully glared the other officers into being quiet, "What your thoughts are. I can sense your feelings on the matter, but they aren't clear. Do you believe you could make a good captain? And do you want it?"

Toushirou didn't answer again, thinking it over himself. He usually allowed Hyourinmaru full access to his thoughts, but on this one point he had wanted to think about it alone without the other dragon's comments. Hyourinmaru was his zanpakutou, yes, a part of his soul, but sometimes Toushirou felt that the dragon already had strong opinions of his own, and he didn't want Hyourinmaru's opinion to influence his own on a matter like this.

The truth was, he felt he could be a good captain. He had experience overseeing the day-to-day affairs of the Thirteenth already from his past years as the Third Seat (which, with a sick captain and no lieutenant meant that he was practically running most of it). He had experience leading investigations, and he enjoyed it, and that seemed to be the tenth division's specialty.

But he was happy being a third seat. Well, maybe not happy. Content at the very least. Yet he couldn't deny had already pushed his seat to its limits. It was starting to get difficult to continue to improve as a third seat. Soon, someone would notice, and someone would act. It is a duty to take over the captain spot when they needed it. Aside from that, it would also be a way for him to further enhance his skills. Among the seated officers, there was no one really to challenge him anymore. The only way for him to expand his skill now would be to be among others with greater skill. They could give him insight to his growth.

And of course, it would also be a better way to protect Hinamori, because it would be infinitely easier to watch over her in a position like captain rather than third seat.

But something was still holding him back. He knew what it boiled down to. He wanted to make the decision for himself, not for someone else, because he wanted to, not because it was what others expected of him. He wasn't sure the reasons he had presently were good enough for that.

He rubbed his temples in frustration. He couldn't deny that his reasons not to do this were getting weaker and weaker. Hyourinmaru was right, he needed to make his position clear soon.

"Why don't one of you just get up and deliver those papers now?" he said to the Fourth Seats, trying to keep his voice calm as their din reached an alarming volume.

"I was going to but that idiot there destroyed my get-well card I was going to give Ukitake-taichou!"

"I was doing Taichou a favour! That thing was hideous!"

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

"Not!"

"Too!"

"Shut up!" Toushirou shouted, and the temperature plummeted, the tea on his desk freezing solid. The two Fourth Seats immediately ceased their wrestling match and clung to each other out either fear or trying to keep warm. Likely both.

Toushirou stood. "I'll do it then."

"Uh... are you sure, Hitsugaya?" Kiyone said tentatively.

"If I wait for you they're obviously not going to make it until they're late and I won't risk the Thirteenth's reputation or future well-being like that."

He didn't give them a chance to reply. He picked up the papers, tucked them under his arm, and left the office with a parting glare. These were urgent papers regarding new recruits and even if Ukitake was not there to remind them of their importance, he himself was worried. They wanted to request for some more recruits to be added to the Thirteenth this year, namely those who hadn't been sure which division to sign up for. Perhaps that would mitigate the damage of their losses ever so slightly.

The first division grounds were as grand as usual. He'd heard so many shinigami of other divisions complain about the First's access to more funds, and he could see why. The halls were quiet as all the training grounds were fairly soundproofed, and the area was tranquil. He approached the Soutaichou's office door and was about to knock, but voices inside made him hesitate.

"Soutaichou, is this not too rash of a decision?" Ukitake's voice sounded. Toushirou paused, confusion crossing his face. Last he'd heard, Ukitake was taking a day off today to rest after another round of sickness.

"Tenth division needs a captain," Yamamoto stated in his calm voice. "I saw no reason not to consider this."

"But he is still so young. There is no reason to put this much stress on his shoulders," Ukitake continued.

"I understand your sentiments, Ukitake-taichou, but I think he has proved that age is not a factor. And I did not say I would be making him a captain immediately. Aizen-taichou has merely come forward with the idea to suggest it to him, as well as his recommendation, and I see no reason not to. He will still have to pass the proficiency exam, for I doubt he will garner enough recommendations to bypass that exam, though now that Aizen-taichou has made a move, other captains may also do the same."

"But you think it is a good idea?"

"You know as well as I do what he has already achieved, and has honed for nearly seven years. Considering his abilities, that is ample time. And you have known Fuyuki Takeshirou. This seems to be the natural path of things."

Toushirou backed away little, eyes wide. He felt his hands shake slightly. His reiatsu must have spiked, because Ukitake stopped speaking mid-sentence and a moment later, Sasakibe opened the door. "Hitsugaya?"

He bowed. "Sasakibe-fukutaichou, I had some important papers for the Soutaichou."

"You can leave them with me, I will-"

"Let him come in," a voice interrupted. Sasakibe frowned slightly but nodded, stepping aside to let the third seat in.

Toushirou took a deep breath and bowed first to Ukitake, and then more deeply to Yamamoto. They acknowledged him with a nod.

"Your papers then?" Yamamoto said.

"Yes sir. Here are the request forms for extra recruits to be added to the Thirteenth division."

Yamamoto gave them a cursory glance, but Toushirou felt it wasn't so much a scan for the content so much as the way it was presented.

"You filled these out?"

"Taichou was sick at the time. It was done with his permission though," he added. He could feel Ukitake relax beside him, though still looking anxiously at Yamamoto.

Yamamoto gave a nod. "I will give them consideration. You were very thorough, and I see no reason to reject this request."

Toushirou gave another bow, feeling relieved. "Thank you, sir."

There was a tense silence. Ukitake looked anxiously between Yamamoto and Toushirou, while Sasakibe just observed the whole scene with an impassive face. Toushirou himself kept his gaze forward, politely averting the Soutaichou's eyes, but not staring at the floor either. The Soutaichou regarded him with his beady eyes for another moment, before speaking again. "Hitsugaya Toushirou, let us be frank. I know what you heard when you were waiting for me. I will not conceal that we were discussing your possible captaincy. What are your thoughts on this?"

Later on, he would look back on this moment and attempt to hit his head because of how sudden and rash he had been. Hyourinmaru would tease him about it for days to come. For the first time in a long while, he did as impulse dictated and didn't stop to think his actions through. Though this would not be the last time he did so.

"I wish to be given a chance to take the captaincy proficiency exam."

He knew that neither captain was expecting this answer, though perhaps that had more to do with how direct he'd been. But he was tired of all the subtle hints and veiled talks. He wanted to be frank with Yamamoto, as the other had been with him.

Hyourinmaru gave a hiss of surprise within his mind, rising up to his whole height, burning curiosity in ever quivering scale of his icy body. But his master was not paying attention to him, and was locked in a staring contest with the Soutaichou. And from what little he could sense of Ryujin Jakka, he could also feel the importance of the moment and knew not to disturb his master's train of thought.

Looking through his master's eyes, he realized that this was the true moment that Yamamoto saw Toushirou as his equal for the first time, someone who could achieve captaincy and one day surpass him. It would probably not last long, because even the seasoned captain would have trouble not thinking of him as a child. He was still not fully developed, and still had a long way to go in terms of power and experience.

But in that moment, as the two stared down at one another, they understood each other clearly.

Ukitake gasped a little, but Yamamoto ignored him. "Is that so? Then, I shall put your name forward. You have a year to train and reflect on this decision, and within that time, you may withdraw this request at any time. If not, I shall expect you here for your exam on the first of next May."

He bowed once. "Thank you, Soutaichou."

The old man gave him on nod of dismissal. Both he and the boy could sense Ukitake itching to ask something. Toushirou turned to leave, giving Sasakibe a nod as he passed. Sasakibe considered him for a moment, and nodded back, the faintest of smiles on his lips.

"Well..." Hyourinmaru "I must say that was unexpected. For all your refusal to even consider the subject, suddenly you jump to this..."

"You were right Hyourinmaru," Toushirou said. If Hyourinmaru had been in his human form, he'd have raised an eyebrow in question. Toushirou seemed to sense this prompt to go on, and obliged.

"There was no good reason holding me back from this. There was no reason I should be opposed to captaincy. But that was precisely the problem. I didn't have a reason to not want it, but I didn't have a reason to want it either."

"And you've found that today?"

"Carpe Diem, as the humans say," he murmured. At Hyourinmaru's annoyed hiss, he continued, " The decision had already been made. I always knew, ever since I achieved bankai, that one day it would come to this. I wanted to wait to find a good reason for me personally to chose this, but I've decided that since I couldn't, I might as well try and see if I don't like it, as you suggested years ago. After all, I enjoy leading and strategizing much more than blindly following orders. I've done all I could as a third seat. And... you're right, I can use this position to create change, to protect more people..."

"That is true... but are you sure that you're ready to do this now? It is not that I doubt you, master, and I am happy you chose this, but I do not want you to pursue this half-heartedly."

"I'm tired, Hyourinmaru. I don't want to hold myself back anymore. I want the respect of others, but I've decided holding back isn't the way to get it, and in the end, they aren't going to accept me easily no matter what my rank is. I'm going to go as far as I can now, without holding back, for me. I'm going to become strong enough to protect everyone I care about both in terms of sheer power and authority. Keeping myself a third seat will only hinder that, and the higher ups will not be satisfied with me increasing my strength without putting myself in a position to be of more use for them. You heard that conversation as clearly as I did. It's clear some people are tired of waiting, so I decided to act before they could act for me.

"And lastly... I think it's time to join those with greater power than me and see if I can stand on equal footing with them one day."

Just now... when Yamamoto was staring at me... I felt the gap between us. In that moment, I knew I could close the gap if only I wanted to. If only I was given a chance. Hyourinmaru is right; we were not born to bow down to others.

The dragon gave a rumbling sound. It was laughter. He was both amused and approving.

"Well, it appears I should leave you to your own thoughts more often. You have come further than I thought, and your reasons are better than mine."

"Do you think I could make it though? Be a good captain?"

"If you want something, you will make it happen. Are you ready for your whole life to take a path you can never turn from?"

Toushirou stepped out of the first division compound and imagined himself doing so a year from now, wearing the captain's haori. He smiled slightly, and then shunpoed away, his mind already thinking of where he might find at least 3 ri of empty space. His path was set, and it was time to take one thing one at a time, take them on as they came, starting with training for his captaincy exam.

"Yes, I do."

But first, he had to keep a promise to a certain fifth division lieutenant.

In the eyes of another- Kuchiki Byakuya

I have little interest in legends, or other shinigami.

But just because I lacked interest, didn't mean that I did not hear about them. In fact, even in the Kuchiki household records there are records found on one of Soul Society's most famous myths:

The legend of the Heavenly Guardian.

I have read those records as a child, and had been fascinated. Some were my father's own recollections, after all. Yet as I grew older, I began to grow out of the stories. They were just that, stories. I never gave it much thought. I decided what my father saw that day didn't necessarily prove that the myth was true, only that not all shinigami were made equal.

Not until I began to hear strange rumors. A new shinigami had joined the ranks of the Gotei 13, one of unbelievable genius, even more so than Ichimaru Gin. One, it was later whispered among some shinigami, that may be the next reincarnation.

I did not quite believe my eyes when I first laid eyes on the boy. He had such a serious expression on his face, one that could very nearly rival my own. I could see in his eyes that when I glared down at him, that he was not the least bit afraid, but he gazed back steadily, almost as if challenging me, yet, he was polite in doing so. Such boldness, though not an insult in the delivery, was an insult in that very fact.

I had expected him to be more arrogant, but he was not. Only silent and unwilling to be looked down upon. He had pride, but not arrogant pride. It was a cold, unbending determination.

I am not a blind man. I could sense his odd reiatsu. It was almost unnatural, not completely like a normal shinigami's. It was rather unnerving.

Senbonzakura was rather mysterious when I asked him about it. He told me to believe what I wanted to believe.

I have no interest in normal shinigami. But the boy was not normal. For the first time, I recalled the old legends, and began to contemplate them. The eyes, the hair, the aura, the zanpakutou…could the legend possibly be true? And if he was, then just how far could he go?

When the Soutaichou informed me that the boy was going to take the captain's proficiency exam, I admit, I was filled with a little doubt. Despite the rumors, I did not believe that a mere boy could handle the pressure, or have the power necessary to be a captain.

Yet now, as I watch with the other captains who had volunteered to oversee his exam as protocol dictated (which also simultaneously sated their curiosity of the famed prodigy), I wondered if perhaps, just perhaps, I had judged the boy soon. His written results were exemplary, I heard, and he had not been the least fazed by Yamamoto's traditional method of questioning him while he wrote it. The Soutaichou seemed amused by this, as he usually used this test to see how well the aspiring captains performed under pressure, as well as their multitasking skills. Hitsugaya Toushirou had exceeded his expectations.

But it was his practical that surprised us. He never wavered, performing each of his assigned tasks with meticulous care and practiced ease. It was obvious he had prepared for this, and obvious that these things didn't give him trouble. His hakuda was a little weaker do to his small frame, but his exemplary skill with his zanpakutou made up for it wholly. His kidou and hoho skills left no room for complaints either, and I could see that the Soutaichou was very satisfied, and not at all surprised like some of the other captains were.

We caught only a glimpse of his zanpakutou's release. All shinigami were allowed to keep the secrets of their abilities. For this part, they were placed in a maze with dummy hollows, and the result was measured by their reiatsu. First shikai, and then bankai. By feeling the power increase tenfold, we could determine that they had used it. After all, the requirement was just to have a bankai, never mind what exactly it was.

But of course, I couldn't help but be curious as I felt the burst of reiatsu that indicated its release. The air seemed to freeze solid from the cold and pressure. Only by sheer willpower did I not react to pull my scarf closer or shift a little under it. There was something different about this power I hadn't felt before in my life. It had a strange pure, unadulterated quality and I felt as if I could taste the heavens in it.

"Well, Ukitake-taichou, I think you can be proud," Aizen said softly. "You have had an admirable third seat."

"The results are not decided yet," Ukitake said, smiling a little.

"There can be little doubt," Kyouraku said, pulling his lurid kimono closer as the cold reiatsu of Hitsugaya's bankai surrounded us. "He has met every criteria."

"Yes, I look forward to working with him," Unohana commented. "I just hope captaincy will make him a more compliant patient."

"Unlikely," Ichimaru Gin said, grinning, "from what I've heard. But don' worry, I'm sure you'll be able to convince him jus' fine to listen."

Hitsugaya made it out of the maze in record time. He bowed once, informing us in a cool tone that the dummies were all destroyed. When he raised his head, I saw that his eyes were unassuming, but not at all intimidated by us standing in a row before him. They were also deeper, and much more mature than I'd expected.

Yamamoto nodded, informing him that he may leave. He would be informed of the results the next day. He gave us one more bow and vanished in a smooth shunpo. It would be the last time he bowed to us in that way.

I left too, after giving my approval of his performance. I do not think any of us had anything to complain about. We needed a captain, and here was one ready to take up the mantle. From what I heard, he had already handled more responsibility than any other seated officer, on par with that of the lieutenants, possibly more. With a few more years of training, he would certainly rival many of us in strength. What more could we ask for?

I sighed at the thought. Somehow, I felt we would be asking for more from him all too soon.

Nonetheless, I felt a sense of relief for now. Now, all the Gotei 13 positions are filled, and that's certainly something to be pleased about.

Now, it was a matter of what more we would see from Hitsugaya Toushirou.

Sorry once more for the delay. I'm not sure if this is my best chapter, and I will rework it if necessary. And sorry if this chapter isn't as exciting... that's left for the next chapter. I think I spent so long planning the next one I left less for this one.

As well, this is the penultimate chapter. The next chapter will be the last for this particular story, but don't worry, the next one is planned! It will deal with mostly the Soul Society arc and the war with Aizen with this canon in consideration. There may be some changes to the Soul Society arc, but I'm not a hundred percent sure yet if I'll keep them. Mostly it will serve as a background story to what we didn't see when we were with Ichigo's group.

Kubo never made it too clear why Tosuhirou decided to pursue captaincy. From a kid who didn't like them, how did he go to leading them? I think, in a sense, he wasn't sure either. But he knew he couldn't stay as a third seat forever. In the end, he didn't want people to control him, and when he heard that everyone was sort of expecting him to be a captain, he decided to act. I think he does have a rash streak, as proved by the few times he just charges blindly into battle. He sort of went "hell with it, I'll do it" because as I said, he couldn't find a reason not to and decided to take Hyourinmaru's advice that he might find the reason he would want to after he gets there.

I have no idea what the captain's proficiency exam consisted of. I mean, they had to test for bankai somehow, I thought, but at the same time, I didn't think it made sense if all the other captains could know a new captain's powers, but the new captain didn't know theirs. I know they aren't really expecting to get into a fight, but... it just didn't feel right. So I decided they measured their abilities with a battle task, and used reiatsu to determine if there was a bankai used. They also put really powerful dummies in there that would usually force someone to use their bankai.

I have a tumblr now! Feel free to check it out. It's very random... not all Bleach related, but... it will tell you I'm alive? For those who are curious, it's .com. XD

As always, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter, and I hope you will leave a review before you go!