Bleach 1. Chapter 1

**Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.**

_Here's another story that has been crowding my brain. I'm actually really fond of this one and I hope you all enjoy it! _

Silence.

That was all that could be heard as a lone figure walked briskly through the dense forest, his robes melting into the black of the forest. The darkness brushed over him as the light of the fading moon failed to penetrate the thick leaves. Nothing stirred in these woods; no owls hooted, no squirrels scurried about, nothing moved, nothing breathed. Except this one man who carried on, his destination and purpose known to him alone as he moved, unhindered and unconcerned about his eerie surroundings.

After some time, an outcropping of rock forcefully presented itself, the dark stone glinting in the almost dangerously. The man continued on, striding without hesitation into the black nothingness passed the mouth of the cave. Several moments later, faint, flickering light danced across the rough stone walls, shadows dancing eerily against the shining surface. Once the man got close to the light-candles laid about the edge of the rather large open area-he ceased walking and simply stood, waiting for only he knew what.

It only took a few minutes, but finally another figure walked into the room. He was an older man, his face wrinkled and hair grey. The two figures stared at each other for a moment, before the one that entered at last broke the tense silence. " You will do it then?"

" Yes. I was commanded to wait two years, time which has now passed. All that is left is to get the exact orders from him." The man's deep voice rumbled through the cave, determination burning in his hidden ruby eyes.

Silently, the older man walked towards the younger, putting a hand on his shoulder. " You do not have to do this. There is no one here to punish you for disobeying. Our master fell; there is nothing we can do any longer."

" This is not for him. This is for us. The Seireitei must pay for what they did to our family."

The old man quieted, looking into the younger's eyes. He sighed, " I see that you cannot be swayed from your decision."

" Will you assist me?"

" No." He old man let his hand fall as he closed his eyes and bowed his head. " I will neither help nor hinder you. This boy you are going after, he has done much good for all, not just the Seireitei. Remember this."

" I have made up my mind." The younger said, turning on his heel and walking back into the darkness. The old man watched him sadly, dread filling him at the thought of what was going to unfold. He knew, ever since that faithful day, the boy had been corrupted by hatred and a thirst for vengeance. Such emotions were not meant to be felt by one with a power such as his.

The old man slid to his knees as tears flowed down his cheeks. What had he just allowed to happen? He didn't know, but he sobbed in fear and sadness, begging for forgiveness.

It was unusually calm in the Seireitei. No recent hollow activity was reported, at least none that wasn't easily handled. There was no commotion amongst the different squads. Nor was there anywhere near the normal amount of paperwork to be done. A fact which the Captain of the Tenth division couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief over. He was utterly exhausted from spending so many late nights on paper work and having to fight and work with only a few hours of sleep a week. A feat which he had just pulled once again seeing as he had not slept in two days. It was simply wearing the young captain out.

This is the reason why the prodigy, and normal busy body, Captain was taking a rare yet well deserved, in his mind at least, break as he laid on the couch residing in his office with his eyes closed. A rare sense of peace engulfed him at the lack of commotion and urgency. Sure there was still paper work and training, but it could wait a hour or two. Most of it was done and the rest wasn't due for a few more days. A blissful sigh escaped his lips as he snuggled down into the couch, fully intent on taking a long nap.

That was, until a hesitant knock sounded through the silence of his office. He jumped slightly at the sudden noise before rushing to his desk and smoothing out his robes. " Come in." He said, his voice full of cold authority. One of the lower ranked shinigami of his squad walked in. He kept his eyes downcast or upon the forms he was carrying. " What are those?"

" Oh! Um they're for you to sign, Sir, from Twelve. Also, Lieutenant Kuchiki stopped by to inform you that there was a Captain's meeting in twenty minutes."

" Why did Kuchiki inform you of this?"

" She said it was because she knew Lieutenant Matsmoto would not be here to inform you due to Lieutenant Abarai's absence, Captain." At this, Toshiro scowled.

" Very well." He commented as the shinigami placed the forms down carefully on his desk. When the door slid shut the boy allowed himself to sink down in his chair with a sigh. He had really been looking forward to sleeping. Begrudgingly he reached for his pen before a yawn overtook him.

The door slid open roughly, Toshiro sending a half hearted glare to whoever was disturbing him now, and was only slightly surprised to see his lieutenant. " Captain! I'm sorry I'm so late!"

" Matsumoto, it's two o'clock. You're supposed to be here by eight. What could have possible made you this late besides a bar?" Toshiro asked dryly, sitting up in his chair and snatching one of the thick forms he had to read and sign. Of course it had to be Kurotshuchi to ruin his day.

" I actually have a good reason this time, though! You see I was-"

" I honestly don't care right now. I have a Captain's meeting to attend, a fact that Lieutenant Kuchiki had to stop by to inform me of because a certain lieutenant of mine was missing." He snapped.

" That's awful cold Captain." She pouted.

" How am I supposed to run the squad when my second in command acts like she has no responsibility and is always disappearing, never showing up, never doing her work, and always drinking?"

" You do a great job, Captain! Without you our squad would be a mess!" She tried to cheer him up, giving him one of her biggest grins.

" You simply don't understand." He sighed with a shake of his head, brushing passed her and shunpoing away. He hated the fact that everyone in the Soul Society knew of how lazy and unprofessional Rangiku acted. How could he run a whole squad if he couldn't control his lieutenant, the one that is supposed to be the responsible one under him? In the minds of the other Captains, he couldn't. But of course, he was a child after all. He knew that's what they thought and is why he strived to disprove them and Rangiku simply was not helping in any way.

The blonde woman stood silently, gazing at the closed door her Captain had walked out of. She didn't show it, but she knew what he meant. She knew how he felt. Guilt stabbed painfully at her heart as she gazed at the stacks of work. A large amount was finished, piled neatly beside Toshiro's desk. She knew a good sized portion of that was supposed to be hers. There had been dark circles under the boy's eyes again, something that did not go unnoticed by the busty lieutenant.

It was due to this that when the squad ten Captain returned nearly a hour later, she was seated at her desk diligently working on the last few forms of work, both hers and Toshiro's. The white haired teen stood in the door way, staring in surprise. It took several moments, but when the woman's blue-grey eyes rose after the last, swift stroke of her pen, she smiled happily. " Hello, Captain!" She said cheerfully, proud at the surprise on his face.

" What are you doing?" He asked skeptically.

"Paperwork, of course. What does it look like?" She shrugged with a smile, lifting her arms above her head as she stretched he stiff back and shoulders. " I noticed you looked tired, Captain, so I decided to help out."

A rare smile graced his lips, his expression openly grateful for a moment before seriousness regained dominance. " Thank you, Matsumoto, but we have an assignment. There is a rogue loose and we must track him down." She schooled her expression, sadly letting go of any hope of getting off early because all the work was done. A flare in reiatsu momentarily grabbed her attention and she heard Toshiro groan softly. " Of course Kurosaki chooses now to appear…" He mumbled, feeling the substitute Shinigami headed his way.

" Why's he coming here?" Rangiku knew that her captain and the strawberry were good friends, but normally he would always go to see Rukia or Renji first and stop by their barracks sometime afterward. It was odd for Ichigo to head straight for them.

" Lieutenant Kuchiki was assigned to this case as well."

" Is this intruder really that powerful?" A captain and two lieutenants was a little much for a simple rogue in her mind.

" His power is unknown but all that have come across him have fallen. The Head Captain wants to take no chances." Toshiro had been a bit amazed too when there was no hesitation to send such a powerful group after the rogue that had infiltrated the Seireitei. He had expected to be told to send someone from his squad to investigate since that's what his squad did but that had not been the case.

" Yo Toshiro." Ichigo said casually as he entered, Rukia looking annoyed as she followed him in.

" Hello, Captain Hitsugaya." She said formally, glaring at Ichigo who didn't seem to notice.

" So what's this about a rogue or something?"

" Since you're here I suppose there will be no getting rid of you will there?" He asked, already knowing the answer without Ichigo's affirmative "nope." Toshiro couldn't repress his sigh and closed his eyes for a moment, willing his frustration to lessen. After a moment he began to explain, ignoring the odd look he received from Rangiku and Ichigo for his sudden impatience. " Two days ago, a man dressed as a Shinigami infiltrated the Seireitei. Since then, three members of squad seven and two from squad six have been wounded and one from squad eleven killed."

" Were they ranked officers?" Rukia asked, moving to join Rangiku where she had moved to the couch.

Toshiro flipped through the folder in his hand that held all the case information gathered so far, moving over to his desk that was for once clear of paperwork. He had yet to read it but had been briefed about the situation itself. " Only the squad eleven member; she was ranked seventh. Very little has been gathered on the rogue except that it is a male and he has dark hair. One of the victims also reported that his eyes were red but that has yet to be confirmed by others." He reported, flipping a page in the report. He was vaguely aware of Ichigo standing over him trying to read also. " Motive is unknown… target unknown… goal unknown…" he muttered, ignoring everything as he skimmed over the information, rapidly absorbing it, obtaining all the necessary information off a page before Ichigo got to read the second paragraph.

" Then how are we supposed to find him?" The orange haired shinigami asked, giving up on trying to keep up with the insane pace Toshiro was reading at.

" The Stealth Force say they believe him to be hiding in the underground sewer system."

" I know that place." Ichigo commented, receiving a confused look from the small captain. " Hanaturo hid me there when I first came here after I fought Renji." He explained, Toshiro nodding in response. " So when do we head out? I'm ready when you guys are."

" We will begin tomorrow."

" What? Why wait?" Ichigo complained.

" Yeah, Captain, why don't we just get it over with?" Rangiku asked curiously.

" Before we go charging after some unknown enemy I want to gather more information."

" How are we going to do that?"

" Interviewing the victims?" Rukia asked, receiving a nod.

" You two will need to come. This rogue may have left traces of his reiatsu on his victims during their fights. If we can manage to sense it, we may be able to sense where he is instead of running blindly around the mazes underground."

" Sounds like a plan, Captain!" Rangiku jumped up, cheerfully moving over to the teen. She figured that once this was over he would retire to think of a strategy, probably over a steaming cup of tea somewhere quiet, and she'd be free to spend the rest of the evening drinking away at a bar.

With that, the small group left for Squad Four, Ichigo coming along even though his ability to sense reiatsu and track it was nothing sort of pitiful. It took nearly two hours, but a sample of the mysterious rogue's reiatsu was found lingering on the body of the slain member of squad eleven. Toshiro, Rangiku, and Rukia focused on it, committing it to their memory. With the agreement to meet outside Toshiro's barracks at ten the next morning, which was sternly said to Rangiku, they all parted ways; Rangiku to drink the night away, Ichigo and Rukia to go pester Renji, and Toshiro to spend it alone thinking and planning.

However, even the most farfetched plans for the unexpected that crossed the young Captain's mind could not prepare him for what was about to unfold.

**Please review if you enjoyed, I love hearing all of your opinions and comments!**


	2. Chapter 2

**Disclaimer**: I do not own bleach or any of it characters, locations, etc.

" What is it?" He called, still in his uniform due to his having fallen asleep unexpectedly at his desk while he read over the case file again, searching for anything that may have been overlooked.

" He's attacked again. Ichigo Kurosaki and Lieutenant Kuchiki are currently in pursuit, Lieutenant Matsumoto is heading here." The voice called again, not opening the door. He recognized it as his fourth seat but did not tell him to enter. Instead, the small captain hurriedly made his way to the door, yanking it open and darting down the hall. He used shunpo to get outside quickly, locating the two in pursuit as well as Rangiku. Without waiting for her, he sped off towards Ichigo and Rukia, confident that his lieutenant could catch up.

Toshiro frowned as he neared the two Shinigami, meeting with them after only a few moments. He expected the rogue to be in the Seireitei, but his actual location was stupidly bold. They were currently half way to his own squad, their reiatsu trail telling him that they had come from where Central 46 was located. He was baffled by this but forced his questions to the back of his mind. There was no time to dwell on the strange, idiotic behavior of an intruder.

Ichigo and Rukia were using shunpo to keep up with the rogue but were being out sped. Ichigo knew he could catch up with his Bankai but refrained, wanting to wait for Toshiro. Normally he wouldn't care for plans and strategies, but he'd happened to stop by the small Captain's office a few hours prior. Seeing Toshiro, papers and reports spread in front of him and under his arms, sound asleep half laying over his desk, was enough to make him realize just how much thought the Squad Ten Captain was putting into this. He didn't want to make everything he was doing for nothing.

After only a few more moments, said captain appeared beside them, slightly startling Ichigo. " Did you engage him or did he flee on sight?" He asked as soon as he made it to them.

" He ran as soon as he saw us." Ichigo grumbled in irritation.

" We found him sneaking around Central 46 and it looked like he had been talking to himself."

" With luck we will be able to capture him and the stealth force will interrogate him for answers. His behavior has been rather spontaneous." Attacking squad members, killing a Shinigami, and loitering around the central of the Seireitei afterwards was simply idiotic and the young captain could not determine a motive for such odd behavior.

The sun began to peak over the horizon as the group and their target neared the woods passed the barracks of squad seven. _' Is he planning on losing us in the forest?'_ the prodigy thought to himself, attempting to make sense of the rogue's motives.

" Captain!" Rangiku's voice sounded as she caught up, breathing slightly labored. " I finally caught up." She panted.

Toshiro decided to remain silent while Rukia caught her up. His attention was captured by the slight fluctuations in their target's reiatsu. It seemed to quiver and slowly build in strength. Fearing he was preparing to attack them, he let out a burst of speed, covering the space between all of them in a single shunpo but draining some of his own reiatsu. In a flash he had Hyōrinmaru in his grasp and the blade clashed with that of the rogue's as the trailing trio caught up.

As the sharp sound of metal colliding with metal echoed through the calm, still sleeping forest there was a brilliant, blinding flash of light that made everyone shield their eyes. It was as if suddenly daylight had burst to life directly in front of them, searing into their eyes. When they managed to looked up, Toshiro and the rogue had disappeared, all traces of their reiatsu vanished as well. The area where they had been looked untouched, dark once again.

" Captain!"

" Captain Hitsugaya!"

" Toshiro!"

Three voices sounded at the same time; concern, confusion, and worry lacing the mingling voices.

It felt like the world was spinning, turning him in every direction at once as it felt like the ground fell out from under his feet. He felt sick and dizzy, his head spinning as he desperately tried to get his bearings when suddenly everything came to an abrupt halt. The world slammed back down onto him, forcing him to his knees, his stomach twisting painfully and threatening to make him vomit. He gripped his head tightly in his hands, fearing it would burst from the pain that suddenly flared in it.

It took several minutes, but the young captain finally managed to regain his bearings, pain edging off more slowly. He glanced around him, looking and searching for the rogue with his eyes and reiatsu but finding no sign of him. He was, however, startled to discover he was by a large housing complex, living souls bustling past him where he still kneeled by a bench. _'Did he teleport? And if so, how did he do it?'_ Unable to detect the rogue's reiatsu, Toshiro decided to figure out where exactly he was while he waited and continued searching.

Toshiro detected several familiar reiatsu, although something about them seemed off, something he couldn't determine but made him move forward carefully. They felt almost the same but underdeveloped and dormant. It was strange and had him slightly worried and very cautious. Using shunpo once more, he headed to where he felt the Kurosaki family. Sadness clung heavily to the quiet air, something completely out of place in the normally lively home. _'Something just feels wrong here…' _

" Hurry up, dad, we have to go find Ichigo!" a young girl's voice shouted.

" Coming Karin." The familiar sound of Issin Kurosaki's voice set Toshiro on edge. The cheerful and playful tone that had always been present in his former Captain's voice was gone. In its place was poorly disguised sadness and emptiness. " Ready girls?" He asked again, the front door opening and Toshiro quickly hiding from them.

Exiting the house was not what he expected. Issin strode out, his eyes looking worried but empty, like he had just suffered a great loss and was trying to hide it. Karin and Yuzu looked like they were maybe four, each girl holding onto their father's hands tightly. Yuzu looked openly worried, her expression scared and eyes wide as she bit her lip nervously. To Toshiro, Karin looked vulnerable and seemed to be thinly covering her own sadness and fear under a veil of unconcerned impatience.

The small family walked away down the road, Toshiro staring after them. His mind was reeling and trying desperately to make sense of what he had just seen. Where was he exactly? In the past? How was that even possible? Did it have to do with the rogue? That must be it, he concluded, but what he didn't know was how he did it. A thought suddenly struck him and panic tore through him, the feeling foreign and unpleasant. He quickly reached out with his senses, searching for Ichigo's reiatsu but unable to locate it.

" I see you did indeed follow me here. I congratulate you on being able to survive the journey." an eerily calm voice said from beside him.

Toshiro snapped his attention to the lanky male, his straight, black hair blowing slightly around his face and into his blood red eyes. No emotion showed itself in those eyes, the man's face equally devoid of any feeling. The white haired teen didn't bother asking where he was. " Why have you brought me to the past?"

" It was unintentional, but you must return with me. I cannot leave you here even if upon return you kill me." The slow building and twisting in his reiatsu that he had felt must have been him manipulating time to create a portal to the past for himself. Something like that must require a charge for time is a very delicate thing.

" What is your name? Why did you come here?" He asked instead, not moving, turquoise eyes narrowed dangerously. If he was so worried about him staying in the past to potentially change something, why would he himself come to the past unless it was to do exactly that? He hoped that it wasn't what he dreaded it to be as he continued searching for the orange haired reaper's spirit energy.

" I am Jikan and it does not matter why I come. I have already done what I came to do and there is nothing you can do to prevent it any longer." The rogue stated emotionlessly, his reiatsu continuing to build and twist.

Finally he located a trail, its presence weak and disappearing. Toshiro's eyes widened as he comprehended what that entailed. " You…" He couldn't get his words out, the gravity of the situation slamming into his mind as he rapidly began calculating what impact this would have as he also coped with the sudden pain of loss gripping him. " You killed him…When he was at his lowest, lost in sadness of losing his mother…I won't let you get away with this." The normally icy voice sounded absolutely frozen, as if the words themselves would solidify into ice as they fell from his lips with the dark promise of death.

" I already have." The rogue smirked but it quickly turned into a grimace as he just barely blocked the sword aimed at his head. The white haired captain's icy glare promised pain, revenge, radiated with frozen fury, but was otherwise empty, everything else shoved aside. Loss, pain, remorse were all transformed into rage and directed solely at the one responsible. He'd kill him, even if it was the last thing he ever did.

The man's reiatsu suddenly flared, engulfing them both in bright light as the world once again seemed to fall away. The strength being put into the blade lessened as Toshiro struggled to keep his bearings in the spinning, free falling rift they were traveling through. Reality and time slammed forcefully back into both of them, but it had much less of an impact on the small reaper compared to only a short while ago. He was rendered unable to move the way he wanted for several moments, allowing the rogue to escape, much to his displeasure.

Toshiro stood, body frozen and unmoving, head down turned, and Hyōrinmaru gripped tightly in his right hand. Ice and frost crept out along the ground at his feet, snaking over the grass and freezing everything it came into contact with as Toshiro's spirit energy spiked in his turmoil. In a very uncharacteristic display of emotion, he dropped to his knees and punched the ground, " Damn it!" He shouted, the ground crumbling with the strength of his blow, spikes of ice erupting all around him as his reiatsu once again spiked out of control.

" Why is it that I fail everyone I care for? Everyone I allow myself to think of as a friend? I'm never able to save them!" He said out loud, cursing his weakness and inability to ever save what truly matters. What was the point of being a captain, of training himself half to death, of fighting and being strong, if it was never enough when it truly counted?

' _Master, you must calm yourself.' _Hyōrinmaru rumbled soothingly at the back of his mind.

"_How can i-" _He began but the dragon cut him off.

' _You haven't the time to grieve. You must find out what has happened to this time. There may still be a way to set things right.'_

"_What do you mean?"_

' _Think. You are not labeled a prodigy for nothing. Such moments as these are unbecoming of you.' _

Toshiro remained silent, looking around him and mentally commanding the ice to shatter as he contained his reiatsu and reigned in his emotions. Shame flooded him at having lost control the way he did. Even after all this time and training, he still allowed his emotions to get the better of him. He should know better by now, especially since he could have killed someone with that outburst.

" Jikan…" he breathed, slipping back into his analytic mind frame. " If I can find him again, perhaps I can force him to take me back before I kill him." The dragon rumbled in approval at the plan before fading from his consciousness. _" Thank you, Hyōrinmaru." _He said quietly to the retreating presence of the dragon, his mental voice small and sincere.

' _Of course Master.' _

**_The plot thickens. Anyhow, hope you enjoyed this latest chapter and will leave a review! They really help with motivation and I love hearing feed back. _**


	3. Chapter 3

**Disclaimer**: I do not own bleach or anything in it.

It didn't take long for Toshiro to figure out he was in the Soul Society, the walls of the Seireitei raising up to his left. Instead of heading towards the familiar sight, he decided to take a more cautious approach after his recklessness before when he first arrived. He crept through the village that lined the Seireitei's walls, slinking along in the shadows to remain unseen. The air was dark with oppression, something that definitely hadn't been present the last time he traveled into the border villages.

A slightly tattered, black cloak hanging outside what he supposed was some type of shop caught his eye. _'It would make hiding my presence easier. White hair isn't exactly stealthy.' _He thought to himself, using shunpo to take it without being seen. After putting some distance between himself and any one that may be watching, Toshiro took the scarf off of his neck and wrapped it around his forehead, using it to push his snowy locks away from his face before he pulled the cloak on.

Satisfied that his appearance was more hidden, the young captain reached out with his spirit energy, searching for anything familiar, looking specifically for the rogue. A dark, sinister energy invaded his senses, sending him reeling slightly at the power of it, eyes widening in surprise, before narrowing in hatred. "Aizen." He growled, the single word dripping with loathing and fury.

'_It must have been him, but how? He was locked away for more than a year before the rogue came. Had he foreseen his defeat? But then why wait so long and why make him come into the Seireitei before altering things? Was this some sort of backup plan to ensure his victory?' _He thought, eyes looking over the walls of the Seireitei. There was something he was missing. Could Jikan somehow found a way to infiltrate Aizen's prison and receive orders? That shouldn't be possible, but he didn't dismiss the theory. He hadn't thought time travel was possible either.

Something to his right moved, shooting towards him with great speed and forcing him to jump out of the way. He rolled and quickly regained his footing, unsheathing Hyōrinmaru and holding it in front of him in one smooth motion. His attacker paused, their body frozen and hardly breathing as they stared at him. He remained tense, unable to see their face or feel their reiatsu. He kept a tight lid on his, not willing to let the slightest wisp escape.

"Where did you get that blade?"A familiar voice asked him from the shadows of a dark red cloak. The voice, however, was too empty and heavy to be who he thought it was, but distinctly female. He didn't answer, instead remained in his stance, eyes locked onto his opponent's tense form. "It isn't yours and I'll make sure you pay for even touching it!" He blinked in surprise, anger rising at the very notion of someone claiming Hyōrinmaru belonged to someone else.

His attacker rushed forward, swinging their blade to kill, but he easily parried the blow. She attempted to sweep his feet out from under him, causing him to flip out of the way, landing lightly on his left hand and kicking her in the stomach. He used the momentum from his attack to propel his feet over his head and back to the ground in a quick flip. The woman stood clutching her stomach for only a moment, the force of the blow sending her stumbling back several steps before she regained her balance, gripped her sword tighter and rushed towards him.

They exchanged blows, gaining speed as they went, the sound of metal colliding with metal ringing sharply through the air. After a short time, Toshiro grew tired of the battle, deciding he really didn't have time to waste on this mystery woman regardless of her skill. He jumped away from her, lightly tapping the ground with the tip of his Zanpakutō before jumping back another few feet. The woman wasted no time in giving chase, but suddenly jerked to a stop as her right foot landed where Toshiro had tapped Hyōrinmaru. Ice shot up and trapped her foot, making her crash to the ground as ice rapidly grew up her leg and forced her to stay.

"There's no way…" She muttered to herself in disbelief.

"I apologize but I haven't the time to fight you. The ice will release in several minutes." He informed icily, sliding Hyōrinmaru back into its place on his back as he turned away, preparing to shunpo towards his destination in the Seireitei.

"C-Captain…" The woman's voice came out timidly as she climbed to her knees, the hood falling off to reveal short, wavy, strawberry blonde hair and watery grey eyes staring in disbelief at his cloaked back. He turned his head to glance at her, his face still shadowed by the dark hood. "Is it… really you…?" Her voice sounded so hopeful, almost pleading, as tears began falling down her cheeks.

He said nothing, body frozen in place as he looked at her, taking in her altered appearance. Her face was thinner, her skin paler and her body looked skinny and lanky even while being concealed by the cloak. A scar marred her left cheek and another ran across the bridge of her nose. He slowly, wordlessly reached up and pulled the hood off of his head, allowing his white hair to spill out despite the makeshift bandana. The ice around her foot disappeared.

"It is you!" She shouted, running forward and tackling him in a hug, a sob escaping her.

"R-Rangiku!" He shouted, completely taken by surprise by the sudden embrace. They crashed to the ground, her larger form landing heavily on him. She rambled on incomprehensibly as she crushed his smaller body to her, crying loudly and burying her face into his neck. After the shock subsided, he simply sighed, wrapping his arms around her tiny frame, running his fingers comfortingly through her hair. The action seemed to make her cry harder but he continued until she calmed, ignoring his confusion for the time being.

It took some time, but she finally calmed and loosened her grip on him, pulling away just enough to look into his turquoise eyes. "I'm sorry Captain, I just… I've missed you so much… a-and I know this is probably an illusion o-or a dream but I-I can't help it." She stuttered out, tears falling from her eyes again.

"This is neither, Rangiku." He stated simply, trying to sound as sincere as he could.

Her eyes widened, "B-but you… you're dead…" She whispered.

He froze, even stopped breathing as the weight of her words hit him. "What?"

"Almost a month ago. Aizen, he…. He betrayed us and executed everyone that opposed him. You fought, even killed Kaname, but…we had to retreat… Barely any of us made it out… but you went back and…" She trailed off, her eyes becoming distant, pain darkening the stormy grey pools still brimming with unshed tears.

"I see." Was his only reply and he moved both of them into a more comfortable, and sitting, position. So if Ichigo was never there to help them, Aizen would win and he would be dead. "Who else?"

"Only a few of the lieutenants escaped. Everyone else except unseated officers were executed." Her voice had gotten quiet and tight as she spoke. _'I knew none of us stood a chance, but this…' _He couldn't even finish the thought, no word could fit what he felt about what he had just be told. "How are you here Captain?"

He glanced up at her, holding her gaze for a few moments, before sighing and looking away. "I am… from another future, I suppose. A rogue shinigami appeared one day and during our fight he sent us back in time. He killed someone there that… that would mean the difference between Aizen's defeat and this."He spoke softly, not wanting to be overheard by anyone else that could be listening.

"There was someone more powerful than him?" She sounded like she couldn't even fathom the possibility.

"Yes and he was infinitely different from that man. He saved us more times than I can even think of. To him, friendship and his family were worth everything and he did whatever he could to ensure their safety."

"You sound like you really admired him."

"Hm? I suppose, in a way. He was a very good friend of mine and despite being a complete moron half the time, he was always there when it mattered. Saving everyone that needed him to." He said, his voice darkening slightly as the thought of how he was never able to do that invaded his mind.

Rangiku smiled at him, flinging her arms around his neck and crushing him in a hug once more. "Whether you're from this time or not, you're still my Captain." She whispered, burying her face into his neck like she had before.

He simply sat there for a moment before allowing himself to smile lightly and wrap his arms around her again, "Thank you, Rangiku." He replied just as softly, closing his eyes to enjoy the moment before he would have to battle once more. This fight would mean more than any before. It would be saving his future and everyone he knew from this awful fate. That was a task he would not fail at. No matter what, he would save them this time.

Toshiro walked quietly beside Rangiku, hood once again over his white locks and shadowing his brightly colored eyes. She also put her red hood back on as she led her captain through a maze of destroyed, decaying buildings to where she said she and several others had a hide out. He mulled over what she had told him as he followed unconsciously, not really paying attention to where they were going, but fully alert to what was around them.

According to her, Aizen's betrayal had taken everyone by surprise, a fact that Toshiro was well aware of. Rukia Kuchiki was sent to the World of the Living for a simple mission, her gigai embedded with the Hogyuku by Urahara, before she was recalled on the grounds of conspiracy. She was sentenced to execution with no trail or real evidence against her but was saved that day by Ukitake with that shield like object he remembered hearing about. However, Aizen was still able to get the Hogyuku from her, ultimately killing her anyway, along with the elderly Captain that had saved her and Renji before he left with Gin and Kaname to Hueco Mundo. Many events afterward were quite similar, but many missing a happy ending.

Most of the times that Ichigo had managed to save the day had all ended horrendously for them in this time. People that had survived and were fine in Toshiro's memory died here. By the time the Arrancar invaded, the shinigami had lost several of their higher level fighters and were in no shape to stop the horror that was Aizen and his army.

At first, several of them escaped, along with himself, Shunsui, Soi Fon, and Byakuya and several Lieutenants. They staged another attack, one with them as the offensive unit to take Aizen and those that had sided with him by surprise with their assault. Only Toshiro and Byakuya made it out and only barely with four remaining lieutenants. This news settled uneasily with him and made him weary of the battle that was to come. He hoped to avoid Aizen all together and only go after the rogue, but something told him that wasn't very likely.

"We're here." The woman suddenly said, gesturing to a rundown looking tavern situated at the edge of the town and at the base of a mountain. Toshiro simply nodded, signaling for her to continue on. "Going to remain silent the whole time?" He shook his head. "Until everyone is together and will listen?"She asked, trying to imagine what he was thinking. She smiled when he nodded, proving her guess correct. She knew him so well. "I'll try to get them together quickly." His only reply was another nod.

Entering into the tavern, Toshiro took the time to glance around. It wasn't in too bad of shape in his opinion; old chairs neatly lined clean, worn tables and the bar itself held a dull shine. Overall it seemed like an actual tavern even though it was completely empty save for them. Rangiku hummed quietly to herself in thought before leading him to a door on the opposite side of the room. It led to a hallway with only one more door at the end, but she lightly tapped a panel in the wall, pushing some of her spirit energy into her hand as she did and causing it to lean open like a door.

'_Clever.' _Was his only thought on the secret doorway before he followed her down a flight of stone stairs, glancing behind him as the door shut on its own, throwing them into darkness. "Some kidō spell keeps it dark in here. Not even a bonfire will add a speck of light. It's seventeen stairs, four steps forward, a left turn, then six steps until the next door." She whispered. He blinked in question for a moment, before smirking. In order to keep hidden they kept the place dark to disorient whoever finds them here. He stood silently, waiting for her to move, when a hand suddenly grabbed his. "Those are my steps though, I'm not sure what yours would be exactly… Sorry C-" She stopped herself short, knowing he didn't want that out yet in case anyone could hear them.

He sighed, slightly irritated about the jab at his height, but used his other hand to push her forward gently. She resumed walking, dragging him along after her by his left hand. She held onto it tightly, as if afraid she would lose him, and remembering her break down before, he tightened his grip on hers, thankful for the dark and his hood for hiding the red dusting his cheeks.

When they finally made it to the next room he released her hand. "Go ahead and sit down." She said gently, walking away down a hallway. Instead of doing as she said, he roamed around the room, curiously glancing at the ragged furniture and old painting lining the walls. He wondered if anything else held secrets, but cast the thought aside as he returned to turning over the day's events in his head, making sure to keep a tight control over his reiatsu and emotions as he did so.

It took several minutes but finally the blonde returned, three people trailing behind her. Shuhei, Nemu, and Nanao looked at him with blank stares. While Nemu seemed just as he remembered, the other two seemed outright hostile. "What's the meaning of this, Rangiku?" Nanao snapped, glaring at said woman.

"Just listen to what he has to say."

"I am not interested. For all we know you have just exposed us to that Traitor." She hissed, Shuhei nodding silently with her. Nemu, however, looked at him curiously, taking several steps toward him. "Nemu! What are you doing?"

"Can you not see it?" She asked quietly in her subdued manner.

"See what?"

"Hyōrinmaru." She pointed to the four pointed star that made his blade's guard.

The other two snapped their gaze to the sword, eyes widening in shock. Toshiro removed his hood, casting his cold gaze upon the four remaining shinigami. "C-Captain Hitsugaya?" Shuhei stuttered out, looking bewildered and confused.

"How can this be? We saw you die…." Nanao spoke, her voice suddenly very low.

"I come from another future. One in which Aizen was defeated. However a rogue shinigami by the name of Jikan appeared and accidently brought me back in time with him. While there he killed the one person capable of defeating Aizen before I knew what his goal was. I am here to find him and make him take me back so that I can fix this." He hoped they could handle the news well. If someone ever told him that before all of this he would have had them admitted into squad four. There wasn't a point in beating around the bush, though, time wasn't on their side.

"This isn't possible." The glasses wearing woman muttered, closing her eyes and shaking her head.

"I know what you mean. I couldn't believe it at first either."Rangiku stated, walking back over towards her captain.

"You have to just be another illusion." Nanao whispered more to herself than anyone else as she tried to rationalize what she was seeing.

"That is not possible for Aizen's Zanpakutō is gone. It rejected him." Nemu responded.

"How can we help?" Shuhei asked, laying a comforting hand on Nanao's tense shoulder.

"I have to go into the Seireitei to find the one that can take me back." He stated. "I understand if you do not wish to help me in this. I could fail for I know I cannot defeat Aizen myself." His hand unconsciously moved to grip his left shoulder, making Rangiku look at him in question. The scar that was carved into his flesh burned slightly, reminding him of how easily he was cut down in his blind charge. Aizen knew what it took to break him down and he wouldn't hesitate to shatter him once more.

"I'm going with you Captain." Rangiku announced without a moment's hesitation.

"I will accompany you as well, Captain Hitsugaya." Nemu said, lifting a hand to her chest and giving a slight bow.

"I'm in." Shuhei nodded.

Nanao remained silent but nodded, their cooperation surprising him slightly although he didn't let it show. He half wanted to scold them for their immediate trust in him, but decided against it seeing as they were doing what he had come to ask them to do. Nemu stepped forward again, drawing a folded, worn piece of paper from her robes and handing it to him. "The Captain Hitsugaya from this time wrote this. We have not been able to break the code on it as of yet. Perhaps you will have luck seeing as you're the same person." She said, her voice holding a small, almost unnoticeable amount of hope. Toshiro took the paper with a nod, opening it to reveal a random assortment of letters and words. At the top, almost perfectly in the center, five actual words were written.

'_one, four, two, X, five… what does that mean? This seems like meaningless let-no, I see, it's a code.' _He narrowed his eyes as he read through it, counting off the mixed letters in sets of five, taking the first in the sequence, then the fourth, second, skipping the third, and finally the fifth. Even doing so, however, still created a jumbled mess of letters not forming anything. He continued staring at it, thinking over the letters, trying to think of an arrangement that would make sense. "Clan over time outer west forest."He said finally, breaking the silence that had fallen for several minutes as they waited with baited breath to see if he would understand it.

"What?" Rangiku asked, confused, the other three gazing at him curiously.

"That is what the code indicates. As for its meaning I do not know." He handed the paper back to Nemu, looking to her in question.

"I recall my Captain once saying there had been a clan residing there. However they were deemed a threat and eliminated several years ago." She reported faithfully.

"I see. Surely I would not have overlooked that which means someone of that clan still remains." He muttered. "Do you know where exactly I got this information or was planning to check?" Had he planned on using one of these time controllers to turn back time and try again? Just like he was doing now?

"You had left without letting any of us know where you were going, you and Captain Kuchiki both." Rangiku started, her eyes downcast. "When you finally came back you could barely walk and had lost too much blood… You said that you'd figured out how to win and that Captain Kuchiki had died so you could get back before you passed out. We didn't get it at first but I found this on you. When you finally woke back up, you didn't say anything else about it. You were…dying… Your injuries too great and having gone too long without being treated…" She closed her eyes, clenching her fist tightly.

"You sacrificed your life to get us the information we needed to defeat Aizen, but we couldn't figure out what it said…" Shuhei muttered, looking away from him as well.

"Do not worry about it. Now you know and we will put this sacrifice to good use. Your captain did not die in vain." Toshiro stated firmly, deciding not to comment on how they kept referring to the other captain as him. He hadn't died and had not lived as they had.

"Yes. However, what does it mean 'clan over time?'" Nanao asked.

"_Perhaps Jikan is from this clan."_Hyōrinmaru informed him

'_It would explain how he had that power. But if anyone knew about it, why didn't the Captains?'_Toshiro commented. He glanced at the letters again.

'_Now the question is who the other you got this information from.' _Toshiro hummed quietly in agreement.

"The rogue who I spoke of must be from this clan. It is the only true explanation for his powers. Tomorrow we will head into the Seireitei to look for Jikan. If we are unable to locate him we will search for this clan to see if there is any other that may be able to assist us. Either way, we must avoid conflict we cannot win. Understood?"

"Yes, sir." The four others replied, determination to not fail in their mission shining on their faces. Rangiku was the only one to remain in the main room with Toshiro, the other three disappearing once more down the dimly lit hallway to hopefully prepare.

Toshiro sighed, dragging himself over to one of the worn looking couches and sitting down heavily. Weariness clung to him tightly, making him feel suddenly exhausted. He hadn't noticed it before, but as the adrenaline of the day ebbed off and the events began to weigh on his mind, his energy seemed to leave him. He knew he had to be strong, like he always tried to be. Remaining like the frozen, unemotional, and cold Captain he was known to be. However, in this moment, thinking how almost everyone he knew was dead, that he had unknowingly allowed Ichigo to be killed in such a lowly, cowardly fashion, stirred his bottled up, shoved aside emotions into a brewing storm waiting to unleash its fury upon him. He hoped that he could solve everything before it did.

Rangiku sat down beside him quietly, smiling to herself. "Why are you smiling?" He asked, his voice sounding rather hollow even to himself.

"I'm just happy to be able to see you again, Captain." She chirped in her normal fashion.

"I'm not the same person you knew. He and I, we may be very much alike, seem the same even, but with everything you've told me that has occurred since Aizen's rule, I am quite certain I would not be the same as I am now." He didn't look at her as he spoke, opting instead to inspect his blade's sheath. He remembered clearly the blind rage, the intense desire to murder Aizen after he was tricked into stabbing Momo. If he had had to watch all of his comrades fall… He didn't want to consider it.

"I know you're not." She said quietly, her happiness seeming to die down a bit. "But you're like you used to be, before all this happened." She smiled again, turning her grey eyes upon him. "Even if you are a little bit different, you're still my Captain and friend." She said.

Toshiro had no reply for that. He couldn't argue with someone he knew had been broken down and then given back someone dear that should have been gone forever. If he could do nothing else for her, he could at least give her that small kindness. "And you are mine as well." He offered a small smile to which she promptly tackled him down in a hug and small giggle. Just this once, he'd allow her to get away with it, if only to bring back a sparkle to her eyes.

'_I'll save you from this horrid future, from the pain you've had to endure. You don't deserve those scars, both physical and emotional; you deserve to smile and laugh, having a good time like you always used to. I'm sorry, Rangiku, that I allowed this to happen, but I will make it right.' _He thought, tightening his hold on her as she moved so that her head rested lightly against his shoulder.

"Hey, Captain?" she asked groggily, sleep hanging heavily from her voice.

"Yes?" Teal eyes flicked down at her, only able to see the top of her strawberry blonde head.

"Thank you."

"For what."

"For coming back." Her voice was whispered, the last words before she drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

He remained silent, unsure how to respond even if she was awake and expecting one. Of course he came back. He had to. _'I will do whatever it takes to make this right.' _He silently vowed, glancing down at the sleeping face of his lieutenant with a small, contented smile.

**Hope you enjoyed this latest chapter and I'm sorry for the delay. Please take the time to leave a review, it's really helpful and appreciated. **


	4. Chapter 4

**Disclaimer:**_ I do not own Bleach._

He was surprised when he woke that he actually fell asleep, Rangiku still cuddling into his chest and his arms wrapped around her. When Nemu walked into the room he blushed deeply, but didn't wake the peacefully sleeping strawberry blonde. However, he did have to wake her eventually. Her yawning and stretching before smiling and commenting that that had been the best sleep she'd had in a long time. This, of course, made him blush once more, this time a much deeper shade that she graciously didn't comment on.

While they prepared, Toshiro was informed more thoroughly on the events of what had transpired since Aizen's initial betrayal. Every detail that could be recalled was given to him by all of the remaining lieutenants, Nemu being able to recall most of the data. He noticed that no one said a thing about Momo, which was something he didn't know if he should be grateful for or not. He didn't want to know, but at the same time, he knew she was dead in this time. It wasn't until the last few hours before they left that he finally built up the courage to ask Rangiku.

" It was during the battle with Aizen over Karakura. We thought we finally had him. We thought we had finally ended this. We thought… we were wrong. He tricked you, all of us, and you…" She closed her eyes, lost in the memory she didn't want to tell him.

" And I pierced her chest with my blade, believing that it was Aizen." He finished. It seemed like the thing Aizen would do. Even if he won, he would make sure to put Toshiro through that agony.

Rangiku snapped her gaze to him, surprised he'd guessed it. " How…?"

" The same happened to me. I lost all self control after that, merely wanted him dead and didn't pay attention to anything. Needless to say I was struck down." He pulled the neckline of his shihakushō away from his left shoulder, revealing the jagged scar. The strawberry blonde woman's eyes widened in shock, gazing at it. " My left side, down to my waist, was severed. Luckily, Unohana was able to reattach it all."

She remembered his scream of rage and anguish, him charging madly, blindly and feeling her heart stop in her chest. When Kaname appeared before him, it was like someone else entirely. Gone were the calculated, precise attacks. He attacked wildly, only wanting to slaughter what was in his way. The ex-captain must have underestimated him in some way because suddenly he was dead, Toshiro's blade had sliced right through his neck before he or anyone even knew it.

" Captain…" She whispered, voice tight. She threw her arms around him, making him tense again at the contact. " Kaname stopped your advance. You killed him, but by then we had to escape. If it wasn't for you, I would be dead."

She remembered how worried she was and how her distraction with watching and worrying over him had made her turn away from her own fight with the monster the three Arrancars with the third espada had created. She had screamed, her body alight with pain as it hit her, smacking her aside like a doll. The next thing she knew her opponents were crying out, the beast dispersing and strong arms were around her. His eyes looked so much different, so full of pain, remorse, loss, rage, and the feral lust for blood. But he had come, just for her, and she couldn't stop the tears that had rolled down her cheeks; both for him, for what happened and what he had been tricked into doing, and in thankfulness that he had still came to save her despite everything.

" I'm glad I could save someone." He muttered, his voice almost lost as she was just barely able to catch what he said, making her squeeze him tighter.

That had been two hours ago now and he was trying to push it from his mind. Today was the day they planned to attack. They all went in different directions in order to avoid detection. If Toshiro focused he could still feel their spirit energy regardless of how well they were hiding it.

It took several minutes, but finally the crumbling walls of the Seireitei came into view. _'This ends today.' _He vowed silently, Hyōrinmaru giving a low rumble of agreement. Nodding to himself, he pulled the dark cloak tighter around himself as he darted into the shadows along the wall. He waited, sensing where the others were while he adjusted the scarf once more across his forehead to keep his hair out of the way; it was getting far too long in his opinion.

The other four closed in, all close but out of eye and ear shot of each other. He waited, closing his eyes and focusing. He listened and felt their environment, looking for anyone that could hinder them. He searched for the path with the least reapers but that also led them to the rogue. Slowly he stretched his senses, combing carefully through the Seireitei.

He opened his eyes and, knowing that the others would follow, he quickly shunpoed through the gaping wall and into the Seireitei. For the most part it looked the same. The destruction seen outside the broken walls seemed far away now in the familiar maze of white walls and orange roofs. In a secluded spot he paused, the cloak billowing around him at the sudden stop as the other four appeared by him.

" Where are we headed?" Shuhei asked quickly, eyes sweeping over the deserted pathways.

" Towards squad seven." He replied, struck momentarily by the irony. When they had been chasing him before his time hop he had been heading towards the forests around there. Now here he was again, making the small Captain wonder if it was a trap or simply a coincidence. " We are engaging him and no others if at all possible. Understood?"

" What of Aizen?"

" If we can force Jikan to take me back again, everything will revert and there will be no need." The others nodded silently, but Toshiro could see the conflicting emotions of relief and disappointment flicker across their faces. He couldn't really blame them. He hated Aizen with every atom in his being, but he wasn't deluded enough to believe that he could defeat him even with all the training he went through. He would fare better than before, he was sure, but win? He wasn't cocky enough to risk the future and everyone's' lives like that.

Together, they began to move again, heading carefully, silently, but quickly towards squad seven. Toshiro kept his senses on high alert, searching for any changes in the spirit energy around them. If Aizen knew that several lieutenants were still alive, why would he leave such weak defenses around? It was so easy to get in and that fact set the Captain on edge. Something just didn't seem right about that.

At the edge of his focus he felt something shift, something dark and all too familiar, causing him to drop out of flash step and into a defensive stance. " Well, well, back again are we?" The sickingly calm voice called to them from several roofs over. There, hovering over the orange tiled roof, stood the man they all loathed, white garments and long brown hair billowing around him. Toshiro tensed at the barely noticeable amount of spirit energy he felt radiating off of him. He remembered hearing that both Aizen and Ichigo's reiatsu had reached such levels that it couldn't be felt.

" And it appears you have a new recruit as well. I believe proper introductions are in order." Aizen smiled, looking too calm and welcoming for the white haired boy's liking. He didn't answer, opting instead to crouch slightly, hand reach back some for his blade that was hidden in the folds of the cloak. He didn't want just everyone recognizing Hyōrinmaru like Nemu and Rangiku had. " Now, now, no need for that." The smile slipped slightly. " Surely I'm not as bad as those four have said."

Toshiro scowled; could Aizen seriously not tell it was him? He supposed that he wouldn't suspect or think that he had come back from the dead to battle against him again. His musings, however, were cut short as Rangiku appeared before him protectively. " You're worst than any nightmare and everyone knows it. Those that follow you only do so out of fear."

" They're smart, unlike you all. If you were, you would have joined me when I gave you the chance; just like I'm giving your new friend here."

" Calm down." Toshiro ordered softly, keeping his voice low enough that only Rangiku could hear him. She noticeably relaxed, although it looked forced, but she remained silent afterwards.

Undeterred, Aizen continued, " What better way to win loyalty than to entice blood chilling fear into your subordinates? None would dare raise a blade against me without penalty of death, much like you all will discover."

" I've heard enough." The Captain growled, Aizen's features melding into that of shock for a moment.

" Have you chosen a side then? I can feel your power, it's quite interesting. Familiar even although different." The brunette tyrant mused aloud, looking thoughtful. Toshiro just wanted to punch him right in the face.

" Your ignorance surprises me, Aizen, I didn't think you'd forget me so soon." His voice dripped with venom and sarcasm as he cast aside his cloak, no longer caring what so ever of the consequences. It was too late by now anyway.

'_Master, remember your goal. It is not to fight him, it is to find Jikan and fix the time line.' _Hyōrinmaru tried to reason.

" _There's no chance of avoiding this any longer. If we engage, we play it safe. If I start to fall to his tricks can I count on you to snap me out of it?"_

' _Of course, Master, as long as you'll listen.'_

" _Make me by whatever means necessary. We can't afford to lose here." _

" You should be dead." Aizen could not keep the surprise out of his voice although he quickly schooled his features. " How are you here?"

" You should know. It was your subordinate that put all of this into action." Toshiro countered.

The smile returned. The same smile that had been on this man's face when he had stabbed his best friend, had stood there watching as his blade pierced Momo's chest, when he betrayed all of them. It was the smile that Toshiro so desperately wanted to cut away from his smug face. He tightened his grip on his blade, a shock of icy power surging through him. Hyōrinmaru growled in the back of his consciousness before giving a calming, soothing rumble.

" Where is he? Jikan, your little ace in the hole. Where is he now?"

" He hasn't returned, but it doesn't matter. For now, I have five pests to deal with." The comment took the small captain aback for a moment. He could have sworn he'd felt Jikan's reiatsu heading here but the man was nowhere to be found.

Toshiro growled, wanting nothing more than to murder the man in front of him but knowing that he could not. No matter how much he hated and despised it, his goal, the only thing he needed to focus on, was to save Ichigo. And for that, he needed Jikan, his only way back to fix what had been so horribly broken.

" That is a look I have dearly missed. You always did have the best look of hatred. I can still so clearly recall your outraged screams when I had you kill Momo." The smile didn't sway from his features. " How does it feel now, to know that all of your friends and comrades are dead? I've killed them all yet you still stand defiantly before me. How many more would I have to kill before I crushed that spark in you?" He mused, looking pleased at his thoughts.

" Lord Aizen." A new voice interjected, capturing everyone's attention. Toshiro snapped his head towards Jikan, wanting to force him to hurry up and take him back in time, but he remained still, waiting for the right opportunity.

" Ah, Jikan, you finally return."

He bowed, expression hidden from Aizen. " I apologize for my tardiness. I went to visit my clan but was unable to find them." suspicion and accusation flashed in his eyes, something Toshiro did not miss.

" That's odd." The satisfaction in his eyes was poorly masked, but Jikan couldn't see. Toshiro saw his chance and didn't hesitate to take it.

" You killed them, didn't you?" Toshiro asked. " When you achieved your goal and crushed all opposition to you, you killed everyone remaining in their clan to ensure no one changed what you had done. It makes sense."

Aizen's smile grew wider. " Always so perceptive, little Captain. If there was ever anyone among the Shinigami I feared, it was you, what you would become. Luckily for me, you didn't have the chance to reach your potential before you died."

" Enough. Reign over the Frosted Heavens, Hyōrinmaru!" Toshiro shouted, jumping backwards as the ground below his feet crumbled, Aizen appearing before him. " Bankai! Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!" The icy wings and tail arched through the sky, allowing him to glide effortless through the air. He knew it wouldn't be enough to help him, but he needed to stall, needed to get to Jikan.

The rogue stood still, unaware of the battle around him despite the noise. Everyone was dead? Even here his clan was killed out? He believed helping Aizen would save them for he had promised to return them to their former glory. He had given his loyalty, twisted the past, something he swore never to do, all for the hope Aizen had sparked within him. Clenching his fist as hatred and pain flared in his chest, he saw how foolish he had been.

Toshiro ground his teeth as he dodged another blow, knowing that Aizen was toying with him but unable to do anything else. He kept telling himself it didn't matter as long as he could think of a way to get Jikan on his side. Sparing a glance towards the motionless shinigami he noted that his expression had contorted, his reiatsu stained with his anger. He wondered if this change would aid him or get his only hope killed.

His side erupted into pain, a surprised grunt escaping his lips as Aizen kicked him to the ground roughly, the rocky soil crumbling as he impacted. Shuhei and Nemu quickly took his place, hurriedly trying to attack before being forced into the defensive. Toshiro took his chance and shunpoed to Jikan, recognizing the look on his face.

" You must take me back." He stated, keeping his distance.

" I'll kill him." Jikan's voice was low, dripping with hatred. Toshiro understood, knew exactly what he was feeling, what he was thinking. He had to stop him.

" You will not be able to. Let me fix the past and he will be defeated, you know that." He didn't have time for this, glancing back towards the other he noticed Nemu was no longer fighting but Nanao had taken her place, Rangiku fighting now as well. He needed to hurry; they wouldn't be able to handle Aizen for much longer.

" He has to pay."

Toshiro's scowl deepened, it was like he couldn't even hear him at all. " Listen to me!" Ruby eyes snapped to him, bubbling and boiling with emotion. It was so different from when he had first encountered him. " Take me back and we can fix this." He said calmly, trying to convey the urgency he felt. Slowly, Jikan nodded, his reiatsu responding as well.

' _Master!' _The urgency in Hyōrinmaru's voice caught Toshiro off guard, but he found his body responding even before his mind was able to comprehend the threat. Without thinking, his left wing extended and pushed Jikan to the side as he raised his blade to block Aizen. His mind remained blank as he attacked, body moving as if on its own accord. Instead of panicking Toshiro allowed it, Hyōrinmaru's presence calming him with his closeness, as if the dragon was manifested physically around him.

Aizen frowned, irritated at the sudden ease and nonchalance with which Toshiro battled him. The blinding rage was gone without a trace and he couldn't figure out why or how. A snarl ripped its way from him as his frustration built but he was quickly distracted by the intense flare of reiatsu coming from Jikan. His eyes widened and he turned, going to strike the shinigami down before he could use his power. Only he found himself stopped and roughly thrown aside by a jagged tail of ice. The points digging and tearing into his stomach.

Toshiro wasted no time shunpoing over to Jikan and grabbing hold of his outstretched arm. As his hand connected he felt the blast of reiatsu strengthen as time and space began to fall away, the feeling almost familiar to him now. He was pushed, however, slightly to the side and Jikan grabbed a hold of his shihakushō to keep them in contact, the movement dizzying with the swirling of the world. Blood splattered onto the young Captain's face as Aizen appeared before him, Jikan stuck, a sword through his chest, between them. Ice shot up in spikes at Aizen, forcing him to move away to dodge. Only needing a moment more the two disappeared, time distorting and folding around them.

When they landed back in the past both of them crashed to the ground. Jikan coughed painfully as his wound was jarred. It only took a few moments for Toshiro to get his bearings back before he quickly moved to the other reaper's side. Seeing the wound more clearly he knew there was nothing he would be able to do, was even surprised he was still alive at all.

However even knowing this he still tried, healing kidō flowing to his hands. Jikan pushed them away, shaking his head. " Go or you will not be able to save him." his voice was quiet and breathy as breathing seemed to become increasingly difficult.

" You will die." His hands still hovered above him.

" It will be my punishment then for doing what was forbidden." He coughed roughly, blood filling his mouth.

Toshiro shook his head. " No. Die with honor in knowing you have helped save us all from that future." Surprise flashed in Jikan's ruby eyes.

With a small smile he nodded " Thank you." He sighed, allowing death to embrace him. Toshiro delayed no further, hurrying to the river where he knew Ichigo would be, worrying he would not make it. With a burst of power he took off on wings of ice racing to save his friend and prevent the hellish future he had witnessed.

**Hope you enjoyed this latest chapter and if you did please leave a review, they're great motivation to hurry up and post. **


	5. Chapter 5

**Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.**

A young boy stood, silently staring in wonder at the swift river before him. He wondered what would happen if he walked into it and never came out. If anyone would miss him. If his family would be happy he was gone. He was sure they would be, after all he was the cause of her death. The cause of the darkness that had invaded after the loss of the bright light she gave to all of their lives.

One small foot extended, bringing the child a step closer to the merciless waters. A man had found him only a small while ago and told him that his family would be better off without him. That they would be happier if he never came back. He couldn't help but agree. Hesitantly but steadily, he walked without fear to the river, the water lapping hungrily at the shore passed his toes. The same man stood quietly, watching as he went.

Suddenly a cold breeze whipped passed him, striking his face with the droplets of water it carried with it. He lifted his eyes for the first time off the water, the spell that had been captivating him shattering as an icy mist enveloped him and the river's water began to freeze over. He clenched his eyes closed as the wind gusted once more; stinging his face and making him take a small step back. When he opened his eyes again, he stared in confusion and awe at the figure in front of him.

His hair was white like untainted snow, and fell slightly over one side of his face. Bright teal eyes glared passed him in challenge, his dark lashes contrasting with the brilliant color. His black shihakushō blew lazily in the breeze, just as his white haori, frost glimmering on some places. Two large, jagged yet elegantly formed wings of ice sprouted from the teen's back, shining and glimmering in the night as he held a long blade in his right hand. Ichigo noted several specks of block smeared across his cheek.

" You will not harm this boy. I won't let you nor should you desire to." Ichigo switched his gaze from the icy teen to the man that he had spoken with a short while ago. Jikan glared right back at Toshiro, anger and frustration evident. " He won't give you what he has promised. I've seen it with my own eyes. How do you think I got back?" That seemed to still the time traveler. With a frown on his face and eyes questioning the man left without a word.

Ichigo looked up at the strange teen in awe, his brown eyes wide in wonder. He watched in fascination as the icy wings shattered and disappeared from Toshiro's back as he sheathed his sword with a weary sigh. " W-who are you?" He asked, his voice barely a whisper.

The white haired male gazed calmly at him, " I am someone that has come to save you."

" Save me?" The boy tilted his head to the side, his damp orange hair falling limply to the side. Toshiro simply nodded, taking a step closer to the small boy and offering him a hand. He tried to seem as nice as he could, not wanting to frighten the boy off. Ichigo took it hesitantly and allowed the teen to lead him further up shore, the river thawing as he reigned in his power. " Why?" He finally asked, his little mind not able to understand why anyone would want to save him, someone who caused the death of someone so perfect and wonderful and loving.

Toshiro looked off over the water, Ichigo's gaze following him, wondering what he saw. " There will come a time when many lives depend upon you. It will be difficult but you will save countless people."

" Me? How can I do that?" He closed his eyes, pain welling up in his chest as he thought about his mother, filling him with doubt and fear. " I-I can't s-save anyone…"

" But you will." Toshiro said, trying to sound comforting, putting his hand on the boy's thin, shaking shoulder. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. Comforting people wasn't exactly his strong suit but he tried nonetheless.

He stumbled when the boy suddenly threw himself at him, wrapping his small arms around him and burying his head in his chest. As the tears began to flow, he talked and babbled almost incoherently into Toshiro's shihakushō. The captain stiffened, but quickly forced himself to relax as he soothingly stroked the boy's back and hair, trying to get him to calm down and release him while trying hard to not show how uncomfortable he was with the situation. " H-how can I s-save anyone wh-when I couldn't save h-her. I co-couldn't save my m-mom!"

Toshiro's expression soften as he remembered hearing about Ichigo's mother. He scooped the boy up, a slender arm behind his back and under his knees. Discarding his discomfort, he carried him further away from the river. Ichigo curled up against his chest, gripping the black fabric in front of him tightly, burying his face into the rough material. When they were an acceptable distance away he carefully set the boy on the ground. Ichigo's grip on him tightened causing Toshiro to suppress a sigh and sit next to him, allowing the boy to stay curled against his chest. As he began to calm the teen spoke up. " Ichigo, I need you to listen to me." He peeped up at him, his large brown eyes red and glossy, tears still escaping. " It wasn't your fault." he said evenly and with such certainty that Ichigo found himself believing the teen.

" B-but-"

" It was not your fault. Your mother wished for you to live, that's why she saved you. She loves you still Ichigo and does not blame you. And she certainly wouldn't want you to feel this way."

" H-how do you know?" the boy asked, raising his head to look fully at him.

" That's how love works. You want the ones you care for to live and be happy even if you don't. If someone is willing to protect you, die for you, it's because they care about you, your safety, your happiness more than anything else. That is how your mother no doubt felt about you." Toshiro smiled, attempting to make it as genuine as he could. He was rewarded with a small, watery smile from the boy cradled in his arms. " Will you promise me something?" He asked after the boy's tears had stopped flowing, Ichigo pulling away to look into his face. He nodded enthusiastically in response and Toshiro got the feeling he would agree to whatever the teen asked of him at the moment. " Promise me that no matter what, you will never give up and never give in to anyone."

Ichigo grinned brightly, " I promise!"

" You're strong, don't forget that or let anyone convince you otherwise."

" I won't!" He shouted in enthusiasm, clenching his fist in front of him, fire burning once more in his eyes. " And I'll make sure that I keep everyone safe too!" Toshiro smiled down at him_ 'Now that's the Ichigo I know.' _

" Take this." Toshiro held his hand out to the boy, a small, thin, translucent band in it. Like his wings, it shimmered as the ice reflected the light around them. It was cool in his hand but not as cold as normal ice, something he found strange but interesting all the same.

" What is it?" Ichigo looked back up from his hand to his face, the band now held in his hands carefully.

" It's a shard of my ice. If you're ever in trouble or think you can't go on, break it and I will come. But it is only to be used in an emergency, understand?" Ichigo nodded, looking down in wonder at the elegantly made circlet of ice clutched gently in his small hands. Toshiro was unsure what Jikan would do now and wanted to take whatever precautions he could to ensure Ichigo's safety.

" Ichigo!" A new voice shouted, catching both of their attention. Ichigo turned and looked behind him, catching sight of his father and two little sisters rushing over to him. He glanced back in front of him where Toshiro had been, but found no one there.

The only proof that there had been somewhere there at all was the band in his hands and the frost still clinging to the grass where his Angel of ice had stood. He smiled softly at the little band, slipping it onto his small wrist as he turned to run to meet his family. For the first time since his mother's death he felt content, the guilt that had been gnawing endlessly at him subsiding. Knowing he had someone out there watching over him, he thought that maybe everything would be alright after all.

**Hope you enjoyed the chapter and will stay tuned for the next. I'd also love it if you would leave a review telling me what you think.**

**~MusicFantasi**


	6. Chapter 6

**Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach**

Ichigo stared at the fake sky above him and sighed. He would leave to save Rukia tomorrow. Urahara and him had been sparring for days, but the old man had finally told him that he needed to rest and recover all of his strength. He had to admit, he was exhausted, but sleep would not come to him. All he could think about was Rukia and if they would arrive too late. What if they killed her? She was his friend and he wasn't about to let that happen.

Idly he played with the band hanging from a thick black string around his neck as he forced his mind to drift to other thoughts. He was amazed really that the necklace hadn't been cut off or the charm broken. He was slightly worried though when the glow it seemed to give ever since he got it faded the night he met Rukia. It had always given off the same aura as the teen who had saved him that day years ago, however slightly. But the day that he obtained his Shinigami powers, it was like the power in the charm had vanished.

Ichigo sighed as he felt the usual loss and sadness at this fact as he moved his hand away. It was strange but he felt like the charm had always given him strength. Whenever he felt like he should just give up he remembered that day by the river, the teen that he had saw as an Angel, although he now knew it had been a Shinigami, and he would find the strength to carry on. There had been times when he had wanted to break it, when he just wanted the reassurance that someone was there looking out for him, there for him whenever he needed someone to be, but had always refrained from doing so. Instead simply allowing the faint aura that the ice emitted to remind him.

A soft crack sounded in his ears, snapping him out of his thoughts. He gazed around him quickly, wondering what it was that had made the sudden noise. Sitting up, he jumped slightly as something fell into his lap. Upon inspection, he found it to be half of the ice band that had been hanging from his necklace. Panic seized him as he frantically grabbed it and the piece still hanged from the string. Why had it broken? His hand hadn't even been on it!

" Ichigo." He jumped, rushing to his feet and spinning to face the person that had spoken to him, the shard of ice clutched in his hand.

" I-it's you!" He shouted, taking in the man before him. He looked almost exactly the same as he had all those years ago. He looked slightly older, but he hadn't changed much at all in his opinion. His hair was still the same white, his eyes the same cool teal. He had gotten taller, he thinks, but was still shorted than him. He glanced down at the shattered mess of the band Toshiro had given him, guilt flooding through him. " I-I didn't mean to break it. I hadn't even been touching it! It just… broke."

" I know. I am the one who broke it." Toshiro stated calmly.

" What!? Why!?"

" Because you won't be needing it any more. You will be able to face these battles, you are strong enough."

" B-but-" He had grown used to the charm, used to its reassuring presence. Having it gone, broken, just didn't feel right. It felt wrong. It left Ichigo feeling weaker and alone.

" Are you unsure of your strength?" Toshiro asked, curiosity lacing his tone. He didn't understand why Ichigo was so upset. He had never shown any real attachment to material objects before. It was just a small ring of ice after all. So why did he seem so affected by its loss?

" No, it's not that, it's just…" He suddenly felt embarrassed of his dependence on the small piece of ice.

" Yes?" Toshiro questioned, somewhat impatiently.

" It's always given me strength, you know? Just having it there reminded me that I was never alone; whenever I needed someone, you would be there. It's always been… reassuring." He said quietly, looking away from the shorter boy.

Toshiro blinked, surprised at the sudden turn of events. If he had known that his breaking it was going to upset him so much he wouldn't have done it. He hadn't expected him to grow dependant on it. After a moment, He sighed, a small smirk on his lips as he held out his hand. The movement grabbed Ichigo's attention and he watched as a small whirlwind of snow and ice appeared on the white haired male's hand. Forming quickly in the middle of the whirlwind was a small carving of a sword with a dragon wrapped around it, its neck coming up off of the detailed hilt before curving and meeting the hilt once more, making a hole to loop the string on his neck through. As the storm around it ceased, Toshiro pushed his hand out more towards Ichigo. " Here." Ichigo stared at it, his face much like the one he had worn when Toshiro gave him the simple little band years ago. " It has the same purpose as the other."

Ichigo looked at him then grinned, taking the beautifully carved sculpture. " Thank you."

" Although breaking it will summon me to you, whether or not I intervene is not guaranteed." Toshiro stated.

Ichigo scowled, " What do you mean?"

" I may be able to help you in the future, however there will be some battles when I cannot interfere. The course of events from here on are very important and I cannot risk altering them."

" You talk like you're from the future or something." Ichigo joked half heartedly. Toshiro simply gazed at him, not responding. He was right, after all. " You're not, are you?" Ichigo asked, seriousness claiming him at the lack of response from the other teen.

Toshiro sighed, " Yes, Ichigo, I am. Where I'm from is several years in the future. I cannot go into details with you. When time allows for me to return to where I belong, I will tell you then. For now, speak to no one, including myself, of knowing me." Toshiro glanced towards the entrance of the basement. Urahara stood, gazing at him in amusement. He knew he was coming but hadn't expected him to approach Ichigo, he figured he would wait until the others were gathered in front of the portal before he even appeared.

" I never got to ask before, what's your name?" Ichigo asked, worried the teen would disappear without him being able to ask again.

Toshiro glanced up at him, " It's Toshiro Hitsugaya."

" Well thanks Toshiro, for everything you've done." Ichigo gave a small bow of respect.

Toshiro felt the urge to correct him as he always had, but choked it down. He wondered for a moment if this was why the teen always referred to him as 'Toshiro' and not 'Captain Hitsugaya'. " Thank you, for all that you will do." Toshiro replied.

As he expected, when Ichigo lifted his head once more, Toshiro was gone.

Later the next day, he and his group of friends departed for the Seireitei, Urahara waving them off cheerfully. Ichigo nor any of his friends looked back or realized that beside Urahara stood Toshiro, watching them slowly disappear. " Will you be following?" Urahara questioned.

" Not yet, there is no need." Toshiro replied, looking towards the older man as the portal snapped shut. He would open a Senkaimon into the Seireitei in a few days, but until then he was needed in the world of the living, the number of hollows increasing in the area. " Are you all prepared for the hollows swarming to the area?"

" Of course. But there are other things we must talk about my small Captain." Urahara smiled.

" About the new gigai upgrade you're working on?"

" Exactly." With that Urahara and Toshiro walked casually back into the shop, discussing Toshiro's latest gigai and the differences between it and all the others.

It had been several weeks now since Ichigo had completely lost his shinigami abilities. He laid on his back on his bed, staring emptily at his ceiling, letting the loss over come him. He missed all of his friends in the Soul Society, missed defeating hollows and saving lives, missed knowing that he was making a difference. And he missed that little charm that Toshiro had given him. When he lost him powers, he lost the ability to see or sense it as well due to it being reiatsu made ice and not natural ice. He could still feel the cold ice on the black cord, but to his eyes he gripped nothing but empty air. It felt like some of his courage had disappeared with it, leaving him feeling more alone and vulnerable.

He had seen Toshiro several times after meeting him in Urahara's basement, but the white haired shinigami had not approached him or intervened in anything, simply observed. That alone, however, made Ichigo less worried about what would happen after a battle. Bad things did happen, but in the end everything worked out. He simply took it as things were happening in the way that they should. Even him losing his powers.

It bothered him, however, when he noticed the boy standing idly by during battles when their comrades were falling and being injured. His anger softened at the barely contained emotions in his gaze. Ichigo could tell by one glance that he wanted to interfere, he wanted to help. He had to remind himself that this Toshiro was there only to ensure that the timeline was not altered again. He couldn't help but admire the white haired shinigami. He was determined to ensure that everything happened as it had, even if things had gone badly. He stood by, endured the pain and sorrow that rewatching the events that happened brought him, all alone, but was always there somewhere.

Ichigo let out a sigh and turned onto his side, unaware of the other person in the room as a soft breeze blew lazily in through the opened window. Toshiro had often come to Ichigo and rested his weary mind and body in the boy's presence even if the carrot top was unaware that he was there. The shinigami had been ordered to stay clear of him, making his hiding easier than it previously had been. He had contemplated appearing in the gigai Urahara had specially made for him several times, but had always decided against it. He knew he would just remind the boy of the life he missed so desperately. He just needed to ensure the teen was still safe and not in danger from a world he could no longer sense.

" It's awful cold tonight." Ichigo muttered to himself as he stood to close the window. Toshiro blinked, surprised to feel the chill in the air. He silently cursed his exhausted state, blaming much of it on Yoruichi's 'training', as he got a tighter control of his reiatsu, much of the chill lifting. He watched as Ichigo paused in pulling his hand away from the window, a thoughtful look on his face. " If… If that's actually you, Toshiro… I…" He started, withdrawing and looking around his room, his expression uncertain and lost. Toshiro watched silently. " I want to say thank you, for all that you've done and are doing. I know that it bothers you to not be able to help anyone. I know how it feels now… It's hell and I'm sorry." Ichigo sighed again, closing his eyes and bowing his head. " What am I doing? He's probably not here, it's just my imagination."

Toshiro stood and walked over to him. He hesitated a moment before reaching out and putting his hand on the boy's shoulder, making Ichigo jump in surprise, eyes glancing around wildly. " You will get your powers back, don't worry. You will not know this feeling for too long." He found himself whispering, hating having to watch as his friend suffered.

" Toshiro?" He let a small amount of cold seep through his grip. Ichigo smiled softly, grateful to not be alone. He let out a hollow laugh. " At least you haven't left like everyone else. I don't think anyone has come. They probably think that I'll finally get to live my life, that they're letting me have a normal life." He felt the words just rush out of him before he could stop them, the pain of losing that side of him finally flowing over. " But they're wrong. I'm completely lost without my powers. I don't know how to have a normal life anymore." He ended in a whisper, his head bowed once more.

Toshiro had realized that he felt like that long ago, but hearing the teen confess it out loud to him made him want to tell him about what would happen. That he should just live now because the time would come when he would have his abilities and old life back. Instead, he released Ichigo's shoulder and went to his desk, grabbing a pen and a random piece of paper. Ichigo watched curiously as the objects seemed to just float in midair. After a moment the pen returned to its place on the desk and Ichigo leaned over to read the paper.

'_Do not worry about the past, you still have a future. Trust me when I say that this pain will end and that you are not alone. If you ever need someone to confide in or simply talk to, I am still here.'_

He looked up, guessing where the white haired teen would be, Toshiro shifting to that spot, and smiled. " Thanks Toshiro. Next time you stop by, you should bring a gigai so we can actually talk."

Toshiro smiled, happy at being able to help Ichigo. He knew that he shouldn't have interfered, but he figured that just being there as a friend for the teen wouldn't hurt anything.

**Hope you enjoyed the chapter and will stay tuned for the next. I'd also love it if you would leave a review telling me what you think.**

**~MusicFantasi**


	7. Chapter 7

**Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach**

Toshiro lounged almost lazily in a high branch of a tree on the outskirts of the seventh division. Today was the day that he had been waiting almost ten years for. He kept his spiritual pressure suppressed, his presence virtually undetectable as he waited for the battle to come to him. He smiled to himself, his eyes closed, as he felt Ichigo, Rangiku, Rukia, and himself coming closer as they pursued their target. He wondered idly where the other Jikan was but quickly pushing it aside, knowing he was with his family once more. The thought made a happy smirk spread across his features

As the rogue Jikan ran right underneath him, not noticing him a bit, as his younger self caught up before the others, clashing with the man. He watched the scene before him with little interest, knowing the events that follow were less than pleasant. Just as the other three came rushing into the small open space the two blades clashed and, in a flash of light, the two of them had suddenly vanished. Toshiro thought about how he was now almost a decade in the past, completely confused and unaware of what was to come. Things had finally come full circle and he was back where he belonged.

" Captain!"

" Captain Hitsugaya!"

" Toshiro!"

The three shinigami shouted in unison, racing over to the spot where the boy and their foe had disappeared. Toshiro waited to reveal himself, curious to see if Ichigo would notice him, as the boy always somehow managed to. And sure enough, the orange haired teen suddenly looked up, looking him directly in the eyes. Understanding dawned in his eyes as his mouth split into a large smile as he realized what had just happened.

Rangiku whipped out her soul pager, preparing to call the Soul Society to tell them what had happened. " There is no need for that, Rangiku." Toshiro stated, sitting up from his casual position and looking down at them.

The strawberry blonde's head whipped up to stare at him, her face full of shock and confusion, Rukia's much similar. Ichigo simply smiled, happy to know that things were as they should be once more. Now Toshiro's pain could be over too like his had been since he got his powers back just as Toshiro had told him. " C-captain?" Came the stuttered question.

Toshiro hopped down, landing lightly on his feet in front of her, his eyes now level with her's due to his having grown quite a bit taller. " So it's all over now, then?" Ichigo blurted out, causing the two women to snap their attention to him.

" Yes, Ichigo, everything is finally as it should be." He said with a nod. He turned his attention back to the two confused shinigamis. " You two look like you're about to go into a state of shock." He commented.

" Wha-What happened to you Captain? You look so much older! You're so tall!" Rangiku blurted out.

Toshiro chuckled lightly, something that seemed to send the lieutenant into an even greater shock; her captain rarely ever laughed or made any type of noise even remotely close to that mirthful sound. " It's a long story. Your captain is about ten years in the past attempting to save young Ichigo's life from that rogue shinigami. At first I had been unaware of his plan and failed to save Ichigo, but was given the chance to go back again and save him. I was unable to return to this time, however, after going back once more." He said shortly, leaving out much of the detail he knew he would have to report later on. He was quite looking forward to the reactions he would get upon his return. No one is expecting the Captain of Squad Ten to return ten years older than when he left.

" And you knew, Ichigo?" Rukia asked.

" Of course I did; he saved my life. Did no one else notice him? Seriously? He was basically always somewhere close by during almost every battle we've fought." Ichigo said, actually surprised that no one had even the slightest clue that someone had been observing them for years. The thought kinda creeped him out too; what if someone else was doing that too and not just Toshiro? How would they ever know?

The two females shook their heads, completely dumbfounded. " They wouldn't have been able to. I'm able to make myself almost completely unnoticeable. The only reason you noticed me is because you were always looking." Toshiro explained. " And I wasn't there for every battle. I trusted you wouldn't always need babysitting."

" Hey!" Ichigo shouted. Rangiku and Rukia shared a look. They looked at each other, then to Ichigo who was trying to capture Toshiro who was effortlessly avoiding him, a cocky smirk on his lips, then back to each other. Suddenly they began to laugh uncontrollably, gaining the attention of the two teens.

Now it was Ichigo and Toshiro's turn to share a look. " I think you made them go insane, Toshiro."

Toshiro leaned back happily in his desk chair, closing his eyes to allow himself a moment's rest. A thick stack of papers rested heavily in front of him. After nearly a week, his report was finally done and things had gone almost back to normal. He tried to put as much detail as he could into it, reporting on everything that happened from when he was first sent back to his waiting in the tree for his younger self to disappear.

He left out his visiting with Ichigo when the teen had lost his powers along with telling of the gigai Urahara had custom made for him, even though Toshiro knew he had simply acted as a guinea pig for the ex-shinigami captain. It was a very useful gigai, but Urahara had asked him to tell no one of all of the limitations of normal gigais that had been done away with on his on the condition that Toshiro would have unlimited access to it.

Allowing his mind to drift, Toshiro thought of the captain's meeting called upon his return, a small smile gracing his features as he remembered.

_flashback _

_The Captains stood in their normal locations, each wondering why the sudden meeting had been called. There was, as far as they knew, no threat or reason for them to be summoned. Toshiro's empty place in the room left the others suspicious or for some a tad bit worried for the boy. They knew he, along with his lieutenant, Rukia, and Ichigo had pursued the invading rogue Shinigami several hours prior, but none had seen the boy since._

" _A very unexpected change of events has occurred." Yamamoto began. " As you all know, the ability of the rogue's Zanpakutō was not yet determined when Captain Hitsugaya, Lieutenants Matsumoto and Kuchiki, along with Substitute Shinigami Ichigo Kurosaki engaged and pursued him. That has now changed." He clicked his staff against the floor twice. " Enter and give us your reports." Rangiku and Rukia entered. " Tell us what you saw when Captain Hitsugaya engaged the enemy." _

" _The Captain got ahead of us and caught the rogue first, exchanging blows with him. By the time the rest of us caught up, all we saw was their blades meet before there was a flash of light and they were both gone." Rangiku informed._

" _Do you have anything to add, Lieutenant Kuchiki?"_

" _No sir."_

" _So what does this mean? Captain Hitsugaya has gone missing?" Ukitake questioned, stepping out of the line of Captains slightly. Worry permeated his tone immediately._

" _What do you mean when you say disappeared?" Captain Kuchiki questioned._

" _Hold your tongues for a moment. The one that can best answer what happened to the Squad Ten Captain, is Captain Hitsugaya himself." He clicked his staff once more on the ground._

_The captain's cast him a confused look. It was just reported that the boy had disappeared, yet he was calling on him to explain what happened? That simply made no sense to them. Their attention turned towards the door as footsteps could be heard approaching. Even the most stoic captains could not keep the shock and surprise from their expressions._

_Toshiro calmly walked in, Ichigo following close behind him, looking so different from how he had only several hours prior. He was taller, older, more muscular. His expression was less frozen, the amusement he felt clearly written on his face, sparkling in his bright eyes. He was clad in a normal shihakushō, his white haori sweeping behind him, the number ten stitched boldly on the fabric. _

" _Explain." Was all the head captain said, he himself still slightly shocked and uneasied by the Captain's transformation._

" _When I disappeared as Lieutenant Matsumoto put it, I was taken several years back in time. The rogue's goal was to kill Ichigo when he was young, before he grew into his power, in order to prevent him from stopping Aizen. I was unaware of this, unknowingly allowing him to succeed. I was sent back to the present, but it was horribly changed. Aizen had destroyed the Seireitei and enslaved the remaining Shinigamis. I was informed that some of the lieutenants survived the slaughter and were part of a resistance group, but all of the Captains had been killed. After a brief confrontation, the rogue sent me back to fix what he had done, he himself perishing due to wounds inflicted by Aizen." He explained._

" _Kurosaki, what occurred when Captain Hitsugaya saved you?"_

" _I was sitting by a river with every intention of walking in and never coming back out. When I was about to step in, he stopped me. He stood in front of me and told me that I couldn't die, that one day, everything would depend on me. That I would be strong and I would save countless lives."_

_Silence reigned in the large room. The Captains present tried to process what they had just been told. Finally the Head Captain spoke as he saw no one else was quite able to, " I expect a full report on all the events that transpired."_

" _Yes Head Captain." Toshiro bowed his head slightly._

" _You are all dismissed." He said, rising from his seat. " And Captain Hitsugaya," He called, gaining the man's attention, " welcome back." _

_Toshiro smiled. " Good to be back." He glanced around once more at the still shell shocked faces of the Captain's and he let out a small chuckle, unable to keep his amusement in as he left the meeting._

_end flashback_

Toshiro stared idly at the stack of papers before him. He was grateful, and a bit surprised, when most of the paper work for his squad was divided between squads five and thirteen, the Head Captain stating he wanted his report done above anything else. Regardless he still took his time, painstakingly going over details and making sure he did not contradict himself on any matters he decided to not reveal. Rangiku had even done any paperwork that was still assigned to their squad, without his asking for on top of it.

Said person was currently sitting at her own desk, busy scribbling away on a form about he didn't care to know what. He allowed his gaze to move to her and stay fixed on her. Despite the time that had passed he could still remember so clearly the scars that she had worn in the alternate future. The sadness and desperation she had tried to hide. He was glad that those things were no longer present, that she had not had to live through such a horrible time. He was glad no one in his squad did. They were as he remembered them to be, albeit a little uncertain around him. Momo was alive and well, attempting to adjust with a smile on her face.

The captains had varying degrees of adjusting. Several, including Ukitake and Unohana were happy to have him back. Others, such as Zaraki and Kurotshuchi, wanted to fight and study him, attempting to bully and bait him into it. It was frustrating but he couldn't say that he didn't expect it. Urahara had preformed several tests on him to determine if the time travel had had any negative or strange effects on him. Lucky there had been none.

Ichigo was faring a bit worse than he was, being interrogated as to what he knew and for any interactions he had had with the time traveling captain. He did his part and kept mostly quiet, not telling anyone about his frequent visits when he had lost his powers. Toshiro had told him that they had been ordered to keep their distance while Urahara and Issin's experiment was under construction. Ichigo had even managed to talk him into going to the human world in several days to go out to lunch with him and his friends, Rangiku, Rukia, and Renji coming as well of course. Toshiro had to admit, it would be interesting for them to see how he's changed, he knew since he had shed at least some of his social awkwardness. Plus he really did enjoy the outright shock and disbelief that etched its way onto people's faces when they saw him.

With a small smile he sat back, leaning to rest his head on the back of his chair before realizing that it was shorter than he remembered as his head fell further than he wanted. He'd have to get a new chair, he supposed.

" Hey Captain."

Blinking slightly and hoping his blunder with the chair had gone unnoticed, he turned his gaze towards Rangiku. The smile on her face said it hadn't, but she didn't seem like she was going to mention it. " Yes?"

" What was it like?"

" You've read my report, haven't you?" After all he'd asked her to check over several of the pages before.

" Yeah but it's different reading it on paper and hearing you actually talk about it." She stated with a laugh in her voice as she moved to the couch, patting the space beside her. He shook his head with a small smile before raising to join her.

Relaxing back on the couch opposite her he launched into his tale, starting with the very beginning and neglecting no details. Only a small way into his tale Ichigo and Rukia wondered by and ended up staying to listen. Momo, with a stack of completed forms, stopped by about half way through, choosing to stay as well. Only slightly put off at his growing audience, he persevered and did his best to describe everything in rich detail. The others were not disappointed. They were enthralled at the events he described, events some still had some trouble remembering had actually happened for the teen.

Questions were asked, answers given, comments stated, and all came away with a better understanding and acceptance for the change that had happened within the young Captain. It was certainly a unique story and one that was undoubtedly true for they all knew Toshiro to be a horrible liar. Genius he may be, but the ability to weave such a colorful and detailed string of events so thoroughly and consistently was not something he would spend mental effort constructing and thus beyond him.

There was a moment of silence before Ichigo sighed loudly, " I can't help but feel sorry for the guy even if he did kill me." Toshiro and Rukia rolled their eyes at the strawberry as Momo and Rangiku nodded in agreement. " What happened to Jikan anyway? I remember you talking to him and then he left." Ichigo asked.

A somber look settled into Toshiro's gaze. " I was unable to find him again after that. However I looked into the report from the elimination of his clan. There were several photographs of the scene. He was among the dead."

" So he went back to die with his family?" Momo cut in, eyes wide.

" Yes, that's most likely it."

" Wouldn't that have, like, stopped him from ever coming here to mess everything up to begin with?" she asked.

Toshiro paused, considering it for a moment before shaking his head. " If he convinced his younger self to stay and die perhaps then it would have. But he looked the same in the photograph as he had the day I saved Ichigo. If he allowed his self from that time to go on and live then he would have still come to mettle in the past."

" So, what, younger him didn't die so this future happened just like younger me didn't die so the other future didn't?" Ichigo asked, stumbling slightly over his thoughts. He scowled when the sentence made much less sense spoken then it had in his mind. "What happens to that future then? Is it just erased?"

Toshiro, however, seemed to understand what he was trying to say and gave the best response he could. " Yes I believe that is so. You lived so that future died. Like if he had died before he could change the past, then I would not be here as I am for the events that brought me here would never have occurred."

There was a pause as they all thought on the matter before Rangiku groaned loudly, " Time travel is so confusing!" She shouted in exasperation, falling over on the couch for effect.

It was well into the night before everyone left to retire for the night. Toshiro stood beside Rangiku at his division's gate as the trio departed, watching their forms disappear into the darkness of the night. Turning away, his gaze took in the gate and buildings within, his lieutenant standing before it all as well. He truly was glad to be back where he knew he belonged. He had missed his squad dearly the past few years and finally felt like he had grown into his position. He was no longer the boy forced to be grown. He was a young man with a great responsibility but with a more mature, refined power to back it up. He'd succeeded in saving it and everyone. He finally felt like he had earned his right to be called Captain of Squad Ten.

As if reading his thoughts she spoke, " Welcome home, Toshiro." She smiled, opening her arms as if offering a hug but not advancing to force one.

A genuine smile graced his lips, allowing himself a moment without masks or position. " Good to be home, Rangiku." He said as he hugged her, finally a height at which he could avoid be suffocated. Allowing the moment of joy to overtake him he picked her up and spun her around, Rangiku emitting a surprised giggle before being set back on her feet.

Yes, he was finally home and he wouldn't let anyone endanger it again.

**And that's that. Hope you all enjoyed the story and are content with the ending. I'd love to hear your thoughts on everything!**

**~MusicFantasi**


End file.

Bleach, Adventure, Friendship