A/N: This is my first Bleach fanfic, Actually, I don't write all of it myself. My friend help me a lot with this story. By the way, Enjoy the story!

Reminiscence

Chapter 1: The Dream

Stranded in a barren wasteland, fighting for my life. The bite-mark wound on my back is starting to freeze. The pitch black sky started to creep towards me as I run away from the cold-blood beast hiding inside the black clouds.

"Hitsugaya … Hitsugaya, you can run … but you know you can't hide". The voice of the monster still echoes in my ears. As I used the last of my stamina to run to a nearby cave. Something happened, snow began to fall slowly, drifting with the cold wind like falling cherry blossom petals. Amazed by such a beautiful sight in a life-or-death moment, I slowly reached out my right hand, letting the snow fall into my palm. The snow sank into my skin like butter on a hot pan. But what I'm feeling right now is anything but hot. The cold is spine-chilling, sinking into the very marrow of my bones. Then the ice began to form a small transparent flower. As the flower began to grow, I feel I'm losing the control over my right arm, my nerves began to fail; my arm was paralyzed. I know this technique…

Hyoten Hyakkaso….

Figuring out how dangerous the situation was, I made a dash for my life. But it was too late. I was trapped, there was no where to go. And in just a matter of seconds, I was completely paralyzed. Just then the snow stopped and the black cloud parted, slowly appearing from the clouds was a blue dragon, staring at me with blood-red eyes.

"I told you so, Hitsugaya … you are not worthy to wield me" The dragon spoke to me.

"You have to venture into the past to find out the ultimate technique".

As I was trying to make out what he meant, the dragon suddenly lunged at me, opening wide his pitch black mouth, sucking me in.

"Gasp!" I woke up in cold sweat. It was 4 in the morning. God damn it, ever since Aizen left, these nightmare has been coming in more and more frequently. I looked at the clutter on my table, yawning.

"Haaiiiizzzzz, geez, another day falling asleep at work. Oh well, I'll just tell Yamamoto I fell asleep.

"What's the worst he can do?" I was sudden at the sheer thought of his anger, but soon got over it. "

"After all, I'm just a kid." I straighten out my black shinigami robe and brushed my fingers through my white hair fluttering in the fan breeze.

"But what was Hyorinmaru trying to tell me?"

I slowly picked up the sword with blue hilt wrapped by chain. The end of the chain was a crescent moon-shape blade. Gently putting the sword on my lap, I stroke the 4-star shaped guard.

"What are you trying to say, Hyorinmaru?" I thought to myself. I plays the dragon's voice over and over again in my mind.

"Is it suppose to be a riddle?" I asked the sword in frustration.

Think, think, "venture into the past and he ultimate technique." What did he meant by "venture into the past"?. But more importantly, what could it be? As I laid my head on the stack of books and reports on my desk and fantasies about the possibilities of the ultimate skill

"A bigger Hyorinmaru? No no. Maybe I can make ice mirrors (like that Haku in manga Naruto).

And before I knew it, I was asleep.

Sunlight shines through the small window cracks and light up my white hair. 9a.m, thank god, 5 more hours of sleep. I've been getting more and more tired everyday since… THE INCIDENT. As I was lost in my thought, I heard aloud knocking on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Matsumoto, sir, how was your sleep?" A voice shouted back.

"I slept fine, but I'm not gonna let you in though"

Suddenly the door burst open and before I knew it, I was buried in Rangiku's breast. Struggling to get out, I pushed her aside.

"You're as cute as ever, captain."

I grind my teeth loudly "Yea Yea, but you must have come here for a reason, right?"

Rangiku puts her serious face back on and reported.

"Sir, Kurosaki Ichigo is coming to you about the battle strategies for.."

She took a breath and gulp "..Aizen".

"Hum, ok have him report to my office immediately when he arrives."

"Yes sir" Rangiku spoke loudly and clear, then ran out the door.

As I tidied up the mess on my desk to get ready for the important guest. I stumbled upon a book telling me about an ancient ritual which Shinigamies and their Zanpakutos used to do back in the past. Just as I was busily reading the book, Ichigo arrived. I gave him a warm welcome and we talk. The talk ended quickly since we both know we do not process the ability to beat him. There just as all hope was lost.. I came up with an idea "the ultimate technique". The only problem was I didn't know how to "venture into the past". Out of false hope, I told Ichigo about the riddle Hyorinmaru gave me. And he knew. He said Zangetsu also said something like that and he told me everything he knew about it. Turns out "venturing into the past" was a way for shinigamies to learn a new skills in a neutral way. This helps strengthen the bond between them and their sword. Hearing what Ichigo said, I ran back to my table to get the book I was reading earlier. What Ichigo and the book said matched perfectly. Having nothing to lose I decided that I would give it a try first thing tomorrow morning.

Next morning, as I make my way out to the training ground, I saw Ichigo already waiting for me.

"Hi, Tōshirō" He said with a smile "Ready to go?"

"Go where? I thought you went back home yesterday."

"Well" he explained "Talking with your Zanpakuto will take months, even years and we don't take that kind of time, So… I'm gonna help you speed up the process."

"How?" I asked, out of curiosity.

Wow, finish chapter 1, please review so I will have courage to write the next chapter better., Sorry for fan, actually the original name of this chapter is "The Riddle Of Zanpakuto" but I change it into "The Dream" due to my friend's suggestion so I hope you like this new name.