Hello, This story is the direct sequel to my other story Someone To Lean On. It is set Four years after the events of that story. I was planning on having a break before starting this story, but I just Could'nt resist ^_^.

I do not own Bleach, only the cutey goodness that is Kotaro Hitsugaya =)

Someone To Watch Over You Chapter 1

It was an incredibly busy day in the Fourth Division Infirmary. September had rolled around again and that meant one thing for the relief team. It was time for the annual patient medicals for the entire Shinigami population. Captain Retsu Unohana insisted every year prior to the cold winter months that everybody was required to have a check up.

This year they'd begun with the Thirteenth Division and were working back through the squads. So far everyone from the Thirteenth, through to the Eleventh had been seen to. The majority of the Tenths members had been seen the day before, so today the team were seeing to the seated officers and of course the Captain and Lieutenant.

In the examination room she was occupying, Unohana was personally seeing to the Hitsugaya family. Or to be more precise, Rangiku and her four year old son, Kotaro. Rangiku's son was the exact replica of Toushiro. He was a very small baby, who grew into a very small four year old. He had his father's snowy white locks and startling teal eyes, but his personality was warm, bubbly and bouncing. Just like his mother.

"Open your mouth and say ahhh."

"Ahhhh."

Unohana smiled at her youngest patient, "Very good, now just keep it open for me while I have a look at your teeth."

Kotaro, sat patiently on the chair, swinging his little legs back and fourth, which were far too short to reach the floor.

"OK all done young man" Unohana said gently, removing the dentistry tools from Kotaro's mouth. She walked over to a nearby stand and picked up the clipboard she'd been recording results on. "You're perfectly healthy and I'm pleased to tell you, you've actually grown half a centimetre since your last medical."

"Did you hear that Mummy?" Kotaro grinned showing two identical dimples on both of his cheeks "I'm not as little!"

"I did sweetie, that's wonderful news" Rangiku replied chuckling.

"However young man" Unohana continued, Kotaro instantly returned his attention back to her, "I would suggest that you don't eat so many sweets."

"I haven't been eating that many" Kotaro looked up at Unohana, his teal eyes full of innocence "Granddad gave them to me."

"That doesn't surprise me in the least" Unohana made a mental note to bring it up with Ukitake later, "Kotaro you have a lovely set of teeth coming through, make sure you look after them OK?"

Kotaro nodded "OK Gran-Gran."

"Well that's everything" Unohana declared referring to her clipboard "I just need to see one more person from the Tenth and that's your division finished."

Rangiku smiled "Toushiro sends his apologies Captain Unohana. He's swamped with paperwork and he said he'll stop by later."

"I'll see him at the Captains meeting in an hour Rangiku, I'll ensure that he stops by the Fourth afterwards."

Rangiku grinned "I'm sure you'll have better luck getting him to come here then I did."

Kotaro giggled loudly "Daddy said he'd rather eat a whole stack of paperwork then come for a check up."

"Again that doesn't surprise me" Unohana lifted Kotaro off the chair and placed him down gently on the floor. Once his feet met the ground he bounded over to Rangiku and threw himself at her for a hug.

Rangiku got to her feet and held Kotaro's hand guiding him over to the door "Well Kotaro its time we headed back home."

"Wait Mummy!" Kotaro disentangled his hand from Rangiku's and ran back over to Unohana.

Unohana crouched down to Kotaro's level and held her arms open. Kotaro bowled into her, hugging her tightly. Unohana enveloped him with her arms, wrapping him up in her warm embrace "Be a good boy for your Mum and Dad, Kotaro."

"OK Gran-Gran" He whispered quietly. Unohana released him and he padded happily towards the door, waving goodbye to Unohana as he went.

"Goodbye Captain Unohana" Rangiku waved and hurried after Kotaro who was already bounding away down the corridor.

Shunsui Kyouraku cracked an eye open and sighed in contentment. He loved that 'Just woken up feeling' you felt after a nice long slumber. What felt even nicer, was sharing it with someone and waking up with them nestled securely in your arms.

He sighed again and wrapped his body tighter around his companion like a blanket, pulling her closer to his chest. He nuzzled the back of her neck and allowed one of his hands to trail up and down her smooth thigh.

"Mmm Nanao-chan" He mumbled against her neck.

He heard a sleepy sigh escape her lips. She shifted slightly in her sleep, pressing her bottom firmly against his groin causing him to harden. He held his breath hoping like hell she wasn't about to wake up, he was rather enjoying himself at the moment.

He felt her body relax again and let out the breath he'd been holding. Judging by the level of light in the room it must be around dawn. He pressed his lips against her shoulder and allowed his eyes to flutter close. It was much to early to even think about getting up yet. Just another hour he told himself before drifting back to sleep.

What felt like only a few minutes later, he opened his eyes again and saw that the room was much brighter now. How long had he been asleep? Looking down he was surprised to find Nanao still sleeping deeply in his arms. He grinned, he must have really tired her out during the night for her to still be asleep at this time of the day. Which reminded him, just what time was it anyway? He guessed it to be about ten in the morning.

He heard Nanao yawn and she turned in his arms so she was on her back. She shivered and carried on turning seeking out his warmth. Now her breasts were pressed firmly against his bare chest. He adjusted his arms so his hands were resting against her back, which he rubbed to keep her warm.

She sighed deeply, contented. He looked down at her and saw her eyelids flutter open. She blinked a few times before focusing fully on his face "Shunsui.." she said sleepily.

"Good morning, Nanao-chan" he kissed her forehead affectionately "Did you sleep well?"

"What time is it?" She asked squinting her eyes so she could see his face better.

He stretched an arm over the edge of the couch and pattered the floor till his fingers brushed against the metal frames of Nanao's glasses. He plucked them from the floor and handed them to her rather reluctantly. He loved gazing into her eyes when she wasn't wearing her glasses, her dark blue orbs tend to sparkle in just the right light.

She placed them on the bridge of her nose and once her eyes adjusted to them she began taking in her surroundings. Shunsui regretted giving them to her immediately.

Her face which was relaxed, calm and contented just moments before quickly changed into a deep scowl. First she took in their naked forms pressed tightly together on the couch. The couch!

She bolted upright, expecting to find herself in Shunsui's living room.

She groaned loudly in horror when she saw that her usually neat and organized desk was a complete mess. The paperwork she'd completed the day before, that had been left in neat piles had been knocked over and scattered everywhere. Their uniforms were scattered messily around the room, tossed aside and discarded during their.. activities.

She gasped once her sleep fogged brain caught up with the situation. She was in the office. He was in the office. They'd done it in the office. They were in the office! "Why are we in the office!"

Her eyes widened at the realisation. She sprang off the couch elbowing Shunsui in the stomach as she went. Shunsui leant back, using his arms as pillows as he watched Nanao dashing around the room in a mad panic. He had a silly grin on his face while he watched her frantically search for her pieces of uniform and other items of apparel, while keeping up a constant stream of questions. All rhetorical he guessed.

"What time is it! Why didn't you wake me sooner! I cant believe we are still in the office! What if someone decided to stop by with the days paperwork! Did you even bother to the lock the door!"

"Nanao-chan" he drawled, smirking lazily "Lets just try to calm down a minute OK?"

Nanao's eyebrow twitched "I'M COMPLETELY CALM!" she yelled, eyes flashing dangerously, her sleep tousled hair framing her face gave her a deranged look.

Shunsui froze, he'd never seen his Nanao-chan completely unravel like this before, occasionally flustered, yes. But never like this.

He dragged himself to his feet and decided to help her locate her underwear. He grabbed his pink haori and tossed it aside. "Ah is this what you're looking for Nanao-chan?" he asked holding up her black lace panties.

She snatched them out of his hand and glared coldly, completely failing to hide the blush dusting her cheeks.

He grabbed her hand gently and pulled her closer. With his other hand he began running his fingers through her hair "Breathe Nanao-chan," he whispered huskily, "I had a wonderful time last night and I'm sure you did too."

She was about to protest but he cut her off by placing a finger over her lips.

"It was even more wonderful waking up beside you" he said honestly "Please, lets not spoil a great start to the morning" he leant in and brushed his lips against hers.

Nanao was just beginning to relax into the kiss when a loud knock on the door had them both tearing their lips away from the other and staring at the door frozen.

Instantly they'd both clamped down on their energy signatures not wanting to alert whoever was out there to their presence.

"Did you lock the door?" Nanao whispered, trembling slightly.

"I don't remember" he whispered back. He felt Nanao's hands resting on his chest curl up into fists. His grip on her hips also tightened. He understood why Nanao was so tense. While it was perfectly acceptable for them to pursue a relationship with each other, as long as they remained discreet about it in front of their squad. It wasn't acceptable for them to be caught like this in such a compromising position. It would be setting a poor example to their squad members and if it got around the rest of the Seireitei and back to the Head-Captain. Well, it just didn't bare thinking about. At the very least Nanao could be demoted and forced to leave the division. Shunsui cringed inside, he would lose his Nanao-chan and it would be all his fault. He could only imagine the shame and humiliation she would feel if that were to happen.

The person outside the door knocked again, louder this time "Sir! Lieutenant Ise, Are you in there? I have today's paperwork here."

Nanao gulped loudly. Shunsui gave her a reassuring squeeze.

The light outside shone behind the person, casting a shadow on the thin paper walls. With a jolt in her stomach, Nanao watched as the shadowy hand reached for the door to slide it open. Nanao closed her eyes cringing. Shunsui quick as lightening manoeuvred himself so he was standing in front of Nanao, shielding her from view. So whoever walked through the door would only see his naked backside. This technically was his fault after-all, he would take responsibility for it.

However and much to both of their relief, the door wouldn't budge. Nanao unclenched slightly but still held her breath. The person knocked loudly one final time before giving up and walking away.

Once the shadow had disappeared out of sight and they were fairly sure they weren't going to be heard, they both let out one long sigh of relief.

"Damn Nanao-chan that was awfully close" Shunsui muttered snuggling against her.

"Too close" Nanao pressed her hands against Shunsui's chest and shoved him away hard. He lost his balance and went sprawling back onto the couch "You see this is exactly why I have a strict policy about how we conduct ourselves whilst in the office."

Nanao looked away from him and began collecting up the rest of her clothes. Shunsui lounged back on the couch observing her.

She hastily got dressed and tossed her hair up with a clip before heading towards the door. She was halfway to the door when she felt a vice like grip on her wrist "Nanao" Shunsui said dropping the suffix, which immediately got her attention. She looked over her shoulder at him, inviting him to continue.

He dropped her wrist and lounged back into the cushions of the couch "I'm sorry about that Nanao-chan."

Nanao waved his apology away "Don't be, it takes two to tango after-all" she turned on her heel.

"Nanao-chan" he called. She paused again and looked back at him "I meant what I said by the way, it really was wonderful spending the night with you and waking up beside you this morning."

Nanao broke away from his gaze and looked straight ahead, hoping to hide the blush on her face. She really was stumped on how to reply to that, so instead she put one foot in front of the other, towards the door.

"Where are you going Nanao-chan?" he asked sitting up.

"Home" She replied without looking back "I need a shower, a change of clothes and breakfast."

She stepped out the door and flashed away just as he said "I love you Nanao" he sighed and reclined back into the couch and closed his eyes.

He felt a whoosh of movement and a stinging, burning sensation exploded across his cheek. He bolted upright and wrenched his eyes open to find Nanao standing in front of him with her hand raised.

"Nanao..?"

"What do you think you're doing?" She scolded.

He just blinked in confusion.

"You cant just lounge there naked, taking a nap like that. You're in the office!"

"Oh right" he grinned back sheepishly.

She bent down and planted a kiss on his lips "I love you too.. even though you're an idiot at times" she pulled away again, intending to leave for sure this time "One more thing" she said walking towards the door "You have a Captains meeting today."

"What time does it begin?"

"Twenty minutes ago" she replied before flash stepping away.

He groaned and dragged himself to his feet, gathering up his discarded uniform. The last thing he wanted to do right now was stand through a boring Captains meeting, but at least he had the memories from last night of his lovely, naughty Nanao-chan to keep him occupied for the duration of the meeting. He held his hand up to where Nanao had slapped him. It was still tingling and burning and he was sure there would be a noticeable mark there. A smile graced his lips. She also told him that she loved him too. The smile on his face grew into a wide grin, she certainly was full of surprises today.

Toushiro Hitsugaya folded his arms across his chest and began absent-mindedly drumming his fingers against his upper arms. Looking around the Captains meeting room, several of his fellow Captains were also showing signs of growing impatience.

The meeting was supposed to start thirty minutes ago. Hitsugaya glanced to his left at the space Kyouraku usually occupied and scowled. Trust it to be him everyone was waiting on, it was most likely he was passed out somewhere in a drunken slumber.

The weekly meetings were usually a quick get together. The Head-Captain would pass on anything he needed them to know, then ask if anyone had anything they needed to report and then pretty much sent them on their way. They were usually here no more then an hour tops.

He sighed inwardly, although he wasn't up to his neck in paperwork he was eager to get back to the office so he could get today's paperwork done and dusted, so he could spend time with Rangiku and Kotaro later on.

He heard a stifled cough from the opposite row of Captains and glanced over to Ukitake, who caught his eye and smiled warmly at him. He noticed Ukitake was looking considerably thinner then usual. His recent bout of illness had left his face gaunt and pale, while dark circles lined his eyes. Overall he looked tired and frail but despite all that, he still managed to radiate his usual warmth and kindness.

The corner of Toushiro's mouth quirked up in half a smile, Kotaro had been worried because he couldn't see his grandfather, it'd been three weeks since they'd last spent time together.

The restless shuffling ceased when the doors swung open and Kyouraku came striding into the room, he paused when he saw Ukitake and a grin broke out on his face "Juu buddy! Great to see you up and about again."

"Shunsui" Ukitake greeted his friend with a low raspy voice.

"Line up Shunsui" barked the Head-Captain banging his staff impatiently on the wooden floor, signalling the start of the meeting "I think we've all been waiting long enough for you."

Kyouraku swept over to his usual place next to Toushiro and adjusted his hat to hide his eyes "Kiddo" he muttered in greeting.

The meeting commenced and just as Toushiro expected, it was a fairly routine meeting. Each Captain gave a brief report on the running of their division. The latest patrols reported all was well. All in all the Soul Society was a pretty peaceful place and just as Toushiro expected, the meeting had been a complete waste of time for him.

He sensed the meeting was about to end when Yamamoto cleared his throat "And now onto the final topic of the day."

It took a lot of effort for him not to groan out loud, he heard Kyouraku next to him mutter some curse under his breath.

"A report came in yesterday, highlighting a strange occurrence happening in the world of the living. According to the report there have been a number of train derailments in the underground subway system."

"Derailments?" Kyouraku questioned "Is it some sort of fault with the rails?"

"That was the original conclusion, however there has been an increase in the number of these derailments over the course of a week" Yamamoto paused for breath and surveyed each of the Captains lined up "The Shinigami posted in the area also reported a lack of souls at each of the crash sites, despite whole trains of humans meeting their end."

Hitsugaya considered the old man's words "Could it be a hollow is responsible?"

"Its a possibility, which is why I'm sending squad ten to investigate."

Toushiro felt a bit taken back, had he just volunteered himself by asking a question? "Yes Sir."

"Good, You and your Lieutenant are scheduled to leave first thing tomorrow morning. The investigation should only take two weeks at the most" Yamamoto barked completely oblivious to Toushiro's sudden dilemma.

"Both of us?" he asked, not sure he was hearing right. It would be the first time he and Rangiku would be sent on a long mission to the world of the living together since Kotaro had been born. Usually if a mission came up only one of them would be sent, always leaving the other to stay behind to take care of their son. It was such short notice too, he wasn't sure how Rangiku was going to take it.

The Head-Captain, didn't show any signs of hearing his question as he was still ploughing on ahead with his speech "I shall have the full report sent over to your office later on today. That is all for today, you are all dismissed" The Head-Captain banged his staff loudly against the floor signalling an abrupt end to the meeting.

Toushiro stood their trying to process the sudden turn of events, it wasn't until Kyouraku threw an arm around his shoulder and began herding him out of the door did he realise he was still standing there and most of the Captains had already filed out of the room.

"Come on kiddo, I think Juu's waiting for us outside" Kyouraku clapped him on his shoulder "I know what's bothering you, but you really shouldn't worry. Between Juu, Retsu, Nanao-chan and myself, Kotaro will be in good hands."

Toushiro smirked "I know that, I'm more worried about Rangiku actually."

"Want a piece of advise kiddo?"

"Not really" Toushiro frowned, he wasn't sure if Kyouraku was actually being serious or whether he was about to sprout some ridiculous comment.

"This mission will be a good thing for you and Ran-chan, its about time the two of you had some alone time together."

The two of them exited the First Division and just as Kyouraku predicted, Ukitake stood waiting for them with Unohana by his side. As Toushiro walked closer to them, Ukitake threw an arm up to cover his mouth as a violent coughing fit struck him.

"Juu are you OK buddy?"

Ukitake waved his friends concern away "Fine, fine" he wheezed "The air is just a little chilly."

"Either way you should get out of the cold soon Juushiro" Unohana advised him gently.

Ukitake nodded his head in agreement "Toushiro I'll happily watch over Kotaro while you and Rangiku are away on your mission."

"Are you feeling well enough Ukitake? Kotaro's so full of energy lately."

Ukitake held up a hand to silence him "Toushiro its fine, I'm feeling a lot better then what I did and I'm looking forward to spending time with him again."

A chilly gust of wind kicked up causing Ukitake to have another coughing fit, Kyouraku stepped forward and rested a hand on his shoulder "Come on Juu buddy, I guess its time we had a drink."

"Sounds good" Ukitake replied with a hoarse voice "I shall see you tomorrow Toushiro, send my regards to Rangiku will you."

"Sure no problem."

"See you later Retsu" Ukitake smiled warmly at her.

"Yeah yeah pretty boy, lets go" Kyouraku tightened his grip on Ukitake's shoulder "Retsu, Kiddo" Kyouraku tipped his hat before flashing away with Ukitake in tow.

Toushiro shook his head at Kyouraku's antics "I guess I should get back to my office, I need to break the news to Rangiku" he turned and began to walk away from Unohana.

"One minute Toushiro."

He paused and looked back at the motherly healer and froze. Instead of her usual gentle smile gracing her lips, she was staring at him with her 'Creepy' smile.

"I think you ought to accompany me to the Fourth for your check up first, don't you think?" She asked in her no nonsense voice.

Toushiro swallowed hard.

"After all, you are going away on a mission for two weeks and what kind of example would it be setting for your division, if their Captain neglected his own health."

He felt his brow knit into a frown, the last place he wanted to go was the Fourth for a check up. He'd rather eat an entire stack of paperwork.

"And what kind of example would it be setting for little Kotaro. He was such a big boy earlier, made no fuss what so ever."

"FINE!" Toushiro blurted out a lot louder then planned, this was clearly blackmail "I'll go to the Fourth with you."

"I'm glad you see things my way" Unohana was instantly back to her usual serene self, smiling gently "Shall we?" she asked indicating they should start walking.

Toushiro sighed, who would have thought the gentlest Captain in the Gotei 13 would resort to using his own son against him.