AN: I do not own Bleach

Toshiro Hitsugaya, Captain of the 10th Division, slowly made his way down the quiet back streets of the Seireitei. His face was sullen as he made his way to his destination. His thoughts, running wild in his head as he and Hyorinmaru debated what he should do. Unsurprisingly the dragon did not have the answer to such a personal question. Suddenly he looked up to relies that while he talked with the dragon he had, in fact, arrived.

Entering the opened gates, he began to head down the familiar path. Looking around he noticed the hundreds of grave markers standing silent, guarding the fallen who laid in this place. Here and there he noticed other Soul Reapers kneeling by a grave paying there respects to dead friends and family. Passing through the graves of the dead without a word, the white-haired captain advanced deeper into the cemetery till he came to the simply stone head, marking the grave he sought. His teal eyes focused on the name as he read it in low voice, "Lt. Momo Hinamori, 5th Division"

Toshiro looked at the headstone for a moment longer before he got down on his knees. Slowly he raised his left hand and laid it on the smooth surface of the stone. Bowing his head he began in low voice that could barley be heard, "I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier Momo, but I don't think I could have come any sooner." Toshiro's voice wavered just a little as he continued, "Granny died a few weeks ago Momo. It was peaceful at least. It's funny Momo, I never thought she would actually die." Hitsugaya took a long moment to compose himself and lowered his hand before he continued. "I visited the 5th division last week Hinamori. You would have been proud how they rebounded after the war. Of course, Matsumoto complained about the paperwork she has to fill out as the senior officer of the 5th." He could not stop himself from smiling at the images of his former lazy subordinate actually doing her work filled his mind. "Through I'm sure when they get a new captain she will go back to her lazy drunken self."

Looking at the grave his smile fell from his lips and a sigh came out. "I feel so alone now Momo, like I was before I met you. But I don't know how to fulfill my promise to you." Getting up from the ground he looked down at the gravestone for a moment, "I do have one idea, through I'm not sure it'll work." Letting out a sigh he turned away, "I better go before I lose my nerve. Bye, Hinamori." And with that he headed back down the path and onto the streets of the Seireitei.

Hitsugaya made his way down unfamiliar streets as he approached the 2ed division's compound. Passing by the gate guards, he made his way to the central building that housed the head quarters of the 2ed division and the Stealth Force. As he entered the building he wondered just how much the lieutenant spent on upgrading the office building to suit himself. Though it was nice upgrade, especially the air-conditioning, he could live without the automatic doors through. As he was pondering these thing his feet carried him, without much thought, to the threshold of Captain Soifon's office. Bracing himself for what he was about to do, he knocked on the door.

He was answered by a rather annoyed sounding Soifon. "Enter." A simple statement that actually had the ice cold captain hesitating outside the door. "I said enter!" The shout brought him back to what he was doing there, and with a deep breath he pulled himself back together and opened the door and stepped in.

He stood just inside the doorway as he looked at the women sitting behind her desk. Her grey eyes looking at intently as he stood there. She put down her pen next to a small statue of a black cat, and he was reminded how she worshiped the Shihoin princess. Her apparent frustration gone, she continued in a business like manner. "Do you need something Captain Hitsugaya?" Taking a deep breath Hitsugaya slowly approached the desk before he responded.

Standing a few feet in front of her desk Toshiro stood as tall as he could, witch was hard to do being only 4 foot 4 inches tall. His cheeks betraying his calm façade as they took on a light pink tinge. Despite himself, his voice wavered a little as he said what he came he to say. "Captain Soifon, I accept your challenge." There, it was done. Now Hitsugaya braced himself to be laughed at by the women in front of him.

Soifon was confused for a moment until what he said dawned on her. Raising an eyebrow she looked at the young captain standing before her. Her grey eyes scrutinizing his entire being, looking for some clue this was a joke. She found none, instead she saw only determination in his teal green eyes. Her analyses complete, she addressed the captain in a questioning tone. "I did not think you would be one to accept the challenge Captain Hitsugaya. Are you sure about this?"

She saw him fidget just a tiny bit and his cheeks took on even more color but he did not back down. "Yes Captain Soifon, I am sure." Soifon looked at him once more and he seemed to grow more and more uncomfortable underneath her questioning eyes, still he stood there waiting for her answer. She had to give him credit for having the courage to even accept the challenge.

The room was silent for another minute before she responded, "Vary well then Captain Hitsugaya. Do you have any stipulations on this dual?"

Hitsugaya relaxed a little at those words before he responded, "I suggest a test of martial skill. No Shikai, Bankai, or poison's. Is that acceptable to you Captain Soifon?"

Soifon studied him for a moment before she replied. "Yes Captain Hitsugaya, that is acceptable." Reaching for a piece of blank paper she quickly wrote down a set of coordinates on in before handing it to Hitsugaya. "Be there at 9 tomorrow morning."

Hitsugaya took the paper before looking at it, nodded, then placed into one of the pockets hidden in his uniform. As he began to turn for the door he was stopped when Soifon addressed him. "Why do want to take this challenge Captain Hitsugaya? It doesn't seem like you."

Turning to look at the women still sitting behind her desk he appeared to consider her before he gave his reply. "I'll tell you Captain, if you tell me why you even have such a challenge in the first place."

Soifon closed her eyes in thought as she considered his question. "I'll tell you if you beat me tomorrow." With that she picked up her pen and returned to her paperwork, effectively dismissing Toshiro. He turned without comment and diapered through the door to prepare for tomorrow.

When the door closed behind Hitsugaya she put her pen down once more before taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. Letting out a sigh she wondered what tomorrow would bring. The last man to accept her challenge had been an 8th seat more than 40 years ago. That had been easy to win. Tomorrow would be a far more challenging dual then that. Looking at the black cat statue sitting on her desk she wondered what Lady Yoruichi would have to say to her now. She would probably tell her there were better ways to meet people then in the dual ring. Still, there was nothing she could do now. Picking up the pen she went back to the reports. When that was finished she would prepare herself for the match.